Dominic Cooke’s first Almeida Theatre programme runs from January 2027 into early 2028.
David Tennant makes his Almeida debut in John Osborne’s The Entertainer.
The season includes four world premieres and Alexander Zeldin’s The Inequalities trilogy.
David Tennant joins a programme of world premieres, political thrillers and classic revivals.
Dominic Cooke, the newly appointed artistic director of the Almeida Theatre in Islington, has just announced his first season, with David Tennant, four world premieres and revivals of modern classics among the highlights. The main programme runs from January 2027 into early 2028. His opening season explores relationships, political power and Britain’s changing identity.
First up is Caryl Churchill’s Three and a Bit, running from 14 January to 13 March 2027. Directed by James Macdonald, the world premiere presents a collection of new short plays performed together.
Alexander Zeldin’s The Inequalities follows from 22 March to 22 May 2027. A co-production with A Zeldin Company, it gathers Beyond Caring, LOVE and Faith, Hope and Charity as a trilogy for the first time. Audiences can watch all three plays in one day on selected dates.
Cooke directs his first production as Almeida artistic director in June and July 2027 with Musculus. Written by actor and playwright Jamie Bogyo, the dark comedy examines marriage, masculinity and the tensions between personal beliefs and the demands of a relationship.
August and September 2027 belong to The Right Woman, a political thriller by Olivier Award winner Chris Bush. Directed by Sophie Drake, it follows three candidates competing to become Labour’s first female prime minister. The audience votes during the interval, choosing which of three endings unfolds.
Ola Ince then directs The Island in October and November 2027. Devised by Athol Fugard, John Kani and Winston Ntshona, the anti-apartheid drama is followed by Terence Rattigan’s The Winslow Boy, running from December 2027 to January 2028. Sacha Wares directs a staging featuring an ensemble of young musicians.
David Tennant makes his Almeida debut in early 2028, leading John Osborne’s The Entertainer. With Cooke directing, the revival examines national identity and Britain’s place in the world as its empire declines.
Beyond the theatre building, Hammaad Chaudry’s Dinner in Leith launches Almeida Out There, a new annual series of site-specific productions. Ince directs, with further details due in 2027.
Discussing his debut season, Cooke said: “It brings together four world premieres, ambitious revivals and a landmark co-production. The season explores ideas around a world in crisis and brings together groundbreaking artists whose work I have long admired. This season reflects what I hope the Almeida can be: a place for bold ideas and work that entertains while asking something of us. Our aim is artistic excellence for the widest possible audience, and I look forward to sharing this next chapter with everyone.”
General booking for Three and a Bit and The Inequalities opens at 12pm on Tuesday 27 October 2026, London time. Tickets for the remaining theatre productions go on sale in 2027.
Where: Almeida Theatre, Almeida Street, Islington, London N1 1TA
Contact: https://almeida.co.uk