London’s Hampstead Theatre has announced four world premieres and a revival of Michael Frayn’s Democracy for the first part of 2027. The main stage opens with Portrait of a Man, inspired by Elaine de Kooning’s encounter with John F Kennedy. Three further premieres occupy the Downstairs studio, with productions running from February through July.
London’s Hampstead Theatre has unveiled its programme for the first part of 2027, combining four world premieres with a revival of Michael Frayn’s political play Democracy. Productions will use both its main stage and the smaller Downstairs studio, with the announced schedule extending from February into July.[1], [2]
Alexis Zegerman’s Portrait of a Man runs from February 11 to March 20 under director Anna Ledwich. It draws on painter Elaine de Kooning’s encounter with US President John F Kennedy while making his official portrait, following her attempt to capture the person behind the public image. Jeremy Sams then directs Democracy from March 26 to May 1. Frayn’s play centres on power, loyalty, deception and political betrayal in postwar Europe.[1]
Downstairs begins with Josh Azouz’s The Rabbi, The Wife & The Prick, a dark comedy about love, faith and deception, directed by Hannah Hauer-King from February 26 to April 3. Isabella Waldron’s It Never Rains In Kennebunkport follows from April 9 to May 15 under Alice Hamilton: a teenage girl becomes convinced that George W Bush is her father. Chloë Lawrence-Taylor’s Driftweed, directed by Júlia Levai from June 4 to July 10, explores attachment to home and belonging. Lawrence-Taylor returns after her debut Personal Values played there in 2025.[1]
