Cast announced for the European premiere of THE JONATHAN LARSON PROJECT
Max Harwood, Marcus Collins, Michael Mather, Grace Mouat and Imelda Warren-Green will star in the European premiere of THE JONATHAN LARSON PROJECT. Playing at Southwark Playhouse Borough Thursday 9 July - Saturday 22 August, 2026 for 6 weeks only!
This new production commemorates 30 years since Larson’s death on the very eve of his greatest success.
With music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson, the celebrated New York tribute featuring previously unheard songs from the legendary composer of Rent was conceived by Jennifer Ashley Tepper and is directed by John Simpkins.
Max Harwood (the breakout star as Jamie New in the film Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Marcus Collins (original West End cast of Kinky Boots), Michael Mather (currently playing Fiyero on the international tour of Wicked), Grace Mouat (Karen Smith in the West End premiere of Mean Girls and original West End cast of SIX) and Imelda Warren-Green (Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder in the West End), will star in the European premiere of The Jonathan Larson Project.
In the spirit of opportunity Jonathan Larson would have wanted, the producers alongside the production’s Emmy nominated casting director Rob Kelly today announce an open application search for two cover roles, inviting performers with no professional musical stage credits to apply via casting@robkellycasting.com
Following a critically acclaimed Off-Broadway run, The Jonathan Larson Project will premiere in London at Southwark Playhouse Borough from Thursday 9 July - Saturday 22 August, 2026.
An electrifying celebration of the ground breaking composer behind Rent and tick, tick… BOOM!, it is being reimagined for London by the original Off Broadway director, John Simpkins.
Jonathan Larson’s sister, Julie, said today: “It means so much to us to bring this show to a UK audience and to continue honouring Jonathan’s extraordinary work and legacy. This new celebration of my brother’s previously unheard music offers an intimate portrait of an artist who was truly ahead of his time, and we are deeply honoured to share it with you.”
The Jonathan Larson Project is a show about a young man following his heart in New York City trying to change the world. The show offers a rare and exhilarating window into Larson’s creative world, featuring previously unheard songs from the late composer’s archives. They illuminate the artistry, activism, and restless imagination of one of musical theatre’s most influential voices.
The 2026 London production holds special significance, marking 30 years since Jonathan Larson’s death in January 1996 from an aortic dissection just one day before Rent’s first performance in New York.
This exciting UK cast of West End stars will bring Larson’s early, experimental, and never-heard work to life with bold theatricality and contemporary resonance.
Max Harwood was the breakout star in his professional acting debut as Jamie New in the film Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, for his performance, he earned a 2021 Digital Spy Reader Awards for Rising Star – Film, the Breakthrough Award in the Attitude Awards and was named a 2021 Brit to Watch by Variety. He made is West End debut as Alan Munson in Stranger Things: The First Shadow and played the lead role of Percy Jackson in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at The Other Palace. He starred as Mark Cohen in a production of RENT while in training at Guildhall School of Acting.
Marcus Collins has appeared in the West End as Andre in Mrs Doubtfire, and was Cover Lola & Angel in the original West End cast of Kinky Boots. His other major roles include Hardman in The Choir of Man, Seaweed in Hairspray and Hud in Hair (both UK tours). In 2011 he became a household name when he was a finalist on The X Factor, mentored by Gary Barlow.
Michael Mather was series regular Bobby in the BBC3 comedy Smoggie Queens and Maxwell in It’s A Sin (C4). His stage musical credits include Fiyero in Wicked (international tour), Jackson in Burlesque the Musical, Jimmy in Flashdance, Robbie in Soho Cinders, Hades in Mythic.
Grace Mouat was recently Karen Smith in the West End premiere of Mean Girls. Her other major West End roles include Izzy in The Great British Bake Off Musical, alternate Juliet in & Juliet, Chloe Valentine in Be More Chill and the original West End cast of SIX the musical.
Imelda Warren-Green was Erica in Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder in the West End. Her other musical theatre credits include Miss Geist in Clueless The Musical (West End), Little Miss Sunshine, Bad Girls: The Musical, Whistle Down the Wind.
The Jonathan Larson Project recently captivated critics and audiences alike, leading to a 16-week Off Broadway season at the Orpheum Theatre.
John Simpkins, Director said today: “Jonathan Larson changed the face of musical theatre. It is an enormous honour to be entrusted with directing this new production in the UK following our success Off Broadway.”
Thomas Hopkins and SAMS Entertainment, The Producers said: “It is an honour to be entrusted with Jonathan’s legacy by Julie and the Larson family as we bring this refreshed production to London. This show allows lovers of Jonathan’s work from around the world to come together in one space and celebrate his life with music that was lost until John Simmkin and Jennifer Ashley Tepper uncovered hours of cassette tapes of undiscovered songs, piles of never-produced scripts, and many personal letters, photos, journals, and more. Their discoveries have been endlessly inspiring in creating this worldwide event in the 30th year of the passing of one of the world’s most beloved musical-theatre composers.”
Creative team: Director John Simpkins, musical Director: Livi Van Warmelo, Set & Costume Designer: Justin Williams, Lighting Designer: Samuel Biondolillo, Casting: Rob Kelly, General Management: Thomas Hopkins Productions, Producers: Thomas Hopkins Productions Sams Entertainment, Executive Producer: Julie Larson.
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