ABOUT
John Leo Wilkie is a director of opera and theatre. He grew up in Scotland where he trained as an actor. Subsequently, he undertook a trainee director programme at The National Theatre, was a young artist director at Garsington Opera and Opera Holland Park, and also trained extensively with Complicite Theatre Company.
Now based in London, John has directed new productions for companies such as Opera Holland Park, New Zealand Festival Opera, Danish National Opera, Classical Opera, Wiltons Music Hall, Popup Opera, and Opera Bohemia.
His production of Il segreto di Susanna (Opera Holland Park) was part of a double bill that was nominated for 'Best Production' at The International Opera Awards 2021, and was also named as one of the best opera productions of 2019 in The Stage and The Times.
John was recently appointed Principal Stage Director at New Zealand Festival Opera and will direct a new production of The Magic Flute for the company in 2022.
Now based in London, John has directed new productions for companies such as Opera Holland Park, New Zealand Festival Opera, Danish National Opera, Classical Opera, Wiltons Music Hall, Popup Opera, and Opera Bohemia.
His production of Il segreto di Susanna (Opera Holland Park) was part of a double bill that was nominated for 'Best Production' at The International Opera Awards 2021, and was also named as one of the best opera productions of 2019 in The Stage and The Times.
John was recently appointed Principal Stage Director at New Zealand Festival Opera and will direct a new production of The Magic Flute for the company in 2022.
As associate, revival, and assistant director, John has worked with, among others, Tim Albery, Alessandro Talevi, Marie Lambert, William Tuckett, and Jay Schieb at companies such as The Royal Opera House, Danish National Opera, Garsington Opera, Scottish Opera, Opera Holland Park, Opera North, Welsh National Opera, and OperaUpClose.
He also works as a dramatic coach, and has directed productions and scenes with The Opera North Youth Chorus, The Southrepps Music Festival, Goldsmiths University, and Project Prima Volta in New Zealand.
John is a founding member of the internationally acclaimed Opera Bohemia, an opera company dedicated to creating opportunities for young professional artists in all areas of opera, and producing more operatic performances across Scotland. he has directed celebrated productions of La bohème, Lucia di Lammermoor, Madama Butterfly, Eugene Onegin, and The Merry Widow for the company. All of which have premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before touring nationally.
John's work has been supported by The National lottery, Creative Scotland, and The Arts Council, England.
He also works as a dramatic coach, and has directed productions and scenes with The Opera North Youth Chorus, The Southrepps Music Festival, Goldsmiths University, and Project Prima Volta in New Zealand.
John is a founding member of the internationally acclaimed Opera Bohemia, an opera company dedicated to creating opportunities for young professional artists in all areas of opera, and producing more operatic performances across Scotland. he has directed celebrated productions of La bohème, Lucia di Lammermoor, Madama Butterfly, Eugene Onegin, and The Merry Widow for the company. All of which have premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before touring nationally.
John's work has been supported by The National lottery, Creative Scotland, and The Arts Council, England.
