Deck the halls and let the festivities commence - our stages are packed to bursting this winter, with 11 shows to choose from over the coldest months. Plus, read on for our 2025 RSC Christmas gift guide...


ON STAGE IN STRATFORD AND LONDON

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MACBETH

The Scottish Play. The Other Place.

Daniel Raggett (Edward II) directs this ★★★★★ 'Intelligent. Audaciously staged' (Guardian) take on Shakespeare's story of love, power and ambition in the intimate setting of The Other Place. Sam Heughan (Outlander) makes his RSC debut as Macbeth with Lia Williams (The Crown) as Lady Macbeth.

Macbeth plays at The Other Place until 6 December 2025.

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Please note: Availability for Macbeth is extremely limited, but keep checking back for returned tickets.

 

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THE FORSYTE SAGA: PARTS 1 & 2

John Galsworthy’s Nobel-winning saga about love, ownership and the end of Empire is retold by Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan. Josh Roche revives his acclaimed, two-part production with Fiona Hampton, Joseph Millson and Flora Spencer-Longhurst reprise their roles as Irene, Soames and Fleur.

Experience the thrilling saga in the Swan Theatre this winter, best enjoyed in one epic day, across two separate days, or equally as sensational as complete, stand-alone plays. 'The stage equivalent of a box-set binge.' (Financial Times).

Discover more about the show at our Creative Team Talk on 4 December or the free Post Show Talk on 30 December.

The Forsyte Saga: Parts 1 & 2 plays at the Swan Theatre until 10 January 2026.

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THE BFG

‘Once you is knowing dreams is real… you is seeing them very easily’

Gather your chiddlers to see Roald Dahl’s powerful and darkly funny story, packed full of frobscottle and whizzpoppers. Tom Wells’ magical new adaptation is directed by RSC Co-Artistic Director Daniel Evans with John Leader and Helena Lymbery starring.

If you want to find out more about the inner workings of this magical production, check out the Creative Team Talk on 8 December or the free Post Show Talk on 16 Janaury 2026.

The BFG plays at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre until 7 February 2026.

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TWELFTH NIGHT

Director Prasanna Puwanarajah revives his ‘inspired and spellbinding’ (The Stage) production, iconically designed by James Cotterill, which sees Samuel West (Malvolio), Freema Agyeman (Olivia), and Michael Grady-Hall (Feste) reprising their critically acclaimed-performances.

With original music and songs composed by singer songwriter Matt Maltese, don’t miss this bittersweet freewheeling miracle of farce, longing, love and life.

Twelfth Night plays at The Barbican, London from 8 December 2025 to 17 January 2026.

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READY, STEADY, COLOUR'S CHRISTMAS FEAST

One waiter's lost their Christmas spirit, another's got too much, and Head Chef's patience is fast running out - they need your help to find their festive joy.

Take a seat at our make-believe Christmas restaurant, choose your ‘food’ and colour it in. Fun for the whole family, especially those aged 3-9 years old, it's a chance for children and adults to take part together in a merry blend of creativity, comedy and music.

Ready Steady Colour's Christmas Feast plays at The Other Place from 10 December 2025 until 3 January 2026.

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ALL IS BUT FANTASY

Award-winning artist Whitney White explodes into The Other Place in 2026 with a groundbreaking theatrical event, featuring four of Shakespeare’s most famous characters: Lady Macbeth, Juliet, Emilia and Richard III.

Their stories are revisited across two high-energy gig-theatre performances, catalysed by a red-hot soundtrack of musical genres from rock and soul to pop and gospel. Enjoy these two performances back-to-back on a single day, across two separate days (in any order), or simply as standalone plays for an equally breathtaking experience.

All Is But Fantasy plays at The Other Place from 21 January to 28 February 2026.

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THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND

A bold and uplifting new musical, which tells the true story of William Kamkwamba, a boy who hopes to defy expectations to produce the gift of power and give hope for tomorrow.

