Wales’s leading force in new writing has announced a bold programme of six new productions for its 2026 Made by Sherman season. The six plays are written by a line-up of major, established writers and thrilling emerging voices, three of whom were nurtured or supported by the Sherman’s Literary Department. The six Welsh and Wales-based writers are: Connor Allen, Ffion King, Gwawr Loader, Jennifer Lunn Hannah McPake and Azuka Oforka.
The season offer audiences resonant, contemporary theatre about the world around us, inviting them to see things through the eyes of others.
The six brand new Made by Sherman productions are:
- Forgiveness of a Monster by Connor Allen
8 – 23 May 2026
Following his participation in the Sherman’s EXPLODE programme (a development programme for established writers), Connor Allen’s second autobiographical play is propelled forward with an epic soundtrack.
“Who’s the man you see when you look in the mirror?”
It can be hard to forgive. Even harder to forgive ourselves. If Connor is to forgive himself, he’ll need to look right into the mirror. There he will see himself, his past and the generations of a family tree that have shaped his life. Poetic, pulsating and haunting, Forgiveness of a Monster is a deeply personal and profoundly universal look at what makes us tick as human beings and the flaws that define us.
Connor Allen said “The chance to continue my story and expand the world I’ve been building over the past few years is incredibly exciting. Taking over the Sherman Studio to share a story that is deeply personal, with the hope that it resonates and helps others feel less alone in this world, is a true gift. Growing up on Hammond Drive, a council estate in Newport, makes this opportunity even more meaningful as I’m able to tell a crucial story on stage and that’s something I’ll never take for granted. I’m beyond grateful and thrilled to share it.”
- Sherman Theatre and Tilting at Windmills Productions present
Balloon Girl by Hannah McPake
Directed by Hannah McPake
10 – 31 October 2026
A wild ride through time and space spanning 2,000 years of Welsh history from the Romans to the Vikings to the Victorians, this anarchic play is inspired by a true slice of Cardiff history; real-life Balloon Girl, Louisa Maud Evans. Staged in the Main House for everyone aged 8+, Balloon Girl is written and directed by Hannah McPake (writer and director of Alice: Return to Wonderland and writer of Tales of the Brothers Grimm).
Tech-billionaire Carol Gaudron is about to launch the first civilian crewed mission to Mars. But is it as safe as Carol is suggesting?
Balloon Girl is made possible by Arts Council of Wales.
Hannah McPake said: “Balloon Girl is a story of reaching for the skies. I’m thrilled to be working with the Sherman to bring an extraordinary slice of Cardiff history back to life, alongside a brilliant team of Welsh and Wales-based artists. This is an ambitious, large-scale show and would not be possible without the support of Sherman Theatre and Arts Council of Wales.”
- Pinocchio by Jennifer Lunn
Welsh translation by Hanna Jarman
23 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027
Join us in the Studio to experience up close the magic of one of the most beloved stories of all re-imagined by Jennifer Lunn. This delightful new version of Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio offers the perfect introduction to the wonder of live theatre for ages 3–6.
Audiences across Wales can experience this enchanting new show as it tours south Wales before the Christmas performances.
Jennifer Lunn said: “The Studio Christmas show has been the highlight of my festive season for many years. Watching the gorgeous productions but also the wonderful audiences of kids so invested in the stories and characters onstage; it’s an absolute privilege to be part of this tradition!”
- The Merry Adventures of Maid Marian by Gwawr Loader
27 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027
The writer of this year’s Sherman’s Studio show for very young audiences, The Frog Prince / Biwti a Brogs, makes her debut in the Main House in 2026 with this rip-roaring, south Wales-set, new take on the famous story filled with legendary characters.
Fierce, funny and full of heart, The Merry Adventures of Maid Marian celebrates courage, fairness and the power of people coming together. Specially created for everyone aged 7+, The Merry Adventures of Maid Marian has everything our audiences have come to expect from our spectacular Main House Christmas show.
