Nottingham Playhouse announces three exciting new productions by three acclaimed Nottingham writers, for its summer and autumn 2026 programme.

New announcements include:

• The world premiere of Jane Upton’s Scenes from a Friendship in the Neville Studio theatre
• The world premiere of William Ivory’s The Market Deeping Model Railway Club on the main stage
• The regional premiere of Beth Steel’s West End hit Till the Stars Come Down

Following the return of James Graham’s Punch in March, the Nottingham Playhouse spring season continues with the world premiere of Scenes from a Friendship by local writer Jane Upton (All the Little Lights; (the) Woman). Directed by local theatremaker Hannah Stone (The Trials, Nottingham Playhouse; SHEWOLVES, UK Tour), the two-hander follows best friends across the decades – from the school playground, to making teenage mixtapes, to the chaos of middle-aged parenthood – as their lives cross and divide. It’s a funny but deeply felt look at the bond you share with your best friend, who’s shaped your life, knows all your flaws but loves you regardless.

July sees the world premiere of The Market Deeping Model Railway Club by William Ivory (Made in Dagenham; Common As Muck) based on the true story of a group of model railway enthusiasts whose lifetime of work is destroyed by a mindless act of vandalism. Directed by Nottingham Playhouse Artistic Director Adam Penford, it’s a warm-hearted story examining community and British eccentricity.

The Market Deeping Model Railway Club’s chances of victory at the Annual Show have been ripped apart by vandals, and the group must rally to piece their miniature world back together. When their story goes global, help floods in from unexpected sources – including fellow enthusiast Sir Rod Stewart.

The autumn season opens with the regional premiere of the Olivier-nominated Till the Stars Come Down by the award-winning playwright and author Beth Steel (Wonderland, Nottingham Playhouse; The House of Shades, Almeida Theatre). Originating at the National Theatre and then transferring to the West End, this ‘modern classic’ (The Times) uproariously funny family drama is a brand-new production, directed by the award-winning Caroline Steinbeis (Three Sisters, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse; film From a Strange Land).

It’s Sylvia and Marek’s big day and the Stone family have gathered in Mansfield. The bride, her sisters and aunties are getting their glam on and everyone’s on their best behaviour. For now. But once the vows have been made and the drinks start flowing, deep-seated family resentments begin to bubble up. When secrets start spilling out, alliances shift, and by the end of the night, nothing will ever be quite the same again.

Funny, relatable and deeply moving, this brilliant night out explores what happens when we’re forced to choose between family, and love.

Artistic Director at Nottingham Playhouse, Adam Penford, said:

“Investing in theatremakers who live in, or originate from, the local area is a crucial part of what we do. Our region has produced a host of brilliant playwrights and we want to celebrate that.

“I’m thrilled to be welcoming these fabulous local writers to tell stories exploring universal, vital themes. There’s a need for people to see their own lives shown on stage and our three new productions get right to the heart of life in contemporary Britain.”

Playwright Beth Steel said:                                              

“I’m beyond thrilled that my play, Till the Stars Come Down, will be having its regional premiere at Nottingham Playhouse. Since its first opening at the National Theatre in 2024, I have seen the play in the West End and around the world, to now bring it home to the people and place that inspired it is a dream come true. I’m honoured.”  

The autumn season continues with Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), following its triumph in the West End, where it won the Olivier Award for Best Comedy and the Evening Standard Award. Isobel McArthur (Kidnapped, National Theatre of Scotland; The Grand Old Opera House Hotel, Traverse Theatre) writes and directs this unique and audacious retelling of Jane Austen’s most iconic love story.

Men, money and microphones will be fought over in this irreverent but affectionate adaptation where the stakes couldn’t be higher when it comes to romance. David Pugh and Cunard present this Newcastle Theatre Royal production.

Daniel Bailey’s vital new production of August Wilson’s Fences comes to Nottingham Playhouse. A landmark play set in the 1950s, it is a Lyric Hammersmith, Headlong, Leeds Playhouse and HOME Mcr production.

Troy Maxson has cheated death once, but the past keeps closing in. On Pittsburgh’s streets, he cracks jokes and spins stories, yet at home, the pressure is building. His wife, Rose, holds the family together. She sees a changing world and hopes their son Cory might step into it with more freedom than Troy ever had. But when dreams collide, and tempers flare, the Maxson’s edge towards a reckoning that could reshape everything they know.

LISTINGS

Scenes from a Friendship

15 May – 6 June 2026

Press night: Wed 20 May, 7pm

Access Performances:

Enhanced Audio Description (with Extant) + Touch Tour: Tue 2 Jun, 7.45pm

Relaxed Performance: Wed 3 Jun, 7.45pm

Captioned: Thu 4 Jun, 7.45pm

BSL Interpreted: Fri 5 Jun, 7.45pm

The Market Deeping Model Railway Club

6 – 25 July 2026

Press night: Fri 10 Jul, 7pm

Access Performances:

Enhanced Audio Description (with Extant) + Touch Tour; Thu 16 Jul, 7.30pm

BSL Interpreted: Fri 17 Jul, 7.30pm

Audio Described + Touch Tour: Sat 18 Jul, 2.30pm

Captioned: Sat 18 Jul, 7.30pm

Relaxed Performance: Tue 21 Jul, 7.30pm

Till the Stars Come Down

5 – 26 September 2026

Press night: Thu 10 Sep, 7pm

Audio Described + Touch Tour: Thu 17 Sep, 7.30pm; Sat 19 Sep, 2.30pm

BSL Interpreted: Fri 18 Sep, 7.30pm

Captioned: Sat 19 Sep, 7.30pm

Relaxed Performance: Wed 23 Sep, 6.30pm

Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)

2 – 7 November 2026

Local press night: Mon 2 Nov, 7.30pm

Access Performances:

Audio Described + Touch Tour: Wed 4 Nov, 7.30pm

Captioned: Thu 5 Nov, 7.30pm

Fences

10 – 14 November 2026

Local press night: Tue 10 Nov, 7.30pm

Access Performances:

Audio Described + Touch Tour: Wed 11 Nov, 7.30pm

Captioned: Thu 12 Nov, 7.30pm

BSL Interpreted: Sat 14 Nov, 2.30pm