Royal Exchange sets 2027-28 season with studio reopening, Beverley Knight and Guys and Dolls
Manchester's Royal Exchange has announced its programme for 2027-28. It is the second season from artistic director Selina Cartmell. The line-up brings back the studio, launches a new writing prize and runs into early 2028.
The season marks the reopening of the Royal Exchange's studio space in spring 2027, as reported by WhatsOnStage. The first show in the room since March 2020 will be Talking to Boys. Abbi Greenland's play gets its world premiere, meaning its first ever staging, from 8 April to 8 May 2027. Sam Pritchard directs.
A second new play follows in the studio. R Lady's by Daisy Miles runs from 13 May to 5 June 2027. Elin Schofield directs. The play won the 2025 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting North West – Original New Voice Award. The theatre will also launch a new Bruntwood Prize for North West Playwriting as part of the season.
The main house opens the season with Faith Healer. Brian Friel's play about a travelling faith healer runs from 20 March to 18 April 2027. Emma Baggott directs.
The UK premiere of RIOT runs from 27 May to 6 June. The show is by Jennifer Jennings and Phillip McMahon. It is produced by Dublin company THISISPOPBABY.
Cartmell will direct the world premiere of The First Blue Thing. Simon Stephens' new play reimagines the Greek myth of Phaedra in modern-day Stockport. It runs from 18 June to 25 July. It will be presented as part of Manchester International Festival 2027 in association with Factory International.
Shakespeare arrives in autumn. Michael Buffong directs Much Ado About Nothing. It is a co-production with Talawa Theatre Company, meaning the two companies are making it together. Soul singer and West End star Beverley Knight plays Beatrice. The production is set in Trinidad shortly after the Second World War. It runs from 17 September to 24 October 2027.
Then comes Frank Loesser's Guys and Dolls. Natalie Abrahami directs the musical. It runs from 19 November 2027 to 9 January 2028. The Royal Exchange last staged the show in 2017 in what was billed as Britain's first all-black revival.
Cartmell will also direct Munichs. Ben Power's stage adaptation of David Peace's novel about the Munich Air Disaster runs from 28 January to 12 March 2028. The world premiere marks 70 years since the disaster.
The announcement also looks back before it looks forward. Tolu Okanlawon's Shooters, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, closes the theatre's 50th anniversary year in February 2027. The theatre said it will use the name Royal Exchange Theatre Company as it starts its next phase of work.
What makes this stand out is the shape. New writing sits in the small room. Familiar titles fill the big room. For fans, this means two ways in: a first look at new plays in spring, then Knight, Guys and Dolls and Shakespeare later in the year.
