Adam Spreadbury-Maher
Adam Spreadbury-Maher | |
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Born | |
Occupation(s) | Theatre director and producer |
Adam Spreadbury-Maher is a multi-award-winning[1] Australian/Irish theatre artistic director, producer and translator. He was the founding Artistic Director of London's Cock Tavern Theatre from January 2009 until the venues closure in April 2011.[2] He became Artistic Director of the King's Head Theatre in March 2010. He is the artistic director of theatre company Good Night Out Presents and joint artistic director of opera company OperaUpClose.
Biography
Spreadbury-Maher was born in Australia. He received his initial training as an opera singer at the Canberra School of Music. His debut directorial production of Jonathan Harvey’s Beautiful Thing won Spreadbury-Maher an Australian Critics’ Circle Award in 2004.[3] In 2005 Adam moved to the UK, and, after walking out of training at London's Central School of Speech and Drama, made his London directing debut at White Bear Theatre, producing three critically successful shows as the theatre’s Associate Director, including the two world premieres The Ides of March[4] by Duncan Ley and "Studies for a Portrait"[5] by Daniel Reitz. In 2008 Adam founded theatre company Good Night Out Presents which is the parent company of his venues and theatre/opera companies. The company's production of Studies for a Portrait transferred to the Oval House Theatre[6] following its critics' choice sell-out run at the White Bear Theatre.[7] In 2008 Spreadbury-Maher directed Australian actor Mark Little in a production of Così by Louis Nowra, also for Good Night Out Presents.[3] Other notable productions include the first UK revival of Peter Gill’s The York Realist, presented at Riverside Studios to mark Gill’s 70th birthday.[8]
In 2010, Spreadbury-Maher was Associate Director on UK premiere of the multi-award winning Holding the Man, adapted by Tommy Murphy and based on the novel by Timothy Conigrave.[9] Further 2010 directing work included UK premiere of Hannie Rayson's landmark Australian play Hotel Sorrento,[10] the rarely revived first play of Peter Gill’s The Sleepers Den,[11] the world premiere of Edward Bond's There Will Be More.[12] Spreadbury-Maher ended 2010 with his operatic directing debut in a new version of "Madama Butterfly" retitled “Bangkok Butterfly”, which he adapted in English with Ben Cooper for OperaUpClose. The production ran for four months at King's Head Theatre, garnishing critical notice from Fiona Maddocks in The Observer, “Madam Butterfly has been updated to Bangkok Butterfly to chilling effect... full of promise and musically intelligent.”[13] and Michael Tanner in The Spectator, "Beautiful and sexy... the evening was a powerful one".[14]
The Cock Tavern Theatre
In January 2009, Adam founded Cock Tavern Theatre, becoming its Artistic Director. Under his leadership the theatre has followed a strict artistic policy of staging only world premiers and revivals from world class playwrights, a strategy which has seen the theatre praised for its imaginative programming and quality productions.[15] Since the opening of Cock Tavern Theatre Adam has directed revivals by Stephen Fry, Nick Ward, Hannie Rayson and produced a retrospective season of work by Edward Bond.
