Ruth Mariner
Writer & Director
As a writer and director, Ruth has directed repertoires and created new work for theatres including The Lawrence Batley Theatre, The Royal Opera Clore Studio & Linbury Theatre, and Milton Court Studio Theatre. She recently directed a new folklore-inspired production of Purcell's Fairy Queen for The Waterperry Opera Festival. Future productions include a people's opera to be announced in 2020 and engagements with The Guildhall School and Constella Opera Ballet.
Ruth is Artistic Director of multi-award winning production company Gestalt Arts, whose projects have included the first opera at the Eden Project, a collaboration with The Museum of London, and an opera on young people’s responses to extremist violence created with anti-terrorist organisation The Active Change Foundation.
As an assistant director, Ruth has worked for companies including Guildhall School, Garsington Youth Opera Company, and LSO Discovery/Barbican, working with directors including Martin Lloyd-Evans and Martin Constantine.
Ruth’s works have featured in Opera Magazine, BBC Wales, Radio 3, ITV and Channel 4 news. She has spoken about her work at The Barbican Centre, Southbank Centre and Welsh National Opera.
Ruth is in demand within participatory theatre-making, creating education projects for organisations including The Royal Opera House, Wigmore Hall and Opera North. Her next project is a SEND piece for English Touring Opera, which will tour the UK and Europe. She is part of Mahogany Opera Group's Snappy Operas team, directing for events including the New Music Bienielle for the Hull City of Culture.
Ruth is also the Founder and Director of The Librettist Network, an organisation dedicated to the development of new works of opera and music theatre. Regular partners include Guildhall School, National Opera Studio and The Royal Opera House, where she co-produced the Open Studio series for Engender Festival 2019.
Ruth has recently joined the Opera faculty at The Royal Academy of Music, where she will be mentoring writers and composers in Opera Creation.
Ruth has spoken and lectured for many conferences and organisations including The Barbican Centre, Southbank Centre, Welsh National opera, and Matera European Capital of Culture 2019. From 2017 - 2018 she sat on the board of Stage Directors UK.