David Olusoga Taking A Gun Through Time On Tour In 2026

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, join acclaimed historian David Olusoga on a powerful 2026 UK tour as he brings four world-changing firearms to the stage, revealing the untold human stories of conquest, survival and social upheaval in his gripping new live show A Gun Through Time.

A Gun Through Time

Acclaimed historian and broadcaster David Olusoga has announced an extended UK tour in 2026 for his new live show, A Gun Through Time. Presented by Fane, the production explores the profound human stories behind some of the most influential firearms in history, revealing how these weapons shaped conquest, survival, and sweeping social change.

In this gripping live experience, David Olusoga brings four legendary weapons onto the stage, allowing audiences to see historic artefacts up close while uncovering their hidden social and cultural histories.

The line-up includes:

• The Thompson Sub-Machine Gun, originally developed as a First World War “wonder weapon” that later became the infamous “Tommy Gun” of Prohibition-era gangsters.
• The Maxim Gun, the world’s first true machine gun, deployed in colonial campaigns in Africa and later responsible for devastating casualties on the Western Front – a design still encountered on modern battlefields, including Ukraine.
• The Lee-Enfield Rifle, the standard British service rifle through both World Wars and a trusted companion carried by generations of soldiers and their families.
• The Brown Bess flintlock musket, the 18th- and 19th-century weapon that armed British redcoats at Waterloo and was also wielded by American rebels during the War of Independence.

Rather than focusing on technical specifications or battlefield tactics, the show examines the lives of ordinary people for whom these firearms became part of everyday existence – from conscripted soldiers to civilians caught in the crossfire of history.

Why This Story Matters in 2026

The timing of the tour feels strikingly relevant. As mechanised warfare has returned to Europe and trenches reminiscent of the First World War reappear on the continent, debates about rearmament and military expansion have resurfaced in Britain. Against this backdrop, the fragile peace that allowed recent generations to grow up with almost no direct contact with firearms suddenly appears less certain.

Olusoga’s generation is among the first in centuries to have lived largely detached from the reality of widespread gun ownership and conscription. In the 20th century, millions were drafted into massive armies and handed weapons as a routine part of life. Today, strict laws and a smaller professional military mean most British people have never even seen a real firearm. A Gun Through Time reflects on that historic anomaly – and on the possibility that the era of distance from such weapons may be drawing to a close.

Each performance combines storytelling, rare historical objects, and a live Q&A, giving audiences the chance to engage directly with one of Britain’s most respected historians. The show transforms complex and often uncomfortable chapters of history into accessible, thought-provoking theatre.

2026 Tour Dates Announced

Dates have now been confirmed across the UK throughout April and May 2026, extending the run and offering more opportunities to experience this timely exploration of weapons, culture, and the human cost of conflict.

14 April                       Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells
16 April                       Charter Hall, Colchester
19 April                       Leeds Grand Theatre
20 April                       Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow
21 April                       Town Hall, Birmingham
22 April                       Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham
26 April                       Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
27 April                       G Live, Guildford
28 April                       Anvil Arts, Basingstoke
5 May                          Derngate Theatre, Northampton
7 May                          Richmond Theatre, Richmond
11 May                        Cadogan Hall, London
12 May                        The Alban Arena, St Albans
15 May                        Grand Opera House, York
18 May                        Hall for Cornwall, Truro
19 May                        New Theatre, Cardiff

Presented by Fane

Fane has rapidly established itself as a leading producer of high-profile literary and cultural events since 2017. With offices in London and Sydney, the company brings world-class speakers and performers to stages across Europe, Australia, North America, and New Zealand. Past highlights include appearances by Cher, Tom Hanks, Margaret Atwood, Dame Judi Dench, Trevor Noah, and Miriam Margolyes, among many others.

A Gun Through Time continues Fane’s tradition of creating live experiences that connect audiences with the most compelling voices and urgent conversations of our time.

Buy tickers for A Gun Through Time now:

www.fane.co.uk/david-olusoga

Find out more at www.fane.co.uk or @Faneproductions