Gaten Matarazzo, best known for his role as Dustin in Stranger Things, is set to make his West End debut this summer in a new London production of the classic musical Rent. The 23-year-old actor will play the central character Mark Cohen, an aspiring documentary filmmaker, in the 30th anniversary revival of Jonathan Larson's iconic show.
Long-Awaited West End Revival
This production marks the first West End revival of Rent in nearly 20 years. Jonathan Larson's musical, which transposes the tragic opera La Bohème to New York City during the peak of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, became an instant phenomenon upon its debut in 1996. The show's success was fueled in part by Larson's tragic death on the eve of its opening night. Rent arrived in the West End two years later and has been revived several times since, but the last major production was a low-key staging at The Other Palace a decade ago.
A New Chapter for Rent
The intervening years have seen the rise of Lin-Manuel Miranda, who has relentlessly championed Larson and his legacy. Miranda notably persuaded Netflix to finance a screen adaptation of Larson's other musical, Tick, Tick… BOOM!. Now, the time has come for a major West End revival, directed by Luke Sheppard, the musical theatre director of the moment known for Paddington, Starlight Express, and & Juliet. Sheppard's production is a reworking of a version that played at Manchester's Hope Mill Theatre during the pandemic era.
Star Casting
Matarazzo, despite his young age, is an accomplished musical theatre performer, having appeared in Sweeney Todd, Dear Evan Hansen, Godspell, and Parade. His casting as Mark Cohen brings heavyweight American talent to the production. All other casting details are yet to be announced, but this is a strong start for the revival.
Performance Details
Rent will play at the Duke of York's Theatre, with performances running from September 26, 2026, to February 13, 2027. This revival is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions.
For more London theatre news, including the best new shows to book for 2026 and the return of the city's big summer theatre ticket sale, stay tuned to our coverage.
