James Graham’s new play The Standard of Living confirms West End cast

James Graham’s new play The Standard of Living will receive its world premiere in the West End this autumn, and casting has been confirmed.

The play explores the life of John Maynard Keynes, the influential economist, member of the Bloomsbury Group and advocate for public arts funding whose ideas helped shape the post-war world.

Directed by Nicholas Hytner, the production will run for a limited 12-week engagement at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 21 September to 12 December 2026.

Earlier this year, Graham received the special WhatsOnStage Award for Services to UK Theatre.

As already revealed, Rory Kinnear will lead the cast as Keynes, with Royal Ballet principal dancer Natalia Osipova making her West End debut as Russian ballerina and Keynes’ spouse Lydia Lopokova.

Joining them are Thomas Flynn as Keynes’ friend and lover Duncan Grant, Laurie Kynaston as Keynes’ economic rival Friedrich Hayek, Pip Carter as writer and critic Lytton Strachey, Agatha Enecio as Bloomsbury group artist Dora Carrington, Naomi Frederick as leading writer Virginia Woolf, Claire Price as designer and Woolf’s sister, Vanessa Bell, and George Taylor as economist and father of the Welfare State, William Beveridge.

The ensemble includes Christopher Akrill, Luke Cinque-White Dannie Norman, Xolisweh Ana Richards and Ben Warwick.

Graham explained the inspiration for the play: “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.”

Joining Hytner on the creative team are set designer Bob Crowley and costume designer Jenny Beavan. The movement director is James Cousins, the composer is Frank Moon and the ballet consultant is Edward Watson. The lighting designer is Bruno Poet, the sound designer is Carolyn Downing, the projection designer is Luke Halls, the casting director is Robert Sterne, the props supervisor is Lily Mollgaard, the costume supervisor is Poppy Halls, the vocal coach is Jeanette Nelson and the assistant director is Anastasia Bunce.

Graham has been placing key economists on stage over the last year, with Adam Smith portrayed by Brian Cox in Scotland’s world premiere Make It Happen last summer.

Twenty-five per cent of tickets for the production will be priced at £25. The producers have also announced a £25 “Keynes Tickets” scheme for under-30s throughout the run.

It is being produced by Brian and Dayna Lee, alongside Hytner, following their collaboration on Giant in the West End and on Broadway, with Len Blavatnik and Danny Cohen for Access Entertainment and Ramin Sabi. Mark Rubinstein is executive producer and general management is by Short Street Productions Ltd.