Three new shows bound for His Majesty’s Theatre will bring the highest quality drama, family and dance to Aberdeen in 2026.
The Shawshank Redemption will bring the classic film to life at the city theatre from Tuesday, April 7 to Saturday, April 11, while children’s favourite, Horrible Histories, promises to do its worst from Thursday, July 9 to Saturday, July 11.
Olivier-award nominated MÁM will see the best in international dance-theatre gracing the His Majesty’s Theatre stage from Friday, February 27 to Saturday, February 28.
Aberdeen Performing Arts Director of Programming and Creative Projects, Ben Torrie, said: “These productions represent the very best of their genres. The Shawshank Redemption is an outstanding show, with a great cast and really is worth the hype, while Horrible Histories is known for its unique, fun and hilarious approach to history’s most fascinating chapters with an unrivalled ability to capture the imaginations of kids and adults alike.
“MÁM is guaranteed to be riotous good fun - featuring virtuosic concertina playing, a contemporary classical music ensemble, and spectacular contemporary dance.
“It’s shaping up to be a fantastic year for His Majesty’s Theatre in 2026, and we can’t wait to see these shows on our stage!”
The touring production of the classic film The Shawshank Redemption stars Scottish acting royalty, 2025 HMT panto star and Strictly winner Joe McFadden, London’s Burning’s Ben Onwukwe and Coronation Street’s Bill Ward.
Despite protests of his innocence, Andy Dufresne is handed a double life sentence for the brutal murders of his wife and her lover. Incarcerated in the notorious Shawshank facility, he quickly learns that no one can survive alone.
Andy strikes up an unlikely friendship with the prison fixer Red, and things start to take a slight turn for the better. However, when Warden Stammas decides to bully Andy into subservience and exploit his talents for accountancy, a desperate plan is quietly hatched…
Based on Stephen King’s 1982 novella, this thrilling stage production examines friendship and hope behind the claustrophobic bars of a maximum-security facility. The 1994 feature film was nominated for seven Academy Awards.
Horrible Histories will bring the Terrible Tudors and the Awful Egyptians to life at His Majesty’s in summer 2026. Using actors and eye-popping 3D special effects, these two astounding shows are guaranteed to thrill.
From the horrible Henries to the end of evil Elizabeth, hear the legends (and the lies!) about the torturing Tudors. Find out the fate of Henry’s headless wives and his punch up with the Pope. Meet Bloody Mary and see Ed fall dead in his bed. Survive the Spanish Armada as it sails into the audience!
From the fascinating Pharaohs to the power of the pyramids, discover the foul facts of death and decay with the meanest mummies in Egypt. Are you ready to rumble with Ramesses the Great? Dare you enter through the Gates of the afterlife? It’s the history of Egypt with the nasty bits left in!
MÁM is international dance-theatre at its finest. Described as ‘90 minutes of ritualised ecstasy’ by The Irish Times, this visionary piece from acclaimed choreographer Michael Keegan-Dolan and his company Teaċ Daṁsa playfully and provocatively takes you on an otherworldly journey steeped in the landscape and culture of West Kerry in Ireland.
MÁM sees 12 fearless dancers summon a whirlwind of myth and magic, moved by the collaborative music making of virtuoso Irish traditional concertina player Cormac Begley and European classical contemporary collective s t a r g a z e, performed live on stage.
Nominated for an Olivier Award, MÁM has enjoyed sellout performances at Sadler’s Wells, London and across Festivals world-wide. This rapturous production now embarks on its debut UK tour for Dance Consortium.
Tickets are on sale to Friends of Aberdeen Performing Arts on Wednesday, August 27 and on general sale on Thursday, August 28, available from www.aberdeenperformingarts.com, phone (01224) 641122 or visit the box office at His Majesty’s Theatre or the Music Hall.