West Side Story and John Major play among productions at National Theatre in 2027Eight productions featuring star-studded casts are set to hit the Southbank next yearThe National Theatre has announced its lineup of productions for 2027 (PA)PA ArchiveHolly Bishop, Entertainment & Lifestyle Reporter1 minute ago
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Calling all theatre lovers! The National Theatre has just unveiled its 2027 programme, and from musical fans, to politics enthusiasts, there is something for everyone.
A revival of beloved musical West Side Story, an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, is heading to the Southbank, one of eight productions lined up for next year.
The award-winning musical premiered in 1957 and has seen major success, with two silver screen adaptations in 1961 and 2021, with the latter directed by Steven Spielberg.
The National Theatre has unveiled its 2027 programme featuring a revival of West Side Story, a play detailing Sir John Major’s reign as Prime Minister and a production starring Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke.PA
It reimagines the iconic play in a 1950s New York setting, with two rival gangs – the Jets and the Sharks – competing for dominance all while a love story between Tony and Maria unfolds.
The upcoming revival will be co-directed by Marianne Elliott and Miranda Cromwell, with Jerome Robbins’ original choreography reproduced and adapted by Julio Monge.
Also set to hit the stage next year is Major, a new play penned byJames Graham and directed by Jeremy Herrin.
A poster on Times Square advertises West Side Story at the Broadway Theater on February 7, 2020 in New York City. AFP/Getty
It follows Sir John as he takes over from Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister following her resignation in 1990.
Strictly fans also have something to be excited about, as judge Anton Du Beke will also take to the stage for the UK tour of an adaptation of Noel Streatfeild’s classic 1936 children’s novel Ballet Shoes.
It marks his return to theatre following his 2025 Christmas With Anton Du Beke tour, which featured festive music, dancing, and comedy alongside vocalist Lance Ellington and a live band.
A Death Of A Salesman production is also in the works, with Irish actor Paul Mescal at the helm.
Prime Minister John Major (Rebecca Naden/PA)PA Archive
And Mescal will be kept busy next year, as he is also set to star in Irish playwright Tom Murphy’s A Whistle In The Dark.
The Dublin-born actor will be joined by a star-studded cast during the special repertory season at the Lyttelton Theatre in London, with award-winning actress Monica Dolan and Irish star Ciaran Hinds joining him onstage.
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US actor and playwright Tracy Letts and British actress Aisling Loftus are also among Mescal’s newly announced cast members.
Also in the works include a reimagined version of Tennessee Williams’ popular drama Suddenly Last Summer, which will be directed by Olivier Award-winner Michael Grandage.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Paul Mescal, jewelry detail, attends the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Mark Guiducci at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on March 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)Getty
It will feature an impressive cast, including The Crown star Emma Corrin, Law & Order: UK actress Harriet Walter and US actor Arty Froushan, known for roles in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale and Daredevil: Born Again.
Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead, an absurdist tragicomedy play by Tom Stoppard that focuses on two minor attendant lords from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is part of the programme.
Saturday Night Live UK cast member George Fouracres, who is gearing up for the sketch show’s second season, will star alongside Juice’s Mawaan Rizwan.
Emma Corrin attends the Miu Miu Women s Tales during the 83rd Venice Film Festival Venice Italy 2026-09-05. (Photo by Laurent Hou / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)AFP/Getty
Glorious Madness, showcasing the music of Joan Armatrading, will be staging a production, as will The Great Indaba – a play detailing how the 1998 Good Friday Agreement took a big step forward at a meeting in South Africa
Rounding out the 2027 lineup is The Adeyemis – A Family Saga, featuring Orange Is The New Black star Uzo Aduba, and Mr Loverman, which will feature Gary Beadle alongside Jo Martin and Danny Sapani.
Samira, which is focused on the Arab Spring, The Last Wild, and an immersive production titled Ghostlight marking the 50th anniversary of the National Theatre’s venue in London Southbank, complete the new line-up.
The theatre company also confirmed that it will be adding over 25 new titles to its National Theatre at Home streaming platform and increase its National Theatre Collection among other initiatives to make theatre more accessible.
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National TheatreJohn MajorAnton Du BekeSouthbankWilliam ShakespearePaul Mescal