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Michael Kingsbury
Writer | Director | Actor
Writer
Director
Actor
ABOUT
Michael Kingsbury is a multi award-winning writer, director, actor and creative producer whose extensive career spans theatre, film and live performance.
His work has taken him from fringe and regional theatre to national number one tours and the West End, but writing remains at the centre of his creative practice. Passionate about developing new work and supporting original voices, Michael continues to create theatre that engages audiences and explores compelling stories.
Alongside his own writing, Michael has played an influential role in London’s independent theatre scene through his award-winning work with the White Bear Theatre and Golden Goose Theatre. Through these venues, he has championed new writing, supported emerging and established artists, and helped bring ambitious productions to the stage.
With a wide range of experience across all areas of theatre-making, Michael continues to write, develop and produce new projects, combining a deep understanding of the craft with a commitment to nurturing the next generation of theatrical voices.
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‘An uncanny gift .’
- Tom Morris, former associate director at the National Theatre
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WRITING
'Kingsbury's dialogue is smart, subtle and sure of itself' - Time Out
Writing has been the constant throughout Michael Kingsbury’s career. His work is recognised for its sharp dialogue, social observation and exploration of the complexities of human relationships.
His debut play, All Manner of Means, was selected as part of Battersea Arts Centre’s Celebration of New Writing, named a Time Out Critics’ Choice and transferred to the King’s Head Theatre for a sell-out run. Seduced was presented at the multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre as part of its New British Plays season, while Under the Influence premiered at the White Bear Theatre. His play Contact.com, starring Charlie Brooks, Tanya Franks and Jason Durr, premiered at the Park Theatre and was published by Methuen. His critically acclaimed play Jumping the Shark (co-written with David Cantor) completed a name-led number one tour, rounding off a run at Upstairs at The Gatehouse.
Michael’s writing combines humour with an acute understanding of people and the situations they find themselves in. Through authentic characters, sharp dialogue and careful observation, his work explores the tensions beneath everyday life and the conversations that reveal who we really are.
With several new plays currently in development, Michael continues to create work that holds a mirror up to modern Britain—exploring how communities evolve, what they stand to lose, and the tensions that emerge when social and economic change collides with everyday life.
'Killer dialogue. Electric. A frenzied dance on the grave of our hopes for a better world.' ★★★★
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Selected Works
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CONTACT.COM
★★★★ Daily Mail
★★★★ West End Frame
★★★★ LondonTheatre1
★★★★ Theatre & Performance
★★★★ Theatre Bubble
★★★★ Plays To See
'Hilarious. Believable and plotted with wit.' — The Spectator
Middle-aged Matthew and his long-suffering wife Naomi await the arrival of youthful couple Ryan and Kelly at their elegant North London home. They have agreed to meet for one night of unlimited pleasure before going their separate ways. That is the arrangement, that is the plan — but can they stick to it?
Ryan and Kelly have a different agenda, and as the evening unfolds, hidden desires, expectations and motivations begin to surface.
Starring Ralph Aiken, Charlie Brooks (EastEnders, Bleak House), Jason Durr (Heartbeat, Sherlock Holmes UK No.1 Tour) and Tanya Franks (Broadchurch, EastEnders), Contact.com combines caustic wit, powerful drama and sharp social observation.
Production
Directed by Ian Brown at the Park Theatre.
Development reading at the Soho Theatre with Tara Fitzgerald and Rupert Graves.
Published by Methuen.
JUMPING THE SHARK
★★★★★ Theatre Reviews Design
★★★★★ Lost in Theatreland
★★★★ The Reviews Hub
★★★★ Plays To See
★★★★ My Theatre Mates
★★★★ London Living Large
★★★★ All That Dazzles
★★★★ Grapevine
'A rarity...a properly structured comedy.'
- The Spectator
Misleads, straight reverses, telegraphing, the rule of three, the law of C, jumping the shark… these are the rules of comedy. You can’t just learn them. You have to live them.
After all, comedy’s no laughing matter.
Five strangers gather in a conference room at a hotel on the outskirts of Farnham. The hotel has seen better days and is in need of improvement — but then again, so are our protagonists.
As the group comes together, ambitions, frustrations and past experiences begin to collide.
Production
Co-written by Michael Kingsbury and David Cantor.
Completed a name-led number-one UK tour.
Starring David Schall (The Office, The Inbetweeners), Sarah Moyle (Doctors), Jasmin Armfield (Eastenders) and Harry Visinoni (Coronation Street).