Based on his memoir and the film directed by and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, this world premiere is directed by Lynette Linton - formerly Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre - with book and lyrics by Richy Hughes and music and lyrics by Tim Sutton.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind plays at the Swan Theatre from 10 Februrary to 28 March 2026.

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MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO

Gillian Lynne Theatre, London
Booking until August 2026

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MATILDA THE MUSICAL

Cambridge Theatre, London
Booking until May 2026

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ON TOUR

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MATILDA THE MUSICAL UK & IRELAND TOUR

Our smash-hit family show has officially set off on its second UK and Ireland Tour, while simultaneously celebrating 15 joy-filled years on stage.

Having played in Leicester and Bradford, the show will tour to Liverpool, Plymouth, Sunderland, Edinburgh, Manchester, Southampton, Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich, Dublin, Milton Keynes, Glasgow, finishing in Cardiff, where it will play over Christmas 2026 into 2027.

Matilda The Musical tours across the UK and Ireland until January 2027.

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FIRST ENCOUNTERS: KING LEAR

Also out and about across the UK is our 90-minute version of King Lear - an edited version of the Shakespeare's original play designed to create the perfect introduction for young people aged 7+ and their families. 

Our First Encounters with Shakespeare production makes this play about family, power and betrayal relevant for a new generation of theatregoers, as Lear's vanity and the machinations of his two eldest daughters have devastating consequences for family, nation and climate.

First Encounters: King Lear tours the UK until 12 December 2025.

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GET INVOLVED

This winter, our festive decorations at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Swan Theatre are inspired by The BFG. As you wander through our buildings, look out for beautifully decorated trees and discover the blue paper jars, each one holding a dream for the future written by local children.

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC

Head to the Fountain staircase to discover our Dream Lab - a new, site-specific installation devised by The BFG production creatives Video Designer Akhila Krishnan and Senior Associate Set Designer Matt Hellyer. Featuring optical illusions and Pepper’s ghost technique, this artwork brings the magic of the show into our buildings for everyone to enjoy.

SHARE YOUR DREAM

Head upstairs to Welcome Space and add your dream to our Gallery of Dreams. Write down your dream for the future and pin it to the wall for others to enjoy and be inspired by.


 

RSC CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

 

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THE BFG COLLECTION

From t-shirts to plushie corgies, treat your human beans big and small to some phizz-whizzing gifts featuring Quentin Blake's iconic illustrations.

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CRAFTING THE BARD

Turn Shakespeare quotes into art with our new crafting kits - from cross-stitch and embroidery to paint-by-numbers, it's the perfect gift for your creative chums.

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BOARD GAMES & JIGSAWS

Equally perfect for ages 8 to 80, piece together beautiful scenes of Shakespeare's London, or dive into a fun, bard-themed board game.

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CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

Who doesn't want a festive Bottom on their Christmas tree? Bring some drama to your decor with ornaments inspired by Shakespeare's plays and our theatres.

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BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS

Literature lovers rejoice - we have a huge collection of beautifully bound plays, books about Shakespeare and children's books ideal for a special gift.

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Christmas Cards

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Don't leave your Christmas cards to last minute - our stunning collection of festive cards and Shakespeare stationery will make writing a joy.

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AFTERNOON TEA TOUR

Treat someone you love to a unique experience with our brand now Afternoon Tea Tour - combining our popular Theatre Tour followed by a delicious treat in our Rooftop Restaurant.

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A chocolate tart and icecream

ROOFTOP RESTAURANT GIFT VOUCHER

A pre-theatre dinner is the frosting on a theatre trip cake - with a mouthwatering menu of seasonal dishes and unbeatable views across Stratford-upon-Avon.

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GIFT A MEMBERSHIP

Our memberships are the perfect gift for the theatre lover in your life - with priority booking, Family Friday benefits, free seat upgrades and 10% discounts at our restaurant, bars, cafes and shop.

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