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The Standard of Living by James Graham announces full West End cast
The show has its world premiere at the Theatre Royal Haymarket this autumn
The Standard of Living has revealed the full cast heading the West End stage in the show’s world premiere this autumn. Written by James Graham and directed by Nicholas Hytner, the shows will run for a limited 12-week engagement at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 21 September to 12 December this year.
The new play follows economist and Bloomsbury Group member John Maynard Keynes through post-war Britain as he balances government and is slowly consumed by one big question: what is a good life?
Already announced are Rory Kinner as Keynes, opposite Royal Ballet principal dancer Natalia Osipova making her West End debut as Russian ballerina Lydia Lopokova, who becomes Keynes’ wife.
Joining them are Thomas Flynn as Duncan Grant, Laurie Kynaston as Friedrich Hayek, Pip Carter as Lytton Strachey, Agatha Enecio as Dora Carrington, Naomi Frederick as Virginia Woolf, Claire Price as Vanessa Bell, and George Taylor as William Beveridge.
The ensemble includes Christopher Akrill, Luke Cinque-White Dannie Norman, Xolisweh Ana Richards and Ben Warwick.
The show features set design by Bob Crowley, costume design by Jenny Beavan, movement direction by James Cousins, compositions by Frank Moon, ballet consultation by Edward Watson, lighting design by Bruno Poet, sound design by Carolyn Downing, projection design by Luke Halls, casting direction by Robert Sterne, props supervision by Lily Mollgaard, costume supervision by Poppy Halls, vocal coaching by Jeanette Nelson and assistant direction by Anastasia Bunce.
Graham’s previous successes include This House, six-time Tony-nominated Robert Murdoch biopic Ink, the Olivier-nominated Best of Enemies, and Olivier-winning plays Dear England and Punch.
On the inspiration behind The Standard of Living, Graham said: “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.”
How to get tickets for The Standard of Living
Tickets for The Standard of Living at the Theatre Royal Haymarket are on sale now. The production is booking from 21 September to 12 December 2026. Find tickets here.
