The Standard of Living

James Graham's blazing new play tells the astonishing story of rebel economist and member of the Bloomsbury Group, John Maynard Keynes.

Can you put a price on happiness, beauty and love?

From Olivier Award-winning playwright James Graham (Punch, Dear England), The Standard of Living tells the astonishing story of rebel economist and member of the Bloomsbury Group, John Maynard Keynes.

Husband to ballerina Lydia Lopokova. Lover to Duncan Grant. Friend to Virginia Woolf. Keynes moves between the corridors of power in Whitehall and the intoxicating freedom of a radical circle of artists, writers and lovers – all determined to live differently.

But as markets crash, old systems crumble and Britain teeters on the edge of chaos, one question begins to consume him: what is a good life?

Alive with music, dance, desire and debate, The Standard of Living is a thrilling, funny and deeply moving portrait of a man who dared to imagine something better.

This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere production at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in September 2026, directed by multi award-winner Nicholas Hytner and starring Olivier Award-winner Rory Kinnear.