Alright theater fans, heads up! The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) just dropped some major news about their 2026-27 season, and no cap, it’s looking pretty dope. Broadway phenom Jonathan Groff, known for his incredible stage presence and killer vocals, is set to make his RSC debut. He’ll be stepping into the iconic role of Rosalind in an all-male staging of Shakespeare’s beloved pastoral comedy, “As You Like It,” directed by RSC co-artistic director Daniel Evans. This is a game-changer, for real!
Groff, who recently snagged a Tony Award for his on-point performance as Franklin Shepherd in the ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ revival, is bringing some serious Broadway cred across the pond. You might also know him from originating roles like Melchior Gabor in ‘Spring Awakening’ or lending his voice to Kristoff in Disney’s ‘Frozen’ franchise. His talent is legit, and seeing him tackle a Shakespearean heroine, especially in this classic work, “As You Like It,” is bound to be an absolute treat. He’ll be joined by Fisayo Akinade as Celia, an actor recognized for his work in ‘Cucumber,’ ‘Banana,’ and Netflix’s ‘Heartstopper.’ The production is slated to run from September 26 to November 7 in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
The decision to stage an all-male “As You Like It” isn’t just a quirky artistic choice; it’s a powerful nod to Shakespearean tradition while simultaneously challenging modern perceptions. Back in the Bard’s day, female roles were exclusively played by young men, a practice rooted in societal norms of the time. Modern all-male productions, like this one, often aim to highlight themes of gender fluidity, performance, and identity within the text, giving audiences a fresh lens through which to view these timeless stories. It’s a way to peel back layers and rediscover nuances that might be overshadowed in more conventional stagings. Straight up, it’s a bold move that promises a thought-provoking experience.
But wait, there’s more! The RSC’s season is stacked with diverse programming. Legendary actress Harriet Walter is also making a return, reprising her powerful role as Brutus in an all-female revival of Phyllida Lloyd’s 2012 Donmar Warehouse production of ‘Julius Caesar.’ This critically acclaimed take, originally staged under Josie Rourke, is set within a women’s prison, offering a stark, intense backdrop to the political machinations of ancient Rome. This revival, co-produced with KPPL Productions, will even tour secondary schools across England before hitting The Other Place, which is pretty awesome for getting young folks into theater.
This school tour is a significant part of the RSC’s celebration of two decades of impactful educational partnerships. Their Associate Schools Program now reaches over 280 schools across more than 100 towns and cities in England, proving that the RSC isn’t just about putting on sick shows; they’re genuinely invested in nurturing the next generation of theater lovers and practitioners. Each performance on tour will be complemented by workshops and post-show discussions, culminating in a Young Creatives Festival. That’s a massive win for arts education, no question.
Shifting gears, The Swan Theatre is set to stage a two-part dramatization of George Eliot’s monumental novel, ‘Middlemarch.’ Nina Raine is tackling the adaptation, with Jeremy Herrin directing this co-production with Second Half Productions. ‘Middlemarch’ is an absolute beast of a novel, a deep dive into provincial life, societal expectations, and individual aspirations in 19th-century England. Splitting it into two parts means audiences will get a rich, detailed exploration of Eliot’s masterwork, and that’s highkey exciting for literary buffs.
Rounding out this killer season, the inventive theater company Told by an Idiot is bringing Alexandre Dumas’ swashbuckling classic, ‘The Three Musketeers,’ to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. This new adaptation, written and directed by company co-founder Paul Hunter, promises to infuse the epic tale of D’Artagnan and his comrades with Told by an Idiot’s signature blend of physical comedy, theatrical innovation, and pure joy. It’s bound to be a crowd-pleaser and a perfect way to close out the main season.
And just a quick reminder, the previously announced world premiere of ‘Game of Thrones: The Mad King,’ a co-production with some serious heavy hitters like Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, is still on the docket for summer 2026. This means the RSC is really going for it, blending classic works with contemporary blockbusters, creating a truly diverse and engaging slate for theatergoers.
RSC co-artistic directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey summed it up perfectly, noting that the season’s themes of ‘identity, transformation, freedom, justice and the liberation that comes from breaking free of expectations loom large this autumn.’ They’re promising classic stories and universal struggles brought to life with powerful new resonance by some of the most exciting artists today. Sounds like a can’t-miss season, for real!
If you enjoyed this article, share it with your friends or leave us a comment!
