Heartfelt drama, joyful musicals and family-friendly fun are all on the programme for the next 12 months for theatregoers in Chester.
Bosses at Storyhouse have revealed their line-up for 2026, with a fantastic range of shows being billed.
The line-up includes a new stage production of Charles Dickens masterpiece The Signalman, from Middle Ground Theatre Company, which pulls in to the Hunter Street venue 3rd-7th February.
Set in 1880, it is the unnerving tale of a tormented signalman who is haunted by visions of impending disaster on his isolated stretch of line.
Can a well-meaning traveller who happens upon his lonely signal box calm him before he spirals into self-destruction?
Babyface: The Fierce Wrestling Musical
Then, on 11th February, Storyhouse presents an exclusive work-in-progress preview of Seirol Davies’s rags-to-spandex story Babyface: The Fierce Wrestling Musical, receiving its premiere on the main stage as part of the Storyhouse Queer programme.
Theatre fans should also keep their eyes peeled in February for exciting news about the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre summer season of shows.
Macbeth
Then it’s the return of a bold and compelling new version of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy Macbeth to be staged 6th-21st March.
The Storyhouse Originals production of the “Scottish play”’ is adapted and directed by Jamie Sophia Fletcher, and promises to bring the original text to life with power, pace and atmosphere – complete with witches, prophecies and blood-soaked ambition.
Easter 2026 offers the opportunity of a trip to New York with Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe.
The musical comedy FRIENDS! The Musical Parody runs from 30th March to 4th April and blends memorable moments from across all 10 seasons of the much-loved TV series.
The Beekeeper of Aleppo
Following its world premiere in 2023, and a sell-out UK tour, The Beekeeper of Aleppo makes its Storyhouse debut 21st-25th April.
Nuri is a beekeeper and his wife Afra is an artist. They live a simple life, rich in family and friends in the beautiful Syrian city of Aleppo – until the unthinkable happens, and they find themselves forced to feel their home and embark on a dangerous search for safety.
Operation Mincemeat
Following that, West End smash hit Operation Mincemeat bursts on to the Storyhouse main stage 4th-9th May as part of an inaugural UK tour.
Winner of the 2024 Olivier Award for best new musical and a record-breaking 88 five-star reviews, it is a fast-paced, hilarious and unbelievable true story of the twisted secret mission which helped the Allies win World War Two.
Mrs Dalloway
Storyhouse will premiere a reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s 1925 literary masterpiece Mrs Dalloway from 29th May to 6th June.
The immersive new stage adaptation is being co-created by director Jen Heyes and Olivier Award-winning writer and actor Kit Green who also embodies the lead role along with a host of other characters.
Funny and moving, it is billed as a vibrant celebration of life, love, survival – and the moments that make us who we are.
The Rocky Horror Show
Then there’s a chance to do the Time Warp again with The Rocky Horror Show as Richard O’Brien’s legendary camp love letter to the B-movies of his youth returns to Storyhouse from 30th June to 4th July.
Full of fun, frolics and frivolity, it promises to be the biggest party in town.
The Choir of Man
Direct from an acclaimed run in the West End, Olivier Award-nominated The Choir of Man comes to Chester 18th-22nd August.
The foot-stomping, uplifting show is packed with hits from artists including Queen, Paul Simon, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Adele, Sia and Katy Perry to name just a few.
Willy Russell’s iconic tale of nature verses nurture, Blood Brothers will be staged 13th-17th October.
Affectionately titled “the standing ovation musical”, the show tells the story of the Johnstone twins who, separated at birth, grow up on different sides of the tracks – only to meet again with fateful consequences.
Horrible Histories
Meanwhile family audiences aren’t going to want to miss Horrible Histories bringing not one but two shows to Storyhouse 22nd-25th October to coincide with the autumn half term.
Choose from Terrible Tudors or Awful Egyptians – or book both and save 15% on the joint ticket price.
