Shakespeare’s Globe in London has announced the first shows of its new winter 2025 to 2026 season at their Sam Wanamaker Playhouse and Globe Theatre.
The productions run from November 2025 to January 2026.
Shows include a new production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, titled Romeo a Juliet, adapted by JT Jones.
This bilingual version combines Welsh and English, and is directed by Theatr Cymru Artistic Director Steffan Donnelly.
Romeo a Juliet will be designed by Elin Steele, with Dyfan Jones as composer, music director, and sound designer, and Ceri James as Lighting Designer, and is playing in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse from 5 to 8 November 2025.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is returning to Shakespeare’s Globe in a new production directed by Headlong Theatre’s Holly Race Roughan and co-directed by Naeem Hayat.
Playing from 13 November 2025 to 31 January 2026 in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, the show is a co-production with Headlong Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and Leeds Playhouse, and follows Shakespeare’s Globe and Headlong’s acclaimed 2022 co-production of Henry V.
Set within the candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, the shadowy underbelly of one of Shakespeare’s most-loved comedies is set to be exposed, where reality becomes illusion, and as day turns to night, snow starts to fall in summer.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream will also tour from February 2026, to Shakespeare’s North Playhouse, Leeds Playhouse, Bristol Old Vic, and Oxford Playhouse.
Christmas at Shakespeare’s Globe will feature a brand new musical adaptation of Pinocchio, playing at the outdoor The Globe Theatre from 29 November 2025 to 4 January 2026.
Directed by the Globe’s Associate Artistic Director Sean Holmes (Romeo and Juliet, The Globe 2025), Pinocchio has a book and lyrics by Charlie Josephine (Cowbois, RSC & Royal Court), and music and lyrics by Jim Fortune (Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear).
Pinocchio will be designed by Grace Smart, with Peter O’Rourke as Puppetry Designer and Director, Tony Gayle as Sound Designer, and casting by Becky Paris CDG, Head of Casting at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Shows currently playing or coming soon to Shakespeare’s Globe include: Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet (until 2 August 2025), Arthur Miller’s The Crucible (until 12 July 2025), The Merry Wives of Windsor (4 July to 20 September 2025), Twelfth Night (8 August to 25 October 2025), and Troilus and Cressida (26 September to 26 October 2025). In the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, family show Rough Magic returns (19 July to 23 August 2025)
See all shows playing at Shakespeare’s Globe
What They Said
Shakespeare’s Globe Artistic Director Michelle Terry said in a statement: “This winter, whether in the candlelight of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse or the moonlight of the Globe Theatre, this season of incredible artists will tell old tales anew as we all try and light our way through the dark. We are so proud to be hosting Theatre Cymru for the first time, with their bilingual Romeo a Juliet, translated by J.T. Jones with Theatr Cymru Artistic Director Steffan Donnelly returning to the playhouse, this time to direct this star-crossed exploration of boundaries, language, and love. We are delighted to reunite with Headlong following the success of Henry V and of course, cannot wait to collaborate with their incredible creative team led by Holly Race-Roughan, who co-directs with Naeem Hayat, to bring their midwinter Dream to Bankside and beyond. And continuing to bring winter magic outdoors, we are thrilled to announce the premiere of our new musical adaptation of Pinocchio with book and lyrics by Charlie Josephine, music and lyrics by Jim Fortune and directed by Globe Associate Artistic Director Sean Holmes. Our outdoor winter shows in The Globe have become an integral part of the Globe calendar over recent years and one of the many ways we can offer families the unique experience of theatre. We know that plays, musicals, and pantomime during the winter holidays are often people’s first introduction to theatre. With hundreds of £5 tickets available for every show, we are so proud to offer that special experience at a price we hope they can afford, which of course remains a core tenet of the Globe’s mission – to create theatre for all.”
Theatr Cymru Artistic Director Steffan Donnelly said: “It’s a privilege for Theatr Cymru to collaborate with the Globe’s welcoming and passionate team and I’m so grateful to Michelle for her enthusiasm and belief in this new production. The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is a theatre like no other, and its perfectly crafted intimacy is ideal for Romeo a Juliet. Having played many seasons there as an actor, it’s a full circle moment coming back to direct this year. I’m excited that this is the first time the play has been staged at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse – and even more so, that it’s being staged in a bilingual production with one of the indigenous languages of the UK. Shakespeare excels at using language to reveal insights, and so it will be fitting and thrilling to hear the Montagues and Capulets identified by the languages they choose to use – exploring character and culture. I can’t wait for audiences across Wales and London to experience it.”
Headlong’s Artistic Director Holly Race Roughan said: “The world of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a turbulent one, the natural environment is upside down and unpredictable, and the political and social landscape is on edge, creating a sense of tension that we are all experiencing today. This new staging will explore some of the darker elements of Shakespeare’s well-known comedy, turning it on its head and asking us to reexamine its themes and subject matter. Following a highly successful collaboration on Henry V, it is a joy to be partnering once again with Shakespeare’s Globe and our committed national partners to allow audiences to meet this play in the moment we are in.”
Associate Artistic Director and Director of Pinocchio, Sean Holmes, said: “It’s a privilege to be part of the team bringing this magical new musical to the Globe this Christmas. Like the story itself we hope the production makes the impossible possible.”
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