CURRENT PROJECTS:

My play The Blue Lenses, dramatised from the Daphne Du Maurier short story, was directed by Gemma Jenkins and broadcast on Radio 3 in April 2024 as a part of a major Du Maurier season.

My radio play Samaritan Number One, (available to listen here) an original drama about the uniquely outrageous vicar who founded the Samaritans was broadcast in November 2023, starring Reece Sheersmith and directed by Emma Harding.

My radio play Marian and George, (available to listen here) an original drama about the unconventional love life of George Eliot, was broadcast on Radio 4 in 2020, starring Lia Williams and Tom Goodman-Hill, directed by Emma Harding. It was selected by the BBC for a repeat airing in September 2022 following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

It was chosen by the BBC as their Drama of the Week, and was selected by Gillian Reynolds in The Telegraph for her Pick of The Week.

FICTION:

My stories have been shortlisted for the Alpine Fellowship Prize (2022), The Bath International Story Prize (2024), The HG Wells International Story Prize (2023), and long-listed for the Fish Publishing Story Prize (2024) and twice for the Bristol Short Story Prize (2022 and 2023)

PUBLICATIONS:

Marian and George is published by Penguin in an audio compilation entitled Behind the Author’s Desk: Dramas of Famous Writers’ Real Lives, available here.

And it is also published on Audible, available on Amazon.

My short story Untethered is published in the HG Wells Story Anthology entitled 'Motion' and is available on Amazon here.

PREVIOUS DRAMA:

Tennessee's Women -  5-part adaptation for BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour

Fleshmarket - a commission from The Unicorn Theatre to adapt Nicola Morgan’s novel into a music theatre show.

The Custom of the Country - an adaption of Edith Wharton's novel

Translations:

For the Traverse Theatre: 

Croniques des jours entiers des nuits entieres by Xavier Durringer

Surfeurs by Xavuer Durringer

Book by Mike James

UK Commercial Tour.  

Produced by Arden Entertainment and Gardyne Theatre Dundee in Association with DC Thompson

Cast, creatives and trailer at: 

www.jackiethemusical.com

‘Jackie The Musical will make you jump for joy'! (Quentin Letts- The Daily Mail)

'A huge theatrical hit, and a great night out for anyone who loves music, pop culture, and loves life' (Joyce Macmillan - The Scotsman)

 ‘Fizzes with vintage-tinged joy and life’ (Charlotte Runcie, The Telegraph)

 ‘Prosecco-fuelled fun in the Mamma Mia mould' (Mark Lawson- The Guardian)

 ‘Clever...joyous...What's not to love?’  (Michael Coveney- What's On Stage)

'The unadulterated glee that emanates throughout is life-affirming in every way' (Neil Cooper - Herald Scotland)

 ‘Embued with fun and love from start to finish' (Douglas Mayo - British Theatre.com)

 ‘Fabulous...slick...dazzling...hugely entertaining..A must-see musical!' (Emma Clayton- Bradford Argus)

 ‘The audience went wild and begged for more. Grab tickets if you can' (Jane Stirland - Coventry Telegraph)

Book by Arthur Kopit, Music by Cole Porter

UK Commercial Tour.  

Produced by Music and Lyrics and The Touring Consortium

Cast, creatives and trailer at: http://www.highsocietymusical.com/

‘Large in scale but intimate in feel, director Anna Linstrum’s new touring production of High Society bursts onto the stage with a spring in its step. Precise…engaging…hilarious.’      (The Stage)

‘Charming, inventive and sparkling satiric. Beautifully crystallised.'    (Irish Independent - Bord Gais Theatre)

‘the seamless production and musical charm make it thoroughly enjoyable light-hearted entertainment. The execution is near perfection.’      (Entertainment ie – Bord Gais Theatre)

‘For pure unadulterated glamour, High Society is hard to beat. Great dance routines, beautiful costumes, lavish sets and a happily-ever-after love story – what more could a traditional musical lover want?’       (Sheffield Times - Lyceum Sheffield)

‘A smart and witty, exuberant production!’    (Norwich Evening News  - Theatre Royal)

‘The production of this show cannot be faulted’    (Broadway World - Kings Glasgow)

Production photographs taken by Pamela Raith

http://pamelaraith.com/

Book and Lyrics by Marsha Norman, Music by Lucy Simon

Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto / Festival Theatre, Edinburgh.

