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Nicholas Hytner

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BIO

Nicholas Hytner has been Director of the National Theatre since 2003, and heads a team that produces around 20 new shows each year.



Since 1989 he has directed 28 productions at the National, including The Madness of George III, Henry V, His Dark Materials, The History Boys, Stuff Happens, Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, Much Ado About Nothing, England People Very Nice, Phedre, The Habit of Art, London Assurance, Hamlet and Collaborators.

On Broadway he has directed The History Boys, Sweet Smell of Success and Miss Saigon; and at Lincoln Center Theater Carousel and Twelfth Night.

He has directed opera at the Royal Opera House, the Metropolitan Opera (Don Carlo, 2010) and the Paris Opera.

Films: The Madness of King George, The Crucible, The Object of My Affection, The History Boys.

He has won two Tony awards for directing Carousel and The History Boys, and one as producer of War Horse.

Photos

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2026]
Director
 
[West End, 2025]
Director
 
[West End, 2023]
DIRECTOR
 
[West End, 2023]
DIRECTOR
 
[West End, 2022]
ADAPTION AND DIRECTION
 
[Off-Broadway, 2022]
Co-Director
 
[West End, 2022]
Director
 
[West End, 2022]
Director
 
[West End, 2021]
Director
 
[West End, 2018]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2012]
Director
 
[West End, 2011]
Director
 
[West End, 2011]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Producer (The National Theatre of Great Britain)
 
[Off-Broadway, 2011]
Associate Director
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1998]
Director
 
[US Tour, 1996]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1994]
Director
 
[West End, 1992]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1991]
Director
 
[West End, 1989]
Director

Awards and Nominations

Evening Standard Awards - 2013 - Best Director

Nicholas HytnerOthello


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2012 - Best Director

Nicholas Hytner TImon of Athens


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2012 - Lebedev Special Award

Nicholas Hytner


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Nicholas Hytner, One Man, Two Guvnors

Tony Awards - 2012 - Best Direction of a Play

Nicholas Hytner, One Man, Two Guvnors


winner
Tony Awards - 2011 - Best Play

Nicholas Hytner, War Horse


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Nicholas Hytner, The History Boys


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Nicholas Hytner, The History Boys


winner
Tony Awards - 2006 - Best Direction of a Play

Nicholas Hytner, The History Boys


winner
Olivier Awards - 2005 - Best Director

Nicholas HytnerHistory Boys

Olivier Awards - 2001 - Best Director

Nicholas HytnerOrpheus Descending

Drama Desk Awards - 1994 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Nicholas Hytner, Carousel


winner
Tony Awards - 1994 - Best Direction of a Musical

Nicholas Hytner, Carousel


winner
Olivier Awards - 1993 - Best Director of a Musical

Nicholas Hytner, Carousel

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1991 - Best Director

Nicholas Hytner , Miss Saigon

Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Direction of a Musical

Nicholas Hytner, Miss Saigon

Olivier Awards - 1990 - Director of the Year

Nicholas HytnerGhetto


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1989 - Best Director

Nicholas HytnerGhetto

Videos

News


GIANT Playwright Signs Mark Rosenblatt Signs With CAA
by Stephi Wild - Apr 1, 2026

Playwright Mark Rosenblatt, who wrote the play Giant that is now running on Broadway, has signed with CAA. Rosenblatt, a theater and film writer and director, won the Olivier Award for Giant when it had its premiere in the West End in 2024. 
Full Cast Set For RSC's THE TEMPEST
by Stephi Wild - Mar 26, 2026

Full casting has been announced for the RSC's forthcoming production of William Shakespeare's The Tempest, directed by Richard Eyre marking his first time directing in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 25, 2026- GIANT Opens On Broadway and More
by - Mar 25, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 25, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Photos: Stars Walk the Red Carpet on Opening Night of GIANT
by Bruce Glikas - Mar 24, 2026

Big things are happening at the Music Box Theatre! Just last night, March 23,  Mark Rosenblatt’s Olivier Award-winning play Giant officially opened. Check out photos from the star-studded red carpet, which included special guests Sarah Paulson, Sara Bareilles, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Bobby Cannavale, Blythe Danner, and more!
Photos: John Lithgow & GIANT Cast Walk the Red Carpet on Opening Night
by Bruce Glikas - Mar 24, 2026

The Music Box Theatre was the place to be last night, March 23, as Giant, Mark Rosenblatt’s Olivier Award-winning play Giant officially opened. It is led by two-time Tony Award winner John Lithgow as Roald Dahl and directed by two-time Tony Award winner Nicholas Hytner. Check out photos here!
Video: Inside Opening Night of GIANT with John Lithgow & More
by Luka Vonier - Mar 24, 2026

Mark Rosenblatt’s Olivier Award-winning play is led by two-time Tony Award winner John Lithgow as Roald Dahl and directed by two-time Tony Award winner Nicholas Hytner. Watch in this video as the cast comes together at the Music Box Theatre to celebrate opening night!
Photos: John Lithgow and the Cast of GIANT Take Opening Night Bows
by Jennifer Broski - Mar 24, 2026

