If you love classic musicals given a fresh coat of paint, 2026 is shaping up to be an extraordinary year. Across the UK, beloved titles are being reimagined, restaged, and revived for both seasoned theatregoers and newcomers discovering these iconic shows for the very first time. From intimate studio productions to glittering West End runs, there's something for every taste.
Here's our comprehensive guide to all the musical revivals still to come in 2026, covering everything from casting announcements and creative teams to dates and venues.
Kiss of the Spider Woman Returns After Three Decades
Kander and Ebb's Tony Award-winning musical Kiss of the Spider Woman is finally receiving a major UK revival, the first significant production since its original 1992 Broadway run starring Chita Rivera. Anna-Jane Casey will take the lead in this rare outing, which promises to bring a new level of intimacy to the dark and emotionally charged story of two very different prisoners who form an unexpected bond in a Latin American jail cell.
Director Paul Foster will stage the production in Curve's Studio Theatre, a smaller space perfectly suited to the psychological intensity of the material. This is one of those revivals that feels genuinely exciting precisely because it's so seldom performed. The show plays at Curve's Studio Theatre in Leicester from 3 to 25 April 2026 before embarking on a tour.
Little Shop of Horrors: Double the Audrey II
Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's cult sci-fi musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors is getting not one but two productions in 2026, giving fans multiple chances to head "Somewhere That's Green." The first confirmed production is a collaboration between Derby Theatre and Northern Stage, directed by Sarah Brigham.
In an innovative touch, the production will feature a company of actor-musicians, with Kristian Cunningham playing the hapless florist Seymour and Amena El-Kindy as the lovelorn Audrey. Every performance will also integrate creative captions, making this a genuinely inclusive theatrical experience. The production opens at Northern Stage from 8 to 23 May 2026 before transferring to Derby Theatre from 30 May to 20 June 2026.
High Society Brings Cole Porter Glamour to the Barbican
Cole Porter's sparkling score meets the sophisticated comedy of manners in High Society, which is set for a summertime run at the Barbican. Based on Philip Barry's play The Philadelphia Story (and the celebrated 1956 film), the musical follows the preparations for a high-society wedding that begin to unravel spectacularly when old flames reappear and a nosy journalist arrives to cover the event.
The cast is already generating significant buzz, with television star Helen George and much-loved actress Felicity Kendal both confirmed. With Porter classics like "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" and "True Love" woven through the story, this promises to be one of the most glamorous theatrical events of the summer. It plays at the Barbican from 19 May to 11 July 2026 before touring.
Once Revived Under Alan Cumming's Pitlochry Vision
The original creative team behind the Olivier Award-winning musical Once is reuniting for a new revival at Pitlochry Festival Theatre in Scotland. This is part of Alan Cumming's inaugural season as the theatre's new artistic director, making it a particularly significant cultural moment.
Based on the 2007 Irish film, Once tells the achingly tender story of Guy, a Dublin street musician on the brink of giving up his music, and Girl, a Czech immigrant who persuades him to persevere. Together, they form an unlikely creative partnership and set out to record an album. The show's raw, acoustic beauty is perfectly matched to the intimate Pitlochry setting. It plays from 23 May to 27 June 2026.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Takes Flight as Actor-Musician Production
After delivering acclaimed actor-musician productions of The Lord of the Rings, Barnum, and Jesus Christ Superstar in recent years, director Paul Hart and the team at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury are turning their considerable talents to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The prospect of a stripped-back, actor-musician version of this beloved family musical is genuinely intriguing, and the Watermill's track record suggests the results could be magical.
The show is set for an extended run from 26 May to 13 September 2026, giving audiences throughout the summer a chance to experience this "Truly Scrumptious" reimagining.
Jesus Christ Superstar Headlines the West End at the London Palladium
Perhaps the most headline-grabbing revival of the year, Tim Sheader's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar is heading to the London Palladium for a summer residency. The big news? Eurovision star and chart-topping artist Sam Ryder will make his stage debut in the production.
Sheader's production, which previously played at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre to great acclaim, will also feature a revolving cast of six actors playing the role of Herod, adding an element of unpredictability to each performance. Given that another Lloyd Webber and Rice revival, Evita, drew audiences to the West End in droves last summer, expectations are understandably high. The production runs from 20 June to 5 September 2026.
Summer Holiday Hits Sheffield Crucible
New artistic director Elizabeth Newman is bringing sunshine to Sheffield with a stage production of Summer Holiday, based on the beloved 1963 Cliff Richard film. Newman will co-direct with Ben Occhipinti, and the venue has promised that the whole city will get to enjoy the beach. While full casting details are still to be revealed, this feels like a smart, crowd-pleasing choice for Newman's early tenure.
The production plays at Sheffield Crucible from 20 June to 18 July 2026.
Anything Goes Under the Stars in Leicestershire
Cole Porter's irrepressible musical comedy Anything Goes is setting sail as an open-air production at Kilworth House Open Air Theatre in Leicestershire. The show follows nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and a colourful cast of characters aboard the ocean liner SS American, where romantic mix-ups and comic misunderstandings abound.
With Porter classics including "I Get a Kick Out of You," "It's De-Lovely," and the unforgettable title number, this is the kind of show that was practically built for warm summer evenings under the stars. It runs from 23 June to 2 August 2026.
Fun Home Gets Professional Regional Premiere in Manchester
Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron's groundbreaking musical Fun Home will receive its professional regional premiere at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre in 2026. The timing is poignant: the production marks the 20th anniversary of Alison Bechdel's graphic novel memoir on which the show is based.
Fun Home is a coming-out and coming-of-age story that weaves together three time periods in Bechdel's life, exploring her relationship with her closeted father. It won five Tony Awards including Best Musical in 2015, and this Manchester production represents a rare chance for UK audiences outside London to experience this powerful, intimate show. It runs from 3 July to 1 August 2026.
9 to 5 the Musical Heads to Peterborough
Dolly Parton's feel-good musical 9 to 5, based on the much-loved 1980 film, is heading to Peterborough in 2026. Featuring Parton's iconic songs including the showstopping title number, the musical follows three female office workers who take matters into their own hands after years of being mistreated by their chauvinist boss. Full details of this production are still emerging, but the combination of Parton's irresistible score and the show's joyful feminist spirit makes this one to watch.
Should You Book?
With so many revivals spread across the calendar, it's worth planning ahead. The productions most likely to sell out quickly are Jesus Christ Superstar at the London Palladium (Sam Ryder's West End debut is a major draw) and High Society at the Barbican (thanks to its star casting). For something more intimate, Kiss of the Spider Woman and Fun Home both offer rare opportunities to see powerful, seldom-staged musicals in close quarters.
Whether you're a dedicated musical theatre fan or someone looking to try a classic for the first time, 2026's revival season has something for everyone. Many of these productions are already on sale, so early booking is strongly recommended.
Looking for more inspiration? Browse all musicals currently on sale, explore our full list of shows, or check out the latest theatre news and features on BritishTheatre.com.
Susan Novak has a lifelong passion for theatre. With a degree in English, she brings a deep appreciation for storytelling and drama to her writing. She also loves reading and poetry. When not attending shows, Susan enjoys exploring new work and sharing her enthusiasm for the performing arts, aiming to inspire others to experience the magic of theatre.
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