We’re excited to announce a new season of work that will light up the Stratford East stage. With shows including a revival of Stratford East hit musical, THE BIG LIFE, and a new production of Jonathan Harvey’s classic BEAUTIFUL THING, there is so much to look forward to at Stratford East.

In September, we’ll welcome a new production to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Jonathan Harvey’s coming-out and coming-of-age story BEAUTIFUL THING, with Anthony Simpson-Pike set to direct.

In 2024, the hit Windrush ska musical, THE BIG LIFE, will return to the stage 20 years after its Stratford East premiere and subsequent West End transfer. With book by Paul Sirett and EastEnders star Tameka Empson, lyrics by Paul Sirett, and music by Paul Joseph, this new production will be directed by Tinuke Craig (Trouble in Butetown, The Color Purple).

This year, we continue to nurture young talent across East London, with our 2023/24 Young Company showcasing a new production, written by Guleraana Mir, inspired by the Young Company. HERE, HERE, HERE will be directed by Katie Greenall with support from trainee assistant director Taiwo Oyebola. Set in 1993, 2023 and 2043, this is a story about a building, about Stratford, and about London.

Our One Night Stands continue with our next LIVE AT STRATFORD EAST comedy line up in May and AN EVENING OF SOCA CARNIVAL – LIVE! in August.

We’re also excited to announce key creative team members for East London’s favourite festive event, this year’s panto, JACK AND THE BEANSTALK. We can’t wait to welcome director and Stratford East Sky Arts Associate Denzel Westley-Sanderson (ETT’s The Importance of Being Earnest), and celebrated writer Anna Jordan (Yen, Succession), to our panto family, as well as welcoming back Robert Hyman for his 25th Stratford East panto! 

Artistic Director, Nadia Fall, said "Nostalgia, love and feel-good theatre. Our new season is a warm bath of nostalgia, love and laughter, kicking off with the 30th-anniversary revival of Jonathan Harvey’s modern classic Beautiful Thing, which tenderly explores first love on a South London Estate in the 90s. 

This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush, so we’re incredibly excited to announce the return of our celebrated reggae and ska musical The Big Life, which takes a playful look at romance and the relationships of the young people who arrived from the Caribbean to forge new lives in the UK. 

Our panto, Jack and the Beanstalk, promises an exciting collaboration between our Sky Arts Associate Artist Denzel Westley-Sanderson and prolific writer Anna Jordan, with composer Robert Hyman who will be celebrating his 25th year writing those fantastic Christmas earworms! 

We’re also delighted to be continuing our series of one-night events with the return of comedy night Live at Stratford East and Don’t Stop The Beat Productions with An Evening of Soca Carnival - Live!, and to be welcoming our 2023/24 Young Company to our stage with their new production, here, here, here”.