Reading Rep Theatre Announces 2026/27 Season
Reading’s only producing theatre presents a beautifully crafted season packed with bold choices, inventive adaptations, and thrilling storytelling.
Reading Rep Theatre has a history of creating inspiring, bold, and innovative work across the country and internationally with inspiring artists and theatre. Since the opening of its state-of-the-art building in 2021 the theatre has grown in strength, ambition, and critical acclaim. Today, this award-winning theatre announces its new season for 2026/27. Building on its reputation as one of the UK’s most dynamic producing theatres, the year is packed with original adaptations, thrilling storytelling, and exceptional new work cementing Reading Rep Theatre’s place in a vibrant and evolving theatre ecology.
- Two World Premieres, a chilling retelling of a gothic classic, a celebrated favourite, and an original piece of children’s theatre shapes Artistic Director Paul Stacey’s powerful and beautifully crafted 2026/27 season for Reading Rep Theatre.
- A gripping adaptation of Dracula opens the season and builds on Reading Rep Theatre’s reputation for redefining literary classics for contemporary audiences. Thrilling, fast-paced, and packed with edge-of-your-seat tension, the production is the first time Reading Rep Theatre will be working in association with the nationally renowned Blackeyed Theatre.
- In an exceptional exploration of one of Britain’s greatest actors, Zeb Soanes brings the life of Sir Alec Guinness to stage in Two Halves of Guinness, marking the 25th anniversary of his death.
- Transporting audiences to the streets of Victorian London, the World Premiere of a brand-new adaptation of A Christmas Carol reinforces Reading Rep’s reputation for crafting inventive, compelling, and distinct Christmas productions. This fresh retelling of Dickens’ timeless classic promises to be a joyful, music-filled spectacle for audiences of all ages.
- Critically acclaimed and a smash-hit with audiences, Reading Rep Theatre and Original Theatre’s production of The Importance of Being Oscar returns following a successful run at Jermyn Street Theatre in 2025, a national tour and subsequent transfer to Park Theatre in 2026.
- The season’s second World Premier is a haunting new version of The Turn of the Screw by Olivier Award-winning writer Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, and directed by Nicky Allpress. Crafted perfectly for Reading Rep’s intimate space, this chilling psychological thriller pulls the audience even closer to Henry James’ iconic gothic novella. Presented by Reading Rep Theatre in association with Blackeyed Theatre and Arcola Theatre.
- The season concludes with a major musical production still to be announced — set to become Reading Rep Theatre’s largest production to date.
- In addition to the season, Reading Rep Theatre continues its multi-award-winning ENGAGE programme, ensuring more people can access and take part in its work. Championing live performance for young audiences remains central to the Theatre’s mission, and this year’s programme includes the world premiere of Super Me, a new early years production created with writer and theatre-maker Sam Amestoy in co-production with Reading Libraries and Reading Borough Council.
Paul Stacey said:
I am incredibly proud of Reading Rep’s 2026/27 season. Across the year, these productions are united by a single idea: opening doors. Our world premiere of the classic and familiar tale A Christmas Carol invites new audiences, from families to students, to experience Reading Rep for the very first time, while Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s bold new adaptation of The Turn of the Screw highlights our continued commitment to programming exciting and inventive contemporary voices.
Our first collaboration with Blackeyed Theatre, Dracula, builds on Reading Rep’s long-standing tradition of reimagining literary classics for modern audiences, while The Importance of Being Oscar returns to the stage following an exceptional national tour and two acclaimed London runs.
Whether through new collaborations, fresh adaptations or work designed to reach audiences of all ages, this season reflects our ambition to create bold, unforgettable theatre and ensure more people than ever feel that Reading Rep is a place for them.
Reading Rep Theatre in association with Blackeyed Theatre present
DRACULA
By Bram Stoker
Adapted by Nick Lane
Directed by Hal Chambers
23 September – 10 October
Nick Lane’s gripping adaptation of Bram Stoker’s gothic classic Dracula is directed by Hal Chambers who returns following the smash hit production of The Last Five Years in 2025. The production marks Reading Rep Theatre’s first ever co-production with the nationally renowned Blackeyed Theatre. Seamlessly blending Victorian Gothic and contemporary, ensemble performance style, a haunting soundscape, live music, and innovative design, which will bring this exhilarating theatrical experience up-close in Reading Rep Theatre’s intimate space. Draculaopens the season on 23 September and runs until 10 October.
