Japanese magical realist titan Haruki Murakami has made a career out of writing novels that would logically be impossible to adapt for stage or screen. So it’s pretty good going that the Barbican has played host to one impossible adaptation already (Kafka on the Shore, in 2015) and that its international big show this autumn will be End of the World and Hard-Boiled Wonderland (Oct 8-11). Murakami heads will note that this will be a stage version of 1985’s magnificent Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World which – even by his standards – is pretty darn out there.
How will French theatre legend Philippe Decouflé stage it? Not a clue, although the rearranged title suggests that rather than depicting The End of the World (a cyberpunk future Tokyo) and Hard-boiled Wonderland (a strange, dreamlike town full of fantastical beasts) in alternating sections, it’s likely to show one then the other.
The production will be led by major Japanese screen star Tatsuya Fujiwara (pictured), best known for his lead roles in the Battle Royale and Death Note films – Fujiwara will introduce a Barbican screening of Battle Royale on October 10.
The next day, excitingly, will be a rare opportunity to see Murakami himself. He’ll be in conversation with avant-garde theatre legend Simon McBurney on Oct 11, where he’ll read from his latest novel The City and Its Uncertain Walls (a sort of Hard-boiled Wonderland companion story) and introduce a screening of the 2005 adaptation of his short story Tony Takitani.
Aside from Murakami is a host of exciting international work at the Barbican this autumn, including a visit from New York’s Pam Tanowitz Dance company with their critically acclaimed Pastoral (Oct 1-3). There will also be the London premiere of acclaimed Brazilian thriller Tom at the Farm (Oct 13-16), about a young man who attends his boyfriend’s funeral only to discover that his family knew nothing of his sexuality or partner.
The Dance Umbrella festival will call in at The Pit venue with a powerful, personal solo piece from festival director Omar Rajeh called Dance is Not for Us (Oct 16 and 17). And at Christmas Catalonia-based theatre company Engruna Teatre will bring back last year’s hit kids’ show Univers (Dec 2-12).
In addition to all that, there’ll be the usual two-show RSC season that will presumably start after Tom at the Farm concludes its run – details will be announced soon.
Tickets to the Barbican autumn 2026 season go on general sale June 18.
The best new London theatre shows to book for in 2026.
Plus: London’s most spectacular free festival has announced its 2026 line-up.
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