The Producers
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The Producers: A West End Comedy Triumph
"The Producers," a musical comedy by Mel Brooks with a book co-written by Thomas Meehan, premiered in London’s West End at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on November 9, 2004, running for 920 performances until January 6, 2007. After a record-breaking Broadway debut in 2001 with 12 Tony Awards, its latest revival transfers to the Garrick Theatre from the Menier Chocolate Factory, starting previews August 30, 2025, and opening September 15. Directed by Patrick Marber, this uproarious show born from Brooks’ 1967 film features Andy Nyman as Max Bialystock and Marc Antolin as Leo Bloom, delivering a gleeful satire of Broadway that’s delighted audiences for decades.
A Scheme to Flop Turns to Gold
The plot follows Max Bialystock, a washed-up Broadway producer, and Leo Bloom, his nervous accountant, who hatch a plan to oversell shares in a guaranteed flop, “Springtime for Hitler,” and pocket the surplus when it fails. They enlist neo-Nazi playwright Franz Liebkind, flamboyant director Roger De Bris, and Swedish bombshell Ulla to ensure disaster. But when the outrageous musical becomes a hit, their scheme unravels, landing them in jail only for Max and Leo to rebound with a new con, “Prisoners of Love.” This tale of greed, ingenuity, and unintended success skewers showbiz with relentless humor.
Songs That Steal the Show
Brooks’ score bursts with classics like “Springtime for Hitler,” a jaw-dropping paean to satire, alongside “I Wanna Be a Producer,” “Keep It Gay,” and “The King of Broadway.” The Garrick production, with musical supervision by Gareth Valentine and orchestrations by Larry Blank and Mark Cumberland, amplifies the hilarity. From the jazzy “Haben Sie Gehört Das Deutsche Band?” to the tender “That Face,” the music fuels the chaos, earning four-star reviews for its “hysterically funny” delivery at the Menier. It’s a soundtrack that’s as shamelessly catchy as the show itself.
A Cast of Comic Brilliance
The 2025 West End cast reunites Menier stars: Andy Nyman’s scheming Max, Marc Antolin’s timid Leo, Joanna Woodward’s alluring Ulla, Trevor Ashley’s over-the-top Roger De Bris, Raj Ghatak’s campy Carmen Ghia, and Harry Morrison’s unhinged Franz Liebkind. Past London leads included Nathan Lane (2004-2005) and Lee Evans, with Lane’s Olivier-winning Max setting a high bar. Marber’s direction, paired with Lorin Latarro’s choreography, keeps the energy electric, making this ensemble a “terrific double act” (Financial Times) that lifts the absurdity to new heights.
A Legacy of Laughter
From its 2,502-performance Broadway run to its 2004 West End debut where it snagged three Oliviers to a 2005 film, "The Producers" has left an indelible mark. The 2024 Menier revival sold out its 180-seat venue before opening, prompting its Garrick transfer through February 21, 2026. Brooks, now 98, calls it his proudest work, a sentiment echoed in its “irresistible, joyful” reception (The Guardian). As of March 2025, it’s poised to reign as the West End’s “King of Comedy,” proving that even a flop can be a timeless hit.