The Standard Of Living
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
Age Restrictions
Ages 12+.Performance Times
Now taking bookings for performances from Mon 21st September 2026 until Sat 12th December 2026.
Show times for each day are below.
Mon
7.00pm
Tue
7.00pm
Wed
7.00pm
Thu
7.00pm
Fri
7.30pm
Sat
2.30pm
7.30pm
Sun
-
Theatre Royal Haymarket Details
Bus routes: (Haymarket) 3, 6, 9, 12, 13, 15, 19, 23, 38, 53, 88, 139, 159
Night buses: (Haymarket) 6, 12, 23, 88, 139, 453, N8, N19, N38, N97, N3, N13, N15, N136, N159
Nearest rail: Charing Cross
Tube lines: Bakerloo, Piccadilly
Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus
Directions
from Piccadilly Circus :
(5mins) Go along Coventry Street and then take Haymarket on the right where the theatre will be approx. 200 metres along.
Car park: Leicester Square, Whitcomb Street (2mins)
In congestion zone?: Yes
Facilities at Theatre Royal Haymarket
Air conditioned
Bar
Disabled toilets
Infrared hearing loop
Toilets
Wheelchair accessible
Theatre Royal Haymarket Location
Please note: The location shown on the map is an approximate location of the theatre. In the majority of cases the theatre will be marked on the map so please make sure you locate the exact location yourself. If the theatre is not shown on the map please make sure you locate the correct road name and take account of the directions.
The Standard Of Living
Theatre Royal Haymarket, London
Running until: Sat 12th December 2026