About

Green Room was created in February 2011 by Neil Metcalfe and Michael Richardson. Both had shared a similar career path, with early training and professional experience in opera, followed by significant periods of working with young people, both in formal education and in nonformal learning environments.

Neil and Michael were keen that the new company would be defined by four key aims:

  • We will use a broad definition of the term musical theatre, to include all forms of story-telling that use music to communicate with our audience;
  • We will create high quality, innovative and intensely theatrical productions using a diverse range of dramatic forms;
  • We will work with, support and nurture young singing actors;
  • We will tour widely throughout Scotland, the UK and internationally.

Green Room came into existence after Neil and Michael discussed the idea with two young singing actors, Sarah Haddath and Michael Davies. Enthused by the concept of the company, together the four agreed to work together, and their debut production of The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown premiered in October 2011.

People

Michael Richardson
Michael Richardson
Director

Michael studied at The University of Edinburgh and later trained as a stage director at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden. Subsequently he worked as a staff director for Glyndebourne Touring Opera, Opera Box, City of Birmingham Touring Opera and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

In opera education Michael has devised and lead projects for Glyndebourne, Mid Wales Opera, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera Caledonia and the Usher Hall. In youth theatre he has been Artistic Director of Shrewsbury Youth Theatre, macYT in Birmingham, and Firefly Arts in Scotland. More recently Michael has returned to his musical theatre roots, directing productions for Edinburgh Music Theatre, Edinburgh Studio Opera and Edinburgh Grand Opera.

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