Devising - Directing - Writing
Becoming
R+D project exploring contemporary parenting, in collaboration with comedy writer/performer, Liz Richardson, supported by HOME.
Director, Producer and Theatre Maker
Based in Manchester, I have directed, produced, taught, created and performed theatre for almost 20 years, working with and for venues including; The Royal Exchange, The Lowry, HOME, Contact, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Theatre in the Mill, Nottingham Playhouse, Camden People's Theatre and The Albany. My approach to directing and performance is rooted in my experience and training as a professional actor, and I teach and direct acting and performance at colleges and Universities.
As a theatre maker, I work collaboratively; writing and devising with a growing pool of artists and professional specialists. We research politically and socially conscious subjects that explore challenging questions and unconventional themes - creating unique, compelling and highly acclaimed original theatre. Our work is often underpinned by images and video, complex sound design or live music, and can include elements of physical theatre, comedy and clown.
Current Work
The Wasp
Directing the Northern premiere of The Wasp, by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, for The Theatre Collective. Part of
Memories of Partition
'Revealing untold stories of the partition of India and it's impact 70 years on.'
Director of new monologues by South Asian writers, commissioned by the Royal Exchange Theatre and inspired by the 'Memories of Partition Oral History Project' at Manchester Museum. Pop-Up performances at the Manchester Museum, Royal Exchange and community venues, plus main stage performances on Sunday 24th September.
More info...
Spring Reign
Based on real-life accounts of refugees, journalists, aid workers and activists Spring Reign is a story from the Syrian conflict. Featuring live performance, video, original music and frontline photography, the piece was created through a process of collaborative research, writing and devising. After sell out shows at The Lowry Studio, Salford and Theatre in the Mill, Bradford in May 2015, the play toured nationally through Spring 2017 to venues including, The Albany, London, Nottingham Playhouse, and The Unity Theatre, Liverpool.
'Compelling – both as theatre, and in its attempt to bear witness and give a voice to the Syrian people.'
THE GUARDIAN
'A hard hitting and incredibly moving piece of theatre.'
★★★★ YORKSHIRE POST
'A bold and innovative new play with a relevance that stretches across continents, and audiences.'
BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE
Tour dates, booking and information...
Past
Directing - Dramaturgy - Producing
War Stories
Director, Dramaturg and Co-Producer of internationally co-commissioned new play about the First World War.
Devising - Directing - Dramaturgy - Producing
Dr. Doctor and The Bird of Paradise
Director in development for Garth Williams solo show about madness, psychiatry and R.D.Laing's radical clinical evolution.
Devising - Directing - Producing - Writing
Real Life
Director, Co-Writer and Producer of solo comedy theatre show for The Royal Exchange Studio
Directing - Producing
The Bubbler
Director of Cathy Crabb's critically acclaimed play - for Re:Play at The Lowry and a Northern Tour
Devising - Directing - Dramaturgy
#Handles
University of Salford - BA Theatre and Performing: Public Performance Project
Devising - Directing
Unhinged
A 'work in development' for Jackson's Lane Theatre, Highgate, London
Acting - Directing
Verbally Challenged
Contact Manchester's new writing showcase
Directing - Producing
Temp/Casual
Originally directed and produced for the 24:7 Festival, then developed for a full production at Contact
Acting - Producing
Marge
A collaboration with Made-Up Theatre, touring the North West
Acting - Directing - Producing
Two
North West tour with my first company, Something Wicked
Get in touch
If you are looking for a director or a creative collaborator, have a script, or an idea for a project that you would like to discuss, please get in touch.
Media
A story that is still so alarmingly relevant - Spring Reign returns following its sellout run in 2015 @BenedictPower https://t.co/P81bpqVAPX pic.twitter.com/dYf0q2bYZX
— The Lowry (@The_Lowry) April 10, 2017
'A hard-hitting and incredibly moving piece of theatre': @BenedictPower's #SpringReignPlay opens 10 May https://t.co/x8126ipFPn #Syria
— Refugee Week (@RefugeeWeek) March 28, 2017