ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE COMPANY REVEALS 2027-2028 SEASON
Artistic Director and Co-CEO Selina Cartmell unveils a bold programme for the iconic theatre with a season of eight ambitious productions and the reopening of the theatre’s Studio space
- Following the theatre’s 50th anniversary this newly announced season marks the next chapter of the Royal Exchange, with a programme that champions Northern narratives and welcomes internationally renowned artists to Manchester.
- The Royal Exchange Theatre Company’s season features stories that travel the globe with four world premieres, one UK premiere, a reimagined Shakespearean comedy, a contemporary classic and a beloved musical.
- Throughout 2027 and 2028 the iconic theatre will work with some of today’s most innovative and celebrated theatre makers, including queen of British soul music Beverley Knight, Olivier-award winning playwright Simon Stephens, Tony-award nominated director Lileana Blain-Cruz, groundbreaking Talawa Theatre Company and genre-defying THISISPOPBABY amongst others.
- To mark this next chapter, the Royal Exchange Theatre today launches a revitalised artistic vision and takes its original name Royal Exchange Theatre Company, celebrating the tapestry of voices that shape the iconic theatre.
- As part of this ambition the Studio, the Exchange’s 100-seat second artistic space, will reopen for the first time since March 2020 as the theatre launches The Bruntwood Prize for North West Playwriting, dedicated to amplifying Northern voices on a global stage.
- The Studio’s reopening will enable the 750 seat in-the-round theatre to start a programme of auditorium refurbishment ahead of the summer season
Artistic Director and Co-CEOSelina Cartmell announces her second season of work which celebrates Manchester’s international relevance and history as the Royal Exchange Theatre Company looks to its future.
Selina Cartmell’s 2027-2028 season for the Royal Exchange Theatre Company includes:
- Brian Friel’s 20th-century masterpiece FAITH HEALER, directed by Emma Baggott, opens the season in the Theatre.
- TALKING TO BOYS, Abbi Greenland’s new play directed by Sam Pritchard, will receive its world premiere in the Exchange’s Studio, the first production in the space since March 2020.
- Daisy Miles’ R LADY’s, the winner of Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting North West – Original New Voice Award 2025, will have its world premiere in the Royal Exchange’s Studio, directed by Elin Schofield.
- A UK premiere of THISISPOPBABY’s RIOT, after 10 years of international success, bringing wild theatre, sizzling circus, comedic acrobatics and radical dancing to the Royal Exchange Theatre.
- Theworld premiereof Simon Stephens’ THE FIRST BLUE THING, a reimagination of the Greek classic Phaedra set in modern-day Stockport, will bedirected by Artistic Director Selina Cartmell and presented as part of Manchester International Festival 2027, in association with Factory International.
- A new production of Shakespeare’s MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, directed by Michael Buffong and starring Beverley Knight, in a co-production with Talawa Theatre Company.
- A new production of iconic musical GUYS AND DOLLS, A Musical Fable of Broadway, directed by Natalie Abrahami.
- The world premiere of MUNICHS, a retelling of the Munich Air Disaster and its aftermath, based on the deeply moving book by David Peace and adapted for the stage by Ben Power, will be directed by Selina Cartmell and premiere in 2028 – 70 years after the disaster.
- The previously announced 50th anniversary year will come to a close in February 2027 with SHOOTERS by debut writer and 2025 Bruntwood Prize winner Tolu Okanlawon, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz.
- Priority tickets for the 2027-28 season are on sale now and general tickets will be available at 12 noon BST Thursday 22 October. Tickets are available from royalexchange.co.uk
Artistic Director and Co-CEO Selina Cartmell said:
“The Royal Exchange was built on the limitless possibilities of exchange and on the bold and ambitious spirit that defines our home city. As the world’s eyes turn to Manchester, I’m thrilled to announce a season that captures the imagination, shifting perspectives, energy and originality of the North while declaring our international ambition.
Our renewed mission is to Act with Courage: to take creative risks, nurture local talent, welcome visionary artists and exchange urgent stories with our audiences and communities. It is a space designed to hold whatever courage makes possible. I am thrilled that four world premieres, a UK premiere, reimagined classics and a beloved musical will fill our unique and democratic stages to create electrifying moments for our audiences.
As we begin this new chapter, we are reclaiming our original name, Royal Exchange Theatre Company, to reflect our renewed commitment to collaboration both with the North and beyond. Reopening the Studio and launching the Bruntwood Prize for North West Playwriting are central to that vision, reestablishing a vital home where emerging and established artists can experiment, collaborate, belong and make bold new work.