Gwawr Loader said: “I’m over the moon to be returning to the Sherman for their Christmas 2026 main stage production. This theatre has been a creative home to me for over a decade — first as an actress, and now as a writer too — so bringing a story this close to my heart back here feels incredibly special. After the joy of creating this year’s studio Christmas show, I’m thrilled to be writing The Merry Adventures of Maid Marian for the main stage — a show that’s funny, fierce and full of heart, celebrating courage, fairness and the power of people coming together. And in true festive spirit, our band of merry men will be a real musical band, rocking out with live performances that bring an extra burst of energy to the adventure. I can’t wait for Cardiff audiences to meet our Marian.”
- … that last summer by Azuka Oforka
Directed by Lee Lyford
In collaboration with Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
May 2026
Alumnus of Sherman Theatre’s Unheard Voices programme and Stage Debut Award winner Azuka Oforka returns following the critical and box office success of The Women of Llanrumney with this, the Sherman’s 11th commission for Royal Welsh College of Music’s NEW writing festival.
Cardiff. Now.
A group of friends are summoned to the park. They discover that every single one of them is on trial. Who amongst them was responsible for the death of Aaliyah?
This intense and taut new play will be performed at Sherman Theatre.
- The Blunder Games by Ffion King
Directed by Tori Lyons
26-28 Feb 2026
Written by an alumnus of Sherman’s EXPAND programme (a free series of short, modular training sessions for writers), and developed with members of Sherman’s Introduction to Playwriting programme (a free programme for budding writers aged 15-18), The Blunder Games shines a light on the lack of funding faced by rural Welsh villages and the incredibly tough decisions councils are forced to make – all delivered through a big, brash, anarchic comedy. The Blunder Games is Sherman Youth Theatre’s spring 2026 production.
Ffion King said: “Our plot is filled with twists and curveballs, reflecting the unpredictability and challenges communities face in real life, so I hope audiences experience the show with the same tangible thrill and excitement we had when developing the script.”
Announcing the season, Sherman Theatre Chief Executive Julia Barry said: “As ever we are ambitious about what we can achieve for our audiences with our exceptional productions made by our passionate and expert Sherman team alongside an outstanding family of hugely talented freelancers. This season again affirms that ambition by offering our ever increasing audiences spectacle, shared perspectives, emotional intensity and great entertainment up close with this hugely exciting range of plays from such a powerful group of writers. Over the past few seasons we have demonstrated that new, Welsh writing can resonate with a wide audience, with this programme we are confident that will continue.”
Sherman Theatre looks forward to announcing the first season of its new Artistic Director in 2026.
Sherman Theatre’s Literary Department is funded by Arts Council of Wales and Bad Wolf.
Alongside the Made by Sherman programme, Sherman Theatre will collaborate with other companies on two other shows. In late spring, the Sherman will host Theatr Clwyd’s new production of Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas (30 April – 9 May). This Theatr Clwyd production is the first show to be created as part of the Craidd collaboration. Craidd aims for access and inclusion to be at the core of theatre in Wales. The consortium consists of Theatr Clwyd, Sherman Theatre, Pontio, Torch Theatre and Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Earlier in the spring, RCT Theatres’ co-production with Hannah Lad of her play Full House will premiere at the Sherman (5 – 7 February) prior to a run at Park and Dare Theatre. This debut full-length play by the Treorchy writer, an alumnus of the Sherman’s Unheard Voices programme, was commissioned by Sherman Theatre and is supported by Arts Council of Wales.
The Made by Sherman season is complemented by an extensive programme of work from visiting companies including performances from three of Wales’ leading theatre companies. Hijinx open their tenth anniversary tour of the acclaimed Meet Fred (23 – 31 Jan) at the Sherman. Theatr Iolo return with their much loved show Tidy / Taclus (11 – 14 Feb) for ages 3 – 7. Theatr Clwyd return for their second visit of the spring with a new production of Twelfth Night (21 – 23 May).
Sherman Theatre will play host to the preview performances of the new musical Pride (31 Mar – 18 Apr) prior to its world premiere at the National Theatre. Pride is presented by P&P Productions with the National Theatre in association with Pathé.