2026: “Regency revival”
For 2026, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival turns its gaze to the Regency era with Regency Revival, a theme that honours a period of polished manners, artistic innovation, and intricate social dance.
This year, our festival will reimagine Shakespeare’s works through the lens of an age where romance was both spectacle and subtlety. Audiences are invited to revel in the elegance, wit, and cultural richness that defined this unforgettable chapter of history.
We have a jam packed program for 2026!
DOWNLOAD OUR 2026 FESTIVAL PROGRAM HERE
OFFICIAL FESTIVAL OPENING
Thursday April 23, 7pm
The Stratford Courthouse, 66 Princes Highway, Stratford
Tickets: Free event, booking preferred
Our official launch at The Stratford Courthouse Theatre. Featuring live performances, announcement of the winners in the Sheila Malady Short story competition and our annual festival awards.
The Bard’s Banquet: THE Queen’s Ball
Saturday May 9, 7pm
The Mechanics Hall, 17 Hobson St, Stratford VIC 3862
Tickets: All tickets $90 (includes dinner + entertainment)
The Bard’s Banquet shall be a lavish Queen’s Ball—an occasion offering all participants an opportunity to display their finest regalia and acquire a dance or two. This event ranks among the most esteemed and joyous highlights of our festival program and is anticipated to attain full occupancy well in advance.
Book early for this ever popular event. The Bard’s Bar will be open serving locally crafted beer, cider & wines.
Double feature:
Groundwork Youth Theatre & cubby house theatre
Thursday May 7, 7.30pm
Friday May 8, 7.30pm
Saturday May 9, 4pm
Stratford Courthouse Theatre, 66 Princes Highway, Stratford
Cubby House Theatre: “Second Best Bed”
Debuting at the 2026 Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Second Best Bed is an original dramedy (?) musical asking the question history politely tiptoed around: what on earth happened to Anne Hathaway after Shakespeare died?
Left the “second-best bed” in his will (bold choice, Will), Anne is officially done being a historical footnote. Newly widowed and very much still grieving — Anne is forced to confront her legacy when Shakespeare’s most iconic creations start dropping in uninvited to guide her through the 5 stages of grief. Expect dramatic royalty, witches with impeccable comedic timing, and a chaotic ex who is suffering just as much as Anne.
As fiction collides with history (and possibly brief time travel), Anne begins to suspect her husband may have poured more emotional energy into iambic pentameter than into their marriage. Rude again.
But maybe — just maybe — she wasn’t just the woman behind the man. Maybe she was the quiet co-author of the chaos all along.
Because sometimes the second-best bed is exactly where the real story begins.
Groundwork Youth Theatre: “Lady Macbeth”
All Tickets: $30
Macbeth’s last laugh
sky high theatre
Tuesday April 28, 1pm
The Mechanics Hall, 17 Hobson St, Stratford VIC 3862
Adapted and Directed by Steve Dwyer and Melesa Eldred
Shakespeare’s dark tale of ambition and guilt collides with the haunting ballads of Nick Cave and the wicked wit of Eric Idle.
At the height of his power, Macbeth believes himself untouchable — until a coven of witches offers a prophecy that feeds his fatal illusion.
A bold, musical and darkly playful reimagining of a timeless tragedy.
Tickets: All tickets $5
Traditional Evensong
Sunday, April 26, 4.30pm
Holy Trinity Church, 26 McFarlane Street, Stratford
Tickets: Free event, no booking required
Evensong at the Holy Trinity Church is a Shakespeare on the River Festival tradition. Come along and celebrate this ecumenical service with us.
Avon Village Faire & Market
Sunday May 3, 10am-3pm
Stratford Village Green, Cnr Dixon St & Railway Reserve Rd, Stratford
Tickets: Free event, no booking required.
In 2026 there will be a grand variety of traditional arts and crafts, food and beverages, fresh produce, together with exhibitions and displays.
Features of the day:
• Children’s games on the “Village Green”
• Local stalls and demonstrations
• Street performers, exhibitions, and buskers
• Instrumental and vocal ensembles
For more information on Faire Day, head to our dedicated Faire Day page here.
“Romeo & juliet”
Australian Shakespeare Company Graduate Players
Sunday May 10, 7pm
Stratford Courthouse Theatre, 66 Princes Highway, Stratford
The Australian Shakespeare Company's (or ASC’s) Graduate Players 2026 ensemble presents a grungy, contemporary spin on Shakespeare’s classic tale of doomed love, inevitability and the galloping rush of time. In this breakneck, urban telling of one of the most well-known stories ever, the rivalry between those two famous households ‘both alike in dignity’ and the breakdown of communication across generations is only heightened by screen addiction. Witness this vibrant, highly physical production performed by some of Australia’s most exciting actors on the rise before they play their Melbourne season then embark on an international tour. 90 mins
Tickets: Adults $40 // Concession $35
“The finishing touch”
COMBINED STRATFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL GRADE 6 STUDENTS
Wednesday May 6, 1.30pm
Thursday May 7, 1.30pm
Friday May 8, 6pm
The Mechanics Hall, 17 Hobson St, Stratford VIC 3862
Featuring the grade 6 students of Stratford Primary and St Patrick’s Primary School Stratford the combined school’s production has been a part of our festival for over 25 years. A wonderful coming together of young people that has now been shared by generations of Stratford locals.
Tickets: Adults $10 // Concession $5
The Courthouse Teens
Monday May 4, 6pm
Stratford Courthouse Theatre, 66 Princes Highway, Stratford
The Queen is coming — and only the best will perform.
In this fast-paced production, a talented group of young actors compete in a royal audition, each presenting their finest Shakespearean scenes and speeches to win Her Majesty’s approval.
Full of energy, rivalry and theatrical flair, this joyful celebration of Shakespeare showcases the bold talent of our next generation of performers.
All Tickets: $5