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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

APART/MENTAL

Opera Harmony/ OperaVision 2020

IMG_2413.webp

Winner- Bury Court Opera Prize

Composer: Ken Steen Writer/Puppeteer: Mary Birnbaum Directors: Anna Pool & Mary Birnbaum 

Scenic Design & Puppet Maker: Jojo Karlin

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