Rent Reviews: What the Critics Say About Gaten Matarazzo

The reviews are in for Rent at the Tom Stoppard Theatre, and the critics are split on how well Luke Sheppard’s 30th anniversary revival tells its story, even as they agree the songs and the singing are in great shape. Gaten Matarazzo, best known for Stranger Things, makes his West End debut as the filmmaker Mark in Jonathan Larson’s rock musical, which is booking until 29 May 2027. See Rent tickets.

The official opening was on 8 October, and the notices landed overnight. Here is what they said.

The star ratings at a glance

• WhatsOnStage, Sarah Crompton: ★★★★
• The Independent, Louis Chilton: ★★★★
• The Stage, Tom Wicker: ★★★

Time Out (Andrzej Lukowski) and Radio Times (Olivia Garrett) also reviewed the show, but no star rating appeared on the review pages we read.

What did the critics say about Gaten Matarazzo?

Matarazzo’s Mark drew the widest range of opinions. For Sarah Crompton in WhatsOnStage, he plays the role with “a winning mixture of wit and intensity”, and Olivia Garrett in Radio Times called him “a treat as the central storyteller”, singling out his Tango: Maureen with Danielle Fiamanya’s Joanne as “the definite highlight”.

Louis Chilton in The Independent was more measured. His headline said Matarazzo “succeeds but his co-stars dazzle”, and he found him “affable and slightly dweeby”, while pointing out that Mark is a naturally passive part. Andrzej Lukowski in Time Out went further, calling the casting a mistake in his standfirst. He was clear that “there is nothing wrong with his performance. It’s endearing”, but felt Mark never looks like he belongs with the rest of the group.

The cast around him

If the reviews agree on one thing, it is the strength of the singers around Matarazzo. Chilton called Travis Ross, Jeevan Braich and Billy Nevers “absolutely exceptional”. Crompton described Braich as “simply superb as Angel” and said Nevers “makes a huge impact as Collins”, while Garrett wrote that Braich’s Angel “really did seem to emit light”.

Alexa Lopez also earned strong notices as Mimi. Crompton called her “brilliantly agonised”, and Lukowski said her Out Tonight “has never sounded so good”. Garrett praised the chemistry between Ross’s Roger and Lopez’s Mimi, and Crompton felt Lazy Violet brings just the right touch of kookiness to Maureen.

Luke Sheppard’s staging in the round

Sheppard originally directed Rent at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester, and he has kept its in-the-round layout for the West End, with extra seats on stage and the band up on a balcony. Crompton called it a “vigorous, uplifting revival” and praised Tom Jackson Greaves’ choreography, as did Garrett, who described the movement as “a triumph”. Chilton liked a production that chooses to “reiterate more than reimagine”, and enjoyed the revolving floor during One Song Glory.

Lukowski was the most critical voice. He found it “sexy but shallow” and “defiantly apolitical”, with the AIDS crisis and the struggle to pay the rent pushed into the background. His verdict was that it is “a formidable vehicle for Larson’s songs, but a less impressive one for his story”. The Stage’s Tom Wicker sat between the two camps: his standfirst said the revival reveals “both its shortcomings and its enduring strengths”, and the review’s pull quote says it “taps into the emotion”.

Should you go?

On the evidence of these reviews, yes, if you love the score. Even the most doubtful critic admired how the songs sound, and several described a cast that deserves to be heard live. Chilton summed up the question any revival must answer, whether it can justify its existence, and concluded: “Rent manages that, and then some.” Garrett’s advice was simple: if you like good staging and very good acting, “you’ll feel this show in your bones”.

How long is Rent running?

Rent is booking at the Tom Stoppard Theatre until 29 May 2027, after the run was extended this week. Read more in our story on Rent’s new end date, or see how the show took shape in our Rent rehearsal images. Gaten Matarazzo is currently scheduled to play Mark until 10 January 2027, so choose a date before then if you want to see him.

Planning your visit

The theatre is on St Martin’s Lane, a short walk from Leicester Square and Charing Cross stations. The show runs for about 2 hours 45 minutes, including an interval, and is recommended for ages 14 and over. Evening performances are Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, with matinees on Friday and Saturday at 2.30pm. See Rent dates and tickets.