December 2009 saw Spreadbury-Maher form OperaUpClose with the aim of bringing opera to a wider audience by producing new, classic and difficult pieces which have so far been neglected or previously inaccessible.[16] Adam, alongside Ben Cooper, produced La Boheme, directed by Robin Norton Hale, which was extended at Cock Tavern Theatre for six months following a sell-out run and significant critical acclaim, and which had a six-week sell-out season in July, 2011, at the Soho Theatre, and will return for a further six-week season in January 2011.[17] The production represents the longest running continuously performed La Bohème in its history.[18]
Spreadbury-Maher was awarded the Fringe Report Award 2010 for Best Artistic Director as recognition of the success at the Cock. The award was presented on 9 February at the Leicester Square Theatre. In the Autumn of 2010 Spreadbury-Maher produced an Edward Bond retrospective season at Cock Tavern Theatre. The season included 6 Bond plays from 6 decades, including the new commission "There Will Be More", directed by Spreadbury-Maher.[19]
The King’s Head Theatre
In March 2010, Spreadbury-Maher was appointed Artistic Director of King's Head Theatre. He took up the post in October 2010 and is now in his third year working alongside his leadership team of Dominic Haddock and Robin Norton-Hale. It was stated that a similar in-house producing model to that of Cock Tavern Theatre will be introduced at the King's Head, and that both OperaUpClose and Good Night Out Presents will reside at the venue as well as at the Cock.[20] Adam’s first production at the King's Head, was Studies for a Portrait. The production was hailed as a successful start to Spreadbury-Maher’s reign at the theatre.[21]
Awards
Winner
- The Laurence Olivier Awards - Best New Opera for La Bohème at Soho Theatre, 2011[22]
- What's On Stage.com Awards – Best Off-West End Production for La Bohème at The Cock Tavern Theatre, 2011[23]
- London Fringe Report Awards – Best Artistic Director, 2010
- Peter Brook… Empty Space Awards – Dan Crawford Innovation Award awarded to Cock Tavern Theatre, 2009
- Australian Critics’ Circle Award for Jonathan Harvey’s Beautiful Thing, 2004
Nominations
- Peter Brook… Empty Space Awards – Mark Marvin Rent Subsidy nomination for OperaUpClose at the King's Head Theatre, 2011
- What's On Stage.com Awards – Theatre Event of The Year for King's Head Theatre transformation in London's Little Opera House, 2011[23]
- Off West End.com Awards - Best Director for Così by Louis Nowra at the King's Head Theatre, 2011[24]
- Peter Brook... Empty Space Awards - Mark Marvin Rent Subsidy Award for OperaUpClose at the King's Head Theatre, 2011[25]
Work
As a director
- Tosca by Giacomo Puccini (2 October 2012 – 10 November 2012) King's Head Theatre, London
- Tosca by Giacomo Puccini (8 September 2012 – 2 December 2012) Malmö Opera House, Sweden
- Denial by Arnold Wesker (15 May 2012 – 9 June 2012) King's Head Theatre, London
- Così by Louis Nowra (19 June 2011 – 13 July 2011) King's Head Theatre, London
- Madama Butterfly (or Bangkok Butterfly) by Giacomo Puccini (11 December 2010 – 30 March 2011) King's Head Theatre, London
- There Will Be More by Edward Bond (26 October 2010 – 13 November 2010) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- The Sleepers Den by Peter Gill (27 September 2010 – 16 October 2010) Riverside Studios, London
- Hotel Sorrento by Hannie Rayson (19 August 2010 – 11 September 2010) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- Studies for a Portrait by Daniel Reitz (30 March 2010 – 23 May 2010 – revival) King's Head Theatre, London
- The York Realist by Peter Gill (23 September 2009 – 11 October 2009) Riverside Studios, London
- The Present by Nick Ward (20 August 2009 – 5 September 2009) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- Latin! or Tobacco and Boys by Stephen Fry (23 June – 11 July 2009) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- Studies for a Portrait by Daniel Reitz (19 May 2008 – 13 June 2008 – revival) Oval House, London
- Studies for a Portrait by Daniel Reitz (9 January 2008 – 1 February 2008) White Bear Theatre, London
- The Ides of March by Duncan Ley (25 November 2008 – 21 December 2008) White Bear Theatre, London
- Così by Louis Nowra (29 July 2008 – 24 August 2008) White Bear Theatre, London
- Loot by Joe Orton (17 June 2005 – 25 June 2005) Australian National University Drama Studio, Canberra
- Boom Bang-a-Bang by Jonathan Harvey (16 June 2005 – 3 July 2004) Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
- Beautiful Thing by Jonathan Harvey (8 January 2004 – 24 January 2004) Street Theatre, Canberra