As the Royal Exchange Theatre Company begins its next chapter, we will honour the radical spirit that has defined this extraordinary theatre, and indeed Manchester, and go courageously into the future.”
The Studio – The home of creative courage
The Royal Exchange’s Studio has a long history of providing space for courageous artists to rethink and reframe what is possible in its intimate 100 seat flexible space. Closed since March 2020 due to the pandemic, the theatre today announces its reopening from Spring 2027 with two world premieres programmed for audiences to discover emerging voices and experienced artists, producing radical new theatre right in the heart of Manchester. The Studio’s initial yearly programme will feature three months of in-house produced work and provide space and support for the next generation of talent for the rest of the year. Future opportunities for emerging Northern theatre makers to learn, develop their craft and create new work will be announced in Autumn 2027.
The Bruntwood Prize for North West Playwriting
Selina Cartmell also announces the next chapter of the theatre’s talent development strand with the newly launched Bruntwood Prize for North West Playwriting which will replace the prize in its current format. Developed to put Northern voices on the global stage, from 2027 the competition will be focused on writers from the North West and will be open to playwrights of all experience levels who were born or live in the area. Entrants will submit a full length, original and unproduced script and the prize will be judged by a selection of prestigious producers, directors and playwrights. Winners and runners-up will receive money to fund their work and significant development opportunities, dramaturgical support and join the Studio community. Full entry criteria and details will be released in Autumn 2027.
Chief Executive of Bruntwood Chris Oglesby said:
“As both the Royal Exchange and Bruntwood celebrate our 50th anniversaries, we’re proud to continue the legacy of the Prize with a renewed focus on supporting playwrights and stories from the North West, where Bruntwood has its roots. There is a wealth of creative talent across our region, and this partnership with the Royal Exchange Theatre Company will give more Northern writers the space and support to develop their work. By bringing the Prize together with the Studio’s development opportunities, we can help local voices reach audiences around the world and continue to cement the Royal Exchange Theatre Company’s role as the national theatre of the North.”
Full 2027-28 programme detailed below:
A Royal Exchange Theatre Company Production
FAITH HEALER
By Brian Friel
Director: Emma Baggott
20 March – 18 April 2027
Theatre
Brian Friel’s 20th-century masterpiece is a lyrical display of corroding morals and fragile self-belief. Listed as one of the 100 most significant plays of the 20th century by National Theatre, FAITH HEALER is a devoted contemplation on faith and doubt, illusion and reality, deception and genius, explored through relationships that waver between reliable and ruinous. As a Welsh director, Emma Baggott’s interpretation is a deeply personal celebration of the Celtic culture of storytelling masterfully displayed in the writing. Opening the season, FAITH HEALER runs 20 March – 18 April 2027 in the Theatre.
Must we have faith in something to live with purpose? Where does truth end and pretence begin when the speaker believes both with absolution? And what actually happened on that fateful August evening at a pub in Ballybeg?
FAITH HEALER is designed by award-winning scenographer and costume designer Peter Butler and features lighting design by Sinéad McKenna.
A Royal Exchange Theatre Company Production
World Premiere
TALKING TO BOYS
By Abbi Greenland
Directed by: Sam Pritchard
8 April – 8 May 2027
Studio
Directed by Sam Pritchard, the world premiere of this shortlisted 2025 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting play is a funny and timely perspective on relationships between men and women in all their hope, peril and complexity. TALKING TO BOYS runs 8 April – 8 May 2027 and marks the reopening of the Royal Exchange Theatre’s Studio, an intimate stage where courage is celebrated, careers are launched and the future of theatre is premiered.
In Abbi Greenland’s sharp, fragmented play, we look at what happens to one woman’s mind through fourteen conversations with the men in her life – from the school yard right through to the empty nest. She doesn’t want to be shaped by men. But is it possible to avoid it?
A Royal Exchange Company Theatre Production
World Premiere
R LADY’s
By Daisy Miles
Directed by: Elin Schofield
13 May – 5 June 2027
Studio
Written by Mancunian playwright Daisy Miles, winner of the 2025 Bruntwood North West prize for Original New Voice, R Lady’s will have its world premierein the Studio. Set in Lady’s Catholic Primary School in Stockport where child’s-play in the school yard is pushed to the limits with disturbing dynamics, delicate dispositions and a desire for control, R Lady’s runs 13 May – 5 June 2027 and will be directed by Elin Schofield.
Who would you want to be first, a princess, a hairdresser or Jesus on the cross?
