Summerfolk Revival (2026 West End)

Opened: March 17, 2026
Closing: April 29, 2026

Summerfolk - 2026 West End History , Info & More

Creative History Photos More to Do

National Theatre (Olivier)

(Waterloo) South Bank, London

Run Type Limited Run

Market West End

Previews March 06, 2026

A summer of pleasure. A storm on the horizon.

It’s a hot, beautiful summer in 1905, and Russia’s elite retreat to the countryside to swim, sip champagne and start affairs.

When they’re having this much fun, why care about anything else? But Varvara just can’t shake the feeling that their holiday idyll is built on borrowed time.

As the party continues, how long can they ignore the storm on the horizon?

FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Summerfolk

Nina and Moses Raine’s adaptation of Maxim Gorky’s play, directed by Robert Hastie, runs in the Olivier theatre until 29 April

From: WhatsOnStage By: Sarah Crompton Date: 2026-03-18

8 / 10

Gorky’s point is political. These lawyers, doctors and engineers are the children of the poor. They have clawed their way up to wealth and respectability, yet now they have achieved superiority they pay no heed to those still struggling. The doctor Maria Lvovna (Mitchell), is the sole voice of the liberal conscience, constantly needling the others about doing good. Her friend, Varvara (Sophie Rundle, wonderfully passive yet seething) sees the fatal ennui and waste but finds herself trapped within the misogynistic and limited world represented by her husband Bassov (Ready, charming, alarming and very funny).

Glorious Gorky is touching, funny and looks stunning

From: The Times By: Clive Davis Date: 2026-03-18

10 / 10

Modern phrases such as “number crunching” are scattered here and there. As with the translation that Nick Dear provided for Nunn a quarter of a century ago, there’s a fair amount of swearing but it’s never gratuitous. Gorky directed his ire at what he saw as the fecklessness of the middle classes, yet given what we now know about the brutal system that was about to sweep them away, it’s hard to pass judgment on them. And the moments when they talk about the sense of rootlessness that haunts them even after they have risen in the world are almost unbearably poignant. This is a play that blends laughter with tears.

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Review Roundup: SUMMERFOLK at the National Theatre Photo

Review Roundup: SUMMERFOLK at the National Theatre
by Aliya Al-Hassan - March 18, 2026

It’s a hot, beautiful summer in 1905, and Russia’s elite retreat to the countryside to swim, sip champagne and start affairs. When they’re having this much fun, why care about anything else? But Varvara just can’t shake the feeling that their holiday idyll is built on borrowed time. As the party continues, how long can they ignore the storm on the horizon?

Review: SUMMERFOLK starring Sophie Rundle, National Theatre Photo

Review: SUMMERFOLK starring Sophie Rundle, National Theatre
by Gary Naylor - March 18, 2026

Splendid new adaptation of a play that can be seen as a respectful response to The Cherry Orchard

Photos: First Look at SUMMERFOLK at the National Theatre Photo

Photos: First Look at SUMMERFOLK at the National Theatre
by Stephi Wild - March 17, 2026

The National Theatre has released photos of Nina Raine and Moses Raine’s new version of Maxim Gorky’s Summerfolk, a razor-sharp portrait of class, privilege and denial.

Photos: SUMMERFOLK in Rehearsal at the National Theatre Photo

Photos: SUMMERFOLK in Rehearsal at the National Theatre
by Stephi Wild - February 11, 2026

The National Theatre has released rehearsal images for Nina Raine and Moses Raine’s new version of Maxim Gorky’s Summerfolk, a razor-sharp portrait of class, privilege and denial. Check out the photos here!

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