Laurence worked with theatre director Simon Evans (currently staff director at the Donmar Warehouse and The National Theatre) on the critically acclaimed shows Madness In Valencia at Trafalgar Studios in London's West End and The Misanthrope at the White Bear.
Simon graduated from University in 2006 with 8 directing, 2 writing an over 20 acting credits to his name. He continued to work as an actor through the Independent Talent Group (formerly ICM) and formed his own theatre company, Black and White Rainbow, which produced a program of three shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2007. He moved to London in 2007 and set about running workshops for the National Theatre, working on script development for Brilliant Films and producing the InSite series, a programme of site-specific theatre and film showcase events, through Black and White Rainbow. He was chosen to direct one of seven new plays for the Old Vic 24 Hour Plays and went on to develop Pause to Wonder, a theatrical magic show, with the support of the Old Vic.
In 2009 he wrote and directed Who is Rachel, an online mini-series for Channel 4, while working as creative producer for Offwestend.com. He was asked to direct Edward Davenport's new play Hours 'til Autumn at the New End Theatre then again at the Riverside Studios and was then invited to direct Madness in Valencia at the White Bear in Kennington.
Madness in Valencia was TimeOut's Show of the Week and top of their Critic's Choice list. On the strength of these notices Simon was offered the chance to direct the UK premiere of Tony Harrison's new translation of The Misanthrope, again at the White Bear. That production earned Simon his second TimeOut No. 1 Critic's Choice.
Simon has recently begun work on Edward Davenport's next play, Firefly Heartbeat and has been offered a number of other projects in 2010. Madness in Valencia will be transferring to the West End in February, and Simon will be assisting Josie Rourke at The Bush Theatre later in the year.
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