The first major London revival of Mel Brooks’ musical adaptation of THE
PRODUCERS will be staged at the Menier this winter by Tony Award-winning
director Patrick Marber and Broadway choreographer Lorin Latarro.
Starring Andy Nyman, Marc Antolin, Joanna Woodward and Harry Morrison,
this laugh-out-loud production opens on 9 December, with previews from 26
November, and runs until 1 March 2025.
Based on the classic cult film of the same name, the original Broadway
production won twelve Tony Awards, and skewers Broadway traditions, taking
no prisoners as it proudly proclaims itself an "equal opportunity offender!"
The incidental detail is wonderful: the Zimmer-frame chorus line of Bialystok’s conquests is balanced by a Fiddler-style onslaught of capering shtetl inhabitants earlier on. Some throwaway lines are built up into full-scale Vaudevillian “bits”. Paul Farnsworth’s costumes, including hotpants and giant spangled Bratwurst and Bier-stein headgear for the dancers, Swastika-clad pigeons and a living statue with outsized genitalia, are hilarious.
Key to this show’s success has always been the partnership at its heart. The original pairing of Nathan Lane and Lee Evans in the West End was joyous, and that, happily, is also the case here. Nyman and Antolin work delightfully together, Nyman a ball of frustrated energy, Antolin on top form as his nervy, blanket-hugging sidekick. They sing and dance wonderfully, and they’re very funny, too – both the physical and verbal comedy is a genuine treat.
2001 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
2002 | US Tour |
1st National Tour US Tour |
2003 | US Tour |
2nd National Tour US Tour |
2003 | Canada |
Toronto Production Canada |
2004 | West End |
London Production West End |
2006 | Las Vegas |
Las Vegas |
2007 | Lincolnshire, IL (Regional) |
Regional Premiere Lincolnshire, IL (Regional) |
West End |
West End |
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