Hugh Vanstone
Review: BACK TO THE FUTURE at The Hippodrome (Feb 26, 2026)
BACK TO THE FUTURE THE MUSICAL Comes to the Birmingham Hippodrome (Feb 26, 2026)
Rosanna Hyland, Amber Davies, and Sarah Goggin Will Return to BACK TO THE FUTURE For One Night Only (Feb 25, 2026)
BIO
Hugh has designed the lighting for more than 160 productions and worked for most of the UK's national companies and extensively on Broadway. He has received three Olivier Awards for Best Lighting Designer: in 2004 for Pacific Overtures (Donmar); in 2000 for The Graduate (West End) and The Cherry Orchard (National Theatre); and in 1998 for The Unexpected Man (RSC) and The Blue Room (Donmar). In New York he received TONY® award nominations for Mary Stuart and Spamalot.
His most recent work includes: Ghost the Musical (West End); The Wizard of Oz (West End); Matilda (RSC); Deathtrap (West End); La Bête (West End & Broadway); Shrek (London & US Tour); The Late Middle Classes (Donmar); The Real Thing (Old Vic); Arabian Nights (RSC); A Steady Rain (Broadway); Tanz der Vampire (Vienna & Berlin).
Photos
Productions
Awards and Nominations
Hugh VanstoneBack to the Future
winner
Hugh Vanstone, The Height of the Storm
winner
Hugh Vanstone, A Christmas Carol
winner
Hugh Vanstone, A Christmas Carol
Hugh Vanstone, Groundhog Day
winner
Hugh Vanstone, Matilda
Hugh Vanstone, Matilda the Musical
winner
Hugh Vanstone, Ghost
Hugh Vanstone, Ghost The Musical
Hugh Vanstone, Matilda The Musical
winner
Hugh Vanstone, Ghost: The Musical
Hugh Vanstone, Ghost The Musical
Hugh Vanstone, Mary Stuart
Hugh Vanstone, Mary Stuart
Hugh Vanstone, Monty Python's Spamalot
Hugh Vanstone, Monty Python's Spamalot
Hugh Vanstone, Monty Python's Spamalot
winner
Hugh Vanstone, Pacific Overtures
winner
Hugh VanstoneThe Cherry Orchard
Hugh Vanstone, The Unexpected Man
winner
Hugh Vanstone, The Unexpected Man
winner
Hugh VanstoneThe Blue Room
Hugh VanstoneHamlet
Hugh Vanstone, Art
Videos
Exclusive: First Look At Cast Of BACK TO THE FUTURE on Tour in Action
by Joshua Wright - 2024-07-02 10:54:12
Video: Watch BACK TO THE FUTURE Perform 'Johnny B. Goode' on THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW
by Michael Major - 2024-03-27 09:58:37
Video: BACK TO THE FUTURE Reveals Special Performance To Celebrate Back to the Future Day
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2023-10-13 12:45:59
Video: Roger Bart Shares Christopher Lloyd's 'Big Question' About the BACK TO THE FUTURE Musical on CBS MORNINGS
by Michael Major - 2023-08-17 09:51:16
Video: Casey Likes Performs 'Johnny B. Goode' in BACK TO THE FUTURE
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2023-08-03 13:53:19
Video: Stars Turn Out For A BACK TO THE FUTURE Gala Performance
by A.A. Cristi - 2023-07-29 16:00:19
Video: See How BACK TO THE FUTURE Brings the DeLorean Time Machine to Broadway on GOOD MORNING AMERICA
by Michael Major - 2023-07-25 13:08:58
Video: Watch Highlights from BACK TO THE FUTURE on Broadway
by Show Highlights - 2023-07-25 10:11:14
Video: New Footage From MATILDA THE MUSICAL, Now Extended Until 15 December 2024
by Stephi Wild - 2023-06-01 05:12:28
Video: Matthew Warchus and Tim Minchin Talk the Return of GROUNDHOG DAY
by Stephi Wild - 2023-03-30 09:59:47
Breaking: Casey Likes Joins Roger Bart in BACK TO THE FUTURE on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - 2023-03-01 09:00:20
BACK TO THE FUTURE Will Open on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre in Summer 2023
by Nicole Rosky - 2022-10-21 10:00:20
VIDEO: Watch the Cast of BACK TO THE FUTURE Perform on BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT
by Stephi Wild - 2022-06-01 07:08:21
PHOTO/VIDEO: Exclusive Look Behind the Scenes of MATILDA THE MUSICAL
by Stephi Wild - 2021-09-17 05:43:40
VIDEO: The Cast of MATILDA Performs 'When I Grow Up' in Rehearsals; Booking Extension Announced
by Taylor Brethauer-Hamling - 2021-09-10 05:00:20
VIDEO: Meet the Child Stars of Royal Shakespeare Company's MATILDA THE MUSICAL
by Stephi Wild - 2021-08-18 07:10:50
News
by Timoth David Copney - Feb 26, 2026
The Act II energy, the dazzling effects, and the powerhouse leads make for a wildly entertaining night at the theatre.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 26, 2026
Multi award-winning Back to the Future The Musical will be coming to Birmingham Hippodrome as part of its first ever UK tour. Learn more about the show here!
by Stephi Wild - Feb 25, 2026
BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical's acclaimed alumni cast Rosanna Hyland, Amber Davies and Sarah Goggin will make a special return to the production as ‘Lorraine Baines' at the Adelphi Theatre on Monday 9 March.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 24, 2026
Madison's Overture Center for the Arts will present the stage adaptation of the iconic film BACK TO THE FUTURE from March 10-15. This theatrical rendition brings the beloved sci-fi adventure to life with stunning visuals and original music.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 24, 2026
All new rehearsal photos have been released from Pride at the National Theatre, a brand-new musical based on the award-winning film, reuniting director Matthew Warchus and writer Stephen Beresford. Check out the photos here!
