To say that William Shakespeare bestrides our culture like a colossus is to undersell him. Over 400 years since his death, the playwright is uncontested as the greatest writer of English who has ever lived. Even if you’re not a fan of sixteenth century blank verse – and if not, why not? – his influence over our culture goes far beyond that of any other writer. He invented words, phrases, plots, characters, stories that are still vividly alive today; his history plays utterly shaped our understanding of our own past as a nation.
And unsurpisingly he is inescapable in London. The iconic Elizabethan recreation Shakespeare’s Globe theatre is his temple, with a year-round programme that’s about three-quarters his works. Although based in Stratford-upon-Avon, the Royal Shakespeare Company regularly visit the capital, most frequently the Barbican Centre. And Shakespeare plays can be found… almost anywhere else, from the National Theatre – where they invariably run in the huge Olivier venue – to tiny fringe productions and outdoor version that pop up everywhere come the warmer months.
This page is simple: we tell you what Shakespeare plays are on in town this month (the answer is pretty much always ‘at least one’). We we tell you which of his works you can see coming up in the future. No other playwright is staged nearly enough to get his own page. But for William Shakespeare, it’s essential.
What is it? Robert Hastie directs the first National Theatre production of Shakespeare’s masterpiece in 15 years. Hiran Abeysekera will take on the mantle of Shakespeare’s Great Dane. We don’t know a huge amount about the production beyond that, though the initial publicity images suggest a certain amount of irreverence, while the 7.15pm start times suggest it’ll be long, but maybe a bit clippier than the average Hamlet.
Where is it? National Theatre, Lyttelton.
What is it? Shakespeare’s all-time gorefest is back on the London stage as the acclaimed RSC production of Titus Andronicus transfers from Stratford-upon-Avon to the intimate Hampstead Theatre.
Where is it? Hampstead Theatre.
What is it? Perhaps one reason that there is no new writing in the 2025 Globe summer season is that there was actually a Shakespeare play lined up in the ‘we know you’re unfamiliar with this play but please hear us out’ category. Not seen in London for over a decade, Troilus and Cressida is Shakespeare’s extremely odd Trojan War drama that essentially combines a big chunk of the plot of the Illiad with a weirdy love story between the Trojan title characters that is basically just a subplot.
Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.
What is it? A new, carnival-tinged production of Shakespeare’s much loved comedy about a young woman who shipwrecks on an exotic shore and gets caught up in the convoluted romantic shenanigans of the island’s inhabitants.
Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.
What is it? If you hadn’t guessed, this Globe co-production with Theatr Clwd is a bilingual English/Welsh staging of Romeo and Juliet. It’s not quite clear how this will pan out in Steffan Donnelly’s production, but one wonders if languages will be divided between Montagues and Capulets.
Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
What is it? Years after he made history as the first Black British actor to play Shakespeare’s doomed general Othello at the National Theatre, David Harewood returns to the role in a production that co-stars Toby Jones as the schemeing Iago. Tom Morris returns to the London stage for the first time in yonks to direct a production that co-stars US actor Caitlin FitzGerald as Desdemona.
Where is it? Theatre Royal Haymarket.
What is it? The indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at the Globe si finally staging its first Dream, in a co-production with the dynamic Headlong touring company. Headlong boss Holly Race-Roughan co-directs with Naeem Hayat: we don’t know a lot more about it beyond that, but as befits a production that will run over midwinter, we’re promised that it’ll dig into the darker side of the story.
Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
What is it? The RSC’s Christmas present to London is – once again – a Shakespeare play. And we’re not complaining: Prasanna Puwanarajah’s production of the much loved comedy of shifting identity Twelfth Night was a big hit in Stratford-upon-Avon earlier this year and now transfers to London with much of its original cast on board, including Freema Agyeman as Olivia and Sam West as Malvolio.
Where is it? Barbican Centre.
What is it? Metatheatrical mischief maker Tim Crouch directs his first original production for the Globe, a a high concept version of The Tempest in which he will star as exiled magician Prospero. In it, Propero, his daughter Miranda and his supernatural servants Ariel and Caliban are exiled with no hope of escape. Instead they gather once a month to tell stories of how they might be rescued – with the plot to Shakespeare’s play just one of them.
Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe, San Wanamaker Playhouse.
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