Nanny McPhee musical announces West End dates and details

The new musical adaptation of Nanny McPhee, written by Emma Thompson, has announced dates and venue for the West End.

The musical is based on the Nanny McPhee films and the Nurse Matilda character created by Christianna Brand and Edward Ardizzone. Thompson will write the book and original lyrics alongside Gary Clark, who will compose the music.

The story follows Nanny McPhee as she arrives at the home of the Brown family, where she encounters unruly children, a desperate father, an uncontrollable donkey and a baby. Using her unusual methods and magic, she attempts to restore order to the household.

It will have its world premiere at the Aldwych Theatre in London, with performances beginning on 6 November 2027. Tickets will go on sale at 12pm on 14 October 2026.

Universal Pictures, Working Title Films and Three Strange Angels first brought Nanny McPhee to the screen in 2005, in a film written by and starring Thompson alongside Colin Firth, Angela Lansbury, Kelly Macdonald, Imelda Staunton, Celia Imrie and Thomas Brodie-Sangster. Thompson returned to write and star in the 2010 sequel, Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang.

The stage production will be directed by Katy Rudd, whose credits include Ballet Shoes and The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Set and costume design is by Rob Howell, with musical staging and choreography by Ellen Kane.

The creative team also includes orchestrations by Simon Hale, music supervision by Nigel Lilley, and music arrangements by Hale and Lilley. Lighting design is by Howard Hudson, sound design by Ian Dickinson for Autograph, illusions by Chris Fisher, puppetry by Samuel Wyer and projections by Andrzej Goulding. Casting is by Natalie Gallacher for Pippa Aillon and Natalie Gallacher Casting. Playful Productions will provide general management.

Nanny McPhee is presented by Universal Theatrical Group and Working Title Films, in association with Studiocanal on Stage and MGM on Stage. The producers for Working Title Films are Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lindsay Doran, Emma Thompson, Paul Warwick Griffin, Gareth Hewitt Williams and Rebecca Quigley.

Casting for the production is yet to be announced, but may be fairly soon.