Nanny McPhee Musical to Have World Premiere in London in Summer 2027

Emma Thompson’s beloved magical nanny is heading to the stage in a brand-new musical, with an award-winning creative team behind the London world premiere.

The magical world of Nanny McPhee is coming to the stage, with a brand-new musical adaptation set to receive its world premiere in London in summer 2027.

Presented by Working Title Films and Universal Theatrical Group, the new production brings Emma Thompson’s much-loved character to the theatre for the first time. Thompson, who wrote and starred in the original Nanny McPhee film, has written the book for the musical and will also provide original lyrics alongside composer Gary Clark.

The production is based on the Nanny McPhee films and the original Nurse Matilda character created by British author Christianna Brand and illustrator Edward Ardizzone.

First introduced to audiences in the 2005 film Nanny McPhee, the mysterious nanny arrives at the home of the Brown family to tackle a household in complete chaos.

The children have already driven away a succession of nannies, while their father desperately struggles to keep the family together. There is also an out-of-control donkey, a troublesome baby and, of course, Nanny McPhee herself.

Armed with her distinctive knobbly stick, unconventional methods and a little bit of magic, Nanny McPhee sets about restoring order. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the children are not the only members of the Brown family who have lessons to learn.

The original film, written by and starring Emma Thompson, featured an impressive cast including Colin Firth, Angela Lansbury, Kelly Macdonald, Imelda Staunton and Thomas Brodie-Sangster. Thompson returned for the 2010 sequel, Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang.

The stage musical will now give the story a new life through music, choreography, puppetry, illusions and theatrical magic.

Thompson has been closely involved with the project from its development and is now bringing the character she created for the screen into the world of musical theatre.

“I've lived with Nanny McPhee for so long that to see her finally tread the boards is supremely exciting,” Thompson said. “Theatre feels like her natural home – magic, music, mischief and a good dollop of danger can all happen right in front of you.”

She will collaborate with singer-songwriter Gary Clark, who is writing the musical's music and co-writing the original lyrics.

Clark is perhaps best known as the frontman of Scottish band Danny Wilson and has also worked extensively in musical theatre and film, including the music for Sing Street.

The production will be directed by Katy Rudd, whose theatre credits include Ballet Shoes and The Ocean at the End of the Lane.

The creative team also includes Tony and Olivier Award-winning designer Rob Howell, known for Matilda the Musical, who will create the set and costumes, while Ellen Kane will choreograph.

The production's extensive creative team includes Simon Hale as orchestrator and music arranger, Nigel Lilley as music supervisor and music arranger, Howard Hudson as lighting designer and Ian Dickinson for Autograph as sound designer.

Adding to the show's magical ambitions are illusion designer Chris Fisher, whose credits include Stranger Things: The First Shadow and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, puppetry designer Samuel Wyer, and projections designer Andrzej Goulding.

Casting is by Natalie Gallacher CDG for Pippa Aillon and Natalie Gallacher Casting, with Playful Productions providing general management.

The Nanny McPhee musical will have its world premiere in London in summer 2027.

The production's theatre, exact performance dates and casting have not yet been announced.