Judy Craymer

Last updated

Judy Craymer
CBE
Born
Judith Sarah Jarman Craymer

(1957-10-26) 26 October 1957 (age 67)
London, England
Education
OccupationTheatre producer
Notable work Mamma Mia!
Awards CBE (2020), FGS

Judith Sarah Jarman Craymer CBE (born 26 October 1957) is an English creator and producer of musical theatre [1] who has also worked in the film, television and music industries. She is the founder of Littlestar Services Ltd. [2] Craymer worked on Mamma Mia! , which has been seen by more than 65 million people worldwide. Ten years after the film adaptation grossed more than $600 million around the world, Craymer produced an all-new original movie musical based on the songs of ABBA, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again . Since opening in July 2018 the film has become the most successful live musical movie sequel of all time grossing just less than $400 million. Craymer was nominated for the "Carl Foreman award for special achievement by a British director, writer or producer in their first feature film" at the 62nd British Academy Film Awards for the film version of Mamma Mia! She has been dubbed "the greatest showbiz impresario" of the first decade of the 21st century [3] and has consequently been entered in Debrett's . [4]

Contents

Life and career

Born in London in 1957, Judy Craymer graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1977. She worked as a stage manager for the Haymarket Theatre in Leicester, the Old Vic Theatre, London, on the original production of Cats for Cameron Mackintosh and for the Really Useful Theatre Company. In 1982 she became Tim Rice’s production assistant and went on to be executive producer for Chess . [5]

In 1987, Craymer moved into film and television production. Her credits include White Mischief, starring Charles Dance and Greta Scacchi, and Neville's Island, starring Martin Clunes and Timothy Spall. [6] Craymer also produced various live comedy specials for Channel 4.

In 1999, Craymer returned to her working partnership with Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. She had been nurturing an idea for several years after working with them on Chess which was to become Mamma Mia! It took Craymer 10 years to persuade Andersson and Ulvaeus to give her the rights to the songs. Craymer's inspiration for the musical was the song "The Winner Takes It All". They were impressed by the team Craymer had gathered around her to create the show; Phyllida Lloyd (a "cerebral director blessed with a popular touch") and "highly savvy writer" Catherine Johnson. [7] In 1996 Craymer formed Littlestar Services Ltd with Andersson and Ulvaeus to produce Mamma Mia!, [5] which opened at the Prince Edward Theatre in London's West End on 6 April 1999 and swiftly became a huge global success.

Mamma Mia! has become a global juggernaut since 1999, [3] having now played in more than 40 countries in all six continents, and in 16 different languages. It has set the record for premiering in more cities faster than any other musical in history. The show has been nominated for numerous Olivier and Tony awards and was the first West End and Broadway musical to be performed in Chinese. [8] Mamma Mia! is the 8th longest running show in Broadway history and one of only five musicals to have run for more than 10 years on the Great White Way. Mamma Mia! is in its 22nd year in London's West End at the Novello Theatre and has grossed over $2 billion at the box office.

This success naturally attracted the interest of Hollywood, and in 2005 and 2006 Craymer made a deal with Universal Pictures to make a film of Mamma Mia! Unusually for Hollywood, the project was helmed by the three women who created it, with Craymer, Phyllida Lloyd and Catherine Johnson reprising their roles as producer, director and writer on the film. [4] Mamma Mia! , starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Julie Walters and Christine Baranski, opened in 2008 and was the fifth highest-grossing film of the year. It is the highest worldwide grossing live action musical film of all time. [9] It is also the UK's fastest and best selling DVD of all time, [10] and in 2013, was announced as Amazon UK's best-selling DVD of all time.

More recently, Craymer also produced Viva Forever! , a musical based on the songs of the Spice Girls, which was written by Jennifer Saunders and opened at the Piccadilly Theatre in late 2012. According to critics, the show failed to reach the levels of other work she was associated with, [11] despite it generating over £4,000,000 in pre-opening ticket sales. [12]

Ten years after the film Mamma Mia! grossed more than $600 million around the world, Craymer produced an all-new original movie, extending her initial concept. A meeting with Richard Curtis provided the idea of a prequel/sequel which led to Ol Parker writing and directing Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again , reuniting the original cast of Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Julie Walters, Dominic Cooper, Amanda Seyfried and Christine Baranski to reprise their roles. They were joined by Lily James, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Alexa Davies, Hugh Skinner, Josh Dylan, Jeremy Irvine plus Andy García and Cher joined the Mamma Mia! family. Since opening in July 2018 the movie has become the most successful live musical movie sequel of all time grossing just less than $400 million.