“I’m delighted that we’re able to bring audiences such an exciting and diverse range of productions on our main stage in 2026,” said Storyhouse creative director Suzie Henderson.
“It’s shaping up to be a brilliantly busy and memorable 12 months. And with announcements for our season in Grosvenor Park, much more still to come too.”
ABOUT STORYHOUSE
Storyhouse is a charity and independent arts centre. All profits go back into maintaining the space and ensuring it remains free, open and accessible to all.
It is home to a library, theatres, a restaurant and an independent cinema that showcases a handpicked selection of films from around the world.
It is open seven days a week as a space for people to work, relax and play.
Storyhouse Originals theatre productions are created and produced in-house, including Chester’s Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, established in 2010.
The venue also hosts a range of festivals – such as Chester Literature Festival, Storyhouse Queer, Storyhouse Women, Storyhouse Elders, Storyhouse Childless, WayWord Children’s Festival, Kaleidoscope Festival and Moonlight Flicks open air cinema.
Storyhouse also runs education and training programmes for underserved young people in the city, offering transformative opportunities to engage, learn and grow.
STORYHOUSE LISTINGS 2026
The Signalman
Date: Tuesday 3rd – Saturday 7th February 2026
Time: 7.30pm, with 2.30pm Wed and Sat matinees
Tickets: £22.50-£46.50 (Storyhouse Members £20.50-£46.50)
Babyface: The Fierce Wrestling Musical
Date: Wednesday 11th February 2026
Time: 7.30pm
Tickets: £15 (Storyhouse Members £13.50 / Young Storyhouse cardholders £10)
Macbeth
Date: Friday 6th – Saturday 21st March 2026
Time: 7.30pm, with selected 2pm matinees and 5pm on 11th, 15th and 19th March
Tickets: From £20
FRIENDS! The Musical Parody
Date: Monday 30th March 2026 – Saturday 4th April 2026
Time: 7.30pm Mon-Thurs and Sat, 5.30pm/8.30pm Fri, 2.30pm Sat matinee
Tickets: £24.50-£48.50 (Storyhouse Members £22.05-£43.65)
The Beekeeper of Aleppo
Date: Tuesday 21st – Saturday, 25th April 2026
Time: 7.30pm, with 2.30pm Wed and Sat matinee
Tickets: £16.60-£45 (Storyhouse Members £14.50-£40.50)
Operation Mincemeat
Date: Monday 4th – Saturday 9th May 2026
Time: 7.30pm, with 2.30pm Wed and Sat matinee
Tickets: £35-£62.50 (Storyhouse Members £31.50-£56.25)
Mrs Dalloway
Date: Friday 29th May 2026 – Saturday 6 June 2026
Time: 7.30pm, with 2.30pm Sat matinee, 5pm Sun and Wed
Tickets: £20-£34 (Storyhouse Members £18-£30.60)
The Rocky Horror Show
Date: Tuesday 30th June 2026 – Saturday 4th July 2026
Time: 8pm Tues-Wed, 5.30pm/8.30pm Thurs-Sat
Tickets: £28-£48 (Storyhouse Members £25.20-£43.20)
The Choir of Man
Date: Tuesday 18th – Saturday 22nd August 2026
Time: 7.20pm, with 2pm matinee Fri-Sat
Tickets: £35-£56.50 (Storyhouse Members £31.50-£50.85)
Blood Brothers
Date: Tuesday 13th – Saturday 17th October 2026
Time: 7.30pm, with 2.30pm matinee Wed-Thurs and Sat
Tickets: £27.50-£54.50 (Storyhouse Members £24.75-£47.20)
Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors and Awful Egyptians
Date: Wednesday 22nd – Saturday 25th October 2026
Time: Various
Tickets: Adults £26.50, Children £22.50 (Storyhouse Members: Adults £23.85, Children £20.25)
Family tickets: 15% discount for booking both shows
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