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John Caird

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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.

Photos

Productions

Les MisérablesLes Misérables
 
[West End, 2024]
Adapter
Les Miserables Staged Concert RevivalLes Miserables Staged Concert Revival
 
[West End, 2021]
Adaptation
Daddy Long LegsDaddy Long Legs
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Book, Director
McQueenMcQueen
 
[West End, 2015]
Director
Les MiserablesLes Miserables
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Adaptor
Les MiserablesLes Miserables
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Director
Humble Boy
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Director
Jane Eyre
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Director
Stanley
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Director
Life Sentences
 
[Off-Broadway, 1993]
Director
The Beggar's Opera
 
[London Fringe, 1992]
Adaptation
Children of Eden
 
[West End, 1991]
Director
Les MiserablesLes Miserables
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Director
Adaptation
Les MiserablesLes Miserables
 
[West End, 1985]
Director
Song and Dance
 
[West End, 1982]
Director

Writing

Jane Eyre
Bookwriter

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

John Caird, Daddy Long Legs

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or off-Broadway)

John Caird, Daddy Long Legs

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or off-Broadway)

John Caird, Daddy Long Legs

Tony Awards - 2001 - Best Book of a Musical

John Caird , Jane Eyre

Tony Awards - 2001 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

John Caird, Jane Eyre


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1997 - Best Director - Play

John Caird, Stanley

Tony Awards - 1997 - Best Direction of a Play

John Caird, Stanley

Olivier Awards - 1994 - Best Director of a Musical

John CairdThe Beggar's Opera

Helen Hayes Awards - 1991 - Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Production

John CairdLes Miserables


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1987 - Best Director

John Caird, Les Miserables


winner
Tony Awards - 1987 - Best Direction of a Musical

John Caird, Les Misérables


winner
Tony Awards - 1982 - Best Direction of a Play

John Caird , The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1980 - Best Director

John CairdThe Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby


winner
Olivier Awards - 1980 - Director of the Year

John CairdNicholas Nickleby

Videos

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News


LES MISÉRABLES Returns To China With Sold-Out Shanghai Run Photo
LES MISÉRABLES Returns To China With Sold-Out Shanghai Run
by Joshua Wright - Dec 3, 2025

Les Misérables has seen major success in China with the launch of its staged concert production at Shanghai Grand Theatre, reports China Daily. The musical began performances on November 4 and will run through December 28 as part of the “See You in Shanghai!” initiative from SMG Live.
Tickets to LES MISERABLES in Portland to go on Sale Next Week Photo
Tickets to LES MISERABLES in Portland to go on Sale Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 13, 2025

Tickets for the return of Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s LES MISÉRABLES, will go on sale for the Portland engagement.
LES MISÉRABLES: THE ARENA CONCERT SPECTACULAR Extends at Radio City Music Hall Photo
LES MISÉRABLES: THE ARENA CONCERT SPECTACULAR Extends at Radio City Music Hall
by Stephi Wild - Nov 10, 2025

The Radio City Music Hall engagement of the world tour of Boublil and Schönberg’s LES MISÉRABLES: THE ARENA CONCERT SPECTACULAR has extended by one week due to demand.
Caroline Bowman, Marc Kudisch, Emily Skinner & More Join Manhattan Concert Production Photo
Caroline Bowman, Marc Kudisch, Emily Skinner & More Join Manhattan Concert Productions' JANE EYRE
by Stephi Wild - Oct 28, 2025

Manhattan Concert Productions has announced Jane Eyre as the next production in its Broadway Series, led by Erika Henningsen and Ramin Karimloo. Learn more about the show here!
Tickets For LES MISERABLES in Edmonton Go on Sale This Month Photo
Tickets For LES MISERABLES in Edmonton Go on Sale This Month
by Stephi Wild - Oct 15, 2025

Tickets for the return of Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon LES MISÉRABLES, will go on sale October 20, 2025, at 10 a.m.
Tickets For LES MISERABLES in Calgary Go On Sale This Month Photo
Tickets For LES MISERABLES in Calgary Go On Sale This Month
by Stephi Wild - Oct 15, 2025

Tickets for the return of Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon LES MISÉRABLES, will go on sale October 20, 2025, at 10 a.m.
LES MISERABLES: THE ARENA CONCERT SPECTACULAR Will Make North American Premiere at Ra Photo
LES MISERABLES: THE ARENA CONCERT SPECTACULAR Will Make North American Premiere at Radio City Music Hall
by Stephi Wild - Oct 8, 2025

Les Miserables is headed back to New York! More dates have been announced for the World Tour of Boublil and Schönberg's LES MISÉRABLES: THE ARENA CONCERT SPECTACULAR. Learn more here!
LES MISERABLES Comes to the Fabulous Fox Next Month Photo
LES MISERABLES Comes to the Fabulous Fox Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Oct 7, 2025

Cameron Mackintosh's tour of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES, will include a stop in St. Louis at The Fabulous Fox.
Singapore's Nathania Ong to Star as Eponine in LES MISÉRABLES Arena Spectacular Photo
Singapore's Nathania Ong to Star as Eponine in LES MISÉRABLES Arena Spectacular
by Oliver Oliveros - Oct 1, 2025

