NEWS - A Homecoming: 50 Years of the Royal Exchange Theatre

The Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester has revealed its highly anticipated 50th anniversary season. Under the leadership of new Artistic Director Selina Cartmell, The Royal Exchange's A Homecoming will bring seven spectacular productions to the stage between 2026 and 2027.

Designed to honour the theatre’s legacy while shaping its future, the programme features two world premieres, two musicals, and three reimagined classics, with contributions from renowned artists including Sir Tom Courtenay, Jim Cartwright, Shobna Gulati, Johnny Vegas, Matthew Dunster, David Threlfall, and many more.

Highlights of the Royal Exchange's A Homecoming Season

ROAD by Jim Cartwright

📅 13 February – 14 March 2026The season opens with a revival of Jim Cartwright’s groundbreaking play, directed by Selina Cartmell. Starring Johnny Vegas, Lucy Beaumont, and Shobna Gulati, with a filmed appearance from Sir Tom Courtenay, this production marks the 40th anniversary of the play. Audiences will follow Scullery down a Northern street in 1986, meeting characters who are desperate, hilarious, and searching for something better.

PRIVATE LIVES by Noël Coward

📅 27 March – 2 May 2026Coward’s razor-sharp romantic comedy returns in a stylish revival directed by Blanche McIntyre. Known for its witty dialogue and fiery chemistry, this classic play sees ex-lovers honeymooning with new partners in adjoining hotel rooms – leading to explosive results. A cocktail of sharp humour and messy passion awaits on the Exchange stage.

EVEN THESE THINGS by Rory Mullarkey

📅 15 May – 15 June 2026This world premiere from multi award-winning playwright Rory Mullarkey spans three centuries of Manchester’s history. Set partly during the aftermath of the 1996 IRA bombing, the play explores grief, love, and resilience as the city rebuilds itself. Directed by James Macdonald, this powerful new work asks what lies beyond disaster.

FUN HOME

📅 3 July – 1 August 2026The Northern premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical based on Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel. Directed by former Exchange Artistic Director Sarah Frankcom, the show tells Bechdel’s coming-of-age story, exploring her childhood in a funeral home, her sexual awakening, and family secrets. With music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron, this groundbreaking musical blends heartbreak, humour, and joy.

KING LEAR by William Shakespeare

📅 2 October – 15 November 2026Acclaimed actor David Threlfall returns to the Exchange as Lear in a bold new adaptation by Matthew Dunster. Shakespeare’s great tragedy unfolds in a kingdom divided by power, greed, and betrayal, as Lear descends into madness. Expect a raw, emotional reimagining of this elemental play.

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC by Stephen Sondheim

📅 5 December 2026 – 30 January 2027Selina Cartmell directs Sondheim’s enchanting musical for the Exchange’s Christmas season. With classic numbers including Send in the Clowns, this romantic comedy of errors follows mismatched couples through a summer night of misadventures. Packed with wit, heart, and soaring music, it promises to be a dazzling festive highlight.

SHOOTERS by Tolu Okanlawon

📅 12 February – 13 March 2027Closing the anniversary programme, this world premiere from debut playwright and Bruntwood Prize winner Tolu Okanlawon tells the story of photographer Gordon Parks. Set in Harlem in 1948, the play explores themes of masculinity, representation, and who has the right to tell someone else’s story. A striking new voice ends the season on a powerful note.

Selina Cartmell’s Vision for the Future

Alongside the season, Cartmell announced plans to reopen the Exchange’s 90-seat studio space, closed since 2020. This move underlines her commitment to nurturing new talent and ensuring the Exchange remains a world-class hub for both established and emerging artists.

As Cartmell herself explains:

“In this anniversary year we renew our commitment to being a world-class theatre here in the heart of Manchester and an artistic engine room for talent development in the North.”

Why A Homecoming is Unmissable

From Cartwright’s gritty ROAD to Sondheim’s lush A Little Night Music, from Shakespeare to bold new voices, the season is a true celebration of the Exchange’s past, present, and future. It’s a homecoming not just for artists but for audiences too, inviting Manchester to be part of the next 50 years of theatre history.