The world premiere of The Standard of Living, a new play by three-time Olivier Award winner James Graham, will open in the West End this autumn at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.
Directed by Nicholas Hytner, the production will star Rory Kinnear as John Maynard Keynes and will mark the West End debut of Royal Ballet Principal Natalia Osipova as Lydia Lopokova.
The production will run for a strictly limited 12 week season, with previews beginning on 21 September, an opening night on 29 September, and performances continuing until 12 December 2026.
Set design will be by Bob Crowley, with producers Brian and Dayna Lee teaming up once again with Nicholas Hytner to bring the new play to the stage.
The Standard of Living explores the life of one of the twentieth century’s most influential thinkers, tracing Keynes’ journey between political power in Whitehall and the radical Bloomsbury Group.
The play asks whether happiness, beauty and love can be measured, as economic collapse and social upheaval force Keynes to confront what truly defines a good life.
Brian and Dayna Lee said: “James has the exceptional ability to distill pivotal political, social and historical events into riveting and life-altering theatre, and what he has done with the story of John Maynard Keynes is no exception. We are delighted to be working with James and collaborating once again with the brilliant Nicholas Hytner to bring this extraordinary piece of bold original writing direct to the West End and share the little known story of the man who made it possible for theatre and art of all kinds to flourish in this country.”
James Graham commented: “The extraordinary life of one of the 20th Century’s most impactful and yet – today – rarely talked about figures crosses so many of my favourite worlds to depict: politics, economics, the arts, diplomacy. I’m in playwrighting heaven. Keynes was a humble, radical world-builder, and I’m grateful to bring that world to theatrical life with Nicholas Hytner, a director I owe so much to, and to be supported into bringing a new play straight into the West End, when newness is so needed ”
Nicholas Hytner commented: “I’ve followed James Graham’s brilliant career with admiration and excitement since I commissioned his break-out hit ’This House’ for the National Theatre in 2012. This wonderful play presses all my buttons so I couldn’t be happier to resume our collaboration, and to work again with the great Rory Kinnear, and to bring the astonishing Natalia Osipova to the West End.”
Rory Kinnear commented: “It is a huge privilege to delve into the fascinating life and legacy of John Maynard Keynes: the pioneering thinker and passionate advocate for life, love and the arts whose hunger for a better life, changed the world. Armed with James’s incredible script and reunited with the ever brilliant Nicholas Hytner, I can’t wait to work with this extraordinary company to bring Keynes’ story to life in the West End.”
Natalia Osipova commented: “It’s a fantastic honour to be making my West End debut in The Standard of Living with such an incredible line-up of creatives and performers. Lydia Lopokova was a pivotal figure in ballet history, bridging Diaghilev’s legendary Ballets Russes and the development of British ballet last century, and I can’t wait to explore her character.”
Tickets are now on sale, with 25% of all tickets priced at £25 and a dedicated allocation of “Keynes Tickets” available for under 30s throughout the run.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
