A genius, a gentleman and a cannibalistic serial killer. A lot of words can describe Hannibal Lecter. He’s one of the most complicated and terrifying yet iconic villains ever created. His portrayal in the 1991 film, ‘The Silence of the Lambs’, saw Anthony Hopkins win the Academy Award for Best Actor—despite being on screen for just 16 minutes!
Now he’s back for the world stage play premiere in 2026 of ‘The Silence of the Lambs’, with a UK tour that includes a stop at The Alexandra in Birmingham from January 5 to 9, 2027. The play is adapted by Gina Gionfriddo from Thomas Harris’s novel and directed by Nikolai Foster. It will open at Curve in Leicester, from August 1 to 15, 2026, before a UK and Ireland tour.
‘The Silence of the Lambs’ will also make stops in in Newcastle, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Milton Keynes, Salford, Bradford, Oxford, Peterborough, Hull, Belfast, Dublin, Blackpool, Eastbourne, Malvern, Swansea, Chester, Brighton, Tunbridge Wells, York, Coventry, Richmond, Cheltenham, Bournemouth, Wolverhampton, Cardiff, Buxton, Woking, Liverpool, Sunderland and other venues through 2027.
What is the story of ‘The Silence of the Lambs’?
Another girl is missing, and time is running out. FBI trainee Clarice Starling is sent to interview the psychiatrist and infamous murderer Hannibal Lecter, hoping his brilliant mind will help her catch the sadistic new serial killer, Buffalo Bill. But can Clarice keep a safe distance, or let Hannibal ‘The Cannibal’ get too close?
“Thomas Harris’ novel speaks so eloquently to the interior terrors that fuel his iconic characters – both the monsters and the heroes who slay them,” said Gina Gionfriddo. “What a privilege it has been to bring these stories to the stage.”
Gionfriddo’s TV writing credits include ‘Law & Order’, ‘House of Cards’ and ‘The Alienist’, while her plays ‘Becky Shaw’ and ‘Rapture, Blister, Burn’ were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2009 and 2013. Audiences can expect a seat-gripping psychological thriller—with scenes of violence, body horror, psychological intensity, and onstage prosthetic human remains. The complete creative team and casting will be announced soon.
How can I get tickets?
‘The Silence of the Lambs’ will perform at The Alexandra in Birmingham from January 5 to 9, 2027, and you can get your tickets here; The Belgrade Theatre in Coventry from March 30 to April 3, 2027, tickets on sale soon here; and at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from April 26 to May 1, 2027, and get your tickets here.