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Matthew Warchus

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BIO

Matthew is a director of theatre, opera and film who has directed award-winning productions for many of the major British theatre companies. He was an Associate Director at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and was an Artistic Associate at The Old Vic before being appointed in 2014 to succeed Kevin Spacey as Artistic Director of the theatre. Matthew's theatre credits include The Caretaker, The Master Builder and Future Conditional (The Old Vic), Matilda The Musical (RSC, West End and Broadway, 7 Olivier Awards, including Best Director and Best New Musical, and 4 Tony Awards), Ghost: The Musical and La Bete (West End and Broadway), Deathtrap (West End), The Norman Conquests (West End and Broadway, Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play), God of Carnage (West End and Broadway, Tony Award for Best Play and Best Direction of a Play), Boeing-Boeing (West End, Broadway and UK tour, Tony Award for Best Revival of a play and Olivier nomination for Best Revival of a Play), Speed-the-Plow (The Old Vic), the theatrical adaptation of The Lord of the Rings (also co-writer, Toronto and West End), Buried Child (National Theatre), Endgame (West End), Our House (West End, Olivier Award for Best Musical), Follies (Broadway), Life x 3 (National Theatre, The Old Vic and Broadway), True West (Donmar Warehouse and Broadway), The Unexpected Man (RSC, West End and Broadway), Art (Broadway, West End and Los Angeles, Olivier and Tony Awards for Best Play), Hamlet and Henry V (RSC), Volpone (National Theatre, Evening Standard Award for Best Director), Much Ado About Nothing (West End) and Betrayal, Death of a Salesman, The Plough and the Stars, Fiddler on the Roof and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (West Yorkshire Playhouse). Opera credits include Falstaff and Così Fan Tutte (ENO) and The Rake's Progress (ROH and WNO). Matthew directed feature films Pride (2014, BIFA Best British Independent Film, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations) and Simpatico (1999).

Photos

Productions

 
[West End, 2023]
Director
 
[West End, 2023]
Director
 
[West End, 2022]
Director
 
[West End, 2021]
Director
 
[West End, 2020]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2020]
Director
 
[West End, 2019]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2019]
Director
 
[West End, 2019]
Director
 
[West End, 2019]
Director
 
[West End, 2018]
Director
 
[West End, 2017]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Director
 
[West End, 2016] [Replacement]
Director[Replacement]
 
[West End, 2016]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2013]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2012]
Director
 
[West End, 2011]
Developer/Director
 
[West End, 2011]
Director
 
[West End, 2010]
DEVELOPER AND DIRECTOR
 
[Broadway, 2010]
Director
 
[West End, 2010]
Director
 
[West End, 2010]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2009]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2009]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2009]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2009]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Director
 
[West End, 2007]
Director/Book/Lyrics
 
[Toronto, 2006]
Director
 
[New York, 2004] [Replacement]
Director[Replacement]
 
[West End, 2003]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2001]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2000]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1998]
Director
 
[West End, ]
Director

Writing

Bookwriter/Lyricist

Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2017 - Best Director

Matthew Warchus, Groundhog Day

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Matthew Warchus, Groundhog Day

Tony Awards - 2017 - Best Direction of a Musical

Matthew Warchus, Groundhog Day


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2013 - Best Direction of a Musical

Matthew Warchus, Matilda

Drama Desk Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Matthew Warchus, Matilda the Musical

Tony Awards - 2013 - Best Direction of a Musical

Matthew Warchus, Matilda the Musical


winner
Olivier Awards - 2012 - Best Director

Matthew Warchus, Matilda The Musical


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Matthew Warchus, The Norman Conquests


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2009 - Special Citations

Matthew Warchus, The Norman Conquests

Olivier Awards - 2009 - Best Company Performance

Matthew WarchusThe Norman Conquests

Olivier Awards - 2009 - Best Revival

Matthew WarchusThe Norman Conquests


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Matthew Warchus, The Norman Conquests


winner
Tony Awards - 2009 - Best Direction of a Play

Matthew Warchus, God of Carnage

Tony Awards - 2009 - Best Direction of a Play

Matthew Warchus, The Norman Conquests

Drama Desk Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Matthew Warchus, Boeing-Boeing

Tony Awards - 2008 - Best Direction of a Play

Matthew Warchus, Boeing-Boeing


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Director - Play

Matthew Warchus, The Unexpected Man

Tony Awards - 2000 - Best Direction of a Play

Matthew Warchus, True West

Olivier Awards - 1998 - Best Director

Matthew WarchusHamlet

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Director - Play

Matthew WarchusArt

Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Direction of a Play

Matthew Warchus, Art

Olivier Awards - 1997 - Best Director

Matthew Warchus, Art

Olivier Awards - 1996 - Best Director

Matthew WarchusVolpone


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1995 - Best Director

Matthew WarchusVolpone


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1995 - Best Director

Matthew WarchusHenry V

Videos

News


Joe Murphy Appointed Artistic Director of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Joe Murphy has been announced as the new Artistic Director of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Learn more about Joe Murphy and the Birmingham Repertory Theatre here!
A CHRISTMAS CAROL Will Raise Money For SecondBite For Return Melbourne Season

Five time Tony Award® winner and West End hit A Christmas Carol has announced its partnership with SecondBite, dedicating its 2024 season to raising essential funds for the charity’s food relief program.
Show of the Week: Save Up to 41% on JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK at the Gielgud Theatre

Save up to 41% on Juno And The Paycock at the Gielgud Theatre. Tickets are available from £25!
Australian TV Star Erik Thomson to Play Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL This Festive Season

Producers GWB Entertainment have announced that Erik Thomson, one of Australia's most loved stars across film, television and theatre, will play the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol – Melbourne's new festive tradition.
Winter Season Set For National Theatre at Home With Andrew Scott, Ralph Fiennes, and More