ALL MANNER OF MEANS
'Killer dialogue. Electric… a frenzied dance on the grave of our hopes for a better world.'
★★★★ Time Out Critics’ Choice
A fast and furious comedy centred on the Tory Party conference and the moral implications of the English breakfast.
Through sharp dialogue and biting humour, All Manner of Means examines the contradictions between public ideals and private choices, using comedy to explore the absurdities and tensions of contemporary life.
Production
Directed by Michael Kingsbury at Battersea Arts Centre (BAC), before transferring to the King’s Head Theatre.
Starring John Marquez (Doc Martin) and Zoe Telford (Teachers).
DIRECTING
'Michael Kingsbury's peach of a production.'
★★★★★ Daily Mail
'Michael Kingsbury's production is a treat.'
★★★★★ The Observer
'I absolutely, totally and utterly loved this show'
★★★★★ The Sunday Times
Alongside his work as an actor, Michael Kingsbury has built an accomplished directing career spanning new writing, classic drama and acclaimed comedy productions.
His directing credits include In Lambeth by Olivier Award-winning writer Jack Shepherd (Southwark Playhouse), Jumping the Shark (co-written with David Cantor), which completed a number-one national tour, and Roy Smiles’ critically acclaimed Ying Tong at West Yorkshire Playhouse and the New Ambassadors Theatre.
Other directing work includes States of Shock by Sam Shepard (BAC), the Verity Bargate Award-winning This Other Eden by Jonathan Moore (Soho Theatre), the London Premiere of States of Shock by Sam Shephard at the BAC, Dom at The Other Palace Theatre and Theatre Royal Windsor, Maggie and Ted at the Garrick Theatre, Hard Times by Stephen Jeffreys, Decadence by Steven Berkoff and The Hound of the Baskervilles adapted by Nick Fisher (all for Salisbury Playhouse), alongside productions at venues including the Arcola Theatre, Finborough Theatre and White Bear Theatre.
Michael’s production of Round The Horne…Revisited enjoyed a successful West End run of sixteen months, completed three number-one tours and was selected for the Royal Variety Performance. The production received widespread critical acclaim, being named a critics’ choice by publications including The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, the Financial Times and The Independent on Sunday.
With a career encompassing drama, comedy and original writing, Michael brings a strong understanding of storytelling, performance and collaboration to every production he directs.
Selected Works
IN LAMBETH
By Jack Shepherd
★★★★ The Stage
★★★★ The Upcoming
★★★★ The Arts Desk
“Surreal and motivating...sure to leave a powerful and lasting impression.”
— A Younger Theatre
Set against the backdrop of the French and American revolutions, In Lambeth explores the meeting between two revolutionary thinkers: the idealistic visionary William Blake and the principled pragmatist Tom Paine.
Jack Shepherd’s play examines the tension between imagination and action, belief and practicality, through a fascinating encounter between two very different figures.
Production
Performed at Southwark Playhouse, London.
Cast: Tom Mothersdale, Melody Grove, Christopher Hunter, Blair Anderson.
JUMPING THE SHARK
By David Cantor and Michael Kingsbury
★★★★★ Theatre Reviews Design
★★★★★ Lost in Theatreland
★★★★ The Reviews Hub
★★★★ Plays To See
★★★★ My Theatre Mates
★★★★ London Living Large
★★★★ All That Dazzles
★★★★ Grapevine
'A rarity...a properly structured comedy.'
- The Spectator
Misleads, straight reverses, telegraphing, the rule of three, the law of C, jumping the shark... these are the rules of comedy. You can't just learn them. You have to live them.
After all, comedy's no laughing matter.
Five strangers gather in a conference room at a hotel on the outskirts of Farnham. The venue has seen better days, and so have our protagonists.
As the group comes together, ambitions, frustrations and past experiences begin to collide.
Production
Directed by Michael Kingsbury.
Completed a name-led number-one UK tour.
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CHRISTMAS
By Simon Stephens
★★★★ LondonTheatre1
★★★★ Exeunt
★★★★ The Public Reviews
'The sense of gratitude I have for the cast and director is deep. Go see them.'
— Simon Stephens
2003. A week before Christmas in an East End pub, hard-bitten landlord Michael Macraw awaits the arrival of his customers. In come loudmouth Billy-Lee Russell, local barber Giuseppe Rossi and a series of mysterious punters performing magic tricks. Last to arrive is Charlie Anderson, an ex-classical musician turned postman who seeks to uncover the regulars' deepest secrets.
