Sarah Ruhl’s romantic comedy Stage Kiss is making its United Kingdom premiere at London’s Hampstead Theatre this month.
The production brings a well-known American play to a British audience, testing whether the chemistry of a New York hit translates to the London stage.
Directed by Blanche McIntyre, the play features MyAnna Buring and Patrick Kennedy. The plot centers on two former actors who are cast as ex-lovers in a theatrical production. As they perform the roles, their on-stage relationship begins to bleed into their off-stage lives, reigniting old feelings through the art of performance.
Stage Kiss originally debuted in New York in 2014 [1], where it became a hit. The 2026 UK premiere [2] seeks to capture that same energy in a new setting. The narrative follows the couple as they navigate a series of plays, starting with a production described as dreadful and moving into one that is even worse.
Critical reception of the play has varied. Some reviewers said the work was an amiable comedy full of screwball touches and sly humor. Other critics said the production was amusing but lightweight, noting its nature as a backstage comedy.
Despite the differing views on its depth, the production focuses on the thin veil between professional acting and personal emotion. The play uses the structure of a rehearsal and performance to examine how the act of pretending can sometimes reveal a deeper truth about a relationship.
“The plot centers on two former actors who are cast as ex-lovers in a theatrical production.”
The arrival of Stage Kiss in London marks the expansion of Sarah Ruhl's comedic work into the UK market over a decade after its US success. By focusing on the meta-narrative of actors playing actors, the production highlights a recurring theme in contemporary theater: the tension between public performance and private identity.
