RSC announces 2025-26 season at the Barbican

The season will include a new take on JM Barrie's classic Peter Pan tale and a Shakespeare transfer from Stratford-upon-Avon.

The RSC has announced two plays in its 2025-26 season at the Barbican in London, including a new take on a JM Barrie classic tale and a Shakespeare transfer from Stratford-upon-Avon.

Wendy & Peter Pan, a retelling of Barrie’s children's story, has been adapted by Ella Hickson, with direction by Jonathan Munby and set and costumes by Colin Richmond. Performances begin on 21 October to 22 November. RSC Associate Artist Toby Stephens (Oslo, Hamlet) will star as the villainous Captain Hook. Further casting is to be announced.

The rest of the creative team includes choreographer Lucy Hind, composer Shuhei Kamimura, sound designer Christopher Shutt, lighting designer Oliver Fenwick, video designer Taiki Ueda, and fight director Terry King.

Following this, Freema Agyeman, Michael Grady-Hall, and Samuel West will return in Prasanna Puwanarajah’s version of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, following its run in Stratford-upon-Avon. They will reprise the roles of Olivia, Feste, and Malvolio respectively. Performances will begin on 8 December, running through 17 January 2026.

The production features set and costume design by James Cotterill, lighting design by Bethany Gupwell and Zoe Spurr, original compositions by Matt Maltese, sound design by George Dennis, and movement direction by Polly Bennett.

Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans, RSC Co-Artistic Directors, said: “We’re so excited to be announcing our second Winter season at the Barbican, and to be bringing two brilliant productions to our London audiences.

"Ella Hickson’s darkly witty adaptation of Wendy & Peter Pan brings a fresh perspective to J.M Barrie’s classic novel, whilst still offering everything you would expect from the beloved story – from crooked captains to carnivorous crocodiles. The play was first performed with the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon a decade ago, and this new production, directed by Jonathan Munby, promises to bring even more joy and magic to the Barbican stage.

"The season continues with Prasanna Puwanarajah’s smash-hit version of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. We are thrilled that Sam, Freema and Michael will return to reprise their critically acclaimed roles which delighted our audiences in Stratford last year. How fitting that the show will run over Twelfth Night, the moment when we all reflect on the celebrations we have enjoyed throughout the festive season.”

Check back for Wendy & Peter Pan and Twelfth Night tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Artwork for RSC shows at the Barbican. (Courtesy of productions)