Produced by Edinburgh Theatre Trust and Mirvish Productions Toronto

‘A superb series of performances from Anna Linstrum’s wonderful 20-strong cast. Gorgeous, polished, haunting, intelligent and deeply dramatic piece of music theatre, spectacular in scale, beautifully performed, and powerfully directed.'      (Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman)

‘Sometimes a show that proves problematic in its initial production returns in a much altered and improved later production. That seems to be the case with The Secret Garden. Anna Linstrum deserves top marks.'        (Broadway World)

‘A thoroughly entertaining production that leaves few eyes dry in the house.’    (The Stage)

Cast, creatives and information at:

http://www.secretgardenmusical.co.uk/

Originally from Leeds, I am a UK-based writer and director.

I’ve worked extensively as a director in the West End, on UK No 1 Tours, on Broadway and in Canada, on large scale musicals as well as plays. I spent a year as Staff Director at The Royal National Theatre, as well as tenures at The Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh and The Tricycle (now Kiln).

A combination of the pandemic and motherhood led me to switch my focus to writing. My most recent work is a Radio 4 dramatisation of Daphne du Maurier's The Blue Lenses, broadcast in spring 2024, preceded by an original play called Samaritan Number One, broadcast in November 2023 on Radio 4. You can listen to it here.

Please hover over any of the squares to look at my work, or check out my full directing credits here.

Book by Maureen Chadwick, Music and Lyrics by Kath Gotts

Coventry Belgrade / Richmond Theatre Royal/Theatre Royal Brighton.

Produced by Big Broad in association with Arden Entertainment and Coventry Belgrade.

Hilarious, imaginative…director Anna Linstrum keeps up the pace and a fine cast doesn’t flag. Rosemary Ashe gets an exit song that’s worth the price of the admission alone. A very likeable new musical that’s as sneakily subversive as it is jolly good fun.  

(British Theatre Guide)

A winning take on schoolgirl passions. Feisty, punchy, with a sharp band and spot on choreography. Rosemary Ashe shines, and the support cast effortlessly match the leads.  

(Independent   4 * * * *)

Smart, slick, with foot-tapping tunes... This fast-paced, energetic production is directed by the ever-impressive Anna Linstrum (London Theatre) 

This new musical comedy has all the heart-warming elements of those noble and charming girls’ boarding school novels of yesteryear; laced with hearty humour, sing-able songs and nifty dance routines. 

(What’s On Warwickshire/Birmingham: 5* * * * *)

Light, frothy nostalgic fun.. a refreshing all-female musical that’s lashings of jolly good fun. 

(Coventry Telegraph 4 * * * * )

Sherman Cymru, Cardiff.

By Charles Way, Designed by Chloe Lamford, Lighting by Ace McCarron.

'The cast are universally charming.. A stunning show.'   (* * * * The Guardian)

'Part chilling drama, part pure panto, The Snow Queen is this winter's must-see treat, a warming respite from the icy December evening outside, aided by inspired props and startling special effects, the small cast tirelessly charms, delights and unnerves us'.    (Metro)

'Funny, sometimes frightening, and hugely entertaining, the show kept me and the three eight-year-olds accompanying me engrossed. A seasonal magical show.'     (South Wales Argus)

By David Wood from Roald Dahl

Watermill Theatre, Newbury, Actor-Musician Show.

'Director Anna Linstrum has produced an alluring piece of theatre that uses seagulls on sticks, umbrella jellyfish and a huge inflatable octopus plus a cast who dexterously manipulate themselves and their props into impossibly ridiculous yet amazingly credible scenarios.'    (The Stage)

'Colourful and hugely entertaining. A joy throughout'.    (Oxford Times)

'Beautifully done, the talent on stage is outstanding'       (Wiltshire Gazette and Herald).

Full details of cast and crew on Watermill Theatre website.

With Jeremy Sams:

The Sound of Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein: London Palladium, UK Tours, Toronto Ontario.  (Really Useful Group / David Ian Productions)

I also directed the North American Premier of the above show, in Toronto, produced by Mirvish Productions.

The King and I by Rodgers and Hammerstein: Royal Albert Hall (Raymond Gubbay Productions) Starring Daniel Day Kim and Maria Friedman.

