Sir Cameron Anthony Mackintosh, born on October 17, 1946, in London, is a renowned musical theatre producer with a remarkable career spanning over four decades. As the son of Ian Robert Mackintosh, a Scottish timber merchant and jazz trumpeter, and Diana Gladys (née Tonna),a Maltese-French production secretary, Mackintosh's early life was filled with a rich cultural heritage.
Mackintosh's fascination with the world of theatre began at the tender age of eight, when he witnessed a production of the musical "Salad Days." This experience sparked a desire within him to become a theatre producer, a dream that would eventually become a reality. He attended the Catholic Prior Park College in Bath and later worked as a stagehand, assistant stage manager, and eventually, a producer in the 1970s.
In 1981, Mackintosh produced Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical "Cats," which despite initial doubts about the concept, became a massive success. This led to him being approached by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil to produce the London version of "Les Misérables," another groundbreaking musical that cemented Mackintosh's reputation as a leading producer.
Mackintosh's personal life took a significant turn in 1982, when he met Australian theatre photographer Michael Le Poer Trench at the opening night of "Oklahoma!" in Adelaide. The two would go on to become partners.
Throughout his illustrious career, Mackintosh has produced an impressive array of musicals, including "The Phantom of the Opera," "Five Guys Named Moe," "Follies," "Oklahoma!," "My Fair Lady," "Carousel," and "Avenue Q." In 1986, he produced the Broadway production of "The Phantom of the Opera," which became the longest-running Broadway musical in history.
Mackintosh's contributions to the world of musical theatre were recognized with a knighthood in 1996 for his services to the industry. Two years later, he celebrated his 30 years in the business with the concert gala "Hey, Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh" in 1998.
In recent years, Mackintosh has continued to produce a wide range of musicals, including revivals of "Oliver!" and "Hair," as well as the highly acclaimed "Hamilton." His company owns eight London theaters, and he is also a patron of The Food Chain, a charity providing nutritional support for people living with HIV.
