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David Thacker

Director

Before moving into television, David Thacker directed for theatre: he was Artistic Director of the Duke’s Playhouse, Lancaster from 1980-84; Director of the Young Vic from 1984-93 and Director in Residence at the RSC from 1994-5. David has directed more plays by Arthur Miller than any other director in the world, and in 1995 directed extracts from Miller’s plays for a special celebration of the playwright’s birthday at the National Theatre.

 

Awards include the Olivier Award for Best Director and Best Revival for ‘Pericles’ (RSC, 1991); the Olivier Play of the Year Award for ‘Broken Glass’ (Royal National Theatre, 1994) and twice Best Director in the Bass Charrington London Fringe Awards for ‘Ghosts’ (1987) and ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf’ (1988).  He was also nominated for the SWET and Kenneth Tynan Awards for Outstanding Achievement for ‘Ghosts’ (Young Vic, 1987) and ‘Enemy of the People’ (Young Vic, 1998), for which he was also nominated SWET Director of the Year.

 

David was the Artistic Director at the Octagon Theatre Bolton for six years until 2014. He is now head of a new theatre degree at the University of Bolton.

 

Credits

TELEVISION
Date: 2007
Production (role):
WAKING THE DEAD
Company:
BBC
Project details:
Prod. Colin Wratten
Date: 2005
Production (role):
WAKING THE DEAD
Company:
BBC
Project details:
Prod. Richard Burrell
Date: 2005
Production (role):
FAITH
Company:
Company Pictures / BBC
Project details:
Single Film

Prod. Alison Jackson
Date: 2005
Production (role):
DALZIEL & PASCOE
Company:
BBC
Project details:
Prod. Annie Tricklebank
Date: 2004
Production (role):
BLUE DOVE
Company:
Carlton
Project details:
3 x 60 minutes

Wr. Lucy Gannon
Date: 2003
Production (role):
THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE
Company:
Sally Head Productions / ITV / A&E
Project details:
Single Film
Date: 2003
Production (role):
MURDER IN MIND
Company:
Paul Knight Productions / BBC
Project details:
Prod. Paul Knight
Date: 2002
Production (role):
WAKING THE DEAD
Company:
BBC
Project details:
Prod. Richard Burrell
Date: 2002
Production (role):
FOYLE’S WAR
Company:
Greenlit Productions / ITV
Project details:
Single Film

Prod. Simon Passmore
Date: 2000
Production (role):
THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE
Company:
Sally Head Productions / ITV
Project details:
2 x 120 minutes

Prod. Sally Head

With Ciaran Hinds, James Purefoy, Jodhi May, Polly Walker and Juliet Aubrey
Date: 2000
Production (role):
LOCK STOCK AND A GOOD SLOPPING OUT
Company:
Ginger Productions / Channel 4
Project details:
Prod. Tony Wood
Date: 2000
Production (role):
LOCK STOCK AND ONE BIG BULLOCK
Company:
Ginger Productions / Channel 4
Project details:
Prod. Tony Wood
Date: 1999
Production (role):
GRAFTERS
Company:
Granada
Project details:
Series II, 2 Episodes

Prod. Jonathan Curling
Date: 1999
Production (role):
SILENT WITNESS
Company:
BBC
Project details:
Prod. Lars Macfarlane
Date: 1999
Production (role):
THE VICE
Company:
Carlton
Project details:
Prod. Stephen Smallwood
Date: 1999
Production (role):
KAVANAGH QC
Company:
Carlton
Project details:
Prod. Chris Kelly
Date: 1998
Production (role):
THE SCOLD’S BRIDLE
Company:
BBC
Project details:
Prod. Chris Parr

With Miranda Richardson and Bob Peck
Date: 1996
Production (role):
SHAKESPEARE SHORTS
Company:
BBC Education
Project details:
Prod. Anne Brogan
Date: 1995-96
Production (role):
BROKEN GLASS
Company:
BBC
Project details:
Prod. Fiona Finlay

With Mandy Patinkin, Henry Goodman, Margot Leicester and Elizabeth McGovern
Date: 1996
Production (role):
DEATH OF A SALESMAN
Company:
BBC
Project details:
Prod. Anne Brogan

