The Royal Shakespeare Company’s world premiere production of Kyoto by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson is transferring from Stratford-upon-Avon to the West End’s @sohoplace theatre in London.
This fast-paced political thriller recounts the fateful hours of tense negotiations leading up to the historic signing of the UN’s landmark climate conference in December 1997, and sees big oil, big money and big egos clash in the battle to secure the world’s first legally binding emissions targets.
The production reunites the creative team behind the multi-award-winning hit The Jungle, including writers Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, and co-directors Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin.
Daldry and Martin also worked together on directing Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the West End’s Phoenix Theatre.
Who stars in the London transfer? Kyoto Cast
The London transfer will see Tony award-nominated actor Stephen Kunken (A Spy Among Friends, Billions, The Handmaid’s Tale) reprise his celebrated role as American oil lobbyist and master strategist, Don Pearlman, after making his RSC debut earlier this year.
Also returning to the cast are Jenna Augen (Shirley Pearlman), Olivia Barrowclough (Secretariat), Jorge Bosch (Argentinian ambassador Raul Estrada Oyuela), Nancy Crane (USA), Andrea Gatchalian (Kiribati, AOSIS), Togo Igawa (Japan, Ohki), Kwong Loke (China, Zhong), Dale Rapley (Bolin, Santer, Gore), Raad Rawi (Saudi Arabia, Al Sabban) and Ferdy Roberts (UK, Prescott, Houghton).
More about the play Kyoto
The show scored positive reviews from the critics when it opened in Stratford-upon-Avon in June 2024, with four stars from a number of the major outlets including the Guardian, Financial Times and The Observer.
Kyoto is playing @sohoplace Theatre in London from 9 January 2025 to 3 May 2025.
The creative team for Kyoto includes; Miriam Buether (Set Designer), Natalie Pryce (Costume Designer) Aideen Malone (Lighting Designer), Christopher Reid (Sound Designer), Akhila Krishnan (Video Designer), Paul Englishby (Composer), Gemma Stockwood (Dramaturg) and Julia Horan CDG (Casting Director).
The RSC is also bringing a number of other shows to London later this year, with RSC productions of The Buddha of Suburbia and A Midsummer Night’s Dream coming to the Barbican Theatre.
The RSC also produces long-running hit West End show Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre, and My Neighbour Totoro, which is returning to London next year, playing the Gillian Lynne Theatre.
RSC Co-Artistic Directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey said: “Every so often, a play comes along that speaks passionately and urgently to the world in which we live. Kyoto is one of those plays. Its resonance is testament to the creative might of its writers, Good Chance co-founders Joe Robertson and Joe Murphy, and their long-term collaborators Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin. Nearly 30 years on from the signing of the original Kyoto climate agreement in December 1997, this ultimately hopeful story of agreement against the odds embodies our core belief in the unique power of theatre to bring people together and – in doing so – deepen our shared understanding of the world around us. Having seen it captivate audiences in Stratford earlier this year, we can’t think of a more perfect venue for London audiences to experience this high-octane political thriller.”
Writers and Good Chance Co-Artistic Directors Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson said: “We’re delighted that Kyoto will continue its life in Nica Burns’ spectacular @sohoplace next year. We loved creating the show with Good Chance and the RSC in Stratford and the incredible conversations it inspired with audiences every night. The play tells the extraordinary story of how an unlikely group of international diplomats, scientists, politicians and activists made a leap of faith – to work together to defeat powerful vested interests and reach the first global agreement on climate change. In our current age of disagreement, and amid the daily assault of news reports about climate catastrophe, we want Kyoto to be a story of hope that will thrill and inspire audiences to take a seat at the table and make that same leap of faith again.”
Book tickets to KYOTO at @Sohoplace in London
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