Central Alumni Named in Stage 100
Central is delighted to announce that several of its alumni have been named in The Stage 100.
Image: Central alumnus Sir Cameron Mackintosh, courtesy of cameronmackintosh.com
The Stage 100 is the ‘definitive list of theatre’s most influential people and partnerships’, produced annually by renowned industry publication, The Stage.
This year, Central alumni claimed two of the top three spots, with producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh (Tech, 1965) awarded second place alongside fellow producer Nicholas Allott (of Cameron Mackintosh Ltd/Delfont Mackintosh Ltd), and producer Sonia Friedman (Tech, 1985) achieving third. The top spot was awarded to Vicky Featherstone, artistic director, Royal Court Theatre.
Having already produced the three longest-running musicals of all time including Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera and Cats, in 2017 Mackintosh was a UK producer on West End smash Hamilton. Friedman, having placed 1st in last year’s Stage 100, still had a phenomenal year: In The Ferryman, she helped create the most successful new play of the year, with the production about to move on to its third cast. Dreamgirls continues to do good business and looks set to join The Book of Mormon as another long runner in Friedman’s portfolio.
Also featuring in the Stage 100 this year were:
Chief Executive of Sheffield Theatre Dan Bates (Tech, 1985) placed in 34th with Robert Hastie, and fellow Central alumnus and President of the School, director Michael Grandage CBE (Stage 1984) placed 58th. Theatre producer David Jubb (MA Advanced Theatre Practice, 1998), who is also the current Artistic Director and CEO of Battersea Arts Centre, came 78th, with director Anna Ehnold-Danailov (MA Advanced Theatre Practice, 2008) in 88th (listed with Cassie Raine).
Two of Central’s Honorary Fellows were named in the Stage 100: in 89th, four time Olivier Award-winner, lighting designer Paule Constable, followed by Artistic Director and Chief Executive of National Theatre Wales, Kully Thiarai, in 93rd.
About The Stage 100
Each year, a crack team of leading industry figures is polled before senior editorial figures at The Stage consider business success, vision and ability to affect change for the better. Rankings are based on ongoing success, weighted towards achievements in the past 12 months. In terms of diversity, the list aims to reflect the way the theatre and performing arts industry is, not what it aims to be, nor what The Stage would like it to be.
Read the Stage 100 list in full or take a look at some of Central’s high profile alumni.