Rebecca Lucy Taylor, Self Esteem, Teeth ‘N’ Smiles, 2026
Photo: Tom Etherington

Teeth 'n' Smiles

Rebecca Lucy ‘Self Esteem’ Taylor makes her West End drama debut to star in David Hare’s classic play about an embittered rock star
  • Theatre, Drama
  • Duke of York’s Theatre, Covent Garden
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Time Out says

It’s been years since a David Hare play went to the West End – so in 2026, naturally, there are two of them. Over at the Theatre Royal Haymarket his latest Grace Pervades will star his regular collaborator Ralph Fiennes. And at the Duke of York’s one of his oldest plays – dating back to 1975 – will star an unexpected newcomer. Rebecca Lucy Taylor - aka sardonic pop star Self Esteem – did do a stint in the West End’s Cabaret a couple of years back, but she's never been in a straight up play (or, for what it's worth, had to face theatre critics before). 

You probably wouldn't have put money on her drama debut being in a Hare play. But actually Teeth 'n' Smiles makes perfect sense for her, being a late ’60s-set drama that concerns Maggie Frisbee, an embittered, alcoholic rock star left raging and washed up at the end of the decade. The role was originated by a young Helen Mirren – who based her performance on Janis Joplin – and in that context it’s not hard to see why Taylor might have been intrigued. Plus! There are songs for Maggie to perform, originally written by Nick and Tony Bicât, but with new contributions from Taylor herself. 

It’ll be directed by Daniel Raggett, who did such an excellent job with West End hit Accidental Death of an Anarchist a couple of years back.

Details

Event website:
teethnsmilesplay.com/
Address
Duke of York’s Theatre
St Martin's Lane
London
WC2N 4BG
Transport:
Tube: Charing Cross
Price:
£25-£150

Dates and times

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