Welcome to my website

I'm an experienced theatre and opera director, writer and teacher.  

For most of the 1980s I worked at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh.  I founded English Touring Theatre in 1993 and, in 2008, opened the Rose Theatre, Kingston.  

I've directed a large number of leading actors and actresses, at all stages of their careers, and my productions have been seen in London and across Britain.

As well as directing more than 50 plays and operas, I've written eight books on theatre and drama, and four original plays.  

My first play, All Our Children was premiered in London to great success in May 2017 and received a new production in New York in 2019.  My second performed play, Laughing Boy, was premiered in London in May 2024.

I've also translated twelve foreign language plays and written numerous articles in books and newspapers. 

Reaktion Books published Poor Naked Wretches, my full length study of Shakespeare’s working people in 2023.

Teaching is important to me and I've taught in drama schools, colleges and universities in Britain and the USA, and consistently championed the training and development of young actors, directors and writers.  

I currently work as a freelancer, and am available for consultancy work for arts organisations of all shapes and sizes.

I offer individual classes in a wide range of subjects.

My second son is severely disabled and I'm a campaigner and lecturer for the rights of people with learning disabilities.  I was for six years Chair of KIDS, a first class charity supporting children and young people with a range of disabilities.

If you want to get in touch please click on the Contact button above.  

I'd like to hear from you.

Stephen