TRADGE'S TOP PICKS: Spring 2026

Winter is melting into spring, and so we have another opportunity to check out what is coming up in the world of theatre across the country, with plenty of exciting new shows opening their doors to audiences over the coming months. Here are my picks for what's coming up in London and beyond during the spring months.

-----

LONDON

Inter Alia - Suzie Miller

Wyndham's Theatre: 17/03 - 20/06

Tickets: book here

"Jessica Parks is a maverick London Crown Court Judge; sharp, compassionate, and determined to change a system she knows isn’t always just. But her career exists inter alia (‘among other things’) as she balances motherhood, friendship and the elusive notion of ‘having it all’. So, when an unthinkable event rocks her finely tuned life, can she hold her family together – or will everything fall apart?" - National Theatre

Runtime: 1 hour, 40 minutes (no interval)

Content warnings: references to sensitive subject matter including to sex, violence, rape and other criminal activity.

Production warnings: flashing lights

Age guidance: 14+

Accessibility info: click here

John Proctor Is The Villain - Kimberly Belflower

Royal Court Theatre: 20/03 - 25/04

Tickets: more info (Sold Out - £15 Mondays available)

"'One day, maybe, the new world we were promised will actually be new.' Five young women running on pop music, optimism and fury are about to shed light on the darkest secrets in their small town. A story about girlhood, power, and questioning the narratives we’ve been taught. Tony Award-winner Danya Taymor (The Outsiders) directs Kimberly Belflower’s bitingly funny, seven-time Tony Award-nominated fresh take on Arthur Miller’s The Crucible" - Royal Court Theatre

Runtime: 1 hour, 45 minutes (no interval)

Content warnings: strong language; discussions of sexual harassment/assault, abusive behaviours, teacher-student sexual relationship; mention of suicide

Production warnings: smoke/haze, strobe lighting

Age guidance: 12+

Accessibility info: click here

FlyBy - Theo Jamieson

Southwark Playhouse Borough: 03/04 - 16/05

Tickets: book here

"At its centre are Daniel, a brilliant but unpredictable engineer who disappears into the void, and Emily, a fiercely intelligent documentary film maker with a complicated past. As the narrative shifts between past and present, we uncover the tangled forces that drove him there – Daniel and Emily’s passionate, combustible relationship; his growing psychological unraveling; and Emily’s struggle to define herself amid talent, ambition, and moral ambiguity." - Southwark Playhouse

Runtime: 1 hour, 30 minutes (no interval)

Content warnings: Strong language

Age guidance: 12+

Accessibility info: click here

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind - Richy Hughes/Tim Sutton

@sohoplace: 29/04 - 18/07

Tickets: book here

"In drought-stricken Malawi, a 13-year-old boy dreams of saving his village. Nobody believes he can – not his father, his friends, nor his community. As crops fail and hope runs dry, William finds inspiration in scraps of old machinery and a handful of library books. What he lacks in resources, he makes up for in determination, grit and imagination,and a windmill begins to take shape. Can William defy expectations and harness the power of the wind to bring energy, life, and hope to his people?" - Nimax Theatres

Runtime: 2 hours, 30 minutes (incl. interval)

Content warnings:

Age guidance: 11+

Accessibility info: click here

Beetlejuice - Scott Brown/Anthony King/Eddie Perfect

Prince Edward Theatre: 20/05/26 - 17/04/27

Tickets: book here

"Get ready for the time of your afterlife with the supernaturally hilarious hit musical BEETLEJUICE! The spectacular Broadway sensation crosses over to the Prince Edward Theatre from May 2026 - for a limited haunting only. Based on Tim Burton’s beloved movie classic, this wildly funny - and weirdly life-affirming - musical tells the tale of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager sharing her home with a pair of newly-deads and the demonic ghost with the most, Beetlejuice. He’s dead trouble, but if you really want to feel alive, just say his name three times…" - Delfont Mackintosh

Runtime: 2 hours, 30 minutes (incl. interval)

