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John Caird

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John Caird 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.

John Caird Photos

John Caird Productions

 
[West End, 2021]
Adaptation
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Book, Director
 
[West End, 2015]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Adaptor
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1993]
Director
 
[London Fringe, 1992]
Adaptation
 
[West End, 1991]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Adaptation
Director
 
[West End, 1985]
Director
 
[West End, 1982]
Director

Writing

Bookwriter

John Caird 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

John Caird Videos

John Caird News


Capital Arts Theater Guild Will Host DECONSTRUCTING: John Caird


Capital Arts Theater Guild will present the 2nd installment of its new interview series, DECONSTRUCTING, with special guest, John Caird on May 23 at 7:30 PM at the Theatre Raleigh Arts Center's Lobby Cabaret Theater.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 10, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 10, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Photos: First Look at SPIRITED AWAY at the London Coliseum


Studio Ghibli’s SPIRITED AWAY, created by legendary animator and director Hayao Miyazaki, has been re-imagined for the stage. Check out all new production photos here!

Photos: Inside Opening Night of SPIRITED AWAY at the London Coliseum


Following a sell-out tour of Japan in 2022, the original Japanese cast will perform this spectacular production for a strictly limited London season. Check out photos from opening night at the London Coliseum here!

Review Roundup: What Did the Critics Make of John Caird's Adaptation of SPIRITED AWAY?


Studio Ghibli’s Oscar-winning Spirited Away, created by legendary animator and director Hayao Miyazaki is re-imagined for the stage by Olivier and Tony award-winning director of Les Misérables, John Caird. The original Japanese cast perform this extraordinary production with wildly imaginative puppets, dazzling set and costume designs and a live orchestra playing the magnificent original film score by Joe Hisaishi.

Review: SPIRITED AWAY, London Coliseum


Hayao Miyazaki’s legacy is one for the ages. The co-founder of Studio Ghibli revolutionised the Western consumption of anime and set a new standard for Japanese animated films. London isn’t a stranger to the stage adaptations of his creations: a major example is My Neighbour Totoro, which took up shop at the Barbican to great acclaim last year and has already announced a West End run for next year.

Photos: European Premiere of SPIRITED AWAY Begins at the London Coliseum


All new photos have been released to celebrate the European premiere of the original Japanese stage production of Studio Ghibli’s Oscar-Winning classic SPIRITED AWAY, playing at the London Coliseum from 30 April until 24 August 2024.

LES MISERABLES Wins BroadwayWorld's Ultimate Best Musical Bracket


Which musical is really the Best Musical of all time? Over the past month our readers have been voting in our March Madness Bracket: Best Musical Edition! Looking back on the last 64 years of Broadway's most acclaimed shows, BroadwayWorld asked the public which Tony Award-winner deserves the title of The Ultimate Best Musical!

How Often are People Tony-Nominated for Different Shows in the Same Season?


This time, the reader question was: How often are people Tony Award-nominated for different shows in the same season?

Review: DADDY LONG LEGS at Theatre 29


What did our critic think of DADDY LONG LEGS at Theatre 29?

Video: Go Inside Opening Night of LES MISERABLES in Toronto


Les Misérables has made its triumphant return to the Toronto stage at the Princess of Wales Theatre. The stars were out to support the show and celebrity guests were everywhere. Go inside the magical night in an all-new video.

Photos: Check Out New Images of LES MISERABLES US Tour


Check out new photos of the US Tour of Les Miserables.

Julie Benko Will Star in Theatre Raleigh's Production of JANE EYRE


Award-winning Broadway performer Julie Benko, who recently appeared as Fanny Brice in the Broadway revival of 'Funny Girl,' will star as Jane Eyre in Theatre Raleigh's upcoming production from May 29, 2024 to June 9, 2024.

Review: CHILDREN OF EDEN at Stagecrafters is an Immersive Journey Through the Story of Genesis


Children of Eden is currently playing at Stagecrafters’ Baldwin Theatre through April 21st. Though the show has not had notable U.S. professional iterations (such as Off-Broadway) in the more than 30 years since its inception, this story has found eternal life in community theatres. In fact, Children of Eden is already a classic simply because of what it brings to communities worldwide – an introduction to the magical world of theatre. 

How Often Are Musicals Revived with Their Original Director?


This time, the reader question was: How often is a musical revived on Broadway directed by its original director?

Houston Grand Opera Reveals 2024-25 Season


Houston Grand Opera has announced its 2024-25 season, featuring a spectacular, new, season-opening production of Il trovatore; the return of charming, family-friendly Cinderella, classic tragedy La bohème, and blockbuster musical West Side Story; Houstonians’ first-ever chance to see award-winning opera Breaking the Waves; and a lushly beautiful new production of Tannhäuser.

Shereen Pimentel and Brenton Ryan To Lead WEST SIDE STORY At Houston Grand Opera; Full Season Announced


Houston Grand Opera has announced its 2024-25 season, which includes a concert presentation of the Broadway masterpiece, West Side Story, led by Broadway's Shereen Pimentel and tenor Brenton Ryan.

Stagecrafters to Present CHILDREN OF EDEN Beginning This Month


Stagecrafters has announced the upcoming production of Children of Eden, a timeless musical masterpiece that explores the timeless themes of family, love, and forgiveness, presented from March 29th to April 21st.

LES MISERABLES Extends Booking to March 2025


LES MISÉRABLES at the Sondheim Theatre has extended its booking until Saturday 29 March 2025. The Christmas performance schedule is also announced. 

Review: MAN OF LA MANCHA, This Tale of A Knight Errant Proves No Fool's Errand at Theatre 29


“Don Quixote”, Miguel de Cervantes’ epic Spanish masterpiece and arguably the world’s first modern novel, has survived the ravages of time since its initial publishing in 1605 as well as the pernicious predations of countless other “authors” who stole Cervantes’ story and published unofficial sequels to the tale over following years, particularly in the new world.

John Caird 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?

John Caird has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. These include Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Daddy Long Legs," Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Daddy Long Legs," Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Jane Eyre," and Best Original Score at the Tony Awards for "Jane Eyre." He has also been recognized for Best Director in various categories for productions such as "Stanley," "The Beggar's Opera," "Les Miserables," and "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby." Caird's accolades include awards from the Olivier Awards, Helen Hayes Awards, Evening Standard Awards, and more.

What awards has John Caird won?

John Caird has won several awards throughout his career, including Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Daddy Long Legs, Best Director - Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Stanley, Best Director at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Les Miserables, Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for Les Misérables, Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Best Director at the Evening Standard Awards for The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, and Director of the Year at the Olivier Awards for Nicholas Nickleby.

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