Nicholas Hytner
Final Chance to Vote for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards (Jun 2, 2026)
Drama Bookshop Will Offer Free Copy of GIANT To Students (Jun 1, 2026)
Final Week to Vote for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards; THE LOST BOYS Leads Best New Musical (May 29, 2026)
BIO
Nicholas Hytner has been Director of the National Theatre since 2003, and heads a team that produces around 20 new shows each year.
Since 1989 he has directed 28 productions at the National, including The Madness of George III, Henry V, His Dark Materials, The History Boys, Stuff Happens, Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, Much Ado About Nothing, England People Very Nice, Phedre, The Habit of Art, London Assurance, Hamlet and Collaborators.
On Broadway he has directed The History Boys, Sweet Smell of Success and Miss Saigon; and at Lincoln Center Theater Carousel and Twelfth Night.
He has directed opera at the Royal Opera House, the Metropolitan Opera (Don Carlo, 2010) and the Paris Opera.
Films: The Madness of King George, The Crucible, The Object of My Affection, The History Boys.
He has won two Tony awards for directing Carousel and The History Boys, and one as producer of War Horse.
Photos
Productions
Awards and Nominations
Nicholas Hytner, Giant
Nicholas HytnerOthello
winner
Nicholas Hytner TImon of Athens
winner
Nicholas Hytner
winner
Nicholas Hytner, One Man, Two Guvnors
Nicholas Hytner, One Man, Two Guvnors
winner
Nicholas Hytner, War Horse
winner
Nicholas Hytner, The History Boys
winner
Nicholas Hytner, The History Boys
winner
Nicholas Hytner, The History Boys
winner
Nicholas HytnerHistory Boys
Nicholas HytnerOrpheus Descending
Nicholas Hytner, Carousel
winner
Nicholas Hytner, Carousel
winner
Nicholas Hytner, Carousel
Nicholas Hytner , Miss Saigon
Nicholas Hytner, Miss Saigon
Nicholas HytnerGhetto
winner
Nicholas HytnerGhetto
Videos
Video: John Lithgow Talks Roald Dahl and Bringing GIANT to Broadway
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-03-10 10:44:37
Photos/Video: Jonathan Bailey and More in Rehearsal For RICHARD II
by Stephi Wild - 2025-01-07 05:41:23
Video: Get a First Look at Immersive GUYS AND DOLLS at the Bridge Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2023-04-05 15:40:26
VIDEO: Helen Mirren Accepts the Life Achievement Award at the SAG Awards
by Stephi Wild - 2022-02-28 06:44:32
Broadway Rewind: James Corden Returns to Broadway in ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS
by Nicole Rosky - 2020-08-31 17:25:20
VIDEO: Learn More About the History of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CAROUSEL
by Stephi Wild - 2020-04-19 17:06:51
VIDEO: Allison Janney Talks About Pranking Nicholas Hytner on THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH JAMES CORDEN
by Sarah Leiber - 2019-10-03 21:36:48
STAGE TUBE: Stephen Wight and More at Press Night of MCQUEEN
by Christina Mancuso - 2015-05-27 07:21:06
VIDEO: First Look at JK Rowling's THE CAUAL VACANCY Mini-Series
by Caryn Robbins - 2015-02-02 13:21:18
STAGE TUBE: International Touring Cast of WEST SIDE STORY Lip-Syncs to Icona Pop's 'I Love It'
by Stage Tube - 2013-10-08 17:19:56
TV: First Look at Charlie Brady, Katie Boren & More in Highlights of MISS SAIGON at Starlight
by Christina Mancuso - 2013-09-10 19:03:35
STAGE TUBE: James Corden on Getting Engaged, David Beckham and More!
by Nicole Rosky - 2012-06-20 11:20:06
News
by Team BWW - Jun 2, 2026
This is the final chance to vote for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater - as decided by the most important critics, the audience at large - allowing YOU to have your say during the most exciting time of the year for the theater community.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 1, 2026
The Drama Bookshop is partnering with the Broadway production of GIANT to give students a free copy of Mark Rosenblatt's Tony-nominated play with a valid student ID, while supplies last.
by Team BWW - May 29, 2026
There's just four days left to vote for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater - as decided by the most important critics, the audience at large - allowing YOU to have your say during the most exciting time of the year for the theater community.
by Team BWW - May 22, 2026
The first standings have been revealed for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater - as decided by the most important critics, the audience at large.
by Nicole Rosky - May 19, 2026
Four-time Tony nominated and Olivier Award-winning Best Play, GIANT, has recouped its $5.6 million Broadway capitalization just 10 weeks into its planned 16-week limited engagement on Broadway.
by Nicole Rosky - May 15, 2026
The best of Broadway and off-Broadway were on hand at the Ziegfeld Ballroom to celebrate 92nd Annual Drama League Awards, hosted by Emmy Award winner Frank DiLella. Check out a full list of winners here.
