'Ellis' approach has been both highly empowering (treating the young people as young artists in their own right) and innovative (pushing performance styles and boundaries). He rarely takes the middle road when greater challenges are open to him. ...he always displays consummate reliability and professionalism, guiding and encouraging young people in a safe environment. I am very pleased to be able to endorse him.'
Jon Bromwich. Executive Producer BYMT. British Youth Music Theatre
WRITING & DIRECTING: (2021-2022)
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Ellis directed the 3 x OFFIE NOMINATED UK Premier of the off-Broadway smash-hit musical STRANGER SINGS! A Parody Musical, at The Vaults, London 2022. More Info
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Ellis Co-Directed BEAUTY & THE BEAST with Estelle Van Warmello, For Hereford Courtyard Theatre 2022
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Ellis Co-Directed the 5 Star reviewed JACK & THE BEANSTALK! with Estelle Van Warmello, for Hereford Courtyard Theatre. 2021
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'I worked with Ellis on a play he'd written called The Dark Dark. He workshopped this play at Theatre 503 and invited me to part of a team of performers and puppeteers to develop the piece. During this workshop I was most impressed both by the quality of Ellis's writing and by his directing style. As a director he combined clarity of vision and purpose with generosity and freedom, allowing his actors to explore and generate ideas, while keeping overall control of the project and its style. This is a great combination of skills. The atmosphere Ellis created was one in which creativity could genuinely flourish, and the showcase generated very positive feedback from industry professionals.
Ellis is a sensitive, intelligent, profoundly talented writer whose work is probing and inventive. He is a kind and considerate director, and creates healthy environments in which ideas and invention can flourish. I recommend him to you without hesitation.'
Kath Burlinson, Ph.D, founder of The Authentic Artist Collective.
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In Oct 2021 Ellis directed GIVING, a new radio play by Gill Parsons, for Feral Productions.
Writer: Gill Parsons Director: Ellis Kerkhoven Producer: Estelle Van Warmello Sound Design: Adam Bertenshaw Funded by Arts Council England. |
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PLAY-MAKERS! A new play
Commissioned by Singapore Repertory Company TLC. Written by: Ellis Kerkhoven & Kate Golledge. Directed by : Ellis Kerkhoven & Kate Golledge Say hello to Tag and Flick, the newest members of the TLC team and your new creative pals. Tag and Flick are Play-Makers. Play-Makers are people who create and imagine a world full of possibilities. Most children are already Play-Makers, even if they don’t know it. Lots of adults are too, or they were once until things like work and newspapers and Facebook made them forget about playing. Everyone can be a Play-Maker – all you need is a space, a team, some stuff to play with and a story to bring to life. And a big scoop of imagination, of course! Playmaking is super portable creative storytelling, with audience interaction and a wonderfully accessible element – once you’ve made a play with Tag and Flick, you’ll be able to do it again at home, or anywhere. Details here |
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NIGHTSHADE. A new musical.
Concept, Book & Lyrics: Ellis Kerkhoven
Composer: Adam Gerber
Premiered Aug 2021 at the The Bridewell Theatre, London, with British Youth Music Theatre UK.
Director: Ellis Kerkhoven
Musical Director: Jan Winstone
Choreographer: Heather Douglas
Designer: Andrew Exeter
Costume Design: Natalia Alvarez
Details here
Concept, Book & Lyrics: Ellis Kerkhoven
Composer: Adam Gerber
Premiered Aug 2021 at the The Bridewell Theatre, London, with British Youth Music Theatre UK.
Director: Ellis Kerkhoven
Musical Director: Jan Winstone
Choreographer: Heather Douglas
Designer: Andrew Exeter
Costume Design: Natalia Alvarez
Details here
Valeria. A gothic metropolis. By day a thriving centre of commerce. By night a city of shadows.
Nestled amongst the backstreets, taverns and alleyways in the downtown district of Disturbia, stands a small apothecary on Wolf-Bane Lane. A herbal sanctuary and workplace to a team of young herbalists …with a vigilante agenda. Can their light fight the ever-growing darkness infiltrating the city? What are the strange afflictions hitting its people? Who is the white Wickan? And who is the silhouetted figure on the rooftops?
A comic-book musical about darkness and light, good and bad, revenge and redemption …and one girl's fight to uncover her true identity.
