DIRECTING
Anna specialises in making music theatre.
From large-scale theatre productions to site-specific electronic musicals in forests, Anna creates work that changes perceptions of what music theatre can be, how it is made and who it is for. As well directing numerous productions across the UK and Europe, she has been an assistant director with leading companies including the Royal Opera House, Opera North, Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera & ENO.
LADY IN THE DARK
Opera Zuid 2022
Winner- Place de l'Opera OPERA OF THE YEAR 2022
“this opera swings like Fred Astaire ****"- NRC Netherlands “ a perfect rendition of Lady in the Dark, with immaculate directing from Anna Pool”- Luxembourg Times "breathes life and sparkle into Weill’s sleepy Broadway piece” ****- De Limbuger
Composer: Kurt Weill Conductor: David Stern Director: Anna Pool Designer: Mads Boyd Choreographer: Rebecca Howell Lighting Designer: Bretta Gerecke Sound Designer: Jannes Noormans Photos: Bjorn Frins & Joost Milde
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
Leeds Playhouse & Opera North 2021/22 (Associate Director)
“Sheer delight- *****"- The Stage "Hilarious- *****"- The Telegraph "Magnificent- *****"- Bachtrack
Conductor: James Holmes Director: James Brining Associate Director: Anna Pool Designer: Mads Boyd
Choreographer: Lucy Hind Associate Choreographer: Xolani Crabtree Lighting Designer: Chris Davey Sound Designer: Sebastian Frost
BASTIEN UND BASTIENNE / DER SCHAUSPIELDIREKTOR
Pop Up Opera UK 2018
Finalist - Best Opera Production- Off West End Awards 2019
Something ingenious"- The Stage "I had not anticipated belly-laughing to Mozart's music", ****" -Playstosee.com "Riotous... a joy for the capacity audience" - Dorset Echo
Director: Anna Pool Musical Director: Berrak Dyer Designer: Fiona Rigler Captions: Harry Percival Photography: Rob Workman
SCRAWW!
Hall for Cornwall & Trebah Gardens 2018
"A truly magical experience"- Cornwall 365 "The landscape performance event of the year"- Cornwall Living
Composer: Max Pappenheim Writer: Lila Palmer Director: Anna Pool Musical Director: James Garner Designer: Anna Driftmier Photography: Gordon Scammell
Sound/Tracks
Guildhall School of Music and Drama, workshOPERA & Transport for London 2017
Director: Anna Pool Conductor: James Garner Words: Lila Palmer, Colm Molloy, Leo Doulton, Joshua Judson & Stephen Hall Music: Samuel Wilson, Clare Elton, Monika Dalach, Molly Lawes, Alex J Hall & Eden Lonsdale Photography: Studio Andy
Boys of Paradise
Tete a Tete, EGG LDN & workshOPERA 2015/16
"A unique brand of theatre that has the potential to deconstruct and revitalise the world of opera and theatre" -A Younger Theatre "Truly genre-breaking." - Bachtrack
Director: Anna Pool Composer: Vahan Salorian Set Design: Maciej Krajewski Costume Design: Maddy Rita Faye Lighting: Jack Weir Photography: Claire Shovelton
Trident Moon
Finborough Theatre 2016
"Theatre of the highest calibre, *****" -The Upcoming "You owe it to yourself to get out there and see this. Now." - A Younger Theatre "Anna Pool's taught production is as claustrophobic as it is ferocious," -The Reviews Hub
Director: Anna Pool Writer: Anusree Roy Designer: Anna Driftmier Lighting: Jai Morjaria Sound: Fred Riding Photography: Matthew Ferguson
Dust Child
English Touring Opera 2016
Director/Writer: Anna Pool Composer: James Garner Designer: Anna Driftmier
Various Projects
2015-2017
Including: Seven Velvet Suits (BasicSpace Festival), Il Parnaso Confuso (Wilton's Music Hall), East o' the Sun, West o' the Moon (workshOPERA/Tete a Tete)