Theatre Royal Haymarket

8 Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4HT GB

Quick Facts
Largest Ticket Inventory in the West End
Real time seat availability
Choose your seats
Your booking is processed directly into the box office reservation system

The Standard of Living Tickets

A fascinating new play about the life and legacy of John Maynard Keynes.

4.6 34 reviews from 34 verified reviews

Booking until: Saturday, 12 December 2026
Running time: 2hr 30min. Incl. 1 interval

Tickets from £150.00

Book tickets

Tickets refunded if your event is cancelled
Real time seat availability
Largest ticket inventory in the West End
Secure online booking

Information
Cheap Tickets
Reviews
News

The Standard of Living in London

Witness the fascinating life, career, and lasting impact of the radical economist John Maynard Keynes, played by Rory Kinnear, as he searches for the key to a better life as Britain teeters on the edge of chaos. Dear England's James Graham brings Keynes' remarkable story to life with his signature cleverness and thoughtfulness that blends the personal with the political.

Why you should watch The Standard of Living

Radical economist Keynes had a fascinating private life and career, which are rarely explored, making this a thrilling chance to get an insight into one of the greatest minds of his time.
James Graham (Punch, Quiz, Ink) is one of Britain's most prolific and insightful dramatists, known for his ability to blend history, economics, and politics with powerful storytelling, and we can't wait to see his take on Keynes' remarkable life.
The Standard of Living features a talented cast, including Olivier Award winner Rory Kinnear, who will bring the brilliant and complex Keynes to life onstage.

What is The Standard of Living about?

The Standard of Living is a brand new play by three-time Olivier Award winner James Graham that explores the life, legacy, and revolutionary ideas of John Maynard Keynes, the British economist and founder of Keynesian economics. Keynes became the singular driving force behind arts funding in Britain and built a new and fairer financial model, which ultimately helped reshape the Western World in the aftermath of the First World War. Witness the fascinating details of Keynes' extraordinary life, from his love affair with the artist Duncan Grant to his friendship to writer Virginia Woolf, his place among both the corridors of power in Whitehall and the radical circle of writers and artists of the Bloomsbury Group. Keynes searches for the answer of what makes a good life as markets crash, old systems crumble, and Britain teeters on the edge of chaos.

The Standard of Living is directed by multi-award winner Nicholas Hytner (The History Boys, One Man, Two Guvnors, Giant) and features set design by Olivier Award winner Bob Crowley (Giant, The Inheritance, An American in Paris). Olivier Award winner Rory Kinnear (Hamlet, Skyfall, The Diplomat) stars as Keynes, while Royal Ballet Principal Natalia Osipova makes her West End debut as the celebrated ballet dancer Lydia Lopokova, who fell in love with and married Keynes. Filled with music and dance, desire and debate, The Standard of Living is thrilling, funny, and moving in its unflinching portrait of one of the greatest minds of his time. This powerful piece of drama asks the question: Can art, love and human connection reshape the future before it's too late? Or is the world too addicted to wealth and power to change?

Don't miss the world premiere of this bold new play that paints an intimate portrait of one of the most influential economists of all time.

The Standard of Living Last Minute Tickets

today 26th Oct 2026 7:00pm from £198.00

tomorrow 27th Oct 2026 7:00pm from £255.00

Wednesday 28th Oct 2026 7:00pm from £255.00

Thursday 29th Oct 2026 2:30pm from £212.00 7:30pm from £210.00

Friday 30th Oct 2026 7:30pm from £181.00

Saturday 31st Oct 2026 2:30pm from £181.00 7:30pm from £181.00

The Standard of Living Official Theatre Tickets

Our central reservation system connects you directly to the Theatre Royal Haymarket box office system. We provide live & full availability for The Standard of Living tickets, from VIP and premium, to top price and discount tickets, helping you choose the perfect tickets for your budget. Pick your seats from our interactive seating plan and get your theatre tickets emailed to you instantly after your booking. Simply present your e-tickets at the door on the day and experience what London & the West End have best to offer: the magic of theatre. Buying tickets for The Standard of Living has never been easier.

The Standard of Living Ticket Information

Booking until:

Saturday, 12 December 2026
Running time:

2hr 30min. Incl. 1 interval
Age restrictions
Ages 12+.
Cancellations & Refunds
Once booked, tickets to The Standard of Living are usually non exchangeable and non refundable as per our terms & conditions. In practice, however, we will do our best to accommodate your request as long as we are notified at least 48 hours before the performance. Please contact us for more information.

The Standard of Living cheap tickets

We have a great selection of cheap The Standard of Living tickets. We can help you save up to 70% on The Standard of Living tickets! If you're looking for discount theatre tickets have a look below for our latest offers for The Standard of Living at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

There are no special offers available at the moment but we still have great ticket prices for The Standard of Living at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

The Standard of Living reviews

4.6 out of 5 34 reviews

What to expect:

Acting
Music
Costumes
Story
Lighting

Recommended for:
Theatregoers (94%)

Latest customer reviews

All reviews are from customers who have been invited to leave a review just after seeing The Standard of Living.

verified

Boring, impenetrable. NOT ONE SECOND

If you don’t know about Keynes, this might seem boring if you look him up. Honestly this was a brilliant, captivating production of key moments of our history and the man that changed it. The acting, especially by Rory Kinnear, was outstanding and the ovation received at the end was hugely deserved.