With Warren Mitchell, Rosemary Harris and Iain Glenn
Date: 1996
Production (role):
BROKEN GLASS (Writer / Director)
Company:
BBC
Project details:
Single Film
Date: 1994
Production (role):
MEASURE FOR MEASURE (Writer / Director)
Company:
BBC
Project details:
"Performance"

With Juliet Aubrey, Corin Redgrave, Tom Wilkinson and Sue Johnston

British Drama Selection for the International Public TV Screening Conference, 1996
Date: 1992
Production (role):
A DOLL'S HOUSE
Project details:
"Performance"

Prod. Simon Curtis

With Juliet Stevenson, Trevor Eve, Geraldine James and David Calder

BAFTA Nominated : Best Single Drama
THEATRE
Production (role):
PERICLES (Director in Residence)
Company:
Royal Shakespeare Company
Project details:
1991 Olivier Awards for Best Director and Best Revival
Production (role):
THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (Director in Residence)
Company:
Royal Shakespeare Company
Project details:
Also in the West End
Production (role):
AS YOU LIKE IT (Director in Residence)
Company:
Royal Shakespeare Company
Production (role):
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (Director in Residence)
Company:
Royal Shakespeare Company
Production (role):
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (Director in Residence)
Company:
Royal Shakespeare Company
Production (role):
JULIUS CAESAR (Director in Residence)
Company:
Royal Shakespeare Company
Production (role):
CORIOLANUS (Director in Residence)
Company:
Royal Shakespeare Company
Production (role):
THE TEMPEST (Director in Residence)
Company:
Royal Shakespeare Company
Production (role):
BINGO (Director in Residence)
Company:
Royal Shakespeare Company
Project details:
By Edward Bond
Production (role):
BROKEN GLASS
Company:
Royal National Theatre
Project details:
Also in the West End

1994 Olivier Award Play of the Year
Production (role):
DEATH OF A SALESMAN
Company:
Royal National Theatre
Project details:
By Arthur Miller
Production (role):
A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
Project details:
By Arthur Miller
Production (role):
THE PRICE
Company:
Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis, USA
Project details:
By Arthur Miller
Production (role):
BROKEN GLASS
Company:
Cameri Theatre, Tel Aviv, Israel
Project details:
By Arthur Miller
Production (role):
THE CRUCIBLE
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
TWO WAY MIRROR
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
ALL MY SONS
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
THE PRICE
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
THE LAST YANKEE
Company:
The Young Vic
Project details:
Also in the West End
Production (role):
AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE
Company:
The Young Vic
Project details:
Also in the West End

Nominated for Director of the Year, SWET

Nominated for Kenneth Tynan Award for Outstanding Achievement
Production (role):
OTHELLO
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
MACBETH
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
HAMLET
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
MEASURE FOR MEASURE
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
JULIUS CAESAR
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
THE WINTER'S TALE
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
THE JAIL DIARY OF ALBIE SACHS
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
STAGS AND HENS
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
THE ENEMIES WITHIN
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
SOME KIND OF HERO
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
COMEDIANS
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
SOLOMON AND THE BIG CAT
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
WAITING FOR GODOT
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
THE GLASS MENAGERIE
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
ANNA CHRISTIE
Company:
The Young Vic
Production (role):
GHOSTS
Company:
The Young Vic
Project details:
Also in the West End

Best Director, Bass Charrington London Fringe Award 1987

Nominated for SWET Award for Outstanding Achievement
Production (role):
A TOUCH OF THE POET
Company:
The Young Vic
Project details:
Also in the West End
Production (role):
ALL MY SONS
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Project details:
Nominated for Manchester Evening News Award for Best Production
Production (role):
GHOSTS
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Production (role):
THE ENEMIES WITHIN
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Project details:
Manchester Evening News Award – Best Studio Production
Production (role):
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Production (role):
COMEDIANS
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Production (role):
THE HIRED MAN
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Project details:
TMA award – Best Ensemble
Production (role):
A STEETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Production (role):
LOVE ON THE DOLE
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Production (role):
ROMEO AND JULIET
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Production (role):
THE PRICE
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Project details:
Manchester Theatre Awards - Best Production
Production (role):
THE DEMOLITION MAN
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Production (role):
SECRET THOUGHTS
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Project details:
Nominated for Manchester Theatre Awards - Best Production
Production (role):
WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Project details:
Nominated for Manchester Theatre Awards - Best Production
Production (role):
HABEAS CORPUS
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Production (role):
ALFIE
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Production (role):
MACBETH
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Production (role):
THE WINSLOW BOY
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Project details:
Nominated for Manchester Theatre Awards - Best Production
Production (role):
LIGHTHEARTED INTERCOURSE
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Production (role):
OF MICE AND MEN
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Production (role):
TULL
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company
Production (role):
THE GLASS MENAGERIE
Company:
Octagon Theatre Company

