2026 London summer theatre season brings Shakespeare, Cats and Anansi to outdoor stages
Regent’s Park, the Globe and Richmond Hill host productions including a new take on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical
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London’s outdoor theatre season in 2026 will feature a revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s *Cats* at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park, directed by the venue’s artistic director Drew McOnie. The production marks the second major British staging of the musical since its original run, as reported by Time Out London.
The same venue will also host *Anansi the Spider*, a children’s show by the Unicorn Theatre based on West African folklore. The production returns to Regent’s Park after previous runs, according to Time Out London.
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Globe’s summer season includes queer-inflected *As You Like It*
Shakespeare’s Globe will present *As You Like It* as part of its 2026 summer season, directed by deputy artistic director Sean Holmes and playwright Charlie Joseph. Joseph will also star as Orlando, with Lola Shalam co-starring as Rosalind. Time Out London described the production as “arch and probably somewhat queer,” reflecting the long-term collaboration between the two directors.
The Globe’s season also includes *A Midsummer Night’s Dream*, directed by Emily Lim, and *Much Ado About Nothing*, led by Pippa Nixon and Ken Nwosu. *Love’s Labour’s Lost*, directed by Indiana Lown-Collins, will feature flamenco-inspired staging, as reported by Time Out London.
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Orange Tree Theatre takes Shakespeare to Richmond Hill
The Orange Tree Theatre will stage a two-part outdoor Shakespeare season at Thomas’ College on Richmond Hill this summer. The productions, *Love’s Labour’s Lost* and *Much Ado About Nothing*, will be directed by Tom Littler and set in England before and after the Second World War. The theatre is closing for refurbishment later in 2026, as reported by Time Out London.
Greenwich + Docklands Festival returns for three weeks
The Greenwich + Docklands International Festival will run for three weeks at the end of summer 2026, featuring free outdoor performances across multiple venues. The festival is known for its large-scale shows, which are particularly striking at night, according to Time Out London.
Kew Gardens will host two family-friendly productions: *Jack and the Beanstalk* and *The Wind in the Willows*, both staged by the Australian Shakespeare Company. Entry to the performances includes access to the gardens, as reported by Time Out London.
What happens next
The Open Air Theatre’s *Cats* and *Anansi the Spider* will open in August 2026. The Globe’s *As You Like It* will run for a limited period during the summer season. The Orange Tree Theatre’s outdoor Shakespeare season at Thomas’ College begins this summer, with exact dates to be confirmed. The Greenwich + Docklands International Festival will take place over three weeks at the end of summer 2026.
Questions this report answers
+Which theatre is staging *Cats* in summer 2026?
The Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park will stage *Cats* in August 2026, directed by Drew McOnie. It is the second major British production of the musical since its original run, as reported by Time Out London.
+Who is directing *As You Like It* at Shakespeare’s Globe?
Sean Holmes and playwright Charlie Joseph are directing *As You Like It* at Shakespeare’s Globe in 2026. Joseph will also star as Orlando, with Lola Shalam as Rosalind, according to Time Out London.
+Where will the Orange Tree Theatre perform this summer?
The Orange Tree Theatre will perform a two-part outdoor Shakespeare season at Thomas’ College on Richmond Hill. The productions, *Love’s Labour’s Lost* and *Much Ado About Nothing*, will run before the theatre’s refurbishment, as reported by Time Out London.
+How long does the Greenwich + Docklands Festival last?
The Greenwich + Docklands International Festival will run for three weeks at the end of summer 2026. It features free outdoor performances across multiple venues, according to Time Out London.
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