News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Adrian Sutton Headshot

Adrian Sutton

Get Adrian Sutton Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

BIO

DRIAN SUTTON is a composer and producer whose scores cross orchestral, chamber and electronic genres, and that have featured in a number of successful theatre productions, including Angels in America (the UK's National Theatre and NT Live), War Horse, Coram Boy and the six-time Tony-nominated The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (National Theatre, Gielgud Theatre West End, Barrymore Theatre Broadway, two UK tours, a US tour and a current international tour). In 2013, he received a joint Olivier Award for Curious Incident's Sound Design, and also produced and released Curious Incidentals, the soundtrack album from the play. Coram Boy, his first theatrical commission, opened at the National Theatre in 2005 and on Broadway in 2007; War Horse was his second theatre score, opening in London in 2007, on Broadway in 2011, and then multiple productions worldwide, including the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Berlin, the Netherlands, China and two further tours of the UK. For both Coram Boy and War Horse he received Olivier nominations. His War Horse Suite, a 25-minute symphonic orchestral work derived from the score for the show, was premiered by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) in June 2010 and, along with a new commission Some See Us from the BBC Proms, featured as the centrepiece of a War Horse Prom in the 2014 Proms season at the Royal Albert Hall. His score for War Horse: The Story in Concert was premiered in October 2016 at the Royal Albert Hall, featuring Michael Morpurgo and Joanna Lumley reading the book on-stage, accompanied by the RPO and singers. Adrian then produced the recording of this work with the RPO under David Angus at Abbey Road Studios for release in multiple formats on the BMG label in November 2017. His children's concert opera The Griffin and the Grail was premiered by the RPO, choirs, soloist and narrator Olivia Colman at Cadogan Hall in December 2013. Other work for theatre includes Husbands & Sons, Rules for Living, Nation and The Revenger's Tragedy at the National. His work for TV and film includes Chris Morris' Jam, Blue Jam and the BAFTA-winning short film My Wrongs. Orchestral works include A Fist Full of Fives, performed on BBC Radio 3 by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and a Sinfonietta. In 2013 the violinist Fenella Humphreys commissioned Adrian for Arpeggiare Variations, one of six new works as part of her Bach2TheFuture series for unaccompanied violin by British composers, released on the Champs Hill label.

Productions

 
[West End, 2023]
MUSIC
 
[Broadway, 2018]
Music
 
[West End, 2017]
Music
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Composer
 
[West End, 2009]
Composer

Writing

Composer

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2018 - Outstanding Music in a Play

Adrian Sutton, Angels in America

Tony Awards - 2018 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Adrian Sutton, Angels in America


winner
Olivier Awards - 2013 - Best Sound Design

Adrian SuttonThe Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2011 - Special Award

Adrian Sutton, War Horse

Videos

News


Review: WAR HORSE IN CONCERT at Century II Concert Hall

As I sat in the audience, waiting for the performance of War Horse In Concert, a Pops presentation for the Wichita Symphony, I overhead several audience members discussing their expectations for what they were about to experience. “Is this a play?”  “It looks like there are narrators!” “Is this different from a regular concert?” Most “In Concert” performances are based on well known musicals, but War Horse In Concert is based on War Horse Suite 2022, a symphonic work derived from the score of the play with the same name. The play is based on the original story written by Michael Morpurgo. War Horse: The Story in Concert premiered at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 2016, with music composed by Adrian Sutton, and the narration was adapted from the play script written in 1982 by Nick Stafford. The performance consisted of a very simple staged version of the piece, with multiple actors playing multiple roles, supplying dialogue at the important points in the story. There was also a main singer and a chorus to help convey the emotions that the spoken word can fail to supply. This allows the orchestra to feature the score so the story to be told by both the music and the word. A concert version is usually a scaled down production, sans sets, props, elaborate costumes, and in the case of War Horse, the puppets used to portray the horses. The audience is asked to use their imaginations, and their mind’s eye, to fill in the remainder of the story.
Previews: WAR HORSE North American Premier at ICT Rep At The Century II Concert Hall

The Wichita Symphony Orchestra (WSO), in collaboration with Wichita Repertory Theater (ICTRep), is honored to present the North American premiere of War Horse in Concert.
Photos: WAR HORSE UK and Ireland Tour Holds Press Performance

War Horse held its press performances for the UK & Ireland tour at The Lowry, in Salford yesterday. Those in attendance included author Michael Morpurgo, Coronation Street stars Peter Ash, Michael Le Vell, Jane Hazlegrove and more. Check out photos here!
Photos: UK and Ireland Tour of WAR HORSE

