National Theatre's 2027 season to feature new play on John Major's rise to power
London's National Theatre will stage a new James Graham play about John Major's path to prime minister as part of a 2027 season focused on political upheaval and global conflict, featuring eight world premieres among 18 productions.
The National Theatre in London has unveiled its 2027 programme, placing political history and international conflict at its centre. Among the highlights is a new play by James Graham, titled Major, tracing John Major's unexpected rise from a relatively obscure government whip to prime minister, as he succeeded Margaret Thatcher at a critical juncture in Britain's relationship with Europe. The production reunites Graham with director Jeremy Herrin, who previously worked with him on the acclaimed parliamentary drama This House.
Politics and history take centre stage
Several other new works in the season explore political themes. Moira Buffini's The Great Indaba, directed by the National's artistic director Indhu Rubasingham, dramatises a 1997 meeting in South Africa between Nelson Mandela's national unity government and political figures from Northern Ireland, as negotiations toward the Good Friday agreement neared a breakthrough. Carmen Nasr's new play Samira is set during the Arab Spring. Meanwhile, The Adeyemis – A Family Saga, a political family drama by British-Nigerian writer Oladipo Agboluaje, will premiere in the Dorfman theatre starring Uzo Aduba.
Classics alongside new work
The season also includes a number of 20th-century works rather than a Shakespeare-heavy programme, among them West Side Story, Tennessee Williams' Suddenly Last Summer starring Emma Corrin and Harriet Walter, David Hare's Plenty directed by Richard Eyre and starring Emilia Clarke, and Death of a Salesman with Paul Mescal and Tracy Letts. Notably, none of the National's three main stages will host a Shakespeare production next season — Hamlet will instead be added to the theatre's streaming collection.
In total, the 2027 programme comprises 18 productions, including eight world premieres, alongside touring shows and content reaching audiences through cinema, streaming and schools. Rubasingham said the season was united by themes of resilience and hope, while executive and co-chief executive Kate Varah said the programme reflected investment in original storytelling and bold artistic voices.
