Ava Pickett News

All new rehearsal photos have been released from 1536, the historical drama with a modern edge at the Ambassadors Theatre. Check out the photos and learn more here!

London theatre's biggest night returned for its 2026 ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall, where Nick Mohammed hosted the Olivier Awards. Check out a full list of winners here.

​To mark its 25th anniversary, the Genesis Foundation will host a limited-ticket showcase and drinks reception at the Royal Court Theatre. The event will bring together work from artists and organisations it has supported over 25 years.

This week's theater news spans the globe, from a massive outdoor Phantom of the Opera making history on Sydney Harbour to Shakespeare's birthday celebrations in Chicago, a landmark West End awards night in London, and a new home for one of New York's most celebrated Off-Broadway companies. Closer to home, Broadway is reporting record-breaking grosses and attendance even as international tourism dips, while one of the Theatre District's most beloved institutions — Sardi's — prepares for a temporary farewell as it changes hands. And as the world marked World Theatre Day on March 27, the stories this week serve as a fitting reminder of just how alive and far-reaching the art form remains.

At a ceremony at the National Theatre, the Critics’ Circle announced the winners of the 2026 Theatre Awards. These are the only prizes to be entirely voted for by the professional theatre critics who are members of the Circle. Check out photos of the winners below.

The Critics’ Circle just announced the winners of the 2026 Theatre Awards. Big winners included Arthur Miller's All My Suns, Into the Woods, Punch, Paddington, and more. Check out the full list here!

The nominations are in for the 2026 Olivier Awards. The nominees included Paddington the Musical, Into The Woods, Oh, Mary!, Into The Woods, Evita, and more. Check out the full list here!

The highly anticipated world premiere of BLOODSPORT: AFTER HELEN OF TROY by Ava Pickett will open in March 2026. This new play explores the aftermath of the Trojan War through a modern lens, promising a fresh perspective on a classic tale.

The BBC has commissioned 1536, a new drama series for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, based on Ava Pickett’s play of the same name, from Drama Republic. Learn mroe here!

Rose Theatre has announced Three Men in a Boat, a riotous new comedy written by Al Smith, based on the classic novel by Jerome K. Jerome. Learn more here!

The Critics' Circle has announced the nominations for the 2026 Theatre Awards, highlighting outstanding theatrical achievements.

Mercury Theatre Colchester has announced the full casting for the world premiere production of award-winning Mercury Playwright Ava Pickett's new play The Manningtree Witches.

The OffWestEnd Awards (Offies) have revealed their 2026 nominations, highlighting the best in independent theatre. The awards showcase a range of emerging and established talent in the Off-West End scene.

The Almeida Theatre, Sonia Friedman Productions, and Annapurna Theatre have announced the cast for the West End transfer of 1536, with LuckyChap joining as a producer. Learn more here!

Mercury Theatre Colchester has announced the full casting for the world premiere production of award-winning Mercury Playwright Ava Pickett's new play The Manningtree Witches.

Artistic Director Lisa Spirling and Executive Director Hanna Streeter have announced their first season at Stratford East, with exciting plans for the venue as a whole. The new season includes Here There Are Blueberries by Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich, BLOODSPORT: After Helen of Troy by Ava Pickett and Choir Boy by Tarell Alvin McCraney. We had the opportunity to talk with both Spirling and Streeter about their first season at the theatre. We discussed what made each of them want to join Stratford East, some of their favourite shows they’ve seen at the venue and all about about the upcoming season!

Mercury Theatre Colchester has announced initial casting for the world premiere production of award-winning Mercury Playwright Ava Pickett’s new play The Manningtree Witches.

1536, the historical drama with a modern edge, will transfer to the West End following a sold-out run at the Almeida Theatre, running from 02 May to 01 August 2026 at the Ambassadors Theatre.

The Mercury Theatre in Colchester has announced the full cohort for their acclaimed Mercury Creatives programmes: Mercury Producers, Directors and Playwrights.

Lisa Spirling has announced her first season as Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Stratford East, alongside new Executive Director Hanna Streeter and Associate Artistic Director Jade Lewis.