Mackintosh tops this year’s Stage 100

Published Thursday 27 December 2007 at 13:55 by Alistair Smith

West End theatre owner and global producer Cameron Mackintosh has topped this year’s Stage 100 - The Stage’s list of the most influential figures working in UK theatre.

He is placed above last year’s winners Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Ian, who have fallen to number two and seven in the list respectively. Mackintosh has been promoted to pole position this year thanks to his pioneering deal with the Chinese government to produce Mandarin-language versions of West End musicals and in recognition of the extensive refurbishment work he has undertaken on his London theatres.

Stage editor Brian Attwood commented: “Cameron Mackintosh has never been out of the upper echelons of The Stage 100 but has had to wait nearly a decade to regain top billing.

“This year he presents an unassailable case for the No 1 slot. In the West End he has led the way by refurbishing his playhouses at a cost of £35 million, while on television, his production of Oliver! is the BBC’s latest musical theatre talent show. Meanwhile, his agreement with Beijing will introduce his productions to a potential audience of millions and guarantees him an unrivalled global influence.”

His No 1 placing marks the fourth time Mackintosh has topped the list since it was launched in 1997. Only Lloyd Webber has recorded more first places, notching up six victories.

Ambassador Theatre Group’s Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire are placed third in this year’s Stage 100, while National Theatre artistic director Nicholas Hytner is fourth. Meanwhile, the National Theatre of Scotland and pantomime producers Qdos Entertainment have climbed into the top ten.

Other notable names in the body of the list include Patrick Stewart, Lee Mead, Trevor Nunn, Ian McKellen, Damon Albarn and Daniel Radcliffe.

For the full Stage 100, see this week’s print edition of The Stage, published on Friday, December 28.