The Old Vic has unveiled the complete line-up for Matthew Warchus’ final in-the-round season, featuring a revival of Alan Ayckbourn’s How the Other Half Loves and a fresh version of the musical Martin Guerre. The announcement marks a significant chapter in Warchus’ tenure at the London theatre.

Matthew Warchus’ last season at the Old Vic will include the 1969 Ayckbourn comedy How the Other Half Loves, directed by Phillip Breen and running from 29 July to 19 September 2026. The production will return to the original in-the-round staging and stars Roger Allam and Dorothy Atkinson, with further casting to be confirmed.

How the Other Half Loves centres on three couples whose lives become entangled following accusations of infidelity, creating a tangle of misunderstandings and deception. The production sees Breen leading a creative team including set and costume designer Rob Howell, lighting designer Azusa Ono, and sound designer Dyfan Jones.

Associate director Phillippe Cato, associate costume designer Lucy Gaiger, and hair and make-up specialists Campbell Young Associates also join the creative line-up. The in-the-round format for this play echoes the Old Vic’s current stage design, originally devised for Warchus’ production of The Norman Conquests 18 years ago.

Warchus, reflecting on Ayckbourn’s influence, said he grew up near Ayckbourn’s theatre in North Yorkshire and considers him one of his favourite writers. He praised Breen for his comedic direction and welcomed him to the Old Vic for the season.

Following the Ayckbourn revival, the season will continue in October with a new version of the musical Martin Guerre, originally by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, with ticket details to be announced later this summer.

Tickets for How the Other Half Loves are currently on sale, completing the final in-the-round season lineup as Warchus prepares to close this chapter of his directorship at the Old Vic.