Starring Toby Stephens, Samuel West, Freema Agyeman & Michael Grady-Hall
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has announced a new season of shows at London’s Barbican Theatre for autumn and Christmas 2025.
RSC shows transferring to London include a revival of Wendy and Peter Pan, and their recent, acclaimed production of Twelfth Night.
This autumn, the RSC is set to revive its much-loved 2013 production of Wendy and Peter Pan.
Directed by Jonathan Munby, this magical version of the classic children’s story by J.M. Barrie is adapted by Ella Hickson and features music by Shuhei Kamimura and design by Colin Richmond.
Captain Hook will be played by RSC Associate Artist Toby Stephens (Oslo, Hamlet), with further casting to be announced.
The wider creative team includes choreography by Lucy Hind, sound design by Christopher Shutt, lighting design by Oliver Fenwick, video design by Taiki Ueda, fight direction by Terry King, casting by Annelie Powell CDG, Associate Director Ellie Taylor, and Butoh Consultant Ikuyo Kuroda.
The production proved a hit at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2013, and returned in 2015.
Wendy and Peter Pan will play at the Barbican Theatre in London from 21 October to 22 November 2025.
For Christmas at the Barbican, the RSC’s recent hit production of Twelfth Night will transfer to London, once again directed by Prasanna Puwanarajah.
Featuring original music composed by singer-songwriter Matt Maltese, Shakespeare’s bittersweet winter masterpiece is a freewheeling miracle of farce, longing, love and life.
The production will once again star Samuel West (All Creatures Great and Small, Slow Horses) as Malvolio, Freema Agyeman (Jamie Lloyd’s Romeo and Juliet, God of Carnage, Doctor Who) as Olivia and Michael Grady-Hall (Two Gentlemen of Verona, Oppenheimer) as Feste, with further casting to be announced.
The show is designed by James Cotterill, with lighting design by Zoe Spurr, sound design by George Dennis, movement direction by Polly Bennett, and casting by Matthew Dewsbury CDG.
Twelfth Night will play at the Barbican Theatre from 8 December 2025 to 17 January 2026.
More RSC shows in London
Current RSC productions playing in the West End include Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre, and My Neighbour Totoro at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.
Coming up in the West End, Born With Teeth is playing at the Wyndham’s Theatre from 13 August starring Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel; and Simon Russell-Beale will star in Titus Andronicus at Hampstead Theatre from 5 September 2025.
At the RSC this Christmas, Daniel Evans directs a major new musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The BFG.
Booking for Wendy and Peter Pan & Twelfth Night
Public booking for both productions opens on 17 July.
More about Wendy and Peter Pan tickets at the Barbican Theatre London
More about Twelfth Night tickets at the Barbican Theatre London
What They Said
RSC Co-Artistic Directors Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans said in a joint statement: “We’re so excited to be announcing our second Winter season at the Barbican, and to be bringing two brilliant productions to our London audiences.
“Ella Hickson’s darkly witty adaptation of Wendy & Peter Pan brings a fresh perspective to J.M Barrie’s classic novel, whilst still offering everything you would expect from the beloved story – from crooked captains to carnivorous crocodiles. The play was first performed with the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon a decade ago, and this new production, directed by Jonathan Munby, promises to bring even more joy and magic to the Barbican stage.
“The season continues with Prasanna Puwanarajah’s smash-hit version of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. We are thrilled that Sam, Freema and Michael will return to reprise their critically acclaimed roles which delighted our audiences in Stratford last year. How fitting that the show will run over Twelfth Night, the moment when we all reflect on the celebrations we have enjoyed throughout the festive season.”
“Wendy & Peter Pan and Twelfth Night will represent the RSC’s ninth and tenth productions to be presented in London in 2025.
“Our year started with Kyoto, which sold out its London run and will soon be seen across the Atlantic in New York. Since then, we have celebrated the West End opening of Tom Morton-Smith’s record-breaking stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro and are about to open our next West End show Born With Teeth, featuring Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel, in co-production with Playful Productions and Elizabeth Williams.
“4.48 Psychosis sold-out at the Royal Court but will soon transfer to The Other Place Stratford, where Sarah Kane will be seen at the RSC for the first time. We have also recently announced that Max Webster’s brutal and brilliant production of Titus Andronicus with the legendary Simon Russell Beale will transfer to the Hampstead theatre this autumn. And of course, Matilda the Musical continues to delight and inspire audiences across the world. We look forward to sharing more of the RSC’s work with London audiences, working in partnership with many venues and partners across the capital in the new year.”
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