Cameron Mackintosh

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. He began producing his own small tours before becoming a London-based producer in the 1970s. His early London productions included Anything Goes in 1969 (which closed after only 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 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 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.

His partner 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 1986, Mackintosh produced Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, which is one of the most commercially successful musicals of all time and has outgrossed record-breaking films such as Titanic and E.T. The original London production is still running and is the 3rd longest running production in London, along with 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 achieved what was then the largest advance ticket sales in theatre history.

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 was responsible for presenting the West End transfers of the National Theatre revivals of Oklahoma! (1999), My Fair Lady (2001), and Carousel (1993).

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.

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 is needed for grazing.

Mackintosh was knighted in the 1996 New Year Honours for services to musical theatre.

In 1998, Mackintosh celebrated thirty years in show business with Hey, Mr. Producer!, 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.

In 1998 Mackintosh was named in a list of the biggest private financial donors to the Labour Party, a decision he later claimed to regret, saying: "Labour really f****d 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 the successful Conservative candidate for Somerton and Frome, David Warburton. In the 2016 EU 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".

Walt Disney Theatrical president Thomas Schumacher met with Mackintosh in 2001 to discuss making Mary Poppins into 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 2006, Mackintosh was listed 4th on The Independent on Sunday's Pink List, 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.

In 2008–09, Mackintosh produced a revival of Lionel Bart's Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. 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 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 the Theatre's refurbishment, it was performed in a giant tent 'Theatre in the Park' in July and August. Mackintosh has voiced interest in producing a Broadway revival of Barnum with American actor Neil Patrick Harris 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.

On 6 December 2017 Mackintosh began previews of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway hit musical Hamilton in London. It premiered on 21 December 2017 at the Victoria Palace Theatre.

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Happy Birthday Cameron Mackintosh

Happy 71st Birthday to the wonder that is Sir Cameron Mackintosh!  On the 17th of October 1946 Cameron Mackintosh was born to proud parents Diana Gladys and Ian Robert Mackintosh. From an early age Cameron knew he wanted to be a stage producer and in his late teens he began working as a stagehand at the Theatre Royal Dury Lane. He then became an assistant stage manager on several touring productions. He began producing his own small tours before becoming a London-based producer in the 1970s. Since then Cameron’s empire has grown from strength to strength and he has become on of the most successful stage producers of all time.  Us theatre folggies have a lot to thank Cameron for. He has graced our West End and UK theatres with some of the best musical productions around. Here is a look at just of our favourite Cam Mac productions.  CATS - First Opened 1981:  Based on T.S Elliot’s  Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats Cameron and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS follows the Jellicles Cats on their yearly night of the Jellicle Choice through beautiful music and extraordinary choreography from Gillian Lynn.  Oliver - First Opened 2009:  Cameron’s adaptation of Oliver first opened at the Theatre Royal Dury Lane in 2009 before heading on a UK tour. The show drew great attention as Cameron found his Nancy, Jodie Prenger, through I’d Do Anything, a BBC talent show dedicated to this new production. The show also found West End stars such as Samantha Barks and Rachel Tucker.  Mary Poppins - First Opened 2004 Based on the classic Disney film and the stories from P L Travers Mary Poppins the music bring every bodies favourite magical Nanny live into theatres across the globe.  Miss Saigon - First Opened 1989 Set during the end of the Vietnam War and the collapse of Saigon, Miss Saigon offers a beautifully raw look into the world of girls like Kim and Mimi who are desperately trying to survive whilst living in a war zone. With music from Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil this is another masterpiece from the incredible threesome.  Half a Sixpence - First Opened in 2016 Half a Sixpence is cheeky, funny and beautifully heartwarming. Not only did Cameron find a smash hit with this musical, he’s found a superstar in his Arthur Kipps. Cameron has given big breaks to a number of the theatre industries biggest stars such as Michael Ball, Lea Salonga, Eva Nobelzada and now Charlie Stemp.  Phantom of the Opera - First Opened in 1986 After 31 years Andrew and Cameron’s Phantom of the Opera is still going strong and is still one of the worlds best loved musicals. It’s a timeless classic and it is currently Broadways longest running musical.  Les Miserables - First Opened in 1985 Cameron, Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil first worked together on Les Miserables, the wold’s longest musical after running. The West End production has been running for 32 consecutive years and first opened at the Barbican Theatre before transferring to the Palace Theatre and then finally it’s current home, Queens Theatre.  These are just some of Cameron’s masterpieces but what is your favourite? You can tweet us at @cstagereviews, or head to my Facebook page to leave a comment there: https://www.facebook.com/cstagereviews For more information from Cameron or his productions head to his official website.  All images courtesy of Google Images. 

Cameron Mackintosh on his 70th Birthday | vivienne vincent

The cast of Half a Sixpence surprise Cameron Mackintosh on his 70th Birthday with a cake and a 'This is Your Life' photo album at The Noel Coward Theatre, St Martin's Lane, London on Monday 17 October 2016

BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, Lynne Ramsay; Sir Cameron Mackintosh

Lynne Ramsay on directing We Need To Talk About Kevin; Sir Cameron Mackintosh at 65.