English Touring Theatre (ETT), York Theatre Royal and An Tobar and Mull Theatre today announce the UK tour of The Last Picture, a brand-new play by Catherine Dyson, known for her evocative storytelling and sharp insight into human connection. Renewing his collaboration with ETT, John R. Wilkinson directs. The production opens at York Theatre Royal on 6 February 2026, with previews from 5 February, and runs until 14 February 2026, before touring to HOME Manchester, Bristol Old Vic, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, before concluding its run at An Tobar and Mull Theatre.
The Last Picture is a thought-provoking exploration of empathy, imagination, and collective memory – a play about what connects us across time, place, and experience. On a school trip in 2026, a group of Year 9 students – with Sam, their emotional support dog – are drawn into the story of 1939 Europe. As past and present blur, the play asks what it means to care, to remember, and connect across time.
Catherine Dyson today said, “At a time when empathy and imagination feel more necessary than ever, The Last Pictureasks us to come together – to witness, to listen, and to reflect. It’s a piece where the audience is at the heart, and I can’t wait to see it come to life across the country.”
Director John R. Wilkinson: “Working once again with ETT, alongside York Theatre Royal and An Tobar and Mull Theatre, is a real privilege. Catherine’s writing has a quiet intensity – precise, poetic, and deeply resonant. The Last Picture leads audiences through time and space, from classrooms to museums, to moments when history shifts. It’s a profoundly human and immersive journey.”
Artistic Director and Joint CEO Richard Twyman and Executive Producer and Joint CEO Sophie Scull:
“The Last Picture is a moving and innovative new work that speaks to the power of witness. Catherine Dyson’s writing invites us to re-examine the past and confront the present with honesty and compassion. We’re thrilled to be working with John R. Wilkinson again, bringing this extraordinary play to audiences across the UK alongside our valued partners: York Theatre Royal and An Tobar and Mull Theatre.”
CEO of York Theatre Royal Paul Crewes: “We’re proud to produce this bold new play with ETT and An Tobar and Mull Theatre. Catherine Dyson’s writing challenges us to think differently about empathy, history, and how we tell stories. We’re excited to present it to our York audiences – and to see it reach communities across the UK.”
Artistic Director and Chief Executive of An Tobar and Mull Theatre Rebecca Atkinson-Lord: “Catherine Dyson’s writing glows with emotional intelligence. The Last Picture is a vital reminder of the need for empathy in a world that often feels fractured. The play becomes something rare – generous, haunting, and full of hope. We’re proud to share this work with audiences nationwide.”
Full tour dates HERE