Frontmezzjunkies reports: Menier Chocolate Factory’s revival of The Producers transfers to the West End
By Ross
The highly praised London revival of Mel Brooks’ legendary musical The Producers is returning and transferring to the Garrick Theatre this autumn, following a sold-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, a production that I fortunately had the pleasure of seeing back in December 2024. Here are a few snippets from the review I wrote back then:
“The Producers” Hits It’s Mark Gloriously and Hilariously Well at the Menier Chocolate Factory, London
“It’s pure delight from beginning to end, watching the two leads, magnificently embodied by hilariously framed Nyman and the adorably adorable Antolin, formulate, finagle, and finance, with the help of a slew of older female admirers of Bialystock working those new hips with feisty joy, to bring their new musical-within-an-epically-funny musical, “Springtime for Hitler” to satiric life. “It’s practically a love letter to Hitler,” says the excited and sure-of-himself Bialystock with the utmost greedy glee.
It’s pretty solidly genius, this production, with all the show-within-a-show ingredients of what should be a Broadway disaster coming together so perfectly and hilariously. The ensemble of talent…, double down in their deliciousness, mining for comedic gold at every old lady exchange and chorus line unwrapping.
It feels bigger than we could ever imagine on that slim stage, and bolder and funnier than any of us could have hoped for, from the optimistic and charming “I Wanna Be a Producer” sung gloriously by Antolin’s Leo and a chorus of showgirls and accountants, to the epitome of bad taste fabulousness of the high-kicking “Springtime in Hitler” lineup. “Where Did We Go Right?” Max & Leo asks, and maybe we do too, as this revival of The Producers stormtroopers the Menier Chocolate Factory stage, delivering some gorgeously deadpan humor as deliciously as can be. Is the West End and Broadway the next few obvious stops? All I can say is, “Don’t be stupid, be a smartie,” and move it up and along so many more can enjoy this irresistible celebration of humorous absurdity and theatrical golden glory.” –
Based on the cult favorite film, the original Broadway production swept the awards with a record twelve Tony wins and skewered Broadway’s conventions with ruthless, hilarious abandon—proudly proclaiming itself an “equal opportunity offender!”
Down-on-his-luck Broadway producer Max Bialystock teams up with timid accountant Leo Bloom, and their scheme to produce the biggest flop in theatre history unexpectedly backfires to thunderous applause.
The West End revival features critically acclaimed stars, Andy Nyman, Marc Antolin, Trevor Ashley, Raj Ghatak, Harry Morrison, and Joanna Woodward, all returning triumphantly to the stage. Joining them will be Alex Lodge, Kelsie-Rae Marshall, Megan Armstrong, Olly Christopher, Gabrielle Cocca, Nolan Edwards, Michael Franks, Matt Gillett, Esme Kennedy, Sinead Kenny, Josh Kiernan, Kate Parr, Emma Robotham-Hunt, Pierce Rogan, Hollie Jane Stephens, Jermaine Woods, and Ryan Pidgen.
Tony Award-winning director Patrick Marber also returns to helm this production, set to open on September 15, with previews beginning August 30.
PERFORMANCE DETAILS
Previews: 30 Aug – 13 Sep 2025, Mon – Sat 7:30PM | Wed & Sat 2:30PM
Main Run: From 16 Sep 2025, Mon – Tue 7PM | Wed – Sat 7:30PM | Thu & Sat 2:30PM
