Everyman Theatre: Rent
Tue 28 November – Sat 2 December
Based loosely on Puccini’s La Bohème, Jonathan Larson’s Rent follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, in the shadow of HIV/AIDS and against a back-drop of social disadvantage, homelessness and substance abuse.
Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, struggles to find his place in the world. His roommate Roger, an HIV-positive musician, wonders how he’ll leave his mark before he dies. Mimi and Angel look for true love as they face the harsh reality of life as HIV-positive young people, while the business-like Joanne seeks fidelity from her wild-child performance- artist girlfriend Maureen. The group’s dreams, losses, and love stories weave through the musical’s narration to paint a stunningly raw and emotional portrait of the gritty bohemian world of New York City in the late 1980s – early 1990s, in the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
In Jonathan Larson’s own words: “I am the kind of person that when I write my own work, I have something I need to say”.
With many of the themes remaining relevant today, Rent still has plenty to say.
The show coincides with World AIDS day.
Show Information
Performances: Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm (Saturday matinee at 2.30pm)
Prices: £20 / £18
Duration: 2 hr 20 min (excluding interval)
Content warning: Rent contains adult themes and strong language including references to substance abuse and addiction, suicide, discrimination and sexuality.
