The first-ever stage adaptation of The Silence of the Lambs is heading to Oxford, with John Partridge set to play Dr Hannibal Lecter in the production’s UK and Ireland tour.
The Silence of the Lambs will play New Theatre Oxford from Monday 19 October to Saturday 24 October 2026, as part of a major tour following the production’s world stage premiere at Curve in Leicester. For Oxford audiences, it will be one of the most high-profile thrillers to arrive in the city’s autumn theatre programme.
What is The Silence of the Lambs about?
Based on Thomas Harris’s novel, the story follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling as she is sent to interview imprisoned psychiatrist and serial killer Hannibal Lecter in the hope that his insight can help catch another murderer, Buffalo Bill. What begins as a professional exchange quickly becomes something darker and more psychologically dangerous, as Lecter begins probing Clarice as much as she is studying him.
What is the play about?
The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological thriller following Clarice Starling’s investigation into a serial killer, and her deeply unsettling encounters with the imprisoned Hannibal Lecter. The story combines crime, suspense and psychological manipulation, and is being presented as the world stage premiere of the Thomas Harris adaptation.
John Partridge takes on Hannibal Lecter
The Oxford run will see John Partridge take on the role of Lecter. Partridge is known to many television viewers for playing Christian Clarke in EastEnders, while his stage credits include Cabaret, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and CATS. The official production site currently lists him as the first announced cast member, with more casting still to be revealed.
The adaptation is written by Gina Gionfriddo and directed by Nikolai Foster, with the production billed as a world stage premiere.
What Oxford audiences need to know
New Theatre Oxford lists the show as running Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, with Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. The venue also states that the production has an age guidance of 15+ and contains scenes of threat, violence and murder, strong language, sexual references and harassment, mutilation and body horror, psychological intensity, childhood trauma and onstage prosthetic human remains. The show includes an interval.
For local audiences, the Oxford stop is one of the earlier dates in the national schedule and arrives just over two months after the production opens in Leicester.
At a glance
Show: The Silence of the Lambs
Venue: New Theatre Oxford
Dates: Monday 19 October to Saturday 24 October 2026
Performance times: Mon–Sat 7.30pm; Wed and Sat 2.30pm
Running time: Includes an interval
Age guidance: 15+
Starring: John Partridge as Hannibal Lecter
Full UK and Ireland tour dates
| Dates | Venue | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 15 August 2026 | Curve | Leicester |
| 18 – 22 August 2026 | Theatre Royal | Newcastle |
| 24 – 29 August 2026 | Theatre Royal | Glasgow |
| 1 – 5 September 2026 | His Majesty’s Theatre | Aberdeen |
| 8 – 12 September 2026 | Festival Theatre | Edinburgh |
| 15 – 19 September 2026 | Theatre Royal | Nottingham |
| 28 September – 3 October 2026 | Milton Keynes Theatre | Milton Keynes |
| 6 – 10 October 2026 | Lowry | Salford |
| 12 – 17 October 2026 | Alhambra Theatre | Bradford |
| 19 – 24 October 2026 | New Theatre | Oxford |
| 27 – 31 October 2026 | New Theatre | Peterborough |
| 2 – 7 November 2026 | New Theatre | Hull |
| 10 – 14 November 2026 | Grand Opera House | Belfast |
| 24 – 28 November 2026 | Bord Gáis Energy Theatre | Dublin |
| 5 – 9 January 2027 | The Alexandra | Birmingham |
| 11 – 16 January 2027 | The Grand Theatre | Blackpool |
| 18 – 23 January 2027 | Congress Theatre | Eastbourne |
| 26 – 30 January 2027 | Malvern Theatre | Malvern |
| 15 – 20 February 2027 | Grand Theatre | Swansea |
| 22 – 27 February 2027 | Storyhouse | Chester |
| 2 – 6 March 2027 | Theatre Royal | Brighton |
| 9 – 13 March 2027 | Assembly Hall Theatre | Tunbridge Wells |
| 15 – 20 March 2027 | Grand Opera House | York |
| 30 March – 3 April 2027 | Belgrade Theatre | Coventry |
| 6 – 10 April 2027 | Richmond Theatre | Richmond |
| 12 – 17 April 2027 | Everyman Theatre | Cheltenham |
| 20 – 24 April 2027 | Bournemouth Pavilion | Bournemouth |
| 26 April – 1 May 2027 | Grand Theatre | Wolverhampton |
| 10 – 15 May 2027 | New Theatre | Cardiff |
| 17 – 22 May 2027 | Opera House | Buxton |
| 31 May – 5 June 2027 | New Victoria Theatre | Woking |
| 15 – 19 June 2027 | Empire Theatre | Liverpool |
| 21 – 26 June 2027 | Empire | Sunderland |
FAQs
When is The Silence of the Lambs in Oxford?
The show runs at New Theatre Oxford from Monday 19 October to Saturday 24 October 2026.
Who is playing Hannibal Lecter?
John Partridge has been announced as Dr Hannibal Lecter.
Is this the first stage version of The Silence of the Lambs?
Yes. The production is being billed as the world stage premiere.
How long is the show and what age is it for?
The show has an interval and carries an age guidance of 15+.
