Josh Radnor and Noah Galvin to Make London Stage Debuts in Hit Machine at Soho Theatre

Two of America's most recognisable television and stage actors are heading to London for the first time. Josh Radnor, best known for his starring role in the beloved sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and Noah Galvin, who rose to prominence in The Real O'Neals and later took over the title role in Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway, will star together in the world premiere of Hit Machine, a new play by Jonathan Caren. The production opens at Soho Theatre on 8 July and runs through 15 August 2025.

What Is Hit Machine About?

Hit Machine tells the story of two estranged brothers whose lives have taken dramatically different paths. One has become a powerful record mogul, navigating the slick, commercial machinery of the music industry. The other is an aspiring musician still chasing artistic authenticity and the dream of making it. When their worlds collide, the play explores the tension between manufactured pop success and genuine emotional expression, alongside the complicated bonds of brotherhood.

Playwright Jonathan Caren has spoken about the thematic depth underpinning what might sound like a straightforward music-industry drama. "I'm interested in the way pop music can be manufactured and yet still hit something raw in us," Caren explained. "While the play is about songwriting, it is also about the ways men handle shame, or even build entire identities around it."

The production features original music composed by multi-Grammy Award winner Ben Harper, adding an authentic musical dimension to the storytelling. Direction comes from Daniel Bailey, who will guide Radnor and Galvin through this exploration of ego, creativity, and fraternal conflict.

A Prestigious Journey to the Stage

Hit Machine arrives in London with considerable pedigree. The script was a finalist for the Eugene O'Neill National Playwrights Conference 2025, one of the most respected new play development programmes in the United States. It was also selected for IAMA Theatre Company's New Works Fest and The Working Theater's inaugural Stage Left Festival, both highly regarded showcases for emerging American drama.

That this world premiere is taking place in London rather than New York or Los Angeles is a notable coup for the UK theatre scene. Soho Theatre has long championed new writing and boundary-pushing work, and landing a play with this kind of creative talent attached further cements its reputation as one of London's most exciting venues for discovering bold new drama.

Josh Radnor: From Sitcom Star to London's Stage

For many audiences, Josh Radnor will always be Ted Mosby, the lovelorn architect and narrator of CBS's How I Met Your Mother, which ran for nine seasons and became a global phenomenon. But Radnor's career extends well beyond sitcom fame. He is an accomplished playwright and filmmaker, having written and directed the films happythankyoumoreplease (which won the Audience Award at Sundance in 2010) and Liberal Arts.

On the American stage, Radnor has built a strong theatrical resume, appearing in productions on and off Broadway. However, Hit Machine will mark his very first appearance on a London stage, a milestone that is sure to draw attention from both his devoted fanbase and London theatregoers looking for something fresh in the West End fringe scene.

Noah Galvin: Broadway Powerhouse Crosses the Atlantic

Noah Galvin brings serious theatrical credentials to the production. After breaking through on television in The Real O'Neals, Galvin made a significant mark on Broadway by taking over the demanding lead role in Dear Evan Hansen in 2017. He has since appeared in a range of screen projects, but the stage has remained a consistent part of his artistic identity.

His casting opposite Radnor as brothers promises a compelling dynamic. Both actors are known for bringing emotional nuance and intelligence to their roles, and the combination of Radnor's understated warmth with Galvin's energetic intensity should make for riveting theatre.

The Creative Team Behind Hit Machine

Beyond the headline casting, the creative team assembled for Hit Machine is impressive. Ben Harper, the multi-Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter known for his genre-blending style encompassing blues, folk, soul, and rock, has composed original music for the production. Harper's involvement suggests that the music within the play will be far more than incidental, likely serving as a central dramatic force in the storytelling.

Director Daniel Bailey will oversee the production, with additional cast members and creative team appointments still to be announced. The production is being brought to the stage by Spiral Stairs Entertainment in association with Soho Theatre, BPM Theatrical, and Kater Gordon, with general management by James Steel Productions.

Booking Details and What to Expect

Hit Machine will run at Soho Theatre from 8 July to 15 August 2025. Soho Theatre is known for its intimate performance spaces, which means audiences will experience this production up close, perfect for a character-driven two-hander about brotherly tension and the music industry.

Given the star power of the cast and the relatively short run, demand for tickets is likely to be high. Theatre fans who are keen to see either Radnor or Galvin perform live for the first time in the UK would be wise to book early once tickets become available.

Should You Book?

Hit Machine is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing new plays of the summer season. The combination of a critically recognised script, a Grammy-winning composer providing original music, and two talented American actors making their London debuts creates a genuinely exciting proposition. If you enjoy new writing that blends sharp emotional drama with music, or you are a fan of either Radnor or Galvin, this looks like essential booking.

The intimate setting of Soho Theatre means that every performance will feel immersive and immediate. For theatregoers tired of spectacle-driven entertainment and looking for something more personal and thought-provoking, Hit Machine could be the highlight of a packed summer calendar.

Looking for more new productions coming to London this year? Browse our full list of shows currently on sale, or explore the latest plays arriving on the London stage. For musical theatre fans, check out our musicals listings for everything from long-running West End hits to exciting new arrivals.