Credits

  • Date
    Production (role)
    Company
    Project details
  • Date: 2007
    Production (role): WAKING THE DEAD
    Company: BBC
    Project details: Prod. Colin Wratten
  • Date: 2005
    Production (role): WAKING THE DEAD
    Company: BBC
    Project details: Prod. Richard Burrell
  • Date: 2005
    Production (role): FAITH
    Company: Company Pictures / BBC
    Project details: Single Film

    Prod. Alison Jackson
  • Date: 2005
    Production (role): DALZIEL & PASCOE
    Company: BBC
    Project details: Prod. Annie Tricklebank
  • Date: 2004
    Production (role): BLUE DOVE
    Company: Carlton
    Project details: 3 x 60 minutes

    Wr. Lucy Gannon
  • Date: 2003
    Production (role): THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE
    Company: Sally Head Productions / ITV / A&E
    Project details: Single Film
  • Date: 2003
    Production (role): MURDER IN MIND
    Company: Paul Knight Productions / BBC
    Project details: Prod. Paul Knight
  • Date: 2002
    Production (role): WAKING THE DEAD
    Company: BBC
    Project details: Prod. Richard Burrell
  • Date: 2002
    Production (role): FOYLE’S WAR
    Company: Greenlit Productions / ITV
    Project details: Single Film

    Prod. Simon Passmore
  • Date: 2000
    Production (role): THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE
    Company: Sally Head Productions / ITV
    Project details: 2 x 120 minutes

    Prod. Sally Head

    With Ciaran Hinds, James Purefoy, Jodhi May, Polly Walker and Juliet Aubrey
  • Date: 2000
    Production (role): LOCK STOCK AND A GOOD SLOPPING OUT
    Company: Ginger Productions / Channel 4
    Project details: Prod. Tony Wood
  • Date: 2000
    Production (role): LOCK STOCK AND ONE BIG BULLOCK
    Company: Ginger Productions / Channel 4
    Project details: Prod. Tony Wood
  • Date: 1999
    Production (role): GRAFTERS
    Company: Granada
    Project details: Series II, 2 Episodes

    Prod. Jonathan Curling
  • Date: 1999
    Production (role): SILENT WITNESS
    Company: BBC
    Project details: Prod. Lars Macfarlane
  • Date: 1999
    Production (role): THE VICE
    Company: Carlton
    Project details: Prod. Stephen Smallwood
  • Date: 1999
    Production (role): KAVANAGH QC
    Company: Carlton
    Project details: Prod. Chris Kelly
  • Date: 1998
    Production (role): THE SCOLD’S BRIDLE
    Company: BBC
    Project details: Prod. Chris Parr

    With Miranda Richardson and Bob Peck
  • Date: 1996
    Production (role): SHAKESPEARE SHORTS
    Company: BBC Education
    Project details: Prod. Anne Brogan
  • Date: 1995-96
    Production (role): BROKEN GLASS
    Company: BBC
    Project details: Prod. Fiona Finlay

    With Mandy Patinkin, Henry Goodman, Margot Leicester and Elizabeth McGovern
  • Date: 1996
    Production (role): DEATH OF A SALESMAN
    Company: BBC
    Project details: Prod. Anne Brogan

    With Warren Mitchell, Rosemary Harris and Iain Glenn
  • Date: 1996
    Production (role): BROKEN GLASS (Writer / Director)
    Company: BBC
    Project details: Single Film
  • Date: 1994
    Production (role): MEASURE FOR MEASURE (Writer / Director)
    Company: BBC
    Project details: "Performance"

