Origin Stories season announced for Autumn 2025
This autumn, Seven Dials Playhouse presents Origin Stories – a season of new productions that delve into the experiences, environments and questions that shape us.
From queer firsts to family myths, monster metaphors to coming-of-age chaos, each show offers a distinct lens on what it means to look backwards in order to move forwards.
The season continues Seven Dials Playhouse’s evolution into a home for carefully curated, artist-centred programming, with a renewed focus on supporting the development and profile of new work. This is the venue’s first major season of longer runs – allowing time for word-of-mouth to build and press coverage to land – and reflects a deeper commitment to artistic support beyond opening night.
Four unforgettable stories about how we become who we are.
The season kicks off with four shows in The House: Storms, Maybe Snow, a portrait of family, illness and legacy told with tenderness and sharp wit. This is followed by Monster, first staged at the Park Theatre in 2022, which explores how our pasts shape our actions and whether despicable acts can ever be forgiven. Next up is Daddy’s First Gay Date, in which a late bloomer takes a nerve-wracking leap into queer dating. Closing the season is The Brown Ranger, which traces one boy’s journey from playground to adulthood in a moving exploration of race, representation and identity.
Alongside these productions, The Pen space is hosting a varied programme of shorter runs, including stand-up comedy and work in progress shows.
These include Somali-centred Maanta Comedy Night, showcasing comedians from Somali, Black, Asian and other minority backgrounds, and Chtinois: a witty and whimsical one-man show about identity, belonging, and the impossible choice between French and Chinese cuisine - performed entirely in French by Frédéric Gheung.
More shows are to be announced soon.
All shows are presented on a door split basis with no hire fees, part of a supportive model that prioritises partnership, creative autonomy, and sustainability for artists. Each production has been selected for its distinct voice, thematic resonance and potential to connect – emotionally, politically, or viscerally – with audiences.
“This season marks a really exciting moment for us. We’ve been building towards a more sustainable, supportive way of working with artists, and Origin Stories brings that vision to life. With longer runs, curated partnerships and a financial model that prioritises artist support, we’re creating space for bold, brilliant theatre to thrive. I can’t wait to welcome audiences in.” – Amanda Davey, Chief Executive
“I’m so proud of this season. Each show in Origin Stories is completely different in tone and form, but they all dig deep into the question of how we become who we are. There’s so much humour, heart and originality in this programme – and it means a lot to be able to give these stories the time and care they deserve. It’s going to be a powerful few months.” – Katie Pesskin, Creative Director
