Retrospective 
by T J Elliott

14 - 23 May 2026, 7.30 pm

Renowned artist Rory McGrory wakes up trapped in a mysterious art gallery surrounded by empty
canvas’s. No art. No answers. And no way out—until he’s greeted by his ex-wife Pippa, who also
happens to be dead.

She’s determined to convince him that he is, too—and that the artless frames are, in fact, his life’s retrospective. But why can’t he see his own work? As Rory ricochets between denial and acceptance, he’s forced to confront his unresolved past and the emotional toll of a life half-seen. Is this strange afterlife gallery a purgatory—or his final chance to see his life clearly?

“Retrospective” at the Barons Court Theatre marks the UK premiere of the play following its world
premiere at the 2025 Broadway Bound Theatre Festival in New York.
“Retrospective” is produced by a unique collaboration with US theatre company Knowledge
Workings Theatre and Australian theatre company Mon Sans Productions

Take Your Time 
by Lupe Ramos Bianco

24 May 2026, 7 pm

“Take your time” will premier in the Persever Productions Emerging Creatives Programme.

Francesca is drowning in past-due bills, debts, and a struggling tourism company that costs more than it brings in. On the brink of collapse, she comes up with a bold idea: time-travel tourism, offering clients the chance to witness history firsthand. Her business becomes a hit, but soon her past catches up with her. As past and present begin to blur, Francesca must confront the moments and people that shaped her, and the painful truth that the present may be the most valuable thing we have.

Take Your Time is a science fiction play that uses time travel as a lens to explore grief, human connection, and the fragile nature of time. It invites us to ask what would happen if we had the chance to change things, and whether we should.

Animal Farm
A one man WIP by Dov Citron

25 June, 3 pm & 28 June, 5 pm

A dark, psychological solo interpretation of Animal Farm — a stripped-back, internal exploration of power, idealism and corruption.

No farm aesthetic.

No caricature.

One body becoming the system.

Set in emptiness — could be then, now, or never. The focus is psychological rather than political commentary. It leans into stillness, fracture and language rather than theatrical gimmick.

Intimate, intense and designed for smaller spaces where the audience can sit close to the transformation.

This is a work in progress. The showing will consist of a 40 minutes proof of concept performance followed by a short feedback session. Entry is free, but registration is required.

The Extraordinary Life of a Rat Racer
By Chiara Fumanti and Andrea Guerini

30 June - 4 July, 7.30 pm

Pulled earrings. Slit wrists. Chopped veins. T-rex arms.

Eva is just a regular rat racer. Single mother to a 6-year-old boy, she is stuck in a world that keeps punching her down, and is desperately trying to play the game – pay the bills, get him to football, try to survive mum’s comments.

But her mind has different plans. On the way to an important job interview, Eva gets bombarded by a series of ever-worsening intrusive thoughts.

So prepare for the uncomfortable and dive into Eva’s mind. Guided by Arthur, a grotesque, sadistic, half-real figure, this two-hander surreal dark comedy will bring you on a journey that will shift your concept of normality.

Mixtones Presents:

Human Instruments

5 July, 7.30 pm

What if a full band walked on stage... and there were no instruments?

Human Instruments is a high-energy a cappella show where every sound is created live using only the human voice. From cinematic soundscapes to pop anthems, MixTones transform voices into drums, basslines, harmonies and everything in between.

Featuring music inspired by Interstellar, Jacob Collier and Eurythmics, this is live music reimagined, bold, surprising, and completely instrument-free.
 

The Cabin
By Robert Emlyn Slater

7 - 11 July, 7.30 pm

What's worse than being locked in a room with people you were at school with? 

Maybe a gun being in there? 

Former classmates Benny, Elsie, Ali, and Matthew wake up in a locked room together. There are no windows, no doors, just cameras watching their every move. 

The only thing in there with them is a gun, and they soon learn that their only way out is by using it to kill one of their group. 

As tensions rise and the timer runs out, secrets surface, old wounds are reopened, and heartbreaking betrayals are revealed. But who will kill whom? Who is the most treacherous? And will anyone figure out how to switch off the gun's safety? 

Toeing the line between comedy, horror, and thriller, The Cabin examines relationships, the human condition, and how school reunions really are the worst things ever. 