    With Juliet Aubrey, Corin Redgrave, Tom Wilkinson and Sue Johnston

    British Drama Selection for the International Public TV Screening Conference, 1996
  • Date: 1992
    Production (role): A DOLL'S HOUSE
    Company:
    Project details: "Performance"

    Prod. Simon Curtis

    With Juliet Stevenson, Trevor Eve, Geraldine James and David Calder

    BAFTA Nominated : Best Single Drama
  • Production (role)
    Company
    Project details
  • Production (role): PERICLES (Director in Residence)
    Company: Royal Shakespeare Company
    Project details: 1991 Olivier Awards for Best Director and Best Revival
  • Production (role): THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (Director in Residence)
    Company: Royal Shakespeare Company
    Project details: Also in the West End
  • Production (role): AS YOU LIKE IT (Director in Residence)
    Company: Royal Shakespeare Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (Director in Residence)
    Company: Royal Shakespeare Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (Director in Residence)
    Company: Royal Shakespeare Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): JULIUS CAESAR (Director in Residence)
    Company: Royal Shakespeare Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): CORIOLANUS (Director in Residence)
    Company: Royal Shakespeare Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): THE TEMPEST (Director in Residence)
    Company: Royal Shakespeare Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): BINGO (Director in Residence)
    Company: Royal Shakespeare Company
    Project details: By Edward Bond
  • Production (role): BROKEN GLASS
    Company: Royal National Theatre
    Project details: Also in the West End

    1994 Olivier Award Play of the Year
  • Production (role): DEATH OF A SALESMAN
    Company: Royal National Theatre
    Project details: By Arthur Miller
  • Production (role): A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
    Company:
    Project details: By Arthur Miller
  • Production (role): THE PRICE
    Company: Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis, USA
    Project details: By Arthur Miller
  • Production (role): BROKEN GLASS
    Company: Cameri Theatre, Tel Aviv, Israel
    Project details: By Arthur Miller
  • Production (role): THE CRUCIBLE
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): TWO WAY MIRROR
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): ALL MY SONS
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): THE PRICE
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): THE LAST YANKEE
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details: Also in the West End
  • Production (role): AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details: Also in the West End

    Nominated for Director of the Year, SWET

    Nominated for Kenneth Tynan Award for Outstanding Achievement
  • Production (role): OTHELLO
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): MACBETH
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): HAMLET
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): MEASURE FOR MEASURE
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): JULIUS CAESAR
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): THE WINTER'S TALE
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): THE JAIL DIARY OF ALBIE SACHS
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): STAGS AND HENS
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): THE ENEMIES WITHIN
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): SOME KIND OF HERO
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): COMEDIANS
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): SOLOMON AND THE BIG CAT
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): WAITING FOR GODOT
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): THE GLASS MENAGERIE
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): ANNA CHRISTIE
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details:
  • Production (role): GHOSTS
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details: Also in the West End

    Best Director, Bass Charrington London Fringe Award 1987

    Nominated for SWET Award for Outstanding Achievement
  • Production (role): A TOUCH OF THE POET
    Company: The Young Vic
    Project details: Also in the West End
  • Production (role): ALL MY SONS
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details: Nominated for Manchester Evening News Award for Best Production
  • Production (role): GHOSTS
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): THE ENEMIES WITHIN
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details: Manchester Evening News Award – Best Studio Production
  • Production (role): A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): COMEDIANS
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): THE HIRED MAN
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details: TMA award – Best Ensemble
  • Production (role): A STEETCAR NAMED DESIRE
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): LOVE ON THE DOLE
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): ROMEO AND JULIET
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): THE PRICE
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details: Manchester Theatre Awards - Best Production
  • Production (role): THE DEMOLITION MAN
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): SECRET THOUGHTS
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details: Nominated for Manchester Theatre Awards - Best Production
  • Production (role): WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details: Nominated for Manchester Theatre Awards - Best Production
  • Production (role): HABEAS CORPUS
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): ALFIE
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): MACBETH
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): THE WINSLOW BOY
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details: Nominated for Manchester Theatre Awards - Best Production
  • Production (role): LIGHTHEARTED INTERCOURSE
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): OF MICE AND MEN
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): TULL
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details:
  • Production (role): THE GLASS MENAGERIE
    Company: Octagon Theatre Company
    Project details:
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