Stephen Mear

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Stephen Mear BIO

Stephen Mear is an English dancer, choreographer and director best known for his award-winning work in musical theatre.

In the 1990s, Mear taught dance at the London Studio Centre. In 2005 he and co-choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Choreography, for their work on the new West End musical Mary Poppins, which they subsequently won once more for the revival of the same production in London at the 2020 Olivier Awards. This production later transferred to Broadway in 2006, being nominated for the Tony Award for Best Choreography in 2007. Mear choreographed the Broadway musical of Disney's The Little Mermaid (2007–08). Mear also Choreographed Sunset Boulevard in the West End (2016) and on Broadway (2017), starring Glenn Close. In recognition of his achievements, in 2006 and 2015 Mear was the recipient of a Carl Alan Award, an award voted for by leading dance organisations in the United Kingdom. In 2010, Stephen Mear won a Laurence Olivier Award for best Theatre Choreographer for his work on Hello Dolly at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park, he was also a choreographer for So You Think You Can Dance (UK), in the category broadway.

Olivier Award Nominations include; Gypsy (2016), Kiss Me Kate (2013), Crazy for You (2012), Sweet Charity (2011), Sinatra (2007), Singin' in the Rain (2001) and Soul Train (2000).

TV credits include; The Tracey Ullman Show - (Library number - BBC1 2016), Gypsy - Live at the Savoy (BBC4 2015), The Vote - Donmar Warehouse Live on More4 (UK Election night 2015), Psychobitches - Samantha Spiro as Judy Garland, Sheila Reid as Margot Fonteyn (Sky Arts 2012), So You Think You Can Dance (2009-2010) Victoria Wood's Christmas Special (BBC/DVD 2009) Acorn Antiques The Musical (BBC/DVD)

Music Videos include; Number 1 - by Goldfrapp. The Importance of Being Idle - by Oasis (In 2006 the video won the Shockwaves NME award for best video and in 2005 it was also nominated for a Q award

His partner is dance teacher and Choreographer Mark Smith, who is deaf. Mear was co-choreographer for Mary Poppins, created the entire "sign language" combination/idea for the show's hit musical number Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, because of the knowledge of sign language he had.

Mear was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to dance

Stephen Mear Photos

Stephen Mear STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
London Production, 1993
Wyatt

[West End]
London Revival, 1992
Performer

[West End]
London Production, 1989
Ensemble

Stephen Mear Productions

 
[West End, 2023]
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[West End, 2023]
Choreography
 
[West End, 2023]
Choreographer
 
[West End, 2021]
Co- Choreographer
 
[West End, 2021]
Co-Choreographer
 
[Chicago, 2020]
Choreographer
Director
 
[West End, 2020]
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[West End, 2019]
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[West End, 2018]
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[Broadway, 2017]
Choreographer
 
[West End, 2016]
Choreography
 
[West End, 2012]
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[West End, 2011]
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[West End, 2010]
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[US Tour, 2009]
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[Broadway, 2008]
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[West End, 2007]
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[Broadway, 2006]
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[West End, 2006]
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[West End, 2005]
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[London Fringe, 2005]
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[West End, 2004]
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[West End, 2004] Cancelled
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[West End, 2003]
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[West End, 2002]
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[West End, 2000]
Choreographer

Stephen Mear Videos

Stephen Mear News


MARY POPPINS Will Embark on New UK and Ireland Tour in 2024

Direct from the West End, Cameron Mackintosh and Disney Theatrical Group have announced that MARY POPPINS will embark on a 2024/2025 UK and Ireland tour.

Kate Prince Brings MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE to Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts

Danse Danse welcomes the international tour for Message In A Bottle, a production celebrating contemporary and street dance styles around the greatest hits of legendary singer Sting. Learn more about the show and find out how to get tickets here!

STORIES, The Tap Dance Sensation Comes to the Peacock Theatre This October

Fresh from a sold-out European tour, France's Got Talent finalists, RB Dance Company, presents the UK premiere of its critically acclaimed, award-winning production Stories at Sadler's Wells' Peacock Theatre from Wednesday 23 October - Saturday 2 November 2024.

Video: Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga, and the Cast of SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Take Final Bows

Sondheim's Old Friends played its final show in London at the Gielgud Theatre on 6 January. Led by Broadway Legends Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga, watch the cast take their final bows in the video here!

