Thelma Holt


Thelma Holt is a British West End producer and former actress. She is described as "one of the most influential" producers in the UK industry.
Graduating from RADA, Holt enjoyed a successful career as an actress before founding the Open Space Theatre on Tottenham Court Road in partnership with Charles Marowitz, a theatre which quickly became the forerunner of the London Fringe. In 1977, she joined The Round House in Chalk Farm as Artistic and Executive Director, instigating a policy of bringing the best of regional theatre to London including the Citizens Theatre, Royal Exchange Theatre Company, and Stephen Joseph Theatre Company.
From 1977 to 1983, Holt was artistic director at the Roundhouse. In 1983, The Roundhouse closed and Thelma Holt joined the Theatre of Comedy as executive producer, where she produced Loot by Joe Orton, directed by Jonathan Lynn and starring Leonard Rossiter. She is also an Associate Producer at the Shakespeare Company">William Shakespeare">Shakespeare Company.
In 2018, she received the Sam Wanamaker Award from Shakespeare's Globe to celebrate work "which has increased the understanding and enjoyment of Shakespeare." She was also known as a close collaborator and champion of Japanese director Yukio Ninagawa from 1987 until his death in 2016.

Work with the National Theatre

In 1985, Holt joined the National Theatre as head of Touring and Commercial Exploitation. She was responsible for the following NT West End transfers: A Chorus of Disapproval, The Petition, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Three Men on a Horse and A View from the Bridge. She also oversaw major tours of National Theatre productions abroad, with performances in Paris, Vienna, Zurich, North America, Moscow, Tbilisi, Tokyo, and Epidavros.
Holt produced International 87, a series of four visits to the National Theatre by international theatre companies: The Hairy Ape directed by Peter Stein for the Schaubühne; Miss Julie and Hamlet directed by Ingmar Bergman for the Royal Dramatic Theatre, Stockholm; Macbeth and Medea directed by Yukio Ninagawa for the Ninagawa Theatre Company, and Tomorrow was War by the Mayakovsky Theatre Company from Moscow. Holt received the Olivier/Observer Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Theatre as well as an award from Drama Magazine. In 1998, she co-produced an adaptation of The Fairy-Queen directed by Adrian Noble for the Aix-en-Provence Festival.
She then produced International 89, this time festuring Tango Varsoviano by Teatro del Sur, Grapes of Wrath (play)|Grapes of Wrath] by the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Uncle Vanya from the Moscow Art Theatre and Suicide for Love by the Ninagawa Theatre Company.
Holt's tenure at the National was only the beginning of her long relationship with Japanese director Yukio Ninagawa. Over three decades, she brought 17 of Ninagawa's productions to the UK, including adaptations of Shakespeare, Euripides, Ibsen, Shimizu and Murakami. They continued to work together until Ninagawa's death in 2016.

Work with the Peter Hall Company

For the newly formed Peter Hall Company, Holt was Executive Producer for: Orpheus Descending by Tennessee Williams, presented at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket; The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare presented at the Phoenix Theatre, London and in New York; and The Wild Duck by Henrik Ibsen presented at the Phoenix Theatre, London.
In 1990, Holt was executive producer for Triumph Proscenium's production of Pirandello's Henry IV starring Richard Harris, which was presented at Wyndham's Theatre, London. Also in 1990, she presented two visiting productions at the National Theatre: Hamlet by the Bulandra Theatre Company from Bucharest; and The Kingdom of Desire, based on Macbeth, by the Contemporary Legend Theatre from Taiwan.

