Theatrical art in our country has a rich history, existing long before the advent of television and modern show business. It’s inspiring to see how figures from our city have played a crucial role in the development of theatre nationwide. Today, we’re looking at the renowned British theatre director and producer, Jude Kelly. Read on to learn more about her success story at liverpoolski.com.
A Lifelong Love of Theatre
Jude was born in Liverpool in 1954. She was educated at Calder High School for Girls, which later became part of Quarry Bank Comprehensive School, where her creativity was encouraged. It’s worth noting that her love for theatre began in childhood; she would often stage plays in her backyard with the neighbourhood children.
In 1975, the Liverpool native earned a Bachelor’s degree in Drama and Theatre Arts from the University of Birmingham.
Career Development
Kelly’s career began in 1976 when she founded the Solent People’s Theatre, a touring company. By 1980, she was the Artistic Director of the Battersea Arts Centre, a position she held for five years. In 1990, Jude became the founding director of the West Yorkshire Playhouse, where she also served as Artistic Director.
In addition to her directorial roles, she was a member of the National Advisory Committee on Creative and Cultural Education (NACCCE).
However, Kelly’s career has not just been about holding senior positions; she has directed over 100 productions. Notably, her production of *Singin’ in the Rain* transferred to the Royal National Theatre and became one of its most attended shows. In 2001, the director was awarded the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production. Jude Kelly has also directed productions of *The Seagull*, *The Tempest*, *Johnson over Jordan*, *Othello*, Dawn French in *When We Are Married*, *The Elixir of Love*, *On the Town*, *Carmen Jones*, and *The Wizard of Oz*, among many others. Kelly also directed Paco Peña’s film *Flamenco Sin Fronteras*.
In 2002, Kelly founded Metal Culture, establishing artistic laboratory spaces in Liverpool. Four years later, she became the Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre in central London, the largest cultural institution in the country. The Centre comprises the Royal Festival Hall, the Hayward Gallery, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, and the Saison Poetry Library. The Liverpool native held this prestigious post for 12 years, announcing in 2018 that she would be stepping down to dedicate her time to the WOW festival.
Festivals and Personal Life
Beyond the theatre, Jude Kelly is also a prolific festival organiser. In 2010, she founded the Women of the World (WOW) Festival, an event that discusses women’s achievements and the obstacles they face. Four years later, Kelly founded the Being a Man (BAM) Festival. In 2019, alongside Olga Miler Kristen, she founded Smartpurse Limited, a venture aimed at providing financial advice to women.
As for her personal life, Kelly has one daughter and two sons. She is married to the actor and writer, Michael Bird.
She has received numerous awards for her work. Jude Kelly was honoured with the BASCA Gold Badge Award for her services to music. In 2013, she was named one of the 100 most powerful women in the United Kingdom by BBC Woman’s Hour. In 2018, Kelly was recognised as one of the 50 people helping to shape London’s cultural landscape.
This is the success story of a remarkable director and producer. We hope you found this material informative and learned something new about this famous figure from our city.