About

Luke Sheppard is an Olivier award winning director based in London. His productions can currently be seen on Broadway, in the West End and around the world.

After studying for a first class honours degree in Drama: Theatre, TV and Film at the University of Bristol, Luke subsequently received the inaugural Noël Coward Trainee Director Award at Salisbury Playhouse. He also participated in the National Theatre Directors Course.

Luke is the director of PADDINGTON at the Savoy Theatre in the West End. Based on the beloved books and films, the show has opened to critical acclaim and sold out houses. It won seven Olivier awards, including Best Director, and a record breaking nine WhatsOnStage awards, including Best Director. The show also won the Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical. In 2027 it will open on Broadway and in Sydney.

His production of RENT recently opened to sold out houses at the Tom Stoppard Theatre in the West End. It is based on his previous production of the show at the Hope Mill Theatre which won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Regional Production.

Luke workshopped and directed & JULIET throughout the development of the show and through its various productions around the world. His production is currently playing on Broadway, on tour in the USA, and in the Netherlands and Germany, as well having had past productions in Australia, Canada and Singapore. In the West End the show won six WhatsOnStage Awards and three Olivier awards. On Broadway it received nine Tony Award nominations.

His new production of STARLIGHT EXPRESS embarks on an international tour in 2027. This follows an acclaimed run in London where it won seven WhatsOnStage Awards and received three Oliver Award nominations, including Best Revival. It was filmed by Universal and will soon be screened internationally in cinemas.

JUST FOR ONE DAY, a new musical about the story of Live Aid, recently played an extended run at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End. The show previously played at the Old Vic Theatre in London before transferring for a limited season at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto. It will embark on a UK tour in early 2027.

Luke is proud to have directed MY SON’S A QUEER (BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO?) which first debuted off West End in London before heading to the Edinburgh Fringe. It then played a UK tour and three runs in the West End before a special appearance at the New York City Center. It was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment.

Other recent projects include IN DREAMS (Leeds and Toronto) and THE DA VINCI CODE (UK tour and Ogunquit Playhouse, USA), and the new musical THE LITTLE BIG THINGS which played at London’s newest theatre @ Soho Place. It received three Olivier Award nominations, including Best New Musical. He also directed the new musical WHAT’S NEW PUSSYCAT? at Birmingham Rep Theatre, adapted from the novel Tom Jones by Henry Fielding and featuring the music of Tom Jones the recording artist.

Luke’s production of SPRING AWAKENING at the Hope Mill Theatre won the WhatsOnStage Award for best Regional Production. The UK premiere of IN THE HEIGHTS won three Olivier Awards and a nomination for Best New Musical. The show also won the Broadway World Award for Best New Production of a Musical. BILLIONAIRE BOY received the UK Theatre Award for Best Show for Children and Young People. THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE AGED 13 3/4 was nominated for both the Evening Standard Award for Best New Musical and a UK Theatre Award. Luke was also nominated for the Off West End Award for Best Director for CASA VALENTINA.

For a list of current and past credits please click here