In this epic new musical you can expect strong roles, spectacular harmonies and dazzling choreography. Songs include: 'Destiny’s Call',' Super Saviours', 'Sweet Justice' and 'Medicine Time'!
Listen to clips here.
Nestled amongst the backstreets, taverns and alleyways in the downtown district of Disturbia, stands a small apothecary on Wolf-Bane Lane. A herbal sanctuary and workplace to a team of young herbalists …with a vigilante agenda. Can their light fight the ever-growing darkness infiltrating the city? What are the strange afflictions hitting its people? Who is the white Wickan? And who is the silhouetted figure on the rooftops?
A comic-book musical about darkness and light, good and bad, revenge and redemption …and one girl's fight to uncover her true identity.
In this epic new musical you can expect strong roles, spectacular harmonies and dazzling choreography. Songs include: 'Destiny’s Call',' Super Saviours', 'Sweet Justice' and 'Medicine Time'!
Listen to clips here.
PHOENIX RISING (Working Title)
A new musical.
Book & Lyrics: Ellis Kerkhoven
Composer: Adam Gerber
Producer: Kristie Winsen
Details coming soon!
A new musical.
Book & Lyrics: Ellis Kerkhoven
Composer: Adam Gerber
Producer: Kristie Winsen
Details coming soon!
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2019:
A.L.I.C.E. In Wanderlust - a new musical. Concept, Book & Lyrics: Ellis Kerkhoven Composer: Adam Gerber Choreographer: Alicia Frost Designer: Andrew Exeter Premiered at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield. Photos Details here |
We called the mission Wanderlust. No one could have predicted what would come next. Out in the darkness, in the vastness of space and time, what truths can be discovered, what fragments of data have been collected? What does A.L.I.C.E know?
From an exceptional young company of emerging talent, comes a highly innovative new musical exploring humankind’s eternal impulse to journey into the unknown. Featuring a powerful, original score combining contemporary electronic music with a live choral soundscape.
How far will we go in our thirst for exploration, experience and discovery, for our wanderlust?
From an exceptional young company of emerging talent, comes a highly innovative new musical exploring humankind’s eternal impulse to journey into the unknown. Featuring a powerful, original score combining contemporary electronic music with a live choral soundscape.
How far will we go in our thirst for exploration, experience and discovery, for our wanderlust?
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2019:
How To Save The World - An Idiots Guide! A new musical. Concept, Book & Lyrics: Ellis Kerkhoven Composer: Adam Gerber Workshopped in Godalming, Surrey. 2019 Director: Ellis Kerkhoven Musical Director: Adam Gerber Choreographer: Morag Cross |
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2019:
Who Put Bella In The Wych Elm? A new musical. Concept, Book & Lyrics: Ellis Kerkhoven Composer: Adam Gerber Director: Ellis Kerkhoven Musical Director: Adam Gerber Choreography: Lily Howkins Premiered at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Listen here. |
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The story follows the true case of a mystery body being found in a Wych Elm tree in Hagley in the 1940s. Through the musical we encounter the different theories of who Bella is, and indeed, who put her there.
In August 2019 the musical had its first staged workshop by The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama with the Musical Theatre Diploma students.
In August 2019 the musical had its first staged workshop by The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama with the Musical Theatre Diploma students.
OTHER DIRECTING & WRITING CREDITS INCLUDE:
NURSERY CRIMES for Singapore Repertory Theatre. (Co-written & co-directed with Kate Golledge)
NURSERY CRIMES for Singapore Repertory Theatre. (Co-written & co-directed with Kate Golledge)
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THE CHILDREN OF THE NEW FOREST at the Plymouth Barbican. (Director)
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DEMONS. (Director)
Composer: Elizabeth Charlesworth
A new 10 minute musical based on a short story by Neil Gaiman, for RICHMIX's Lowdown Scratch Night.
Composer: Elizabeth Charlesworth
A new 10 minute musical based on a short story by Neil Gaiman, for RICHMIX's Lowdown Scratch Night.
CHARLOTTE'S WEB for Singapore Repertory Theatre. (Director)
Nominated for Best Children's Show in the Straits Times Awards.
