DIRECTOR

Justin Butcher photo

 

BA (Hons.), MA (Hons.) Classics “Greats” (Literae Humaniores), Oxford University (1987-91)

Post Graduate Certificate of Acting (Hons. Graduate), Drama Studio London (1991-92)

PERSONAL PROFILE

 

Creative Practitioner – nationally & internationally renowned, award-winning writer, director & actor with 20 years’ experience in theatre, radio, television & film in UK, Europe, Russia, USA, Canada & Australasia.

 

Producer & Programmer – producing large-scale multi-media events for wide range of clients in creative, corporate, public & voluntary sectors, delivering complex projects on budget and on time; programming for arts festivals & events; producing 13 successful and acclaimed professional theatre productions in UK and USA with own production company, Passion Pit Theatre, since 1994.

 

Musician – musician, singer, musical director, arranger & composer in professional theatre; organist & choirmaster for large Anglican parish since 1991, building professional-standard choir & thriving choral tradition from scratch; recruiting youth choirs and producing children’s music projects in schools & community groups; founder & director of 100-strong community choral society since 2009.

 

Creative Consultant – high-level brand & creative consultancy for wide range of clients in corporate, public & voluntary sectors in UK, Europe, Turkey & Russia; lecturing, training, designing & leading workshops, coaching, role-playing, speech-writing, script–writing and film-writing.

 

Teacher & Lecturer – teaching & lecturing drama & music in schools (primary & secondary), universities, conservatoires, community groups & prisons, including significant experience creating theatre & music productions with children & young people.

 

•            Highly acclaimed track record as director, writer & producer of theatre

•            Inspiring team builder & leader able to motivate, challenge, reward & develop staff and volunteer teams

•            Charismatic project & organisational spokesman & figurehead

•            Extensive success in collaboration with wide range of partners & stakeholders in design & delivery of creative product

•            Excellent communicator

•            Highly developed interpersonal skills

•            Expert and wide-ranging knowledge of wider arts sector, with valuable networks in theatre, opera & musical theatre, contemporary & classical music, comedy, radio, TV, film and fine art, as well as trusted collaborative relationships in arts funding

•            Discerning & rigorous eye for artistic quality

•            Committed to highest professional standards

•            Successful fund-raiser

 

 

 

 

EMPLOYMENT

 

1992 – present                        Writer, director & actor in theatre, radio, TV & film, credits including:

 

Credits as Writer –

 

Scaramouche Jones                   starring Pete Postlethwaite, dir. Rupert Goold, co-produced by Rebbeck Penny & Bristol Old Vic, premiered Dublin Theatre Festival (‘01), then Bristol Old Vic, UK tour & Riverside Studios (‘02), then World Tour (‘03)

 

What’s On Stage Best Solo Performance 2002 (winner)

Barclays Stage Partners Best Actor Award 2002 (nominee)

Canadian Dora Award 2003 (nominee)

BankSA People’s Choice Award, Adelaide Fringe 2010 (nominee)

 

Scaramouche Jones has been produced all over the English-speaking world, translated into Croatian, Danish, Finnish & Spanish, Czech and Turkish, studied in schools and universities, several academic articles, book chapters & theses.

 

Escape From Gaza                  co-written with Palestinian writer Ahmed Masoud, telling of his perilous journey into Gaza in ‘09, for BBC Radio 4, dir. Jessica Dromgoole, broadcast Jan 13th ‘11

 

The Patience Of Mr Job   BBC Radio 4, dir. Claire Grove, broadcast Aug ‘10, featuring Jude Akuwudike & Adjoa Andoh; satirical update of Old Testament fable, set in fictitious West African country devastated by well-intentioned meddling of “development” agencies & climate-change related disasters

 

Pick Of The Day in The Daily Telegraph & The Daily Mail

 

“Nicely played and very funny satire by Justin Butcher.” (The Daily Telegraph)

“Funny and deeply tragic.” (The Daily Mail)

 

The Roman Bath                  translation & adaptation of Bulgarian satirist Stanislav Stratiev’s 1973 classic communist-era satire, Arcola Theatre, with Gologan Productions, UK premiere, Apr-May ‘10, dir. Russell Bolam

 

“A sparky new version by Justin Butcher” (Michael Billington, The Guardian)

