Adele Thomas
is an award-winning director, working internationally in Opera and Music Theatre
Born and raised in Port Talbot, South Wales, Adele is based
in Cardiff.
Her work is noted for its highly dynamic, intensely physical and visually striking stagings. Her directorial style is evident in the stripping back of the work, placing emphasis on gripping storytelling and detailed character relationships, emphasising the power of the body in space.
Adele is a
founding member of Freelancers Make Theatre Work; an advocacy group campaigning
on behalf of freelance theatre workers during COVID-19.
Adele is an Honorary Fellow of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University.
Adele is the presenter, writer and producer of the podcast series GHOST SHOWS, which has been co-produced by Curtain Call and Freelancers Make Theatre Work.
Adele is an alumni of the RTYDS scheme and the National Theatre Young Director’s Course.
Awards and nominations include:
Nomination: 2022 International Opera Award: Director
Nomination: 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Opera Production (Bajazet)
Nomination: 2020 Olivier Award for Best New Opera Production (Berenice)
MTW Award Best Visiting Production (The Weir)
ITV Theatre Director Scheme recipient
Argus Angel (The Bloody Ballad) What's on Stage / Musical Theatre Network Award for Best Musical and Best Music (The Bloody Ballad)
Scotsman/Brighton Fringe Award for Emerging Talent (The Bloody Ballad)
Theatre in Wales Awards – Best Ensemble and Best Music (The Bloody Ballad)
2008 Dirty Protest Award - Best Director (Repeat)
Writers Guild of Great Britain Committee Award (Encouragement of new writing).
Adele is an Honorary Fellow of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University.
Adele is the presenter, writer and producer of the podcast series GHOST SHOWS, which has been co-produced by Curtain Call and Freelancers Make Theatre Work.
Adele is an alumni of the RTYDS scheme and the National Theatre Young Director’s Course.
Awards and nominations include:
Nomination: 2022 International Opera Award: Director
Nomination: 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Opera Production (Bajazet)
Nomination: 2020 Olivier Award for Best New Opera Production (Berenice)
MTW Award Best Visiting Production (The Weir)
ITV Theatre Director Scheme recipient
Argus Angel (The Bloody Ballad) What's on Stage / Musical Theatre Network Award for Best Musical and Best Music (The Bloody Ballad)
Scotsman/Brighton Fringe Award for Emerging Talent (The Bloody Ballad)
Theatre in Wales Awards – Best Ensemble and Best Music (The Bloody Ballad)
2008 Dirty Protest Award - Best Director (Repeat)
Writers Guild of Great Britain Committee Award (Encouragement of new writing).
Upcoming work include:
RIGOLETTO (Welsh National Opera), BALLO IN MASCHERA (Opernhaus Zürich)
Recent Opera work includes:
IL TROVATORE (Royal Opera House), SEMELE (Glyndebourne), IN THE REALMS OF SORROW (London Handel Festival/ Stone Nest), BAJAZET (Royal Opera House and Irish National Opera co-production), IL TROVATORE (Opernhaus Zurich and Royal Opera House co-production)
4/4 , APOLLO E DAFNE and BERENICE (Royal Opera House, COSI FAN TUTTE (Northern Ireland Opera and remounted at Nevil Holt Opera)
Previous theatre and music theare work includes:
THE MEMORY OF WATER (Nottingham Playhouse)
THE WEIR (ETT)
MACBETH (TOBACCO FACTORY) EYAM
THE ORESEIA
THE KNIGHT OF THE BURNING PESTLE and THOMAS TALLIS (Shakespeare's Globe)
THE GOLDEN HOUR as part of Unusual Unions (Royal Court)
THE BLOODY BALLAD
THE FORSYTHE SISTERS (Gagglebabble)
THE PASSION and THE PASSION: ONE YEAR ON (as Project Associate for National Theatre Wales)
UNDER MILK WOOD (Royal & Derngate)
Photograph by Huw Evans