Thelma Holt Limited

1990–1999

1990
1991
1992Hamlet by William Shakespeare, directed by Robert Sturua, cast included Alan Rickman in the title role, presented at Riverside Studios and on tour in the UKLes Atride directed by Ariane Mnouchkine, production from Le Theatre du Soleil, Paris, presented at Robin Mills, Bradford as part of the European Arts FestivalLe baruffe chiozzotte directed by Giorgio Strehler, production from Piccolo Theatre, Milan, presented at the Royal National TheatreSix Characters in Search of an Author by Pirandello, directed by Franco Zeffirelli, presented at the Royal National TheatreThe Tempest by William Shakespeare, directed by Yukio Ninagawa, Ninagawa Company presented at the Barbican Theatre, London
1993
1994Peer Gynt by Henrik Ibsen in a version by Frank McGuinness, directed by Yukio Ninagawa, cast included Michael Sheen in the title role. World Tour including premiere performances at the Winter Olympics in Norway.The Clandestine Marriage by George Colman & Garrick, directed by Nigel Hawthorne, cast included Nigel Hawthorne, presented at the Queen's Theatre, London.
1995The Seagull by Anton Chekhov, directed by Robert Sturua, cast included Deborah Findlay, Michael Sheen and Kate Beckinsale. Regional UK Tour.A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare, directed by Yukio Ninagawa. Ninagawa Company presented at Plymouth Pavilions and at Newcastle Playhouse.Anthony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare, directed by Vanessa Redgrave, cast included Vanessa Redgrave, David Harewood. Riverside Studios and Regional UK tour.The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, directed by Sam Mendes, cast included Zoë Wanamaker. Donmar Warehouse production transfer to Comedy Theatre.
1996Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme by Frank McGuinness, directed by Patrick Mason. Abbey Theatre, Dublin production presented at the Barbican Theatre and on tourA Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare, directed by Yukio Ninagawa. Return of Ninagawa Company production to Mermaid Theatre, LondonA Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen in a version by Frank McGuinness, directed by Anthony Page, presented as a regional UK tour followed by a season at the Playhouse Theatre, London and subsequently in association with Bill Kenwright at the Belasco Theatre, New York. Cast included Janet McTeer, Owen Teale. Tony [Award for Best Actress in a Play],. Tony Award for Best Supporting Actor. Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play. Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play
1997The Maids by Jean Genet, directed by John Crowley. Regional tour of Donmar Warehouse productionLes Fausses Confidences by Marivaux. Comédie-Française production presented at the Royal National Theatre
1998The Relapse by John Vanburgh, directed and designed by Philip Prowse. Citizens Theatre, Glasgow and UK tourHamlet by William Shakespeare directed by Yukio Ninagawa. Hiroyuki Sanada in the title. Presented at the Barbican Theatre as part of BITE season
1999Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick by Terry Johnson, directed by Terry Johnson. Royal National Theatre production presented on UK tourMacbeth by William Shakespeare, directed by John Crowley, cast included Rufus Sewell in the title role. Presented at the Queen's TheatreKing Lear by William Shakespeare directed by Yukio Ninagawa, cast included Nigel Hawthorne in the title role. Royal Shakespeare Company production in association with HoriPro Inc. presented in Tokyo, London and in Stratford-upon-Avon

