Hugh Jackman and Sonia Friedman Launch Intimate Theater Company Together

London, England — Tony Award winners Sonia Friedman and Hugh Jackman announced on March 19, 2025, the launch of their new theater company, Together, aimed at providing audiences with intimate and accessible live performances. The partnership seeks to redefine the theater experience by focusing on collaboration, equal pay for actors, and shared creative credit.

Working in conjunction with director Ian Rickson, Together plans to present short runs of fully rehearsed, full-length plays, alongside readings and panel discussions in the U.S., U.K., and beyond. The founders emphasize a commitment to creating theater that resonates within smaller venues, allowing actors to perform just feet away from the audience.

“By stripping the fully rehearsed productions down to their essentials, with minimal decor, Together aims to celebrate the raw power of storytelling,” the announcement stated, highlighting the mission to get back to the essence that makes theater compelling.

Friedman and Jackman expressed in a joint statement that they want to foster a space free from the pressures of commercial theater. “With director Ian Rickson, we wanted to create a company where actors, writers, and directors could experiment, explore, and take risks,” they said. “Together is about going back to basics, rediscovering the simple, thrilling essence of live performance.”

Their aim is not only to create fresh and engaging theater experiences but also to keep productions affordable, ensuring greater access for theatergoers. “We have always been drawn to theater because of its raw energy — the excitement of a first reading, the joy of stepping into an unexpected role,” they noted.

The company plans to embrace flexibility in its performances, potentially varying schedules and staging plays in repertoire to allow productions to evolve organically. Friedman and Jackman hope this will enable them to deliver productions that feel dynamic and alive.

On Broadway, the trio has previously collaborated on Jez Butterworth’s 2014 drama, “The River,” with Friedman’s company, Sonia Friedman Productions, as lead producer, and Jackman starring under Rickson’s direction.

Friedman is known for her multiple Tony-winning productions, while Jackman has also been celebrated for his performances in shows such as “The Music Man” and “The Boy From Oz,” for which he won a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical in 2004.

Further details regarding Together’s productions will be released in the coming months, as the innovative company prepares to bring new theatrical experiences to audiences worldwide.