Click here to download as a PDF.
I am a director with a passion for new writing, ensemble work and dramaturgy. My experience as an actor, writer, composer, and sound designer has given me a deep understanding of how theatre is made from many perspectives. My work has included small and large scale tours, fringe and main-stage venues, and a lot of ensemble creation. Influences include Ned Bennett, Matthew Xia, Rebecca Frecknall, and Katie Mitchell. I’m proud to be an associate artist of the award-winning devising ensemble The PappyShow.
My practice is anti-racist, celebrates differences between identities, and centres voices that have been historically marginalised. As a queer and trans person, I am passionate about telling stories that challenge cis-het norms.
Awards
2024 Offie Nomination – Best Performance Ensemble: BOOTYCANDY, Gate Theatre (Actor)
2024 Offie Nomination – Best Production: GWYNETH GOES SKIING (Sound Designer)
2023 Offie Nomination – Best Production: ORLANDO, Jermyn Street Theatre (Composer & Sound Designer)
2020 Olivier Nomination – Outstanding Achievement In An Affiliate Theatre: WARHEADS, Park Theatre (Composer & Sound Designer)
2018 VAULT Award Nomination – Outstanding New Work: BOYS, The PappyShow (Composer & Sound Designer)
Credits
Director/Maker
HOW TO FLY THROUGH ASHEN SKIES by Hannah Kennedy [workshop], Director, Masterclass/Theatre Royal Haymarket (2024)
TRUTH & TAILS devised by the company, Tour Asst. Director, Chichester Festival Theatre, dir. Bobby Brook (2023)
ST CHARLES AND THE DRAGON by Nicole Nadeau [scratch], Director, Baron’s Court Theatre (2023)
BORROWED by Roly Botha & Toby Clarke [workshop], Co-Director (with Toby Clarke), Park Theatre (2019)
LIKE MOTHER by Misha Butler [rehearsed reading], Director, DMH Productions (2019)
THERE IS A WAR BUT IT’S NOT HERE YET, Co-Creator (with Eve Allin), Bedales School (2018)
Performer (selected, full list at http://www.rolybotha.co.uk/acting)
BOOTYCANDY, Actor 5, Gate, Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu (2023)
THE JOKER: SHOSTAKOVICH IN THE 1930s, Shostakovich, Cadogan Hall, Donald Sturrock (2023)
A FUNERAL OF PLUMES AND LIGHTS, Merlin, BBC Sounds, Leah Marks (2022)
CASCANDO, Performer, Barbican/Pan Pan, Gavin Quinn (2020)
MAKING FATIHA, Performer/Co-Creator, Camden People’s Theatre, Toby Clarke (2019)
GHOST STORIES, Callahan, Lyric Hammersmith, Sean Holmes/Jeremy Dyson/Andy Nyman (2019)
STRANGERS IN BETWEEN, Shane, Trafalgar Studios, Adam Spreadbury-Maher (2018)
Composer (selected, full list at http://www.rolybotha.co.uk/cv)
TRUTH & TAILS, Composer/Sound Designer & Asst. Director, Chichester Festival Theatre, Bobby Brook (2023)
TAMBO & BONES, Additional Music (with Excalibah), Theatre Royal Stratford East, Matthew Xia (2023)
SHUT UP, I’M DREAMING, Sound Designer & Additional Music, National Theatre (School’s Tour), Kane Husbands (2023) THE ULTIMATE PICKLE, Composer & Sound Designer, Paines Plough, Eva Sampson (2022)
BOYS, Composer & Sound Designer, Barbican, Kane Husbands (2022)
COMING TO ENGLAND, Sound Designer, Birmingham Rep, Omar Okai (2022)
MILK & GALL, Composer & Sound Designer, Theatre503, Lisa Spirling (2021)
Training
Storytelling Theatre Short Course (Tall Stories, by selection)
Simon Godwin: 7-day workshop (TAG), 2-day workshop (National Theatre, by selection)
Matthew Xia: 7-day workshop (National Theatre, by selection)
Sally Cookson: 2-day workshop (National Theatre, by selection)
image credit: Alex Brenner
Roly Botha 