Theatre - artistic director
- Vieux Carré by Tennessee Williams (14 August 2012 – 1 September 2012) Charing Cross Theatre, London
- Vieux Carré by Tennessee Williams (10 July 2012 – 4 August 2012) King's Head Theatre, London
- Someone to Blame by Tess Berry-Hart (6 March 2012 – 31 March 2012) King's Head Theatre, London
- Constance by Guillot de Saix and Henri de Briel, based on a developed scenario by Oscar Wilde, and adapted by Charles Osborne (13 September 2011 – 22 October 2011) King's Head Theatre, London
- Così by Louis Nowra (19 June 2011 – 13 July 2011) King's Head Theatre, London
- A Cavalier for Milady by Tennessee Williams (7 June 2011 – 25 June 2011) Jermyn Street Theatre, London
- A Butcher of Distinction by Rob Hayes (3–5 April 2011) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- A Cavalier for Milady by Tennessee Williams (29 March 2011 – 1 April 2011) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- I Never Get Dressed Till After Dark on Sundays by Tennessee Williams (1–26 March 2011) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- Judith: A Parting from the Body by Howard Barker (7–26 February 2011) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- It's Raining in Barcelona by Pau Miró (9 January 2011 – 29 January 2011) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- Subs by R. J. Purdy (4 January 2011 – 29 January 2011) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- Pins and Needles by Harold Rome (16 November – 11 December 2010) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- Over Gardens Out by Peter Gill (19 October 2010 – 6 November 2010) Riveside Studios, London
- The Sleepers Den by Peter Gill (27 September 2010 – 16 October 2010) Riverside Studios, London
- Red, Black and Ignorant by Edward Bond (31 October – 13 November 2010) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- There Will Be More by Edward Bond (26 October – 13 November 2010) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- The Fool by Edward Bond (10–23 October 2010) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- The Under Room by Edward Bond (5–24 October 2010) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- The Pope's Wedding by Edward Bond (19 September – 2 October 2010) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- Olly's Prison by Edward Bond (14 September – 2 October 2010) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- Hotel Sorrento by Hannie Rayson (17 August 2010 – 11 September 2010) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- Subs by R. J. Purdy (25 July 2010 – 7 September 2010) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- A Stretch of the Imagination by Jack Hibberd (16 June 2010 – 17 July 2010) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- Studies for a Portrait by Daniel Reitz (30 March 2010 – 23 May 2010 – revival) King's Head Theatre, London
- Swing by Jamie Harper and Dan Muirden (23 May 2010 – 12 June 2010) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- A Model for Mankind by James Sheldon (27 March 2010 – 17 April 2010) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- Nightsongs by Jon Fosse (30 January 2010 – 20 February 2010) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- The York Realist by Peter Gill (23 September 2009 – 11 October 2009) Riverside Studios, London
- Brooklyn by Rose Martula (8 September 2009 – 26 September 2009) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- The Present by Nick Ward (18 August 2009 – 5 September 2009) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- Last Drinks by Duncan Ley (23 June 2009 – 11 July 2009) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- The Backroom by Adrian Pagan (12 March 2009 – 11 April 2009) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
- The Tempest by William Shakespeare (4 February 2009 – 7 March 2009) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
Opera - artistic director
- Carmen by Georges Bizet dir. Rodula Gaitanou (3 April 2012 - 5 May 2012) King's Head Theatre, London
- La fanciulla del West by Giacomo Puccini dir. Robert Chevara (31 January 2012 - 3 March 2012) King's Head Theatre, London
- Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart dir. Robin Norton-Hale (11 August 2011 - 17 September 2011) Soho Theatre, London
- The Turn of the Screw by Benjamin Britten dir. Edward Dick (1 July 2011 - Current) King's Head Theatre, London
- The Coronation of Poppea by Claudio Monteverdi dir. Mark Ravenhill (5 April 2011 - 31 August 2011) King's Head Theatre, London