Critics' Pick: Aliya Al-Hassan's Best Theatre of 2023

The pure joy of theatre is its ability to constantly renew and surprise. For me, 2023 saw a plethora of excellent musicals. Notoriously hard to get right, this year seemed to feature both clever revivals and future successes, many of which remained in my thoughts long after I left the theatre.

Review: THE WITCHES, National Theatre

I'm sure there will be more than a few sighs of relief down the corridors of the National Theatre at the deservedly raptuous reception for The Witches, the latest attempt to bring a hit show to the stage at this lucrative time of year. 'We're not women, we're hell' is not a line you would expect at a family show, but Lyndsey Turner's production combines exuberant fun, quick-witted comedy and a positive attitude towards death to produce an entralling, clever and incredibly funny production.

Will West End's OLD FRIENDS Transfer to Broadway?

Just last month, the company of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends celebrated its West End opening night at the Gielgud Theatre, where it is playing until 6 January 2024. Another opening night might be on the horizon, however...

SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS to Release 5,000 Tickets at £25 For Under 30s

Celebrate the success of 'Sondheim's Old Friends' with 5,000 discounted tickets for under 30s. Cameron Mackintosh supports young playwrights, composers, and lyricists with £25 tickets.

Listen to Lea Salonga Sing 'Everything's Coming Up Roses' in OLD FRIENDS

Lea Salonga recently visited 'The Michael Ball Show' to chat about her new role in Old Friends. Listen to the interview and check out her performance of Gypsy's 'Everything's Coming Up Roses'.

Photos: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Company Takes Opening Night Bows

Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends officially opened last night at the Gielgud Theatre, where it is playing until 6 January 2024. Check out photos of the company taking their opening night bows here!

Video: First Look at Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga & More in STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS

Get a first look at footage of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends!

Photos: First Look at Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga & More in STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS

Get a first look at Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga, and the rest of the cast in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends. Check out these stunning photos from the highly anticipated production, giving fans a sneak peek of what to expect on stage.

Kate Prince's MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE Set to the Music of Sting to Embark on North American Tour in 2024

Sadler’s Wells' production of Message In A Bottle, the acclaimed dance theatre show by Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Kate Prince, set to the music of 17-time Grammy Award-winning icon Sting, will embark on a major 10-stop North American tour in 2024. 

Photos: Inside Rehearsals for STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS

The old friends of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends are getting ready for the West End! Performances begin 21 September at the Gielgud Theatre, where it will run through 6 January 2024. Check out photos from inside rehearsals here!

Clare Burt Replaces Haydn Gwynne in STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS

Clare Burt will join the company of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre when the show begins performances on 21 September. Learn more about Clare and find out how to get tickets here!

Review Roundup: LA CAGE AUX FOLLES Opens at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

See what the critics are saying about La Cage aux Folles at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES Extends at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Due to popular demand, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has announced an extra week for its new production of La Cage aux Folles, with 8 added performances from Monday 18 – Saturday 23 September 2023.

Review: LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Well what a show for Artistic Director Tim Sheader to bow out on. Since 2007, Sheader has made Regent's Park Open Air Theatre a real theatrical destination and his revival of musical La Cage Aux Folles is gloriously frothy, deeply funny and completely fabulous.

Photos: First Look at LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

All new photos have been released from LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, now playing at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. The musical features a book by Harvey Fierstein, with Music & Lyrics by Jerry Herman, based on the play by Jean Poiret.

Photos: Inside Rehearsal For LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

La Cage Aux Folles runs at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre from 29 July to 16 September 2023. Check out all new rehearsal photos here!

Stephen Mear FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Stephen Mear has not appeared on Broadway.

Stephen Mear has appeared on London's West End in 3 shows.

Stephen Mear's first West End show was Anything Goes which opened in 1989

Stephen Mear has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including Best Theatre Choreographer at the Olivier Awards for "Gypsy," "Kiss Me, Kate," "Crazy For You," "Sweet Charity," "Hello, Dolly!," "Sinatra at the London Palladium," and "Soul Train." He also received Outstanding Choreography nominations at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Mary Poppins" and won the Best Choreography Tony Award for the same show. Additionally, Mear won the Outstanding Choreography Drama Desk Award for "Mary Poppins."

Stephen Mear has won the Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer for his work on Hello, Dolly!.

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