ABOUT
“Think opera’s a world away? Think again.”
- The Argus, Belongings 2017
Writer-Director Laura Attridge is fast becoming known for the richness and clarity of her storytelling. Her work, both in process and in product, seeks to interrogate the cultural and societal narratives we take for granted, and to create space for transformation.
Laura’s work has been praised for its “keen focus” (The Stage), “remarkable lucidity” (Opera Magazine), “panache and considerable imagination” (Opera Now). Her engagements for 2025 include directing the world premiere of A Matter of Misconduct! for Scottish Opera and subsequent transfer to Opera Holland Park, directing the National Opera Studio’s showcase with Welsh National Opera, and developing a new opera with composer Amanda Feery.
Her previous opera directing credits include Pergolesi’s L’Olimpiade for Vache Baroque, with a new English script written by Laura to replace the recitatives (2024); Opera Highlights for Scottish Opera (2023/24); the world premiere of Catriona and the Dragon, composed by Lliam Paterson with a libretto by Laura, for Lammermuir Festival (2023); Handel’s Silla for Leeds Opera Festival (2022); The Miserly Knight and Mavra for Scottish Opera (2022); a new interactive opera for children, Paper and Tin, for which she also wrote the libretto, for English Touring Opera (2022); Viardot’s Cendrillon for Buxton International Festival (2021, revived 2023); Bach’s Coffee Cantata for Vache Baroque Festival (2021); Così fan tutte for English Touring Opera (2020); The Magic Flute (2019) and Don Giovanni (2018) for Waterperry Opera Festival; The Rape of Lucretia for Trinity Laban Conservatoire (2018); Snappy Operas for Mahogany Opera (2018); and Jonathan Dove’s The Enchanted Pig for Hampstead Garden Opera (2017).
Laura’s passion for the relationship between words and music has led to many fruitful collaborations with composers, including Lillie Harris, Yshani Perinpanayagam, Kate Whitley, Lliam Paterson, Cheryl Frances-Hoad, and Griffin Candey. As a poet, she has had work published in magazines and zines such as The Rialto and Mslexia, and featured in anthologies Introduction X: The Poetry Business Book of New Poets and Not About Now. Her operas, songs and choral works have been performed internationally, and her satirical song Kind Regards - premiered by the Royal Opera House in a short film - has garnered over 1.5 million views online.
Her ongoing creative partnership with composer Lewis Murphy has thus far produced numerous works for the stage: ARC23 (2022, Leeds Youth Opera); Paper and Tin (2022, English Touring Opera); A Different Story (2019, Royal Opera House); Then to the elements (2018, Scottish Opera); Belongings (2017, Glyndebourne); First Date (2017, Sound Festival); Damsel/Wife/Witch (2015, And So Forth); and Now (2014, RCM and Tête-à-Tête Festival).
Laura is also in demand as a coach and mentor, offering support for performers, writers and other artists.
She is a proud graduate of the Royal College of Music and Newcastle University, and alumna of The Writing Squad. Laura is also a grateful recipient of a bursary from the Opera Awards Foundation, and a grant from the Arts Council England’s Developing Your Creative Practice fund.
“an absolute joy…
the best 75 minutes I’ve spent in ages.”
— The Guardian, Cendrillon, 2021
Photos: Rhian Hughes