Testimonials

Peter Maniura

MVO, film director and producer, former Head of BBC TV Classical Music and Performance and Head of Digital Development for BBC Arts

I first worked with Jonathan on the BBC film version of Mark Anthony Turnage's Greek, a contemporary masterpiece that Jonathan co-created as librettist and director. That award-winning production demonstrated so many of Jonathan’s salient qualities - boundless imagination, complete commitment and passion, the ability of getting everyone around him to give of their best and a seriousness of purpose leavened with a terrific sense of fun and joy in the creative process. I count that collaboration with Jonathan as one of the most precious and important of my life.

Jonathan’s contribution to contemporary opera is extremely significant - it was wonderful to be able to televise his highly succesful premiere stage productions of James MacMillans’ Ines de Castro and Michael Berkeley's Baa Baa Black Sheep on BBC television and Jonathan has continued to bring new music theatre work to life in Europe and North America with tireless energy, insight and creativity.

But of course Jonathan’s gifts extend way beyond the operatic stage and he is one of the most extraordinary and talented artists I have ever worked with. It is extremely rare to encounter someone who is equally at ease and impressive as writer, director and actor. To all these Jonathan brings his unique passion, technical skill, sensitivity, moral and human insight and humour, creating whole worlds to challenge, enchant, provoke and uplift us on so many levels. 

Other

Pop Up Shakespeare

"One of the best productions I have ever seen."
Alan Rickman of "Crimes in Hot Countries"

"Brilliant. If theatre was more like this I'd do more and see more."
Sean Bean of "Revenger's Tragedy"

"This is a production of genius. Many thanks from your friend and admirer. "
Hans Werner Henze of "Greek"

 

2Graves

"One of the most powerful, original and talented creative artists of his generation."
Dangerous Minds

Paul Gallagher

Writer, Producer, and Director with over twenty-five years experience in film and television with BBC Music and Arts, Channel 4 etc. He is currently an editor of, and contributor to, Dangerous Minds, whose articles receive around 5 million hits.

Vocation for Moore is having to do what he has to do. It is something that compels him to dedicate his life as an artist to fulfilling his own creative vision, whilst producing an incredible body of work.

Over a 30-year career, he has proven himself, time-and-again, to be one of the most powerful, original, and talented creative artists of his generation.

He is undoubtedly a genuine maverick of rare and brilliant talent that should be cherished.

Michael Kingsbury

Freelance Director and Artistic Director of The White Bear Theatre. (Fringe Theatre of The Year, Time Out Awards)

I have worked with Jonathan Moore on several occasions over the last twenty years and have had the good fortune to witness his acting, writing and directing projects during that period.

He played a leading role for me in the acclaimed West End and NO 1 touring production of "Round The Horne Revisited". I also directed him in the Time Out Critics Choice show, "All Manner of Means" at the Kings Head Theatre.

Over the years, I have watched many of his shows including a mesmeric performance as Henry Fielding in "The Art of Success" at the Royal Shakespeare Co and "Two Graves" at the Arts Theatre London where he gave a riveting performance, holding the stage for an hour and a half single handedly. The show received much critical acclaim, garnering Five Star reviews across the board.

I have also followed Jonathan's directing career. Highlights include "Greek" (winner of BMW award for best production in Munich, receiving an Olivier Award nomination at English National Opera and winning a Midem Award and Royal Philharmonic Society Award for the BBC film version he directed) and his stunning musical "Sex, Chips and Rock n Roll" at the Royal Exchange.

I have no hesitation in recommending the talent and integrity that Jonathan has shown over the last twenty five years and look forward to seeing his unique talents flourish over the next twenty five.

Christoper Middleton

Asst Director Of Music, Royal College of Music

I have collaborated with Jonathan Moore when he directed opera scenes in the Britten Theatre of the Royal College of Music.

He is an inspirational teacher and director who can elicit astonishing performances from the actors and singers under him by a unique mixture of charisma , humour, and his own wonderful powers of acting.

He is a joy to work with: he is unlike any director I know, and the possibility of collaborating with this uniquely talented actor and director should not be passed up by anyone who has the possibility of working with him.

Andrew Lockyer

Senior Executive Producer. Music and Arts. BB CTV.

Jonathan Moore took part in a debate I organised at the prestigious Oxford University Union Debating Chamber. The debate (chaired by Mark Lawson) was entitled "What Is Art?" and was broadcast by BBCTV.

