ALT 9 Must-See Theatre Shows in London 2026: INALA, Choir Boy, Driftwood, The Authenticator, I’m Every Woman and More
2026 promises a lot for theatre lovers, with bold new plays, vibrant musicals, and stories from across the African, Caribbean, and global majority diasporas here is our must-see list. This year, audiences can expect everything from uplifting musicals like INALA and I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical to gripping dramas such as The Authenticator starring Rakie Ayola AND Cherrelle Skeete and Driftwood penned by Actor and playwright Martina Laird brings a distinctly Trinidadian energy. One director to watch is Monique Touko, whose powerful production of Liberation at the Manchester International Festival last year earned critical acclaim; in 2026, she returns to direct both Jaja’s African Hair Braiding and Marie & Rosetta, cementing her bold and visionary voice in UK theatre.
1. INALA
Venue: The House of Sisters Grimm, London West End Dates: From 17 January 2026 Performance Schedule: Wednesday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Friday and Saturday also at 9.30pm Director: Mark Baldwin Creators: Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Mark Baldwin
Description: Swap the grey evenings for colour, rhythm and lift your spirits energy at the Grammy nominated Zulu musical INALA at The House of Sisters Grimm in London’s West End. Audiences are invited to spend an evening immersed in extraordinary South African music and dance, with a glass of South African fizz offered on arrival to set the mood.
INALA is a powerful celebration of Zulu culture, combining soaring live vocals, traditional dance and contemporary staging. The production has toured the world, appearing at the Royal Variety Performance and the Royal Albert Hall, and is now settled in a purpose built venue that is also home to the South African wine bar iGOLI.
Critically acclaimed, the show has been praised as “pure excellence” by Imelda Staunton and described as “an incredible celebration of the joy of South African music and culture” by Jeremy Vine.
Venue: National Theatre, Dorfman Dates: 26 March to 9 May 2026 Director: Miranda Cromwell
Description: Written by Winsome Pinnock, The Authenticator is a psychological drama centred on Fenella Harford, an eccentric artist who inherits her family estate and uncovers a cache of mysterious documents. As questions of truth, ownership and history unravel, the play explores power, legacy and whose stories are believed.
Venue: Bush Theatre Dates: 7 February to 21 March 2026 Director: Natasha Kathi Chandra
Description: Sweetmeats is a tender and humorous play about two older South Asian people who unexpectedly find companionship while navigating family expectations, health and desire. The play explores intimacy later in life with warmth and honesty.
Venue: Theatre Royal Stratford East Dates: THU 26 MAR 2026 – SAT 25 APR 2026 Director: Nancy Medina
Description:
From Academy Award-winning writer Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight, The Brother/ Sister Plays), comes this exhilarating and tender coming of age story. Nancy Medina’s celebrated production premiered at Bristol Old Vic in 2023 and won three Black British Theatre Awards including Best Production and Best Director.
Pharus is a confident and gifted singer who has earned his position as soloist. But when his pride is sullied by one of his peers, he falters… what does it mean to be a young, Black, queer man – and to be one at the Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys?
We’re sent on an electrifying journey through the growing pains of humanity as, together, the boys navigate spirituality, sexuality, race, identity, and brotherhood in their journey to becoming men. Threaded throughout with soul-stirring a cappella gospel hymns and spirituals, this beautiful, joyous play rejoices in all that it means to march to your own drum.
Venue: Peacock Theatre Dates: 5 March to 28 March 2026 Director: Racky Plews
Description: This world premiere musical celebrates the life and career of music legend Chaka Khan. Featuring her iconic hits including I Feel For You, Ain’t Nobody and I’m Every Woman, the show explores her rise, resilience and influence across five decades of music history.
Venue: London Coliseum Dates: 17 March to 11 July 2026 Director: Nikolai Foster
Description: With music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots tells the story of a struggling shoe factory that finds new life through an unlikely partnership. The musical celebrates self expression, acceptance and standing in your truth.
Venue: Lyric Hammersmith Dates: 18 March to 25 April 2026 Director: Monique Touko
Description: Set in a West African hair braiding salon in Harlem, this vibrant comedy by Jocelyn Bioh explores migration, sisterhood and survival. The salon becomes a hub of laughter, ambition and conflict as the women navigate love, money and dreams.
Venue: Soho Place Dates: 25 April to 18 July 2026 Director: Lynette Linton
Description: Based on the true story of William Kamkwamba, this musical follows a Malawian teenager who builds a windmill to save his village from famine. A story of innovation, hope and African ingenuity brought to the West End.
Venue: Kiln Theatre in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company Dates: 3 June to 4 July 2026 Director: Justin Audibert
Description: Written by Martina Laird, Driftwood is set in 1950s Trinidad and explores migration, memory and belonging. The play marks Laird’s major stage debut with the RSC and brings Caribbean history into sharp emotional focus.
Venue: Soho Place, London Dates: 28 February to 11 April 2026 Director: Monique Touko
Description: Beverley Knight and Ntombizodwa Ndlovu lead the West End premiere of Marie & Rosetta, reprising their roles as Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight. This play celebrates the forgotten godmother of rock ‘n’ roll, telling the influential story of these musical pioneers through live music. Audiences can expect gospel and rock hits, a story of partnership and innovation, and a powerful tribute to the artists who influenced legends like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.
