The Real Thing: Tom Stoppard's Classic Play in LondonSat, Jan 2, 2027 · £32See Tickets

MusicVerified listing: See Tickets

The Real Thing: Tom Stoppard's Classic Play in London

Jazz CafeSat, Jan 2, 2027 · 06:30 PM – 08:30 PM

Music

Overview

Overview

The Real Thing is scheduled for Saturday, January 2, 2027 at Jazz Cafe. Check the official source before you go, as event times and venue details can change.

Read full details

Tom Stoppard's *The Real Thing* returns to London in a new production, offering audiences a sharp, witty exploration of love, fidelity, and the nature of honesty. The play follows Henry, a playwright, and Annie, an actress and activist, as their affair unravels the lives around them. Stoppard weaves a play-within-a-play structure, challenging perceptions of reality and performance.

Attendees can expect a layered theatrical experience, with Stoppard's trademark clever dialogue and emotional depth. The production features a cast of characters including Max, Charlotte, and the imprisoned soldier Brodie, whose cause drives much of the plot. The play's themes of art versus activism and the search for authentic expression resonate throughout.

This staging brings one of Stoppard's most enduring works to the stage, a piece that has been praised for its autobiographical elements and its meditation on the craft of writing itself.

📍 London⏱️ 2 hrs🎟️ Tickets from £32

Starting price is indicative — check the official source for current tickets.

Where to buy

Good to know

  • The play is set in London in 1982, reflecting the era's social and political context.
  • The production includes a play-within-a-play structure, with scenes from Henry's work 'House of Cards'.
  • Themes of love, fidelity, and the nature of honesty are central to the narrative.

Frequently asked questions

What is the play about?

The play focuses on the relationship between Henry and Annie, an actress and member of a group fighting to free Brodie, a Scottish soldier imprisoned for burning a memorial wreath during a protest.

Who are the main characters?

Main characters include Henry (a playwright), Annie (an actress and activist), Max (Annie's husband), Charlotte (Henry's wife), and Brodie (an imprisoned soldier).

What is the play's structure?

The play uses a play-within-a-play structure, beginning with a scene from Henry's play 'House of Cards' before revealing the real-life relationships.

More from The Real Thing

See every upcoming The Real Thing date — venues and tickets on one page.

All The Real Thing tour dates →

More events in London

More dates for this show

  • Thu, Nov 26, 2026
  • Fri, Jan 1, 2027

2026 guides

Planning around events? These guides collect 2026 calendars, festival clusters, and practical trip ideas so you can compare dates before you book.