38-489: Sir Cameron Anthony Mackintosh (born 17 October 1946) is a British theatrical producer and theatre owner notable for his association with many commercially successful musicals. At the height of his success in 1990, he was described as being "the most successful, influential and powerful theatrical producer in the world" by the New York Times . He is the producer of shows including Les Misérables , The Phantom of
76-447: A managing director , and creative decisions fall to the artistic director . In theatres with no managing director , artistic directors often use the title producing artistic director or managing artistic director, to indicate a higher level of responsibility. In the commercial world of Broadway , New York City and West End , London and touring, both nationally and internationally, producers are expected to be active members of
114-413: A London-based producer in the 1970s. His early London productions included Anything Goes in 1969 (which closed after two weeks), The Card (1973), Side by Side by Sondheim (1976), My Fair Lady (1978), and Tomfoolery (1980). In 1981, he produced Andrew Lloyd Webber 's Cats , then considered an unlikely subject for a musical. It became the hit of the season, and went on to become one of
152-588: A gala concert featuring songs from shows he had produced during his career. The concert was performed twice, on 7 and 8 June, with proceeds going to the Royal National Institute of Blind People and the Combined Theatrical Charities. Many celebrities took part, and the 8 June performance was attended by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh . Mackintosh produced a revival of Lionel Bart's Oliver! at
190-399: A list of the most influential "out-and-proud" gay men and women. He was also listed 4th in 2005. Mackintosh also topped The Stage 100 list in 2007 for the first time since 2000. The list recognises the most influential members of the performing arts community at the end of each year. He is a patron of The Food Chain , a London-based HIV charity. His younger brother, Robert Mackintosh,
228-739: A new version of Half a Sixpence at Chichester Festival Theatre before transferring to the Noël Coward Theatre in the West End where it ran for 10 months. Mackintosh produced the London transfer of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway hit musical Hamilton , which premiered on 21 December 2017 at the Victoria Palace Theatre in the West End . In 2019, Mackintosh and Disney's production of Mary Poppins returned to
266-402: A run of over 15 months, failed to replicate the worldwide success of his previous blockbusters. Mackintosh became a co-owner of the theatrical licensing company Music Theatre International in 1990. He started the theatre group Delfont Mackintosh Theatres in 1991. Disney Theatrical Productions president Thomas Schumacher met with Mackintosh in 2001 to discuss making Mary Poppins into
304-679: A stage musical. Mackintosh's involvement in the development of the musical adaptation led to his producing both the 2004 West End and 2006 Broadway productions, at the Prince Edward Theatre and the New Amsterdam Theatre , respectively, along with Schumacher. He co-produced the London transfer of Avenue Q , which opened in the West End at the Noël Coward Theatre on 1 June 2006. In 1998, Mackintosh celebrated thirty years in show business with Hey, Mr. Producer! ,
342-709: A theatre producer after his aunt took him to a matinee of the Julian Slade musical Salad Days when he was eight years old. Mackintosh began his theatre career in his late teens, as a stagehand at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane , and then became an assistant stage manager on several touring productions. In 1967, working with Robin Alexander, he co-produced five plays at the Kenton Theatre , Henley . He began producing his own small tours before becoming
380-656: Is Australian-born theatre photographer Michael Le Poer Trench. They met at the opening night of a production of Oklahoma! in Adelaide , Australia in 1982. The couple live between homes in London; Stavordale Priory in Charlton Musgrove , Somerset ; and the Nevis Estate, on North Morar in the West Highlands . In 2006, Mackintosh was listed 4th on The Independent on Sunday ' s Pink List ,
418-405: Is a person who oversees all aspects of mounting a theatre production . The producer is responsible for the overall financial and managerial functions of a production or venue, raises or provides financial backing, and hires personnel for creative positions (writer, director, designers, composer, choreographer—and in some cases, performers). The term "producer" is American in origin, referring to
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#1732780082636456-406: Is also a producer. In 1994, Mackintosh bought the Nevis Estate, on North Morar, to the east of Mallaig in the West Highlands of Scotland, covering around 14,000 acres (5,700 ha). He has since been involved in a long-running dispute with a tenant crofter, over the land use on the estate. As the laird , Mackintosh wants to use the land for building holiday homes, but the crofter says the land
494-420: Is important, because of the liability issues mentioned above. All bills, including payroll, must be paid on time, and taxes must be paid. The producer oversees the budget. The theatre owner provides box office services and turns over net ticket sales revenue. If sales fall under a set minimum level, the unprofitable show may close. If ticket sales are good and the show makes a profit, the producer may get 50% of