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MAELSTROM - Legends of the Underworld: (Writer & Director) Composer: Lori Watson. Choreographer: Deborah Galloway. A new musical which premiered at the Lemon Tree Theatre in Aberdeen. Part of Aberdeen International Youth Festival. Descend into the dark mystical world at the heart of the MAELSTRØM - Legends of the Underworld. When an independent documentary team throw a mannequin (affectionately called 'the Hag’) dressed in a life jacket, go-pro cam and depth gauge into the Corryvreckan maelstrom off the coast of Scotland, we’re swiftly dragged to the abstract, ambient Cauldron of the Speckled Seas, where essences of nature rule and fierce Highland kelpies meet tragic Nordic Kings. The combines an abstract ambient mix of folk/choral song, movement, multi-media and folklore, following the journey of 'Hag’ to the heart of the maelstrom, a powerful place where the essences of Scotland and Norway meet. |
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THE MIDNIGHT FLOWER PRESS (Writer & Director) A new musical for 11-18 year olds. Premiered at The Barbican Theatre, Plymouth. Join the fight for freedom, but trust no-one... The Midnight Flower Press is a powerful and adventurous drama set during Britain's Industrial Revolution, where a courageous gang of kids take on the corrupt powers that be, have their say, and set the wheels in motion to help change the future lives of all children to come. View production pictures here |
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HARINGEY SHED & UPSWING CIRCUS (Writer & Director) A new adaptation of Anderson's The Ugly Duckling for Haringey Shed and Upswing Circus. FREAK OR UNIQUE was performed in August with a wonderfully talented inclusive cast. |
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STORM
(Writer/Director/Performer) Workshopped at the Menier Gallery. Is Life worth living? There is something missing - a connection to something bigger perhaps. But all the Gods and Goddesses are long since forgotten...arn't they? With only one day left before oblivion a lone sailor sets out to fight the storm within and finds himself caught up in social uprising of Godly proportions! 'Underneath the North star |
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BERTIE BROWN'S BIT'N'BOB SHOP (Writer/Director)
Written especially for Museums, this brand new musical for 6-11 year olds takes us on a journey through Adventuria using objects from the Museum Of Magic!
Join Doogie, Grandpa and Wotzit on their frantic storytelling quest!
Composed by: Andy Collyer
Image: denise carbonell www.metalthread.com
Join Doogie, Grandpa and Wotzit on their frantic storytelling quest!
Composed by: Andy Collyer
Image: denise carbonell www.metalthread.com
THE DARK DARK... (Writer & Director)
'The dark dark comes...
Seeps... Looms... Thud! It comes...' An ensemble play for young people |
Kaya Fon has no gift. Unlike all the others. The tyrant Meepsie King's soliders are everywhere. How will he possibly survive The Great Catch with the dark dark on the loose... Written in broken poetry with a large cast of characters The dark dark... is also ideal for youth theatres and schools. Workshopped at Theatre503 in London with a strong cast of creatives, exploring text, physical theatre and puppetry. It is now in further development. |
MUSICALS FOR YMTUK.
YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE UK (WRITER/DIRECTOR)
YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE UK (WRITER/DIRECTOR)
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CHILDREN OF THE NEW FOREST. Plymouth Barbican MAELSTROM - Legends of the Underworld. Aberdeen THE MIDNIGHT FLOWER PRESS. Plymouth VORTEX. Edinburgh LOST LEGENDS OF SLEEPY HOLLOW. Edinburgh LULLABYE OF BROADWAY. THE FOREST A DRUG CALLED LOVE |
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CHILDREN'S BOOKS
THE HIPPOPOTABEE
Join Hippo and his friend Bee having fun in the depths of the jungle, where the big leaves dangle, where the trees grow tall and the vines all tangle...!
The Hippopotabee is a children's picture book for 3-7 year olds. |
LORD PAUL OF HUMPERDINK HALL
'A right royal rumpus! '
Come join in the hoo-har at Heritage Hall this summer when Paul Winner and his squatter friends turn the tumbledown mansion into Charleston's (Top-Secret) Academy For the Sportily Gifted! But be quick - before the dastardly Edgar Pickles ruins everything...! Book 1 in a series for 8-12 year olds. |
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CONTACT FOR DIRECTING ENQUIRIES & WRITING COMMISSIONS If you'd like to contact me regarding any directing or theatre writing work please send me an email. (Link top-right of page) |
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