Principal Casting Announced and Booking Extended for RENT

AT LONDON’S DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE

FROM 26 SEPTEMBER 2026

DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND

BOOKING NOW EXTENDED UNTIL 27 MARCH 2027

Chris Harper Productions and Sonia Friedman Productions in association with Hope Mill Theatre are delighted to announce principal casting for the new production of Jonathan Larson’s Tony Award® and Pulitzer Prize winning musical RENT, directed by Olivier Award winner Luke Sheppard.

Joining the previously announced Gaten Matarazzo as Mark, will be Travis Ross as Roger, Bella Brown as Mimi, Billy Nevers as Collins, Lazy Violet as Maureen, Olivier Award nominee Danielle Fiamanya as Joanne, Jeevan Braich as Angel and Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Benny. Further casting to be announced soon.

It was also announced today that due to popular demand, booking for the show has now been extended until Saturday 27 March 2027.

Celebrating 30 years since the musical premiered on Broadway, RENT will begin performances at the Duke of York’s Theatre (soon to be renamed The Tom Stoppard Theatre) on 26 September 2026 with an opening night on 8 October 2026.

Producers Chris Harper and Sonia Friedman said, "One of the greatest privileges of producing theatre is discovering and championing exceptional new talent, and that’s exactly what this extraordinary young company represents. This remarkable group of actors embodies everything that has made Jonathan Larson’s RENT so enduring: individuality, honesty, fearlessness and generosity of spirit.

Nearly thirty years after it first changed the landscape of musical theatre, RENT remains as vital, urgent and life-affirming as ever. Its story of love, friendship, community and resilience continues to speak powerfully to every new generation, which is why it felt so important that this production should be led by the voices, vitality and authenticity of the artists performing it today. We can’t wait for audiences to discover these exceptional performers and experience the thrilling chemistry they’ve created together as they honour Jonathan Larson’s extraordinary legacy."

Set in New York's East Village, RENT follows a group of young artists, musicians and friends, navigating love, ambition and creativity while trying to build lives on their own terms. Inspired by Puccini's La Bohème, this iconic musical captures the joy, uncertainty and resilience of a generation determined to make every moment count. Featuring an unforgettable score and a story that continues to resonate, RENT is a powerful celebration of community, connection and a call to live every minute as if it were your last. No day but today.

RENT has music, lyrics and book by Jonathan Larson. It is directed by Luke Sheppard with choreography by Tom Jackson Greaves. Set design is by David Woodhead, costume design by Gabriella Slade, lighting design by Howard Hudson, audio production and sound design by Paul Gatehouse, video design and cinematography by George Reeve and Nathan Amzi, make-up and hair design by Jackie Saundercock, UK Casting by Pearson Casting CSA, CDG, CDA and US Casting by Jim Carnahan CSA. The musical supervisor is Bill Sherman and the musical director and associate musical supervisor is Katy Richardson, the intimacy director is Asha Jennings-Grant, the associate director is Priya Patel Appleby and the dialect coach is Joe Trill.

This production of RENT will be produced in the West End by Chris Harper Productions, Sonia Friedman Productions, Winkler & Smalberg and Julie Larson in association with the Hope Mill Theatre.

RENT was originally produced on Broadway by Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Allan S. Gordon, and the New York Theatre Workshop.

www.rentthemusical.com