Shakespeare's Globe reveals 2025 summer season

The performance of Arthur Miller's The Crucible will mark the first time a modern classic will be performed in the Globe Theatre.

Shakespeare's Globe has announced has announced programming for its summer season, which runs from April – October 2025.

Kicking off the season is Romeo and Juliet, directed by Associate Artistic Director Sean Holmes and running from 25 April to 2 August. Abdul Sessay and Lola Shalam will star as Romeo and Juliet in Shakespeare's play about star-crossed lovers. The cast also includes Niamh James as Abram/Cover, Roman Asde as Benvolio, Léa des Garets as Lady Capulet, John Lightbody as Friar Lawrence, Michael Elcock as Mercutio, Jamie-Rose Monk as Nurse, and Rawaed Asde as Tybalt.

Arthur Miller's The Crucible will run from 8 May to 12 July, in a production directed by Ola Ince (Othello, Romeo and Juliet). Miller’s seminal play about the Salem Witch Trials in 1692, which also served as an allegory for McCarthy’s 1950’s America, marks the first time a modern classic will be performed in the Globe Theatre. The Crucible will be designed by Amelia Jane Hankin, with Lindsay McAllister as assistant director, Renell Shaw as composer, and voice and text by Annemette Verspeak.

The Merry Wives of Windsor runs from 4 July until 20 September, also directed by Holmes. Shakespeare's story of mischief and madness follows disreputable knight Sir John Falstaff as he hatches a plan to restore his fortunes by seducing two wealthy housewives, Mistress Ford and Mistress Page. Little does he know that they decide to play a few tricks of their own. The production will be designed by Grace Smart, with text by Si Trinder, and voice by Gary Horner.

Twelfth Night, or What You Will runs from 8 August to 25 October, directed by Robin Belfield (Princess Essex). Shakespeare’s fast-paced comedy about mistaken identities has design by Jean Chan, composition by Simon Slater, and movement direction by Ingrid Mackinnon.

Troilus and Cressida runs from 26 September to 26 October, directed by Owen Horsley (Twelfth Night, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). Shakespeare’s genre-defying study of appearance versus reality will have design by Ryan Dawson-Laight. A Midsummer Night’s Dream: For One Night Only will play on 14 September, and is a Globe initiative which sees a company of actors all meeting for the first time on the day of performance. Blanche McIntyre directs.

Rough Magic, about the Weird Sisters of Macbeth, runs from 19 July – 23 August in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, following a successful run in summer 2024. Globe Director of Education Lucy Cuthbertson will direct, with additional direction from Splendid Productions’ Kerry Frampton. Rough Magic is written by Kerry Frampton and Ben Hales and designed by Rose Revitt and choreographed by Kate Webster. John Bulleid is illusion designer and Claire Llewellyn is fight director.

Michelle Terry, Artistic Director, says: "This season at The Globe has artists and audience in mind as we try to balance well-known and beloved plays, with lesser known, but equally extraordinary ones. We hope this season strikes that balance; with these timely and timeless tales told by some of the most important artists working in British Theatre today.

"All of us at the Globe look forward to welcoming people during the summer, come rain or shine, to experience together the magic and importance of storytelling."

Check back for tickets in the Shakespeare's Globe summer season.

Photo credit: artwork for Romeo and Juliet. (Courtesy of production)