Andrew Barth Feldman stars as the Roman emperor in NERO: A New Musical, with book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik, the Tony Award-winning team behind Spring Awakening.
It plays at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 2 November to 5 December 2026, directed by Lindsay Posner.
Performances are Monday to Saturday at 7pm, plus 2.30pm matinees on Thursdays and Saturdays. Tickets start from £20 (concessions from £16), with previews at £16 and a £10 Pioneers’ Preview on 2 November, and there’s no booking fee.
WHAT IS NERO ABOUT?
Southwark Playhouse describes Nero as an artist, performer and reluctant heir thrust into power. Ambition, family, love and political intrigue lead him into a spiral of madness, and the show frames the story around celebrity, leadership and the fall of ancient Rome.
THE CAST
- Andrew Barth Feldman as Nero
- Stephen Carlile as Seneca
- Sally Dexter as Agrippina
- Nabi Brown as Octavia
- Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky as Poppea
- Waylon Jacobs as Tigellinus
- Timo Tatzber as Britannicus (also covers Nero)
- Liam Wrate as Narcissus (also ensemble)
The ensemble includes Izzy Formby-Jackson, Jodie Knight, Rory Maguire, Zach Parkin (who is also dance captain) and Amy Punter, with Reese O’Connell as off-stage swing.
CREATIVE TEAM
Phil Bateman is musical supervisor, vocal arranger and co-orchestrator, with Ben McQuigg as musical director and co-orchestrator. James Cousins is choreographer, Georgia Lowe is designer, Robbie Butler is lighting designer and Tony Gayle is sound designer.
RUNNING TIME, AGE RATING & CONTENT WARNINGS
The show runs for 2 hours 20 minutes including an interval, and there is a no re-entry and no latecomers policy.
It’s recommended for ages 15+ (under-15s should be supervised by an adult).
Southwark Playhouse lists strong language, blood, gore, nudity and violence including weapons on stage, plus smoke, haze, strobe and flashing lights, and loud noises including gunshots and explosions. Themes include incest, death (including death in pregnancy), murder, self-harm and suicide, with references to sexual assault, miscarriage and abortion. The theatre adds that this guidance isn’t exhaustive and may change during rehearsals and previews.
There’s a captioned performance on Tuesday 24 November at 7pm.
WHERE IS IT PLAYING?
Southwark Playhouse Elephant is at 1 Dante Place, London SE11 4RX, with Elephant & Castle (Northern and Bakerloo lines) the nearest tube.
You can book direct on the Southwark Playhouse website.
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