                                                      “Justin Butcher’s witty text” (Michael Coveney, The Independent)

 

The Spire                  adaptation of William Golding’s novel, comm. by Salisbury Cathedral, Festival & Playhouse for production in 2012, Golding Centenary Year

 

Peter Pan                  adaptation, developed for multi-media production in circus theatre tent in Kensington Gardens, summer ‘09, dir. Lucy Bailey, designed William Dudley

 

The Ruin Of Britain                  retelling of King Arthur legend, a “dream of Sir Thomas Malory”, comm. Rupert Goold & Royal & Derngate Theatres, Northampton

 

The Firebrand                  huge community play – original fable based on local history, comm. to celebrate reopening of Royal & Derngate Theatres, Northampton, performed in promenade by community & professional all-age cast in 5 spaces, September 2006, dir. Dani Parr

 

Chukwudebelu – Preserved Of God   co-written with Nigerian musician Ben Okafor for BBC R4, dir. Richard Shannon, produced Bigheart Media, broadcast Jun ‘05, true story of a child soldier in the Biafran War

 

Pick Of The Day in The Guardian & The Daily Express

 

The Traducers                  satire on 2005 G8 Summit, Blair’s Commission for Africa, Live8 etc, comm. by Host Universal for Flight 5065, London Eye, dir. Steve Keyworth, Jul ‘05

 

The Man On The Pillar   BBC Radio 4, dir. Claire Grove, with Paul Bhattarcharjee & Tom Smith, broadcast Dec ‘02, story of Simeon Stylites, 5th century Syrian hermit & pillar-saint

 

Pick Of The Day in The Guardian, The Times & The Daily Mail

 

                                                      “Captivating” (The Times)      “Justin Butcher has done it again” (The Radio Times)                 

 

Breaking Strain                  comic update of Phaedra/Hippolytus legend, St James Cavalier Centre, Malta, Oct ‘01, Edinburgh Fringe ‘03, dir. Jamie Bower

 

“A modern classic: overwhelmingly intelligent … uproarious empowering of the older woman … very funny … witty, clever and comic … set[s] the stage alight and make[s] the atmosphere crackle with danger and sexual tension … as intelligent as it is hilarious.” ***** (The Scotsman)

 

                                                      “With an expert sense of verse and vulgarity, Butcher’s interpretation puts Liz Lochhead’s Thebans rather in the shade … genuinely sordid but always hilarious. Living proof that the Greeks will never be too old for today.” (The Daily Telegraph)

 

The Seven White Masks Of Scaramouche Jones   BBC Radio 4, dir. Claire Grove, with Warren Mitchell, broadcast Mar ‘01

 

“A masterpiece of extraordinarily imaginative writing” (The Radio Times)

 

Credits as Writer-Director –                 

 

The Prisoner Of Windsor                  Royal Wedding satire, with music by Harvey Brough, Leicester Square Theatre, May-Jun ‘11

“The excellent Justin Butcher … erudite, sophisticated, lots of fun.” (The Spectator)

 

The Madness Of George Dubya   smash-hit anti-war musical satire hailed by The Guardian as catalyst for re-politicisation of British theatre, Theatro Technis, Jan-Feb ‘03, Pleasance London, Feb-Mar ‘03 & Arts Theatre, Apr-Aug ‘03, receiving global media coverage

 

Fringe Report Best Political Dramatist Award 2003 (winner)

 

“Excellent … deserves the warmest of welcomes … Aristophanic vitality and ability to keep abreast of events … the strength of Dubya lies in its ability to blend manic comedy with passionate polemic.” (Michael Billington, The Guardian)

 

                                                      “Song and dance numbers, witty one-liners … fantastic piss-take … way too close to the bone … the comedy and current affairs crackle along like Carry On meets Kubrick … jabs and tickles the ribs and inflames indignation too … packs a powerful punch … comedy with smart gags that hit the target.” (Time Out)

 

                                                      “A welcome blast of light relief … a judicious mixture of puerility and intelligence, and delivered with refreshing splashes of song and dance … this oil-black comedy scores … direct hits.” (The Daily Telegraph)

 

                                                      “Justin Butcher’s stealth-bomber of a show” (Independent On Sunday)

 

                                                      “This lively, sexy production has a gloriously distinctive bark” (Evening Standard)

 

