Oxford Playhouse announces its summer 2026 season featuring world-class drama from renowned theatre companies, alongside musicals, dance, and family entertainment. This season's highlights include:

• Sir Greg Doran returns with his acclaimed production of Shakespeare’s narrative poem Venus & Adonis.

• Playhouse favourite, Anton Lesser, tells the story of Thomas Hardy in A Beautiful Thread.

• The dazzling world of Indian cinema comes alive in the feel-good musical, Frankie Goes to Bollywood.

• Theatre Royal Windsor’s new production of Our Man in Havana, adapted for the stage by Clive Francis.

• Another chance to see Aakash Odedra Company’s moving dance piece Songs of the Bulbul, following a sold-out show last summer.

• Summer Holiday entertainment in Horrible Histories, Zog, and CBeebies’ Nick Cope’s Family Show.

This summer, Oxford Playhouse is delighted to welcome back Greg Doran, former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, as he revives his celebrated production of Venus & Adonis.

Opening in Oxford, this is an exclusive and rare opportunity to see Shakespeare’s great narrative poem brought to life on stage by a team of world-class puppeteers. This powerful and erotically charged story of unrequited love blends the artistry of Japanese Bunraku puppets and the Jacobean Court Masque, first thrilling audiences more than twenty years ago when staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company in collaboration with Little Angel Theatre. Doran returns to The Playhouse following his critically acclaimed production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, a co-production with The Playhouse and the students from the University of Oxford.

The Reduced Shakespeare Company brings the Bard back to The Playhouse as they present The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). In this revival of the West End comedy classic, all 37 plays are performed by just three actors – freshly reimagined for 2026.

Playhouse favourite and star of Oxford’s own Endeavour, Anton Lesser, brings to life the story of Thomas Hardy in A Beautiful Thread. From the creators of Red Sky at Sunrise, Lesser appears alongside Lucia Bonbright in a dazzling performance that weaves together Hardy’s immortal characters with his own words from his sublime poetry and great novels – including Far From the Madding Crowd, Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure. The production is accompanied by a beautiful programme of music from Orchestra of the Swan, ranging from classical music to contemporary folk.

The joyous sound of folk music continues as the Gigspanner Big Band plays for one night only in Oxford. Featuring a lineup of acclaimed musicians, this coming together of the biggest names on the folk-roots scene combines a deep knowledge of roots traditions with a ceaselessly boundary-pushing approach.

From the creators of Britain’s Got Bhangra comes another dazzling musical in Frankie Goes to Bollywood. Diving into the glittering, high-pressure world of Indian Cinema where dreams are mass-produced, and women are expected to play by the rules, this feel-good production bursts with spectacular choreography, lavish costumes and a cast of unforgettable characters. Rifco Theatre Company’s most ambitious production yet features original songs from Bollywood hitmaker Harry Anand.

There are even more musical hits to enjoy across the summer months. The students of Oxford University return with Tim Firth’s high-octane, Olivier Award-winning Our House, featuring unforgettable songs from Madness. OXOPS (Oxford Operatic Society) also take to the stage with a high-energy concert, complete with iconic songs from Wicked, Les Misérables, Chicago and more.

Nationally renowned company, Theatre Royal Windsor, brings two highly anticipated dramas to Oxford. Noël Coward’s witty romantic comedy, The Marquise, is given a vibrant 1930s twist. Starring BAFTA Award-winner Juliet Aubrey, alongside Simon Shepherd and Tristan Gemmill, they bring Coward’s world to life with charm, wit and irresistible chemistry. Then, Jack Ashton (Call the Midwife, Little Women) plays the British vacuum cleaner salesman in Graham Greene’s fast-moving romp, Our Man in Havana, adapted for the stage by Clive Francis. Both affectionate comedies are masterfully directed by Philip Wilson.

More classic drama comes from the Oxford Playhouse Adult Company, returning to the Main Stage after last summer’s sold-out The Caucasian Chalk Circle. Directed by Oxford theatre maker Emma Webb, the theatre’s in-house company presents Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s The Visit. Performed in an intimate studio space that places the audience at the heart of the action, this searing tale of politics, past loves, and revenge is brought vividly to life by the theatre’s talented multi-generational ensemble.

Audiences have another chance to experience world-class dance from Aakash Odedra Company this summer. Songs of the Bulbul takes to the stage for a second time, following its sold-out date last year. Blending Kathak and contemporary movement, this astonishing work explores freedom, devotion and resilience through virtuosic rhythm.

Comedy lovers are in for a treat as the critically acclaimed Michelle Wolf brings her new show, Best Job in the World to Oxford. From the chaotic mind of a mother of two, she hilariously deconstructs society, gender roles and testicles – metaphorically, of course. With four stand-up specials across Netflix and HBO to her name, Wolf is also a Primetime Emmy nominee and has appeared on celebrated shows like QI, Have I Got News for You, and Would I Lie to You?

The Playhouse also welcomes back the students of Magdalen College School, for their annual Main Stage production. In a new adaptation by Alex Thomas, the pupils deliver an electrifying performance of Sherlock Holmes and the Napoleon of Crime. Based on the novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, his iconic characters come alive in a show featuring original songs, spectacular action, and plenty of mystery.

For younger audiences, Horrible Histories is on its way to Oxford with an eye-popping 3D spectacular. Historical figures and events leap to life in two astounding shows: Terrible Tudors and Awful Egyptians, packed with legends, lies and foul facts.

Into the summer holidays, everybody’s favourite dragon, Zog, returns in his charming smash-hit show, adapted from the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Following the phenomenal success of his CBeebies show, Nick Cope brings a delightful family concert to The Playhouse, featuring his familiar hits and stunning animations.