Hampstead Theatre today announces its programme for the first part of 2027, bringing together four world premiere plays and a major revival of one of the most acclaimed political plays of recent decades. Spanning extraordinary true-life encounters, political intrigue and the complexities of family and belonging, the programme brings together an exciting line-up of established and new writers.
The programme opens on the Main Stage with the world premiere of Alexis Zegerman’s Portrait of a Man, directed by Anna Ledwich (11 February – 20 March). Inspired by the extraordinary true life encounter between artist Elaine de Kooning and President John F Kennedy, the play explores the challenge of capturing the man behind the public image, as de Kooning takes on the task of painting an official portrait of one of the most recognisable figures of the twentieth century.
Hampstead Theatre then welcomes back the great playwright Michael Frayn with the first major London revival of his Tony Award-nominated play Democracy, directed by Jeremy Sams (26 March – 1 May). A sharp and thrilling study of power, loyalty, deception and political ambition, Frayn’s celebrated play dramatizes one of the most extraordinary betrayals in post-war European politics.
In Hampstead’s Downstairs studio, the world premiere of award-winning writer Josh Azouz’s The Rabbi, The Wife & The Prick – a dark comedy about love, faith and the art of deception – is directed by Hannah Hauer-King and presented by MMXX (26 February – 3 April).
Also Downstairs, recent INSPIRE graduate Isabella Waldron makes her mark with the world premiere of It Never Rains In Kennebunkport, directed by Hampstead Theatre Associate Director Alice Hamilton (9 April – 15 May). Heartfelt and funny, the play tells the story of a teenage girl who becomes convinced that George W. Bush is her father and sets out on an ambitious mission to win his attention.
Following her debut and sell-out play Personal Values at Hampstead Downstairs in 2025 writer Chloë Lawrence-Taylor returns with Driftweed, directed by Júlia Levai (4 June – 10 July). Her brand-new play is a captivating look at the places and the people we call home, and just how far we’ll go to stay with them.
Hampstead Theatre’s Producer and Chief Executive, Greg Ripley-Duggan said;
“With these five thrilling plays we bring together some of the most exciting writers in theatre today, both familiar and new to Hampstead’s audiences. The season gives us the opportunity to support writers at every stage of their career – a titan of British theatre to established writers and those just beginning to make their mark. Each production is, in its own way, a perfect fit for our stages and together they offer an exceptional programme of compelling stories. Come and join us.”
Further programming and casting is to be announced.
Priority booking for Patrons opens on Thursday 12 November, for Friends Plus on Friday 13 November, for Friends on Monday 16 November and for Young Friends on Wednesday 18 November. Public booking opens on Thursday 19 November at 10.30am.