Already Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Craymer was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to theatre and charity. [13]

In May 2021, it was announced that Judy Craymer is to co-produce a biopic of Cher's life in partnership with Cher herself. [14]

In September 2021, Judy was appointed Chairman of the Board and Independent Non-Executive Director of Universal Music Group. [15] She retired from the Board in 2023. [16]

In 2022 Craymer was honoured with the Variety Club Silver Heart Award for Outstanding Global Achievement in Cinema, Theatre and Music. [17]

Craymer is co-executive producer of the entertainment show Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream, which will air on ITV1 and ITVX in October 2023. [18] [19]

Publications

Craymer is the co-author, alongside Abba founder members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, of Mamma Mia! How Can I Resist You, [20] which looks in depth at the songs of Abba as well as the impact of the musical. The book was published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in 2006. The paperback edition, released in 2008, also covers the success of Mamma Mia! The Movie. [21]

Other interests

In 2010 Craymer was awarded the "Breast Cancer Research Foundation Humanitarian award in memory of Sandra Taub", in recognition of her fund raising for Breast Cancer Research, having closely linked Mamma Mia! with the charity’s fundraising efforts. [22]

Her early interest in competitive showjumping ("Horses were my obsession as a teenager and you never lose that love") led to her becoming an ambassador for the sport in 2011. [23]

Since the end 2019, Judy has partnered with the UK charity Target Ovarian Cancer to help raise awareness and funds. [24]

Awards

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ABBA</span> Swedish pop group

ABBA were a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972 by Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. They are one of the most popular and successful musical groups of all time, and are one of the best-selling music acts in the history of popular music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Björn Ulvaeus</span> Swedish musician (born 1945)

Björn Kristian Ulvaeus is a Swedish musician, singer, songwriter, and producer best known as a member of the musical group ABBA. He is also the co-composer of the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia! He co-produced the films Mamma Mia! and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again with fellow ABBA member and close friend Benny Andersson. He is the oldest member of the group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benny Andersson</span> Swedish musician and composer (born 1946)

Göran BrorBennyAndersson is a Swedish musician, composer and producer best known as a member of the pop group ABBA and co-composer of the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia! For the 2008 film version of Mamma Mia! and its 2018 sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, he worked also as an executive producer. Since 2001, he has been active with his own band Benny Anderssons orkester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agnetha Fältskog</span> Swedish singer (born 1950)

Agnetha Åse Fältskog, known as Agnetha Fältskog and AnnaFältskog, is a Swedish singer, songwriter and a member of the pop group ABBA. She first achieved success in Sweden with the release of her 1968 self-titled debut album. She rose to international stardom in the 1970s as a member of ABBA, which is one of the best-selling music acts in history. She is the youngest member of ABBA, and the only one born in the 1950s.

<i>Mamma Mia!</i> (musical) 1999 musical based on the songs of ABBA

Mamma Mia! is a jukebox musical written by British playwright Catherine Johnson, based on songs recorded by Swedish group ABBA and composed by members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. The musical's title is taken from the group's 1975 chart-topper "Mamma Mia". Ulvaeus and Andersson were involved in the development of the show from the beginning, while singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad was involved financially in the production and also appeared at many of the premieres around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mamma Mia (ABBA song)</span> 1975 single by ABBA

"Mamma Mia" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA, written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson, with the lead vocals shared by Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. It is the opening track on the group's third album, the self-titled ABBA (1975). The song was released in September 1975 as its sixth single. It tells the story of the narrator's on-again, off-again relationship with a lover who is repeatedly unfaithful to her. The song's name is derived from Italian and literally translates as "my mother", but is used as an interjection in situations of surprise, anguish, or excitement. The song was ABBA's first number one in the UK since "Waterloo" in 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amanda Seyfried</span> American actress (born 1985)

Amanda Michelle Seyfried is an American actress. She began acting at 15, with recurring roles as Lucy Montgomery in the CBS soap opera As the World Turns (1999–2001) and Joni Stafford in the ABC soap opera All My Children (2003). She came to prominence for her feature film debut in the teen comedy Mean Girls (2004), and for her roles as Lilly Kane in the UPN mystery drama series Veronica Mars (2004–2006) and Sarah Henrickson in the HBO drama series Big Love (2006–2011).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fernando (song)</span> 1975 song

