Based on Puccini’s opera La Bohème, Larson’s original production was set in early 1990s New York where a community of squatters battled to fulfill their aspirations against the reality of rent demands and AIDS.

The new production transports the characters to any place at any time, so they could be living in Hoxton, Shoreditch or maybe even Manchester, while the British cast speak in their native accents. And although running time has been reduced to just over two hours, electric guitar riffs and some Americanisms removed, and references to HIV therapies updated, 21st century Rent remains true to the original.

Donaghy, a founding member of the pop band Sugababes, makes her West End stage debut playing Mimi. She is joined in the cast by Luke Evans as Roger (Taboo, Miss Saigon, Avenue Q) and Leon Lopez as Collins (TV’s Hollyoaks, Brookside).

The cast also includes Oliver Thornton (Mark), Jay Webb (Angel), Francesca Jackson (Joanne), Craig Stein (Benny), Ruth Augilera, Jamie Sampson, Antony Luperi, Earl Perkins, Lewis Griffiths and Philippa Stefani