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Emma Rice

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Emma Rice BIO

Emma Rice is a British director, writer, and performer who has made a significant impact in the world of theatre. Born in 1967 in London, Rice grew up in Cornwall and went on to study drama at Manchester University. She began her career as a performer, working with companies such as Kneehigh Theatre and the Wildworks Theatre Company.
In 2003, Rice became the artistic director of Kneehigh Theatre, a position she held for a decade. During her time at Kneehigh, Rice directed and adapted a number of productions that received critical acclaim, including "Tristan & Yseult," "The Red Shoes," and "Brief Encounter." Her work with Kneehigh was known for its innovative use of music, puppetry, and physical theatre.
In 2016, Rice became the artistic director of Shakespeare's Globe in London. Her appointment was met with controversy, as some critics felt that her background in physical theatre and her non-traditional approach to Shakespeare were not in line with the Globe's mission. However, Rice's tenure at the Globe was marked by a number of successful productions, including "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Twelfth Night," and "Romantics Anonymous."

Emma Rice Photos

Emma Rice Productions

 
[Broadway, 2010]
Director

Writing


Emma Rice Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Adaptation

Emma Rice, Wuthering Heights

Drama Desk Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Emma RiceThe Wild Bride

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Emma Rice, Brief Encounter

Olivier Awards - 2009 - Best Director

Emma RiceBrief Encounter

Emma Rice Videos

Emma Rice News


Review: BLUEBEARD, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh


Emma Rice places an old age folktale in a new age context through an eccentric movement-led, magical and musical theatrical extravaganza.  

Photos/Video: First Look At Shakespeare's MACBETH At Leeds Playhouse


See first look new production photos and the trailer for the new production of Shakespeare's Macbeth at Leeds Playhouse.

Full Cast Set For THE BUDDHA OF SUBURBIA at Swan Theatre


Wise Children have announced the full cast for the world première of Hanif Kureishi’s The Buddha of Suburbia – adapted by the company’s Artistic Director Emma Rice, with Kureishi.

Verity Bargate Award Submissions Open This April


Soho Theatre has announced the April submissions launch for its prestigious new writing competition, the Verity Bargate Award, sponsored by Character 7.

Video: Watch an All New Trailer For MACBETH at Leeds Playhouse, Starring Ash Hunter


An all new trailer has been released from Macbeth at Leeds Playhouse, starring Hamilton and Bridgerton star Ash Hunter. Check out the video here!

Photos: Inside Rehearsal For MACBETH at Leeds Playhouse


All new photos have been released from rehearsal for the major restaging of Macbeth, coming soon to Leeds Playhouse. Check out the photos here!

Wise Children Reveals Hotter Project as Recipient Of 2024 Company Mentorship Scheme


Wise Children has announced theatre company, Hotter Project, as the recipient of their 2024 Company Mentorship Scheme. Learn more about Hotter Project here!

Leeds Playhouse Casts Four Leeds School Students in Major Re-Staging of MACBETH


Four Leeds school students have been cast in a major re-staging of Macbeth alongside Hamilton and Bridgerton star Ash Hunter at Leeds Playhouse. Learn more about the cast and the production here!

Ash Hunter Will Lead MACBETH at Leeds Playhouse; Full Cast Revealed!


Leeds Playhouse has announced the cast for its restaging of Macbeth in its epic Quarry theatre, with Hamilton star Ash Hunter in the lead role. Learn more about the cast and production here!

Benjamin Walker, Rebecca Thornhill, and More Join the Cast of the World Premiere of OPENING NIGHT


Full casting has been announced for the World Premiere of John Cassavetes' OPENING NIGHT, a new musical with book by Ivo van Hove and music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright.

RSC's New Season to Include OTHELLO, EDWARD II and Works by Sheridan and Hanif Kureishi


Newly appointed Co-Artistic Directors of the RSC, Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey have announced their inaugural season for the Company.

Robyn Sinclair Joins The Company Of Wise Children's BLUE BEARD


Wise Children has announced that Robyn Sinclair joins the company of Blue Beard written and directed by the company's Artistic Director Emma Rice – the production opens next month at Bath Theatre Royal ahead of a UK tour.

Book Review: RUNNING THE ROOM: CONVERSATIONS WITH WOMEN THEATRE DIRECTORS


Running the Room isn’t a bible nor a manifesto. It doesn’t want to write a set of rules for directing plays, nor it wants to impart a Weltanschauung on how to become a director. It’s a source of inspiration and, more practically, a generous look into the practice of a selected group of people, who just so happen to be women.

Martin Green Releases Three-Part Audio Drama KELI With Accompanying Album SPLIT THE AIR


Lepus Productions has released audio drama KELI, written and composed by Martin Green (Lau) with co-creation and direction from Wils Wilson (The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart; Life is A Dream; I Want My Hat Back).

Full Cast Set For Wise Children's New Co-Production of BLUE BEARD


FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR WISE CHILDREN’S NEW CO-PRODUCTION OF BLUE BEARD - WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY EMMA RICE. The full cast for the world premiere of Blue Beard, written and directed by Emma Rice, includes Isabel Adomakoh Young, Stu Barker, Mirabelle Gremaud, Stephanie Hockley, Patrycja Kujawska, Adam Mirsky, Katy Owen, and Tristan Sturrock. The production opens at Theatre Royal Bath on 8 February and embarks on a UK tour.

Baker Mukasa and Hannah Azuonye Will Lead Royal Exchange Theatre's BRIEF ENCOUNTER


This December, Royal Exchange Theatre presents Brief Encounter, a huge beating heart of a musical for incurable romantics.

Wise Children Launches Mentoring Scheme For Theatre Companies


Wise Children’s mentoring scheme for theatre companies is back, and applications are now open.

American Premiere of LIFE & TIMES OF MICHAEL K is Coming to St. Ann's Warehouse


Don't miss the American premiere of 'Life & Times of Michael K,' a stunning puppet theater production that received rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Find out the dates and venue for this highly acclaimed show at St. Ann's Warehouse.

The National Theatre's Learning Activity is Now in Every Local Authority in the UK


The National Theatre’s Learning activity is now present in every local authority across the UK through its in-person and digital programmes. The NT’s active engagement with schools, teachers and young people is a key part of its mission to support the next generation of theatre makers and creators across the UK. The NT aims to inspire creativity, fire imaginations and boost skills for the future workforce of the sector and to build a more creative nation. 

Wise Children Performs THE LITTLE MATCHGIRL AND HAPPIER TALES in December


Internationally acclaimed touring theatre company Wise Children celebrate five years since launching in 2018, by throwing open the doors of their new home to the public for the very first time this festive season. Learn more about the new upcoming production here!

Emma Rice FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Emma Rice written?

Emma Rice has written 1 shows including Brief Encounter (Adaptor).

What awards has Emma Rice been nominated for?

Emma Rice has been nominated for several awards, including Outstanding Adaptation at the Drama Desk Awards for "Wuthering Heights," Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Wild Bride," Outstanding Director of a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Brief Encounter," and Best Director at the Olivier Awards for "Brief Encounter."

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