The Royal Court Theatre has announced a new multi-year exclusive partnership with award-winning producers Brian and Dayna Lee, following the success of their collaboration on Giant.
This ‘first look’ agreement will see the Lees working closely with the Royal Court to develop future productions originating in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs. The partnership aims to increase investment in ambitious new work and expand the reach of Royal Court productions to national and international audiences.
Brian and Dayna Lee, founders of AF Creative Media, are a Canadian-born, New York-based husband-and-wife team whose production company has earned three Tony Awards and two Olivier Awards. Their first collaboration with the Royal Court was Giant, written by Mark Rosenblatt and directed by Nicholas Hytner, starring John Lithgow as Roald Dahl.
Giant premiered at the Royal Court’s Jerwood Theatre Downstairs in 2024, enjoyed a sold-out West End run at the Harold Pinter Theatre in 2025, and is now set to transfer to Broadway in 2026.
Other notable credits from the Lees include Fiddler on the Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, which received a record-breaking 13 Olivier nominations before transferring to the Barbican.
Royal Court Artistic Director David Byrne and Executive Director Will Young said:
“Working together on Giant, from our first meeting, Brian and Dayna were dream collaborators. It wasn’t long before we were discussing all our future plans together – and it became clear we needed to make them an extended part of the Court team. We couldn’t be happier that this new partnership will see us expand the future life possibilities for the work presented in our Jerwood Theatre Downstairs to audiences around the world. Long live the UK-Canadian artistic axis!”
Brian and Dayna Lee said:
“The Royal Court is, without question, the world’s foremost home for new writing. It’s a place for daring ideas, radical voices and the most visionary playwrights of our time. For decades, it has redefined the possibilities of theatre, setting the standard for bold, original storytelling, both in the UK, and on the global stage.
From our very first conversations with David and Will, it was clear that they carried a powerful vision: one rooted in the Court’s extraordinary legacy, but also fearlessly focused on the future. We are deeply honored to support that vision and help carry the Royal Court’s astonishing work from its iconic home in Sloane Square to the West End, to Broadway and on to international audiences around the world.”
The Royal Court’s production of Giant begins performances on Wednesday 11 March 2026 at a Shubert Theater to be announced, for a strictly limited 16-week engagement. It is lead produced by Brian and Dayna Lee, Stephanie Kramer and Nicole Kramer, Josh Fiedler and Robyn Goodman, and the Royal Court Theatre.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
