The Smile of Her: First Production Images Released for Christine Lahti's Acclaimed Solo Play at the Marylebone Theatre

The first production images have been unveiled for The Smile of Her, the deeply personal autobiographical play currently in rehearsals ahead of its strictly limited London run at the Marylebone Theatre. Running from Friday 10 July to Saturday 29 August 2026, with a national press night on Thursday 16 July, this powerful solo show marks one of the most anticipated Off West End premieres of the summer season.

A Deeply Personal Story Arrives in London

The Smile of Her is a one-woman play that charts a journey from 1950s suburban America to the centre of a rapidly changing world. Funny, furious, and achingly intimate, it confronts family mythology, misogyny, ambition, motherhood, and the quiet toll of being expected to be "a good girl." Written and performed by Academy, Emmy, and Golden Globe Award winner Christine Lahti, the production represents both her first appearance on a UK stage and the first time this acclaimed work has been presented in London.

Originally receiving its world premiere at Berkshire Theatre Group in July 2023, The Smile of Her has already earned significant praise in the United States. Now, under the direction of Mêlisa Annis, the production is being reimagined for its London engagement, bringing new creative energy and a fresh perspective to the material.

Young Talent Joins the Cast

Alongside the production images, producers have confirmed the two young actresses who will share the role of "Girl" across the seven-week run. Jesamine-Bleu Gibbs, whose previous credits include Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre and The Sound of Music at Chichester Festival Theatre, will alternate with Isabella Ford, who makes her professional stage debut in the production. Ford's background includes advertising work for major brands and training with Spirit Young Performers Company.

The casting of these two young performers adds an additional layer to the play's exploration of memory and identity. By splitting the role across the run, the production ensures both freshness and sustainability for a demanding engagement that spans nearly two months of performances.

The Creative Team Behind the Production

Direction comes from Mêlisa Annis, with design by Sarah Beaton. The technical team includes David Gregory on sound design, Matt Haskins handling lighting, and Matt Powell responsible for projection design. Each of these elements promises to enrich what is fundamentally a solo performance, creating a fully realised theatrical world around a single performer's storytelling.

The production is produced by Nina Tassler, Jenny Warburg, and Wild Yak, in association with Gloria Steinem. The involvement of Steinem, one of the most recognised figures in the feminist movement, underscores the thematic weight of The Smile of Her and its exploration of women's experiences across decades of social change.

Lahti herself has spoken about the excitement of bringing the play to London, describing the early rehearsal process as "an explosion of creativity" and praising the collaboration with Annis and the two young actresses joining the cast.

A Star with an Extraordinary Career

For those unfamiliar with Christine Lahti's work, her career spans film, television, and theatre with remarkable distinction. She first came to prominence opposite Al Pacino in ...And Justice For All, before earning an Academy Award nomination and the New York Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress for the film Swing Shift. Television audiences will know her best for Chicago Hope, which earned her both a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award for Best Actress.

Her extensive credits also include Running on Empty (LA Film Critics Award), Law and Order: SVU, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Hawaii Five-0, and The Blacklist. With eight Golden Globe nominations across her career, she brings a level of star power and theatrical authority rarely seen in intimate Off West End venues.

The Smile of Her represents something different from her screen work, however. This is a deeply autobiographical piece, written in Lahti's own voice, drawing directly from her life experiences. It is both a memoir and a performance, blurring the boundaries between confession and craft in a way that audiences have found profoundly moving.

What to Expect from the Marylebone Theatre Run

The Marylebone Theatre offers an intimate setting perfectly suited to solo performance. Unlike the vast auditoria of the West End, the venue's smaller scale creates a sense of proximity between performer and audience that amplifies the emotional impact of autobiographical storytelling. For a piece as personal as The Smile of Her, this kind of closeness is essential.

The seven-week run provides a generous window for theatregoers to catch the production, though the limited nature of the engagement means that demand is likely to build quickly once press night reviews appear on 16 July. Those who prefer to secure seats before critical notices land still have the opportunity to book for early performances.

With its blend of humour, anger, vulnerability, and hard-won self-awareness, The Smile of Her sounds like the kind of theatrical experience that stays with audiences long after they leave the building. It is rare to see a performer of this calibre in such an intimate setting, telling a story this personal, and London theatre fans would do well to take notice.

Should You Book?

If you are drawn to solo performance, autobiographical theatre, or simply the chance to see a major international star in an up-close London setting, The Smile of Her should be high on your list this summer. The combination of a storied performer, a deeply personal script, and a thoughtful creative team makes this one of the more compelling Off West End offerings of the 2026 season.

The strictly limited run means there is no guarantee of an extension, so early booking is recommended for those who want to guarantee their seat. With press night on 16 July, reviews will likely drive further interest, making the early part of the run potentially the best time to secure tickets at the best availability.

Browse all current London shows on BritishTheatre.com, or explore more plays and new productions coming to the capital this season.