The first production images from The Standard of Living are out, with Rory Kinnear as John Maynard Keynes and Natalia Osipova on pointe as Lydia Lopokova. James Graham's new play opens at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on Tuesday 29 September.
Natalia Osipova is up on pointe in red and feathers, and behind her a line of soldiers trudges across the back wall in silhouette. That is the first picture released from the stage of The Standard of Living, and it puts the whole play in one frame: a dancer, and the century she was dancing through.
James Graham's new play began previews at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on Monday 21 September. Nicholas Hytner directs the world premiere, opening night is Tuesday 29 September, and the engagement is a strict twelve weeks, closing on Saturday 12 December. The images are by Manuel Harlan.
The rest of the set fills in the company. Rory Kinnear plays John Maynard Keynes in shirtsleeves and a waistcoat, arms open mid-argument. Thomas Flynn is his friend and lover Duncan Grant, with Osipova's Lydia Lopokova folded into his shoulder. Laurie Kynaston is photographed as Keynes' economic rival Friedrich Hayek. Osipova, a Royal Ballet Principal, is making her West End debut.
The look belongs to Bob Crowley, who designed the set, and Jenny Beavan, who designed the costumes. The film running behind Osipova is the work of projection designer Luke Halls. James Cousins is movement director, Edward Watson is ballet consultant, Frank Moon wrote the score, and lighting and sound are by Bruno Poet and Carolyn Downing.
We ran the rehearsal pictures for the production earlier this month. The producers, Brian & Dayna Lee and Nicholas Hytner, have also set aside a block of £25 "Keynes Tickets" in the stalls and dress circle for under-30s, on top of the £25 seats released across the run.
The Standard of Living is booking at the Theatre Royal Haymarket until Saturday 12 December 2026.
