TWELFTH NIGHT

Join us for this "proper festive winner" (WhatsOnStage) of a production this New Year, as we launch into the final few weeks of Prasanna Puwanarajah's five-star, "fresh, funny and surprising" (The Stage) Twelfth Night. With a stand-out cast including Sam West, Freema Agyeman and Bally Gill, don't miss this "talent-packed" (Guardian) production before it ends.

Plus, we have two special extra events - find out more with Unwrapped: Twelfth Night on 18 January, or stick around after the play for a free Post-Show Talk on Monday 6 January.

Twelfth Night plays until 18 January 2025 at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre

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The Red Shoes

'What’s wrong with wanting to dance?'

Directed by Kimberley Rampersad and written by Nancy Harris, The Red Shoes is a wickedly funny, cautionary tale of pride, vanity and how we all deserve to dance how we want to. With an enviable array of shoes and costumes, explosive dance sequences and a dark and delicious setting, see Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale come to life on the Swan stage.

Plus, don't miss the free Post-Show Talk on Thursday 16 January to dive behind the scenes of the show and meet some of the cast.

The Red Shoes plays until 19 January 2025 in the Swan Theatre

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A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Back by audience demand, our five-star take on one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies is now delighting audiences at the Barbican.

A ‘ravishing fusion of flamboyancy and fun’ (Guardian), see Matthew Baynton (Ghosts, Horrible Histories) take on Bottom in Eleanor Rhode's 'joyful', magical and mischievous production that is 'a chocolate box of a show' (Time Out).

A Midsummer Night’s Dream plays until 18 January 2025 at London’s Barbican

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Kyoto

Following its critically-acclaimed premiere run in Stratford, Kyoto, the 'truly remarkable' (WhatsOnStage) new political thriller from the RSC and Good Chance transfers to London's West End in January 2025.

This 'tense and gripping' (Guardian) production, hailed as 'rich and vital' (The i) and 'sheer theatrical magic' (WhatsOnStage) seats you at the heart of the 1997 Kyoto Conference, and shows that even in a climate of rapidly rising temperatures, the impossible really can become possible.

Kyoto opens on 9 January, and runs until 3 May 2025 @sohoplace, London

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Hamlet

Grief can play tricks on the mind, even conjure ghosts. But when Hamlet’s dead father appears to him one night, he signals murder, not madness.

Multi award-winner Rupert Goold (Dear England, National Theatre; Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice RSC), directs Luke Thallon as Hamlet, with Jared Harris as Claudius and Nancy Carroll as Gertrude in this new production of Shakespeare’s royal family saga.

Discover more and join the Director Talk with Rupert Goold on 17 February, or in the meantime, head behind the scenes to see how Hamlet is coming to life.

For those studying and teaching Hamlet, check out our incredible learning resources, including live webinars, certificates, student events and activities.

Hamlet plays from 8 February to 29 March 2025 in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

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EDWARD II

The King is dead, long live the King. And his boyfriend.

When Edward II insists on ruling with the man he loves by his side, the Palace refuses. The establishment conspires to restore the natural order, plunging the country into a civil war and threatening the very existence of the monarchy.

Double Olivier Award-winner and RSC Co-Artistic Director Daniel Evans returns to the stage in Daniel Raggett’s production of Marlowe’s violent and tender play. Discover more with a Director Talk, Post-Show Stay Lates and a special Unwrapped event.

Edward II plays from 21 February to 5 April 2025 in the Swan Theatre.

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FIRST ENCOUNTERS: THE TEMPEST

A perfect storm brings a feuding family and a king together on a magical island.

Following the success of last year’s Romeo and Juliet, the latest in our series of First Encounters with Shakespeare productions makes Shakespeare’s play about families, magic and forgiveness relevant for a new generation of theatregoers.

This 80-minute version of The Tempest uses an edited version of the original play to create the perfect introduction for young people aged 7-13 and their families.

The Tempest will tour theatres, schools and community venues from 3 February to 10 May 2025, and comes to The Other Place in Stratford-upon-Avon from 25-29 March 2025. 

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