532-441: Is needed for grazing. In 1990, Mackintosh responded to criticism of Jonathan Pryce using prosthetics and skin darkening makeup to play a Vietnamese character, "We passionately disapprove of stereotype casting...by choosing to discriminate against Mr. Pryce on the basis of his race, Equity has further violated the fundamental principles of federal and state human rights laws, as well as of federal labor laws." In 1998, Mackintosh
570-660: The Sunday Times Rich List of 2021, Mackintosh was estimated to have a net worth of £1.2 billion. Mackintosh was born in Enfield , London, the son of Diana Gladys (née Tonna), a production secretary, and Ian Robert Mackintosh, a timber merchant and jazz trumpeter. His father was Scottish, and his mother who was a native of Malta , was of Maltese and French descent. Mackintosh was educated at Prior Park College in Bath . Mackintosh first knew that he wanted to become
608-558: The Prince Edward Theatre in the West End, where it ran until January 2023. In summer 2024, Mackintosh co-produced and revised a new production of Oliver! directed and produced by Matthew Bourne at Chichester Festival Theatre before transferring to the Gielgud Theatre in the West End in December 2024. Mackintosh is notable as a producer for his transformation of the musical into a global and highly profitable brand; he
646-981: The Royal Shakespeare Company 's Trevor Nunn and Nicholas Hytner ) and technicians to the world of musical theatre. Mackintosh's Delfont Mackintosh group owns eight London theatres, the Prince Edward , the Prince of Wales , the Novello , the Sondheim , the Gielgud , the Wyndham's , the Victoria Palace and the Noël Coward . Mackintosh was knighted during the 1996 New Year Honours for services to musical theatre. His partner
684-536: The Theatre Royal Drury Lane which ran from 2008–09. The production was cast via the hit BBC television series I'd Do Anything . Jodie Prenger became the winner and was subsequently cast as Nancy in the production, with Rowan Atkinson as Fagin. The publicity and attention surrounding the production was unprecedented on the West End stage, and it was reported in January 2009 that the production
722-679: The New York production, which is the longest-running Broadway musical of all time. He produced Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil's next musical Miss Saigon , which opened at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in the West End in September 1989. It was similarly successful, and the 1991 Broadway production had what was then the largest advance ticket sales in theatre history prior to its controversy . Asian American actors protested
760-521: The Opera , Cats , Miss Saigon , Mary Poppins , Oliver! , and Hamilton . Mackintosh was knighted in 1996 for services to musical theatre. Two of his productions, Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera , are the two longest-running musicals in West End history . In 2008, The Daily Telegraph ranked him number 7 in their list of the "100 most powerful people in British culture". In
798-703: The Theatre's refurbishment, it was performed in a giant tent 'Theatre in the Park' in July and August. In 2014, the production toured the UK and Ireland starring Brian Conley in the title role. On 27 January 2014, Mackintosh was the first British producer to be inducted into Broadway's American Theater Hall of Fame . On 3 May 2014, Mackintosh relaunched Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre in London, celebrating 25 years since its first launch. In 2016, Mackintosh co-produced
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#1732780082636836-455: The box office and a lukewarm critical reception before becoming a massive hit, largely by word-of-mouth and is now the longest running musical and second longest running London production. In 1986, Mackintosh produced Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera , which is one of the most commercially successful musicals of all time. The original London production is still running and is the 3rd longest running production in London, along with
874-404: The business and legal end of employing staff, as in any business entity. Hiring creative staff and teams generally involves the director and playwright's approval. The producer hires the production team, including the general manager, production manager , house manager, stage manager , etc., at their discretion. In many cases, contracts require that the producer use front of house staff (such as
912-403: The casting of a Caucasian actor and the use of yellowface in the role of the pimp. Mackintosh has produced several other successful musicals, including Five Guys Named Moe (both in London in 1990 and on Broadway) and a revised London production of Stephen Sondheim 's Follies in 1987. In 1995, Mackintosh produced the 10th anniversary concert of Les Misérables in London. Additionally he
950-414: The house manager, box office , ushers, etc.) and backstage personnel ( stage hands , electrician, carpenter, etc.) supplied by the theatre. The producer creates, builds on and oversees the budget, sets ticket prices, chooses performance dates and times, and develops a marketing and advertising strategy for the production. Hiring a publicist and marketing team is one of the most important responsibilities of
