When the world fell apart, he imagined a new one. Olivier Award winner Rory Kinnear and Royal Ballet principal Natalia Osipova lead the world premiere of The Standard of Living, a blazing new play by James Graham, directed by Nicholas Hytner, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket for a strictly limited 12-week season from 21 September 2026.
This new play tells the astonishing story of the rebel economist and Bloomsbury Group member John Maynard Keynes. 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.
Rory Kinnear plays Keynes opposite Natalia Osipova - in her West End debut - as the ballerina Lydia Lopokova. Can you put a price on happiness, beauty and love? What is a good life? Book your tickets now.
Why it’s worth the watch
A starry world premiere pairing a leading actor with a ballet principal, from one of Britain’s top playwrights.
- James Graham and Nicholas Hytner. The acclaimed playwright and director team up for this world-premiere play.
- Rory Kinnear as Keynes. The Olivier Award winner leads as the rebel economist John Maynard Keynes.
- Natalia Osipova’s West End debut. The Royal Ballet principal plays dancer Lydia Lopokova, bringing real dance into the drama.
- Ideas, music and desire. The play blends debate about the good life with movement and romance.
