Our WARWICK, UK – January 1, 2026
Playbox Theatre — long recognised as one of Europe’s most adventurous and imaginative theatres for young people — launches its 40th Anniversary Season with a bold promise: every production will be a one-off theatrical event that can only be experienced live.
What began four decades ago as a small arts organisation has evolved into a vibrant, pioneering creative powerhouse. In this milestone year, Playbox places the shared encounter between audience and young actor at the centre of everything it creates — celebrating the irreplaceable electricity of live performance.
A year of large-scale storytelling, reinvention, and immersive celebration:
A fast-moving, high-energy re-examination of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy. Performed by a dynamic company of Playbox actors, this production promises passion, danger, and a fierce contemporary heartbeat.
A rare and ambitious restaging of Playbox’s beloved production.
Drawing from medieval texts, this epic cycle tells the story of the world from Creation to Doomsday, performed by a multidisciplinary ensemble in one of the few opportunities today to experience a Mystery Play cycle in full.
This summer, the centrepiece production will be a brand-new staging of Philippa Pearce’s beloved classic, Tom’s Midnight Garden.
When Tom Long is sent away to his aunt and uncle’s quiet, gardenless flat to quarantine, he expects a summer of boredom. But when the grandfather clock in the hallway strikes thirteen, the doors open onto a secret, sun-drenched Victorian garden that shouldn’t exist. Part ghost story, part time-travelling adventure, this production explores the thin veil between the ast and the present through the eyes of two lonely children.
A dusk-till-dawn immersive odyssey inspired by the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice.
Audiences arrive as guests at a wedding before being led through a multi-layered journey across indoor and outdoor spaces at The Dream Factory. A once-in-a-lifetime theatrical experience marking the height of summer.
A thrilling musical, family-friendly adventure bringing the world of modern mythology to exuberant life.
Christopher Marlowe’s rarely performed, politically charged drama — presented with boldness and immediacy for contemporary audiences.
The festive season ignites with swordplay, spectacle, and camaraderie in this joyous adaptation of Dumas’ classic. This will be a brand-new collaboration between Playbox Theatre and Blank-Shift Creative Writers.
Throughout 2026, audiences can also enjoy an expansive programme of work across The Dream Factory:
The anniversary year expands Playbox’s renowned participatory programme, encompassing specialist training across multiple disciplines:
These programmes at The Dream Factory and hub centres ensure that young people continue to access world-class, imaginative training in a nurturing, ambitious environment.
“Our 40th Anniversary is a celebration of everything Playbox Theatre stands for,” says Emily Quash, Artistic Director. “But more than that, it is a declaration of intent. Each production in 2026 is created as a living, breathing event — something that must be experienced in the moment. Our young actors are extraordinary, our audiences are essential, and together we create theatre that truly resonates.”
Playbox Theatre welcomes audiences, new and returning, to join this remarkable season of bold storytelling, innovation, and celebration.
Booking details and further announcements will follow shortly.
Alongside its flagship productions, Playbox Theatre continues its year-round mission to inspire and engage young people through Training and Participation across theatre and the arts. From early years creativity to advanced performance programmes, every corner of The Dream Factory pulses with imagination, exploration, and opportunity.
This Spring Season promises to mark a remarkable 40th year for Playbox – a year that will span contemporary and classical theatre, family experiences, immersive outdoor and indoor events. Moving into is 27th year at The Dream Factory, Playbox Theatre cements its reputation as the UK’s most exciting theatre for young people.
FOR PRESS ENQUIRIES, IMAGES, OR INTERVIEWS, PLEASE CONTACT:
Emily Quash
emily@playboxtheatre.com
01926 419555
www.playboxtheatre.com
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