The Tony Award-winning musical Kimberly Akimbo will have its European premiere at Hampstead Theatre in 2026, alongside the premieres of five new plays and the London stage directing debut of Stanley Tucci.
Kimberly Akimbo, David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori’s profoundly funny and heartwarming musical receives its much anticipated European premiere in a new production by Michael Longhurst. Winner of five 2023 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, it tells the story of a 16-year old Kimberly whose rare genetic condition causes her to age four times faster than usual. As she comes of age, she searches for love and meaning while knowing time is not on her side. Kimberly Akimbo plays Hampstead’s Main Stage from 28 August – 7 November.
Olivier Award-winning playwright Alexi Kaye Campbell offers a fresh perspective on one of England’s greatest writers, George Eliot, in his new play Bird Grove. A poignant exploration of family ties and self-determination, Bird Grove questions how we can live alongside those we disagree with. Directed by Anna Ledwich, it receives its world premiere on Hampstead’s Main Stage from 13 February – 21 March.
Stanley Tucci makes his London stage directing debut with the world premiere of Springwood by Olivier and Tony Award-winning playwright Richard Nelson. Playing Hampstead’s Main Stage from 19 June – 25 July, Springwood is a witty and poignant new play that pulls back the curtain on a pivotal meeting in 1939 between King George VI and President Roosevelt.
Three further premieres are also announced for Hampstead Theatre’s Downstairs studio.
American playwright Aaron Loeb makes his UK debut with the world premiere of R.O.I (Return On Investment), a provocative and darkly humorous exploration of power, ownership and the true cost of innovation. The play centres on an ambitious venture capitalist who backs an invention by a young entrepreneur that could be life-changing for the entire human race. Directed by Chelsea Walker, it plays Hampstead Downstairs from 6 March – 11 April.
Firewing marks the playwriting debut of David Pearson, a graduate of Hampstead Theatre’s INSPIRE programme for emerging playwrights. Directed by Hampstead Associate Director Alice Hamilton, it is a striking new play about connection, artistry and control as a wildlife photographer and his apprentice go in search of the elusive Firewing. It has its world premiere at Hampstead Downstairs from 17 April – 23 May.
Following a successful Off-Broadway run, We Had A World by Joshua Harmon has its European premiere. A deeply personal and searingly funny play, Joshua Harmon brings to theatrical life his New York childhood shaped by an eccentric grandmother, revealing thirty years of family fights and enduring love that influenced him both as a person and an artist. Directed by Josh Seymour, it plays Hampstead Downstairs from 29 May – 4 July.
Hampstead Theatre’s Producer and Chief Executive, Greg Ripley-Duggan said: “It’s a privilege to be announcing our plans so far for 2026 – and we’ve more to come! These productions will start the year in classic Hampstead Theatre style – thrilling new plays, exciting debuts and, later in the year the European premiere of a Broadway hit musical. It’s a real joy to welcome David Lindsay-Abaire, Jeanine Tesori and Michael Longhurst back to Hampstead for Kimberly Akimbo and I’m really looking forward to introducing our audiences to a raft of new writers and some truly wonderful new plays by some familiar playwrights.”
Additional shows and casting are to be announced.
Public booking for the new 2026 season opens on 5 December at 10.30am, with further info here.
