Nicholas Hytner

Sir Nicholas Hytner is an English theatre director, film director, and film producer. He has previously graced the post of Artistic Director of London’s National Theatre. He is famous for his plays Miss Saigon and The History Boys as well as films like the Madness of King George and The Crucible. Nicholas was born on 7th May 1956 in the aristocratic suburban areas of South Manchester. His father Benet was a barrister and mother Joyce, a homemaker. He grew up in a typical Jewish family. He passed his 12th from Manchester Grammar High School. After that, he attended Trinity Hall in Cambridge to study English. Nicholas was passionate about plays from his childhood.

He acted in some plays while he was in the university. Realizing acting as his weak point, Nicholas turned his attention and care to direction. He also directed some plays in the college, including ‘Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny.’ First proper job Nicholas got was being an assistant to Colin Graham at English National Opera. Before getting any professional directing job, he worked in many Operas like Kent Opera and Wexford Festival Opera. He directed many productions at Leeds Playhouse such as The Ruling Class by Peter Barnes and a musical adaptation of Alice in the Wonderland. From 1985 to 1989, Nicholas held the post of an Associate Director at Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.

The ultimate breakthrough of his career came when he bagged the selection to direct the famous play ‘Miss Saigon.’ The London production of the play ran for more than ten years, including 4274 performances. The London production netted more than 150 Million Pound. Nicholas also directed the New York Production ran just under ten years including 4092 performances. Nicholas continued doing more plays (prominently Ghetto in 1989) for London’s National Theatre. Nicholas made his film debut with The Madness of King George (1994), based on Alan Bennet’s play. The film won BAFTA award for Best English Film. His next film The Crucible (1996), based on exorcism earned him a nomination at Palm D’or for Best Director.

The film starred Daniel Day-Lewis and Winona Ryder Born as Winona Laura Horowitz on October 29, 1971 >> Read More... in leading roles. His next films did not perform too well both at the box-office & on the critical front. Although his recent release Slice-of-life Comedy ‘The Lady in a Van’ (2015), opened to overwhelming reviews worldwide. The National Theatre appointed Nicholas as the Director on April 2003. His reformation and innovative ways to improve infrastructure have been working properly till date. He also reduced the ticket price to lure more viewers. Nicholas has also been able to increase the versatility of viewers as more young and black people are coming to theaters. He stepped down from the post in March 2015. Nicholas is gay but stays away from too much political agenda on this matter. He accepted Knighthood in 2010.