Hampstead 2024/25

There's a play there called King James but don't worry, it's nothing to do with the English/Scottish historical king who a Hampstead audience might have heard of but rather ‘King’ LeBron James who appears to be a well-known basketball player in USA who hardly anyone in UK knows.

I want to see King James and agree the downstairs space would be good for it.

He was in Space Jam: A New Legacy so not that niche, he's probably the best known Basketball player since Michael Jordan, the only other one I know of is Steph Curry. 

Yes. But practically unknown in UK. Strange. Due to being a participant in a minority sport with no UK free-to-air or major sports subscription channel coverage at all throughout his career I suppose.

Of current players the second most famous in the world is Kevin Durant.

As a football fan, I know of him only because he took a financial stake in Liverpool FC, and who later launched a range of clothing in collaboration with him.

Just to say that BBC has broadcast games from the NBA this season, including LeBron James. And has been on Sky or BT/TNT for years. Not to mention the consumption on social media. Also a two-time Olympic gold medallist.

In reference to your other post, I’m not sure people only watch plays based on people they know very well. My partner loved Dear England but had no idea who most the players were or who they played for. The same goes for Boris Berezovsky in Patriots. My knowledge of Nye Bevan was limited. That’s some recent examples. I understand you weren’t necessarily saying this is the case, however.

Anyway, just to say that I’d perceive Lebron James as a well known figure - especially for those under 40. But I respect your view he may not be as prominent as one might expect.

That looks like a pretty good mix. I'll see 5 out of the 8. I think Rock n Roll and To Have and To Hold must have kept them afloat this year - possibly the only two of theirs I didn't see either papering or heavily discounted, so another Stoppard revival and new Richard Bean will hopefully do the same again.

Yeah, adding to the chorus of disagreement that people don’t know who LeBron James is in this country. Walk into any Nike store and his clothes and shoes are all over it and you can get LeBron Lakers merch in Primark. He may not be as well known as like David Beckham, but he’s an icon. And I have been to nba games in this country too, imo it’s hugely popular.