Julian Bird for Green Room Ents in association with Reading Rep Theatre
TWO HALVES OF GUINNESS
A Play by Mark Burgess
Directed by Selina Cadell
29 - 31 October
In an exceptional exploration of one of Britain’s greatest actors, Zeb Soanes brings the life of Sir Alec Guinness to stage, marking the 25th anniversary of his death. With nearly 70 plays, 50 films, over a dozen television dramas, and two Oscars to his name, Sir Alec Guinness’ career spanned Shakespeare, comedy, and Hollywood classics. Yet he feared he would only be remembered for one role: Obi-Wan Kenobi.
A witty, heartfelt tour through Guinness’ extraordinary life and career runs from 29-31 October.
World Premiere - Reading Rep Theatre presents
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
By Charles Dickens
A new adaptation for 2026
19 November – 4 January 2027
The world premiere of a brand-new adaptation of A Christmas Carol is Reading Rep Theatre’s festive offer for 2026/27 running from 19 November to 4 January. Transforming Reading Rep Theatre’s auditorium into Victorian London, the production is packed with soaring live music, dance, and heaps of festive celebration.
This bold new production continues a tradition of Reading Rep Theatre’s celebrated Christmas offer as Charles Dickens’ unforgettable and timeless Christmas story draws audiences of all ages into the heart of the action. Follow Scrooge as he journeys through past, present, and future, in a production that feels both wonderfully familiar and thrillingly new.
Reading Rep Theatre & Original Theatre present
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING OSCAR
By Micheál Mac Liammóir
Starring Alastair Whatley
Directed by Michael Fentiman
2-13 February
Micheál Mac Liammóir’s one-man show celebrating the life and wit of Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Oscar, was originally developed and produced by Reading Rep Theatre and Original Theatre. This critically acclaimed production now returns to the theatre following a hugely successful tour and London run. Told in the shadows of Reading Gaol, where Wilde was imprisoned, this strictly limited run is a compelling journey through the loves and losses, successes, and struggles of the iconic man - from the eccentric socialite to the imprisoned outcast.
A beautiful tribute to an icon of the theatre, liberally laced with Wilde's signature wit and wisdom and featuring excerpts of many of his best-loved works the production runs from 2-13 February.
World Premiere - Reading Rep Theatre in association with Blackeyed Theatre and Arcola Theatre presents
THE TURN OF THE SCREW
By Morgan Lloyd Malcolm
Based on the seminal ghost story by Henry James
Directed by Nicky Allpress
2-22 March
Olivier Award-winning writer Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s haunting adaptation of Henry James’ seminal gothic novella The Turn of the Screw has its world premiere at Reading Rep Theatre from 2 to 22 March. The production, produced in association with Blackeyed Theatre and Arcola Theatre, combines ghostly illusion and stylish theatricality with powerful performances. A masterwork of psychological suspense and the inspiration for Susan Hill‘s The Woman in Black, the play follows a young governess who begins what appears to be an idyllic new life caring for two children – but something about the children hints at a darker presence. Nicky Allpress (The Shape of Things, Ulster American) directs this World Premiere.
Alongside this season of work Reading Rep continues its in-depth and multi-award-winning programme ENGAGE, creating essential pathways into the Theatre and ensuring more people can take part. Central to this work is Reading Rep Theatre’s original offer for young audiences created by writer, actor and theatre-maker Sam Amestoy. Super Me is Sam’s third show designed specifically for early years, an exciting and uplifting adventure across Berkshire, meeting some of its most inspiring residents along the way. The interactive and accessible family production will run at Reading Rep Theatre from 30 March to 2 April and is created in co-production with Reading Libraries and Reading Borough Council.
The season concludes with a major musical production still to be announced — which is set to become Reading Rep Theatre’s largest and most ambitious production to date.