World Premiere of Duncan Sheik's Final Musical Nero Opens at Southwark Playhouse

The world premiere of Nero, a new musical composed by Duncan Sheik — known for scoring Spring Awakening and American Psycho — opened at Southwark Playhouse Elephant on 2 November 2026, running through to 5 December. Sheik died in September 2026, giving the production an added poignancy: he and collaborator Stephen Sater had first conceived the project in 2003, and it spent more than two decades in development before finally reaching the stage. Despite debuting at what has been described as a smallish British venue, the production draws on established theatrical talent: it is directed by Lindsey Posner and stars Broadway performer Andrew Barth Feldman in the title role, playing a young, preening, rockstar-like Emperor Nero. The project has had a somewhat troubled path to the stage, but its opening marks the belated realisation of a long-held creative ambition and stands as a memorial to the composer's career.