Flying High and Digging Deep: Aberdeen’s New Theatre Season Unveiled
The city’s biggest venues deliver a season of comedy, drama and dance highlights.
Aberdeen Performing Arts has announced a raft of new shows to their programme to look forward to. From the slapstick comedy of The High Life to a reimagined Hamlet performed by actors with Down syndrome, this season balances fun with thought-provoking depth.
It’s a broad programme that’s been designed to speak to many. Whether you’re in it for the laughs, the high drama, or to see something unexpected, there’s likely a show that will catch your attention. It’s also a season that leans into inclusivity, bringing stories and performers to the stage that you might not usually see.
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The High Life Takes Off Again
Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson are set to revive the 90s cult classic The High Life (14–18 April 2026) with a brand new musical twist. This isn’t just a nostalgic rerun – it’s a fresh production with new songs and a storyline that picks up where the original left off. Our beloved Air Scotia crew are scrambling to save their airline after a corporate takeover, battling to keep their friendship and careers intact. This new adaptation, packed with campy humour and a touch of poignancy, will land at His Majesty’s in April 2026.
Ben Torrie, Aberdeen Performing Arts’ Director of Programming, captured the excitement: “The inimitable Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson will be making a welcome return to Aberdeen with a brand new revival of the cult classic The High Life. Since airing in the 90s, it has continued to hold a place in the hearts of audiences who appreciate the show’s unique and joyful humour. So it’s high time the show made its much-anticipated return with brand new material and original songs, ready to charm fans old and new!”
Bold Moves with Hamlet and Comedy Highlights
One of the standout productions this season is a bold take on Hamlet (6–8 November 2026), performed by a cast of actors with Down’s syndrome. This reimagining weaves personal stories with Shakespeare’s text, offering a performance that is both intimate and challenging. It’s not just an adaptation; it’s a shared space where different voices and experiences come together. The production will run in November and promises to be a highlight for anyone interested in the evolving face of contemporary theatre.
The comedy scene at the Music Hall will see Daniel Sloss bringing his sharp wit and observational humour for a one-night-only performance (3 October 2026), while Connor Burns returns with his new show Gallus (26 September 2026). They’ll be joined by Chris McCausland, Bridget Christie, and Rory Bremner, adding extra bite to the Aberdeen Comedy Festival line-up.
Musicals, Thrillers and Dance
Musicals and drama aren’t forgotten either. Operation Mincemeat (11–15 August 2026) comes to His Majesty’s, telling the ridiculous yet true story of a WWII deception with a mix of farce and thriller. Legally Blonde the Musical (23–27 June 2026) arrives in June, blending catchy tunes with Elle Woods’ courtroom determination and pink-powered charm. It’s a lighter note that balances out the season’s deeper moments.
The Talented Mr Ripley (10–14 February 2026) will bring its razor-sharp tension and chilling drama to Aberdeen. This stage adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s psychological thriller is set in 1950s Italy and draws audiences into Tom Ripley’s dangerously deceptive world, where ambition, obsession, and identity twists keep you guessing.
Dance and Visual Spectacles
For dance lovers, Nutcracker in Havana (15–17 January 2026) offers a Cuban twist on the classic tale, combining the magic of Tchaikovsky’s music with lively choreography and dazzling visuals. Over 20 dancers from Acosta Danza bring the story to life, while video projections by Nina Dunn add another layer of spectacle. Scottish Ballet’s Starstruck (1–2 May 2026) returns, celebrating Gene Kelly’s influence with a mix of Hollywood glamour and Parisian flair, set to the music of Gershwin and Ravel.
Each show adds a different flavour to the mix, giving audiences a season that’s anything but predictable. It’s a programme full of big shows and big names, and that means big audiences are keen to see them. It’s a chance to catch something fresh, a shared experience to enjoy, and something to talk about afterwards.
Tickets are available from Aberdeen Performing Arts and the Box Office.
