Cameron Mackintosh Leaves Business to Foundation With Caveat: No New Productions

Unstoppable West End impresario Cameron Mackintosh will not be leaving his business to his family after his death, according to a recent interview with the Financial Times. The company -- Cameron Mackintosh Limited -- will instead go to his foundation, but with one huge caveat: The organization will not be able to create new productions.

"I've been successful beyond any of my dreams and I realise my foundation is going to be worth an absolute fortune," Mackintosh told the Times. "But it can't create any new productions. I don't want anyone getting their hands on it and using the money to make new versions of my shows. They can be a co-producer but they'll have to find another me. I want all the innovation to come from others."

Despite creating these provisions, the stage producer -- also owner of eight West End theaters and majority holder of licensor Music Theatre International -- doesn't think he'll be facing the white light anytime soon.

"The greatest example I have in life is my mother. She's 97 in January, sharp as a tack," he said.

Producer of OLIVER!, LES MISERABLES, PHANTOM, MARY POPPINS, MISS SAIGON and CATS, Mackintosh, who lives in Somerset with his partner, theatre photographer Michael Le Poer Trench, has no children. His two nieces work in the entertainment business, but they will not be seeing their uncle's fortune.

The Sunday Times estimates Mackintosh's wealth at £1.05 billion. His foundation gave £679,000 last year to theatrical and health care efforts.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride