Shakespeare’s Globe has revealed the company for The Animals Come to the Table, a new play by Timberlake Wertenbaker. The production will run at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse from December 2026 to January 2027, exploring humanity’s relationship with nature.

The Animals Come to the Table, directed by Anthony Lau, will play at Shakespeare’s Globe’s Sam Wanamaker Playhouse from 11 December 2026 to 24 January 2027. The play, originally part of the 2023 Burnt at the Stake initiative, imagines animals summoning humanity to negotiate an end to environmental exploitation and ecological destruction.

The cast includes Annette Badland as Bea, Rosalind Ford in Ensemble roles and cover, Olivier Huband as Pan, Lydia Larson as Maude, Finbar Lynch as Percy, Simon Manyonda as Tony, Tobias Martin-Clarke as Ensemble and cover, and Alex Young as Anna.

Director Anthony Lau described Timberlake Wertenbaker as “one of the foremost dramatists of contemporary theatre” and praised the play as a “searing call to arms” examining human relations with the natural world. He emphasised the significance of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse’s atmosphere as a fitting context to “wrestle with what the future holds” for humanity and nature.

The creative team also features assistant director Sofia Gallucci, candlelight designer Elliott Griggs, composer Asaf Zohar, designer Georgia Lowe, movement director Aline David, and voice specialist Adam Wallis. The production benefits from the casting expertise of Becky Paris, head of casting at Shakespeare’s Globe.

The Animals Come to the Table continues Shakespeare’s Globe’s tradition of provocative new work addressing pressing contemporary issues through innovative storytelling in evocative historic spaces.