Pup Play by Noah Pantano

7 - 11 July, 7.30 pm

Professor Handler David has been invited to explain the kink of Pup Play through his system of Y.E.L.P.S. Things quickly turn chaotic. Through homonormative puppet shows, musical numbers, extended erotic dance sequences, audience participation, and lots of gay sex, David must figure out to what extent he can find happiness through pup play.
Pup Play: A Queer Psuedo-Lecture (of sorts) is a kinky and surprisingly introspective work. The play is written, directed, and starring Noah Alfred Pantano. It in part won Pantano "Spirit of the Fringe" at Colchester Fringe in 2024. The play's trailer has been featured within The Met in NYC, performed at Darklands, and has (or is soon) to tour to Glasgow, Cambridge, Antwerp, Tampa, and Orlando.

Pup Play is returning to Barons Court Theatre after a successful run for Camden Fringe 2025, which received a 5-star review from Lou Reviews!

Borscht
By Joe Kirk

19 July, 6.30 pm

As part of the Persever Productions, Emerging Creatives Programme, we bring you ‘Borscht’. 

'Men and women can’t be friends because the sex part always gets in the way' (When Harry Met Sally)

Two best friends. Two break ups. Zero clue on how you move on.

‘Borscht’ is a funny and painfully familiar look at heartbreak, healing, and the kind of friendship that keeps you afloat when everything else feels a bit shit. David and Kel are muddling through it all…but at least they have each other.

The Rogue Shakespeare Experience - LIVE!
With Ryan J-W Smith

21 - 25 July, 7.30 pm

This brand new solo show, starring OFFIE Award-winning poet-playwright, Ryan J-W Smith (aka ‘Rogue Shakespeare’) is coming to Barons Court Theatre this summer. 

Based loosely on his new podcast, where Smith writes sonnets on the spot for his guests, the audience-interactive live show, hosted by Smith, will consist of various fun theatre games for the audience, and clever theatrical devices, to demonstrate Smith’s skill at instantly writing perfectly structured rhyming iambic sonnets at lightening speed. 

This show is completely unique and inimitable as Smith is the sole known living poet that can easily write structurally perfect iambic sonnets in around 5-8 minutes per sonnet. Smith is the world’s most prolific sonneteer in history, having written over 3,300 sonnets, and counting. Smith’s new book, ‘Rogue Shakespeare’s Sonnets – Truth in Verse – Part One’, that contains the first 1,000 of his sonnets is about to be published this summer and will obviously form a big part of the show. 

Clearly the show is highly educational, but it is also fun, as Smith is known for his award-winning comedies (plays) and comedic acting. Thus, humour, intelligent conversation, and some on-point political observations ensure something for everyone. Even teenagers will get involved as Smith will assign young volunteers from the audience to check that:

i) he is not cheating by using AI;

ii) his meter is accurate;

iii) his rhymes are whole rhymes;

iv) his sonnets are ‘cool’.

The audience will also attempt (and fail) to write their own sonnets during the show – some of which may be recited – to much guaranteed hilarity.

One Man Poe: The Business Man and The Case of M. Valdemar
Adapted by Stephen Smith

26 July, 5 pm & 7 pm

Discover two lesser-known stories from Edgar Allan Poe. First, in Poe's dark and comedic political satire on American capitalism, the dubious, "self-made" businessman Peter Proffit wants your vote as President of the United States. Then, a gruesome account of an experiment gone wrong, when a renowned Mesmerist hypnotises his willing patient, Earnest Valdemar, at the very moment of his death. Brand-new for 2026, One Man Poe adds these more obscure, yet distinctly unsettling, double-bill to its critically acclaimed repertoire of the finest examples of gothic literature.

Previous reviews and awards for 'One Man Poe':

• Liverpool Fringe Award for BEST PERFORMANCE (DRAMATIC) 2023
• Spookies Award Winner: BEST HORROR SOLO SHOW of Edinburgh Fringe 2024
• SELL-OUT SHOW of Edinburgh Fringe 2024
• The Screamiest Award FINALIST of Hollywood Fringe 2025
• The Derek Award Winner: BEST OVERALL SHOW of Edinburgh Fringe 2025
• SELL-OUT SHOW of Edinburgh Fringe 2025

The Sunday Fix

You're invited to our scratch night with a difference!

MONTHLY

Get your creative fix in an evening that's part Q&A, part scratch night and a whole lot of fun.

Are you a writer with 10 minutes of a new play that you'd like feedback on? 

Maybe you're a director or actor who loves new writing and wants more experience?

Or a theatre lover who's curious about the theatre making process?

Come along to the Sunday Fix and join our growing network of emerging artists getting creative together.​​

Writers: Submissions are currently closed while we review our submissions process and read the scripts we've already received. We are not accepting new submissions during this period.

Actors and Directors: to sign up for our Creative pool, write in to sundayfix@baronscourttheatre.com with your cv, spotlight and/or a bit about you and we'll be in touch.

Audiences:  Reserve your free seat here.