Rose Theatre Announces 2025/26 Season, Featuring Jane Austen’s Emma, Private Lives, and More
The Rose Theatre Kingston has unveiled an exciting lineup for its 2025/26 season, including world premieres, new adaptations, and classic plays. Here's a look at what's in store for the theatre in the coming year:
Emma (17 September – 11 October 2025)
Adapted by: Ava Pickett (Susan Smith Blackburn Prize-winning playwright)
Directed by: Christopher Haydon, Artistic Director of Rose Theatre
To mark the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, this brand-new adaptation of Emma will offer a fresh take on Austen’s beloved classic. Pickett’s adaptation promises to bring a modern lens to the story of the clever, but somewhat misguided, matchmaking heroine, Emma Woodhouse.
Private Lives (14–25 October 2025)
Written by: Noël Coward
Directed by: Tanuja Amarasuriya, winner of the RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award
A classic comedy of manners, Private Lives follows the tempestuous relationship between Elyot and Amanda, who find themselves unexpectedly reunited on their honeymoons with their new spouses. This production will continue the Rose Theatre’s partnership with the Royal Theatrical Support Trust.
Cinderella (28 November 2025 – 4 January 2026)
Written by: Chris Bush & Roni Neale
Original Songs by: Matt Winkworth
Olivier Award-winning playwright Chris Bush teams up with Roni Neale to create a new version of the beloved fairy tale. Expect original songs and a fresh take on the classic rags-to-riches story, bringing new life to the story of Cinderella for the festive season.
The Boy at the Back of the Class (6–22 February 2026)
Adapted by: Monique Touko from the novel by Onjali Q. Raúf
After a successful 2024 UK tour and a premiere at the Rose Theatre, Monique Touko will bring The Boy at the Back of the Class back to the stage. This powerful and heartwarming adaptation tells the story of a young refugee boy who befriends a group of schoolchildren and tackles themes of friendship, empathy, and acceptance.
Our Town (26 February – 28 March 2026)
Written by: Thornton Wilder
Starring: Michael Sheen
Directed by: Francesca Goodridge
Presented in a co-production with the Welsh National Theatre, this new production of Our Town stars Michael Sheen in a timeless portrayal of the residents of a small town in New England. Directed by Francesca Goodridge, the production promises to capture the beauty of Wilder’s play about community, love, and the passage of time.
Ticket Information
Tickets will be available for sale closer to the opening dates, and the season promises to offer a rich variety of theatre that highlights both new works and reimagined classics.
The 2025/26 season at the Rose Theatre will bring together talented artists, fresh adaptations, and a mixture of heartwarming, thought-provoking, and entertaining works to the stage. With these exciting productions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at one of London’s most dynamic theatres.
