Shakespeare's Globe announces shows in winter season

New musical Pinocchio will be directed by Associate Artistic Director Sean Holmes, with book and lyrics by Charlie Josephine, and music and lyrics by Jim Fortune.

Shakespeare's Globe has announced three shows that will appear as part of its winter season at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse and Globe Theatre, including new musical Pinocchio.

The season will open with Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, which runs from 5–8 November in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. The bilingual production will combine Welsh and English and is directed by Theatr Cymru Artistic Director Steffan Donnelly. The rest of the creative team includes design by Elin Steele, with Dyfan Jones as composer, music director, and sound designer, and Ceri James as lighting designer.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream follows this, running from 13 November to 31 January, 2026 and appearing for the first time in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.

New musical Pinocchio will run from 29 November to 4 January, 2026 in the Globe Theatre, directed by Associate Artistic Director Sean Holmes, with book and lyrics by Charlie Josephine, and music and lyrics by Jim Fortune.

Pinocchio will be designed by Grace Smart, with Peter O'Rourke as puppetry designer and director and Tony Gayle as sound designer.

On Pinocchio, Holmes said: “It’s a privilege to be part of the team bringing this magical new musical to the Globe this Christmas. Like the story itself we hope the production makes the impossible possible.”

Shakespeare’s Globe Artistic Director Michelle Terry said: “This winter, whether in the candlelight of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse or the moonlight of the Globe Theatre, this season of incredible artists will tell old tales anew as we all try and light our way through the dark."

Check back for tickets to shows in the Globe's winter season.

Photo credit: Pinocchio artwork. (Courtesy of production)