The Line of Beauty
Based on the novel by Alan Hollinghurst, Adapted by Jack Holden, Directed by Michael Grandage
Event details
Tue 21 Oct - Sat 29 Nov 2025
I can’t explain it. I can’t explain any of it to you. The line of beauty which led me to him… to here.
London. Summer, 1983.
Nick Guest moves into the grand Notting Hill home of his university friend Toby — and into the dazzling world of Toby’s father Gerald, a newly elected Tory MP, his elegant wife Rachel, and their troubled daughter Cat. From private gardens to country estates, glittering parties to political dinners, Nick is swept up in a world of money, power and privilege. A world that promises everything — and exacts a cost.
As he pursues beauty in all its forms — aesthetic, erotic, aspirational — Nick finds himself caught between the freedoms of desire and the rigid boundaries of class, sexuality and public image in a rapidly changing Britain.
The Line of Beauty is a captivating portrait of Thatcher’s Britain at its most decadent and divisive, based on the Booker Prize-winning novel by “one of the greatest writers of our time” (The Guardian) Alan Hollinghurst. Olivier Award nominee Jack Holden’s (Cruise; Kenrex) new adaptation of this poignant book is directed by Tony Award winner Michael Grandage.
Evenings 7.30pm
Matinees 2pm
Content Warnings Recommended for ages 14+. Read more about our production guidance and warnings>
Introducing the 2025-26 Season
Creative Team
Alan Hollinghurst
Original Book Writer
Jack Holden
Adapter
Michael Grandage
Director
Christopher Oram
Set & Costume Designer
Howard Hudson
Lighting Designer
Adam Cork
Sound Designer & Composer
Adam Cork
Adam is composer and co‐lyricist of the documentary musical London Road which had an extended run at the National Theatre Cottesloe before transferring to the Olivier auditorium. He received a Tony Award in 2010 for his music and sound score for Red (Donmar Warehouse/ Broadway) and an Olivier Award in 2011 for King Lear (Donmar Warehouse). Adam received the 2011 Evening Standard Award ‘Best Design’ for Anna Christie and King Lear (Donmar Warehouse) and the 2011 Critics’ Circle ‘Best Musical’ for London Road. He was also nominated in 2010 for the Tony Award ‘Best Score (Music & Lyrics)’ for ENRON (Broadway/ West End).
For the Almeida: Patriots; The Hunt; Ink (also West End/ Broadway).
Theatre includes: The 47th (The Old Vic); The Shark is Broken; Leopoldstadt; Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; No Man’s Land; Photograph 51; Don Carlos; Suddenly Last Summer (West End); Travesties (Menier Chocolate Factory/ West End/ Broadway); Les Blancs; Three Days in the Country (National Theatre); Frost/Nixon (Donmar Warehouse/ West End/ Broadway); Ivanov (Donmar Warehouse/ West End); The Chalk Garden; Creditors; The Wild Duck; Caligula (Donmar Warehouse).
Film includes: Genius; London Road.
Television includes: The Hollow Crown; Macbeth; Frances Tuesday; Re-ignited; Imprints.
Ben Wright
Movement & Intimacy Director
Sophie Holland CDG
Casting Director
Access Performances
Audio Described Sat 8 Nov 2pm (Touch Tour 12pm)
Captioned Mon 17 Nov 7.30pm
Relaxed Environment Wed 19 Nov 2pm & 7.30pm
For full information about how to book for our access performances please visit our Access For All page.
Concessions
All concession tickets are limited and subject to availability. Proof of eligibility is required. Concessions in the final week of performances are only valid on access performances or for Deaf and disabled bookings. More info
Deaf and disabled patrons and a companion can buy discounted tickets by calling the Box Office on 020 7359 4404 or email boxoffice@almeida.co.uk.
£5 tickets will be available to those aged 25 and under for performances from Tue 21 – Mon 27 Oct. Enter code 25UNDER when selecting your seats. £5 Tickets go on sale Tue 30 Sep at 5pm. More info
If you are aged 30 or under, over 65 or are unemployed you can book tickets at a discounted rate. Not applicable on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.
If you live or work in the Islington area you can book best available seats for £27.50 for performances from Tue 21 – Thu 30 Oct, subject to availability. Enter promo code ISFIRST when selecting your seats. Find applicable postcodes here.
Talks & Events
Talkback
After Tue 4 & Tue 18 Nov performances.
A post-show talk with members of the company. Free to same-day ticket holders.
Almeida For Free
Thu 13 Nov 7.30pm
A free performance and festival of events exclusively for those aged 25 and under. Sign up to our emails for Tickets & Events for 16-25s to be notified when tickets are available.
Production Supporters
The Line of Beauty is generously supported by The Charlotte Aitken Trust.
