National Theatre announces further details and shows for 2026 programming

Following his production of Hamlet, starring Hiran Abeysekera, Deputy Artistic Director Robert Hastie will direct a new version of Maxim Gorky’s satirical play Summerfolk.

Summary

• Robert Hastie will direct Nina Raine and Moses Raine’s new version of Maxim Gorky’s play Summerfolk in the Olivier
• Anthony Lau will make his National Theatre directorial debut in the Dorfman theatre with Terence Rattigan’s Man and Boy
• Marianne Elliott returns to the National Theatre to direct Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Further information has been revealed about the National Theatre's programming in 2026.

Deputy Artistic Director Robert Hastie will direct Nina Raine and Moses Raine’s new version of Maxim Gorky’s satirical play Summerfolk, which runs in the Olivier theatre from 6 March to 29 April. Set in summer 1905, Summerfolk follows Russia’s elite as they retreat to the countryside — but why can't Varvara shake the feeling that something is brewing?

The creative team includes set and costume designer Peter McKintosh, lighting designer Paul Pyant, sound designer Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, composer Nicola T. Chang, and associate set designer Joseph Bisat Marshall. Casting is to be announced.

Director Anthony Lau (The Crucible) will make his National Theatre debut in the Dorfman theatre from 30 January to 14 March 2026 with Terence Rattigan’s Man and Boy — a tale of paternity and corruption, with Ben Daniels (The Normal Heart) and Laurie Kynaston (Long Day’s Journey into Night) playing father and son, Gregor Antonescu and Basil Anthony.

The cast also includes Phoebe Campbell as Carol Penn, Isabella Laughland as Countess Antonescu, Malcolm Sinclair as Mark Herries, and Leo Wan as David Beeston.

The creative team includes set and costume designer Georgia Lowe, lighting designer Elliot Griggs, movement director Aline David, composer Angus MacRae, and sound designer Giles Thomas.

Further casting has been revealed for Les Liaisons Dangereuses, which plays in the Lyttelton theatre from 21 March to 6 June.

Marianne Elliott (Angels in America) returns to the National Theatre to direct a striking new production of Christopher Hampton’s adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ classic novel, which is centred on love, lies and social warfare.

Joining the previously announced Monica Barbaro as Madame de Tourvel, Gabrielle Drake as Madame de Rosemond, Lesley Manville as Marquise de Merteuil, and Aidan Turner as Vicomte de Valmont are Sharif Afifi as Azolan, Nandi Bhebhe as Julie, Ali Goldsmith as Major-Domo, Darragh Hand as Chevalier Danceny, Cat Simmons as Madame de Volanges, and Hannah van der Westhuysen as Cécile Volanges.

The creative team also includes set designer Rosanna Vize, costume designer Natalie Roar, choreographer Tom Jackson Greaves, composer Jasmin Kent Rodgman, lighting designer James Farncombe, sound designer Ian Dickson for Autograph, intimacy director Ingrid Mackinnon, and fight director Sam Lyon-Behan.

From 26 March to 9 May 2026, The Authenticator will play in the Dorfman, reuniting writer Winsome Pinnock (Leave Taking) with director Miranda Cromwell in this gothic psychological thriller about eccentric artist Fenella Harford, who discovers a stash of hidden diaries when she inherits her family's stately home.

Full casting includes Rakie Ayola as Abi, Sylvestra Le Touzel as Fen and Cherrelle Skeete as Marva.

The creative team includes set designer Jon Bausor, costume designer Kinnetia Isidore, lighting designer Aideen Malone, sound designer Tingying Dong, composer Femi Temowo, and movement director Shelley Maxwell.

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Photo credit: promotional material for Les Liaisons Dangereuses and The Authenticator. (Courtesy of National Theatre)