Emma Thompson Adapts Nanny McPhee for Stage Musical Debut in London
Emma Thompson has written a new stage musical based on her Nanny McPhee films and the Nurse Matilda character, with the production scheduled to open in London's West End in summer 2027. The show marks the character's first theatrical adaptation and features music by Gary Clark, lyrics by Thompson and Clark, direction by Katy Rudd, and design by Tony winner Rob Howell. Thompson, who starred in the two films that grossed $216 million globally, said theater feels like the character's natural home.
The production unites a seasoned creative team, with Gary Clark composing the score and co-writing lyrics alongside Thompson. Tony-winning designer Rob Howell, recognized for Matilda the Musical, handles sets and costumes, while Katy Rudd directs and Ellen Kane oversees choreography. Working Title Films and Universal Theatrical Group present the show, with producers including Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, and Lindsay Doran.
The character traces back to the Nurse Matilda books by Christianna Brand, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone. Thompson's two films, released in 2005 and 2010, featured Colin Firth, Imelda Staunton, Angela Lansbury, and Thomas Brodie-Sangster, earning $216 million combined. Casting for the stage version has not yet been announced, with the production slated for summer 2027.
This adaptation could introduce Nanny McPhee to a new generation of theatergoers while appealing to adults who remember the films, potentially strengthening London's West End as a destination for family-oriented programming. The 2027 timeline may also signal growing confidence in adapting popular film franchises for live performance, though sustained audience interest over the intervening years will likely determine the production's commercial viability.