From bilingual tragedy to magical mischief and a rebellious take on Pinocchio, the Globe’s new season proves winter is anything but bleak.
Although we’re in the middle of a gorgeous heatwave, we’d be remiss not to mention the winter season lineup at Shakespeare’s Globe – in all its glory. The historic London venue has revealed a compelling lineup for its 2025 winter season, with a mix of reimagined classics, festive family fun, and bold new interpretations taking centre stage from November through to early 2026.
First up in the atmospheric, candlelit setting of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is Romeo a Juliet, a bilingual English and Welsh adaptation of Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy. Running for just four nights from 5 to 8 November, the production is a collaboration with Theatr Cymru and is directed by Steffan Donnelly. It’s a powerful reworking of the familiar tale, viewed through the lens of Welsh identity and cultural tension. With such a limited run, it’s one for the diary now.
Next, A Midsummer Night’s Dream makes its indoor debut from 13 November 2025 to 31 January 2026. Directed by Holly Race Roughan and Naeem Hayat in co-production with Headlong, the production will breathe new life and a darker undercurrent into the whimsical comedy.
According to Roughan, this reimagining will challenge audiences to confront the play’s more complex themes, shifting the lens on its portrayal of love, manipulation, and control. After its Globe run, the production will embark on a national tour, making stops at Shakespeare North Playhouse, Leeds Playhouse, Bristol Old Vic and Oxford Playhouse from February 2026.
For the festive season, the Globe is serving up something truly unexpected. Pinocchio, running from 29 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, is set to break the mould of traditional Christmas theatre. This isn’t Disney’s version; it’s a fresh musical adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s classic novel, adapted by playwright Charlie Josephine with original songs by Jim Fortune. Directed by Globe associate director Sean Holmes, this production promises to be mischievous, anarchic and delightfully noisy, offering an irreverent twist on the usual seasonal fare.
Two additional productions are also slated for the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in early 2026, with titles and dates still under wraps. But if the early announcements are any indication, audiences can expect more genre-defying performances to round off the winter programme.
Tickets for the winter season at Shakespeare’s Globe go on sale from 4 July 2025.
GO: Visit shakespearesglobe.com for more information.