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Bill Kenwright

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Bill Kenwright BIO

As a theatre producer, Kenwright is best known for the long-running West End hit Blood Brothers and the record-breaking UK tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Other productions have included West End runs of Whistle Down the Wind at the Palace Theatre, Festen in London, on a UK tour and on Broadway, The Big Life, Elmina's Kitchen, Scrooge – The Musical, The Night of the Iguana, A Few Good Men, A Man For All Seasons alongside UK tours of Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy, Tell Me on a Sunday and This is Elvis. He produced the London revival of Cabaret at the Lyric Theatre in September 2006, starring Anna Maxwell Martin, James Dreyfus and Sheila Hancock.

Kenwright helped start the careers of many current West End theatre producers, including Mark Rubinstein and Marc Sinden. It has been estimated that he employed more actors in a year than any employer other than the BBC.

Kenwright also directed many productions, including Blood Brothers, Whistle Down the Wind; he was asked by Andrew Lloyd Webber to make changes to the direction of Love Never Dies. Bill Kenwright additionally produced & directed the 2018/19 UK touring production of Saturday Night Fever, in which Richard Winsor (as the preliminary Tony Manero) perceived the symbolic "Stayin' Alive" dance spectacle as "The Kneebreaker" & he gleefully presented the deceiving "Stage Pose" downgrade (created by Arlene Phillips in 1997).

Productions, mainly musicals, included:

Fame – UK National Tour (2014)
Blood Brothers – Phoenix Theatre, London and on UK National Tour, starring Helen Hobson and Steven Houghton
Cabaret – Savoy Theatre, London with Will Young, Michelle Ryan and Sian Phillips
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – UK National Tour, starring Joe McElderry
The Wizard of Oz – London Palladium, London (2011)
Jekyll & Hyde – UK National Tour (2011)
Evita – World Tour, starring Madalena Alberto and Gian Marco Schiaretti (2018)

Bill Kenwright STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
Original London Production, 1967
Performer

[West End]
Original London Production, 1965
Performer

Bill Kenwright Productions

 
[West End, 2023]
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[West End, 2022]
Director
 
[West End, 2017]
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[West End, 2012]
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[West End, 2011]
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[Broadway, 2010]
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[Broadway, 2009]
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[Broadway, 2008]
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[Broadway, 2008]
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[West End, 2007] [Replacement]
Producer[Replacement]
 
[West End, 2006]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 2006]
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[West End, 2006]
Director
Producer
 
[West End, 2005]
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[Broadway, 2005]
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[West End, 2005]
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[Broadway, 2005]
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[West End, 2004]
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[Broadway, 2003]
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[West End, 2003]
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[West End, 2003]
Director
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1998]
Producer
 
[West End, 1997]
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[West End, 1997]
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[Broadway, 1997]
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[Broadway, 1996]
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[West End, 1996]
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[Broadway, 1994]
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[Broadway, 1993]
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Director
 
[Broadway, 1991]
Producer
 
[West End, 1988]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Producer
 
[UK Tour, 2004]
Director
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[West End, unknown]
Producer

Bill Kenwright Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2009 - Best Revival of a Musical

Bill Kenwright, Guys and Dolls

Tony Awards - 2008 - Best Musical

Bill Kenwright, Passing Strange

Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Revival of a Play

Bill Kenwright, The Chairs


winner
Tony Awards - 1997 - Best Revival of a Play

Bill Kenwright, A Doll's House

Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Revival of a Play

Bill Kenwright, An Ideal Husband

Tony Awards - 1994 - Best Revival of a Play

Bill Kenwright, Medea

Tony Awards - 1993 - Best Direction of a Musical

Bill Kenwright , Blood Brothers

Tony Awards - 1993 - Best Musical

Bill Kenwright, Blood Brothers


winner
Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Play

Bill Kenwright, Dancing at Lughnasa

Bill Kenwright Videos

Bill Kenwright News


HEATHERS THE MUSICAL Will Return to West End Ahead of Third National Tour


Following a smash hit West End run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2018, two national tours and record-breaking runs at London's The Other Palace, the WhatsOnStage ‘BEST NEW MUSICAL' winner, the beloved musical will be back in the West End for only six weeks before embarking on its third tour from 24 July at the Theatre Royal Windsor.

Cast Set For MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING at Shakespeare's Globe


Shakespeare’s Globe has announced the cast of Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Associate Artistic Director Sean Holmes (The Comedy of Errors, Globe), with Ekow Quartey and Amalia Vitale as Benedick and Beatrice.

BOYS FROM THE BLACKSTUFF Will Transfer to the West End This June


Graham’s acclaimed adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff will transfer to the West End for a strictly limited eight-week season at the Garrick Theatre, following runs at Liverpool’s Royal Court and the National’s Olivier Theatre. 

HEATHERS THE MUSICAL Will Embark on a New UK Tour This Autumn


Following a West End run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2018, two national tours and record breaking runs at London's The Other Palace, Heathers the Musical is back on tour this year opening on 24 July at Theatre Royal Windsor. 

