Orange Tree Artistic Director Tom Littler and Executive Director Hanna Streeter announce full programming for the 2025 season at Orange Tree Theatre (OT).

The season is comprised of six new plays including four world premières, two rediscoveries and a classic comedy.

OT also announced yesterday (14 October) the launch of OT Under 30 Nights as part of a renewed commitment to engage and support young audiences.

Churchill in Moscow reunites Brenton and Littler for their sixth collaboration with Roger Allam in the titular role to launch the season.

The play explores an imagined meeting between Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin at the Kremlin in 1942.

A revival of April De Angelis' Playhouse Creatures follows, directed by Michael Oakley and starring Anna Chancellor, which will transfer to the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and Theatre Royal Bath.

World premiere of Churchill in Moscow will feature at OT (credit: by Rebecca Need-Menear).

OT then presents the London première of the RSC production of Mark Ravenhill's Ben and Imo, directed by Erica Whyman, with Samuel Barnett and Victoria Yeates reprising their roles.

The spring season culminates with a revival of Terence Rattigan's penultimate play In Praise of Love, directed by Amelia Sears.

The 2025 season continues with Poor Clare by Chiara Atik directed by Blanche McIntyre, and the world premières of two adaptations: August Strindberg's Dance of Death newly adapted and directed by Richard Eyre, and Hedda a new play by Tanika Gupta inspired by Ibsen's classic Hedda Gabler.

The 2025 season culminates with Tom Littler directing the 250th Anniversary production of Richard Brinsley Sheridan's comic classic The Rivals, alongside the OT Young Company performing in Alice in Wonderland, a new play by Chinonyerem Odimba inspired by Lewis Carroll's novel.  

Playhouse Creatures stars Anna Chancellor (credit: Huge Glendinning).

Artistic Director Tom Littler said: "It's sometimes said that history never repeats itself, but it does rhyme. This year of programming digs into the past to ask questions about the present and the future.

"Questions about power and those who wield it; about the shadow of war; about privilege and class; about heritage; about secrecy and honesty. These are rich plays: entertaining, exciting, and provocative.

"We can't wait to share the work of these outstanding writers with our audiences in Richmond and beyond." 

The OT's Community team continue their work to connect young people with Shakespeare with the return of Primary Shakespeare and Shakespeare Up Close.

Samuel Barnett and Victoria Yeates repraise their roles in Ben and Imo (credit: Ellie Kurttz).

OT will present Julius Caesar for Primary school audiences directed by Community Director Francesca Ellis, with Romeo & Juliet directed by Marcus Bazley and Macbeth, directed by Zoë Waterman, presented for Secondary school audiences, in a co-production with Guildford Shakespeare Company.

The Richmond theatre's Young Company will once again take part in the National Theatre's Connections festival, giving 14–18-year-olds the chance to perform on the Orange Tree and Lyric Hammersmith stages, a small number of companies will then be chosen to perform at the National Theatre.

OT also launch a brand new scheme, OT Under 30 Nights, with the inaugural event taking place on Friday, 8 November for the JMK Award-winning production Guards at the Taj.

Within the £15 ticket price, 18–29-year-old theatregoers will receive a free drink, a post-show talk, and a social event in the bar.

On 8 November, post-show panellists include cast members Usaamah Ibraheem Hussain and Maanuv Thiara, creatives Roisin Jenner and Priya Virdee.

The panel will be chaired by Kalungi Ssebandeke, winner of the 2023 JMK award. 

In Praise of Love is coming to OT in 2025 (credit: Rebecca Need-Menear).

Hanna Streeter, Executive Director, added: "Alongside our main house programme, our community and education programmes go from strength to strength, working with children and adults of all ages and backgrounds to inspire and enrich the lives of thousands of people.

"We're also delighted to launch our OT Under 30 scheme which sees our £15 tickets for under 30s extended to include special OT Under 30 nights for each show, as part of our commitment to developing the next generation of theatre-goers."

Priority booking for Churchill in Moscow, Playhouse Creatures, Ben and Imo and In Praise of Love opens from 16 October at 12pm, with general on sale opening on 28 October at 12pm.

On sale details for the rest of the season to be announced.

To find out more about OT and its upcoming season, click here.

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