‘Nanny McPhee’ becomes a West End musical: Emma Thompson adapts, music by Gary Clark — premiere in summer 2027

The magical Nanny McPhee is back — this time not on the big screen but on the theatre stage. It has been announced that “Nanny McPhee” will become a musical in London’s West End, with the premiere scheduled for the summer of 2027. The stage adaptation was written by Emma Thompson herself — the screenwriter and star of the beloved 2005 film — while the music was composed by singer-songwriter Gary Clark, frontman of Danny Wilson and the composer behind “Sing Street”.

The musical is directed by Katy Rudd, known for her large ensemble productions such as “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” and “Ballet Shoes”. The creative team is packed with big names: choreography by Ellen Kane (“Paddington”), set and costume design by Rob Howell (“Matilda”), lighting by Howard Hudson (“Starlight Express”), sound by Ian Dickinson, illusions by Chris Fisher (“Stranger Things: The First Shadow”), puppets by Samuel Wyer and musical supervision by Nigel Lilley. The lyrics are written jointly by Thompson and Clark.

The story is set in Victorian England: the Brown family — a recently widowed father in financial crisis and his seven terrible children who scare off every nanny who dares to look after them — until Nanny McPhee arrives, a formidable woman with a strange appearance and her magic stick. As she begins to set things in order, both children and adults have lessons to learn. The character was created by writer Christianna Brand in the “Nurse Matilda” book series (1964–1974), three books illustrated by Edward Ardizzone.

“I’ve lived with Nanny McPhee for so long that to finally see her take to the stage is deeply moving,” Thompson said. “Theatre feels like her natural home — magic, music, mischief and a good dose of danger can all happen right in front of you.” Thompson, a two-time Oscar winner — for “Howards End” and the screenplay of “Sense and Sensibility” — changed the character’s name from Nurse Matilda to Nanny McPhee because “Nurse” as a synonym for “Nanny” is now archaic. Dates, venue and cast have yet to be announced, but for the West End this is one of the most exciting announcements of the 2027 season.

Source: London Theatre