Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning revolutionary rock opera Rent tells the story of a group of bohemians struggling to express themselves through their art and “measuring their lives in love.” Against the gritty backdrop of New York’s East Village, these friends strive for success and acceptance while enduring the obstacles of poverty, illness and the AIDS epidemic.

Rent’s diverse and unconventional community is made up of impassioned and defiant individuals. Roger is an aspiring songwriter who has emotionally shut down after his girlfriend’s suicide. Despite his attraction, he is reluctant to start a new romance with his downstairs neighbour Mimi Marquez, an exotic dancer struggling with “baggage of her own.” Roger’s roommate Mark is a filmmaker trying to balance art and commerce. His girlfriend Maureen, a self-indulgent performance artist, recently left him for a lawyer named Joanne.

Also part of this close-knit circle is Tom Collins, a professor of philosophy who, after being mugged, is rescued by his soul mate, a high-spirited, street drummer, Angel Shunard. Benny, who alienated his friends after he married their landlord’s daughter, has reneged on his promise to provide rent-free artist space to his bohemian friends. Once a close friend, he is now viewed as the enemy, threatening them with eviction.

How do they cope in the face of eviction and rejection, while having to deal with their own personal demons? A hard hitting, edgy musical that is filled with love and hope!

“Forget regret, or life is yours to miss.
No other road. No other way.
No day but today.”

PLEASE NOTE: This event takes place at Pleasance Theatre, 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TJ
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