Reading Rep Announces Ambitious 2025–26 Season Featuring First Musical and National Co-Productions

Critically Acclaimed Regional Theatre Unveils Lineup Including The Last Five Years, A Christmas Carol, Educating Rita and Private Lives

Reading Rep Theatre has announced its landmark 2025–26 season, marking a new chapter in the company’s rapid national rise. The lineup includes its first-ever musical, multiple high-profile co-productions, and major revivals of modern classics—all produced in Reading and supported by a continued commitment to affordability and accessibility.

Kicking off in September 2025, the new season underscores Reading Rep’s reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting regional producing theatres. Collaborations with The Barn Theatre, Theatre Royal Bath, and a continued emphasis on community outreach and talent development are set to further position the company at the forefront of British theatre-making.

Season Highlights

The Last Five Years

19 September – 12 October 2025
Reading Rep opens its season with its first-ever musical: a new revival of Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years. Co-produced with The Barn Theatre and Theatre Royal Bath, the show launches in Reading before transferring to Cirencester and Bath. The intimate, two-hander musical charts the highs and lows of a five-year relationship from two opposing timelines and has gained cult status among musical theatre fans.

A Christmas Carol

28 November 2025 – 3 January 2026
Returning after sell-out runs in 2021 and 2022, Beth Flintoff’s celebrated Reading-set adaptation of A Christmas Carol is back, directed by Chris Cumings. Set against the backdrop of the iconic Huntley & Palmers Biscuit Factory, this festive favourite offers a heartfelt local spin on Dickens’ classic tale.

Educating Rita

26 February – 21 March 2026
Willy Russell’s much-loved comedy comes to Reading Rep for the first time in a fresh new production. Following working-class hairdresser Rita as she embarks on an Open University course, the play remains a timeless exploration of education, class, and self-discovery.

Private Lives

16 April – 9 May 2026
The season continues with a modern revival of Noël Coward’s classic romantic comedy Private Lives, capturing the wit, style, and emotional undercurrents of Coward’s most enduring work.

Rabbit on the Run (for early years audiences)

18–21 February 2026
The season also includes Rabbit on the Run, a playful and joyful theatrical experience designed specifically for younger children and families.

Leadership Perspectives

Paul Stacey, Artistic Director and founder of Reading Rep, said:

“This season captures what makes Reading Rep unique: bold takes on classic stories, collaborations with world-renowned theatres, and work created right here in Reading. It reflects how far we’ve come and where we’re headed next.”

Nick Thompson, Executive Director, added:

“This is our biggest and boldest season yet—with something for everyone. From our first musical to beloved comedies and festive favourites, it’s the perfect time to experience all that Reading Rep has to offer."

Commitment to Access and Affordability

Reading Rep will continue its award-winning ENGAGE outreach programme, working with over 10,000 people annually, and will maintain its industry-leading £5 ticket scheme for under-30s during preview performances.

As a company founded on principles of inclusion and access, Reading Rep’s pricing model and community-based ethos continue to define its growth, proving that world-class theatre can—and should—be available beyond major metropolitan centres.

An Expanding National Profile

Following successful productions including Jekyll and Hyde (which transferred to the Lyceum and toured nationally), Reading Rep is now partnering with some of the UK’s most prominent theatres. A fifth major production is expected to be announced this July, further cementing Reading Rep’s growing national influence.