ELEANOR RHODE

ABOUT

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Eleanor has over a decade of experience directing in theatre, with a particular focus on new writing and making work that transcends stylistic boundaries. 

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Recently she has begun working in other mediums, including directing a new audio play - Mrs Wickham by Sarah Page, starring Jessie Buckley and Johnny Flynn - which will be released on Audible in September 2022. 

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She is currently developing a major theatre project incorporating immersive digital technology into live performance.

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Her most recent work includes: Once Upon A Time in Nazi Occupied Tunisia for The Almeida, starring Adrian Edmondson;  Rust for The Bush/Hightide; the UK premiere of Blue Door for Theatre Royal Bath (★★★★★ Daily Mail); Wendy and Peter Pan for the Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh (★★★★★ The Guardian); and the critically acclaimed world premiere of Boudica for the Globe Theatre, starring Gina McKee in the title role. 

“Eleanor Rhode directs with an assurance that should make her a permanent fixture at the Globe.”

The Guardian ★★★★

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In 2019 she made her directorial debut for the Royal Shakespeare Company with a radical re-telling of King John, which has been filmed for cinematic release, and is currently available to watch on Britbox. The production was Eleanor's first collaboration with the composer Will Gregory (Goldfrapp). 

In 2009 she co-founded  Snapdragon Productions to bring neglected and unknown works to new audiences. Work for Snapdragon includes the critically-acclaimed production of Toast by Richard Bean (UK Tour and New York), which was nominated for Best Touring Production at the 2016 UK Theatre Awards (“Eleanor Rhode’s direction rings as true as the writing.” Sunday Express ★★★★) and the world premiere of  Teddy by Tristan Bernays and Dougal Irvine which won Best New Musical at the 2016 Off West End Awards (“Eleanor Rhode directs with pizzazz. Energy and invention abound. Remarkable.” Evening Standard ★★★★).

Other work includes: Frankenstein (The Watermill and Wilton’s Music Hall), Beauty and the Beast (Watford Palace), Terrorism (The Bush Theatre) When We Were Women (Orange Tree Theatre), Toast and Thark  (both Park Theatre, ), Generous,  The Drawer Boy, and A Life by Hugh Leonard (all Finborough Theatre) and the world premiere of For All That for Centerstage Theater, Seattle.

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Eleanor is a board member for Stage Directors UK. 

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