Royal Exchange Theatre Company presents
A THISISPOPBABY Production
UK Premiere
RIOT
Created and directed by Jennifer Jennings and Phillip McMahon
27 May – 6 June 2027
Theatre
RIOT is a night of wild theatre, sizzling circus, comedic acrobatics, heart-breaking monologues, radical dancing, Tayto crisps, Roscommon GAA, and an iconic surprise nightly guest. Infusing theatre, variety and the energy of the dance floor, it’s your big night out, with a delicious twist.
Both party and politic, this is a love letter of hope to the future and a clarion call on the state of the world. After 10 years of international success, this UK premiere runs 27 May – 6 June 2027in the Theatre.
RIOT stars Panti Bliss, Emmet Kirwan, Lords of Strut and The Sirens and will feature a surprise special guest each night. Created by award-winning co-directors of THISISPOPBABY Jennifer Jennings and Phillip McMahon, choreographed by Irish Dance experts and performance duoUp & Over It Suzanne Cleary and Peter Harding. RIOT features costumes by James McGlynn Seaver and set design by Niall Sweeney.
A Royal Exchange Theatre Company Production
Presented as part of Manchester International Festival 2027, in association with Factory International
World Premiere
THE FIRST BLUE THING
By Simon Stephens
Directed by: Selina Cartmell
18 June – 25 July 2027
Theatre
Manchester-born and Tony-award winning British-Irish playwright Simon Stephens creates a contemporary take on the Greek myth of Phaedra -a story of temptation and shame, tragedy and passion. This reinvention of Phaedra is the matriarch of a family fuelled by love and desire but haunted by history and multi-generational mistakes. Thisworld premiere, directed by Artistic Director Selina Cartmell, runs 18 June – 25 July 2027.
Take a seat by the kitchen table. We’re in a huge, cluttered Edwardian house in Stockport. Piles of books and worn furniture surround us, and the smell of a Sunday roast, red wine and resentment hang in the air.
The creative team for THE FIRST BLUE THING includes international award-winning designer Leslie Travers as Set and Costume Designer, Lee Curran as Lighting Designer, and Ian Dickinson as Sound Designer.
A Royal Exchange Theatre Company and Talawa Theatre Company Co-Production
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
By William Shakespeare
Directed by: Michael Buffong
With Beverley Knight as Beatrice
17 September – 24 October 2027
Theatre
Olivier award winning West End actor and queen of British soul music Beverley Knight will shine as Beatrice in Michael Buffong‘s take on MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, transporting Shakespeare to the island of Trinidad just after the end of the Second World War in a society on the cusp of transformation. This co-production between Royal Exchange Theatre Company and Talawa Theatre Company runs 17 September – 24 October 2027 in the Theatre.
Sharp tongues, short tempers and salacious gossip sparkle on this tropical island. And every seat in the theatre basks in the heat of the Caribbean sun, music, with spirit and eternal optimism.
A Royal Exchange Theatre Company Production
GUYS AND DOLLS
A Musical Fable of Broadway
Based on a Story and Characters of Damon Runyon
Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows
Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International
Directed by: Natalie Abrahami
19 November 2027 – 9 January 2028
Theatre
Natalie Abrahami directs a brand-new production of Frank Loesser’s jazzy, brassy, lively score which captures this fast-talking, colourful world. Gritty gangsters hustle in sharp suits and fedoras. Sequinned showgirls turn up the heat in the Hot Box nightclub. Unsuspecting straight-laced missionaries get lured into the game.
It’s Christmas on the streets of 1950s New York City. The two worlds of criminals and Christians collide through one high stakes bet and two tales of love against all odds.
Bouncy routines and big songs like ‘Luck Be a Lady’ and ‘Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat’ mean there are bets to be placed on how many toes will be tapping.
A Royal Exchange Theatre Company Production
World Premiere
MUNICHS
Adapted for the stage by Ben Power
Based on the novel Munichs by David Peace
Directed by: Selina Cartmell
28 January – 12 March 2028
Theatre
Ben Power adapts David Peace’s deeply moving retelling of the Munich Air Disaster and its aftermath, giving a voice to the survivors and victims, the families and friends, the players, journalists and supporters. Forensic yet profoundly personal, this is an account of a club and a city forever changed. Directed by Selina Cartmell, this world premiere marks 70 years since the disaster and looks at the lives shaped by one fateful day and asks, “how do any of us go on?”
6th February 1958. A time when fans waited impatiently to read the scores in the Saturday evening paper. When players lived humbly; lodging with local families, kicking around with kids in the park. A time when Manchester United first took their team of young champions out onto the continent for the whole new adventure of European away matches.
This is the story of the ones who didn’t come back. And the ones who did.