by Nicole Rosky - May 23, 2026
The 2026 Tony nominees are already winners... literally. For some, this marks their first nomination, but others have already won Tony Awards in seasons past. We took a look at which nominees have won at least a Tony or two (or four!) - amongst them, they've gathered a total 64 awards.
by Nicole Rosky - May 5, 2026
The nominations are in! Below, check out how each show fared individually in a full list of nominations by show. Follow us on BroadwayWorld throughout the day, as we'll bring you Tony nominee reactions, exclusive reports, surprises, behind the scenes coverage and oh, so much more!
by Stephi Wild - Apr 20, 2026
The Drama League has announced the 2026 Drama League Awards Nominees, which include Chess, Heathers, Ragtime, The Rocky Horror Show, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Titanique, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), and more. Check out the full list here!
by Stephi Wild - Apr 13, 2026
Marking the first West End transfer for The Bridge, the multi-award-winning production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into The Woods will run in the West End this Autumn.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 1, 2026
Playwright Mark Rosenblatt, who wrote the play Giant that is now running on Broadway, has signed with CAA. Rosenblatt, a theater and film writer and director, won the Olivier Award for Giant when it had its premiere in the West End in 2024.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 26, 2026
Full casting has been announced for the RSC's forthcoming production of William Shakespeare's The Tempest, directed by Richard Eyre marking his first time directing in Stratford-upon-Avon.
by Bruce Glikas - Mar 24, 2026
Big things are happening at the Music Box Theatre! Just last night, March 23, Mark Rosenblatt’s Olivier Award-winning play Giant officially opened. Check out photos from the star-studded red carpet, which included special guests Sarah Paulson, Sara Bareilles, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Bobby Cannavale, Blythe Danner, and more!
by Bruce Glikas - Mar 24, 2026
The Music Box Theatre was the place to be last night, March 23, as Giant, Mark Rosenblatt’s Olivier Award-winning play Giant officially opened. It is led by two-time Tony Award winner John Lithgow as Roald Dahl and directed by two-time Tony Award winner Nicholas Hytner. Check out photos here!
by Luka Vonier - Mar 24, 2026
Mark Rosenblatt’s Olivier Award-winning play is led by two-time Tony Award winner John Lithgow as Roald Dahl and directed by two-time Tony Award winner Nicholas Hytner. Watch in this video as the cast comes together at the Music Box Theatre to celebrate opening night!
by Jennifer Broski - Mar 24, 2026
Performances are now underway for GIANT, starring John Lithgow as Roald Dahl. The production officially opened on March 23. Check out photos of the cast taking their opening night bows here!
by Stephi Wild - Mar 17, 2026
GIANT, starring two-time Tony Award winner John Lithgow as Roald Dahl and directed by two-time Tony Award winner Nicholas Hytner, will host Playwrights’ Night On Broadway at the Music Box Theatre.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 12, 2026
See first look photos of John Lithgow as Roald Dahl in GIANT, the Olivier Award-winning play now in performances at Broadway's Music Box Theatre.
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 10, 2026
Following two critically acclaimed sold-out runs in the UK, the Olivier-award winning production of Mark Rosenblatt’s GIANT, directed by Nicholas Hytner and starring John Lithgow, has officially landed on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre with performances beginning this Wednesday, March 11. Check out photos from inside rehearsals here.
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 10, 2026
Two-time Tony Award winner John Lithgow is back on Broadway in Giant, a new play exploring the darker side of children's author Roald Dahl. Lithgow reprises his performance as Dahl and visited The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to talk all about it. Watch the interview now.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for Giant, Best Director (Evening Standard Awards) for Othello, Best Director (Evening Standard Awards) for TImon of Athens, Lebedev Special Award (Evening Standard Awards), Outstanding Director of a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for One Man, Two Guvnors , Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for One Man, Two Guvnors, Best Play (Tony Awards) for War Horse, Outstanding Director of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The History Boys, Outstanding Director of a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The History Boys, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for The History Boys, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for History Boys, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Orpheus Descending, Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Carousel, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Carousel, Best Director of a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Carousel, Best Director (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Miss Saigon, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Miss Saigon, Director of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Ghetto and Best Director (Evening Standard Awards) for Ghetto.
Nicholas Hytner has won several prestigious awards throughout his career. These include Best Director at the Evening Standard Awards for Timon of Athens, the Lebedev Special Award at the Evening Standard Awards, and Outstanding Director of a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for One Man, Two Guvnors. He also received the Best Play award at the Tony Awards for War Horse. Hytner was honored with Outstanding Director of a Play at the Drama Desk Awards and Outstanding Director of a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The History Boys. Additionally, he won Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for The History Boys and Best Director at the Olivier Awards for the same production. His accolades also include Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for Carousel, along with Best Director of a Musical at the Olivier Awards for Carousel. Lastly, he received Best Director at the Evening Standard Awards for Ghetto.
Videos