Content warnings: strong language; mature themes; sexual references; exploration of death (including death of a parent); references to suicide and drug use

Production warnings: smoke/haze, flashing lights, strobe, sudden loud noises

Age guidance: 12+

Accessibility info: click here

-----

TOURING/REGIONAL

Punch - James Graham

UK Mini Tour starting in Nottingham: 13/03

More info/tour dates: click here

"Jacob Dunne, a teenager from The Meadows, Nottingham, spends his Saturday nights seeking thrills with his friends. One fateful evening in Old Market Square, an impulsive punch leads to fatal consequences. After serving prison time, Jacob finds himself lost and directionless. Searching for answers, Joan and David – the parents of his victim James – ask to meet, sparking a profound transformation in Jacob’s life. A powerful story of hope, humanity, and the possibility of change" - Nottingham Playhouse

Runtime: 2 hours, 25 minutes (incl. interval)

Content warnings: strong language; references to violence, death, bereavement, alcohol and substance misuse and mental health.

Production warnings: smoke/haze, strobe lighting, flashing lights, sudden noises

Age guidance: 12+

Accessibility info: click here

Henry V - William Shakespeare

RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon: 14/03 - 25/04

Tickets: book here

From a rebellious, carefree young man to the King of England. Overnight. And now this new king has an eye on the throne of France. A reckless insult from the French Dauphin offers the perfect excuse for Henry V to declare war. But there’s a human price to pay for his pursuit of power and thousands could die at Agincourt. Henry must unite his country, defeat the French, and prove himself worthy of the crown of England. Does he have what it takes? Co-Artistic Director Tamara Harvey directs Alfred Enoch as Shakespeare’s Henry V, following on from their acclaimed collaboration on Pericles in 2024.

Runtime: Not yet specified

Content warnings: loud music; flashing lights

Age guidance: 11+

Accessibility info: click here

Private Lives - Noël Coward

Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester: 27/03 - 02/05

Tickets: book here

"In Noël Coward’s savage comedy, there’s nothing a cocktail can’t cure as lovers battle to get the upper hand. Wit has never been so razor sharp and passion has never looked so brutal. In Private Lives, sparks fly on a honeymoon from hell and sexual chemistry is always only a heartbeat away from an explosion. Loved for their sparkling dialogue and art deco glamour, Noël Coward’s plays remain as funny and insightful as when they were written" - Royal Exchange Theatre

Runtime: Not yet specified

Content warnings: Not yet specified

Age guidance: 14+

Accessibility info: click here

Waitress: The Musical - Sara Bareilles

UK Tour starting in Wimbledon: 28/03

More info/tour dates: click here

"Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of some happiness in her life. When a hot new doctor arrives in town, life gets complicated. With the support of her workmates Becky and Dawn, Jenna overcomes the challenges she faces and finds that laughter, love and friendship can provide the perfect recipe for happiness. Brought to life by a ground-breaking, female-led creative team, this ‘warm, witty, wise and hilarious’ (EXPRESS) hit features ‘one of the best scores in years’ (THE STAGE) by the Grammy award-winning Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave)..." - Waitress UK

Runtime: 2 hours, 30 minutes (incl. interval)

Content warnings: strong language; themes of domestic abuse; sexual innuendo

Age guidance: 13+

Accessibility info: venue specific

The Karate Kid: The Musical - Drew Gasparini/Robert Mark Kamen

UK Tour starting in Wimbledon: 28/04

More info/tour dates: click here

"Don’t miss the unforgettable theatrical experience of the season as this heartfelt coming-of-age story takes flight with spectacular musical numbers and dazzlingly inventive choreography. Daniel LaRusso’s journey is reimagined through movement, music, and raw, energetic storytelling. At its heart is the powerful bond between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi, who teaches that karate isn’t about fighting, it’s about balance, dignity, and respect" - ATG Tickets

Runtime: Not yet specified (show has an interval)

Content warnings: Not yet specified

Age guidance: 14+

Accessibility info: venue specific