Kiln Theatre announces its new 2025/26 season, Amit Sharma’s second as Artistic Director.
The season will launch with Iman Qureshi’s The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs, a feel-good musical comedy about community, belonging, and the power of finding your voice. The new production runs 13 June – 12 July 2025 following a sold-out run at Soho Theatre.
This is followed by the world premiere of new musical, Coven, that reinterrogates the true story of the seventeenth century Pendle Witch Trials. This female led musical, which centres the power of women and runs 31 October – 13 December 2025.
Seagulls – a new, Black British retelling of Chekhov’s iconic play. This contemporary reimagining explores art, ambition, and the fractures within family and fame – bringing this classic right up to date for a new generation. Seagulls runs 12 February – 21 March 2026.
Completing the season is the world premiere of Please Please Me by Tom Wright (Associate Artistic Director at Kiln Theatre). An electrifying and deeply personal story of the troubled life of the ‘Fifth Beatle’, Brian Epstein, his relationship with John Lennon and his contribution to making The Beatles the greatest band on earth. The production runs from 16 April – 23 May 2026.
Please Please Me by Tom Wright (Associate Artistic Director at Kiln Theatre) comes to the Kiln Theatre 16 April – 23 May 2026.
Brian Epstein and The Beatles. Their rise. His fall.
When Brian Epstein steps into the Cavern Club, he finds more than just a band – he finds his life’s calling. Captivated by four rugged boys from Liverpool, he sets out to transform them into the most famous group on earth.
But as the world begins to worship his Fab Four, Brian wrestles with secrets, longing, and love – especially for his charismatic frontman, John Lennon.
Please Please Me is the electrifying story of The Beatles’ meteoric rise and the hidden struggles of their beloved manager – the unsung, gay legend and ‘Fifth Beatle’, Brian Epstein.
Tom Wright is a writer, director and dramaturg for theatre and film. He is currently the Associate Artistic Director at Kiln Theatre. Previously Head of Artist Development at The Old Vic. His two back-to-back debut plays achieved acclaim with seven Off West End Award nominations, including Best New Play and Most Promising Playwright.
Amit Sharma is Artistic Director of Kiln Theatre where he directed Pins and Needles and The Purists. Before joining the Kiln Theatre as Associate Director, he was previously Deputy Artistic Director of Birmingham Rep, Associate Artistic Director at the Royal Exchange, Manchester, and Associate Director at Graeae Theatre Company where his journey into theatre began. Sharma directed the critically acclaimed and sell-out run of Retrograde at the Kiln, transferring to the West End’s Apollo Theatre in March; and has also directed two productions at the National Theatre – The Solid Life of Sugar Water (Graeae Theatre Company/Theatre Royal Plymouth co-production) and The Boy With Two Hearts (also Wales Millennium Centre).
Access performances:
Audio Described 7 May, 7.30pm, preceded by a Touch Tour
Captioned 14 May, 7.30pm
Relaxed 20 May, 2.30pm
Special performances:
Alcohol Free 27 April, 7.30pm
Post show Q&A 12 May, 7.30pm
