John Caird

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John Caird BIO

Caid is a freelance director and writer working in theatre, opera and musical theatre, an Honorary Associate Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Principal Guest Director of the Royal Dramatic Theatre, Stockholm (Dramaten) and author of Theatre Craft, published by Faber and Faber.

Recent work in England includes: Macbeth (Almeida) and Hamlet (NT), both with Simon Russell Beale. In Stockholm his production of Strindberg’s Dance of Death is currently running at the Royal Dramatic Theatre, and in Japan he has just directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the New National Theatre and his own adaptation of Teru Miyamoto’s novel Kinshu at the Galaxy Theatre. Other productions at the NT include Bulwer-Lytton’s Money, new versions of Bernstein’s Candide and Barrie’s Peter Pan, Trelawny of the ‘Wells’, The Seagull with Judi Dench, Pam Gems’s Stanley with Anthony Sher and Humble Boy by Charlotte Jones with Diana Rigg and Simon Russell Beale.

He is an honorary associate director of the RSC, where he has directed over 20 plays including classic works by Shakespeare, Shaw, Farquhar, Gorky, Strindberg, Brecht and Ben Jonson, and new plays by Peter Flannery, Pam Gems, Jonathan Gems, John Berger and Nella Bielski, Richard Nelson, David Edgar, Mary O’Malley and Charles Wood. His productions of Les Misérables and Nicholas Nickleby, both with Trevor Nunn, have won numerous awards around the world. Other work includes Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Song & Dance (Palace), Mozart’s Zaide (Battignano Opera Festival, Tuscany) and the Siegfried and Roy Spectacular (Las Vegas).

Television includes: Nicholas Nickleby, As You Like It and his own adaptation of Shakepeare’s Henry IV plays for the BBC.

Other recent productions include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Twelfth Night (both Royal Dramatic Theatre, Stockholm), The Beggar’s Opera (Nissay Theatre, Tokyo), The Screams of Kitty Genovese (Public Theatre, New York) and Verdi’s Don Carlos (Welsh National Opera and Canadian Opera Company, Toronto).

Published work as a librettist and lyricist includes: a new version of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera with the composer Ilona Sekacz, first performed at the RSC, a new adaptation of J M Barrie’s Peter Pan (RSC and NT), Children of Eden with composer Stephen Schwartz, Jane Eyre and Daddy Long Legs, both with composer Paul Gordon, and Bernstein’s Candide with new lyrics by Richard Wilbur and Stephen Sondheim.

John Caird Photos

John Caird Productions

 
[West End, 2021]
Adaptation
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Book, Director
 
[West End, 2015]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Adaptor
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1993]
Director
 
[London Fringe, 1992]
Adaptation
 
[West End, 1991]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Adaptation
Director
 
[West End, 1985]
Director
 
[West End, 1982]
Director

Writing

Bookwriter

John Caird Videos

John Caird News


Stagecrafters to Present CHILDREN OF EDEN Beginning This Month

Stagecrafters has announced the upcoming production of Children of Eden, a timeless musical masterpiece that explores the timeless themes of family, love, and forgiveness, presented from March 29th to April 21st.

LES MISERABLES Extends Booking to March 2025

LES MISÉRABLES at the Sondheim Theatre has extended its booking until Saturday 29 March 2025. The Christmas performance schedule is also announced. 

Tickets Now on Sale for LES MISERABLES at Proctors

Tickets for Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's LES MISÉRABLES, are on sale for its engagement at the MainStage at Proctors, Schenectady. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Review: MAN OF LA MANCHA, This Tale of A Knight Errant Proves No Fool's Errand at Theatre 29

“Don Quixote”, Miguel de Cervantes’ epic Spanish masterpiece and arguably the world’s first modern novel, has survived the ravages of time since its initial publishing in 1605 as well as the pernicious predations of countless other “authors” who stole Cervantes’ story and published unofficial sequels to the tale over following years, particularly in the new world.

Full Cast Set For SPIRITED AWAY at the London Coliseum

The full cast has been announced for the European premiere of the stage adaptation of SPIRITED AWAY at the London Coliseum. Find out who is starring in the show here!

San Francisco Opera Announces 2024�"25 Season Including CARMEN, LA BOHÈME and More

The 2024–25 Season includes six mainstage opera productions along with concert presentations including a one-night-only performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony on October 26, honoring the work's 200th anniversary and, in the summer of 2025, a special Pride Concert celebrating San Francisco's LGBTQIA+ community.

Photos: Go Inside MCP's CHILDREN OF EDEN Concert, with Norm Lewis, Nikki Renée Daniels and More

Over the weekend, Manhattan Concert Productions presented Children of Eden at David Geffen Hall and BroadwayWorld was there for the big night. Check out photos here!

Video: Get a Sneak Peek of Manhattan Concert Productions' CHILDREN OF EDEN Concert

Manhattan Concert Productions is getting ready to present the 9th installment of its beloved Broadway Series with the critically acclaimed musical Children of Eden. In this video, catch a sneak peek of 'Children of Eden,' 'In Whatever Time We Have,' 'Father's Day,' and 'A World Without You' and get the scoop on rehearsals so far!