Noises Off by Michael Frayn: Royal National Theatre, UK Tours, Broadway New York. (NT and Ambassadors Theatre Group)

I also directed the recast of Noises Off at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, Broadway.

Little Britain Live! : UK Stadium Tour (Phil McIntyre)

As Resident Director in the West End:

Spend Spend Spend by Justin Greene and Steve Brown: Piccadilly Theatre and UK Tour (Pola Jones) Starring Barbara Dickson

Benefactors by Michael Frayn: Albery Theatre ,(ATG / Sonia Friedman)

See You Next Tuesday by Ronald Harwood, Albery Theatre, starring Ardal O/Hanlan and Nigel Havers. (ATG/Sonia Friedman)

As Staff Director at The Royal National Theatre:

Noises Off, Lyttleton and tour. Various casts.

The Heiress, Lyttleton and tour. dir. by Phillip Franks, starring Eve Best and Alan Howard

As an assistant:

The Cocktail Party by TS Eliot, (Edinburgh Festival Theatre and UK Tour). Dir. Philip Franks

Suddenly Last Summer by Tennessee Williams (Comedy Theatre) Dir. Sean Mathius, starring Rachel Weisz and Gerard Butler.

Productions as Guest Director:

Into The Woods - 3rd Yr Musical Theatre course, Guildford School of Acting.

Next To Normal - Royal Academy of Music MA course in Musical Theatre.

Jesus Christ Superstar - 3rd Yr Musical Theatre student, Guildford School of Acting.

Tennessee Williams Short Plays - 3rd Yr Acting , Oxford School of Drama

Our Country's Good -  2nd Yr Acting, Rose Bruford College

Teaching:

Writing for Musical Theatre - Advanced Theatre Practice course, Guildford School of Acting, MA students.

Audition / text workshops - Oxford School of Drama

Jackie The Musical (Mike James) Arden Entertainment in association with Gardyne Dundee and DC Thomson. UK No 1 Tour.

Into The Woods (Stephen Sondheim) GSA Ivy Arts Centre, Guest Director.

Crush: The Musical (Kath Gotts/Maureen Chadwick) Coventry Belgrade and Tour

High Society  (Arthur Kopit / Cole Porter) UK Tour starring Michael Praed and Daniel Boys.

The Secret Garden (Marsha Norman / Lucy Simon) Royal Alexandra Theatre Toronto / Edinburgh.

Next To Normal (Brian Yorkey / Tom Kitt) The Royal Academy of Music, London.

James and The Giant Peach (David Wood adaptation) Watermill Theatre, actor-musician show.

Jesus Christ Superstar (Webber/Rice) Guest Director, GSA, Ivy Arts Centre.

The Snow Queen (Charles Way) Sherman Cymru Christmas show.

Billy Liar  (Waterhouse/Hall) - UK No.1 Tour, starring Ralf Little, Ambassadors Theatre Group

The Sound of Music (Rodgers and Hammerstein) - North American premiere of the original Palladium production.

Noises Off (Michael Frayn) - Broadway remount of Royal National Theatre production.

Noises Off (Frayn) multiple UK tours plus West End remount.

Spend Spend Spend (Brown/Greene)  - UK Tour remount and Piccadilly West End.

I Confess  (new writing) - site specific, audience-immersion piece, Hoxton Hall.

Brilliant Lies  (David Williamson) - UK Premier, Rosemary Branch (fringe) London

Our Country's Good (Timberlake Wertenbaker) Guest Director, Rose Bruford College of Music and Drama.

Keats in Limbo (Cathal Quinn) - new play, fringe London

Bruises (Judy Upton) - Scottish Premier with my own fringe company, Dogstar.

The Good Times Will Come  (by Stewart Harcourt) - Scottish Premier with my own fringe company, Dogstar

Associate/Resident work includes:

Multiple shows including The Sound of Music at the London Palladium, The King and I at the The Royal Albert Hall, Little Britain Live - UK Tour, The Heiress at The Royal National Theatre,  See You Next Tuesday and also Benefactors, both at The Albery (Coward) Theatre, West End - please see Associate Director tab on main page for further West End and touring shows.

UK

Amanda Evans at

Scott Marshall Partners,

Holborn Studios,

49/50 Eagle Wharf Road, https://www.scottmarshall.co.uk/

London N1 7ED

amanda@scottmarshall.co.uk

Me at

annalinstrum@icloud.com