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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


Cast Set For New Adaptation of Dylan Thomas' A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES
by Stephi Wild - Nov 7, 2025

The Emma Rice Company has announced the full cast for the world premiere Dylan Thomas’ A Child’s Christmas in Wales, adapted and directed by Emma Rice.
Sheffield Theatres Leads Nominees For 2025 UK Theatre Awards; Full List!
by Stephi Wild - Sep 19, 2025

The nominees for the UK Theatre Awards 2025 have been announced. The winners will be announced at this year's ceremony, taking place next month. Check out the full list of nominations here!
Wise Children Will Become Emma Rice Company
by Stephi Wild - Sep 2, 2025

Wise Children becomes Emma Rice Company. Based in the South-West, the company continues its commitment to create ground-breaking work with  artists, global touring, sitting alongside programme at their home base The Lucky Chance,.
NORTH BY NORTHWEST Will Have North American Premiere at The Old Globe
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 29, 2025

The Old Globe has revealed its 2026 Season, a special lineup of theatre filled with original and classic plays, North American and San Diego premieres, and more. See the full lineup here!
Review: MEOW MEOW: IT'S COME TO THIS, Soho Theatre
by Franco Milazzo - May 9, 2025

Somewhere in a parallel dimension, there’s a version of Melissa Madden Gray that became an internationally renowned singer, as comfortable in French, Italian and German as English. In another one, she finds herself an in-demand circus clown able to bring the house down with her wickedly funny cocktail of sardonic facial expressions, physical antics and perfect timing. Then there’s the dimension where she’s a dominatrix who could humble a giant with her battery of passive aggressive taunts and expert manhandling.
ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS Cast Recording is Available Now
by Stephi Wild - Feb 14, 2025

Wise Children and Plush Theatricals have announced the release of the live cast album for the hit musical ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS. The recording, captured during its 2020 run at Bristol Old Vic, is now available on all streaming platforms.
Wise Children Announces 2025 Training Programme And Company Mentees
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 8, 2025

Wise Children will unveil the latest developments in its industry-leading Training Programme, which continues to provide transformative opportunities for emerging theatre artists.
REVIEW: Emma Rice’s adaptation of WUTHERING HEIGHTS Is A Clear And Captivating Expression of Emily Brontë’s Gothic Novel.
by Jade Kops - Feb 4, 2025

Told as a mythic legend, Emma Rice’s (adaptor and director) adaptation of Emily Brontë’s WUTHERING HEIGHTS is captivating combination of storytelling, music and movement.  Following on from UK and US seasons, this co-production from A National Theatre, Wise Children, Bristol Old Vic an York Theatre Royal, has its Australian Premiere. 
Emma Rice's ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS Cast Album Released
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 31, 2025

Wise Children and Plush Theatricals have announced the release of the live cast album for the hit musical ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS. The recording, captured during its 2020 run at Bristol Old Vic, is now available on all streaming platforms.
Emma Rice's ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS Will Release Live Cast Album
by Stephi Wild - Jan 31, 2025

A live cast album will be released for the musical ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS. The recording, captured during its 2020 run at Bristol Old Vic, will be available on all streaming platforms starting on Valentine's Day, February 14th.
WUTHERING HEIGHTS Opens in Sydney This Week
by Stephi Wild - Jan 30, 2025

Emma Rice's critically acclaimed production of Wuthering Heights has arrived in Sydney, playing an exclusive and limited season. Learn more about the show here!
Cast Set For Wise Children's Tour of NORTH BY NORTHWEST
by Stephi Wild - Jan 17, 2025

Wise Children has announced the full cast for the world première of Emma Rice’s adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest. Learn more about the cast here!
Meow Meow To Star In IT'S COME TO THIS At Soho Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 12, 2024

International singing sensation and purr-fect post-pandemic, post-post-modern Superstar Meow Meow has announcef a limited run of her show It's Come To This at Soho Theatre in May 2025, following her critically acclaimed global takeover.
NORTH BY NORTHWEST Comes To Alexandra Palace Theatre In June 2025
by Stephi Wild - Nov 14, 2024

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
by Stephi Wild - Nov 12, 2024

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
by Debbie Gilpin - Oct 30, 2024

'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
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 8, 2024

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!
by Stephi Wild - Sep 26, 2024

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
by Stephi Wild - Sep 11, 2024

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
by Stephi Wild - Sep 11, 2024

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!

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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