Rent is a Rock Opera, with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson . It charts the story of several young artists and musicians living in New York's Lower East Side under the shadow of AIDS. It is also a somewhat autobiographical work, as Larson incorporated many elements of his life into his show. Larson lived in New York for many years as a starving artist with an uncertain future. He sacrificed a life of stability for his art, and shared many of the same hopes and fears as his characters. Like his characters he endured poor living conditions, and some of these conditions (e.g. illegal wood-burning stove, bathtub in the middle of his kitchen, broken buzzer his guests had to call from the pay phone across the street and he would throw down the keys, as in "Rent") made their way into the play. Part of the motivation behind the storyline in which Maureen leaves Mark for a woman (Joanne) is based on the fact that Larson's own girlfriend left him for another woman. Our latest project is a version of Rent the musical! Rent hasn't been seen in the West End for a number of years, apart from a 'Remixed' version. Our production will feature the very best of the West End performing Rent in its original format - just as Jonathan Larson intended it! With Musical Direction from Alan Berry and Direction from Matthew Eames, it is going to be a night not to miss! A donation of proceed will be made to TheatreMAD. Formed by original founders and volunteers of West End Cares and Theatrecares, TheatreMAD is the theatre industry's new independent charity established to support those people facing hardship as a result of HIV, AIDS or other long-term conditions. TheatreMAD is a registered charity no. 1124014. Running time: 2hours 40mins including 20min interval.| 10 May 09 | Garrick Theatre West End, Greater London Performance Details => Venue archive |
