Take a time machine back sixty years to revisit the iconic music, literature, and scene-stealing stars of the 1960s.
The Swinging Sixties saw the rise of some of the greatest bands in history. From Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison to The Kinks and the early days of Pink Floyd, it was a revolutionary decade for music and a newly emerging youth-driven culture.
This year at the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham, there’s ample opportunity to revisit some of the decade’s greatest music performed live once again, including an incredible ensemble of original artists and band members in The Sensational 60s Experience (31 May), The Ultimate Classic Rock Show (17 May) featuring two hours of classic rock anthems from artists including Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Jimi Hendrix, and Sounds of the 60s Live (22 Sep) hosted by legendary DJ Tony Blackburn OBE.
Fun historical fact: 2026 marks the 62nd anniversary of Tony Blackburn’s first broadcast on pirate radio station, Radio Caroline South, in 1964. He went on to become one of the defining voices of the decade.
Take a trip down memory lane to celebrate the life of the King of rock ‘n’ roll with Ben Portsmouth: This is Elvis (10 Apr), including an homage to his iconic 1968 Comeback Special, or mark what would have been The Big O’s 90th birthday in 2026 with Barry Steele’s Roy Orbison Story (8 Jul).
Featuring video animation, innovative lighting, precision lasers, massive inflatables, and impeccable live sound, The Australian Pink Floyd (1 Dec) return once more to the Royal Concert Hall to recreate Pink Floyd’s greatest hits.
Fun historical fact: Pink Floyd performed at the Theatre Royal Nottingham in December 1967 alongside The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Move and Amen Corner. Find out more here
Delve a little deeper into the backstories of legendary stars of the Sixties, with Sunny Afternoon (17-21 Feb), which charts the euphoric highs and agonizing lows of one of Britain’s most iconic bands, The Kinks, or go behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in Jersey Boys (30 Jun – 4 Jul).
Fun historical fact: 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of Sunny Afternoon being released as a single in June 1966. There’s a scene in the musical that commemorates England winning the World Cup in the same summer, too.
It wasn’t just music stealing the spotlight, with TV, film, and literature also adding to the cultural revolution of the 1960s.
The funny, nostalgic, and poignant West End hit play, The Last Laugh (1-5 Sep), celebrates three of Britain’s greatest comedy heroes from this era – Tommy Cooper, Eric Morcambe, and Bob Monkouse – at the height of their glittering careers.
Fun historical fact: In November 1964, Des O’Connor was a support act for the hugely popular pop group, Freddie and the Dreamers, for a week of twice-nightly performances at the Theatre Royal. Find out more here
Based on the 1963 worldwide best-selling spy novel, John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came In From The Cold (23-27 Jun) will transport you back to the fog-shrouded terrain of Cold War espionage, deception, and moral compromise.
Fun historical fact: This remarkable decade also marked a significant birthday for the Theatre Royal itself. In 1965, the venue’s 100th anniversary was celebrated with a gala performance of My Fair Lady. Just the year before, in 1964, the hugely popular film adaptation of the stage musical starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison was released. View the Theatre Royal’s centenary programme here
For more information on forthcoming Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall events celebrating the best of the 1960s, and a chance to win tickets, visit https://trch.co.uk/the-60s-time-machine
To explore more fascinating historical facts, visit the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall’s digital archive here, created by local volunteers to share images, stories, and memories from the venue’s rich 160-year history.
A membership is a great way to experience more performances for less and you can easily recoup the cost of your membership. Starting from only £30 a year, enjoy excellent membership discounts on a range of events, including The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, Sunny Afternoon, Jersey Boys, and The Last Laugh. Explore Membership levels and benefits here.
Posted on 21 January 2026