A Weapons Inspector Calls   sequel to Madness, Theatro Technis, Dec’ 03–Jan ‘04, Pleasance London, Feb-Mar ’04, New Players Theatre, Oct-Nov ‘04

 

                                                      “Butcher lands blow after blow … confirms Butcher’s rare talent for blending moral anger with brute farce.” (Michael Billington, The Guardian)

 

“Hilarious” (The Spectator)

 

“Political theatre at its best” (What’s On In London)

 

“Lands many tough blows through song and dance … deeply unsettling … startlingly accurate.” (The Daily Telegraph)

                 

Guantanamo Baywatch                  finale to anti-war trilogy, New Players Theatre, Oct-Nov ‘04

 

“Hits its targets with deadly accuracy … delightful in its frighteningly plausible absurdity.” (The Evening Standard)

 

“The shining exception is Justin Butcher … very funny … some of the best political satire around … incisive, funny and thought-provoking.” (British Theatre Guide)

“The torch was taken up by a young Oxford-educated writer-director, Justin Butcher, who was driven by indignation about the Iraq war to stage a trio of satirical revues all based on existing works. The first of them, The Madness Of George Dubya, was easily the most successful … Butcher shrewdly tapped into Britain’s oppositional mood and on the first night the audience cheered the play to the echo, as if relieved to hear someone say in public what they themselves believed in their hearts.”

Michael Billington, State Of The Nation – British Theatre Since 1945 (2007)

 

Go To Gaza, Drink The Sea   co-written with Ahmed Masoud in quick response to Dec ’08/Jan

’09 attack on Gaza Strip, designed Jane Frere, live music Nizar Al-Issa, Theatro Technis, Feb-Mar ‘09, Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh Fringe, Aug ‘09

 

“A deeply felt, humane and vividly expressive reaction to the current crisis.”
(Michael Billington, The Guardian)

 

“Raw power … carries huge moral and emotional impact.” **** (The Scotsman)

 

“A harrowing journey into a very modern heart of darkness and a moving celebration of the human spirit.” (The Stage)

“A heartfelt tribute to the people of Gaza” (Palestine Telegraph)

“By far the most powerful example I’ve yet seen of a border-crossing theatrical mix … An extraordinarily versatile cast … Profane, witty, desperate and poetic – a voice from Gaza Beach itself” (Tribune)

 

Three Gothic Tales                  adaptation of HG Wells’ The Red Room, Dickens’ The Signalman & Poe’s The Tell-tale Heart for solo performance, The Sticking Place’s Season Of Terror, Union Theatre, Nov ‘05, & continuous touring of UK schools since

 

Child Of Biafra                  co-written with Ben Okafor (see above), Contact Theatre, Manchester, Jul ‘07, with Manchester University’s “War & Our World” International Conference, working with local Nigerian community choir in Manchester

 

Soul Food                  Salisbury Cathedral, Apr ‘01

 

The Millennium Man                  Modern re-working of Mystery Plays for Theatre Royal, Bath & Churches Together in Somerset, premiered Theatre Royal, Bath, May ‘00, then regional tour

“An unexpectedly gritty affair … extremely effective … wittily written” (Venue)

 

King Of Fools                  Post-modern commedia dell-arte style passion play, comm. & prod. for Greenbelt Arts Festival ‘94, Westminster Abbey & UK tour ‘95, UK tour ‘96, Greenbelt Arts Festival ‘98, UK tour ‘00

 

“This amazing production … offered something for everyone … kindness, a sense of humour, love of humanity … pain, anguish … wit, compassion and earthiness … You didn’t have to be a believer to get something from this production … its honest and imaginative portrayal of Christ’s lasy days on earth was both invigorating and entertaining.” (Oxford Times)

                                                     

                                                      “Unsafe … impressive … challenging and entertaining, and imaginatively performed … compelling … See King Of Fools and take your friends.” (Church Times)

                                                     

                                                      “There have been some moving passion plays in recent years … but none can surpass King Of Fools for energy, imagination and heart-rending power.” (The Tablet)

 

Credits as Director –

 

Noye’s Fludde                   community opera with 3 Highbury schools, 3 churches & 2 youth choirs, 100

children, professional soloists & puppeteer, cond. Scott Stroman, May ‘11

 

