Shakespeare’s Globe have announced their 2026/27 winter season.
The season starts with Julius Ceasar, which will be performed in the Sam Wanamaker playhouse from 6 November 2026 to 14 February 2027. Directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins, the show contains timely themes of friendship, political violence and betrayal as a murderous plot is devised against dictator Julius Ceasar.
Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull will be performed at the Globe for the first time ever from 15 January to 10 April 2027. Inspired by Hamlet, it is a story about ambition and desire. Caroline Steinbeis and Rory Mullarkey, who worked on the theatre’s production of Three Sisters in 2025, will reunite as director and translator.
Olivier-nominated director Jaz Woodcock Stewart will make her Globe debut with Shakespeare’s rarely performed play King John. Living under the shadow of his beloved older brother, King John is desperate to find his own identity, and step into the role of England’s ruler. It will be performed from 20 February to 11 April 2027.
Timberlake Wertenbaker’s The Animals Come to the Table will premiere at the theatre from 11 December 2026 to 24 January 2027. Originally created as part of Burnt at the Stake, or the Whole of the Truth (2023) where writers shared new work anonymously, it is a bold play exploring what it’s like to step into someone else’s shoes.
This year, the new musical Pinocchio will be performed over the festive season in the Globe’s open-air theatre. Running from 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, it is based on Carlo Collodi’s original stories, and features book and lyrics by Charlie Josephine, and music and lyrics by Jim Fortune.
Shakespeare’s Globe Artistic Director Michelle Terry said: “This new season of plays in our candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is a season of debuts. The premiere of Timberlake Wertenbaker’s new play, the first time Chekhov’s The Seagull has been performed at the Globe, and the first time the epic history plays Julius Caesar and King John have been performed in the intimate indoor playhouse.
“We are thrilled to once again bring families together outside in our Globe Theatre for the return of our enchanting musical Pinocchio. This collection of brave and brilliant plays promise us nothing less than a winter of politics, provocation, passion, and pleasure.”
Shakespeare Globe’s 2026/27 winter season also includes the Shakespeare and Race festival, a dynamic series of talks and performances that spotlight the new and diverse voices shaping Shakespeare today. The programme runs throughout October.
The Globe also continues their commitment into education. Throughout November, they will run a series of short courses aimed at actors and directors who want to learn more about working at The Globe. They will also have events to help GCSE and A Level English students to better understand Shakespeare, as well as a series of family workshops for children aged between 5-11 and their grown-ups.
Further details can be found on the Shakespeare’s Globe website.
Words by Ellen Leslie