Winter Season Concludes Celebration of 50 Years of Riverside Studios
Eclectic range of productions Tinderella and the return of Andy Sandberg
Raunchy seasonal fun is promised at Tinderella
October 19, 2026
Riverside Studios has unveiled a bold and eclectic winter season as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, rounding off the year with a programme that spans satire, new writing, world premieres and reimagined classics.
The winter programme opens with Little Lord Fondleroy (3–5 November), winner of Best Show at the 2026 Bitesize Festival. Described as a “saccharine nightmare in velvet and lace,” the production follows its mischievous protagonist through a riotous coming-of-age at Flippitts Darstardly Boarding School for Badly Behaved Boys, where forbidden desires and theatrical chaos flourish under the watchful eyes of sadistic prefects.
From 9–26 November, Riverside presents Act of God, the debut play by Manchester writer Jacob O’Connor. The story centres on a young man from Wythenshawe reluctantly enrolled on a ten-week therapy-via-poetry course. He hates therapy, hates poetry, and hates being asked how he feels – but the play uses humour and sharp observation to explore masculinity, class and what happens when someone who can talk their way out of anything suddenly can’t.
Running concurrently is Are You Even Indian? (17–29 November), a contemporary love story that examines heritage, identity and the pressures placed on relationships by family expectations and cultural labels. A British-born Indian woman and an Indian-born man fall in love, believing they are building a shared future – until cracks begin to show. The production speaks directly to a generation navigating life between cultures.
Also making its world premiere is In My Own Little World (19–29 November), a deeply personal one-woman show written, directed and performed by emerging trans artist Jaz Terry. Following Jada, a young trans woman in the early stages of transitioning, the piece explores identity, resilience, community and the inner worlds we create when the outside world becomes overwhelming. After a sold-out debut at The Union Theatre, its Riverside run marks a significant moment for new trans-led storytelling.
December brings a festive twist with Tinderella (10–30 December), a scandalous, innuendo-laden reimagining of the classic fairy tale. Here, Cinderella is a social-media influencer whose glamorous online life is pure fiction – until she meets not one but two princes in the woods. Audiences can expect raucous humour, cheesy anthems and plenty of participation.
The season also features a major world premiere: Sacrilegious (5 December–23 January), a new comedy from Academy Award-winning writer Tom Schulman (Dead Poets Society). The play follows an idealistic young rabbi who challenges a billionaire donor, sparking a battle over principle, power and the soul of a community. Directed by Andy Sandberg, the production promises sharp wit and provocative questions about money, morality and influence.
In January, Riverside revisits Mike Bartlett’s An Intervention (11 January–13 February), twelve years after its original premiere. This new production reframes the play’s themes of friendship, responsibility and political culpability. Directed by Adam Karim, it follows two friends forced to confront their opposing views on Western intervention in the Arab world in 2003.
The season concludes with Expecting (30 January–27 March), a contemporary drama about two couples who once believed they could “have it all” but now find themselves questioning what they truly want. Career ambitions, brunch plans, parenting, legacy and the fate of humanity collide in a story that asks whether there is ever a perfect moment to change your life.
Reflecting on the winter programme, Rhys Williamson, Head of Programming, said the season “brings together experimental theatre, storytelling, and moments of humour to celebrate 50 years of Riverside.” It is a fitting finale to a year that has already seen special events with Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Lenny Henry, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Nina Wadia, Robert Lindsay, Simon Callow and others.
Tickets for all productions are now on sale, with full listings available on the Riverside Studios website.
Riverside Studios is at 101 Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith W6 9BN.
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