The State We’re In                  by Zia Trench, Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh Fringe ‘09, starring Michael Byrne

 

“This small, fierce and intelligent play … races along and offers unusually convincing portraits of both the politician and the journalist.” (Lyn Gardner, The Guardian)

                                                     

                                                      “Brims with a righteous anger we can’t help but admire.” (Evening Standard)

 

Black Comedy                  Colorado Festival Of World Theatre, celebratory production to mark 80th birthday of Guest-Of-Honour Sir Peter Shaffer CBE, July ‘06

 

“An incandescent production of Black Comedy by London’s Passion Pit Theatre … a tour de force of physical humour. The tempo is furious and the timing is perfect.” (The Gazette, Colorado Springs, USA)

 

The Winter’s Tale                  Creation Theatre Company, Oxford, in antique Spiegeltent, Feb-Apr ‘04

“Creation triumph again with a rarely-told, but powerful tale. The tragic, self-destructive, passionate and magical land of The Winter’s Tale was brought vividly to life … sheer, raw emotion … so convincing”

(Oxford Mail)

 

“Charismatic performances … a collective concentration of speech and visual effect that demands full attention … Justin Butcher’s direction is richly attentive to detail … a sense of magical depth and complexity … a powerful sense that there is more going on than we can quite grasp … Justin Butcher brims with ideas … his treatment of the text is excellent, unifying its disparate elements … with great skill … Creation teamwork and director’s deftness help the difficult last scenes to turn to magic … make us share their joy.”

(Oxford Times)

 

“Director Justin Butcher, of Scaramouche Jones fame, uses the full scope of the arena to bring us a tale that thrills us as much as it chills us … freezes the soul … truly shocking … terrific acting; book immediately.”

(Newbury Weekly News)

                                                     

A Year In The Death Of Molly Price   by Hugh Jones, solo play on 5 stages of grief, New End Theatre, Jun’ 02

 

The Nativity                  by David Farr, school production with 50 children for Ashmount Primary School, London, Dec ‘01

                                                     

Captain Noah & His Floating Zoo   by Flanders & Horowitz, school musical production with 50 children for Ashmount Primary School, Apr ‘01

 

The Last Cuckoo                  by BAFTA-winning poet & dramatist Nigel Forde, Sea View Prods., Latchmere Theatre, 1997 & ongoing UK tour

 

Credits as Actor –

 

Scaramouche Jones                  Assembly Rms, Ed. Fringe ‘08 & UK tour, Adelaide Fringe ‘10, dir. Guy Masterson

 

“A superbly inventive monologue … played with electrifying energy by the show’s author” (The Spectator)

“A masterpiece of solo Magic Realism, impeccably written, perfectly performed” (British Theatre Guide)

“Tragic, funny and superbly delivered … it is Justin Butcher’s execution that makes this a must-see … superb in his delivery: engaging, animated and endearing.” ***** (Adelaide Advertiser)

                                                                       

                                                      “A stunning piece of theatre … hilarious and touching, tragic and genuine.” (Adelaide Theatre Guide)

BankSA People’s Choice Award, Adelaide, 2010 (nominee)

 

Cinderella                                    by Phil Porter, Unicorn Theatre, dir. Tony Graham, Dec ’09–Jan ’10, Mr Marakovic

 

The Taming Of The Shrew   Nottingham Playhouse, Feb-Apr ‘02, dir. David Farr, Hortensio

 

The End Of The Affair                  by Graham Greene, Salisbury Playhouse & Bridewell Theatre, Sep-Dec ‘97, adapt. & dir. Rupert Goold, Richard Smythe

 

Pericles                  Riverside Studios & UK tour, Sep-Dec ‘96, dir. James Roose-Evans, title role

 

Manchester Evening News Best Actor Award (nominee)

 

Buddy                  Victoria Palace & Strand Theatres, Sep ‘94-Sep ‘96, dir. Rob Bettinson, Ritchie Valens

 

The Birth Of The Jongleur   by Dario Fo, Greenbelt Arts Festival, 1995, dir. Mick Gordon, solo performance

 

Alice in Wonderland                  Oxford Playhouse, May-Sep ‘94, adapt. & dir. Mick Gordon

 

TV credits include –                  Colonel Summers, A Rogue & A Patriot, dir. Josh de la Mare, C5; Railway Dealer, Oscar Charlie, dir. Angie de Chastelaine-Smith, BBC1; Mr Brisley, Grange Hill, dir. David Bell, BBC1; Serb soldier, The Blood That’s In You, dir. Sue Dunderdale, BBC2.

