'Bold and surprising’ theatrical experience opening in London next year

Comedy writer John Finnemore is penning a live show based on The Traitors.

Producers say he is creating a ‘bold and surprising’ theatrical experience, set to open in London next year.

The show was announced by Studio Lambert, which makes the TV series, and Neal Street Productions, a company co-founded by Sam Mendes,

Stephen Lambert, head of the TV company said: ‘Taking The Traitors from screen to stage is a hugely exciting next step for this much-loved brand. Faithful fans should expect an intense, joyful night out as we reveal a thrilling new hunting ground for our Traitors.’

Caro Newling of Neal Street Productions said ‘a team of brilliant faithful theatre-makers … [will] bring a bold, structural twist to the format that only the live medium can provide.’

Radio 4 regular Finnemore created the sitcom Cabin Fever, and has written extensively for Mitchell and Webb – as well as fronting his own sketch show. He also compiles cryptic crosswords.

The show will be directed by Robert Hastie, the National Theatre’s deputy artistic director who also directed the comedy hit Operation Mincemeat in the West End.

Season four of the Traitors, hosted by Claudia Winkelman, wrapped up at the weekend with 9.4million viewers watching as Rachel Duffy and Stephen Libby shared the £95,750 prize.

Last year, Alan Carr won the celebrity version –  watched by more than 15million people at its peak, a success that has spawned a reality show in which the comedian will buy and run a Scottish castle,

Stage adaptations of TV hits have had mixed fortunes in the West End. Stranger Things: The First Shadow has been running more than two years, but The Great British Bake Off Musical lasted just three months. I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical, written by Harry Hill, lasted just six weeks in 2014, reportedly losing £4 million.

Published: 26 Jan 2026