Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities is back on stage in a new Marlowe Theatre production, adapted by Terence Rattigan and John Gielgud and directed by Michael Fentiman. Made in Kent and premiering at Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre before touring the UK, this is a useful guide to the cast, creative team, dates, content guidance, accessibility and booking routes.
Latest Update
24 September 2026: The tour is now at Leeds Playhouse, where performances run to 26 September. Current Leeds listings confirm tickets from £17–£57, a 140-minute running time and 12+ age guidance. A BSL-interpreted and captioned performance is listed for Saturday 26 September at 2.30pm. Production photography is credited Photos by Marc Brenner.
Overview
Set as revolution gathers pace in 1770s Paris, A Tale of Two Cities follows English barrister Sydney Carton, French aristocrat Charles Darnay and émigré Lucie Manette as love, loyalty and sacrifice collide with the Reign of Terror.
The production is adapted for the stage by Terence Rattigan and John Gielgud from Dickens’ novel. It is a Marlowe Theatre production directed by Michael Fentiman and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Cast
- Martin Bassindale — Stryver / Defarge
- Scarlett Brookes — Miss Pross / Judge / Road Mender
- Samuel Collings — Sydney Carton / Marquis de St Evrémonde
- Daniel Hickey — Clerk / Peasant Boy
- Jasmine Kerr — Foreman / Peasant Girl / Gaoler
- Jordan Loughran — Lucie Manette / Seamstress
- Roger Ringrose — Lorry / Gabelle
- Ed Sayer — Charles Darnay / Brother of Marquis de St Evrémonde
- Robyn Sinclair — Madame Defarge / Attorney General / Patrol
- Simon Startin — Barsad / Gaspard
- François Testory — Dr Manette / Valet
Creative Team
- Author: Charles Dickens
- Adaptors: Terence Rattigan and John Gielgud
- Director: Michael Fentiman
- Set Designer: Max Jones
- Costume Designer: Kinnetia Isidore
- Lighting Designer: Ben Jacobs
- Sound Designer: Richard Hammarton
- Composer: Barnaby Race
- Video Designer: Nina Dunn for PixelLux
- Wigs, Hair & Make-up Designer: Susanna Peretz
- Casting Director: Helena Palmer CDG
- Fight Director: Jonathan Holby
- Dialect Coach: Fabien Enjalric
- Props Supervisor: Tegan Cutts
- Costume Supervisor: Becky Gunstone
- Creative Associate: Audrey Brisson
- Associate Director: Pip Minnithorpe
- Dramaturg: Leo Butler
Dates & UK Tour
- Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury: 14–19 September 2026
- Leeds Playhouse: 22–26 September 2026
- Theatre Royal Bath: 15–23 January 2027
- Cheltenham: 2–6 February 2027
- Chichester Festival Theatre: 9–13 February 2027
- King’s Theatre, Edinburgh: 16–20 February 2027
- Theatr Clwyd: 23–27 February 2027
Further tour dates may be announced. Always check the relevant venue before travelling, as performance schedules and on-sale status vary by venue.
Tickets
No confirmed Clarissa’s Corner affiliate route has been identified for this production, so use the relevant theatre’s official booking route. For the Canterbury premiere, book via the Marlowe Theatre’s official A Tale of Two Cities page. Later tour venues may have different on-sale dates.
Age Guidance & Content Warnings
The Marlowe Theatre recommends the production for ages 12+. Its current guidance says the production contains a gunshot, bloody violence, murder, references to sexual assault and the death of a child, alongside flashing lights, smoke and haze.
Accessibility
Accessibility varies by venue, so check the theatre hosting the performance you plan to attend rather than assuming the same provision throughout the tour.
At the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, the current run includes a captioned performance on Friday 18 September, a BSL-interpreted performance on Saturday 19 September at 2.30pm and an audio-described performance on Saturday 19 September at 7.30pm. A free touch tour is available before the audio-described performance for blind and partially sighted customers and should be booked through the Marlowe Box Office.
At Leeds Playhouse, the current run includes a BSL-interpreted and captioned performance on Saturday 26 September at 2.30pm, plus a post-show discussion on Friday 25 September at 7.30pm. Check Leeds Playhouse tickets and access →
Practical Information
- Canterbury venue: Marlowe Theatre, The Friars, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2AS
- Canterbury running time: approximately 2 hours 20 minutes
- Age recommendation: 12+
- Tour: September 2026–February 2027, with further dates possible
Why See It?
For readers who enjoy books brought to the stage, this production offers a fresh way into one of Dickens’ best-known novels while also spotlighting a major new production made in Kent. The combination of a classic literary adaptation, national tour and confirmed access performances makes it especially useful for both our Theatre & Culture and Books & Adaptations readers.
FAQ
Is A Tale of Two Cities touring the UK?
Yes. After its Canterbury premiere, the production visits Leeds and then continues to Bath, Cheltenham, Chichester, Edinburgh and Theatr Clwyd in early 2027, with further dates potentially to be announced.
Who adapted A Tale of Two Cities for the stage?
This stage adaptation is by Terence Rattigan and John Gielgud, based on the novel by Charles Dickens.
What age is A Tale of Two Cities suitable for?
The Marlowe Theatre recommends the production for ages 12+. Check the content guidance above and the relevant tour venue when booking.
More Theatre on Clarissa’s Corner
This production also appears in our Top Theatre Shows to See in Autumn 2026. Explore Clarissa’s Corner for more theatre guides, literary adaptations and Kent/Canterbury ideas.
