The Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a season titled 'A Homecoming', featuring a diverse lineup of classic and contemporary plays, including works by Shakespeare, Sondheim, and new commissions, emphasizing its pioneering architecture and strong community ties.

The upcoming 2025-2026 season kicks off in February with 'Cartwright’s Road', directed by Cartmell and starring notable actors such as Vegas, Beaumont, Gulati, and Courtenay, who performs a special filmed role marking his 17th appearance at the venue since 1976.

In March, the theatre will present Coward’s 'Private Lives' under the direction of Blanche McIntyre, followed by the world premiere of Rory Mullarkey’s 'Even These Things' in May, set in Manchester across three different time periods, including an IRA bombing.

The season also includes 'Fun Home' in July, based on Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel and directed by Frankcom, which previously premiered in London in 2018, and 'King Lear' in October, starring Threlfall and directed by Dunster, who also adapted the play after a 27-year hiatus from the theatre.

The theatre reaffirms its commitment to nurturing both emerging and established artists by planning to reopen its 90-seat studio space, which has been closed since 2020, aiming to foster a vibrant creative ecosystem.

December will feature Sondheim’s 'A Little Night Music', directed by Cartmell, with performances extending into February 2027, including the play 'Shooters', which won the 2025 Bruntwood Prize and explores themes of authenticity and masculinity set in mid-century New York.

Recently, the Royal Exchange appointed Sheena Wrigley as its new co-chief executive alongside artistic director Cartmell, marking a significant shift to a joint leadership model after nearly five decades of a traditional artistic director.