Rowan Atkinson plans 30-performance West End sketch show

Rowan Atkinson will return to London’s West End with Rowan Live, a planned 30-performance comedy sketch show at the Gillian Lynne Theatre from February 8 to March 13, 2027. The production’s official opening is scheduled for February 16, according to its announced schedule. The show is set to bring back sketches and characters associated with Atkinson’s earlier work, alongside new material written for the production. Atkinson said he wanted to revisit sketches that began his West End comedy work with Richard Curtis and add material created especially for the show. The announced plans include characters such as Mr Bean and Blackadder, as well as material connected with Not the Nine O’Clock News. The production is directed by Raz Shaw, with music by Howard Goodall, and is presented by Playful Productions in association with PBJ Management. Curtis and Ben Elton are also named as collaborators on new material. The final selection of sketches and characters has not been specified in the announcement. Priority booking is scheduled to open at 9 a.m. on October 7, 2026, with public booking beginning at noon the same day.