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OT announces full programming for 2025 season

Seven promotional show images: Top row from left to right: Guards at the Taj: Two actors look forward. They are both wearing white vests with a cream sash and dark trousers; expression serious. The actor on the right holds a sword with the base in his right and the blade resting on his left palm. He is shorter than the actor on the left. The actor on the left holds a sword in his right hand. Behind them is the Taj Mahal and a blue backdrop with orange designs. Twelfth Night: An image of three actors facing forward on a dark green background. On the left is an older actor with red hair pulled back. They are wearing red lipstick, statement earrings, a pearl necklace, and a dark top with beaded details. In the middle an actor about 30 with dark brown hair in dreadlocks is wearing red lipstick, a black headpiece, white button down, white bowtie, and black suit jacket. On the very right an older actor with white hair is wearing a white collared shirt, yellow and black tie, black vest, black suit jacket, and glasses on a chain, being held in their left hand. Treasure Island: Three people dressed in pirate attire hold metal pints as they cheers each other. One sits on a bench, one sits on the ground below the bench and one stands with one leg resting on the bench. Behind them is a brick wall with pink flowers on it. One pirate holds a treasure map in his left hand. Bottom row from left to right: Churchill in Moscow: An actor, playing Winston Churchill is standing looking out, with a serious expression. He is wearing a white button down shirt, black vest, black bowtie, dark grey suit jacket, and a black hat. Behind him is a yellow, red, and black skyline of Moscow. Playhouse Creatures: An actor dressed in a lavish dress and headpiece stands with their left elbow resting on a column and their head resting on their left hand. They are middle aged with dark hair and bangs. There is orange and white fabric draped behind them. Ben and Imo: Two actors are hugging. On the left is a middle aged actor with short curly brown hair. They are wearing a brown blazer with the side of their head resting on the other actor's forehead and arms wrapped around them as well. On the right a middle aged actor with curly auburn hair is resting their head on the other actor's chest. In Praise of Love: An actor is standing behind a desk facing the camera. They are middle aged with long blond hair. They are wearing a blue patterned dress with their front hand down on the desk. The desk is cluttered with books, paper, and a typewriter. On the right another actor is seated facing left. They are looking at the typewriter in front of them. The actor is middle-aged with short grey hair and a short grey beard and moustache. They are wearing a white collared shirt, brown jumper, and dark framed glasses. Their right hand is up by their mouth, and their left hand is on the page of a book on the desk.

OT Artistic Director Tom Littler and Executive Director Hanna Streeter today announce full programming for the 2025 season. The season is comprised of six new plays including four world premieres, two rediscoveries and a classic comedy. The OT also announces today the launch of OT Under 30 Nights as part of a renewed commitment to engage and support young audiences.

Churchill in Moscow reunites Brenton and Littler for their sixth collaboration with Roger Allam in the titular role to launch the season. The play explores an imagined meeting between Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin at the Kremlin in 1942. A revival of April De Angelis’ Playhouse Creatures follows, directed by Michael Oakley and starring Anna Chancellor, which will transfer to the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and Theatre Royal Bath. The Orange Tree then presents the London premiere of the RSC production of Mark Ravenhill’s Ben and Imo, directed by Erica Whyman, with Samuel Barnett and Victoria Yeates reprising their roles. The spring season culminates with a revival of Terence Rattigan’s penultimate play In Praise of Love, directed by Amelia Sears.

The 2025 season continues with Poor Clare by Chiara Atik directed by Blanche McIntyre, and the world premières of two adaptations: August Strindberg’s Dance of Death newly adapted and directed by Richard Eyre, and Hedda a new play by Tanika Gupta inspired by Ibsen’s classic Hedda Gabler. The 2025 season culminates with Tom Littler directing the 250th Anniversary production of Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s comic classic The Rivals, alongside the OT Young Company performing in Alice in Wonderland, a new play by Chinonyerem Odimba inspired by Lewis Carroll’s novel.  

Artistic Director Tom Littler said today, “It’s sometimes said that history never repeats itself, but it does rhyme. This year of programming digs into the past to ask questions about the present and the future. Questions about power and those who wield it; about the shadow of war; about privilege and class; about heritage; about secrecy and honesty. These are rich plays: entertaining, exciting, and provocative. We can’t wait to share the work of these outstanding writers with our audiences in Richmond and beyond.”

The OT’s Community team continue their work to connect young people with Shakespeare with the return of Primary Shakespeare and Shakespeare Up Close. The OT will present Julius Caesar for Primary school audiences directed by Community Director Francesca Ellis, with Romeo & Juliet directed by Marcus Bazley and Macbeth, directed by Zoë Waterman, presented for Secondary school audiences, in a co-production with Guildford Shakespeare Company. The OT Young Company will once again take part in the National Theatre’s Connections festival, giving 14–18-year-olds the chance to perform on the Orange Tree and Lyric Hammersmith stages, a small number of companies will then be chosen to perform at the National Theatre. 

The OT also today announces the launch of OT Under 30 Nights, with the inaugural event taking place on Friday 8 November for the JMK Award-winning production Guards at the Taj. Within the £15 ticket price, 18–29-year-old theatregoers will receive a free drink, a post-show talk and a social event in the bar. On 8 November, post-show panellists include cast members Usaamah Ibraheem Hussain and Maanuv Thiara, creatives Roisin Jenner and Priya Virdee. The panel will be chaired by Kalungi Ssebandeke, winner of the 2023 JMK award.

Hanna Streeter, Executive Director, said today “Alongside our main house programme, our community and education programmes go from strength to strength, working with children and adults of all ages and backgrounds to inspire and enrich the lives of thousands of people. We’re also delighted to launch our OT Under 30 scheme which sees our £15 tickets for Under 30s extended to include special OT Under 30 nights for each show, as part of our commitment to developing the next generation of theatre-goers.”

Priority booking for Churchill in Moscow, Playhouse Creatures, Ben and Imo and In Praise of Love opens from 16 October at 12pm, with general on sale opening on 28 October at 12pm. 

Become a member today to access priority booking.

On sale details for the rest of the season to be announced.

 

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Announcing Further Programming for 2026

12 February 2026

With Richard Eyre’s new adaptation of August Strindberg’s Dance of Death currently running at the venue, Orange Tree Theatre (OT) today announces further programming for