"Fernando" is a song written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, from the Swedish musical group ABBA. The song was written for their fellow group member Anni-Frid Lyngstad and was included on her 1975 album Frida ensam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One of Us (ABBA song)</span> 1981 single by ABBA

"One of Us" is a song by Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released in December 1981 by Polar Music as the lead single from the band's eighth studio album, The Visitors (1981). Written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, who also produced it, the song has lead vocals by Agnetha Fältskog and is about a woman trying to revive a relationship she had ended. It would become ABBA's last major hit for 40 years, and the last No. 1 single of their career, topping the charts in Belgium, Denmark, West Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands. "One of Us" was also a top-10 hit in countries like Austria, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. In the US, where it was released in 1983, it only charted on the Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart and the Adult Contemporary chart, peaking at number 107 and 33, respectively. The music video for the song was directed by Lasse Hallström, featuring Fältskog as a woman moving into her new house. It has since been covered by Pandora in 1995, A-Teens in 1999 and Cher in 2018. In 2017, Billboard named "One of Us" the fifth best Abba song in their list of "The 15 Best Abba Songs".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Money, Money, Money</span> 1976 single by ABBA

"Money, Money, Money" is a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA, written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus with Anni-Frid Lyngstad singing lead vocals. It was released on 1 November 1976, as the second single from their fourth album, Arrival (1976). The B-side, "Crazy World", was recorded in 1976 during the sessions for the ABBA album. The song is sung from the viewpoint of a woman who, despite hard work, can barely keep her finances in surplus, and therefore desires a well-off man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)</span> 1979 song by ABBA

"Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! " is a song by Swedish band ABBA. It was recorded in August 1979 to help promote their North American and European tour of that year, and was released on ABBA's Greatest Hits Vol. 2 album as a brand new track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catherine Johnson (playwright)</span> British playwright

Catherine Johnson is a British playwright, producing works for stage and television. She is best known for her book for the ABBA-inspired musical Mamma Mia! and screenplay for the musical's film adaptation. The film became the highest-grossing British picture of all time in the UK, and the biggest selling UK DVD of all time in January 2009. She also co-wrote the 2018 sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

<i>Mamma Mia!</i> (film) 2008 film by Phyllida Lloyd

Mamma Mia! is a 2008 jukebox musical romantic comedy film directed by Phyllida Lloyd and written by Catherine Johnson, based on her book from the 1999 musical of the same name. The film is based on the songs of pop group ABBA, with additional music composed by ABBA member Benny Andersson. The film features an ensemble cast, including Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Dominic Cooper, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, and Julie Walters. The plot follows a young bride-to-be who invites three men to her upcoming wedding, with the possibility that any of them could be her father. The film was an international co-production between Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and was co-produced by Playtone and Littlestar Productions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock Me (ABBA song)</span> 1975 single by ABBA

"Rock Me" is a song recorded in 1974 by Swedish pop group ABBA, with Björn Ulvaeus singing the lead vocals. It was first released on their third album, ABBA, and was used as the B-side to the group's 1975 single "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do". However, after "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" hit number one in both Australia and New Zealand, "Rock Me" was released as an A-side in April 1976, reaching number four and number two respectively. It was also issued as an A-side in Yugoslavia and in 1979 it was included on the band's Greatest Hits Vol. 2 album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phyllida Lloyd</span> English film director and producer

Phyllida Christian Lloyd, is an English film and theatre director and producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Last Summer</span> 1980 song by ABBA

"Our Last Summer" is a song by ABBA from the group's seventh studio album, Super Trouper. It was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus.

Viva Forever! is a jukebox musical based on the songs of 1990s British girl-group the Spice Girls. It was written by Jennifer Saunders, produced by Judy Craymer and directed by Paul Garrington.

<i>Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again</i> 2018 film by Ol Parker

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is a 2018 jukebox musical romantic comedy film written and directed by Ol Parker, from a story by Parker, Catherine Johnson, and Richard Curtis. It is the sequel and prequel to the 2008 film Mamma Mia!, which in turn is based on the 1999 eponymous musical using the music of ABBA. The film features an ensemble cast, including Christine Baranski, Pierce Brosnan, Dominic Cooper, Colin Firth, Andy García, Lily James, Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgård, Julie Walters, Cher, Meryl Streep, Alexa Davies, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Josh Dylan, Jeremy Irvine, and Hugh Skinner. Both a prequel and a sequel, the plot is set after the events of the previous film, and is intersected with flashbacks to Donna's youth in 1979, with some scenes from the two time periods mirroring each other.