As the evening unfolds and the drinks flow, it becomes clear that one of them is carrying a secret they cannot share.
A scathingly humorous and deeply human play by acclaimed writer Simon Stephens, Christmas explores the lives, regrets and obsessions of four souls in the city.
Production
Performed at the White Bear Theatre, London.
Cast: Ralph Aiken, William Ely, James Groom, Lionel Guyett.
ROUND THE HORNE...REVISITED
Adapted by Brian Cooke
★★★★★ The Times
★★★★★ Daily Telegraph
★★★★★ Financial Times
★★★★★ Whatsonstage
'I surrendered completely to this joyous reminder of the cult radio show in the late 1960s.'
— The Guardian
The immediate silliness of Round the Horne... is back, to delight old fans and first-time audiences alike. This riotous theatre version of the cult 60s radio show, famously starring Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden, Kenneth Horne and Hugh Paddick, is faithfully adapted for the stage by Brian Cooke, the last remaining writer of the original shows, and one of the country's most successful comedy writers. Hilarious as the many recordings are, the actual live shows were unforgettable.
Production
Performed at the White Bear Theatre, London.
Cast: Jonathan Rigby, Robin Sebastian, Nigel Harrison, Kate Brown, Charles Armstrong.
ACTING
Michael Kingsbury trained at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and has built a varied career across theatre and television, performing with leading companies in the UK and internationally.
His stage work includes In Lambeth (British Council Tour - Austria & Lyric Hammersmith), Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Leicester Haymarket / Shared Experience), Mick in The Caretaker (British Council Tour of Austria), Laertes in Hamlet (British Council Middle East Tour), and roles in productions including The Unexpected Guest (Theatre Royal Bath and tour), Bloody Poetry (Beverley Hills Playhouse), Treatment (Edinburgh Festival Fringe First Winner) and Medea (The Gate).
Michael’s screen credits include Josh in The Breakaway (BBC), Danny in On Your Way Riley (Yorkshire Television), PC Jones in And The Wall Came Tumbling Down (ITV) and Toby in Richard’s Things (ITV).
With experience spanning classical theatre, contemporary drama and international touring, Michael brings a depth of craft, versatility and professionalism to every role he takes on.
PRODUCING & CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT
Michael has extensive producing experience. He also actively supports and develops emerging performers and theatre makers through teaching, mentorship and artistic leadership.
Producing & Industry
Michael brings extensive producing and industry experience. He sits on the board of the Society of Independent Theatres and has worked as associate producer on productions including April in Paris (starring John Thompson and Claire Sweeney), Haunting Julia (starring Duncan Preston and Richard O' Callahan), September in the Rain (starring Joe McGann and Claire Sweeney - number one tour), Great Apes (Arcola Theatre), In Lambeth and Contact.com. Through his company London City Theatre, he also produced and toured work internationally, presenting plays by Harold Pinter, Howard Brenton and Steven Berkoff in Austria and Germany with British Council support.
His contribution to independent theatre has been recognised with an Outstanding Contribution to Pub Theatre award from London Pub Theatres, celebrating his role in founding both the White Bear Theatre and the Golden Goose Theatre. The Golden Goose has also been recognised as runner-up for London Pub Theatre of the Year, with productions receiving multiple Off West End Award nominations.
Teaching & Mentorship
His teaching work has included RADA, East 15, The Drama Studio and Goldsmiths College, where he developed a season of plays with students that formed the basis of their practical dissertations. He has also taught on the MA Theatre Practice programme at Portsmouth University and contributed to the development of the MA Contemporary Theatre Practice course at Winchester University as a member of its Validation Committee. He has also supported students through five-month industry placements from institutions including Mountview, Chichester University and Central Saint Martins, with placements contributing towards their degree programmes.
Creating Platforms
As Artistic Director of the White Bear Theatre and founder of the Golden Goose Theatre, Michael has helped create platforms for emerging writers, directors, performers and theatre companies. Artists and companies whose work has developed through these spaces include Joe Penhall, Blanche McIntyre, Simon Evans, Ruby Thomas, Dennis Kelly, Sharon Horgan, Torben Betts, Vicky Featherstone, Lucinda Coxon, Mehmet Ergen, The Ugly Sisters, Box of Tricks and Poleroid Theatre.
His contribution extends beyond providing a platform. Work developed at the White Bear has gone on to larger stages and national tours, including Dom at The Other Palace and Theatre Royal Windsor, Round the Horne…Revisited, Jumping the Shark and Maggie & Ted at the Garrick Theatre.
CONTACT MICHAEL