L Reviewed on 24 October 2026 by Lesley-jane
United Kingdom

verified

Brilliant play, great cast

This is the best play I’ve seen for a very long time The story was fascinating and so real. Rory Kinear really portrayed a man of his time and he truly deserves an award. A great example of what a visit to the theatre should be.My ticket was an outrageous price but I’m glad I went.

L Reviewed on 23 October 2026 by Lynden
United Kingdom

verified

Thought provoking

Clever and instructive as well as beautiful. Just what Keynes might have aimed for A bit hard to hear some parts the clipped cut glass English muffles at the end of a sentence

A Reviewed on 22 October 2026 by Alice
United Kingdom

verified

Encouraging to see an economist with a heart in these dismal times.

J Reviewed on 22 October 2026 by Jo-ann
Canada

verified

Well constructed and well delivered.

This was a fascinationing view on the life of Keynes. Focusing more on his private life and how his social group may have influenced his thinking and actions. The timeline was portrayed through the excellent scenery and dialogue. It was entertaining, at times quite moving and often funny. The acting was of a high quality and the characters were believable throughout. After 50 plus years of neo classical economic thinking prevailing within UK government policy the time is ripe to consider alternative approaches. This play may be one factor to challenge people's thinking.

J Reviewed on 22 October 2026 by Jonathan
United Kingdom

verified

Important historic story very relevant to today

V Reviewed on 21 October 2026 by Vivien
United Kingdom

verified

Terrific play

Imaginative approach to economics, wonderfully conceptualised and written. Stellar acting. Stunning stage. Couldn’t have enjoyed it more.

A Reviewed on 20 October 2026 by Anna
New Zealand

verified

informatve imaginative intelligent

As well as being a brilliant play, well written and acted, this was the liveliest most imaginative production I have ever seen of any play

E Reviewed on 11 October 2026 by Eileen
United Kingdom

verified

absorbing throughout, sets marvellous

Captures the story of Maynard Keynes brilliantly as to his economic thoughts and aspirations as well as his lifestyle

R Reviewed on 11 October 2026 by Raymond
United Kingdom

verified

Sadly, not a great play

It tried to cram a great deal into a short time and the characters lacked depth

S Reviewed on 11 October 2026 by Simon
United Kingdom

verified

Interesting take on the life of an exceptional man

Liked the play. Was up in the gods, so dialogue was not as audible as I’d have liked. I’m buying the script so I can read what I’ve missed!

N Reviewed on 09 October 2026 by Nina
United States Of America

verified

Creative and colourful

Excellent and historically accurate.

G Reviewed on 09 October 2026 by Gaurang P
United Kingdom

verified

Illuminating and affectionate

A well written and acted exposition of the life of Keynes, his philosophy and passions and the influences from his private life which shaped him. A convincing and warm performance from Rory Kinnear bringing a famous figure to life and illustrating the significant impact Keynes had in 20th century Britain. Well done to James Graham for making it entertaining rather than an open university lecture.

K Reviewed on 06 October 2026 by Kathryn
United Kingdom

verified

Excellent

P Reviewed on 04 October 2026 by Patrick
United Kingdom

verified

Terrific

B Reviewed on 01 October 2026 by Bernadette
United Kingdom

verified

Enlightening!

B Reviewed on 28 September 2026 by Barbara
United Kingdom

verified

Excellent show

Really enjoyed this play. Rory Kinnear is excellent.

D Reviewed on 28 September 2026 by Danuta
United Kingdom

verified

Thought provoking, delightful and inspiring!

E Reviewed on 28 September 2026 by Emma Sue
United Kingdom

verified

Fantastic play and acting. A must see

K Reviewed on 26 September 2026 by Katrina
Luxembourg

verified

Exceptional

The script made a very dry subject interesting and amusing. The acting by the 2 leads was very good as was the dancing and using of the Firebird music.

N Reviewed on 26 September 2026 by Nigel
United Kingdom

verified

Natalia Osipova is a godess

J Reviewed on 25 September 2026 by John
United Kingdom

verified

Boring without creating strong contrasts with the dance.

B Reviewed on 25 September 2026 by Birgit
Denmark

verified

Fascinating and funny

Great bit of history and very exciting to see Natalia Osipova make her acting debut. Although watching her as a ballerina she always managed to act out the ballet. Im kern to find a play about the Bloomsbury Set now

S Reviewed on 23 September 2026 by Sheenagh Mary
United Kingdom

verified

Interesting story, which is timely for the times we find ourselves in. Cast are excellent.

D Reviewed on 22 September 2026 by David
United States Of America

verified

Outstanding visually arresting stage production

The stage management was delightfully original, creative and engaging using photography, fine art and ballet to portray the context of Keynes' life and his influence on the world. Rory Kinnear's performance was no less than brilliant. As were many others. I am not one for standing ovations but this really deserved it.

W Reviewed on 22 September 2026 by Wendy
New Zealand