This autumn, Oxford Playhouse will welcome audiences to a season of festive delights, exceptional drama from leading companies, alongside an extensive programme of comedy and student theatre. Season highlights include: 

• The return of the city’s biggest and boldest pantomime. Written by Sarah Henley and directed by OP Artistic Director Mike Tweddle, the theatre presents Snow White, reimagined for the digital age.
• Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky’s acclaimed political drama, The Gang of Three, revisiting a defining moment in the battle for the soul of the Labour Party.
• A major new production of August Wilson’s Fences from OP associate partner Headlong, as well as Inua Ellams’ Once Upon a Time in Sokoto from leading theatre company Fuel.
• Oxford Playhouse opens the national tour of The King’s Speech, starring Stefan Dennis and George Rainsford.
• A brand-new show from Michael Palin, along with fresh comedy from Daniel Kitson and Sindhu Vee. 

The Panto Award-winning venue premieres its new pantomime, Snow White, this November and will run into the new year. Written by Sarah Henley and directed by the theatre’s Artistic Director Mike Tweddle, The Playhouse invites audiences into a world of magic, mischief and music. Reimagined for the digital age, but still with that traditional pantomime feeling, Snow White transports you to West Oxford Wood where nature’s magic clashes with a world of image-enhancing technology. 

Oxford Playhouse also presents a heartwarming tale for younger audiences around the corner at its Burton Taylor Studio. Jan Fearnley’s timeless Christmas classic Little Robin Red Vest is joyously brought to life in an adaption by Victoria Briggs in association with Filskit Theatre. With original songs, puppetry and integrated Makaton, this intimate studio show is ideal for children aged 2 to 6 and their families.

Following a sell-out smash hit run in London, The Gang of Three tours to the city. This acclaimed political drama goes deep in the heart of the corridors of power where the Labour Party's Roy Jenkins, Denis Healey and Tony Crosland clash over the soul of British socialism and their own relentless ambitions. Contemporaries at the University of Oxford, the three figures are brought to life in Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky’s gripping play. Set against the backdrop of economic crisis and the resignation of Prime Minister Harold Wilson in 1976, it highlights the personalities, principles and private tensions that shaped a generation of politics. 

Previously announced drama at Oxford Playhouse this season includes a visit from the venue’s associate partner Headlong (A Raisin in the Sun, ROBOTA), who stage a landmark production of August Wilson’s Fences. This is an opportunity to see one of the most defining plays of the 20th century, starring Ray Fearon (Othello – RSC, Fleabag – BBC) and Madeline Appiah (Tina – The Musical, West End). Later in the season, audiences can experience the award-winning Once Upon a Time in Sokoto, written by Inua Ellams (Barber Shop Chronicles) and produced by Fuel in association with the new nationwide theatre initiative Touring Together. 

Oxford University student drama includes a reimagined production of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull from Lighthouse Productions, using the English language translation by Olivier Award-winning playwright Simon Stephens. The Oxford triennial Greek Play returns as the Classical Drama Society present a new translation of Euripides’ Iphigenia at Aulis, placed in a Celtic world with live accompaniment from a traditional céilí band.

The autumn season also features a hugely popular programme of comedians. With sold-out visits from Daniel Kitson, and Sindhu Vee, there are opportunities to see two of the Playhouse Artistic Patrons live on stage. Michael Palin returns to the stage with stories from his many adventures, one being his most ambition journey yet, In the Philippines. Following his sold-out run last year, Stewart Lee is welcomed back to face the Man-Wulf once again, presented in his critically acclaimed style of stand-up. 

The award-winning, dishevelled king of stand-up, Seann Walsh, also tours to the city, before the annual Oxfordshire Mind Comedy Gala, hosted by Jericho Comedy.  

The award-winning Oxford Opera presents Mozart’s joyful masterpiece The Marriage of Figaro. The local company brings back the creative team behind their sold-out, critically acclaimed production of Tosca for this funny and fresh look at one of the greatest operas of all time. 

Other one-night acts include a special edition of Between the Covers Live! hosted by Amanda Ross. Celebrating the undisputed “Queen of Crime”, Agatha Christie, a line-up of Ben Miller, Lucy Foley, Nigel Havers and Christie’s great-grandson James Prichard get between the covers to explore the enduring appeal of crime thrillers. The Playhouse also hosts The Annual Charles Simonyi Lecture. Joining Marcus du Sautoy this year is guest speaker Venki Ramakrishan (Gene Machine), discussing promising approaches to combat ageing in Why We Die: The New Science of Ageing and the Quest for Immortality.  

The start of the new year sees a variety of musicals hit the Playhouse stage. Showstopper! The Improvised Musical returns to the city direct from the West End, before OXOPS presents a tale of vengeance with Sondheim’s smash hit musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. From Crazy Child Productions, the students at the University of Oxford perform a dazzling love letter to cinema in the exhilarating musical, City of Angels. 

Also playing in 2027 is the original Kneehigh / Emma Rice production of Tristan & Yseult – widely regarded as one of the most influential theatre shows of the 21st century. Returning to the UK for the first time in ten years, this landmark staging of the timeless love story offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience Emma Rice’s groundbreaking adaptation live on stage once again. The Playhouse will also open the national tour of The King’s Speech, adapted from the Oscar-winning film and presented by Barn Theatre. Leading the cast is Neighbours star Stefan Dennis as Lionel Logue, alongside Casualty’s George Rainsford as Bertie, King George VI. 

Oxford Playhouse will then stage its own Main Stage drama. Directed by the theatre’s Artistic Director, Mike Tweddle (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, 2026), Terence Rattigan’s rarely performed, penultimate play In Praise of Love will be brought vividly to life in February.