Among the shows announced will be a new adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma.
The Rose Theatre in Kingston has announced its 2025/2026 season, joining the previously announced Marie and Rosetta starring Olivier Award winner Beverley Knight.
Susan Smith Blackburn Prize winning playwright Ava Pickett and Rose Theatre Artistic Director Christopher Haydon will be presenting a brand new adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma. The production coincides with the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, running at the theatre from the 17th September until the 11th October.
Meanwhile, Sir Peter Hall Director Award winner Tanuja Amarasuriya will direct a production of Noel Coward’s Private Lives from the 14 – 25 October and the latest production as part of the Rose’s relationship with the Royal Theatrical Support Trust.
From the 28 November 2025 – 4 January 2026, Olivier Award winner Chris Bush and Roni Neale’s version of Cinderella featuring new songs by Matt Winkworth will be presented on stage.
The Stage Debut Award winning director Monique Touko returns with her acclaimed staging of Onjali Q. Raúf’s best-selling novel, The Boy at the Back of the Class, which premiered at the Rose and extensively toured the country in 2024 (6 – 22 February 2026).
This newly announced season will conclude with the recently announced Our Town, Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, starring Michael Sheen, directed by Francesca Goodridge, presented in a co-production with newly launched Welsh National Theatre (26 February – 28 March 2026).
Talking about the announcement Christopher Haydon, Artistic Director of Rose Theatre, said: “I am delighted to be presenting this season of shows created by a string of exceptional, award-winning artists. Each production will bring a sharply contemporary sensibility to a big-hearted and joyous story. These are shows that will bring happiness and laughter to audiences of all ages. I am particularly excited to be directing Ava Pickett’s remarkable new adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma. Ava is a writer of rare talent and I can’t wait to collaborate with her to make this familiar and well-loved story feel fiercely fresh.”
To book tickets visit: https://www.rosetheatre.org/