This is my third blog post on my favourite theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh. I have met him twice when I was in London, first in July 2023 on Shaftesbury Avenue and again in September 2023 when I was seeing two of his shows, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends and Les Misérables. He was very nice indeed, friendly, and answered my questions.
Here are some facts I have found.
Cameron Mackintosh was born on October 17, 1946, in London, England. He grew up in a family that was involved in theatre, with his father being a Scottish timber merchant and his mother a secretary at Drury Lane Theatre. Cameron went away to boarding school,Prior Park College in Bath, England. However, he left school at the age of 17 to pursue his ambition of a career in the theatre.
Mackintosh started work as a stagehand for his aunt, Viennese-born producer Lotte Lenya, who was married to composer Kurt Weill. He later worked his way up in the industry, eventually becoming a stage manager and then a producer. Mackintosh is credited with revolutionising
the staging of musicals. He used advanced technology and large-scale sets to create exciting visual and immersive experiences for audiences.
Throughout his career, Mackintosh has received numerous awards and honours for his contributions to theatre, including Tony Awards, Olivier Awards, and the Special Olivier Award for his outstanding contribution to theatre. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and successful producers in the history of theatre.
My own favourite musical that he has produced is the classic Oliver! The shows that I have seen from him over the years are Oliver!, The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Miss Saigon, Les Misérables
(the original production, The Staged Concert, and the new production), Half a Sixpence and Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends.
I am hoping to see Les Misérables, the Arena Spectacular at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield on Saturday 12th October. Then a UK Tour of Mary Poppins opens at the Bristol Hippodrome on Monday 4th November
Cameron Mackintosh has also moved into theatre ownership, and is now one of the major proprietors in London’s West End Theatreland; he owns eight Theatres (Prince Edward, Prince of Wales, Novello, Wyndham’s, Noel Coward, Gielgud, Victoria Palace and Sondheim-originally
called Queen’s) with my favourite being the Gielgud.
A message received on our chat - specially for William about his blog...
Another great blog William, proving you're a musical theatre fan and having excellent research skills - a true journalist. I'm a big musicals fan too and love Oliver! It's a great show. I loved Old Friends also. I live in East London now, as did Lionel Bart who wrote Oliver. He wrote other shows, although they weren't big hits like Oliver. One was called 'Fings Ain't What They Used to Be' Which I saw when it was revived at our local theatre in Stratford (East London) a few years ago. Jessie Wallace was in it (Kat from East Enders on TV). You look like a good researcher,…
HI William, I enjoyed reading your blog with my cup of tea this morning. It was really interesting and enjoyable. I look forward to the upcoming ones that you publish.
The shows I have got booked for 2024 (in Manchester) are - Officer and a Gentlemen, Blood Brothers, Only Fools and Horses, and the Les Mis arena tour.
Good luck with everything you do in 2024.
Best wishes. Lynda 😊