The Royal Shakespeare Company has revealed its 2027 summer season, featuring four Shakespeare plays, including a female-led Richard II, and two world premiere literary adaptations. This diverse programme highlights contemporary themes and marks notable acting and directorial debuts.

The 2027 season begins at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre with Coriolanus, starring Damien Molony and directed by RSC associate director Elizabeth Freestone. The production runs from 6 February to 20 March, with a press night on 16 February, and examines Shakespeare’s political tragedy through the lens of current populism and societal instability.

Following this, Elizabeth Debicki will make her RSC debut in the female-led Richard II, a production detailed separately by the company. This marks the RSC’s first staging of Richard II with a woman in the title role.

Joanna Bowman directs Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 6 July to 28 August, with the press night on 15 July. The production promises a fresh take on Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy, with set and costume design by Joanna Scotcher and further creative details to be confirmed.

Born With Teeth, a play previously nominated for a WhatsOnStage Award, will transfer to Stratford-upon-Avon following its West End run. This production replaces the postponed Othello, which was to star Sharon D Clarke but has been delayed due to her undergoing cancer treatment.

The Swan Theatre will host the world premiere adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway, adapted by Zoe Cooper and directed by RSC co-artistic director Tamara Harvey. Playing from 16 April to 12 June, with a press night on 27 April, the production features a creative team including Anna Fleischle on set and costume design and Ryan Day on lighting.

Following Mrs Dalloway, the Swan Theatre presents Piranesi, based on Susanna Clarke’s award-winning novel and adapted by Sami Ibrahim. Directed by Ned Bennett, this immersive production runs from 3 July to 21 August, with a press night on 14 July, and includes design by Georgia Lowe and Jessica Hung Han Yun.

The Other Place will feature a new First Encounters with Shakespeare production of The Comedy of Errors, directed by Francesca Goodridge, from 16 July to 4 September. Presented in association with Sherman Theatre, the condensed 80-minute piece will also tour schools and theatres across England, supported by Arts Council England and the National Lottery.

RSC co-artistic directors Gregory Doran and Tamara Harvey described the season as an exploration of Shakespeare’s mastery across genres and a platform for contemporary artists to explore inner conflict and human connection. Priority booking opens on 5 October, with public sales from 21 October.