Rose Theatre is thrilled to unveil its vibrant 2025/26 season, reaffirming its dedication to captivating audiences, nurturing artists, and enriching the community. The season kicks off with the previously announced Marie and Rosetta, starring Olivier Award winner Beverley Knight, and continues with a dynamic lineup of productions.
Kicking off the 2025 programme, Susan Smith Blackburn Prize winner Ava Pickett teams up with Rose Theatre Artistic Director Christopher Haydon to deliver a fresh, 21st-century adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, celebrating the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth (17 September – 11 October). Following this, RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award winner Tanuja Amarasuriya directs Noël Coward’s timeless comedy Private Lives, marking the latest collaboration with the Royal Theatrical Support Trust (14 – 25 October).
The festive season brings a new take on Cinderella, co-written by Olivier Award winner Chris Bush and Roni Neale, featuring original songs by Matt Winkworth for a magical family adventure (28 November 2025 – 4 January 2026). In early 2026, Stage Debut Award winner Monique Touko returns with her celebrated production of Onjali Q. Raúf’s bestselling novel The Boy at the Back of the Class, which premiered at the Rose in 2024 and toured extensively (6 – 22 February 2026). Rounding out the season, Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Our Town, starring Michael Sheen and directed by Francesca Goodridge, will be presented in a co-production with the newly launched Welsh National Theatre (26 February – 28 March 2026).
Christopher Haydon, Artistic Director of Rose Theatre, said: “I am delighted to be presenting this season of shows created by a string of exceptional, award-winning artists. Each production will bring a sharply contemporary sensibility to a big-hearted and joyous story. These are shows that will bring happiness and laughter to audiences of all ages. I am particularly excited to be directing Ava Pickett’s remarkable new adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma. Ava is a writer of rare talent and I can’t wait to collaborate with her to make this familiar and well-loved story feel fiercely fresh.”
Committed to accessibility, Rose Theatre ensures the majority of seats for its drama productions in the 2025-2026 season are priced at £25, with additional benefits for members through its Friends, Family, and 30 & Under schemes, fostering a more inclusive and diverse audience experience.
The Rose is also introducing digital wallet payments as part of a new partnership with Spektrix Payments. Bookers now have the option of booking tickets on their mobile devices using Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Visit http://www.rosetheatre.org for complete season details and updated listings and performance information.
