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Bill Kenwright

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BIO

As a theatre producer, Kenwright is best known for the long-running West End hit Blood Brothers and the record-breaking UK tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Other productions have included West End runs of Whistle Down the Wind at the Palace Theatre, Festen in London, on a UK tour and on Broadway, The Big Life, Elmina's Kitchen, Scrooge – The Musical, The Night of the Iguana, A Few Good Men, A Man For All Seasons alongside UK tours of Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy, Tell Me on a Sunday and This is Elvis. He produced the London revival of Cabaret at the Lyric Theatre in September 2006, starring Anna Maxwell Martin, James Dreyfus and Sheila Hancock.



Kenwright helped start the careers of many current West End theatre producers, including Mark Rubinstein and Marc Sinden. It has been estimated that he employed more actors in a year than any employer other than the BBC.

Kenwright also directed many productions, including Blood Brothers, Whistle Down the Wind; he was asked by Andrew Lloyd Webber to make changes to the direction of Love Never Dies. Bill Kenwright additionally produced & directed the 2018/19 UK touring production of Saturday Night Fever, in which Richard Winsor (as the preliminary Tony Manero) perceived the symbolic "Stayin' Alive" dance spectacle as "The Kneebreaker" & he gleefully presented the deceiving "Stage Pose" downgrade (created by Arlene Phillips in 1997).

Productions, mainly musicals, included:

Fame – UK National Tour (2014)
Blood Brothers – Phoenix Theatre, London and on UK National Tour, starring Helen Hobson and Steven Houghton
Cabaret – Savoy Theatre, London with Will Young, Michelle Ryan and Sian Phillips
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – UK National Tour, starring Joe McElderry
The Wizard of Oz – London Palladium, London (2011)
Jekyll & Hyde – UK National Tour (2011)
Evita – World Tour, starring Madalena Alberto and Gian Marco Schiaretti (2018)

STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
Original London Production, 1967
Performer


[West End]
Original London Production, 1965


Productions

 
[West End, unknown]
Producer
 
[West End, 2023]
Producer
 
[West End, 2022]
Director
 
[West End, 2017]
Director
 
[West End, 2012]
Producer
 
[West End, 2011]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 2010]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 2009]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Producer
 
[West End, 2007] [Replacement]
Producer[Replacement]
 
[West End, 2006]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Producer
 
[West End, 2006]
Producer
Director
 
[West End, 2005]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 2005]
Producer
 
[West End, 2005]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 2005]
Producer
 
[West End, 2004]
Producer
 
[UK Tour, 2004]
Producer
Director
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Producer
 
[West End, 2003]
Producer
 
[West End, 2003]
Producer
Director
 
[Broadway, 1998]
Producer
 
[West End, 1997]
Producer
 
[West End, 1997]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1996]
Producer
 
[West End, 1996]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1994]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1993]
Producer
Director
 
[Broadway, 1991]
Producer
 
[West End, 1988]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Producer

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2009 - Best Revival of a Musical

Bill Kenwright, Guys and Dolls

Tony Awards - 2008 - Best Musical

Bill Kenwright, Passing Strange

Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Revival of a Play

Bill Kenwright, The Chairs


winner
Tony Awards - 1997 - Best Revival of a Play

Bill Kenwright, A Doll's House

Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Revival of a Play

Bill Kenwright, An Ideal Husband

Tony Awards - 1994 - Best Revival of a Play

Bill Kenwright, Medea

Tony Awards - 1993 - Best Direction of a Musical

Bill Kenwright , Blood Brothers

Tony Awards - 1993 - Best Musical

Bill Kenwright, Blood Brothers


winner
Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Play

Bill Kenwright, Dancing at Lughnasa

Videos

News


Roxana Silbert Will Direct CHARIOTS OF FIRE UK Tour
by Stephi Wild - Nov 19, 2025

Based on the multi Oscar and BAFTA award winning film, Chariots of Fire is inspired by the extraordinary true story of Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams, as they strive for glory in the 1924 Paris Olympics. 
Interview: 'The Audience is What Makes It Amazing': Karis Anderson And Alistair Brammer on Joining MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL
by Kat Mokrynski - Nov 18, 2025

Last month, Moulin Rouge! The Musical welcomed new cast members, including Karis Anderson as Satine and Alistair Brammer as Christian, the two leads of the show. Recently, we had the chance to speak with Anderson and Brammer about taking on the respective roles of Satine and Christian in Moulin Rouge! The Musical. We discussed what made each of them want to be a part of the production, what makes this such a unique musical and even some of their favourite moments from the show!
THE LIGHTNING THIEF London Cast Recording to Host Online Listening Party
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 5, 2025

CENTER STAGE RECORDS will host a special online Listening Party for the new album The Lightning Thief: Original London Cast Recording. The event will be hosted by Max Harwood and Samantha Mbolekwa, joined by their fellow original London cast members.
THE LIGHTNING THIEF Original London Cast Recording to be Released in November
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 22, 2025

CENTER STAGE RECORDS will release The Lightning Thief: Original London Cast Recording in streaming and digital formats. Learn more about the recording here!
New Musical REDCLIFFE Comes To Southwark Playhouse May 2026
by Gillian Blum - Oct 19, 2025

Following eight workshop performances at The Other Palace in 2024, the new musical REDCLIFFE, written by Jordan Luke Gage, will run for a limited time, fully staged, at Southwark Playhouse Borough beginning May 2026.
HEATHERS THE MUSICAL Set For 2026 Australia & New Zealand Tour
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 14, 2025

