Renowned West End theatre producer Martin McCallum, whose influential career included over 500 West End and Broadway productions, has passed away on 14 January 2024 in Sydney, Australia.
The announcement was made by his family.
Martin McCallum began his theatrical career as an assistant stage manager at the Castle Theatre Farnham, before going on to became a production manager at the Old Vic, working under Laurence Olivier. Notable productions during his time at the National Theatre included Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey into Night and the premiere of Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land.
After leaving the National Theatre in 1978, McCallum, along with Richard Bullimore, founded The Production Office in London’s Covent Garden. The company supervised various productions, including Franco Zeffirelli’s Filumena, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar, and Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd.
In 1981, The Production Office’s success with Lloyd Webber’s Cats led to McCallum being hired by producer Cameron Mackintosh. Over his nearly 22-year tenure with Mackintosh, McCallum played a pivotal role in the unprecedented success of productions like Cats, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon in both London and New York.
From 1999 to 2002, Martin McCallum served as the President of the Society of London Theatre, and had also been a member of the Broadway League since 1988.
McCallum continued his collaboration with Mackintosh until 2003, at which point he and his family relocated to Australia.
His legacy on Broadway includes blockbusters such as Les Misérables (executive producer) and Miss Saigon (associate producer), as well as critically acclaimed works such as the Stephen Sondheim revue Putting It Together (executive producer) and The Cripple of Inishmaan (producer), and challenging, high-profile productions such as Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark (executive producer) and Hughie (producer).
From 1992 to 2003, he served as Chairman of the Donmar Warehouse, and from 2005 to 2014, he sat on the Board of the Sydney Theatre Company.
In a statement from Cameron Mackintosh seen by The Stage newspaper, the producer said: “Martin was a brilliant organiser of theatre and he had an extraordinary grasp of how shows are put together, both practically and financially. He joined my company in 1981 after Cats opened and was hugely instrumental, along with Nick Allott, in establishing my company as a significant worldwide theatre business, allowing me the time to concentrate on creating new shows.”
Martin McCallum leaves behind a lasting legacy to West End theatre.
Related News
The Phantom of the Opera welcomes new principals and extends following celebration of 40 years in the West End
Phantom of the Opera to be filmed live at His Majesty’s Theatre for a 2027 cinema release, as it turns 40
First look at Matt Lucas as Fagin in Oliver!
Les Misérables extends booking at the Sondheim Theatre through to October 2027
Latest News
A jaunt through the history of panto: how a flexible theatre form transformed Britain’s Christmas theatre scene
Everything you need to know about West Side Story at the National Theatre
10 reasons we can’t wait for West Side Story
