Occupation Theatre director Name Patrick Kennedy | Role Director | |
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Born 12 February 1985 (age 39) ( 1985-02-12 ) Huddersfield, England, UK | ||
Patrick Kennedy (born 12 February 1985) is a British theatre director, producer and practitioner. He is currently Artistic Director of Patrick Kennedy Productions based in London. Most notable for creating and directing new musical Halbwelt Kultur and directing several UK premieres of Richard Foreman and Stanley Silverman's work, Kennedy's career has focused on reviving new and unusual plays and musicals.
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Early life
Kennedy was born in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. He was educated at the University of Birmingham graduating with a degree in French, Italian and Chinese. He completed a postgraduate research degree at the university specializing in American actor training techniques of the twentieth century.
Career
Kennedy has been the Artistic Director of PK Productions since 2008, during which his 2009 production of The Lesson won critical acclaim from The Scotsman.
In 2012 he devised and directed Halbwelt Kultur at the Churchill Theatre. The show was the VIP pre-show to Rufus Norris's Cabaret during its run at the theatre before moving on to Notting Hill, Battersea, Riverside Studios and Jermyn Street Theatre.
In 2013, Kennedy directed the second and largest incarnation of If It Only Even Runs A Minute at the London Hippodrome. In 2014, Kennedy directed the London premiere of Up From Paradise by Arthur Miller and European premiere of Doctor Selavy's Magic Theatre by Richard Foreman. In April 2014, Kennedy devised and directed a celebratory concert at the London Hippodrome of American composer Stanley Silverman. He adapted and directed the world premiere of The Cherry Orchard set in London in 1976.
In January 2016, Kennedy directed the four hour tribute concert to David Bowie following the singer's death. Titled Starman: A Celebration Of David Bowie, the concert took place at the Union Chapel in Islington and featured established acts such as Dan Gillespie-Sells and The Magic Numbers.
In October 2016, Kennedy once again worked with Stanley Silverman to bring another Silverman/Foreman premiere to the UK. Hotel For Criminals played at New Wimbledon Studio from October 18-29 and garnered critical acclaim for its bold, unique and surreal visuals.
Continuing to bring the work of Richard Foreman to the UK, Kennedy directed, designed, choreographed and produced the UK premiere of King Cowboy Rufus Rules The Universe at the London Theatre Workshop. Critics called the production "An ambitious, brave play. Genuinely unsettling, disorientating and confrontational" and declared Kennedy as "one of the country's most fascinating theatre practitioners".