Five things you need to know about the National Theatre’s blockbuster 2026 season

Date: Thursday 09 October 2025

1) Double Duty for Robert Hastie

Deputy Artistic Director Robert Hastie will lead a new adaptation of Maxim Gorky’s Summerfolk by Nina Raine and Moses Raine in the Olivier Theatre, while his acclaimed Hamlet starring Hiran Abeysekera transfers to Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) in New York—launching a multi-year NT–BAM partnership.

2) South Bank Stars Line Up

Alongside Summerfolk, the National Theatre’s 2026 slate features:

• Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Lyttelton), directed by Marianne Elliott with Lesley Manville, Aidan Turner, Monica Barbaro and more.
• Man and Boy (Dorfman), Terence Rattigan’s drama starring Ben Daniels and Laurie Kynaston, directed by Anthony Lau.
• The Authenticator (Dorfman), a new psychological thriller by Winsome Pinnock, directed by Miranda Cromwell, starring Rakie Ayola, Sylvestra Le Touzel and Cherrelle Skeete.

3) Hamlet Takes New York

Harvey Theater at BAM, 19 April–17 May 2026. The transfer celebrates 60 years of NT productions in the US and includes education work with Brooklyn schools, a student matinee, and a free exhibition in BAM’s Rudin Family Gallery.

4) Marianne Elliott’s Big NT Return

After nine years away, Marianne Elliott returns with a striking revival of Les Liaisons Dangereuses—a razor-sharp look at power, desire and reputation among the super-rich—backed by a heavyweight creative team.

5) Key Dates & Tickets

• General sale: 12 noon, Thursday 23 October 2025 (for Summerfolk, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Man and Boy, The Authenticator).
• Olivier: Summerfolk, 6 March–29 April 2026; Press Night Tue 17 March 2026.
• Lyttelton: Les Liaisons Dangereuses, 21 March–6 June 2026; Press Night Wed 1 April 2026.
• Dorfman: Man and Boy, 30 January–14 March 2026; Press Night Tue 10 February 2026.
• Dorfman: The Authenticator, 26 March–9 May 2026; Press Night Thu 2 April 2026.
• BAM (NYC): Hamlet, 19 April–17 May 2026.

🎭 National Theatre — show info & booking  |  🎟️ BAM — Harvey Theater