معرفی
Stewart Nicholls is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre at the Guildford School of Acting (GSA), University of Surrey. He is a renowned director, choreographer, musical stager, and archivist of British musical theatre, with extensive professional and academic contributions to the field.
His research and creative work focus on the history, preservation, and revival of British musical theatre, particularly works by Ivor Novello, Julian Slade, and David Heneker. He has led the restoration of numerous forgotten or underperformed musicals, including Sail Away, The Amazons, Free As Air, and Love on the Dole. His scholarly interests span musical theatre history, operetta, archival practices, and transatlantic theatrical exchange.
His recent publications and CD sleeve notes reflect a consistent engagement with historical documentation and performance analysis. His 2021 chapter on Irma La Douce explores the journey of a Parisian musical to Broadway, highlighting themes of cultural translation and theatrical adaptation. Other writings delve into the works of Ivor Novello and the legacy of British operetta. His articles and liner notes collectively demonstrate a deep commitment to preserving and interpreting musical theatre heritage.
- Grammy Award nomination for co-producing The Amazons cast recording
- Honorary Member of the Noël Coward Society
Nicholls has supervised and directed numerous student and professional productions at GSA, including Applause, Bells Are Ringing, and Spend Spend Spend. He has also led workshops and archival projects that integrate performance with scholarly research. His work bridges academic scholarship and professional practice, enriching both domains. He has contributed to major recordings of productions he directed, such as Bumblescratch, A Spoonful of Sherman, and Gay's The Word, several of which have been released on prominent labels like JAY Records and SimG Records.
He is actively involved in the musical theatre community through conferences, publications, and media appearances, including a promotional film for the University of Surrey on student-centered teaching. His leadership in the MTEA conference at GSA further underscores his role in advancing musical theatre education.
