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Emma Rice

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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."

Photos

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2010]
Director
 
[West End, ]
Director

Writing


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

Videos

News


NORTH BY NORTHWEST Comes To Alexandra Palace Theatre In June 2025

Wise Children Artistic Director Emma Rice's brand-new adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest will be visiting Alexandra Palace Theatre as part of its UK tour in 2025. 
WUTHERING HEIGHTS Comes to Sydney in January

Emma Rice's critically acclaimed production of Wuthering Heights will play an exclusive and limited season in Sydney in 2025.Learn more about the show here!
Review: THE BUDDHA OF SUBURBIA, Barbican Theatre

'I’ve seen it before, and I’ll see it again… Just little bits of history repeating.” This Shirley Bassey vocal may not feature on the soundtrack of this stage version of The Buddha of Suburbia, but you can’t help but bring it to mind as you watch events unfold: strikes, political turmoil, far right aggression - staples of the 1970s, but all too familiar to modern audiences.
The Criterion Mobile Closet Sets Brooklyn as Next Stop

In celebration of their 40th anniversary, Criterion will continue traveling the Criterion Closet Picks show to Brooklyn Bridge Park on Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27 from 10am-6pm daily, in partnership with St. Ann’s Warehouse, where Criterion will also screen the best of its 15 years of Closet Picks.
Nottingham Playhouse, Bristol Old Vic, and More Nominated For UK Theatre Awards 2024; Full List!

The nominees for this year's UK Theatre Awards have been announced. The UK Theatre Awards celebrate the very best of theatre across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Check out the full list of nominees here!
Wise Children Reveals New Season Including Emma Rice's Adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's NORTH BY NORTHWEST

With their co-production with the RSC of The Buddha of Suburbia about to transfer to the Barbican, Wise Children has announced their forthcoming season of work, which includes Artistic Director Emma Rice's brand-new adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest, which she also directs. Learn more about the full season here!
York Theatre Royal Reveals Initial Programming For Their New Season

With their production of Little Women, adapted for the stage by Anne-Marie Casey, currently in rehearsals, York Theatre Royal has announced a brand-new collaboration with Wise Children on North by Northwest, adapted and directed by Wise Children's Artistic Director Emma Rice. Learn more about the full season here!
Andy Nyman, Marc Antolin, and More Will Lead THE PRODUCERS at Menier Chocolate Factory

As public booking opens for Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan’s The Producers, the Menier Chocolate Factory has announced initial casting. Find out who's joining the cast here!
Full Cast Set For THE BUDDHA OF SUBURBIA at the Barbican

The RSC and Wise Children have announced full casting for Hanif Kureishi’s The Buddha of Suburbia. Adapted for the stage by Wise Children’s Artistic Director Emma Rice, with Kureishi, this critically acclaimed co-production runs at the Barbican in London from 22 October – 16 November, with an opening night on Tuesday 29 October. 
Emma Rice's WUTHERING HEIGHTS Will Premiere in Sydney in 2025

Emma Rice's critically acclaimed production of Wuthering Heights will play an exclusive and limited season in Sydney in 2025. 
Cast Set For A DOLL'S HOUSE at the Crucible

Sheffield Theatres has announced the cast for A Doll's House, which runs in the Crucible from Saturday 21 September – Saturday 12 October 2024. Learn more about the cast here!
THE BUDDHA OF SUBURBIA and More Set For RSC's Winter Season at the Barbican

Alongside one world premiere, three new Shakespeare productions and a major revival going on sale at Stratford, RSC Co-Artistic Directors, Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, have announced their first Winter season at the Barbican, which sees two critically acclaimed productions transfer from Stratford-upon-Avon.
Video: Watch a Trailer for THE BUDDHA OF SUBURBIA at Royal Shakespeare Company

Watch a trailer for Wise Children's The Buddha of Suburbia, directed by Emma Rice, in the video here!
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!

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?

Outstanding Adaptation (Drama Desk Awards) for Wuthering Heights, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Wild Bride, Outstanding Director of a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Brief Encounter and Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Brief Encounter.

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