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“Nanny McPhee” is coming to the West End.
A new musical based on the character and penned by Emma Thompson — who starred in and wrote the screenplay for the beloved 2005 film and its sequel — is set to world premiere
in London next summer.
“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,” a synopsis for the musical reads. “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.”
Alongside Thompson, the “Nanny McPhee” musical will feature music from Gary Clark, frontman of the band Danny Wilson who wrote the music for the “Sing Street” musical and film, with the two collaborating on lyrics. Katy Rudd (“Ballet Shoes,” “The Ocean at the End of the Lane”) is set to direct, with set and costume designs from Tony and Olivier winner Rob Howell and choreography by Ellen Kane, both of whom worked on “Matilda the Musical.”
“I’ve lived with Nanny McPhee for so long that to see her finally tread the boards is supremely exciting,” Thompson said in a statement. “Theater 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.”
The creative team also includes orchestrations by Tony and Olivier winner Simon Hale (“Spring Awakening,” “Girl From the North Country”) and music supervision by Nigel Lilley (“Follies,” “Next to Normal”), with music arrangements by the duo. Lighting is by Howard Hudson (“& Juliet,” “Starlight Express”), sound design by Olivier and Tony Award-winning Ian Dickinson for Autograph (“Company,” “Angels in America”), illusions by Chris Fisher (“Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” “Back to the Future: The Musical”), puppetry by Samuel Wyer (“Wolf Witch, Giant, Fairy” and “The Ocean at the End of the Lane”), projections by Tony and Olivier Award-winning Andrzej Goulding (“Life of Pi,” “& Juliet”) and casting by Natalie Gallacher CDG (for Pippa Aillon and Natalie Gallacher Casting). The show will be general managed by Playful Productions.
The “Nanny McPhee” musical is presented by Working Title Films and Universal Theatrical Group and produced by Thompson, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lindsay Doran, Paul Warwick Griffin, Gareth Hewitt Williams and Rebecca Quigley for Working Title Films.
