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Like the Ross and Rachel of major British theatre institutions, the RSC and the Barbican are obviously made for each other but have a complicated relationship. The Barbican was the Stratford-upon-Avon-based theatre company’s permanent London home until the RSC flounced out a couple of decades back, declaring it wanted to spend time with other theatres. In recent times, however, they've settled into a seasonal situationship with the RSC typically taking over the Barbican’s theatre for the winter months – with its most memorable recent show being blockbuster Studio Ghibli adaptation My Neighbour Totoro (now in the West End).
The RSC still sees other London theatres: its Ncuti Gatwa-starring newie Born with Teeth premieres at Wyndham’s Theatre this summer and its Simon Russell-Beale-fronted Stratford production of Titus Andronicus is headed for Hampstead Theatre.
But it’s been announced today that its seasonal stand at the Barbican is back on with two shows – one Shakespeare, one not – taking us through the late autumn and early winter months.
First up it’s the London premiere of Ella Hickson’s Wendy & Peter Pan (Oct 22-Nov 21), which was a big seasonal hit in Stratford in 2013 and again in 2015 but never previously made it to London. It’s a fresh spin on JM Barrie’s Peter Pan that firmly puts Wendy front and centre as the main character, though all yer old faves are in there – Toby Stephens will make his first stage appearance in yonks to star as Captain Hook.
Next up, a newer production of a much older play: Prasanna Puwanarajah’s music-heavy take on Twelfth Night (Dec 8-Jan 17 2026) got fine Stratford reviews at the start of this year and will head to the Barbican for the end of it with its lead cast of Freema Agyeman (Olivia), Sam West (Malvolio) and Michael Grady-Hall (Feste) intact.
Public booking for Wendy & Peter Pan and Twelfth Night opens July 17.
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