 

Radio credits include –                  Henry Carson, Mary Barton, dir. Claire Grove, BBC R4 serial; numerous roles for Focus On The Family Radio Theatre (USA) in Les Miserables (with Brian Blessed & Geoffrey Palmer), Silas Marner (with Michael Williams), A Christmas Carol (with Paul Scofield), Ben Hur, The Silver Chair, The Horse & His Boy & St Luke’s Gospel (with Robert Hardy), dir. Dirk Maggs, Paul McCusker & Philip Glassborrow

 

1994 – present                        Producer & Programmer

 

Producing large multi-media events for clients in creative, corporate, public & voluntary sectors, including:

 

– the Trade Justice Vigil for the Make Poverty History Coalition, Westminster Abbey, Mar ‘05, starring Vanessa Redgrave, Pete Postlethwaite, Damian Lewis, Adjoa Andoh, Beverley Knight, Jools Holland & Ronan Keating, working with 70 charities, trade unions and development agencies;

 

Tongues Of Fire, for British & Foreign Bible Society Bicentenary, St Paul’s Cathedral (including commissioning new painting Translations, by acclaimed Edinburgh-based artist Paul Martin), May ‘04

 

– the Papal Vigil, Hyde Park, Sep ‘10, producing, writing & directing multi-media celebration of Catholic community in UK & abroad, compered by Carol Vorderman and Frank Cottrell-Boyce, audience of 80,000 people, working with Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), the Vatican, the RC Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales, the Foreign Office, the Metropolitan Police & Royal Parks.

 

Performing Arts Coordinator & Programmer for Greenbelt Arts Festival, 1994-99, indoor and outdoor festival venues, programming theatre, live music, dance, film, puppetry & comedy acts from many parts of the world, working with local partners including City Councils, local theatres & arts organisations, Cheltenham Racecourse & local charitable trusts.

 

Producing 13 successful & acclaimed professional theatre productions in UK & USA with own production company, Passion Pit Theatre, since 1994.

 

1991 – present                                    Organist, Choirmaster & Conductor

 

Part-time professional organist & choirmaster of St Luke’s Church, West Holloway, for 20 years, programming, producing & conducting many choral & orchestral concerts, alongside weekly programme of public worship. Founded St Luke’s Youth Choir in 2006.

 

In Oct’ 09, I founded Vox Holloway, a community choral society, which has staged 4 very successful sell-out concerts in its  first 18 months, working with 90 adult singers, 50 children from local schools, alongside professional soloists & musicians. Handel’s Messiah (Dec ‘09), played to capacit (360+) and raised £6k for the Street Child World Cup, a project run by Durban-based charity Umthombo, working with street children from 9 countries in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup. In March 2010, Vox Holloway performed Harvey Brough’s remarkable jazz requiem, Requiem in Blue, as fund-raiser for DEC Haiti Appeal, raising £14k. Renowned jazz soloists included Liane Carroll & Clara Sanabras, & the performance was conducted by Harvey Brough himself (Harvey & The Wallbangers).

 

1999 – present                                    Creative Consultant

 

As creative consultant to corporate, public & voluntary sectors, I have worked continuously since 1999 as a speaker, trainer, workshop designer and leader, coach, role-player, programmer & producer for a vast range of clients, including PricewaterhouseCoopers (UK and CEE and Russia), Shell, BMW, General Electric, HSBC, Barclays Bank, The Prudential, Nissan, Lloyds Register, Centrica (British Gas), the Office of Fair Trading, Christian Aid, the Church of England, CAFOD and the Make Poverty History Coalition. I have also written several films for John Cleese and Anthony (Yes Minister) Jay’s corporate film production company, Video Arts.

 

1996 – present                                    Teacher & Lecturer

 

Drama & music teacher, Ashmount Primary School, London, Dec ’00 – Jan ‘02

 

Tutor & lecturer in scriptwriting, Kingston University, 2003-4

 

Tutor & director at Drama Studio London, Apr ’11 onwards

 

Drama workshop leader in prisons, 2002-4, with London Shakespeare Workout