The Standard of Living
| The Standard of Living | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Original language | English |
| Written by | James Graham |
| Subject | John Maynard Keynes |
| Genre | Political drama |
| Premiere | |
| Date | 29 September 2026[1] |
| Place | Theatre Royal Haymarket |
| Directed by | Nicholas Hytner |
The Standard of Living is a play by James Graham, based on the life of the founding father of macroeconomics and Bloomsbury Group member John Maynard Keynes.[2][3][4][5]
Directed by Nicholas Hytner, the world premiere production of The Standard of Living is expected to open at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in September 2026.
Background
[edit]The Standard of Living was written by James Graham,[6] with direction by Nicholas Hytner.[7] The play is set between 1917 and 1946,[8] and revolves around the life of economist and core member of the Bloomsbury Group John Maynard Keynes.[9]
The original productions featured design by Bob Crowley,[10] costumes by Jenny Beaven,[11] lighting by Bruno Poet,[11] projections by Luke Halls,[11] compositions by Frank Moon[11] and sound design by Carolyn Downing.[11] Additional movement direction was provided by James Cousins,[11] with Edward Watson acting as a ballet consultant.[11]
Production
[edit]The Standard of Living began previews at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on 21 September 2026,[12] ahead of an official opening night on 29 September,[13] for a limited run until 12 December 2026.[13] Lead casting included Rory Kinnear as John Maynard Keynes,[14] Natalia Osipova as ballerina and Keynes wife[15] Lydia Lopokova[16] and Thomas Flynn as Duncan Grant.[12]
A typical London performance runs two hours and thirty minutes, including one interval.[17]
Cast and characters
[edit]| Character | World Premiere |
|---|---|
| 2026[12] | |
| John Maynard Keynes | Rory Kinnear |
| Lydia Lopokova | Natalia Osipova |
| Duncan Grant | Thomas Flynn |
| Friedrich Hayek | Laurie Kynaston |
| Lytton Strachey | Pip Carter |
| Dora Carrington | Agatha Enecio |
| Virginia Woolf | Naomi Frederick |
| Vanessa Bell | Claire Price |
| William Beveridge | George Taylor |
References
[edit]- ↑ "James Graham's The Standard of Living Will Make West End Premiere Starring Rory Kinnear". playbill.com. Playbill. 15 June 2026. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
- ↑ "James Graham: 'In dark, difficult times, you intervene'". observer.co.uk. The Observer. 19 September 2026. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
- ↑ "The gay guru of macroeconomics – and the Russian ballerina who unleashed his passion". telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph. 19 September 2026. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
- ↑ "Can a ballerina do a stomp? Natalia Osipova on making her fearsome, foul-mouthed acting debut". theguardian.com. The Guardian. 22 September 2026. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
- ↑ "The Guardian view on Keynes in the West End: James Graham's latest play captures the zeitgeist". theguardian.com. The Guardian. 22 September 2026. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
- ↑ "James Graham's new play The Standard of Living confirms West End cast". whatsonstage.com. WhatsOnStage.com. 6 August 2026. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
- ↑ "Rory Kinnear to Play John Maynard Keynes in James Graham's 'The Standard of Living,' With the Royal Ballet's Natalia Osipova Making Her West End Debut". variety.com. Variety. 15 June 2026. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
- ↑ "From Bloomsbury to Whitehall: new play reimagines life of John Maynard Keynes". theguardian.com. The Guardian. 15 June 2026. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
- ↑ "Sex! Economics! A Keynes play is coming! Here's what to say". thetimes.com. The Times. 15 June 2026. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
- ↑ "New James Graham play 'The Standard of Living' to open in the West End". londontheatre.co.uk. London Theatre. 15 June 2026. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Cast & Creatives". tandardoflivingplay.com. The Standard of Living. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Cast Complete for West End Premiere of James Graham's The Standard of Living, Starring Rory Kinnear". playbill.com. Playbill. 6 August 2026. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
- 1 2 "Natalia Osipova to Make West End Debut in James Graham's 'The Standard Of Living'". theartsshelf.com. The Arts Shelf. 15 June 2026. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
- ↑ "James Graham play starring Rory Kinnear as John Maynard Keynes to play West End". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. 15 June 2026. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
- ↑ "James Graham play The Standard of Living to have world premiere in the West End – with lead cast revealed". whatsonstage.com. WhatsOnStage.com. 15 June 2026. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
- ↑ "Royal Ballet principal to make West End debut in James Graham play". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. 6 August 2026. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
- ↑ "The Standard of Living". playbill.com. Playbill. Retrieved 23 September 2026.