Nicholas Hytner

Nicholas Hytner

September 11, 2026 · 43 min

About this episode

Sir Nicholas Hytner discusses his cultural influences and career in theatre and film with John Wilson.

Theatre and film director Sir Nicholas Hytner talks to John Wilson about his formative cultural influences. Over a career spanning four decades, he has directed Shakespeare, contemporary drama and musicals, including Miss Saigon which ran for over a decade in London and on Broadway. He served as artistic director of the National Theatre for 12 years, overseeing more massive box office hits including The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time and War Horse. Productions that he directed himself include One Man, Two Guvnors and The History Boys, one of several collaborations with Alan Bennett. In 2017, he co-founded London’s Bridge Theatre where his productions have included Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Guys and Dolls. One of the most influential and successful figures in British theatre, Sir Nicholas Hytner was knighted for services to drama in 2010. Producer: Edwina Pitman

People in this episode

Host: John Wilson

Guest: Sir Nicholas Hytner

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: National Theatre, Bridge Theatre

Books & works: Miss Saigon, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time, War Horse, One Man, Two Guvnors, The History Boys, Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Guys and Dolls

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