Singaporean actress Nathania Ong will reprise her acclaimed performance as Eponine in the upcoming Singapore run of Cameron Mackintosh’s 'Les Misérables, The Arena Spectacular.'
New Musical GODS: A MUSICAL RAMPAGE to Debuts Act 1 At Elgin Fringe Photo
New Musical GODS: A MUSICAL RAMPAGE to Debuts Act 1 At Elgin Fringe
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 26, 2025

A brand new musical, gods: A Musical Rampage, is set to be presented this weekend. The provocative new musical will receive a special preview of Act 1 at the Elgin Fringe Festival. Learn more!
Tickets to LES MISÉRABLES in Indianapolis On Sale Now Photo
Tickets to LES MISÉRABLES in Indianapolis On Sale Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 19, 2025

Tickets for the return of Cameron Mackintosh’s LES MISÉRABLES, are on sale now for its return engagement at Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis. Learn more!
Erika Henningsen & Ramin Karimloo Will Lead Manhattan Concert Productions' JANE EYRE Photo
Erika Henningsen & Ramin Karimloo Will Lead Manhattan Concert Productions' JANE EYRE
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 13, 2025

Manhattan Concert Productions will continue its acclaimed Broadway Series with Jane Eyre, coming to David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center in 2026. The concert will be led by Erika Henningsen as the title character and Ramin Karimloo as Rochester. We have all of the details! here!
CHILDREN OF EDEN IN CONCERT: THE 2022 LIVE CHICAGO STAGED READING To Stream For One W Photo
CHILDREN OF EDEN IN CONCERT: THE 2022 LIVE CHICAGO STAGED READING To Stream For One Weekend Only
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 11, 2025

Following its acclaimed 2022 staged reading, the Chicagoland Theatre Fund will present a one-weekend-only streaming of Children of Eden in Concert: The 2022 Live Chicago Staged Reading in April 2026.
LES MISÉRABLES: WORLD TOUR SPECTACULAR Extends Due to Overwhelming Demand Photo
LES MISÉRABLES: WORLD TOUR SPECTACULAR Extends Due to Overwhelming Demand
by Oliver Oliveros - Aug 11, 2025

Due to unprecedented demand, Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of LES MISERABLES: WORLD TOUR SPECTACULAR has extended its run in Manila for two additional weeks, now playing until March 1, 2026
LES MISERABLES 40th-Anniversary Concert Tour to Play Manila, January 2026 Photo
LES MISERABLES 40th-Anniversary Concert Tour to Play Manila, January 2026
by Oliver Oliveros - Jul 28, 2025

Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed 40th-anniversary production of Les Misérables is set to captivate Filipino audiences at The Theatre at Solaire from January 20 to February 15, 2026.
LES MISERABLES Comes To The Morris Center in August Photo
LES MISERABLES Comes To The Morris Center in August
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 18, 2025

Tickets are on sale now for Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES.
Review: LES MISERABLES AT THE KENNEDY CENTER Photo
Review: LES MISERABLES AT THE KENNEDY CENTER
by Brian Bochicchio - Jun 18, 2025

The National Tour production team has crafted a fine Les Miz 2.0, with inventive musical staging. It is a show of constant snapshots and they created a visual mosaic.
LES MIS, THE ARENA SPECTACULAR Heads to Singapore Photo
LES MIS, THE ARENA SPECTACULAR Heads to Singapore
by Oliver Oliveros - Jun 18, 2025

Part of the show’s 40th-anniversary celebrations, Cameron Mackintosh’s 'Les Miserables, The Arena Spectacular' will play at the Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, in March 2026. The production has toured the UK, Europe, Australia, and some parts of Asia with a large international cast and orchestra conducted by Adrian Kirk and new designs by Matt Kinley.
LES MISÉRABLES is Coming to BroadwaySF's Orpheum Theatre in June Photo
LES MISÉRABLES is Coming to BroadwaySF's Orpheum Theatre in June
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 16, 2025

Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES, will return to BroadwaySF’s Orpheum Theatre. Learn more!
Killian Donnelly, Bradley Jaden, and More Join LES MISERABLES to Celebrate 40th Anniv Photo
Killian Donnelly, Bradley Jaden, and More Join LES MISERABLES to Celebrate 40th Anniversary
by Stephi Wild - Jun 16, 2025

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Boublil and Schönberg's musical sensation LES MISÉRABLES, a special company of artists will join the cast, who have been part of Les Mis history.
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has John Caird written?

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

What awards has John Caird been nominated for?

Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Daddy Long Legs, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Daddy Long Legs, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Daddy Long Legs, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Jane Eyre, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Jane Eyre, Best Director - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Stanley, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for Stanley, Best Director of a Musical (Olivier Awards) for The Beggar's Opera, Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Les Miserables, Best Director (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Les Miserables, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Les Misérables, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Best Director (Evening Standard Awards) for The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby and Director of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Nicholas Nickleby.

What awards has John Caird won?

John Caird has won several prestigious awards including the Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Daddy Long Legs. He received the Best Director - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Stanley and Best Director (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Les Miserables. Caird also earned the Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Les Misérables and Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. Additionally, he won Best Director (Evening Standard Awards) for The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby and was named Director of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Nicholas Nickleby.

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