Nanny McPhee is heading for the London stage. Working Title's announcement of 27 August 2026 sets the world premiere of the film-based musical for summer 2027. Emma Thompson returns to the character as the writer of the musical's book and co-writer of its lyrics, with music by Gary Clark.
This is an announcement guide, rather than a confirmed performance schedule. The dated release establishes London and the season; it does not provide a theatre, exact opening date or cast. Check the latest announcement and the Nanny McPhee listing for subsequent details before making travel arrangements. On 11 October 2026 that selected listing said tickets were not yet on sale and displayed “Tickets unavailable”.
Emma Thompson, Gary Clark and the story's origins
Thompson wrote and starred in the 2005 film and its 2010 sequel, Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang. For the musical, the August announcement report names Thompson and Clark as the lyricists, with Clark composing the music. A new score gives this familiar story a different way to unfold in front of an audience.
The films drew on the Nurse Matilda books. Their author is Christianna Brand, with illustrations by Edward Ardizzone. The literary agency's collected edition brings together Nurse Matilda, Nurse Matilda Goes to Town and Nurse Matilda Goes to Hospital. Reading the stories is one way to introduce younger theatre-goers to the character while the stage production develops.
Emma Thompson. Photo: Davide Padovan.
What is Nanny McPhee about?
A mysterious nanny arrives at the Browns' door and finds a family in chaos. The children have defeated the nannies who came before her; their father needs help, and ordinary household rules have stopped working. Nanny McPhee's unusual methods and magic begin to change that. Her lessons are for the adults as well as the children.
The familiar film world includes unruly children, a troublesome donkey and a determined baby. The stage adaptation's final scenes and effects should be judged from its own production information, rather than assumed to reproduce every film gag. The central appeal remains a family learning how to live together, with kindness, mischief and a nanny who takes behaviour seriously.
The announced creative team
The 27 August report linked by Working Title names Katy Rudd as director, Rob Howell as set and costume designer and Ellen Kane as choreographer. Rudd's reported credits include Ballet Shoes and The Ocean at the End of the Lane; Howell designed Matilda the Musical.
The same announcement names Simon Hale for orchestrations, Nigel Lilley for music supervision, and both for music arrangements. Howard Hudson handles lighting, Ian Dickinson sound, Chris Fisher illusions, Samuel Wyer puppetry and Andrzej Goulding projections. These credits explain the planned combination of music, movement and stage magic without promising a particular effect in the finished show. Working Title Films and Universal Theatrical Group are the announced presenting organisations.
Planning a family visit
Summer 2027 is the announced premiere season. Wait for the specific venue and performance calendar before pairing the show with a hotel or a train booking. A venue announcement will also make it possible to compare seats, step-free routes and access performances.
A family story does not establish a minimum admission age or a running time. Check those details, effects and interval information when the production publishes them. For a visit you want to arrange sooner, our guide to West End shows for children and families helps you compare other choices by age; each show's current rules still apply.
Nanny McPhee: quick questions
Who is writing the musical?
Emma Thompson writes the book, Gary Clark composes the music, and Thompson and Clark write the original lyrics. Katy Rudd is the announced director, with Rob Howell designing the production.
When and where will it open?
Working Title announced a London world premiere in summer 2027. Its dated announcement does not specify a theatre, exact dates or cast. Consult the latest producer information and the show listing for any later announcements; a listing alone is not a promise that seats are available.
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