Jan 7
London's National Theatre Announces 'Pride' Musical: A Queer Alliance with Welsh Miners Takes the Stage in 2026
READ TIME: 3 MIN.
London's theatre scene is set to celebrate a pivotal chapter of LGBTQ+ history with the premiere of the musical "Pride" at the National Theatre's Dorfman stage from June 11 to September 12, 2026. The production adapts the acclaimed 2014 film of the same name, which drew from real events during the 1984-1985 UK miners' strike. At its heart is Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners , a group of queer activists led by figures like Mark Ashton, who rallied to support striking miners in the Welsh village of Onllwyn despite initial mutual suspicions.
The story unfolds against the backdrop of 1980s Britain, where LGBTQ+ individuals faced intense discrimination under Section 28 legislation, which banned the "promotion" of homosexuality by local authorities. LGSM formed as a response, channeling fundraising efforts—including benefit concerts and direct aid—to embattled mining communities hit hard by pit closures. Key real-life elements include the group's base at Gay’s the Word bookshop in Bloomsbury, the UK's oldest LGBTQ+ bookstore founded in 1979 and still operating today .
Tony Award-winning director Matthew Warchus, known for "Matilda the Musical", returns to helm the stage version after directing the film. He collaborates again with screenwriter Stephen Beresford, ensuring fidelity to the source material. The score features music by Christopher Nightingale, Josh Cohen, and DJ Walde, capturing the era's eclectic soundtrack from disco to protest anthems. Previews kick off at Cardiff's Sherman Theatre from March 31 to April 18, 2026, honoring the Welsh roots of the story before the London run.
The musical spotlights internal dynamics within LGSM, including tensions over lesbian representation that led some women to form Lesbians Against Pit Closures. Iconic moments, like activist Jonathan Blake's disco dancing at a miners' welfare hall—inspired by a real photograph—underscore the cultural clashes and growing bonds. A standout event was the December 1984 benefit concert at Camden's Electric Ballroom, billed provocatively as "Pits and Perverts" to reclaim tabloid slurs.
For many in the LGBTQ+ community, "Pride" resonates as a testament to intersectional activism. Mark Ashton, LGSM's founder who tragically died from AIDS-related illness in 1987, embodies the spirit of cross-community alliance-building. The production arrives amid a vibrant 2026 London theatre landscape featuring other LGBTQ+-themed shows, such as LGBTQ+ events for "Daniel's Husband" , "The Producers" , "Avenue Q" , "End of the Rainbow" , "Kinky Boots" , and "Pride the Musical" —distinct from this National Theatre premiere.
Transgender and non-binary artists have praised similar works for amplifying diverse queer voices, though specifics for "Pride" casting remain forthcoming. The National Theatre's commitment to inclusive storytelling aligns with broader efforts to platform transgender people, bisexual individuals, and others in historical narratives. Organizations like Stonewall UK have historically celebrated LGSM's legacy for fostering LGBTQ+ and labor solidarities .
This adaptation coincides with renewed interest in 1980s queer history, amplified by touring productions like "Mean Girls" , which touches on themes of identity and acceptance, though not explicitly LGBTQ+-centered. "Pride"'s arrival bolsters London's West End as a hub for affirming LGBTQ+ narratives, from "Kinky Boots" revival at the London Coliseum through July 2026 to big band events like the London Gay Big Band on June 12-13, 2026.
Tickets for "Pride" are available via the National Theatre and LondonTheatre.co.uk, with early buzz suggesting strong demand. As queer activists and miners found common ground decades ago, this musical invites contemporary audiences—LGBTQ+ and allies alike—to reflect on enduring fights for justice.
