Orange Tree Artistic Director Tom Littler and Executive Director Hanna Streeter have announced a full programme 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.

The OT also announces today the launch of OT Under 30 Nights as part of a renewed commitment to engage and support young audiences.

In a World Premiere Churchill in Moscow reunites Howard Brenton and Tom Littler for their sixth collaboration, with local actor Roger Allam in the titular role to launch the season. The play explores an imagined (but real) 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.

The Orange Tree 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.  

Artistic Director Tom Littler said today, “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.”

Those comments seem peculiarly apt in a national and international context, and in the Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

The OT’s Community team continue their work to connect young people with Shakespeare with the return of Primary Shakespeare and Shakespeare Up Close. The OT will present Julius Caesar for Primary school audiences directed by Community Director Francesca Ellis, with Romeo and 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 OT also today announced the launch of 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.

Hanna Streeter, OT Executive Director, said: “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.“

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