The writers of Spring Awakening turn to Rome's most notorious emperor, with Andrew Barth Feldman in the title role, in a world premiere at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 2 November. Here is everything you need to know before you book.
A new musical from the team behind Spring Awakening would be an event anywhere; that it is having its world premiere at Southwark Playhouse Elephant rather than on Broadway, makes Nero one of the more intriguing propositions of the autumn. It runs from Monday 2 November to Saturday 5 December 2026, and it now carries an added weight: its composer, Duncan Sheik, died in September, weeks before the first performance.
Who is starring in Nero?
Andrew Barth Feldman plays the emperor. He made his Broadway debut in the title role of Dear Evan Hansen, and starred opposite Jennifer Lawrence in the film No Hard Feelings. Sally Dexter plays Agrippina, Nero's mother, and Stephen Carlile is Seneca, his tutor and adviser.
Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky plays Poppea, Nabi Brown is Octavia, Timo Tatzber is Britannicus, Waylon Jacobs is Tigellinus and Liam Wrate is Narcissus. The ensemble is completed by Izzy Formby-Jackson, Jodie Knight, Rory Maguire, Zach Parkin and Amy Punter, several of whom also cover principal roles.
What is Nero about?
History remembers Nero as a tyrant. The musical begins earlier, with a young man who wanted to be an artist and a performer, and who found himself heir to an empire he had not asked for. As his ambitions collide with his family, his loves and the politics of the court, his search for who he is turns into something much darker, and the legend takes shape. The production makes much of the line between celebrity and political power, which is where its claim to be a story for now rather than for antiquity lies.
Southwark Playhouse recommends it for ages 15 and over. The content guidance is extensive, covering strong language, blood, nudity and violence, depictions of incest, murder, self-harm and suicide, and references to sexual assault, and the production uses flashing lights and loud noises.
Who is behind the production?
The book and lyrics are by Steven Sater and the music by Sheik, the partnership whose Spring Awakening won eight Tony Awards in 2007, including Best Musical, and four Laurence Olivier Awards in London. We marked Sheik's death at the time.
Lindsay Posner directs, with choreography by James Cousins, design by Georgia Lowe, lighting by Robbie Butler and sound by Tony Gayle. Phil Bateman is musical supervisor, vocal arranger and co-orchestrator, and Ben McQuigg is musical director and co-orchestrator. Wigs, hair and make-up are by Dominique Hamilton and casting is by Harry Blumenau. Park Myung-Sung and Seensee Company present the production.
When and where can I see it?
The run begins on Monday 2 November 2026 and ends on Saturday 5 December 2026, in the Main Space at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, 1 Dante Place, close to Elephant and Castle. Evening performances are at 7pm from Monday to Saturday, with 2.30pm matinees on Thursdays and Saturdays. The running time is about 2 hours and 20 minutes including an interval, and the theatre operates a no-latecomers policy, so it is worth arriving early. There is a captioned performance on Tuesday 24 November at 7pm.
Booking details for Nero are on our show page.
What else should I book if I like it?
History reimagined as pop is one of the West End's surest formulas. SIX hands the wives of Henry VIII the microphone, and Hamilton tells the story of a founding father in hip-hop.
For ancient myth with a modern score, Hadestown at the Lyric Theatre retells Orpheus and Eurydice to a folk and jazz score by Anaïs Mitchell.