2000–2015

2000Miss Julie by August Strindberg in a version by Frank McGuinness directed by Michael Boyd. Cast included Christopher Eccleston, Aisling O'Sullivan, Maxine Peake. Presented at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.
2001Semi-Monde by Noël Coward directed and designed by Philip Prowse. London premiere production presented at the Lyric Theatre, London.Sotoba Komachi and Yoroboshi by Yukio Mishima directed by Yukio Ninagawa cast included Tatsuya Fujiwara. Ninagawa Company presented at the Barbican Theatre, London as part of BITE: 01.
2002Via Dolorosa by David Hare directed by Stephen Daldry. David Hare in award-winning one-man show at the Duchess Theatre in association with Bill Kenwright.The Tempest by William Shakespeare directed by Patrick Mason cast included Richard Briers. UK tour in association with Theatre Royal, Plymouth. The musical score was composed by Tom Foster-Carter.
2002/03The Jacobeans – West End presentation at the Gielgud Theatre in association with Bill Kenwright of RSC productions.The Island Princess by John Fletcher.The Malcontent by John Marston.The Roman Actor by Philip Massinger.Eastward Ho! by Ben Jonson, John Marston, George Chapman.Edward III by William Shakespeare. Olivier Special Award to the Acting Ensemble 2003.
2003Pericles by William Shakespeare directed by Yukio Ninagawa. Ninagawa Company at the Royal National Theatre.Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen directed by Ingmar Bergman. Royal Dramaten Theatre, Stockholm production presented at the Barbican Theatre as part of BITE:03.Hamlet by William Shakespeare directed by Jonathan Kent. HoriPro Inc. production presented at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.The Taming of The Shrew by William Shakespeare directed by Mark Rosenblatt, cast included Nichola McAuliffe and Ross Kemp. UK tour in association with Theatre Royal Plymouth.
2004The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare in repertoire with The Tamer Tamed by John Fletcher directed by Gregory Doran RSC productions presented in association with Bill Kenwright at the Queen's Theatre, London.All's Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare directed by Gregory Doran cast included Judi Dench. RSC production presented in association with Bill Kenwright at the Gielgud Theatre, London.Othello by William Shakespeare directed by Gregory Doran cast included Antony Sher. RSC production presented on tour in Japan in association with HoriPro Inc.We Happy Few by Imogen Stubbs directed by Trevor Nunn cast included Juliet Stevenson. Presented in association with Bill Kenwright at the Gielgud Theatre, London.Hamlet by William Shakespeare directed by Yukio Ninagawa cast included Michael Maloney in the title role. UK tour and presentation at Barbican Theatre as part of BITE: 04 in association with Theatre Royal Plymouth.
2005Man and Boy by Terence Rattigan directed by Maria Aitken with David Suchet in the leading role. Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford.Primo by Primo Levi adapted by Antony Sher and directed by Richard Wilson. Solo performance by Antony Sher National Theatre production presented in association with Bill Kenwright at the Music Box, New York. Outer Critics' Circle Award for Solo Performance.Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare directed by Patrick Mason with Matthew Kelly as Malvolio. UK tour in association with Theatre Royal Plymouth.A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare directed by Gregory Doran. Tour to Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space, Japan. RSC production presented in association with HoriPro Inc. and Metropolitan Art Space, Tokyo.
2006The Crucible by Arthur Miller directed by Dominic Cooke with Iain Glen in the principal role. RSC production presented in association with Bill Kenwright at the Gielgud Theatre.Hay Fever by Noël Coward directed by Peter Hall with Judi Dench and Peter Bowles. Produced in association with Bill Kenwright at Theatre Royal Haymarket, London.Breakfast With Mugabe by Fraser Grace directed by Antony Sher at Duchess Theatre. RSC production presented in association with Nica Burns.Titus Andronicus by William Shakespeare directed by Yukio Ninagawa. Presented in association with HoriPro Inc. Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Theatre Royal Plymouth. Part of RSC Complete Works Festival.The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, a new adaptation in two parts by Mike Poulton. An RSC production of an RSC Commission directed by Gregory Doran, Rebecca Gatward & Jonathan Munby. Presented at the Gielgud Theatre in association with Bill Kenwright.
2007Coriolanus by William Shakespeare directed by Yukio Ninagawa. Presented in association with HoriPro Inc. at the Barbican Theatre as part of BITE 2007.Kean by Jean-Paul Sartre. Antony Sher in the title role directed by Adrian Noble. Presented in association with Anthony Field and John C. Causebrook at the Apollo Theatre.The Giant by Antony Sher directed by Gregory Doran. In association with Hampstead Theatre and by arrangement with the RSC at the Hampstead Theatre.
2009Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare directed by Jamie Glover with Alistair McGowan and Jason Merrells. UK tour in association with Theatre Royal Plymouth.Twelfth Night after William Shakespeare directed by Yukio Ninagawa. Presented in association with Shochiku Grand Kabuki at the Barbican Theatre as part of bite 2009.The English Samurai by Mike Poulton & Shoichiro Kawai directed by Gregory Doran. In association with HoriPro Inc. at the Galaxy Theatre, Tokyo.
2010Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen in a version by Frank McGuinness directed by Iain Glen at the Duchess Theatre.Bedroom Farce by Alan Ayckbourn directed by Peter Hall. Presented in association with Bill Kenwright at the Duke of York's Theatre.Musashi by Inoue Hisashi directed by Yukio Ninagawa. In association with HoriPro Inc. at the Barbican Theatre as part of bite 2010.
2011Ruby Wax: Losing It in a co-production with the Menier Chocolate Factory, at the Duchess Theatre.
2012Cymbeline by William Shakespeare, directed by Yukio Ninagawa. Produced in association with HoriPro Inc. at the Barbican Theatre as part of bite 2012.Written on the Heart by David Edgar, directed by Gregory Doran. RSC production presented in association with Bill Kenwright and Nica Burns at the Duchess Theatre.Volcano by Noël Coward, produced in association with Bill Kenwright. UK tour and at the Vaudeville Theatre.All That Fall by Samuel Beckett, directed by Trevor Nunn. Jermyn Street Theatre production presented in association with Richard Darbourne at the Arts Theatre.
2013Anjin – The Shogun & The English Samurai by Mike Poulton and Sho Kawai, directed by Gregory Doran. Produced in association with HoriPro Inc. in Japan and at Sadlers Wells Theatre.
2014Forbidden Broadway transfer to Vaudeville Theatre of Menier Chocolate Factory production for limited season.
2015Hamlet by William Shakespeare and Kafka on the Shore based on the work of Haruki Murakami adapted by Frank Galati, directed by Yukio Ninagawa, presented at Barbican Theatre in association with HoriPro Inc.
2017Macbeth by William Shakespeare, original production by Yukio Ninagawa presented at the Barbican Theatre in association with Horipro Inc.
2018Imperium by Robert Harris, adapted by Mike Poulton, directed by Gregory Doran, Royal Shakespeare Company production with Playful Productions Ltd. at the Gielgud Theatre Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes adapted by James Fenton, directed by Angus Jackson, Royal Shakespeare Company production with Nimax Theatres at the Garrick Theatre

Honours and awards

Positions held

Commonwealth honours

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Foreign honours

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Scholastic

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Honorary Degrees

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England