The Standard of Living
Theatre Royal Haymarket
- Opens: Monday, 21 September 2026 -
Booking until: Saturday, 12 December 2026
The Standard of Living description
Can you put a price on happiness, beauty and love?
A brand new world-premiere play from the Olivier Award-winning playwright, James Graham (Punch, Dear England, Labour of Love) explodes into the West End for a strictly limited 12-week run.
Directed by multi award-winner Nicholas Hytner (The History Boys, One Man, Two Guvnors, Giant) and starring Olivier Award winner Rory Kinnear (Skyfall, The Diplomat) and Royal Ballet principal Natalia Osipova in her West End debut, this blazing new play tells the astonishing story of rebel economist and member of the Bloomsbury Group, John Maynard Keynes.
Husband to ballerina Lydia Lopokova. Lover to Duncan Grant. Friend to Virginia Woolf. Keynes moves between the corridors of power in Whitehall and the intoxicating freedom of a radical circle of artists, writers and lovers - all determined to live differently.
But as markets crash, old systems crumble and Britain teeters on the edge of chaos, one question begins to consume him:
What is a good life?
Alive with music, dance, desire and debate, The Standard of Living is a thrilling, funny and deeply moving portrait of a man who dared to imagine something better.
Opening at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 21 September for a strictly limited 12-week season.
Natalia Osipova will not be appearing at these performances
- Friday 16th October 7.30pm
- Wednesday 21st October 7.00pm
- Thursday 22nd October 2.30pm & 7.30pm
- Monday 26th October 7.00pm
- Wednesday 4th November 7.00pm
- Thursday 5th November 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Starring:
Rory Kinnear, Natalia Osipova
Playing at Theatre Royal Haymarket
Age restrictions
Ages 12+.