The hit rock musical Heathers is making its professional Australian premiere in 2026 following smash-hit runs in London and New York. Pre-sales begin October 14 in Sydney, with additional cities following in the coming weeks.
Cast Set For DON'T LOOK NOW at New Wolsey Theatre and Salisbury Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Sep 25, 2025

The cast and creative team have been announced for New Wolsey Theatre and Salisbury Playhouse’s major new revival of Don’t Look Now, which will play New Wolsey Theatre from 9 - 25 October and Salisbury Playhouse from 29 October - 15 November.
BARNUM Extends UK Tour Into Autumn 2026 Due To Demand
by Stephi Wild - Sep 5, 2025

Due to huge demand, the tour will be extending into the autumn of next year, with Matt Rawle reprising his critically acclaimed performance in the title role, first seen at the Watermill Theatre in 2024.
HEATHERS Will Launch Tour of the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 1, 2025

BroadwayWorld has just learned that Heathers The Musical, which recently made its return to New York City at New World Stages, plans to hit the road! Heathers will launch a US tour, beginning in Spring 2027, with tours across other parts of the world to come as well. Full details and dates will be announced in the coming months.
BLOOD BROTHERS 2025 Autumn Tour To Open At Milton Keynes Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 18, 2025

Bill Kenwright’s multi award-winning production of Blood Brothers will launch its 2025 Autumn UK tour at Milton Keynes Theatre, with performances from Wednesday 27 to Saturday 30 August.
Interview: Kerry Butler on HEATHERS, Teaching, and Channeling Her Inner Teen
by Rose Yaeger - Jul 15, 2025

Tony-nominated Broadway star Kerry Butler is back at New World Stages, where she recently appeared in Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now, the musical concert she wrote and performed in with her Hairspray co-stars Marissa Jaret Winokur and Laura Bell Bundy. 
Autumn 2025 Cast Set For UK Tour of Bill Kenwright's BLOOD BROTHERS
by Stephi Wild - Jul 15, 2025

Bill Kenwright's production of Blood Brothers will continue later this year when the 2025 Autumn tour opens at Milton Keynes Theatre in August. Learn more about the cast here!
Seven Dials Playhouse Reveals Recipients of New Artist Development Programmes
by Stephi Wild - Jul 14, 2025

Seven Dials Playhouse has announced the first recipients of ‘First Steps' and ‘Next Step', two new artist development initiatives launched as part of its wider commitment to supporting theatre-makers at all stages of their careers.
Video: Watch the 'Heathers' Enter During HEATHERS THE MUSICAL's First Preview
by Michael Major - Jun 26, 2025

Elizabeth Teeter has shared a backstage look at her entrance during the first preview of Heathers the Musical. The video features the Beetlejuice alum as Heather McNamara, McKenzie Kurtz as Heather Chandler and Olivia Hardy as Heather Duke.
BARNUM Comes to the Birmingham Hippodrome
by Stephi Wild - Jun 23, 2025

Bill Kenwright Ltd will present a major UK tour of Barnum, the classic Broadway musical that celebrates the life of the world’s greatest showman, P. T. Barnum. Barnum comes to Birmingham Hippodrome in April.
Video: Michelle Dockery and Giancarlo Esposito Star in Trailer for Tubi’s PLEASE DON'T FEED THE CHILDREN
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 18, 2025

Tubi has released the trailer for Please Don't Feed the Children, the new horror thriller film directed by Destry Allyn Spielberg in her directorial debut. Watch it now!
Exclusive: 'You're Welcome' From HEATHERS THE MUSICAL Deluxe Edition Cast Recording
by Stephi Wild - Jun 5, 2025

Ahead of the show's off-Broadway return this year, a Deluxe Edition of the World Premiere Cast Recording of Heathers the Musical will be released this week. Listen to the first song here!
Destry Allyn Spielberg’s Directorial Debut, PLEASE DON'T FEED THE CHILDREN, Acquired by Tubi
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 3, 2025

Tubi has acquired the horror thriller Please Don’t Feed The Children as a Tubi Original Film, premiering exclusively on the service Friday, June 27th.
MARIUPOL Comes to Edinburgh in July
by Stephi Wild - May 30, 2025

MARIUPOL is coming to Edinburgh this summer. Set across thirty turbulent years, MARIUPOL tells the story of love found, lost, and tested by war. Learn more about the show here!
ROMEO + JULIET Full Company Announced At Shakespeare's Globe
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 19, 2025

Shakespeare's Globe has announced the cast of Romeo and Juliet, directed by Associate Artistic Director Sean Holmes (Much Ado About Nothing, 2024; The Comedy of Errors, 2023-24).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Bill Kenwright been in?

Bill Kenwright has not appeared on Broadway.

How many West End shows has Bill Kenwright been in?

Bill Kenwright has appeared on London's West End in 2 shows.

What was Bill Kenwright's first West End show?

Bill Kenwright's first West End show was Passion Flower Hotel which opened in 1965

What awards has Bill Kenwright been nominated for?

Best Revival of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Guys and Dolls, Best Musical (Tony Awards) for Passing Strange, Best Revival of a Play (Tony Awards) for The Chairs, Best Revival of a Play (Tony Awards) for A Doll's House, Best Revival of a Play (Tony Awards) for An Ideal Husband, Best Revival of a Play (Tony Awards) for Medea, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Blood Brothers, Best Musical (Tony Awards) for Blood Brothers and Best Play (Tony Awards) for Dancing at Lughnasa.

What awards has Bill Kenwright won?

Bill Kenwright has won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play for A Doll's House and the Tony Award for Best Play for Dancing at Lughnasa.

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