I asked Jonathan to take part because of his distinguished career as an actor, writer and director and he made a valuable and entertaining contribution to the discussion alongside other prominent figures in the arts in Britain such as John Carey, Emeritus Professor of English Literature at Oxford University.

I had previously worked with Jonathan on several occasions on other arts programmes and , most significantly, when we televised the premiere of a major new opera that he directed for Scottish Opera ( Macmillan's "Ines De Castro").

His experience on stage and on screen both as a performer and as a director has given him a distinctive perspective that makes him a valuable contributor. I'm sure I will be working with him again in the future.

Michael Nyman

Celebrated theatre, opera, ballet and (Oscar Nominated) Film Composer

I have known Jonathan Moore as a friend, writer and director. His work on my opera "Facing Goya" was, in the face of severe time and money constraints, nothing short of extraordinary.

Certainly the best production of any of my operas in the last twenty years.

As a writer his work is finely observed, sophisticated but with the common touch and his acting skills unique and irreplaceable.

Artists as diverse, diverting and humane as Mr Moore are (alas) uncommon, and his talents should be cherished.

His versatility is astounding. His playwrighting is of the highest quality and at the cutting edge. He also has a successful career as an actor in other people's works, appearing in major theatres in Britain and abroad, and of course on television.

Sir James Macmillan, Composer

Internationally renowned composer. Works performed by London Symphony Orchestra, BBC, Royal Opera etc.

Jonathan Moore is an artist of outstanding ability.

Before I knew him I was aware of his great success as an actor, playwright, theatre and opera director.

He gained widespread admiration for his work as a young theatre writer with acclaimed plays at the Edinburgh Festival, and then as a collaborator with the composer Mark Anthony Turnage on his groundbreaking first opera "Greek". He became the director of choice for many composers since.

I was fortunate to work with him on my own first opera, "Ines de Castro", which was commissioned by Scottish Opera for the Edinburgh International Festival of 1996. I have been delighted to observe the progress of Mr Moore's career in the years since.

Ludovico Einaudi

Internationally acclaimed Composer and Best Selling Recording Artist

Jonathan is an artist of exceptional quality. He has played leading roles on stage, screen and radio at the highest levels for many years, each role demonstrating his unique and outstanding brilliance.

Mr Moore is one of the most outstanding talents I have worked with.

His writing for stage screen and opera is justly celebrated in England and Europe. He is a writer of remarkable gifts and power.

His work as a director is stunningly memorable. We have performed a music theatre piece together in Milan (my composition of "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe) and his contributions as leading actor was superb. He has directed World Premieres by some of the most prominent opera composers in the world, again at the highest international level.

His many remarkable talents are indeed special and rare to find in one person.

Jonathan is a joyous asset to any place in which he works. He is diligent, good humoured and hard working. He is always looking to broaden his horizons. To face new challenges.

The cultural world is a lot richer for his presence.

Nick Dear

Award winning writer. Latest work is the hit play "The Dark Earth and The Light Sky" directed by Sir Richard Eyre at The Almeida.

Jonathan Moore has been a professional colleague of mine for over twenty years. I have no hesitation in confirming his high status as an actor, writer and director. His many abilities are widely recognised within the performing arts community here in the UK and also abroad.

Jonathan performed in my play "The Art of Success" (playing a leading role of Henry Fielding) for the Royal Shakespeare Co. The play won the John Whiting Award and was seen at Manhattan Theatre Club NYC.

I have had the great pleasure of seeing him in the one man play "Two Graves", which is an extraordinary feat of performance.

Edward Kemp

Director, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Jonathan Moore has directed five final year productions at RADA: this is more than any other external director during my tenure as Director.

We have invited Jonathan back with such regularity because he has proved himself capable of getting remarkable performances out of our acting students across a wide range of material and presenting productions which feel as though they belong to the theatre of today while exhibiting the high standards of production and presentation one would expect from a premier drama school.

In addition to fine acting, Jonathan's productions always look and sound great and it is important that our technical students get the experience of working with someone of Jonathan's calibre who is concerned with the whole theatre experience.

Amongst his productions he has negotiated the textual and character challenges of Howard Barker's muscular CRIMES IN HOT COUNTRIES, coaxed performances of extraordinary maturity and delicacy from young actors in Sebastian Barry's OUR LADY OF SLIGO and more recently released the punkish energy in plays by Judy Upton and Anya Reiss.

