New James Graham play 'The Standard of Living' to open in the West End

James Graham, author of Punch and Dear England, now turns his attention to the life of post-war economist John Maynard Keynes.

Summary

• New James Graham play The Standard of Living will premiere in the West End this autumn
• The play centres on radical economist John Maynard Keynes
• Nicholas Hytner directs the Theatre Royal Haymarket production
• It stars Rory Kinnear and Royal Ballet principal Natalia Osipova

James Graham will bring a new play about post-war economist John Maynard Keynes to the West End this autumn. Performances will run at Theatre Royal Haymarket from 21 September to 12 December.

Olivier Award-winning stage and screen star Rory Kinnear (Hamlet, Skyfall) plays Keynes, and Royal Ballet principal Natalia Osipova will make her West End debut as Lydia Lopokova, the leading Russian dancer who fell in love with the radical economist.

This exciting world premiere will be directed by multi-award-winner Nicholas Hytner (Giant, The History Boys, One Man, Two Guvnors), and feature set design by Olivier Award winner Bob Crowley (Giant, An American in Paris, The Inheritance).

Named The Standard of Living, the play documents the life of influential post-war economist John Maynard Keynes, who is considered the founder of modern economics. He was also the visionary architect behind the Arts Council. The show follows him through the corridors of power in Whitehall and explores his radical circle of artists and lovers. But he becomes consumed by one big question: what is a good life?

Graham's other award-winning work for the stage includes Punch, This House, and Dear England, the latter recently adapted into a BBC series. His play Ink is also being adapted for screen, and his acclaimed TV work includes Sherwood and Quiz.

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.”

Kinnear commented: “It is a huge privilege to delve into the fascinating life and legacy of John Maynard Keynes: the pioneering thinker and passionate advocate for life, love and the arts whose hunger for a better life, changed the world. Armed with James's incredible script and reunited with the ever brilliant Nicholas Hytner, I can't wait to work with this extraordinary company to bring Keynes' story to life in the West End.”

Osipova said: “It’s a fantastic honour to be making my West End debut in The Standard of Living with such an incredible line-up of creatives and performers. Lydia Lopokova was a pivotal figure in ballet history, bridging Diaghilev’s legendary Ballets Russes and the development of British ballet last century, and I can’t wait to explore her character.”

Check back for The Standard of Living tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Rory Kinnear and Natalia Ospiova (Photos courtesy of the production)