988-637: The longest running musicals on both sides of the Atlantic. After the success of Cats , he approached the French writing team Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil about bringing their musical Les Misérables (then a successful French concept album) to the London stage. The musical opened in 1985 at the Barbican before transferring to the Palace Theatre . Les Misérables had a shaky start at
1026-411: The net profit, the other 50% going to the investors. Statistically, highly successful shows with big profits are the exception. Independent commercial production is a high risk business. Another kind of producer is the non-independent, or line producer , who facilitates other people's projects. A repertory or repertoire or festival or non-profit or amateur organization, in most cases, uses
1064-399: The original theatrical production enhances the value of an artistic property. This right to further options may be included in the royalty agreement. In other duties, the producer may work with theatrical agents, negotiate with unions, find other staff, secure the theatre and rehearsal hall, obtain liability and workers' compensation insurance, and post bonds with unions. The producer handles
1102-413: The person responsible for the financial aspects of producing a play, including acquiring the rights to produce it; renting a theatre; hiring actors and staff; and selling tickets. In Britain, these functions were carried out by the manager, while the person responsible for staging the play (now called the "director") was traditionally referred to as the producer. The independent producer usually initiates
1140-451: The producer. These teams are generally in place before the show is cast. The producer collaborates with the director and all staff to plan a production timeline and deadlines for various aspects of the production to ensure a successful show opening and run. The producer and director oversee this timeline, with periodic re-assessment and modifications as needed. The producer hires accountants, and perhaps already has legal representation. This
1178-401: The production in a limited partnership agreement. In this business structure, the producer becomes the general partner with unlimited liability, and because of this, often brings in other general partners. The producer probably has optioned the play from the playwright , which includes rights to future production for film and television. The producer earns the right to future ventures because
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1216-433: The production—finding the script and starting the process. The producer finds the director and pursues the primary goals, to balance and coordinate business and financial aspects in the service of the creative realization of the playwright's vision. This may include casting, but often only includes casting approval. The producer may secure funds for the production, either through their own company or by bringing investors into
1254-601: The successful Conservative candidate for Somerton and Frome , David Warburton . In the 2016 European Union membership referendum , Mackintosh voted for the UK to leave the EU, stating that it was "not because I don't love Europe - I do huge amount of work in Europe and love Europeans - but there is something wrong with a system where the Fat Controller is not accountable". Theatrical producer A theatrical producer
1292-475: The team, and their names appear above the show title. However, many "producers" are really investors or the theatre owner, and claim no say in running the production. A producer credit occasionally applies to people who perform special important services, such as finding a theatre or a star—but normally, the credit for such roles is associate producer . The producer works closely with the production team and cast to make all final decisions. The producer, ultimately,
1330-483: Was named in a list of the biggest private financial donors to the Labour Party , a decision he later regretted, saying in 2010, "Labour really fucked it up. They were profligate at a time when we were doing well. That's why we have the problems we have now. They didn't save any money for a rainy day. It couldn't have been worse these last 12 years." In the 2015 British general election , Mackintosh donated £25,000 to
1368-518: Was responsible for presenting the West End transfers of the National Theatre revivals of Oklahoma! (1999), My Fair Lady (2001), and Carousel (1993). Mackintosh's less successful London productions include Moby Dick (1993) and Martin Guerre (1996). He produced the stage adaptation of John Updike 's The Witches of Eastwick (2000) which despite some positive reviews and
1406-503: Was the fastest-selling show in West End history, with £15 million of pre-opening sales. In April 2010, Mackintosh staged a West End revival of the musical Hair in London's Gielgud Theatre . This production was transferred from Broadway, where a revival production was staged in 2009. In 2013, he worked with the Chichester Festival Theatre on a revival of Barnum , starring Christopher Fitzgerald . Due to
1444-465: Was the first theatrical producer to recognise that both touring productions and worldwide productions (often in countries where musicals were seldom seen such as the former eastern bloc countries in the early 90s) were potentially highly lucrative markets which could collectively, match and even surpass the revenues generated from New York and London productions. Mackintosh has also had considerable success in bringing legitimate theatre directors (such as
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