Summerfolk tickets
About Summerfolk
Don’t miss Summerfolk, Maxim Gorky’s luscious and unsettling drama about wealth and desire as it’s revived at the National Theatre in a gorgeous new adaptation by Nina Raine and Moses Raine. Book Summerfolk tickets on TodayTix.
Summerfolk is a play set during the summer in the early 1900s, following a circle of Russia’s most privileged as they escape to a countryside retreat of swimming, excessive drinking, and flirtation. Initially, the landscape is intoxicating, with long days and glamorous socializing. The guests seem determined to lose themselves in their own pleasure, but beneath the glory lies something much darker.
As marriages strain and alliances fall away, buried dissatisfaction with the lifestyle rises to the surface, and one woman in particular begins to believe that the world around her is built on a sinking foundation. What was supposed to be a beautiful summer escape turns ugly as the upper class refuses to face the music of their new reality. Summerfolk is a rich ensemble drama with a biting edge.
Run time
3hr. Incl. 1 Interval.
Venue
Categories
Start date
6th March, 2026
End date
29th April, 2026
Summerfolk cast and creative team
By: Maxim Gorky’s
Adapter: Nina Raine & Moses Raine
Director: Robert Hastie
Songs by: Nicola T. Chang
Sets & Costumes: Peter McKintosh
Lighting: Paul Pyant
Sound: Alexandra Faye Braithwaite
Venue
Olivier Theatre
Directions
Location: Fringe/Off West End
Railway station: Waterloo
Bus numbers: (Waterloo Road) 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 521, RV1, X68
Night bus numbers: (Waterloo Road) 139, 176, 188, 243, 341, N1, N68, N76, N171, N343
Car park: National Theatre, Upper Ground (1min)
Directions from tube: (10mins) Follow signs for exits to the South Bank. This should lead you to an underground pedestrian passage called ‘Sutton Walk’ that emerges at the South Bank. Turn right and walk along the river Thames until you see the National Theatre.
More information about Summerfolk
Summerfolk is seldom staged in the UK and is one of those major theatre opportunities that anyone would regret missing. Maxim Gorky’s drama arrives in a breathtaking new adaptation by sibling playwrights Nina Raine and Moses Raine, with Deputy Artistic Director Robert Hastie as director.
This revival matches the play’s period setting with an impressive modern energy, drawing out of it both comedy and sharp social criticism. Sophie Rundle leads the cast as Varvara, and joining her are Paul Ready, Alex Lawther, Justine Mitchell, Daniel Lapaine, Doon Mackichan, Adelle Leonce, Arthur Hughes, Gwyneth Keyworth, Sid Sagar, and a wider ensemble. This production also features songs by Nicola T. Chang, set and costume design by Peter McKintosh, lighting by Paul Pyant, and sound by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite.
Summerfolk in London is perfect for audiences who enjoy ensemble pieces and classics that feel alive. This staging has so much to offer, as it attempts to analyze class relations in 1900’s Russia, reminding us all that self-serving attitudes can only get us so far.
What to watch for
- Written the same year Chekhov died, Maxim Gorky wrote Summerfolk as a confrontational response to The Cherry Orchard.
- Maxim Gorky was nominated five times for the Nobel Prize in Literature.
- Nina Raine and Moses Raine are the children of British poet Craig Raine.
- There are 22 actors in this new adaptation by the Raine siblings.
Frequently asked questions
What is Summerfolk about?
Don’t miss Maxim Gorky’s Summerfolk, a luscious and honest drama about class dynamics and desire as it’s revived at the National Theatre in a brilliant new adaptation by Nina Raine and Moses Raine.
Which theatre is Summerfolk at?
Summerfolk is at London's Olivier Theatre, which is located at National Theatre, South Bank, London, SE1 9PX.
How do you get tickets for Summerfolk?
Check the top of this page for current availability on Summerfolk tickets on TodayTix.
What is the running time of Summerfolk?
Summerfolk runs for 3hr. Incl. 1 Interval.
Who wrote Summerfolk?
Summerfolk was originally written by Maxim Gorky, and this new adaptation is by Nina Raine and Moses Raine.
Who directed Summerfolk?
Robert Hastie is the director.
Is Summerfolk appropriate for kids?
Summerfolk includes strong language and mature themes like sex and suicide. Several gunshots can also be heard during the show.
Is Summerfolk good?
Summerfolk has been praised for its casting and design, and includes a smashing mix of comedy and social commentary. If you enjoy expansive theatre that draws attention to culture and class relations, Summerfolk is the right show for you.