- La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini, dir. Robin Norton-Hale (1 March 2011 - Current) King's Head Theatre, London
- Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo dir. Anna Gregory (24 February 2011 – 31 May 2011) King's Head Theatre, London
- La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini, dir. Robin Norton-Hale (11 January 2011 – 19 February 2011) Soho Theatre, London
- Cinderella by Gioachino Rossini dir. Emma Rivlin (11 December 2010 – 23 January 2011) King's Head Theatre, London
- Madama Butterfly (or Bangkok Butterfly) by Giacomo Puccini dir. Adam Spreadbury-Maher (11 December 2010 – 30 March 2011) King's Head Theatre, London
- The Barber of Seville (or Salisbury) by Gioachino Rossini, dir. Robin Norton-Hale (5 October 2010 – 13 November 2010) King's Head Theatre, London
- La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini, dir. Robin Norton-Hale (27 July 2010 – 4 September 2010) Soho Theatre, London
- La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini, dir. Robin Norton-Hale (8 December 2009 – 15 May 2010) The Cock Tavern Theatre, London
As a translator
- Tosca by Giacomo Puccini (2 October 2012 – 10 November 2012) King's Head Theatre, London
- Tosca composed by Giacomo Puccini (8 September 2012 – 2 December 2012) Malmö Opera House, Sweden
- Madama Butterfly (or Bangkok Butterfly) composed by Giacomo Puccini (11 December 2010 – 30 March 2011) King's Head Theatre, London
References
- ^ "Opera has the last shout as Boheme hits the boozer". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- ^ Hall, Richard (8 April 2011). "Dangerous stairs bring the curtain down on theatre at cutting edge - News - Theatre & Dance". London: The Independent. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- ^ a b GaydarNation. Rainbownetwork.com. Retrieved on 28 January 2011.
- ^ "The Ides of March at White Bear Theatre - Fringe - Time Out London". Timeout.com. 21 December 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- ^ "Studies for a Portrait at White Bear Theatre - Fringe - Time Out London". Timeout.com. 1 February 2009. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ Studies for a Portrait Reviews at The King's Head Theatre – London. Whatsonstage.com (13 April 2010). Retrieved on 28 January 2011.
- ^ The York Realist at Riverside Studios – Off-West End – Time Out London. Timeout.com (1 October 2009). Retrieved on 28 January 2011.
- ^ Cast & Creative. Holding The Man. Retrieved on 28 January 2011.
- ^ The Stage / Reviews / Hotel Sorrento. Thestage.co.uk (23 August 2010). Retrieved on 28 January 2011.
- ^ The British Theatre Guide : Reviews – The Sleepers Den (Riverside Studios). Britishtheatreguide.info. Retrieved on 28 January 2011.
- ^ The Stage / Listings / There Will Be More. Thestage.co.uk (13 November 2010). Retrieved on 28 January 2011.
- ^ Fiona Maddocks (30 January 2011). "Los Angeles Philharmonic/ Dudamel; OperaUpClose – review | Music | The Observer". London: Guardian. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- ^ [2][dead link]
- ^ Latin! or, Tobacco and Boys Reviews at Cock Tavern Theatre – London. Whatsonstage.com (3 July 2009). Retrieved on 28 January 2011.
- ^ https://web.archive.org/20110615073958/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/opera/article6966749.ece. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
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suggested) (help) - ^ Cock Tavern Boheme Becomes Soho’s First Opera – La bohème at Cock Tavern Theatre – London – News. Whatsonstage.com. Retrieved on 28 January 2011.
- ^ La Bohème Leads First Rep at Little Opera House – La bohème at Soho Theatre – London – News. Whatsonstage.com. Retrieved on 28 January 2011.
- ^ Welcome to The Cock Tavern Theatre. Cocktaverntheatre.com. Retrieved on 28 January 2011.
- ^ http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/27493/spreadbury-maher-is-appointed-artistic Spreadbury-Maher
- ^ Studies for a Portrait @ King's Head Theatre, London | theatre reviews. musicOMH. Retrieved on 28 January 2011.
- ^ "La Bohème wins Best New Opera Production – Laurence Olivier Awards". Olivierawards.com. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- ^ a b Awards Nominees Announced – - News. Whatsonstage.com. Retrieved on 28 January 2011.
- ^ "The_offies - The definitive guide to London's Off West End theatre scene, featuring listings and details for over 80 theatres, news, discussion and exclusive special offers". OffWestEnd.com. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- ^ "The British Theatre Guide: 2011 Empty Space Awards Nominees". Britishtheatreguide.info. Retrieved 7 October 2013.