On Friday night I headed to the Marlowe Theatre for their 2026 Summer Season Launch: an exciting opportunity to find out what shows are coming to the theatre in the not-too-distant future and also hear from some of the performers and creatives that will be part of the upcoming brochure. It’s been two years since I last attended one of these evenings, but it is always such a brilliant event, full of anticipation and passion for the arts. This year we got to hear from one of the English Touring Opera’s spectacular singers and additionally Matt Rawle who is playing P. T. Barnum in the musical of the same name. Without further ado, let’s get onto some of the exciting announcements in the Musicals, Dance, Drama and Opera categories.
Musicals
Helen George is taking on the title role of Tracy Lord for the Barbican Theatre Summer run of ‘High Society’, before it tours the UK and Ireland. The performer will return to the Marlowe in October 2026, following on from ‘The King and I’ in 2023.
The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is showcasing a revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Cats’ this Summer and the production is touring the UK and Ireland afterwards, with the Marlowe hosting the show in January 2027. Drew McOnie is directing and choreographing and it is going to be fascinating to see how the creative puts their own spin on this classic musical.
When I think of jukebox musicals that have managed to remain popular in recent years, I instantly think of ‘Jersey Boys’: the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, which is returning to the Marlowe in early April 2027. This show is full of so many legendary songs and is bound to have audiences up on their feet at the end of the night. This new tour also marks the musical’s 20th Anniversary.
‘Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical’ is heading out on the road next year and will stop in Canterbury in late April 2027. I was fortunate enough to see the West End production a few weeks before it closed in February of this year and I found it incredibly emotional, so it is wonderful to hear that local audiences will have the opportunity to watch this heartwarming and uplifting musical next year.
The Summer 2027 musical is ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’, with the musical taking up residence in Canterbury for 3 weeks in July – August 2027. This show is arriving in perfect time for the Summer holidays, which is fantastic as hopefully lots of families will be able to come and see it during the long run.
Dramas
‘Paranormal Activity’ has been getting a lot of buzz at the Ambassadors Theatre in London this year, and in October 2026 the production will stop in Kent as part of its tour. This one certainly sounds like a show for fans of ‘2:22 A Ghost Story’, which caused a stir at the venue in 2023, thanks to its twists and turns.
Looking at 2026 student productions, the Marlowe Academy of Performing Arts’ final assessment production ‘Nora: A Doll’s House’ is scheduled for June and the Marlowe Theatre Youth Company is performing a new play ‘My Heart is Beginning to Break’ in August.
Dance
Spring 2027 will see three dance companies take to the Marlowe stage, beginning with São Paulo Dance Company’s two performances in March. Dance Consortium is presenting Brazil’s leading dance company’s UK return, which fuses together “classical technique with contemporary innovation”.
Also scheduled for March, the much adored dance company Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures is back with ‘Cinderella’. The show will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary, and it now means that there are three New Adventures’ shows on the theatre’s programme across the next year, with ‘Cinderella’ joining ‘The Red Shoes’ and ‘The Car Man’ which are scheduled for 2026.
April sees the English National Ballet present a reimagined version of ‘Carmen’, with choreography by Johan Inger. When ballet companies come to the Marlowe you cannot help but feel they are inspiring the Kent-based young dancers of the future, and it will be exciting to hear what local audiences think of this new take on a classic.
Opera
Two more English Touring Opera shows are planned for April 2027, with the renowned company presenting Gluck’s ‘Orpheus and Eurydice’ followed by Puccini’s ‘Tosca’ on consecutive days. Touring opera is how I first became acquainted with the art form and it is brilliant to think that Kent audiences have the chance to see two completely unique productions.
How to book
Various booking periods will open this month, so if any of these shows have caught your fancy, definitely save the following dates in your diary. All tickets can be purchased directly from the Marlowe Theatre’s website. It is certainly a very exciting season of theatre!
From Monday 16th March: Made at the Marlowe, Creative Circle, Benefactors and Superstars can book.
From Tuesday 17th March: Marlowe Champions can book.
From Wednesday 18th March: Marlowe Supporters and Friends Extra can book.
From Monday 23rd March: Marlowe Friends can book.
From Monday 30 March: General public can book.
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