West End Revival of Rent Completes Principal Cast Ahead of September Previews

The upcoming West End revival of Rent, led by Gaten Matarazzo in his West End debut, has completed its principal cast ahead of its autumn opening at London’s Duke of York’s Theatre.

Matarazzo, previously announced to play Mark in the new 30th anniversary staging of Jonathan Larson’s landmark musical, will be joined by Travis Ross as Roger, Bella Brown as Mimi and Billy Nevers as Collins. The cast will also feature Lazy Violet as Maureen, Danielle Fiamanya as Joanne, Jeevan Braich as Angel and Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Benny.

Ross has appeared in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, while Brown’s credits include Into the Woods. Nevers has appeared in Jesus Christ Superstar, with Lazy Violet known for Six, Fiamanya for Brigadoon, Braich for Starlight Express and Valdes for The Lightning Thief. Further casting is expected to be announced soon.

The production will begin previews on September 26 at the Duke of York’s Theatre, which is set to be renamed the Tom Stoppard Theatre. Opening night is scheduled for October 8. Producers have also confirmed a six week extension to the run, with performances now continuing through March 27, 2027.

Matarazzo’s appearance in Rent marks his first West End role, following his Broadway turn in the 2023 revival of Sweeney Todd. In Rent, he takes on the role of Mark Cohen, the aspiring filmmaker at the center of Larson’s story of young artists navigating love, friendship, poverty and loss in New York City.

Producers Chris Harper and Sonia Friedman praised the newly announced company in a joint statement.

“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,” they said. “This remarkable group of actors embodies everything that has made Jonathan Larson’s Rent so enduring: individuality, honesty, fearlessness and generosity of spirit.”

The revival will be directed by Luke Sheppard, with choreography by Tom Jackson Greaves. The creative team also includes David Woodhead on set design, Gabriella Slade on costume design, Howard Hudson on lighting design, Paul Gatehouse on audio production and sound design, George Reeve and Nathan Amzi on video design and cinematography, and Jackie Saundercock on makeup and hair design.

The production is presented by Chris Harper Productions and Sonia Friedman Productions. Winkler and Smalberg, along with Julie Larson, will co produce, with Hope Mill Theatre serving as associate producer.

First seen in the 1990s, Rent became one of the defining musicals of its generation, bringing Larson’s rock infused score and portrait of bohemian life to international audiences. The new West End staging will arrive three decades after the show first reshaped contemporary musical theatre.

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