Every New Musical and Play Tour Hitting the Road in 2026: Your Complete Guide

If you love theatre but don't always make it to the West End, 2026 is shaping up to be a spectacular year for touring productions. A bumper crop of new musicals, revivals and plays are preparing to hit the road across the UK, bringing world-class entertainment to regional venues nationwide.

From hotly anticipated stage adaptations to beloved revivals with star casting, here's your complete guide to every new tour still to launch in 2026.

The Karate Kid Musical: UK Premiere

Four years after its world premiere in St Louis, the stage musical adaptation of the iconic 1984 film is finally arriving in the UK. Written by the original movie's screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen, with a score by Drew Gasparini, this is a chance to be among the first British audiences to experience the franchise's newest chapter. The tour opens at New Wimbledon Theatre in April.

Kiss of the Spider Woman: A Rare Revival

Kander and Ebb's powerful Broadway musical is receiving its first major revival since 1992, and it's heading to intimate venues across the country. Anna-Jane Casey leads the cast as Aurora, joined by Fabian Soto Pacheco as Molina and George Blagden as Valentin. The tour launches at Curve, Leicester, in April.

Wavelength: A New Musical About Pirate Radio

A brand new musical celebrating the rebellious spirit of 1960s pirate radio stations is setting sail around East Anglia. Written by Vikki Stone, directed by Douglas Rintoul and Alex Thorpe, and performed by a cast of actor-musicians with an infectious jukebox score, Wavelength opens at the New Wolsey Theatre in April.

The Dressing Room: Three Comedy Legends, One Room

Paul Hendy's play imagines what might happen if Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse found themselves sharing a dressing room. Together, the three comedy icons reflect on humour, mortality and the meaning of being funny. The tour begins at Malvern Theatres in April.

Allegra: Maureen Lipman in a Musical Comedy World Premiere

National treasure Maureen Lipman stars as a woman whose unstoppable optimism causes her to burst into song during everyday life, much to the bewilderment of her fellow villagers. This world premiere comedy, written by Peter Quilter, opens at Theatre Royal Brighton in May.

Annie: A Beloved Revival Returns

Nikolai Foster's acclaimed production of the classic musical is back on tour. Having previously featured the likes of Paul O'Grady, Miranda Hart and Craig Revel Horwood as the villainous Miss Hannigan, the latest star stepping into those shoes is La Voix. The tour kicks off at New Wimbledon Theatre in May.

Mischief's The First Play: Comedy Meets Ancient Greece

The team behind The Play That Goes Wrong is finally venturing into musical territory. Jonathan Sayer's new show is set in 534 BC, where Greece's smallest island competes in a prayer competition led by a tyrannical ruler. When Thespis accidentally invents acting, chaos ensues. Expect the signature Mischief mayhem when the tour opens at Mercury Theatre Colchester in May.

Abigail's Party: Tamzin Outhwaite Reprises Her Role

Tamzin Outhwaite returns as the unforgettable Beverly in Mike Leigh's cult classic about a suburban gathering that spirals out of control. Directed by Nadia Fall, this revival was first staged at Stratford East in 2024 to strong reviews. It heads to Malvern Theatres in June before continuing across the UK.

Matthew Bourne's The Car Man: Back on Tour After a Decade

Matthew Bourne's electrifying dance thriller returns to the road for the first time in over ten years. Set in a 1960s garage diner and loosely inspired by Bizet's opera Carmen and vintage film noir, The Car Man is a must-see for dance and theatre fans alike. The tour starts at Curve, Leicester, in June.

Jersey Boys: 20th Anniversary Tour

The smash-hit jukebox musical celebrating Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons marks its 20th anniversary with a brand new UK tour. Packed with iconic hits including "Walk Like a Man" and "Beggin'", the show opens at New Wimbledon Theatre in June.

9 to 5 The Musical: A New National Tour

Dolly Parton's feel-good musical about three office workers who take on their tyrannical boss is heading back on the road. This new revival marks Landmark Theatres' first in-house production to tour nationally, bringing the 1980 film adaptation to stages across the country.

Should You Book?

With such an impressive slate of touring productions, 2026 offers something for every theatre lover, whether you're drawn to brand new musicals, star-studded revivals or boundary-pushing dance. Many of these shows will sell briskly, particularly the bigger titles like Jersey Boys and Annie, so it's worth keeping an eye on regional venue listings and booking early to secure the best seats. Stay tuned to BritishTheatre.com for ticket availability and casting updates as they're announced.