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John Napier

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John Napier BIO

John Napier studied fine art at Hornsey College of Art in the early 1960s and theatre design at the Central School of Arts and Crafts under Ralph Koltai. He is an associate designer of the RSC.
Notable productions for the RSC include: Macbeth, The Comedy of Errors, King Lear, Once in a Lifetime, The Greeks, Nicholas Nickleby, Hedda Gabler, Peter Pan and Mother Courage.

NT productions include: The Party (Olivier’s last performance at the Old Vic), Equus, later seen worldwide, Trelawny of the ‘Wells’, An Enemy of the People, Peter Pan, Candide and South Pacific. Opera includes Lohengrin and Macbeth (Royal Opera, Covent Garden), Idomeneo (Glyndebourne), The Devils (ENO) and Nabucco (Metropolitan Opera).

Musical theatre includes: Cats, Starlight Express, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon and Sunset Boulevard.

These productions have been presented on Broadway and around the world. Other West End designs include: Time, Children of Eden and Jesus Christ Superstar. John designed the Captain EO video starring Michael Jackson for Disney. He created and co-directed the spectacular Siegfried & Roy Show at the Mirage in Las Vegas, followed by Steven Spielberg’s film Hook. Other designs include: Burning Blue (Haymarket, 1996 Olivier Award for Best Set Design), The Tower and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (both Almeida), Martin Guerre (West Yorkshire Playhouse and tour) and the musical version of Jane Eyre (Broadway). He recently designed Skellig (Young Vic), Aladdin (Old Vic) and Gone with the Wind (New London).

John Napier’s design awards include two Society of West End Theatre Awards, an Olivier, a BAFTA and five Tony Awards for Nicholas Nickleby, Cats, Starlight Express, Les Misérables and Sunset Boulevard. He is a member of the American Academy of Achievement, was elected Royal Designer for Industry in 1996 and is an Honorary Fellow of the London Institute.

John Napier Productions

 
[Broadway, 2016]
Scenic and Costume Designer
 
[West End, 2014]
Designs
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Scenic Designer
Costume Designer
 
[West End, 2008]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Scenic Designer
 
[West End, 2001]
Production
 
[US Tour, 1998]
Production
 
[UK Tour, 1998]
Scenic Designer
 
[US Tour, 1996]
Production
 
[Canada, 1995]
Production
 
[Regional (US), 1993]
Production
 
[West End, 1993]
Production
 
[Broadway, 1991]
Scenic Designer
 
[West End, 1989]
Settings
 
[West End, 1989]
Settings
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Settings/Costumes
 
[West End, 1985]
Scenic Designer
 
[West End, 1984]
Settings/Costumes
 
[West End, 1981]
Settings/Costumes

John Napier Awards and Nominations


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1987 - Best Set Design

John Napier, Les Miserables


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1987 - Costume Design

John Napier, Starlight Express


winner
Tony Awards - 1987 - Best Costume Design

John Napier, Starlight Express


winner
Tony Awards - 1987 - Best Scenic Design

John Napier , Les Misérables

Olivier Awards - 1984 - Designer of the Year

John Napier, Starlight Express


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1983 - Outstanding Costume Design

John Napier, Cats

Olivier Awards - 1983 - Designer of the Year

John Napier, Peter Pan, RSC


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1982 - Special Citation

John Napier, The Life And Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby

Olivier Awards - 1981 - Designer of the Year

John Napier, Cats

Olivier Awards - 1979 - Designer of the Year

John NapierOnce In A Lifetime


winner
Olivier Awards - 1977 - Designer of the Year

John NapierKing Lear

Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Outstanding Costume Design

John Napier, Equus

Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Outstanding Set Design

John Napier, Equus

John Napier Videos

John Napier News


The Metropolitan Opera's 2023�"24 Live in HD Series to Continue With Verdi's NABUCCO


The Metropolitan Opera’s 2023–24 Live in HD season continues with the live transmission of Verdi’s early masterpiece Nabucco. Learn how to watch!

Review: NABUCCO, Verdi's First Big Hit, Returns to the Met with a Terrifying Monastyrska under Callegari's Baton


The Met’s production of NABUCCO from Elijah Moshinsky may date back to 2001 but its style hearkens back even further--a fancy, old-fashioned unit set that uses the house’s big turntable--and it’s a whale of a show, design-wise, thanks to John Napier’s scenic design.

The Met: Live in HD 2023-24 Season to Feature DEAD MAN WALKING, X: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MALCOM X & More


Get ready for an incredible lineup! The Met: Live in HD has revealed its 2023-24 season, featuring nine must-see performances. Find out when and where you can catch these amazing shows in this article.

Verdi's NABUCCO to Return to the Metropolitan Opera in September


Experience the powerful drama of Verdi's Nabucco as it returns to the Metropolitan Opera this September. Learn about the dates and ticket information for this must-see production. Don't miss your chance to witness this epic performance.