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 6, 2026
BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical will arrive in Portland as part of the 2025-26 Broadway Season. This spectacular live experience is set for Keller Auditorium from June 16 – 21.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 23, 2026
Matilda The Musical will be returning to China for a third national tour from February to August 2026. The internationally renowned musical continues to play in London’s West End at the Cambridge Theatre.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 20, 2026
Full casting has been announced for Pride, a brand-new musical based on the award-winning film, reuniting director Matthew Warchus (Matilda The Musical) and writer Stephen Beresford (The Last of the Haussmans).
by Aliya Al-Hassan - Nov 26, 2025
For many, Christmas cannot begin until The Old Vic is staging Jack Thorne's A Christmas Carol. This year's iteration shows yet again why it is a festive must-see. Brimming with emotion, but never tipping into mawkishness, it will make you laugh, cry and gasp with child-like wonder, no matter what your age. What more could you want from a Christmas show?
by Stephi Wild - Nov 4, 2025
Lead producer Colin Ingram together with Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, the creators of the “Back to the Future” film trilogy, and Overture Center for the Arts have announced that “Back to the Future: The Musical” will arrive in Madison in March.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 4, 2025
Dates have been announced for Pride at the National Theatre, a brand-new musical based on the award-winning film, reuniting director Matthew Warchus and writer Stephen Beresford.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 17, 2025
Presenter, stylist and actor Gok Wan will make a special cameo appearance as ‘Principal Strickland' to celebrate Back to the Future Day at the Adelphi Theatre on Monday 20 October.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 16, 2025
Perelman Performing Arts Center has revealed the complete cast for the New York return of Matthew Warchus’ production of Charles Dickens’ immortal classic, adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne. Learn more!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 7, 2025
Two-time Tony Award winner Michael Cerveris (Fun Home, Sweeney Todd) will make his PAC NYC debut playing “Ebenezer Scrooge” in the New York return of Matthew Warchus’ A Christmas Carol. Learn more!
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 7, 2025
The Washington Pavilion will open its 2025–26 Broadway Season with Back to the Future: The Musical, October 14–19, 2025. The Tony and Olivier Award-winning production brings Marty McFly and Doc Brown’s time-traveling adventure to Sioux Falls.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 30, 2025
New production photography has been released as the Royal Shakespeare Company’s West End production of Matilda The Musical enters its 15th year in London, making it the 10th longest running musical in West End history.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 26, 2025
Back to the Future: The Musical will play Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre from February 21–March 1, 2026, as part of the Hippodrome Broadway Series. Tickets go on sale September 26, 2025.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 20, 2025
Performances are now underway for the first-ever Broadway revival of the Tony Award-winning ART. As the show returns to New York, we're looking back on the play's history and notable stars who have taken on these roles.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 9, 2025
Lead producer Colin Ingram, together with Back to the Future creators Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, have announced that the Olivier Award-winning Back to the Future The Musical will embark on its first-ever UK tour, opening at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tuesday 9 – Saturday 27 February 2027.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 8, 2025
You can now get a first look at new photos of BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical starring Brian Conley as Doctor Emmett Brown and Tik Tok sensation Maddie Grace Jepson as Lorraine Baines.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Outstanding Lighting Design (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Back to the Future, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Height of the Storm, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A Christmas Carol, Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for A Christmas Carol, Best Lighting Design (Olivier Awards) for Groundhog Day, Best Lighting Design (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Matilda, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Matilda the Musical, Best Lighting Design (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Ghost, Best Lighting Design (Olivier Awards) for Ghost The Musical, Best Lighting Design (Olivier Awards) for Matilda The Musical, Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Ghost: The Musical, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Ghost The Musical, Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Mary Stuart, Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for Mary Stuart, Best Lighting Design (Olivier Awards) for Monty Python's Spamalot, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Monty Python's Spamalot , Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Monty Python's Spamalot, Best Lighting Design (Olivier Awards) for Pacific Overtures, Best Lighting Designer (Olivier Awards) for The Cherry Orchard, Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for The Unexpected Man, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for The Unexpected Man, Best Lighting Designer (Olivier Awards) for The Blue Room, Best Lighting Designer (Olivier Awards) for Hamlet and Best Lighting Designer (Olivier Awards) for Art .
Hugh Vanstone has won several prestigious awards for his lighting design. He received the Outstanding Lighting Design award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for A Christmas Carol, The Height of the Storm, and Ghost: The Musical. He also won the Best Lighting Design of a Play at the Tony Awards for A Christmas Carol. At the BroadwayWorld Awards, he earned Best Lighting Design for both Matilda and Ghost. His achievements at the Olivier Awards include Best Lighting Design for Pacific Overtures, Best Lighting Designer for The Cherry Orchard, and Best Lighting Designer for The Blue Room. Additionally, he was honored with the Outstanding Lighting Design award at the Drama Desk Awards for The Unexpected Man.
Videos