<i>Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again: The Movie Soundtrack</i> 2018 soundtrack album by Mamma Mia! film cast

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again: The Movie Soundtrack is the soundtrack album for the 2018 musical film Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. It is a follow-up to the 2008 film Mamma Mia!, which in turn is based on the 1999 West End/Broadway musical of the same name. It was released on July 13, 2018, by Capitol and Polydor Records in the United States and internationally, respectively. The album was produced by Benny Andersson, who also served as the album's executive producer alongside Björn Ulvaeus and Judy Craymer. Cher's vocals were produced by Mark Taylor, with her being the only singer on that album to have a different producer for the vocals. Commercially, the album has peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and at number one in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland, New Zealand, Australia, Austria, Greece and Scotland.

<i>Dancing Queen</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Cher

Dancing Queen is the twenty-sixth studio album by American singer Cher, released by Warner Bros. Records on September 28, 2018. It is Cher's first album in five years, following Closer to the Truth (2013). The album contains cover versions of songs recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA, with the title referencing their 1976 song "Dancing Queen". The album follows Cher's appearance in the 2018 musical film Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, based on the music of ABBA.

References

  1. ↑ "Judy Craymer". judycraymer.com. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  2. ↑ "Judy Craymer". Variety . 17 December 2013.
  3. 1 2 Carpenter, Julie (25 November 2008). "I'm the £90m Dancing Queen". Daily Express . Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  4. 1 2 Hattersley, Giles (23 November 2008). "Mamma Mia, there's a fire within Judy Craymer's soul". The Times . Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 "Alumni: Judy Craymer MBE". Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  6. ↑ "Judy Craymer". IMDb. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  7. ↑ Spencer, Charles (3 July 2008). "The unstoppable journey of Mamma Mia! to feelgood summer hit". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  8. ↑ "China's Mandarin Mamma Mia!" . Financial Times . Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  9. ↑ "MAMMA MIA! International Tour to Play Exclusive Season For the First Time at the Liverpool Empire". Broadway World.com. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  10. ↑ "Mamma Mia! is biggest selling UK DVD ever". The Daily Telegraph. 31 December 2008. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  11. ↑ "Power couple... Judy Craymer calls on Jennifer Saunders to help with Spice Girls musical". London Evening Standard . 9 December 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  12. ↑ "Spice Girls musical Viva Forever! To close in June". BBC News. 2 May 2013.
  13. ↑ "No. 63135". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 October 2020. p. B9.
  14. ↑ "Cher is Turning 75 & Unwrapping a Universal Biopic Eric Roth is Scripting and 'Mamma Mia!'s Judy Craymer & Gary Goetzman Are Producing". 19 May 2021.
  15. ↑ "Meet Universal Music Group's new board". 14 September 2021.
  16. ↑ "SHERRY LANSING NAMED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP N.V." Universal Music Group . 10 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  17. ↑ "Variety Celebrates the BBC with a Star-Studded Evening at the Variety Club Showbusiness Awards". Variety. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  18. ↑ "Breaking Baz: As ITV Prepares To Unveil Its 'Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream' Talent Show, Original Show's Producer Judy Craymer Teases A Third Movie — And A New Project With Cher". Deadline. 1 May 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  19. ↑ "ITV and Thames announce brand new musical theatre competition show Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream". Fremantle. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  20. ↑ Andersson, Benny; Ulvaeus, Bjorn; Craymer, Judy (13 November 2008). MAMMA MIA! How Can I Resist You?: The Inside Story of Mamma Mia! and the Songs of ABBA. Phoenix. ASIN   075382101X.
  21. ↑ "Book synopsis". How can I resist you?. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017.
  22. ↑ "Judy Craymer - Charity". judycraymer.com. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  23. ↑ "British Showjumping announces Mamma Mia's award-winning producer Judy Craymer as a new ambassador for the sport". British Showjumping. 13 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  24. ↑ "Mamma Mia! Announces partnership with charity Target Ovarian Cancer | WhatsOnStage".
  25. ↑ "2002 Awards". Women of the Year. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  26. ↑ "Awards". Littlestar Services.com. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  27. ↑ "The Women in Film and TV 2008 Awards: full list of winners". The Guardian . 5 December 2008. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  28. ↑ "Judy Craymer - Awards". judycraymer.com. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.