The Almeida Theatre has announced its first season under the artistic direction of Dominic Cooke, bringing together four world premieres alongside major revivals and a historic trilogy. Cooke's inaugural program spans contemporary political commentary, classic drama, and new off-site community initiatives.
The season opens in January 2027 with the world premiere of Three and a Bit, a collection of short plays by Caryl Churchill directed by James Macdonald. Cooke will make his Almeida directorial debut with Jamie Bogyo’s darkly comic world premiere Musculus, followed by Chris Bush’s political thriller The Right Woman, directed by Sophie Drake, where audiences vote at the interval to choose one of three endings.
In a major theatrical event, Alexander Zeldin’s acclaimed trilogy—Beyond Caring, LOVE, and Faith, Hope and Charity—will be staged together in repertory for the first time under the collective title The Inequalities. The co-production with A Zeldin Company will tour following its London run.
The classical lineup includes David Tennant starring as Archie Rice in John Osborne’s landmark play The Entertainer, directed by Cooke. Sacha Wares directs a reimagining of Terence Rattigan’s The Winslow Boy, while newly appointed Associate Director Ola Ince directs Athol Fugard, John Kani, and Winston Ntshona’s anti-apartheid masterpiece The Island.
The venue also announced "Almeida Out There," a new annual site-specific initiative launched with Hammaad Chaudry’s Dinner in Leith, directed by Ince. The Almeida Young Company will present Flora Wilson Brown’s Angel to Olympus in December 2026.
Cooke described the lineup as a response to a world in crisis, celebrating both legendary voices and emerging talent. Public booking for the initial productions opens on Tuesday 27th October 2026, with further season titles going on sale in 2027.