We are delighted that a director of Jonathan's expertise and experience shares our passion for the development of the future artists of British theatre and are already in discussions for his next production here.

Gregory Hersov

Artistic Director, Royal Exchange Theatre

Jonathan Moore has worked as an actor, writer and director at the Royal Exchange over the past twenty years. His work is original, exciting and of the highest quality.

As an actor he has played leading roles here as well as other major theatres around the country.(RSC, Royal Court, Donmar etc). I have directed him myself and seen his work many times. He has tremendous charisma combined with excellent technique and he holds the stage completely and effortlessly.

His work on TV and Film is also distinguished.

As a director he has an international reputation. His work is bold and passionate and he has worked with the best of contemporary composers in the top flight opera houses.

As a writer he has developed a style totally his own and fearlessly tells stories that deal with our world in a way that the mainstream doesn't. I was proud to be asked to write the introduction to his published work.

Jonathan is a rare talent - a polymath. He will bring excellence, innovation and brilliance to wherever he expresses himself as an artist.

Stewart Copeland

Composer, Master percussionist and founder of The Police.

Mr Moore's celebrated work as an actor (leading roles on stage at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Court, Almeida, West End and on screen) writer (he is a published playwright with several full length plays and libretti for operas on stage and screen) and director (e.g. at the Royal Exchange, Donmar, Almeida, major international opera productions, stage plays and an award winning film) have been, and continue to be, of exceptional and outstanding quality and at the highest levels of achievement.

We have collaborated on three productions. The first a Channel Four film entitled "Horse Opera". (This was shot in Tucson Arizona with Mr Moore as writer and appearing as Billy the Kid opposite my Jesse James.)

Our second project was my opera "Cask of Amontillado" (in Barbados) and thirdly "Tell Tale Heart" commissioned by Royal Opera House for Opera Shots ROH2 which Mr Moore directed.

All these ventures demonstrated Mr Moore's remarkable levels of brilliance.

The word Genius is often misused, but in Mr Moore's case it is merely an accurate description of his abundant gifts.

Sir Mark Rylance

Multi award-winning actor

"I am happy to provide a reference for Jonathan Moore, the Theatre and Opera director. He may be other things too, as he is a very talented and creative person, but I know him primarily as an original and outstanding director. He worked for me at Shakespeare’s Globe in London and helped imagine and direct a special Shakespeare event that took place with a cast of fifty, in five or six different locations as part of the Olympic celebrations of 2012. I suffered a death in the family during our final preparations and had to depend on Jonathan to handle my producing role without me as well as his own directing role. He is a good man. I recommend him as someone with an outstanding talent and good nature. Yours faithfully, Sir Mark Rylance."

Gabriel Byrne

Actor. (Has worked with The Coen Bros, Wim Wenders, Jim Jarmusch, Ken Loach, John Boorman, David Cronenberg, Bryan Singer etc.)

I have known Jonathan Moore since 1981 as a friend and an artist. I had the privilege of working on one of his first plays at the BBC called "Treatment". It was obvious to all that we were in the presence of an exceptional and rare talent.

Jonathan Moore is an artist of the highest rank.

He has remained true to his calling, has not taken the easy road, but has spent most of his career experimenting, challenging conventional forms and visions.

As well as being a profound writer and director, his exceptional moral character and his great gifts as a teacher and communicator are constantly in evidence. His rare gifts and talents enrich us all.

Shakespeares Globe

"What you have done has surpassed even my high expectations. I'm absolutely delighted. Thank you."
Mark Rylance

"Thank you. Well done for making it such an amazing, sparkling success."
Eva Koch Schulte. Producer, Shakespeare's Globe.

"Enchanting. Well done you and congratulations." (For Pop Up)
Dominic Dromgoole. Artistic Director, Shakespeare's Globe.

Ian Wooldridge

Dean and Director, British American Drama Academy

"Jonathan directed his own adaptation of The Bacchae for BADA - a vivid piece of writing,and a theatrical ‘event’ in every sense of the word. He knows how to get wonderfully committed work from young actors,and his work as a director blends powerful images, precise choreography with textual rigour and passion. His enthusiasm fills the room and the results are always exciting. I look forward to welcoming him back to BADA."

David Binder

BAM, New York

"Jonathan Moore was just at BAM with his production of Savage Winter, which in my opinion, was the most successful use of the Fishman stage that I’ve seen, and the show was intense and raw and a favorite of the festival."