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The Starry Messenger Tickets

Witness Matthew Broderick in his West End debut when Kenneth Lonergan’s play The Starry Messenger twinkles into Wyndham’s Theatre this May.

Broadway and big-screen icon Matthew Broderick delivers his West End debut by way of a starring role in the play The Starry Messenger. He is joined by Downton Abbey star and Broadway veteran Elizabeth McGovern. Penned by Kenneth Lonergan and inspired by Galileo’s Sidereus Nuncius, the play is an examination of grand narratives such as the stars, fate and the universe and also, much closer to home, of love. It is directed by Sam Yates and produced by Simon Friend, and runs at Wyndham’s Theatre from 16 May 2019.

Mark Williams is an astronomer working at the New York City Planetarium. Unfulfilled by his job and growing distant from his wife, Anne, Mark harbours a warmer affection for the cosmos than for anything closer to hand. A firm non-believer in anything related to fate or divine intervention, Mark is about to have cause to re-evaluate everything he thought he knew. A chance meeting brings single mother and trainee nurse Angela into his life, and soon afterwards a catastrophe hits them like a thunderbolt. Suddenly, Mark’s place in the universe seems in dire need of reassessment.

Matthew Broderick plays Mark, reprising the role which he first performed in the 2009 off-Broadway iteration of the play. Broderick has been a household name since his legendary turn as Ferris in the 1986 film Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The American actor and singer has been inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as the American Theater Hall of Fame and counts two Tony Awards to his name.

Elizabeth McGovern has starred on the television, cinema and theatre and will be best known to some for her role as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey. She has earned a swathe of prestigious award nominations in her time.

Joining them are Jim Norton, Rosalind Eleazar, Jenny Galloway, Sinead Matthews, Joplin Sibtain and Sid Sagar.

Kenneth Lonergan is the celebrated Academy Award-winning writer of the devastating 2016 film Manchester by the Sea. His impressive resume spans theatre, film and television, and also includes having co-written the 2002 Gangs of New York.

Director Sam Yates's previous credits include The Phlebotomist at Hampstead Theatre and Glengarry Glen Ross at the Playhouse Theatre.

A bittersweet comedy drama, The Starry Messenger sends out an expression of hope and love that will surely prove irresistible to its West End audience. Capture a little stardust when it arrives at Wyndham’s Theatre from 16 May to 10 August 2019.

Sorry this show closed 10 August 2019, we recommend these similar productions.

Performance dates:
09 Aug 2019 - 10 Aug 2019
Running time:
2 hours and 30 minutes including an interval.
Venue:
Wyndham's Theatre (See map)
Age recommendation:
Recommended 12+
Audience Notes:
Fans of Matthew Broderick shouldn’t miss this chance to see the legendary actor live onstage. Those who appreciated Lonergan’s other works, such as Manchester by the Sea, will find the writer at his empathic best here.
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Best Seats

The Starry Messenger seat view photos show what view you will get for your money. Unfortunately we do not have any seat views for this show.

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  • Latest Audience Reviews

    This is a gentle comedy about a disillusioned academic dealing with his mid life crisis (forthcom... More

    andysadler's avatar
    andysadler 14 Jun 2019

    The acting in this show was absolutely phenomenal, especially from Matthew Broderick who played t... More

    emilygami's avatar
    emilygami Top 50 reviewer 01 Jun 2019

    Loved the play. Great understated performance from Matthew Broderick with contrasting and excelle... More

    battlin's avatar
    battlin 29 May 2019

    An interesting show, which we enjoyed but found went on for rather a lot longer than we expected.... More

    hannahcharlton's avatar
    hannahcharlton 07 Aug 2019

    This was a strange thing, this play, so understated and laidback almost to the point of being hor... More

    markh25's avatar
    markh25 19 Jun 2019

    Gentle story of life’s disappointments and of not quite being where you hoped to be in your caree... More

    rachelgreene's avatar
    rachelgreene Top 100 reviewer 09 Jun 2019
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