Sherman Theatre’s 2026 Season: Six Bold New Voices, One Clear Vision

When Sherman Theatre unveiled its Made by Sherman season for 2026, it wasn’t just announcing six new plays. It was making a statement: that Welsh theatre, rooted in Cardiff yet resonating far beyond, is alive with ambition, diversity and daring creativity.

A Season of Stories That Speak to Now

The programme brings together six writers — Connor Allen, Ffion King, Gwawr Loader, Jennifer Lunn, Hannah McPake and Azuka Oforka — each with a distinct voice, yet united by a commitment to telling stories that matter. Three of them honed their craft through Sherman’s Literary Department, a reminder of the theatre’s role as an incubator for talent.

Connor Allen’s Forgiveness of a Monster (May) is a raw, autobiographical exploration of self-reflection and family legacy, propelled by a pulsating soundtrack. Hannah McPake’s Balloon Girl (October) takes audiences on a wild ride through 2,000 years of Welsh history, inspired by the real-life Louisa Maud Evans. Jennifer Lunn reimagines Pinocchio (November–January) for the youngest audiences, while Gwawr Loader’s The Merry Adventures of Maid Marian (November–January) promises a festive, musical retelling with a distinctly south Wales twist. Azuka Oforka’s …that last summer (May) confronts friendship and accountability in contemporary Cardiff, while Ffion King’s The Blunder Games (February) delivers anarchic comedy through Sherman Youth Theatre.

More Than a Season

What makes this announcement resonate is not just the plays themselves, but the ecosystem they represent. Sherman’s collaborations with Theatr Clwyd, RCT Theatres and Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama show a sector working together to amplify Welsh voices. Visiting companies — from Hijinx to Theatr Iolo — add further richness, while the preview of Pride, a new musical bound for the National Theatre, places Cardiff firmly on the map of international theatre-making.

The Sherman Spirit

Chief Executive Julia Barry summed up the ethos: “This season affirms our ambition by offering audiences spectacle, shared perspectives, emotional intensity and great entertainment up close.” It’s a vision that feels both rooted and expansive — rooted in Welsh stories, expansive in their reach and resonance.

Looking Ahead

The announcement also sets the stage for Sherman’s incoming Artistic Director, whose first season will be revealed later in 2026. For now, the message is clear: Sherman Theatre continues to be the beating heart of Welsh new writing, a place where local stories find global relevance, and where audiences are invited to see the world anew.