National Theatre at Home, the National Theatre's pioneering streaming platform, has announced a collection of iconic productions and heartwarming stories are set to join the platform for the festive season.
Cast Set For Australian Tour of THE LORD OF THE RINGS - A MUSICAL TALE

Producers of The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale, the stage production based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic trilogy, have confirmed the Australian cast that will tour Australia in 2025, including Sydney, Perth and Melbourne.
THE LORD OF THE RINGS A MUSICAL TALE Comes to Theatre Royal Plymouth in 2025 Ahead of European Tour

The Lord of the Rings - A Musical Tale will embark on a new journey as this timeless tale unfolds in this breathtaking theatrical production, playing Theatre Royal Plymouth from 4 – 11 October 2025. Find out how to get tickets to the tour.
Conor McPherson Will Return to The Old Vic With THE BRIGHTENING AIR

The Old Vic has announced The Brightening Air, a new play written and directed by Olivier Award winner Conor McPherson (The Weir, The Seafarer), in his return to the theatre following the multi award-winning Girl from the North Country in 2017.
MATILDA THE MUSICAL Will Launch New Tour of UK and Ireland in October 2025

The Royal Shakespeare Company's MATILDA THE MUSICAL will embark on a major new tour across the UK and Ireland starting October 2025, bringing the acclaimed production to new audiences.
Review Roundup: Did Mark Rylance and J. Smith-Cameron Impress in JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK?

Tony award-nominee J. Smith-Cameron stars as Juno Boyle opposite Mark Rylance as ‘Captain’ Jack Boyle in a highly anticipated new production of Juno and the Paycock, Seán O’Casey's timeless masterpiece, directed by Tony and Olivier award-winner Matthew Warchus. So what did the critics think? Read the reviews.
Photos: J. Smith-Cameron, Mark Rylance, & More in JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK

Check out photos from the West End production of JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK starring J. Smith-Cameron, Mark Rylance, and more here!
Review: JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK, Gielgud Theatre

A cost of living crisis, people being fit to work but choosing not to, poverty, nationalism and women's control of their own bodies. Seán O'Casey's Juno and the Paycock may have first been performed at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin in 1924, but a century later, his tragicomedy resonates more strongly than ever.
Interview: Glen Ballard And Oliver Tompsett on GHOST THE MUSICAL IN CONCERT

Recently, we had the opportuinty to talk with Glen Ballard and Oliver Tompsett about the upcoming production of Ghost the Musical in Concert. We discussed the creation of Ghost the Musical, what it is like to be returning to the show after time away and what they hope audiences take away from the concert!
Photos: MATILDA THE MUSICAL Welcomes New Cast Members

The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced that the multi-award-winning production of Matilda The Musical is now booking through to 24 May 2026. See new photos from the production below!
Full Cast Set For JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK Starring J. Smith-Cameron and Mark Rylance

The full cast has been announced for the new production of Seán O'Casey's timeless masterpiece, Juno and the Paycock, directed by Tony and Olivier award-winner Matthew Warchus.
THE LORD OF THE RINGS - A MUSICAL TALE Will Make Australian Premiere Next Year

The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale, the stage production based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic trilogy beloved by generations of readers, will make its Australian premiere at the State Theatre Sydney from 7 January 2025.
Video: 'Now and for Always' from THE LORD OF THE RINGS at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Watch as Sam (Michael Kurowski) and Frodo (Spencer Davis Milford) sing 'Now and for Always' from The Lord of the Rings the Musical, accompanied by Suzanne Hannau, Eileen Doan, Ben Mathew, and Adam Qutaishat. 
Video: Fox 32 Live Visits the Cast of THE LORD OF THE RINGS: A MUSICAL TALE

Watch Fox 32's Jake Hamilton interview actors Tom Amades (Gandalf) Michael Kurowski (Sam), and Spencer Davis Milford (Frodo) about THE LORD OF THE RINGS - A MUSICAL TALE in the video here.
Review: THE LORD OF THE RINGS at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

I think LOTR die-hards will appreciate the world-building and the visual spectacle of this production, but the material needs editing and more focus and refinement on key moments and characters.
Photos: LORD OF THE RINGS - A MUSICAL TALE at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Check out production photos from Chicago Shakespeare Theater's The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale, running now through September 1.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Matthew Warchus written?

Matthew Warchus has written 1 shows including Lord of the Rings (Bookwriter/Lyricist).

What awards has Matthew Warchus been nominated for?

Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Groundhog Day, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Groundhog Day, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Groundhog Day, Best Direction of a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Matilda, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Matilda the Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Matilda the Musical, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Matilda The Musical, Outstanding Director of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Norman Conquests, Special Citations (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for The Norman Conquests, Best Company Performance (Olivier Awards) for The Norman Conquests, Best Revival (Olivier Awards) for The Norman Conquests, Outstanding Director of a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Norman Conquests, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for God of Carnage, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for The Norman Conquests, Outstanding Director of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Boeing-Boeing, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for Boeing-Boeing, Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Unexpected Man, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for True West, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Hamlet, Best Director - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Art , Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for Art, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Art , Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Volpone, Best Director (Evening Standard Awards) for Volpone and Best Director (Evening Standard Awards) for Henry V.

What awards has Matthew Warchus won?

Matthew Warchus has won the following awards: - Best Direction of a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Matilda - Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Matilda The Musical - Outstanding Director of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Norman Conquests - Special Citations (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for The Norman Conquests - Outstanding Director of a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Norman Conquests - Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for God of Carnage - Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Unexpected Man - Best Director (Evening Standard Awards) for Volpone - Best Director (Evening Standard Awards) for Henry V.

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Videos