Jude Kelly
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Judith Pamela Kelly OBE (born March 24, 1954) is a noted theatre director and producer from Liverpool. She was awarded the OBE in 1997 for her services to the theatre.
She is currently artistic director of the South Bank Centre and is developing the METAL studio in West Hampstead as an artistic centre.
Outside of her theatre life she is chair of the arts, education and culture committee for the 2012 London Olympics.
In 1998 she was appointed Vice-Chair of the Government's National Committee on Creative and Cultural Education and represents Britain on cultural matters for UNESCO. She is a trustee of the Common Purpose leadership organization.
[edit] Biography
Kelly studied drama at Birmingham University and worked as an actress before becoming a director. She is married to the actor Michael Birch, with whom she has three children; Caroline, John (who died in infancy) and Robbie.
Kelly founded Solent People’s Theatre, a touring company, and was artistic director of the Battersea Arts Centre from 1980 to 1985. In 1986 she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. She was the first artistic director of West Yorkshire Playhouse from 1990 - 2002.
Most recently, Kelly directed Jimmy McGovern's first stage-play for over 25 years, King Cotton. A story about the trans-Atlantic slave-trade and the Lancashire cotton industry, King Cotton premiered in September 2007 at Salford's Lowry theatre.