Brand new production photos have been released for the National Theatre’s acclaimed production of War Horse, based on Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel. This all-new production is now touring the UK and Ireland, currently playing at the New Wimbledon Theatre, with a press performance on Sunday 22 September at The Lowry in Salford. 
WAR HORSE is Coming to The Theatre Royal, Glasgow in 2025

WAR HORSE will run at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow in Spring 2025. Learn more about the tour and see how to purchase tickets.
National Theatre's Touring Production of WAR HORSE to be Presented at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

The National Theatre's WAR HORSE, based on Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel, embarks on a major UK and Ireland tour and will play at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Learn how to purchase tickets.
A TUPPERWARE OF ASHES, THE OTHER PLACE, and More Set For the National Theatre's Autumn Season

The National Theatre has announced two new productions for its South Bank stages this autumn: the world premiere of Tanika Gupta’s A Tupperware of Ashes in the Dorfman theatre, and a new play by Alexander Zeldin inspired by Antigone called The Other Place in the Lyttelton theatre.
Further Dates Added to UK Tour of WAR HORSE

New dates have been announced for the National Theatre’s production of War Horse, the theatrical event based on Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel, which embarks on a major 18-month UK and Ireland tour from 5 September 2024, touring through to 2026.
National Theatre's WAR HORSE Will Embark on UK Tour Beginning September 2024

The National Theatre's production of War Horse will embark on a major 18-month UK Tour from 5 September 2024, touring through to 2026. Find out where you can catch the show here!
Review Roundup: DR SEMMELWEIS, Starring Mark Rylance

Read the reviews for Dr Semmelweis at the Harold Pinter Theatre.
Photos: First Look at Mark Rylance in DR SEMMELWEIS at the Harold Pinter Theatre

All new production photos have been released of Mark Rylance in Dr Semmelweis at Harold Pinter Theatre, opening this evening 11 July and running until 7 October.
Now On Sale: DR SEMMELWEIS, Starring Mark Rylance

Mark Rylance returns to the West End as one of medicine’s greatest pioneers, maverick Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis – the man whose research could save many millions of mothers’ lives. But what good is a discovery that is ignored?
Full Cast Revealed For the West End Run of DR SEMMELWEIS, Starring Mark Rylance

Mark Rylance returns to the West End this summer in Dr Semmelweis opening at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 11 July, with previews from 29 June, and running until Saturday 7 October.
Mark Rylance Will Lead DR. SEMMELWEIS in the West End

Mark Rylance returns to the West End this summer in Dr Semmelweis opening at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 11 July, with previews from 29 June, and running until Saturday 7 October. The critically acclaimed Bristol Old Vic production, directed by Tom Morris, opened in 2022, and sees Rylance reprise the title role.  
DR SEMMELWEIS Run Extended At Bristol Old Vic

Bristol Old Vic today announces a week-long extension of the world première of Dr Semmelweis, based on an original idea by Mark Rylance, and written by Stephen Brown with Rylance. The production opened on 26 January, and now runs until 19 February 2022. 
Casting and Additional Tour Dates Announced For THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME

Back by popular demand, the Olivier and Tony Award-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, adapted by Simon Stephens from the novel by Mark Haddon, and directed by Marianne Elliott (War Horse, Angels in America, Company) will open at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre on 20 November before embarking on a UK and Ireland tour.
Bristol Old Vic Announces 2021-2022 Autumn-Winter Season

Bristol Old Vic today announced a bold season for Autumn–Winter 2021/22. The programme includes new productions from brilliant talent, long-awaited new dates for world premieres and new ways to share those stories live and online.
Check Out These Ten Audiobooks Narrated By Broadway Stars

Need a fix of your favorite Broadway stars' voices while stuck inside! Check out our list of 10 audiobooks narrated by Broadway stars!
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME Comes to The Bristol Hippodrome

Back by popular demand, the Olivier and Tony Award-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will tour the UK and Ireland this Autumn, playing at The Bristol Hippodrome from October 13-17 2020.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Adrian Sutton written?

Adrian Sutton has written 1 shows including Coram Boy (Composer).

What awards has Adrian Sutton been nominated for?

Outstanding Music in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Angels in America, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Angels in America, Best Sound Design (Olivier Awards) for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Special Award (Drama Desk Awards) for War Horse.

What awards has Adrian Sutton won?

Adrian Sutton has won the Best Sound Design at the Olivier Awards for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and a Special Award at the Drama Desk Awards for War Horse.

Get Adrian Sutton Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos