I am Assistant Director and Dramaturg on MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING at Shakespeare’s Globe, directed by Lucy Bailey.
REVIEWS
★★★★
‘Joyous, clever [and] genuinely funny’
FINANCIAL TIMES
★★★★★
‘Simply delightful… There’s magic in the air during this production’
BROADWAY WORLD
★★★★
‘Buoyant with slapstick… full of visual colour’
THE OBSERVER
https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/much-ado-about-nothing-2022/
Directed by Lucy Bailey as part of the Theatre Royal Bath Summer Season 2018 and transferred to Ambassadors Theatre, West End in November 2018. I was Assistant Director for both the run in Bath and in the West End.
Filled with razor-sharp dialogue, this chilling and sometimes hilarious two-hander unfolds into a gripping psychological thriller.
Phyllis Logan, who played housekeeper Mrs Hughes in Downton Abbey, was acclaimed for her extraordinary performance as Patricia Highsmith at Switzerland’s premiere at the Theatre Royal Bath's Ustinov Studio earlier this year.
'Phyllis Logan ... completely wonderful. A real stab of class. Lucy Bailey's razor-sharp direction' ★★★★ Mail on Sunday
'Very well acted. Calum Finlay impeccable. A teasing metaphysical thriller' ★★★★ Guardian
★★★★ Sunday Times ★★★★ Whatsonstage
Winner Alfred Fagon Audience Award 2015
A new play about a sugar plantation in Barbados in 1807. Written by Matilda Ibini (Soho Theatre Resident Writer; BBC Writersroom10)
Commissioned and Directed by Clemmie Reynolds and BurnOut Theatre.
Opened at Theatre503 March 2015; toured across the UK to cities involved in the transatlantic slave trade; performed at theatres, museums, schools, churches, community halls and site-specifics locations.
Original Music by James Reynolds. Supported by Farnham Maltings, Arts Council England, Victoria and Albert Museum. Dramaturgically supported by Theatre503, Graeae, Soho Theatre.
“Evocative, atmospheric…Vividly staged in all its distressing force” – The Stage
“An absolute scorcher…overwhelmingly compelling” ***** 5 STARS – LondonTheatre1
“Dreamy choral harmonies“ – TimeOut
Telegraph’s Top 10 Shows to see at the Fringe 2023
Step back in time to 1995 and come join a hilarious taster session of the Cliff Richard Fan Club! Our group of ladies will welcome you, make you laugh (and maybe cry too) and even surprise with some "unique" takes on buffet food! For anyone who has ever been a fan... of anything!
Paul Westwood’s heartwarming new comedy plays a month run at Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh Fringe 2023, followed by a free community tour around Birmingham.
Venue: Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh Fringe 2023
Company: Opportunity Productions
Creatives: Paul Westwood (Writer, Producer); Clemmie Reynolds (Director); Lucie Pankhurt (Choreographer); Karen Mow (Executive Producer)
Performers: Sarah Beckett (Barbara Nightingale); Nicola Gardner (Karen Aston); Arti Mirwani-Daltry (Anita Misra); Miranda Langley (Sarah Milman); Michelle Robertson (Pat Milman)
Running time: 60mins
“The cast are talented, working very well together and the direction shows a skilful handling of a myriad of entrances, exits and interactions. A lovely show that reminds us of the importance of finding your people and how not to be alone.” - Edinburgh Guide
“It’s a beautifully written and is a perfectly performed production that reminds us what it’s like to be young… Most importantly it reminds us what it’s like to belong. Fanatical, feminine fun!” **** Four stars - West End Best Friend
There’s much fun as the members go off-script and some sadness as we hear stories of loss and loneliness, alleviated by joining the club and its activities. A warm-hearted exploration of the friendships and eccentricities of such fan clubs everywhere. - Three Weeks
***** A riveting and gritty drama that also turns out to be a thriller with a uniquely clever plot, impeccable acting, terrific directing and great writing. Must-see stuff of the first order. - Act Drop
Skin In The Game by Paul Westwood is a thriller set in present day Birmingham that lifts the lid on gambling addiction and survival on the edges of society.
The cast of four includes Kathryn O'Reilly (Our Country's Good), Paul Westwood (King Charles III), Charlie Allen (Home, I'm Darling) and David Whitworth (Orange Tree Theatre Associate Artist).
Skin In The Game runs at The Old Red Lion Theatre from 20 August - 15 September, produced by Greenwich Theatre and supported by Arts Council England, as part of the theatre 40th anniversary summer season.
The show previewed at Greenwich Theatre, Stantonbury Milton Keynes, Birmingham Festival and completed tour of community centres in Birmingham and London in July 2019.
Reviews during previews include:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “A very impressive full-length debut from Paul Westwood... The three leads perform their powerfully naturalistic lines with immaculate timing and almost exhilarating rancour” The Spy In The Stalls
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “the cast, the script and Reynolds’ direction ensure the audience is on the edge of their seats... Skin in the Game marks Paul Westwood’s full-length debut as a playwright. He is certainly a name to watch..” LondonTheatre1
It was performed as a rehearsed reading at Mousetrap Theatre Projects in January 2019.
I directed this in-the-round production of Jessica Swale’s Blue Stockings at the Cockpit Theatre in July 2018 with 20 first and second year students of the Bridge Theatre Training Company in June 2018.
Site-specific production staged in-the-round in Holy Trinity Church, Clapham Common, part of Black History Month 2014. A new play commissioned by BurntOut Theatre, written by Matilda Ibini, about a sugar plantation in 1807.
Play development supported by Farnham Maltings, Arts Council England, Soho Theatre, Graeae, Victoria and Albert Museum, Young Vic Director’s Network.
Click here for Research and Development Trailer
“Stirring. This isn’t theatre for the faint-hearted. Go if you can.” **** – FemaleArts.com
“This production of Muscovado is a truly visceral experience. The sweat dripping from the bodies of the actors, confessions in candlelight and sacred song combine to make this church -although a world away from Barbados- a fitting and intimate space to witness some great writing from a promising future playwright.” – Liam Blain, British Theatre Guide
“Highly recommend” – Jules Haworth, Soho Theatre
“A fantastic production. Such harrowing moments, heart-breaking to watch and difficult to listen to, cut through by a beautiful love story. Composition of both text and music individually excellent and combined, sublime.” – Adam Hemming, Artistic Director of SpaceArts, London
“a huge piece of work to have achieved. Such a difficult subject to find any way to speak of. A very clever piece of commissioning, great casting, really committed intelligent performances, really well directed” – Adrian Jackson, Artistic Director Cardboard Citizens
“Muscovado is ambitious, complex, powerful, and it delivers dramatic, emotional and political punch.” – Sunny Singh, The Guardian
“… an uncompromising portrayal of slavery in all its brutality while offering an alternative narrative that restores the humanity slaves are often denied in modern day tellings” ****- Ella Achola, Media Diversified
“Compelling. A passionate piece of work that really ought to be seen not just because it’s Black History Month but because the lessons of slavery are still being learnt today. Go and see it!” ****- Ronke Lawal, Afridiziak
A new adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest developed by writer Andrew Rattenbury (The Golden Hour, Doc Martin) and Marine Artistic Director Clemmie Reynolds in early 2016. A promenade site-specific production staged in the Marine Theatre and open-air on Lyme Regis seafront.
Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Lyme Regis’ twinning with St George’s Bermuda, the play weaved into Shakespeare’s tale about the mysterious island, the story of Lyme naval hero George Somers, who founded St George’s Bermuda, colonised Virginia and whose shipwreck allegedly inspired The Tempest.
Featuring original music by award-winning film-composer Andrew Dixon (Composer for Mike Leigh’s Vera Drake and 1988 European Composer of the Year) with Movement and Stilts Direction by Jonny Hoskins, the show was performed by a cast and crew of over 60 local people aged between 8-80.
***** “Enchanting…this is something that won’t be forgotten soon” – View News
**** “A wonderfully exuberant production, brought to Lyme by its own people” – Bridport Review
“What a glorious evening to watch such a special event” – Helen Stiles, Dorset Magazine
“A triumph no less. A great community effort.” – Oliver Ford Davies, Actor
Site-specific 'Much Ado About Nothing' staged in a natural burial ground for Guildford Festival, at RADA Festival, and at Wintershall Estate.
“A gloriously original production” – **** (4 Stars) Everything Theatre
“Outstanding” – A Younger Theatre
“An afternoon of pure entertainment” – ***** (5 Stars), Surrey Advertiser
A roaring 1920s adaptation of Shakespeare’s romcom Much Ado About Nothing – accompanied by original music, 1920s swing band and trapeze artist.
Click here for production shots and original music from the show
Site-specific promenade production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' staged in the gardens of Wintershall Estate and Burnt Norton Gardens. Also performed at RADA Festival, Dorset Opera Festival, Guildford Festival and Christ Church, Chelsea. Produced by BurntOut Theatre.
“Spiffingly good…Keep an eye out for these guys. They are hot and going places!” – Nicolas Mansfield, Director of Nationale Reisopera of The Netherlands
“The tumultuous reception was well-deserved as Reynolds successfully incorporated traditional elements, including the use of Elizabethan costume, with unconventional staging (the cast flitted from the aisles, balconies and pews of the church), all together creating an innovative production which by no means lost the magic of the original story.”
– Kensington and Chelsea Magazine
A moveable feast!” – Nicci Brown, Forum Focus
“Truly exceptional” – Prue Leith
“Fabulous…the space [used] so brilliantly” – Rupert Gregson-Williams, Film Composer
“It was a pleasure experiencing BurntOut’s production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in the enchanting garden of Burnt Norton. The company of gifted young actors from London drama schools gave a very spirited performance… The director, Clemmie Reynolds, used Burnt Norton’s lawns, alleys and glades to full effect in capturing the magic and menace of the forest near Athens”
– Roger Pringle, former Director of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Performed by Lyme Theatre for National Theatre Connections Festival 2016, at The Egg, Bath Theatre Royal and Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis.
Bedbug the Musical by Snoo Wilson. Performed by Lyme Youth Theatre at the Marine Theatre Lyme Regis and The Egg, Bath Theatre Royal March-April 2016. Part of National Theatre Connections Festival 2016
Written by Andrew Rattenbury (The Golden Hour, Doc Martin, The Tempest of Lyme), this new play was commissioned and developed at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis, and tells the story of the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685. It was first performed along the seafront in Lyme Regis and at the Marine Theatre in July 2017 by a 50-strong community cast aged between 8-80.
With funding from Arts Council England the show completed a 6 week South West tour to theatres in Dorset, Devon and Somerset in Autumn 2017, produced by BurntOut Theatre. A 20-strong cast of actor-musicians told this South West story with original live music, song and film projection.
Supported by Arts Council England and West Dorset District Council.
