By admin 
The acclaimed production of The Producers from London’s Menier Chocolate Factory is set to transfer to the West End’s Garrick Theatre this autumn after selling out its three-month run. But according to its legendary creator, Mel Brooks, the musical might never have happened if he had stuck to his original instincts.
At 98 years old, Brooks recalled how he initially resisted turning his 1967 Oscar-winning film into a stage musical—until producer David Geffen wore him down with persistence.
“David called me every day. I told him, ‘It’s a perfectly good little movie. It’s been honored enough—no reason to make it a musical!’ But he kept calling. Finally, I thought, ‘Well, he’s not a dumb guy, maybe there is something here.’”
From Broadway Triumph to London Success
When The Producers opened on Broadway in 2001, it became a record-breaking success, winning 12 Tony Awards. UK critics praised its 2004 London debut, and last year, director Patrick Marber revived it to similar acclaim at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
“Marber is a terrific director, just perfect for it,” said Brooks, who co-wrote the musical with the late Thomas Meehan and composed the score, including the infamous Springtime for Hitler.
Brooks credited Meehan for adding unexpected layers to the comedy. “Tom was sweet and proper, while I was the bad boy. People blame me for the semi-dirty jokes, but secretly, that was Tom. I’m spilling the beans!”
Cast and Performances
The Garrick Theatre run will feature Marc Antolin, Trevor Ashley, Raj Ghatak, Andy Nyman, Harry Morrison, and Joanna Woodward, reprising their roles from the Chocolate Factory production.
Nyman plays Max Bialystock, a struggling producer who—along with accountant Leopold Bloom (Antolin)—tries to stage the worst Broadway show ever, hoping it will flop so they can pocket investors’ money. Their chosen disaster? A neo-Nazi playwright’s musical tribute to Hitler, which backfires spectacularly.
Brooks, a World War II veteran, has long used comedy to take down authoritarian figures. Reflecting on modern times, he quipped: “I like the ‘come and go’ part—especially the go.” He still believes laughter is a weapon against tyranny:
“Once you make fun of them, you win. When people laugh at them, you take away their power.”
Ticket Sales and Performance Dates
- Public booking opens on 5 March
- Previews begin 30 August 2025
- Booking runs until 21 February 2026
Brooks, thrilled to see The Producers return to the Garrick Theatre, summed it up with his signature wit: “Comedy is magical. It pays the rent and, if you’re lucky, you get to steal a few jokes along the way!”
Gill Bikram Singh