ABOUT THE DIRECTOR TOM MORRIS

Tom Morris – playwright, actor, lyricist, critic, broadcaster and producer – is currently artistic director at Bristol Old Vic. Under Tom’s direction, the theatre, which dates back to 1766, has recently undergone an award-winning, multi-million transformation.

Tom has brought a wealth of experience to the position. As artistic director of Battersea Arts Centre between 1995-2004, he nurtured ground-breaking productions such as Jerry Springer: The Opera; World Cup Final 196; Jason and the Argonauts, and Ben Hur. After Battersea, Tom became associate director at the National Theatre in London. It was here that he came up with the idea of using state-of-the art puppetry to create a theatrical version of Michael Morpurgo's ‘unstageable’ novel War Horse: a production that won Tom a Tony Award for Best Director.

Tom’s tastes are eclectic, edgy and on occasion risky, but always innovative, with his dramatic flair leading to some of the most memorable moments on the British stage. His recent success at Bristol Old Vic can be summed up by emphasising two, probably not unconnected, feats that he has accomplished: bringing extraordinary talent to the stage of Bristol Old Vic, and attracting audiences who might not have previously regarded themselves as theatre-goers.

His productions at Bristol Old Vic have included Pink Mist; Cyrano; Touching The Void (Bristol, West End and UK and International Tour); The Grinning Man (Bristol and West End); Swallows and Amazons (Bristol, West End and UK tour); Juliet and Her Romeo; The Crucible; King Lear; Messiah; Jane Eyre (Bristol, West End and UK tour), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Opera credits include Breaking The Waves (Scottish Opera and Opera Ventures), and The Death of Klinghoffer (ENO and Metropolitan Opera).

Tom holds honorary doctorates from UWE and Bristol University, and an OBE for services to theatre.