A New Term calls for a New Season at The Lichfield Garrick Theatre

New Season, New Reason to visit the Garrick

This September, we're launching our biggest ever season for 2025-26. Although the glass slipper may only fit Cinderella, you’re sure to find your perfect fit in the our most eclectic season of shows ever!

A year on from our fresh, front-facing refurbishment, Lichfield Garrick goes from rags to riches with a rib-tickling retelling of Cinderella (in association with Evolution Production), featuring returning pantomime dame: Sam Rabone— a familiar local favourite. Building on the success of last year’s smash hit, Jack and the Beanstalk, it’s not one you’re going to want to miss! Written by the award-winning Paul Hendy and directed by the Lichfield Garrick’s very own Artistic Director Daniel Buckroyd, this laugh-a-minute pantomime has been created with the entire family in mind... Whilst we’re on the topic of winter festivities, the state-of-the-art Lichfield Garrick Studio will home the infamous tale of Dickens’ Christmas Classic. Only this time, it’s not quite as you might expect! A Shoddy Christmas Carol will feel just as catastrophic as a last-minute Christmas shopping spree in Ventura Retail Park, only with collapsing set, missing props, and unhinged jokes— featuring a cast fresh from their critically acclaimed UK Tour. 

A New Season of Music & Comedy

Not quite ready to bid farewell to the summer? We'll be turning up the heat with a jam-packed season of Music and Comedy. For the music lovers, there’s everything from Opera Boy: A Night at the Musicals to 80s Live, and Michael Jackson (Man in the Mirror) to Cher (The Shoop Show). If all that toe tapping has got you feeling thirsty, Your Garrick Hub (the new personalised digital platform) brings everything into one place, allowing you to easily pre-order refreshments for collection directly from your mobile device. Looking for a giggle with your Guinness? Returning ventriloquist Paul Zerdin: Jaw Drop, is ready to hand-in a few laughs alongside his army of puppets. One of the UK’s fastest rising comedy stars, Maisie Adam visits Lichfield in her Comedy Special with Jacob Hawley and Dinesh Nathan! And who can afford to miss certified legend of comedy, Ed Byrne, with his impish wit and undeniable humour? If you’re looking for something a little more ridiculous, Jody Kamali stars as Jeremy Irons in Ironing Board Man, a high-energy physical comedy that not only delivers laughter but also surprises with unexpected emotional twists.

Familiar Faces 

Whilst a new term means learning new names, there are some exciting familiar names who’ll be swinging by Lichfield in the months ahead. Joe McFadden (Holby City, Heartbeat, 2:22 A Ghost Story) steps into the role of Andy Dufresne in an electrifying adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption alongside Bill Ward (Coronation Street, Emmerdale), and Ben Onwukwe (London’s Burning). With football season kicking off, An Evening with Aston Villa Legends features Villa legends Andy Townsend, Lee Hendrie, and Ian Taylor— revealing behind the scenes stories at Villa Park and beyond. Triple threat, Jason Manford, unleashes the laughter upon Lichfield with Manford All Seasons. And whilst Strictly fever sweeps the land, Anton Du Beke meets us At the Musicals. Back by phenomenal demand, fan favourite Peter Andre returns to the Garrick in The Very Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons— a tribute from one household name to another... If you’re in the mood to digest some of the words of those lyrics, Susie Dent: Word Perfect is here to entertain and educate us with her pick of the greatest hits of the English language. Class is truly back in session! From English to Physics, Professor Dame Helen Atkinson highlights exciting developments in air mobility in the 35th Erasmus Darwin Memorial Lecture, whilst Biology offers untapped insights into the dark world of forensic pathology with Dr Richard Shepherd in Time of Death. Class is truly back in session! 

Supporting Local Talent

If all those name-drops are far too much, we also pride ourselves on championing local theatre with local people. We look forward to welcoming back Lichfield Operatic Society (Rock of Ages), Lichfield Musical Youth Theatre (Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, Fame), the Lichfield Players (The Fulstow Boys), Brownhill’s Musical Theatre Company (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang). There’s nothing quite like home-grown talent— and with this year’s launch of our Creative Burntwood project (where we secured almost £300,000 National Lottery Place Partnership funding from Arts Council England), in Partnership with Burntwood Town Council and Lichfield District Council, The Garrick proudly becomes the beating heart keeping arts alive in our local area.

Something for everyone 

Tell me it’s not true— this season, Willy Russel’s smash hit Musical, Blood Brothers, triumphantly returns to the Garrick in all its gritty glory... But if you’re looking for something even more upbeat, the West End and Broadway Smash-Hit Musical, Buddy- The Buddy Holly Story, thrills Garrick audiences with an action-packed extravaganza based on one of the pioneering figures of rock and roll, Buddy Holly. Boasting a multi-talented cast of actor-musicians, Buddy presents two terrific hours of music with over 20 of his greatest hits, including the timeless classics That’ll Be the Day, Peggy Sue, Oh Boy, Every day and Rave On. Buddy is a not to be missed evening of family entertainment.

Looking for something to entertain the kids? Based on the bestselling books by McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter, The Dinosaur that Pooped will be a poopy good time for the entire family. From poopy dinosaurs to forgetful foxes, Tales from Acorn Wood brings Julia Donaldson’s stories to life on the Garrick stage alongside The Gruffalo’s Child which takes us on an unforgettable trip into the deep dark wood. Oh, and where else might we see a tiger in the kitchen but in The Tiger Who Came to Tea? There’s plenty to satisfy the hungriest of tigers at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre.