York, England, United Kingdom
Writer-Director Laura Attridge is fast becoming known for the richness and clarity of her storytelling. Her work, both in process and in product, seeks to interrogate the cultural and societal narratives we take for granted, and to create space for transformation. Her directing engagements for 2025 include the world premiere of A Matter of Misconduct! for Scottish Opera and subsequent transfer to Opera Holland Park, Iphigenia in Tauris for Blackheath Halls Opera, and the National Opera Studio’s Spring showcase with Welsh National Opera. Her previous opera directing credits include Pergolesi’s L’Olimpiade for Vache Baroque (2024); Opera Highlights for Scottish Opera (2023/24); the world premiere of Catriona and the Dragon, composed by Lliam Paterson with a libretto by Laura, for Lammermuir Festival (2023); Handel’s Silla for Leeds Opera Festival (2022); The Miserly Knight and Mavra for Scottish Opera (2022); a new interactive opera for children, Paper and Tin, for which she also wrote the libretto, for English Touring Opera (2022); Viardot’s Cendrillon for Buxton International Festival (2021, revived 2023); Così fan tutte for English Touring Opera (2020); The Magic Flute (2019) and Don Giovanni (2018) for Waterperry Opera Festival; The Rape of Lucretia for Trinity Laban Conservatoire (2018); and Jonathan Dove’s The Enchanted Pig for Hampstead Garden Opera (2017). Laura’s passion for the relationship between words and music has led to many fruitful collaborations with composers, including Yshani Perinpanayagam, Lillie Harris, Kate Whitley, Lliam Paterson, Cheryl Frances-Hoad, and Griffin Candey. A 10-year creative partnership with composer Lewis Murphy produced numerous works for the stage, including ARC23 (2022, Leeds Youth Opera); Paper and Tin (2022, English Touring Opera); A Different Story (2019, Royal Opera House); Then to the elements (2018, Scottish Opera); and Belongings (2017, Glyndebourne). As a poet, she has had work published in magazines and zines such as The Rialto and Mslexia, and featured in anthologies Introduction X: The Poetry Business Book of New Poets and Not About Now. Her operas, songs and choral works have been performed internationally, and her satirical song Kind Regards - premiered by the Royal Opera House in a short film - has garnered over 1.5 million views online. Laura is also in demand as a coach and mentor, offering support for performers, writers and other artists.
Director: Laura Attridge Conductor: Yorgos Ziavras Designer: Markus Meyer Movement Director: Corina Würsch Dramaturg: Laura Knoll
Director: Laura Attridge Music Director: Chris Stark Designer: Peiyao Wang Lighting Designer: Charly Dunford Movement Director: Corina Wuersch Translation: Martin Pickard
Librettist: Emma Jenkins Composer & Conductor: Toby Hession Director: Laura Attridge Designer: takis Lighting Designer: Ben Pickersgill Choreographer: Kally Lloyd-Jones Roger Penistone: Ross Cumming Sylvia Lawless: Kira Kaplan Cherry Penistone: Chloe Harris Sandy Hogg: Jamie MacDougall Hugo Cheeseman: Edward Jowle ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Director Laura Attridge elicited outstanding performances from this tightly knit ensemble” - Opera Now ★ ★ ★ ★ ”Laura Attridge provides a skilful, witty production” - The Stage ★ ★ ★ ★ ”sparkling” - The Guardian ★ ★ ★ ★ ”Direction […] was slick and tight-knit.” - The Telegraph
Librettist: Emma Jenkins Composer & Conductor: Toby Hession Director: Laura Attridge Designer: takis Lighting Designer: Ben Pickersgill Choreographer: Kally Lloyd-Jones ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Director Laura Attridge elicited outstanding performances from this tightly knit ensemble” - Opera Now ★ ★ ★ ★ ”Laura Attridge provides a skilful, witty production” - The Stage ★ ★ ★ ★ ”sparkling” - The Guardian ★ ★ ★ ★ ”Direction […] was slick and tight-knit.” - The Telegraph