Hampstead Theatre in London has announced a revival of Michael Frayn’s award-winning play Copenhagen.
It will be the first London staging of Copenhagen since it premiered in 1998, and will run at Hampstead Theatre from 27 March to 2 May 2026.
The production will be directed by former Donmar Warehouse artistic director Michael Longhurst (Next to Normal).
Quick take: It’s extraordinary that Tony Award-winning play Copenhagen has not been revived in London for nearly 30 years. Michael Longhurst has attracted a great cast to revive Michael Frayn’s play at Hampstead Theatre, with acclaimed British actress Alex Kingston fresh from her Strictly experience, and West Wing star Richard Schiff.
The cast of Copenhagen
A star-studded cast for Copenhagen will include:
Recent Strictly Come Dancing contestant and acclaimed actress Alex Kingston (Doctor Who, ER) as MargretheAmerican star and Emmy Award-winner Richard Schiff (The West Wing, The Good Doctor) as Niels BohrFurther casting is to be announced
Michael Frayn’s award-winning plays include Noises Off, Afterlife, Alphabetical Order, and Matchbox Theatre.
Copenhagen is inspired by real events and centres on a meeting between two great physicists, Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
In 1941, at the height of the Second World War, Heisenberg made a strange trip to Copenhagen to see his former mentor and friend, Bohr. Their brilliant collaboration in the 1920s had begun to lay bare the mysteries at the heart of the atom, but with Denmark now under German occupation, this meeting was fraught with danger and embarrassment – and Heisenberg was burdened with a terrible secret.
“Hampstead Theatre owes an enormous amount to Michael Frayn: he served on our Board for an amazing 25 years, and was the shrewd and perspicacious leader of the Foundation that created the astonishing building we now occupy. Over the years we’ve premiered four of his works and revived two more, and I’m delighted to have persuaded Michael Longhurst to create a fresh production of Copenhagen” – Greg Ripley-Duggan (Hampstead Theatre Chief Executive)
Copenhagen scored a number of awards following its National Theatre premiere, and transfer to New York. Awards included the Evening Standard Award for Best Play in 1998, and the Tony Award for Best Play in 2000.
Plan your visitTheatre: Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 3EUBooking dates: 27 March to 2 May 2026Stars: Alex Kingston & Richard SchiffPerformance schedule: Monday to Saturday evenings and Thursday & Saturday matineesAge range: Recommended for ages 14+Tickets: On sale soon. Sign up for booking alerts on the Copenhagen Ticket Page ➞ Sign-up for booking alerts, offers & news about Copenhagen and other shows:
📷 Main photo: Copenhagen – Hampstead Theatre. Alex Kingston & Richard Schiff (Photos via PR)
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