The Jonathan Larson Project by Jennifer Ashley Tepper, Music & Lyrics by Jonathan Larson, Southwark Playhouse, The Large, London SE1 | until 22 August 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Russell

Photo credit: Danny Kaan

The Jonathan Larson Project

by Jennifer Ashley Tepper

Music & Lyrics by Jonathan Larson

Southwark Playhouse, The Large, 77 Newington Causeway, London SE1 | until 22 August 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Russell

“Unmissable, electrifying, dazzlingly performed.”

A five-star cast of five set the theatre aflame – their energy is literally combustible – in this tribute to the composer of Rent who died thirty years ago as the show opened on Broadway. The show itself has flaws – director John Simpkins uses the stage setting badly for an audience seated on three sides – but nothing can take away from the performances. Not all the songs, which come from musicals he never completed, from revues performed elsewhere or were cut from Rent, are good - some might work in Greenwich Village like Falling Apart, but not in Southwark - but they add up to a terrific, exhilarating show which for once justifies being called unmissable. The production is apparently set in the chaos of Larson's apartment, so the stage is cluttered with a piano, chairs, a table and things to trip over, while the back wall, were this a traditional proscenium setup, has a screen on which information and images of Larson are projected. The trouble is the screen is not visible to a large section of the audience which means that the point of some of the songs gets lost. The large band also is perched on two platforms on either side of the screen which again does not help. But while it could have been a better production there remains the fact that the material is, while variable in quality, worth being resurrected and there are also those five actors who seize their chances brilliantly. If a song justifies it they stop the show – Hosing the Furniture which won him a Stephen Sondheim grant is one of them – if not they give it their all. As a show Rent has its problems – that tragic death did contribute in part to its success – but what these songs from elsewhere show, is that Larson would have gone on to create more works of splendour had he lived. As a tribute show it is pretty well perfect in content and performance if not in staging. There is a wildfire raging on stage in the Large.

Cast

Max Harwood, Imelda Warren, Marcus Collins, Natalia Kassanga,Michael Mather.

Standbys – Edward Flynn Haddon, Georgie Butler.

Creatives

Director – John Simpkins

Music Director – Livi van Warmelo

Movement Director – Taylor Walker

Set Designer – Nate Bertone

Costume Designer – Jean Gray

Sound Designer – Alistair Penman

Lighting Designer Sam Biondolillo

Video Designer – Alex Basco Koch