Rent review – Jonathan Larson’s New York bohos move into the West End and unpack their passions

Tom Stoppard theatre, London Stranger Things’ Gaten Matarazzo leads the grief-stricken 90s musical about friends living under the threat of Aids Is Rent one of the musical greats? It’s a forever fan favourite – this new production extended its run even before the official opening – and its origin story holds a special place in theatre-kid hearts.

Jonathan Larson , Rent’s creator, died just before the off-Broadway premiere in 1996, aged 35 – a poignant echo of its raggle-taggle bohemians in New York, living fast and fearing death will come before their time.

This production is developed by director Luke Sheppard ( Paddington: The Musical ) from his version at Manchester’s Hope Mill theatre .

With onstage seating circling the space, Sheppard cradles the piece in community, knitting together the story’s hopeful vagabonds.

Actors watch between scenes, harmonising and dancing in their chairs.

The cast even form something close to a prayer circle for the imperishable Seasons of Love.

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