about Kyoto

★★★★★

'Sheer theatrical magic...truly remarkable'

WhatsOnStage

SAVING THE EARTH IS A FILTHY BUSINESS

Book now for Kyoto, the ‘truly remarkable’ (WhatsOnStage) new political thriller as it transfers to London’s West End in 2025. Brought to you by the Royal Shakespeare Company and Good Chance, fresh from a critically acclaimed run in Stratford-upon-Avon, this ‘tense and gripping’ (Guardian) show brings a world of hope to @sohoplace for a strictly limited 16-week season from 9 January.

Welcome to the Kyoto Conference Centre, 11 December 1997. The nations of the world are in deadlock and 11 hours have passed since the UN’s landmark climate conference should have ended. Time is running out and agreement feels a world away. The greatest obstacle: American oil lobbyist and master strategist, Don Pearlman…

Featuring a ‘barnstorming performance’ (Financial Times) from Stephen Kunken (Billions and The Handmaid’s Tale), Kyoto sees Olivier award-winning directors Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin (Stranger Things: The First Shadow) reunite with Good Chance’s Artistic Directors and playwrights Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson (The Jungle), for this sharp, searing and darkly comic story of the moment all nations tried to set aside their differences for the sake of the planet.

Hailed as ‘rich and vital’ (The i) and ‘sheer theatrical magic’ (WhatsOnStage), Kyoto seats you at the heart of the action, and shows that even in a climate of rapidly rising temperatures, the impossible really can become possible.

show details

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Tickets From: £25

Groups and Education rates available. Please see below.

@sohoplace has contactless ticketing for every performance. Tickets will be issued electronically 48 hours prior to the performance.

Fair access: 50% off across all bands

Running Time: Approx 2hrs 45mins, including a 20min interval

Please note: This production contains explicit language, smoking (cigarettes), flashing lights, loud music and haze.

Conference Seats: Be part of the moment, with our hugely popular ‘in conference’ seats in the front row of the Stalls, which immerse you into the heart of the play. You won’t be disappointed

Access Information

The RSC have created a Sonic Story, which highlights the key sounds throughout the performance. Download the Kyoto Sonic Story here.

To book accessible seating for all of our performances; including wheelchair park seats please click here.

Click here to book the Audio Described Performance on Saturday 15th February.
Click here to book the Chilled & Captioned Performance on Thursday 20th February.
Click here to book the Audio Described Performance on Thursday 3rd April.
Click here to book the Captioned Performance on Saturday 5th April.

Access Enquiries
Call us on 0330 333 5962 or email us at [email protected]. For further access information, please view our Accessibility page.

Access Performances

Audio Described

Captioned Performance

Audio Described

Captioned Performance

Access Enquiries
Call us on 0330 333 5962 or email us at [email protected]

For Eligibility details and futher details about accessibility within @sohoplace visit out accessibility page.

group & education

Groups 10+
£49.50 for Monday to Thursday performances

Education Rate
£25 for Monday to Wednesday evening and Thursday matinee performances for UK schools only. Overseas groups must use Adult Group rate only.

Group Booking Enquiries
Call us on +44 (0)330 333 4817

Kyoto reviews

★★★★★

'Sheer theatrical magic...truly remarkable'

WhatsOnStage

★★★★★

'Breakneck pacing and vivid performances'

The Stage

★★★★

'Tense and gripping'

Guardian

★★★★

'Rich and vital'

The i

Kyoto cast

Stephen Kunken Don Pearlman
Jenna Augen  Shirley
Olivia Barrowclough  Secretariat
Jorge Bosch  Raul Estrada-Oyuela
Nancy Crane USA
Andrea Gatchalian  Kiribati / AOSIS
Togo Igawa  Japan / Ohki
Kwong Loke  China / Zhong
Dale Rapley  Bolin / Santer / Gore
Raad Rawi  Saudi Arabia / Al Sabban
Ferdy Roberts  UK / Prescott / Houghton

Kyoto creatives

Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson Authors
Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin Directors
Miriam Buether Set Design
Natalie Pryce Costume Design
Aideen Malone Lighting Design
Christopher Reid Sound Design
Akhila Krishnan Video Design
Paul Englishby Composer
Gemma Stockwood Dramaturg
Julia Horan CDG Casting Director

RSC £10 Tickets for 16-25s are supported by TikTok.
New Work at the RSC is generously supported by Hawthornden Foundation and The Drue and H.J. Heinz II Charitable Trust

Please note: Photography and recording of any kind is strictly prohibited.

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