York Theatre Royal has announced a major new revival of Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiadmarking the first significant UK staging of the piece since its 2007 premiere.
Adapted by Atwood from her acclaimed novella, the production offers a feminist retelling of Homer’s The Odysseyshifting focus to Penelope and the chorus of maids whose voices have long been absent from the myth.
The revival will be directed by Juliet Forster, Creative Director of York Theatre Royal. The production opens on 14 October 2026, with previews from 10 October, and runs until 24 October.
 
 
 
 
Originally premiering at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon in a co-production between the Royal Shakespeare Company and Canada’s National Arts Centre, the work has not received a major UK revival since its debut.
Speaking about the announcement, Juliet Forster said, “Margaret Atwood is such a phenomenal writer – she’s clever, witty, subversive and her insights into human dynamics are acutely well observed. The Penelopiad is a funny, moving, fast paced, visual feast, a classical tale told through a contemporary lens. The epic, heroic story of The Odyssey will never look the same again! I am thrilled we will be staging it here at York Theatre Royal, and I can’t wait to get started on the show.”
Priority booking for YTR members opens on 23 February at 1pm, with general booking from 28 February at 1pm.
Atwood’s adaptation revisits the ancient story through a modern lens. Best known for The Handmaid’s Talethe internationally acclaimed writer gives Penelope a platform in the underworld, recounting her own tale of betrayal, injustice and revenge.
York Theatre Royal’s revival will incorporate songs and a contemporary staging by Forster, whose extensive directing credits at the venue include Little Women, Around The World In 80 Days-ish!, The Coppergate Woman, A View from the Bridge, The Crucible and Twelfth Night.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
 
 
 
 