Photos: Go Inside Rehearsals for Manhattan Concert Productions' CHILDREN OF EDEN

Manhattan Concert Productions is getting ready to present the 9th installment of its beloved Broadway Series with the critically acclaimed musical Children of Eden. The company just met the press and BroadwayWorld was there for the big day. Check out photos below!

Tickets On Sale For LES MISERABLES At Fox Theatre

Tickets for LES MISÉRABLES at Fox Theatre, Feb 16, are now on sale. Don't miss the world's most popular musical playing in Atlanta for one week only, June 4-9.

Video: Nikki Renée Daniels & David Phelps Are Going Back to the Beginning in CHILDREN OF EDEN

In this video, watch as Nikki Renée Daniels and David Phelps chat about Manhattan Concert Productions' upcoming concert performance of Children of Eden.

LES MISERABLES Comes To Overture Center in February

Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES, is coming to Madison on Wednesday, Feb. 14 through Sunday, Feb. 18 in Overture Hall.

Theatre Under The Stars to Present TUTS Texas All-State Musical Production LES MISERABLES SCHOOL EDITION

Theatre Under The Stars will present the first-ever TUTS Texas All-State Musical production! Find out more about this exciting new production.

Feature: MILAN VAN WAARDENBURG SPEELT HOOFDROL IN LES MISERABLES IN LONDEN!

Producent Cameron Mackintosh is verheugd te melden dat Milan van Waardenburg, vanaf maandag 11 maart 2024, de hoofdrol van Jean Valjean gaat spelen in Les Misérables in het Londense Sondheim Theatre. Milan maakt zijn West End debuut nadat hij onlangs nog in Nederland en België in Les Misérables te zien was. Voor zijn vertolking van de hoofdrol van Jean Valjean ontving hij lovende kritieken en een Musical Award nominatie voor Beste Hoofdrolspeler in een Grote Musical. Milan was eerder oa te zien als Prins Hans in Disney's Frozen in Duitsland, Dimitri in Anastasia zowel in Duitsland als in Nederland, luitenant Frederic Charles en Quasimodo in Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame en Herbert in Tanz der Vampire, beide op tournee door Duitsland. Naast Milan zijn ook de Nederlanders Djavan van de Fliert en Anouk van Laake in de Londense versie van Les Misérables te zien. 

Peter Joback and Milan van Waardenburg to Join LES MISERABLES at the Sondheim Theatre

New casting has been announced for LES MISÉRABLES at the Sondheim Theatre, with Swedish star, Peter Jöback and Dutch leading artist, Milan van Waardenburg taking on the role of Jean Valjean respectively in the critically acclaimed production. 

Video: Norm Lewis Is Prepping for His Most Heavenly Role in CHILDREN OF EDEN

In this video, watch as Norm Lewis gets ready to star in Manhattan Concert Productions's concert performance of Children of Eden.

Photos: See New Production Images of LES MISERABLES in the West End

Check out new production photos of Les Miserables in the West End!

LES MISERABLES Kicks Off The New Year At The Lied Center!

Get your tickets now for Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed production of Boublil and Schönberg's LES MISÉRABLES at the Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln. Don't miss the world's most popular musical!

Houston Grand Opera To Open Wagner's PARSIFAL In January

Houston Grand Opera will open Wagner's Parsifal on January 19, 2024. This production marks the first time since 1992 that the company presents the Holy Grail story. Directed by John Caird and conducted by Eun Sun Kim, the opera takes audiences on a mystical journey through a realm where time has no meaning. The production features a cast of extraordinary Wagnerians.

LES MISERABLES Returns To Boston Performances At The Citizens Bank Opera House, August 13 �" 25

Tickets for Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES, are now on sale.  Performances at the Citizens Bank Opera House August 13 – 25, 2024.  LES MISÉRABLES is part of the 23/24 Lexus Broadway In Boston season.

John Caird FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

John Caird has written 3 shows including Children of Eden (Bookwriter), Jane Eyre (Bookwriter), Daddy Long Legs (Book).

John Caird has been nominated for several prestigious awards throughout his career. Some of his nominations include Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Daddy Long Legs," Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Daddy Long Legs," Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Jane Eyre," Best Original Score at the Tony Awards for "Jane Eyre," Best Director - Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Stanley," Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for "Stanley," Best Director of a Musical at the Olivier Awards for "The Beggar's Opera," Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Les Miserables," Best Director at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Les Miserables," Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Les Misérables," Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby," Best Director at the Evening Standard Awards for "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby," and Director of the Year at the Olivier Awards for "Nicholas Nickleby."

John Caird has won several prestigious awards for his work in the theater, including Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Daddy Long Legs, Best Director - Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Stanley, Best Director at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Les Miserables, Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for Les Misérables, Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Best Director at the Evening Standard Awards for The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, and Director of the Year at the Olivier Awards for Nicholas Nickleby.

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