RENT: Book Tickets Now

See the 30th anniversary production of RENT at the Tom Stoppard Theatre on St Martin's Lane, a short walk from Leicester Square.

RENT

Highlights

See Gaten Matarazzo of Stranger Things star as Mark in his West End debut.

Enjoy a bold new production directed by Luke Sheppard, whose credits include & Juliet and Paddington The Musical.

Follow a group of young artists, musicians and friends in New York’s East Village as they navigate love, ambition and creativity.

Hear an unforgettable score from a musical inspired by Puccini’s La Bohème.

Good to Know About RENT

The show runs about 2 hours 45 minutes: That includes an interval.

Recommended for ages 14 and over: The production deals with mature themes throughout.

Content warnings cover a lot of ground: The show deals with HIV/AIDS, bereavement, drug use, suicide, sex and sex work, and features strong language, smoking, haze and strobe lighting.

Some of the audience sit on stage: The cast perform on a revolving stage close to the audience, with the six-piece band on a gantry above.

About RENT

RENT follows a year in the lives of a group of friends in New York's East Village, all broke and all trying to make art. Filmmaker Mark and musician Roger share a freezing loft and owe rent to their old friend Benny, who is now their landlord. Roger, who is HIV-positive, falls for his neighbour Mimi. Philosophy teacher Tom Collins meets street drummer Angel, and Mark's ex Maureen is now with lawyer Joanne. Over twelve months they live through poverty, addiction and the AIDS crisis, leaning on each other to get by.

Jonathan Larson wrote the book, music and lyrics. Luke Sheppard directs, with choreography by Tom Jackson Greaves, set design by David Woodhead and costumes by Gabriella Slade.
Gaten Matarazzo makes his West End debut as Mark, with Travis Ross as Roger, Alexa Lopez as Mimi, Billy Nevers as Collins, Lazy Violet as Maureen, Danielle Fiamanya as Joanne, Jeevan Braich as Angel and Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Benny.

Interesting Facts About RENT

RENT is loosely based on Puccini's opera La bohème, with 1840s Paris swapped for New York's East Village.

Jonathan Larson died suddenly at the age of 35 on 25 January 1996, the day the show was due to begin previews Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop.

The musical won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and four Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

The original Broadway production ran for 12 years at the Nederlander Theatre.

RENT had its West End premiere in 1998 at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

The London run opened on 8 October 2026, 30 years after the show premiered on Broadway, and is one of the first productions at the newly renamed Tom Stoppard Theatre.

Julie Larson, Jonathan Larson's sister, is one of the West End producers, alongside Chris Harper Productions and Sonia Friedman Productions.

RENT - Highlights in Pictures

Tom Stoppard Theatre

104 St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4BG, a short walk from Leicester Square and Charing Cross

Around 640 seats across the Stalls, Royal Circle and Upper Circle

Designed by Walter Emden and opened on 10 September 1892 as the Trafalgar Square Theatre; it became the Duke of York's in 1895 and was renamed in July 2026 after playwright Sir Tom Stoppard, who died in November 2025

J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan had its first performance here in 1904; the theatre is owned by ATG Entertainment

Getting There

By Tube
By Bus
By Car

By Tube

Leicester Square, on the Northern and Piccadilly lines, is the closest station and only a few minutes' walk away.

Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines, plus National Rail) is also close, and Piccadilly Circus is about a 5-minute walk through Leicester Square.

Tom Stoppard Theatre - Facilities and Accessibility

The entrance is level with the street, and the box office, foyer bar and accessible toilet are all on that floor. The Royal Circle is also level with the foyer. The Stalls and Upper Circle are each around two dozen steps away, and there is no public lift.

The theatre's standard layout has two wheelchair spaces in the Royal Circle, each with a companion seat, plus transfer seats. Because the auditorium has been reconfigured for RENT, confirm your seating with the access line on 0333 009 5399 when you book.
An infrared hearing system covers the auditorium, with both loop and conventional headsets available.
Captioned performances are provided in association with Stagetext.

FAQs about RENT at Tom Stoppard Theatre

What is RENT about?

It follows a year in the lives of young artists and friends in New York's East Village as they deal with poverty, love, addiction and the AIDS crisis.

How long is RENT?

About 2 hours 45 minutes, including an interval.

What age guidance applies to RENT?

Recommended for ages 14 and over.

Are there content warnings for RENT?

Yes. The show deals with HIV/AIDS, bereavement, drug use, suicide, sex and sex work, and includes strong language, smoking, haze and strobe lighting.

Who is in the cast?

Gaten Matarazzo plays Mark, with Travis Ross as Roger, Alexa Lopez as Mimi, Billy Nevers as Collins, Lazy Violet as Maureen, Danielle Fiamanya as Joanne, Jeevan Braich as Angel and Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Benny.

What are the performance times?

Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, with matinees at 2.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

How long is RENT playing in London?

It is currently booking until 29 May 2027.

Is the Tom Stoppard Theatre the same as the Duke of York's Theatre?

Yes. The Duke of York's Theatre on St Martin's Lane was renamed the Tom Stoppard Theatre in July 2026.

Is the Tom Stoppard Theatre wheelchair accessible?

There is level access from the street to the foyer and Royal Circle, where wheelchair spaces are normally located. Call the access line on 0333 009 5399 to confirm seating for this production.

What is the nearest tube station to the Tom Stoppard Theatre?

Leicester Square, on the Northern and Piccadilly lines.

Which bus routes serve the theatre?

Routes 24, 29 and 176 stop at Leicester Square.

Is there parking near the Tom Stoppard Theatre?

The theatre is inside the Congestion Charge zone and the ULEZ. Q-Park gives ATG customers 15% off pre-booked parking, and NCP has a car park on St Martin's Lane.