The Marlowe Theatre launches its Autumn Season
The Marlowe Theatre launches its Autumn Season and announces some brilliant new shows heading to Canterbury, including hit musicals Hadestown and Burlesque, as well as world-class productions like the National Theatre’s The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.
Smash-hit Broadway and West End musical sensation Hadestown will be leading the impressive new line-up of musicals as it heads to the Kent stage as part of its first ever UK and Ireland tour next year, from Tuesday 18 May to Saturday 22 May 2027.
Hadestown takes you on an unforgettable journey to the underworld and back, intertwining two ancient Greek mythic love stories – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone.
The show, which is the winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album, has been seen by over six million, streamed by nearly a billion and adored by fans around the world.
Hadestown will be at the Marlowe from Tuesday 18 May to Saturday 22 May 2027
But it’s not the only record-breaking show making its way to Canterbury during the Marlowe Theatre’s new season.
Burlesque the Musical, which is executive produced by Christina Aguilera and is based on the hit movie, will also be coming to Kent after taking the West End by storm.
Running from Tuesday 25 May until Saturday 29 May 2027, Burlesque invites you to a club like no other: a hidden world beneath the city lights where sequins sparkle, seduction shimmers and lives can change in the flick of a feather boa. Featuring powerhouse songs by Aguilera, as well as Sia and Diane Warren, alongside new numbers from Todrick Hall and Jess Folley.
West End smash-hit Singin’ in the Rain is also part of the new line-up, making a splash from Tuesday 9 March until Saturday 13 March 2027, while the boys will also be back in Jersey Boys, from Monday 5 April until Saturday 10 April 2027.
The Tony Award-winning sensation is returning for its 20th-anniversary tour, with the Marlowe Theatre being one of its stops. Go behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in the musical phenomenon when it heads to Kent.
Burlesque the Musical will be running from Tuesday 25 May until Saturday 29 May 2027
Olivier-nominated musical Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical, featuring songs from Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen, Madonna, Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney, will also rock the stage from Tuesday 27 April until Saturday 1 May 2027.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie rounds off the new list of stellar musicals making their way to the theatre. Following a record-breaking three-year West End run, two sold out UK and Ireland tours, and an award-winning film, the smash-hit musical returns for its 10th anniversary tour with a brand-new song.
The show, which will be at the Marlowe Theatre from Monday 12 July until Saturday 17 July 2027, tells the story of 16-year-old Jamie New, who lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Supported by his brilliant, loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight and becomes a sensation.
But it’s not all about the musicals. Offering something for everyone across the season, the Marlowe Theatre has also announced some brilliant new productions over the coming months and into 2027.
A new production of Jim Cartwright’s The Rise and Fall of Little Voice will be coming direct from the National Theatre as part of ‘Nationwide’, a four-year partnership that will also see National Theatre productions touring to schools and colleges across Kent.
The National Theatre’s The Rise and Fall of Little Voice
Playing from Tuesday 2 March until Saturday 6 March 2027, the show stars Jill Halfpenny (After the Flood) and Francesca Mills (Silent Witness). Alone in the sanctuary of her small bedroom, Little Voice fills the air with pitch-perfect renditions of her deceased dad’s prized record collection of the great divas, from Judy Garland to Billie Holiday.
But when her mother Mari’s latest fling, local wheeler dealer Ray, hears her sing he’s certain he’s struck gold. Will Little Voice be pushed into a spotlight she never asked for?
Another newly announced production is Savage, starring RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard, and directed by Nikolai Foster (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde). Funny, raw, and full of heart, it tells the story of how Paul O’Grady became Lily and how Lily became a British icon. It will show from Tuesday 30 March until Saturday 3 April 2027.
Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith (The Talented Mr Ripley) and inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic film, psychological thriller Strangers on a Train is also arriving on the Marlowe Theatre stage at the end of January.
Jump aboard and experience the dark, fast-paced show which follows two strangers meeting on a train. A conversation turns deadly when charismatic Charles Bruno proposes the perfect crime: he’ll murder Guy Haines’ unfaithful wife – if Guy agrees to kill Bruno’s father. Guy laughs it off. Bruno doesn’t.
By Royal Appointment
Other newly announced shows include By Royal Appointment, appearing from Tuesday 2 February until Saturday 6 February 2027. A funny, poignant and celebratory new play which peeks into the world our most popular monarch, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and the image she presented to the world.
Victoria Wood’s dinnerladies will also appear next summer, from Tuesday 22 June until Saturday 26 June. Returning more than a quarter of a century after it was first screened on BBC One, this brand-new stage adaptation will star stage and TV favourite Les Dennis as canteen manager Stan, with further casting to be announced.
And to add to the eclectic mix, ensuring there really is a show for everyone, the theatre has also revealed a new series of one and two-nighters, including Judi Dench: Is It Too Late to Make a Run For It? on Tuesday 17 November 2026. As well as The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins (Tuesday 16 February 2027), Witness to History: Sir Trevor McDonald Live (Thursday 18 February 2027), An Evening with Sir David Jason (Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 February 2027), Al Murray: All You Need is Guv (Sunday 14 March 2027), Dianne & Vito: Back in Business (Thursday 15 April 2027) and Jon Culshaw: Me, Myself & Others (Monday 19 April 2027).
Tickets for all the above shows, and more, go on general sale from Monday 3 August.
To see all shows coming up at the Marlowe Theatre, click here.
