Southwark Playhouse Borough

Review 22nd August 2026

The Jonathan Larson Project is a celebration of the groundbreaking composer behind Rent and tick, tick… BOOM! Featuring previously unheard songs from Larson’s archives, the show provides a rare window into the artistry, activism and imagination of a young man following his heart in New York City while trying to change the world.

Attending the final matinee, I wish I could have made it sooner, felt like being invited into Jonathan Larson’s creative workshop. Bringing together unfinished songs, pop numbers and material cut from his theatrical projects, the show offered a fascinating glimpse beyond the familiar landmarks of Rent and tick, tick… BOOM!, and revealed just how much remarkable work Larson left behind.

The production embraced an informal studio atmosphere. A live band accompanied the singers, while moveable stairs, chairs, props and a piano were wheeled into different arrangements for each number. Sometimes the full company performed together; elsewhere, individual singers took the stage alone. These simple transformations kept the focus firmly on the music while giving every song its own character.

There were no conventional introductions or pauses between the numbers. Instead, brief explanations were projected onto a sheet against the back wall as each song began, providing some context without interrupting the show’s momentum. Although this made it difficult to retain individual song titles, the continuous flow gave the evening an exciting sense of discovery.

Archival footage added another dimension. We saw Larson performing during his lifetime, as well as a contemporary news report following his sudden death at the age of 32. Most affecting of all was a voice message from his mother, wishing him well for the first preview of Rent, a performance he would tragically never live to see. It was an intensely poignant moment, connecting the music to the human story behind it.

Every song was superbly performed by an exceptional cast. They moved through the audience at times, breaking down the separation between performers and spectators and making us feel part of this special celebration. Their commitment ensured that even Larson’s unfinished or largely unknown works felt immediate and alive.

What was most striking was the quality of the material. These were not merely curiosities rescued from an archive: many of the songs were brilliant, and some were genuinely exceptional. The production made a compelling case for remembering Larson not only through the shows that made his name, but through the wealth of creative work that remained unheard.

The audience rose instantly at the end, a spontaneous standing ovation that reflected both the excellence of the performance and the emotional force of the evening. The Jonathan Larson Project was a brilliant and deeply moving tribute, one that made Larson’s lost music feel newly discovered and wonderfully alive.

Keep an eye out for a revival of this exceptional show, as Larson’s remarkable lost music deserves to be heard by a much wider audience.

Show	The Jonathan Larson Project
Dates & Times	9 July to 22 August 2026
Venue	Southwark Playhouse Borough
Production Company	Thomas Hopkins Productions, presented with SAMS Entertainment and Julie Larson
Venue Link	Southwark Playhouse Borough Website