Gaten Matarazzo to star in RENT revival in the West End

More details of a new West End production of RENT have been revealed, with the highly anticipated return of Jonathan Larson’s musical taking to the Duke of York’s Theatre in September. It plays as part of the show’s 30th anniversary.

Gaten Matarazzo, known for his role in the Stranger Things franchise, will play the role of Mark. His character is central to the musical’s plot, serving as the narrator and documenting the lives of his friends and fellow artists during the AIDS crisis. Gaten’s other theatre credits include Les Miserables and Dear Evan Hansen, and he will star in Octet, the film adaptation of Dave Malloy’s acclaimed musical, directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

RENT tickets are on sale from 12pm today at https://rentthemusical.com/

This production will be directed by the recent 2026 Olivier Award winner Luke Sheppard (Paddington The Musical). It will be based on the 2020 production that was staged at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester. You can read our review of this production here. RENT’s last staging in the West End was at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 1998.

Set during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis in New York City’s East Village, RENT is a rock musical that follows a group of young artists and friends as they struggle to survive and create. Known for being loosely based on Puccini's classic opera, La Bohème, this musical features a belting soundtrack including songs such as “Take Me Or Leave Me”, “La Via Boheme” and the title song, “Rent”.

Further casting and news on the creative team is to be announced.