The line up will include the European premiere of Tony Award-winning musical Kimberly Akimbo.
The Hampstead Theatre has confirmed details of its 2026 season featuring the European premiere of the Broadway musical Kimberly Akimbo, five world or European play premieres, and Stanley Tucci’s London stage directing debut.
David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori’s Tony Award winning musical Kimberley Akimbo will take to the the theatre’s main stage from the 8th August to 7th November. It follows 16-year old Kimberly whose rare genetic condition causes her to age four times faster than usual, as she searches for love knowing that time isn’t on her side.
Also part of its 2026 programme will be the world premiere of Olivier Award-winning playwright Alexi Kaye Campbell’s Bird Grove, offering a new perspective of the life of writer George Eliot. Directed by Anna Ledwich it receives its world premiere on Hampstead’s Main Stage from 13 February to 21 March.
Meanwhile, Stanley Tucci will make his London stage directing debut with the world premiere of Springwood by Olivier and Tony Award-winning playwright Richard Nelson. Playing from the 19 June to 25 July, the play explores a pivotal meeting in 1939 between King George VI and President Roosevelt.
Elsewhere, the theatre will also host three other premieres in its downstairs space.
American playwright Aaron Loeb makes his UK debut with the world premiere of R.O.I (Return On Investment), an exploration of ower, ownership and the true cost of innovation. The play centres on an ambitious venture capitalist who backs an invention by a young entrepreneur that could be life-changing for the entire human race. Directed by Chelsea Walker it plays Hampstead Downstairs from 6 March to 11 April.
Firewing marks the playwriting debut of David Pearson, a graduate of Hampstead Theatre’s INSPIRE programme for emerging playwrights. Directed by Hampstead Associate Director Alice Hamilton it is about connection, artistry and control as a wildlife photographer and his apprentice go in search of the elusive Firewing. It has its world premiere at Hampstead Downstairs from 17 April to 23 May.
Meanwhile, following a successful Off-Broadway run We Had A World by Joshua Harmon has its European premiere at the Hampstead Theatre from the 29 May to 4 July. Directed by Josh Seymour, Joshua Harmon brings to theatrical life his New York childhood shaped by an eccentric grandmother, revealing thirty years of family fights and enduring love that influenced him both as a person and an artist.
Talking of the news, Hampstead Theatre’s Producer and Chief Executive, Greg Ripley-Duggan said; “It’s a privilege to be announcing our plans so far for 2026 – and we’ve more to come! These productions will start the year in classic Hampstead Theatre style – thrilling new plays, exciting debuts and, later in the year the European premiere of a Broadway hit musical. It’s a real joy to welcome David Lindsay-Abaire, Jeanine Tesori and Michael Longhurst back to Hampstead for Kimberly Akimbo and I’m really looking forward to introducing our audiences to a raft of new writers and some truly wonderful new plays by some familiar playwrights.”
Casting and additional shows have yet to be announced.
To find out more visit: https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/