Video: MY SON'S A QUEER (BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO?) Star Rob Madge Brings Broadway Home Following Postponement


Following the postponement of the Broadway premiere of the one-man musical, My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?), the show's writer and star, Rob Madge, is making taking life's lemons and making comic gold. Watch the video!

MY SON'S A QUEER (BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO?) Postpones Broadway Run


BroadwayWorld has learned that My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) has been postponed to next Broadway season instead of this spring as previously announced.

Photos: Inside Rehearsal For THE ADDAMS FAMILY Concert, Starring Ramin Karimloo and Michelle Visage!


All new rehearsal images have been released from The Addams Family live in concert, starring Ramin Karimloo and Michelle Visage. The Addams Family will play at the London Palladium from 12-13 February 2024. Check out the photos here!

Photos: Inside Rehearsal For the West End Transfer of STANDING AT THE SKY'S EDGE


All new rehearsal photos have been released of the new cast of the West End transfer of Sheffield Theatres’ smash-hit production, Standing at the Sky’s Edge.  Check out the photos here!

Cherry Jones Will Lead THE GRAPES OF WRATH at The National Theatre; Summer 2024 Line-Up Announced


The National Theatre has announced new productions for all three South Bank stages this summer: Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff and Mnemonic in the Olivier theatre and The Grapes of Wrath in the Lyttelton theatre, alongside the previously announced The Hot Wing King in the Dorfman theatre. 

BOYS FROM THE BLACKSTUFF Returns To Liverpool Before National Theatre Run


Following its acclaimed run at Liverpool's Royal Court last year, James Graham's powerful new adaptation of Alan Bleasdale's seminal TV show Boys from the Blackstuff is back for 2024.

Photos: First Look at CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE '90S MUSICAL at The Other Palace


All new production photos have been released from CRUEL INTENTIONS: The '90s Musical at The Other Palace. Check out the photos here!

Full Cast Set For West End Transfer of STANDING AT THE SKY'S EDGE


Full casting has been announced for the West End transfer of Sheffield Theatres’ Standing at the Sky’s Edge. Learn more about the show and find out who is starring here!

Photos: Inside Rehearsal For CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE '90S MUSICAL at The Other Palace


All new rehearsal photos have been released for Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical at The Other Palace. Check out the photos here!

MY SON'S A QUEER (BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO?) Offers Lottery For $24 Tickets to Preview Performances


Fans of My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) can enter a special, first-of-its-kind digital lottery to win $24 tickets to the new play’s early performances at The Lyceum Theatre. Learn more about how to enter the lottery here!

Full Cast Announced For The London Premiere Of CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE '90S MUSICAL at The Other Palace


Casting has been announced for the eagerly awaited London premiere of Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical at The Other Palace.

Meena Harris, JJ Maley, and George Strus Join the Producing Team of MY SON'S A QUEER (BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO?)


Three new names have been revealed as part of the producing team for My Son's A Queer (But What Can You Do?), coming to Broadway next year. Learn more about the new producers here!

Cast Set For the London Premiere of CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE '90S MUSICAL


CAST ANNOUNCED for London premiere of ‘Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical’ at The Other Palace. Packed with ‘90s pop classics, the show opens on January 11, 2024, for a 14-week season. Press night is on January 19, 2024.

Details Revealed For Upcoming Tours of BLOOD BROTHERS, CALENDAR GIRLS, and More in 2024


Bill Kenwright Ltd has announced their upcoming Spring 2024 touring productions, which include Blood Brothers, Calendar Girls the Musical, Twelve Angry men, and Sleuth. Casting and tour dates have been revealed for all four touring productions. Learn more about the full lineup below!

Louise Dearman and Trevor Dion Nicholas Announced as Headliners for ACTING FOR OTHERS' CABARET IN THE CLUB


Theatrical charity, Acting for Others, The Ivy Club and actor Robert Rees today announce two new performances of Cabaret in the Club at London's exclusive private members' bar The Ivy Club, West Street.

Industry Pro Newsletter: SAG-AFTRA Close to a Deal, Only 6% of Women in Theatre in the UK Feel an Increase in Opportunity


Some of our more significant stories this week come from across the pond: the first being that a new survey indicates that the vast majority of women working in theatre don’t feel like they are seeing an increase in opportunities. While the data comes from the UK, I think we would find a lot of anecdotal agreement in the US industry as well.

Bill Kenwright FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Bill Kenwright been in?

Bill Kenwright has not appeared on Broadway.

How many West End shows has Bill Kenwright been in?

Bill Kenwright has appeared on London's West End in 2 shows.

What was Bill Kenwright's first West End show?

Bill Kenwright's first West End show was Passion Flower Hotel which opened in 1965

What awards has Bill Kenwright been nominated for?

Bill Kenwright has been nominated for several awards, including Best Revival of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Guys and Dolls," Best Musical for "Passing Strange," Best Revival of a Play for "The Chairs," "A Doll's House," "An Ideal Husband," and "Medea," Best Direction of a Musical for "Blood Brothers," Best Musical for "Blood Brothers," and Best Play for "Dancing at Lughnasa."

What awards has Bill Kenwright won?

Bill Kenwright has won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play for "A Doll's House" and the Tony Award for Best Play for "Dancing at Lughnasa."

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