David Hersey
Review: CATS Returns to Sydney’s Theatre Royal After 40 Years (Jun 22, 2025)
RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S OKLAHOMA! with Hugh Jackman to Play Cinemas Around The Globe This Month (Jul 10, 2023)
1998 Production of OKLAHOMA! Starring Hugh Jackman is Coming to Cinemas This Summer (May 10, 2023)
BIO
Since his arrival in London from New York many years ago, David Hersey has designed the lighting for hundreds of plays, musicals, operas and ballets. He was lighting consultant to the National Theatre for ten years and is a past chairman and current fellow of the Association of Lighting Designers. In 2002 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Middlesex University. His many awards include Tonys for Best Lighting Design for Evita, Cats and Les Misérables plus the 1996 Olivier Award for Best Lighting Design for Burning Blue, The Glass Menagerie and Twelfth Night. He received Tony nominations for The Life and Times of Nicholas Nickleby, Starlight Express, Miss Saigon and Oklahoma! and Olivier nominations for Oliver!, Glengarry Glen Ross, Martin Guerre, Oklahoma!, South Pacific, My Fair Lady and The Coast of Utopia. The production of My Fair Lady received the 2001 Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production.
A keen yachtsman, David completed a two-year sabbatical during which he sailed his yacht around the world. Since his return, he has designed the lighting for productions including South Pacific, Coast of Utopia, Love’s Labour’s Lost and Anything Goes in the West End. Following on from the opening on Broadway of Oklahoma! was Les Misérables. His latest designs to open in the West End include Porgy and Bess, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks and Equus.
David founded DHA Lighting, industry leaders in the design and manufacture of specialist lighting equipment and effects. He has designed lighting extravaganzas at the Mirage, Treasure Island and Belaggio hotels in Las Vegas, and his work can be seen in theme parks in Florida and Italy.
Productions
Awards and Nominations
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David Hersey, Equus
David Hersey , Equus
David Hersey, Equus
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David Hersey, Equus
David HerseyThe Coast Of Utopia - Voyage, Shipwreck, Salvage
David Hersey, My Fair Lady
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David Hersey, Oklahoma!
David Hersey, Oklahoma!
David Hersey, Oklahoma!
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David HerseyBurning Blue
David HerseyGlengarry Glen Ross
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David Hersey, Miss Saigon
David Hersey , Miss Saigon
David Hersey , Chess
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David Hersey, Les Misérables
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David Hersey, Les Misérables
David Hersey, Starlight Express
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David Hersey, Cats
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David Hersey, The Life And Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
David Hersey , The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
David Hersey, Evita
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David Hersey, Evita
Videos
Exclusive Video: CATS Tour Cast Members Perform WAITRESS's 'She Used to Be Mine'
by Linnae Medeiros - 2019-08-21 13:39:13
BREAKING VIDEO: Jennifer Hudson Sings 'Memory' From The CATS Film
by Alan Henry - 2019-04-03 15:20:27
VIDEO: Ian McKellen Tells Graham Norton How He's Preparing for the CATS Film
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2018-11-12 12:23:11
News
by Jade Kops - Jun 22, 2025
CATS, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s (Music) musical theatre adaptation of T. S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats” returns its original Australian home, Sydney’s Theatre Royal.
by Blair Ingenthron - Jul 10, 2023
The Olivier Award-winning 1998 production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, starring then-newcomer Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman) as Curly, will screen in more than 840 cinemas around the globe for two days only on Sunday, July 16 and Wednesday, July 19.
by Stephi Wild - May 10, 2023
The National Theatre’s acclaimed, Olivier Award-winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! is headed to cinemas worldwide this summer. Starring then-newcomer Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman) as Curly, this riveting stage revival was filmed following its record-breaking 1998 run in London.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 26, 2023
The American Theatre Guild will present one of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS. This production is part of the BROADWAY IN THOUSAND OAKS SERIES and will take the Bank of America Performing Arts Center stage May 11–14, 2023.
by Alan Henry - Mar 23, 2023
Students at a school in Kiyv recorded a production of the musical CATS from their bomb shelter amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 8, 2023
One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Morristown's Mayo Performing Arts Center from Friday, March 10 – Sunday, March 12.
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 26, 2023
One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will return to Philadelphia March 14 through March 19, 2023, at the Miller Theater (formerly Merriam Theater), presented by the Kimmel Cultural Campus and The Shubert Organization.
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 13, 2022
The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center has announced the on sale date for one of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 2, 2022
One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Kalamazoo's Miller Auditorium for three performances, Feb. 17 – 18, 2023, as part of a new North American tour. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 30, 2022
One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Playhouse Square from November 1-20 as part of a multi-season North American tour.
by Blair Ingenthron - Sep 10, 2022
The American Theatre Guild is pleased to present one of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS. This production is part of the BROADWAY IN SANTA BARBARA SERIES and will take The Granada Theatre stage October 17–18, 2022.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 17, 2022
One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Playhouse Square from November 1 – 20, 2022, as part of a new North American tour.
by Stephi Wild - Aug 4, 2022
One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS, will return to San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts (255 S. Almaden Blvd.) for a limited one-week engagement as part of a new North American tour beginning Tuesday, September 20 and running through Sunday, September 25, 2022.
by Marissa Tomeo - Jun 4, 2022
One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Portland’s Keller Auditorium from Tuesday, June 21 through Sunday, June 26 as part of a new North American tour.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 20, 2022
One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Portland’s Keller Auditorium from Tuesday, June 21 through Sunday, June 26 as part of a new North American tour. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Sunday, April 24.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 19, 2022
One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Schenectady from Tuesday, May 3 to Sunday, May 8 as part of a new North American tour. Tickets are available through the Box Office at Proctors, in person or via phone at 518-346-6204 Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or online.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 1, 2022
One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Fort Lauderdale from Tuesday, April 5, 2022 to Sunday, April 10, 2022 as part of a new North American tour. Tickets are on sale now.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 28, 2022
Audiences and critics alike are rediscovering this beloved musical with breathtaking music, including one of the most treasured songs in musical theater—“Memory.” Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, the record-breaking musical spectacular has captivated audiences in over 30 countries in 15 languages, is back on tour across North America. This tour features new sound design, direction, and choreography.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 19, 2022
One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts from February 8 - 13 as part of a new North American tour. Tickets are on sale now.
by Stephi Wild - Dec 13, 2021
CAPA and PNC Broadway in Columbus will present one of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS, coming to the Ohio Theatre January 11-16 as part of its new North American tour.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Best Lighting Design (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Equus, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Equus, Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for Equus, Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Equus , Best Lighting Design (Olivier Awards) for The Coast Of Utopia - Voyage, Shipwreck, Salvage, Best Lighting Designer (Olivier Awards) for My Fair Lady, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Oklahoma! , Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for Oklahoma!, Best Lighting Designer (Olivier Awards) for Oklahoma!, Best Lighting Designer (Olivier Awards) for Burning Blue, Best Lighting Designer (Olivier Awards) for Glengarry Glen Ross, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Miss Saigon, Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for Miss Saigon, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Chess, Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for Les Misérables, Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for Les Misérables, Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for Starlight Express, Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for Cats, Special Citation (The Hewes Awards) for The Life And Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Evita and Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for Evita.
David Hersey has won several prestigious awards for his lighting design work. His accolades include Best Lighting Design (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Equus, Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Equus, and Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Oklahoma! He earned Best Lighting Designer (Olivier Awards) for Burning Blue, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Miss Saigon, and multiple Tony Awards for Best Lighting Design for Les Misérables, Cats, and Evita. Additionally, he received a Special Citation (The Hewes Awards) for The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.
Videos