Performances are now underway for GIANT, starring John Lithgow as Roald Dahl. The production officially opened on March 23. Check out photos of the cast taking their opening night bows here!
Review Roundup: GIANT Opens On Broadway Starring John Lithgow As Roald Dahl
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 24, 2026

Reviews are in for GIANT, the Olivier Award-winning play by Mark Rosenblatt, now on Broadway starring John Lithgow as Roald Dahl. Directed by Nicholas Hytner, the production is playing a limited 16-week engagement following its award-winning West End run, where it received three Olivier Awards.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 18, 2026- JUST IN TIME and CHICAGO Break Gross Records and More
by - Mar 18, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 18, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
GIANT Will Host Playwrights' Night On Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Mar 17, 2026

GIANT, starring two-time Tony Award winner John Lithgow as Roald Dahl and directed by two-time Tony Award winner Nicholas Hytner, will host Playwrights’ Night On Broadway at the Music Box Theatre.
Photos: John Lithgow Stars in GIANT on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 12, 2026

See first look photos of John Lithgow as Roald Dahl in GIANT, the Olivier Award-winning play now in performances at Broadway's Music Box Theatre.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 12, 2026- THE WILD PARTY Meets the Press and More
by - Mar 12, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 12, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Meet the Cast of GIANT, Now Playing on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Mar 11, 2026

Performances are now underway for the Broadway run of the Olivier Award-winning hit play Giant, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Nicholas Hytner and written by Mark Rosenblatt. Meet the cast here!
Photos: In Rehearsals for GIANT with John Lithgow and More
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 10, 2026

Following two critically acclaimed sold-out runs in the UK, the Olivier-award winning production of Mark Rosenblatt’s GIANT, directed by Nicholas Hytner and starring John Lithgow, has officially landed on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre with performances beginning this Wednesday, March 11. Check out photos from inside rehearsals here.
Video: John Lithgow Talks Roald Dahl and Bringing GIANT to Broadway
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 10, 2026

Two-time Tony Award winner John Lithgow is back on Broadway in Giant, a new play exploring the darker side of children's author Roald Dahl. Lithgow reprises his performance as Dahl and visited The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to talk all about it. Watch the interview now.
GIANT Launches Broadway Rush and Lottery Ticket Policies
by Stephi Wild - Mar 9, 2026

Previews begin this week for the Broadway run of Mark Rosenblatt’s Olivier Award-winning smash hit play GIANT. GIANT has announced in-person Rush and digital lottery ticket policies. Find out how to get discount tickets to GIANT here!
GIANT Finds Full Cast and Design Team For Broadway Run
by Stephi Wild - Feb 13, 2026

The full cast and design team have been announced, joining John Lithgow for the Broadway run of the Olivier Award-winning hit play GIANT. Learn more about the cast and team here!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld January 26, 2026- Broadway Winter Storm Updates and More
by - Jan 26, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is January 26, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.
Up on the Marquee: GIANT, Starring John Lithgow
by Jennifer Broski - Jan 23, 2026

The Olivier Award-winning smash hit play GIANT, written by Mark Rosenblatt, is coming to Broadway. Starring two-time Tony Award and Olivier Award winner John Lithgow as Roald Dahl, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Nicholas Hytner. Check out photos of the new theatre marquee
ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS Will Return to Stream on National Theatre Live
by Stephi Wild - Nov 25, 2025

National Theatre at Home has announced the addition of James Corden's smash hit One Man, Two Guvnors and Indhu Rubasingham's Bacchae to its winter offering.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Nicholas Hytner been nominated for?

Best Director (Evening Standard Awards) for Othello, Best Director (Evening Standard Awards) for TImon of Athens, Lebedev Special Award (Evening Standard Awards), Outstanding Director of a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for One Man, Two Guvnors , Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for One Man, Two Guvnors, Best Play (Tony Awards) for War Horse, Outstanding Director of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The History Boys, Outstanding Director of a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The History Boys, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for The History Boys, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for History Boys, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Orpheus Descending, Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Carousel, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Carousel, Best Director of a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Carousel, Best Director (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Miss Saigon, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Miss Saigon, Director of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Ghetto and Best Director (Evening Standard Awards) for Ghetto.

What awards has Nicholas Hytner won?

Nicholas Hytner has won several prestigious awards, including Best Director (Evening Standard Awards) for Timon of Athens; the Lebedev Special Award (Evening Standard Awards); Outstanding Director of a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for One Man, Two Guvnors; Best Play (Tony Awards) for War Horse; Outstanding Director of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The History Boys; and Outstanding Director of a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The History Boys. He also received Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for The History Boys and Best Director (Olivier Awards) for The History Boys. Additionally, he won Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Carousel and Best Director of a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Carousel. Furthermore, he earned Best Director (Evening Standard Awards) for Ghetto.

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