I am a theatre director. I trained at Rose Bruford and on the NT Director's course (2023). Recently, I've been making work with my company (DIRTY HARE).
Our last show was GUNTER which we made for Summerhall in Edinburgh and recently transferred to the Royal Court Theatre in London.
We won a Fringe First (2023) and were named as one of the Fringe Five by the Stage, an award for "emerging artists who really made an impact." You can read that article here
There's a really nice 5* review from the financial times here
This year I made a show with ThisEgg, A Little Inquest Into What We Are All Doing Here, which also won a Fringe First (2024).
I am interested in theatricality, in chaos, in mess and in music. We made Gunter by starting from the story beats of the real story, and made a lot of work in the room through devising.
I trained as an actor, so it is the working with performers bit of directing that I like the most. I attempt to create rooms which are brave and playful, and where the people inside the work can own it. I've been known to dip my toe into some drag/cabaret performance - I find it useful to remember how scary it can be.
More and more I'm enjoying a more devised/making process, although I'm still interested in directing plays if I really like them. I enjoy the ownership a more devised process can give the people inside it, but I still really value having a writer around.
We could work together in lots of way, I have supported R+D processes of new work (most recently, I was dramaturg and supported the developent of yesyesnonos new show).
I have worked a lot in drama schools and really enjoy working with training actors.
If you want to start a conversation - feel free to contact me
A LITTLE INQUEST INTO WHAT WE ARE ALL DOING HERE
Fringe First Award Winner 2024
Made with ThisEgg
Performed and created by: Josie Dale Jones
Written by: Abbi Greenland
Dramaturgs: Paula Varjack and Laurence Cook
Actors: Laurence Baker and Ben Target
Lighting: James Mackenzie
Photos by: Alex Brenner
GUNTER
SUMMERHALL 2023 / ROYAL COURT THEATRE 2024
TEAM:
Cocreated by: Rachel Lemon/Julia Grogan/Lydia Higman
Cast/created with: Norah Lopez Holden and Hannah Jarrett-Scott
Director: Rachel Lemon
Designer: Anna Orton
Lighting: Amy Daniels
Sound Design: Roly Botha
Associate Designer: Anisha fields
Stage Manager: Aime Neeme
Movement: Aline David
Video: Michelle Alise
Voice: Rebecca Whitbread
Production manager: Helen Mugridge
Assistant Stage Manager: Molly Hands
BELLY UP
By Julia Grogan and Lydia Higman
Turbine Theatre (2021)
Lighting Design: Stacey Sandford
Cast: Fanta Barrie, Michael Bijok, Julia Grogan, Melissa Knighton, Emmy Stonelake
Music: Lydia Higman
BOTTOM
Soho Theatre/Summerhall Edinburgh& UK Tour (2018/2019)
Writer and Performer - Willy Hudson
Dramaturg - Bryony Kimmings
Line Producer - Sofia Stephanou
Lighting Design - Lucy Adams
Sound Design - Tic Ashfield
Movement Director - Jess Tucker Boyd
Graphic Design - Jimmy Ginn
Photographer - Joe Magowan
Videographer - Tristan Bell
STRIPPED
Vaults festival 2023
by Sexquisite
A theatre-cabaret show about sex worker rights.
Co-directed with Sammy Glover
Co-created by Bella Quinn, Carmen Ali, Maedb Joy and Megan Prescott.
NORA: A DOLL'S HOUSE
Rose Bruford, 2022
Director: Rachel Lemon
Designer: Olivia Davies
Lighting Designer: Olivia Andersson
Musical Director: Burhan Kathawala
THE DWELLERS
By Jake Setters and Sam Baker Jones
Rose Bruford
Theatre Designer - Caitlin Whitaker
Lighting Designer - Perttu Lähdesmäki
Stage Manager - Lucy Fawthrop
Deputy Stage Manager - Victoria Sayers
Photographer - Ben Copping
As Assistant/Associate DirectoR
Romeo and Juliet / The Globe / Directed by Ola Ince (2020)
Poet In Da Corner / Royal Court and UK Tour / Directed by Ola Ince (2019/2020)
Plastic / The Old Red Lion Theatre / Directed by Josh Roche (2018)
A Number / The Other Room / Directed by Ed Madden (2018)
Contact me
Represented by Kirsten Foster at Casarotto:
My direct email: