| The Hills of California | |
|---|---|
 West End Promotional Poster | |
| Written by | Jez Butterworth |
| Directed by | Sam Mendes |
| Date premiered | 27 January 2024 |
| Place premiered | Harold Pinter Theatre, London |
| Original language | English |
| Setting | 1976, Blackpool |
The Hills of California is a play written by British playwright Jez Butterworth.
 | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2025) |
The synopsis from the press release of the play stated;
Set in 1976's Blackpool, The Hills of California takes place in the driest summer in 200 years, with beaches and hotels packed to capacity. Far from the tourist thoroughfares, the Webb Sisters cram into the guest house of their former home as their mother lies dying.
On 11 October 2023, it was announced that the play would make its world premiere at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London's West End. The show is scheduled to run for a strictly limited run from 27 January to 15 June 2024. It will be directed by Sam Mendes, designed by Rob Howell, lighting design by Natasha Chivers, sound design, composer, and arranger Nick Powell; choreographed by Ellen Kane and musical supervisor and arrangement by Candida Caldicot. It will be produced by Sonia Friedman Productions and Neal Street Productions. [1] [2]
The show transferred to the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway. Previews were expected to begin on 11 September 2024 with an official opening night scheduled for 29 September 2024, with Sam Mendes directing. The principal cast from the London production were announced to reprise their roles. [3] [4] Full casting was announced in July 2024. [5]
| Character | West End [6] | Broadway |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2024 | |
| Veronica / Joan | Laura Donnelly | |
| Gloria | Leanne Best | |
| Ruby | Ophelia Lovibond | |
| Jillian | Helena Wilson | |
| Dennis / Jack Larkin | Bryan Dick | |
| Bill / Mr Halliwell | Shaun Dooley | Richard Short |
| Luther St John | Corey Johnson | David Wilson Barnes |
| Mr Potts / Joe Fogg | Richard Lumsden | |
| Penny / Biddy | Natasha Magigi | Ta'Rea Campbell |
| Young Gloria | Nancy Allsop | |
| Young Ruby | Sophia Ally | |
| Young Joan | Lara McDonnell | |
| Young Jill | Nicola Turner | |
| Mr Smith | Will Barratt | Max Roll |
| Mrs Smith | Georgina Hellier | Ellyn Heald |
| Tony | Alfie Jackson | Liam Bixby |
| Patty | Lucy Moran | Nancy Allsop |
| Dr Rose | Stevie Raine | Cameron Scoggins |
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Laurence Olivier Awards [7] | Best New Play | Jez Butterworth | Nominated |
| Best Actress | Laura Donnelly | Nominated |
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Tony Awards | Best Play | Jez Butterworth | Nominated | [8] |
| Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play | Laura Donnelly | Nominated | |||
| Best Direction of a Play | Sam Mendes | Nominated | |||
| Best Scenic Design of a Play | Rob Howell | Nominated | |||
| Best Costume Design of a Play | Nominated | ||||
| Best Lighting Design of a Play | Natasha Chivers | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound Design of a Play | Nick Powell | Nominated | |||
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play | Laura Donnelly | Won | [9] | |
| Outstanding Scenic Design in a Play | Rob Howell | Nominated | |||
| Dorian Awards | Outstanding Broadway Play | The Hills of California | Nominated | [10] | |
| Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play | Laura Donnelly | Nominated | |||
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Play | The Hills of California | Nominated | [11] | |
| Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play | Laura Donnelly | Won | |||
| Outstanding Direction of a Play | Sam Mendes | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Scenic Design | Rob Howell | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Costume Design | Nominated | ||||
| Outstanding Lighting Design | Natasha Chivers | Nominated | |||