Musicals, movie nights and mayhem coming to HMT in 2026
From high school drama to Hollywood glamour, the latest shows are full of surprises.
Aberdeen Performing Arts has revealed its latest batch of shows for next year, featuring a mix of well-known musicals, cult film screenings and local productions. There’s a strong feel-good thread running through the lot of it, with something for fans of teen comedy, vintage romance, stadium rock or just a singalong night out.
First up is Mean Girls, the Broadway hit that takes teenage politics and turns them into theatre with teeth. Based on Tina Fey’s quick-witted 2004 film, the musical lands in Aberdeen in May 2026. It’s already picked up Best New Musical at this year’s WhatsOnStage Awards and brings a pop-infused score, brisk choreography and a sharp look at social survival in high school. Whether you missed it in London or still quote it by heart, this one might land well.
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Nostalgia, baking and stadium anthems
There’s more nostalgia on offer with Top Hat, an adaptation of the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film. After a ten-year break from UK touring, the production returns with its sweeping gowns, mistaken identities and classic Irving Berlin tunes. The story follows a Broadway star who falls for a model in London, with various mix-ups along the way. It lands in March.
The season also includes The Great British Bake Off Musical, which takes the tent from telly to stage, mixing original songs with soggy bottoms and showstoppers. It’s due in May. Then in June, We Will Rock You arrives with Queen’s back catalogue and a dystopian plot about fighting for the future of music. The show is produced locally, following previous runs of Sunshine on Leith and Kinky Boots.
Sing-alongs and prop bags
November brings a short run of sing-along film nights. These are hosted events, complete with prop bags, group dance moves and encouragement to dress up. Dirty Dancing, The Greatest Showman and Encanto are all on the schedule, giving you three chances to sing loudly in a room full of strangers.
Tickets go on sale this week, and with a mix of touring productions and local work, there’s a good chance you might know someone involved. Whether you’re in the stalls or helping backstage, it looks like a fun year to be part of Aberdeen’s theatre crowd.
