Everyman Theatre announces star-studded new season featuring John Cleese, Stacey Dooley, and new UK premieres

Highlights include 2:22 A Ghost Story, An Audience with John Cleese, Robin Hood and His Merry Men, and brand-new Britpop comedy, The Battle

Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre has announced an exciting lineup of entertainment for the second half of 2025, promising a mix of world-premieres, West End hits, spellbinding dance, laugh-out-loud comedy and festive family favourites.

With appearances from some of the UK’s best-loved stars and a showcase of exciting new work, the Everyman’s upcoming programme once again cements the theatre’s position as one of the South West’s leading cultural venues.

The new programme includes the announcement of three brand new UK shows, coming to Cheltenham before their London transfers.

• Psychological thriller The Talented Mr Ripley (4^th – 13^th September) will have its world-premiere in Cheltenham.
• The Battle (14^th – 18^th April 2026) is a new comedy that charts the iconic Britpop rivalry between Blur and Oasis.
• Friends! The Musical (7^th – 11^th October) is a hilarious parody that will pay homage to the hit TV show, featuring original songs and all of the most iconic moments from ten seasons.

Other headline highlights include:

• The West End smash hit 2:22 A Ghost Story (20^th – 25^th October) starring real-life celebrity couple Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley.
• Picture You Dead (27^th -31^st May), a new crime thriller from bestselling author Peter James, starring Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba, Fiona Wade and George Rainsford.
• North by Northwest (3^rd – 7^th June), a new adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s famous thriller, reimagined for the stage using only six actors, by theatre legend Emma Rice and her company Wise Children.
• By Royal Appointment (17^th – 21^st June) is a witty exploration of Queen Elizabeth II’s life through her wardrobe, written by Victoria creator Daisy Goodwin and starring Anne Reid, Caroline Quentin, James Dreyfus and James Wilby.

There is also the opportunity to spend an evening in the company of one of the greatest living comedians as An Audience with John Cleese (14^th – 15^th July) comes to the Everyman stage. The actor will be reflecting on his extraordinary life and career, from Monty Python to Fawlty Towers, Harry Potter and James Bond, with his signature sharp wit and comic genius.

Marking the 250^th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, the theatre will als present Sense and Sensibility (23^rd-26^th July), which is a co-production between Worcester Repertory Company and the Everyman Theatre. The new stage adaptation will pay homage to the much-loved story with the addition of a few surprise twists and quirks.

Following the success of Murder on the Orient Express, the theatre has also announced that another of Agatha Christie’s masterpieces, Death on the Nile (3^rd – 7^th February 2026) will be heading the theatre. The high-stakes mystery is set on a luxury Egyptian cruise, and will present another puzzling case for Hercule Poirot.

Dance lovers can also enjoy classical ballet favourites Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker (2^nd – 4^th October) which will be performed alongside a large live orchestra, while families can look forward to kicking off the school summer holidays with King Arthur (17^th – 19^th July) from physical comedy masters Le Navet Bete and John Nicholson.

Christmas 2025 promises to be magical for all ages. The Main Stage will host theatre’s much-loved annual pantomime, Robin Hood and His Merry Men (28^th November – 11^th January), starring Tweedy the Clown as Friar Tweedy Tuck. In the Studio Theatre, families can enjoy The Little Mermaid (28^th November – 3^rd January), a folk-inspired underwater adventure, and A Dickens Christmas (4^th December – 3^rd January) which will be a poignant and visually rich re-imagining of Dickens’ festive tales. Both studio shows will be performed by Black Hound Productions. The Little Mermaid is sponsored by Dean Close Pre-Preparatory School, Cheltenham.

CEO Mark Goucher said:

“We’re proud to launch a new season that offers something for every kind of theatre-goer – from comedy and dance lovers to drama fans and families. With a host of exciting new productions premiering on our stage in 2025, this season firmly puts the Everyman Theatre on the map as a bold creative hub where audiences can enjoy world-class entertainment in Cheltenham, often before it’s seen anywhere else.”

The full 2025 brochure, which includes the full line up of productions on the Everyman Theatre’s Main Stage and Irving Studio Theatre, is now available to collect from the Everyman Theatre Box Office, or can be viewed online here.

Tickets are on sale now at www.everymantheatre.org.uk or can be booked by calling the Box Office on 01242 572573.