World premiere of new musical NANNY MCPHEE to open in London in 2027
The world premiere of a brand-new musical stage adaptation of Nanny McPhee, with a book by Academy Award®-winning actor and screenwriter Emma Thompson, will open in London in summer 2027.
Based on the beloved Universal Pictures/Working Title Nanny McPhee films, and the Nurse Matilda character by Christianna Brand and Edward Ardizzone that inspired them, the new musical will bring the magical world of Nanny McPhee to the stage for the first time.
When the mysterious figure of Nanny McPhee arrives at the Browns’ door she discovers a household in chaos; anarchic children who have driven away every Nanny before her, a desperate father, a donkey that is out of control, and a baby who will stop at nothing. Armed with her strange knobbly stick, exceedingly unorthodox methods and quite a lot of magic, Nanny McPhee begins to restore harmony. And as it turns out, the children aren’t the only family members who have lessons to learn.
A world-class creative team has been assembled to bring Nanny McPhee to the stage including book by Academy Award®, BAFTA, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor and writer Emma Thompson (who won an Academy Award® for Best Adapted Screenplay for Sense and Sensibility), music by singer-songwriter Gary Clark (frontman of the band Danny Wilson who wrote the music for Sing Street on stage and film), with original lyrics by Emma Thompson and Gary Clark.
Emma Thompson said: "I’ve lived with Nanny McPhee for so long that to see her finally tread the boards is supremely exciting. Theatre feels like her natural home - magic, music, mischief and a good dollop of danger can all happen right in front of you. Working with Gary Clark to create the musical heart that beats through the story has been an unforgettable journey of a lifetime. And I am thrilled and so proud that the brilliant Katy Rudd will be bringing it all to life with her inimitable witty wonderment. I can't wait to introduce the all-new Nanny McPhee to audiences next summer.”
Nanny McPhee will be directed by Katy Rudd, with set and costume designs by the Tony and Olivier Award-winning Rob Howell, and choreography by Ellen Kane, who won the 2023 World Choreography Award for Best Motion Picture Choreography for her work on the film adaptation of Matilda the Musical.
The award-winning creative team also includes orchestrations by Tony and Olivier Award-winning Simon Hale, music supervision by Nigel Lilley, with music arrangements by Simon Hale and Nigel Lilley, lighting by multi award winning designer Howard Hudson, sound designs by Olivier and Tony Award-winning Ian Dickinson for Autograph, illusions by Chris Fisher, an award-winning illusion and visual effects designer and a member of The Magic Circle, puppetry by Samuel Wyer, projections by Tony and Olivier Award-winning Andrzej Goulding, and casting by What’s On Stage Award-winning Natalie Gallacher CDG (for Pippa Aillon and Natalie Gallacher Casting).
Further information, including the theatre, performance dates and casting will be announced in due course.