The 2023 Tony Awards' Best Leading Actor in a Play! As brilliant as he was troubled, Oscar Levant's genius has become the stuff of legend, despite the fact it was also his downfall. After winning critical and audience acclaim during its Chicago premiere and its recent Broadway run, this new play by Doug Wright comes to London's Barbican in the summer of 2025. Sean Hayes (Will and Grace) retains the role of the titular Oscar, (in a performance the Chicago Tribune called a "revelation") embodying the mordant comedian, actor, pianist, and wildcard as he makes an unforgettable appearance on Jack Paar's Tonight Show in 1958.

Transferring to the Barbican following its run in Stratford-Upon-Avon is the Prasanna Puwanarajah-directed Twelfth Night, Shakespeare's delightfully spirited tale of Viola, a shipwrecked orphan who takes matters into her own hands when stranded on the shores of the ancient isle of Illyria. With music by Matt Maltese bringing a contemporary flavour to this production, Twelfth Night includes Shakespearean mainstays - mistaken identity, mischief, a shipwreck and, of course, his deft wit, yet this RSC staging has been praised for its search in between the lines of the text, revealing new insight to an age-old classic.

J.M Barrie's beloved tale receives an exciting reimagining in this update from Ella Hickson, with direction from Jonathan Munby. Originally premiered in 2013 as part of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre's Christmas season in Stratford-Upon-Avon and also directed by Munby, the popular retelling returned to Stratford a few years later, followed by runs in Leeds and Edinburgh and finally culminating in this grand transfer to The Barbican. Fresh and witty, this family-friendly show will get you in the festive spirit!