Review: CATS is the Latest Musical to Prowl Onto the Vancouver Stage


At some point in their lives, most people have heard of the musical: CATS. Whether it’s because of its unique costumes or iconic songs, CATS will always be a Broadway classic. This week, Broadway Across Canada and Troika Entertainment brought the musical to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Review: SIX: THE MUSICAL at Hollywood Pantages Theatre


The tour of SIX at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, directed by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage, is 90 minutes of partying with performers Khaila Wilcoxon, Storm Lever, Natalie Paris, Olivia Donalson, Courtney Mack and Gabriela Carrillo as killer – or maybe make that killed? - MCs.

CATS Comes To Bank Of America Performing Arts Center In May!


The American Theatre Guild will present one of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS. This production is part of the BROADWAY IN THOUSAND OAKS SERIES and will take the Bank of America Performing Arts Center stage May 11–14, 2023.

Video: Andrew Lloyd Webber Sends Message Of Support to Ukrainian Students Performing CATS in Bomb Shelter


Students at a school in Kiyv recorded a production of the musical CATS from their bomb shelter amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Purchase College To Honor Technical Theatre Legend William M. Mensching On April 24


Purchase College, State University of New York’s Broadway Technical Theatre History Project, will present the Ninth Broadway technical “Backstage Legends and Masters Award” to theater legend, William M. (Bill) Mensching on Monday, April 24, 2023 at 7 p.m. at The Performing Arts Center on campus, located at 735 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase, NY.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS Will Play Mayo Performing Arts Center From, March 10-March 12


One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Morristown's Mayo Performing Arts Center from Friday, March 10 – Sunday, March 12.

CATS Returns To Philadelphia By Popular Demand March 14 �" 19 On The Kimmel Cultural Campus


One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will return to Philadelphia March 14 through March 19, 2023, at the Miller Theater (formerly Merriam Theater), presented by the Kimmel Cultural Campus and The Shubert Organization.

Review: CATS at National Theatre


So, should you attend the Jellicle Ball? Absolutely. Cats is one of those musicals that will stay with you, whether you see it for the first time or twentieth time. think of CATS at National Theatre?

CATS On Sale At The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center This Friday


The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center has announced the on sale date for one of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS.

CATS On Sale At Kalamazoo's Miller Auditorium This Week


One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Kalamazoo's Miller Auditorium for three performances, Feb. 17 – 18, 2023, as part of a new North American tour. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022.

Review: CATS at Minneapolis' Orpheum Theater


What did our critic think of CATS at Orpheum? Cats, the record-breaking musical spectacular by Andrew Lloyd Webber that has captivated audiences in over 30 countries and 15 languages, is now on tour across North America!

Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS Comes To Cleveland, November 1-20


One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Playhouse Square from November 1-20 as part of a multi-season North American tour.

Review: CATS at San Jose Center For The Performing Arts


What did our critic, Linda Hodges think of CATS at San Jose Center For The Performing Arts?

The Granada Theatre to Present CATS in October


The American Theatre Guild is pleased to present one of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS. This production is part of the BROADWAY IN SANTA BARBARA SERIES and will take The Granada Theatre stage October 17–18, 2022.

Single Tickets For The 2022-23 Broadway In Santa Barbara Series On Sale Tomorrow!


The American Theatre Guild has announced that single tickets to four engagements in the 22–23 BROADWAY IN SANTA BARBARA SERIES will go on sale Tuesday, August 30 at 12:30 p.m. All engagements will be held at The Granada Theatre. 

Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS To Play Cleveland's Playhouse Square, November 1 To November 20


One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Playhouse Square from November 1 – 20, 2022, as part of a new North American tour.

John Napier FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has John Napier been nominated for?

John Napier has been nominated for the following awards: - Best Set Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Les Miserables - Costume Design (The Hewes Awards) for Starlight Express - Best Costume Design (Tony Awards) for Starlight Express - Best Scenic Design (Tony Awards) for Les Misérables - Designer of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Starlight Express - Outstanding Costume Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Cats - Designer of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Peter Pan, RSC - Special Citation (The Hewes Awards) for The Life And Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby - Designer of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Cats - Designer of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Once In A Lifetime - Designer of the Year (Olivier Awards) for King Lear - Outstanding Costume Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Equus - Outstanding Set Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Equus

What awards has John Napier won?

John Napier has won several awards for his work in Broadway, including Best Set Design from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Les Miserables, Costume Design from The Hewes Awards for Starlight Express, Best Costume Design at the Tony Awards for Starlight Express, Best Scenic Design at the Tony Awards for Les Misérables, Outstanding Costume Design at the Drama Desk Awards for Cats, a Special Citation from The Hewes Awards for The Life And Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, and Designer of the Year at the Olivier Awards for King Lear.

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