BAFTA-winning actor Josh O’Connor is set to lead a major revival of Clifford Odets’ Golden Boy at the Almeida Theatre this autumn, directed by Olivier Award winner Sam Yates (VANYA). The production forms part of Rupert Goold’s final season as Artistic Director of the Islington venue.
Running from 8 September to 31 October 2026, Golden Boy will see O’Connor – renowned for roles in The Crown and Challengers – take on the role of Joe Bonaparte, a gifted violinist torn between his musical talent and a shot at glory in the boxing ring. Set in 1930s New York, the play explores the corrosive power of ambition during the Great Depression and the high cost of chasing the American Dream.
The production will feature a live string quartet, adding emotional resonance to a story that traverses themes of family, fame, love, and integrity. Sam Yates, whose recent work includes VANYA and Magpie, directs the revival, marking a major return of Odets’ seminal 1937 drama to the London stage.
Part of Rupert Goold’s farewell season
Golden Boy is one of ten productions in Goold’s concluding season, which includes four world premieres and a mix of classic revivals and new adaptations. “Josh O’Connor featuring in Clifford Odets’ Golden Boy, directed by Sam Yates,” Goold said, “continues our commitment to reimagining bold, challenging theatre with some of the UK’s most exciting talents.”
Other season highlights include world:
- Romans: a novel, a new play by award-winning writer Alice Birch, featuring Kyle Soller and directed by Sam Pritchard;
- Michael Grandage to direct the world premiere of The Line of Beauty, adapted by Olivier Award nominee Jack Holden from Alan Hollinghurst’s Booker Prize-winning novel;
- Christmas Day, a new play directed by James Macdonald;
- Romola Garai to star in Ibsen’s A Doll’s House;
- an adaptation of Babak Anvari’s BAFTA-winning film Under the Shadow by Carmen Nasr;
- Rebecca Frecknall to direct Sarah Kane’s masterpiece Cleansed;
- a revival of Desire Under the Elms by Eugene O’Neill starring Zackary Momoh; and,
- a revival of American Psycho from Goold’s first season.
A Decade of Visionary Theatre
Goold, who took over in 2013, has overseen a transformation of the Almeida into one of London’s leading theatres, with acclaimed productions such as Chimerica, The Doctor, Patriots, and A Streetcar Named Desire. His final season aims to honour the theatre’s commitment to local community, international storytelling, and cutting-edge artistry.
Reflecting on his departure, Goold said, “It’s a complex feeling to leave Islington and this unique theatre… but I’m proud that my final season captures the spirit and values of the last 12 years.”
Golden Boy runs from 8 September to 31 October 2026 at Almeida Theatre, London. Tickets go on sale in 2026.
More about tickets to Golden Boy at the Almeida Theatre in London
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