Roarrr Theatre maps 2026 season around Gudong, HEIMER and UK festival dates

By AI, Created 12:10 PM UTC, May 21, 2026, /AGP/ – Roarrr Theatre has unveiled its 2026 core performance programme, led by a China tour for Here Comes Gudong and new UK festival dates for HEIMER. The London-based company is also expanding into public art and cultural education work in Edinburgh and London, underscoring its China-UK exchange agenda.

Why it matters: - Roarrr Theatre is using its 2026 season to push work in both directions between the UK and China. - The programme combines touring productions, festival appearances and public art projects. - That mix gives the company more visibility in major UK arts hubs while taking its most recognized family show into China.

What happened: - Roarrr Theatre announced its core 2026 performance programme on May 21, 2026. - The London-based company was founded and is artistically directed by Chinese artist and director Portia Yuran Li. - Here Comes Gudong will be the company’s strategic focus for 2026. - The production will launch a China tour in 2026, beginning in Shenzhen and continuing to Beijing. - HEIMER premiered at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre in London and is set for new festival dates. - HEIMER will appear at Highlight Festival in London on July 2. - HEIMER will run at theSpaceUK, Theatre 3, at the Edinburgh Fringe from August 20 to 23.

The details: - Here Comes Gudong delivered strong box office results and audience response at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre last year. - The show also gained attention at the Edinburgh Fringe. - Here Comes Gudong won the Keep It Fringe Award. - Theatre Weekly named the production Best Family Show in its Best Show Series. - The production received three IC Awards nominations. - Roarrr Theatre says the China tour is also a return for a work shaped by Eastern cultural elements to its original story context. - HEIMER will bring Roarrr Theatre’s latest work to international audiences, industry professionals and producers during its festival run. - During the Edinburgh Fringe in August, Roarrr Theatre will produce the family programme section of Chinese Culture Week. - The company will also present The Giant Tablecloth Mural, a drawing workshop at Stanley Arts in London, as part of the UK Commons Festival. - The mural project was commissioned from Portia Yuran Li. - The project uses interactive formats to explore community art.

Between the lines: - Roarrr Theatre is balancing commercial touring with cultural programming, which can help the company build audiences across different markets. - The China tour for Here Comes Gudong suggests the company sees stronger long-term value in work that can travel between cultural settings. - The Edinburgh and London festival slots give HEIMER a platform for industry attention, not just public attendance. - The public art work points to a broader strategy than stage production alone.

What’s next: - Here Comes Gudong will begin its China tour in 2026. - HEIMER will continue its festival circuit with stops in London and Edinburgh. - Roarrr Theatre will take on a family-programme production role for Chinese Culture Week during the Edinburgh Fringe. - The Giant Tablecloth Mural workshop will be staged at Stanley Arts as part of Commons Festival. - Roarrr Theatre is likely to use the year’s mixed programme to deepen its UK presence and expand China-UK collaboration.

The bottom line: - Roarrr Theatre is turning 2026 into a dual-track year: one show exported to China, one new production pushed through UK festivals, and public art projects aimed at widening the company’s cultural reach.