RICHARD CARROLL

​Director

Richard Carroll is a director, writer and producer based in Sydney, and is the co-artistic director of Hayes Theatre Co. 

Most recently, Richard directed the smash hit GODSPELL at Hayes Theatre Co. In 2021, Richard co-directed THE BOOMKAK PANTO with Virginia Gay at Belvoir Theatre.  Richard’s acclaimed production of the musical ONCE which premiered in 2019 at Darlinghurst Theatre Company, had a return season at Darlinghurst Theatre Co in 2021. Then in 2022, Richard toured ONCE to Black Swan State Theatre Company.  ONCE will be remounted again in Sydney this year.  In 2020, Richard directed a new production of OKLAHOMA for Black Swan State Theatre Company, and his new work THE BOY, GEORGE, starring comedian Joel Creasey.  Richard directed an acclaimed production of CALAMITY JANE at Hayes Theatre Co, starring Virginia Gay, which toured to five cities in 2018-19, including two sold-out mainstage seasons at Arts Centre Melbourne and Belvoir Theatre. CALAMITY JANE had a sold-out return season to Arts Centre Melbourne later that year followed by a commercial season at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre.   In 2019, Richard directed sold-out production of the musical SPAMALOT at Hayes Theatre Co, which toured to several cities. 

Richard won a Sydney Theatre Award for Best Production of an Independent Musical and was nominated for Best Director of a Musical for CALAMITY JANE. CALAMITY JANE received seven Green Room Award nominations including Best Direction and Best Production.

ONCE was nominated for four Sydney Theatre Awards including Best Production of a Mainstage Musical. His production of SIDE SHOW was nominated for multiple awards, including three Sydney Theatre Awards. Richard is co-creator and director of THE SHOW GOES ON starring Bernadette Robinson which had its premiere at Sydney Opera House and toured to Melbourne Arts Centre.  

Other directing work includes: GYPSY (Hayes Theatre Co); THE SHOW GOES ON (Sydney Opera House, Arts Centre Melbourne); A NIGHT AT THE SPEAKEASY (Sydney Symphony Orchestra); and AN ACT OF GOD (Darlinghurst Theatre Company) starring and co-directed by Mitchell Butel; and and MAME, MEET ME IN ST LOUIS & CALAMITY JANE for Neglected Musicals.  

Richard’s cabaret work includes: EVERYBODY LOVES LUCY (co-writer); DAHLESQUE (co-writer); ¡HISPANIC ATTACK! (writer/director, national tour); DON’T BOTHER TO KNOCK (co-writer/director, Hayes/Adelaide Cabaret Festival); JULIE MADLY DEEPLY (co-creator; Australian, Canadian, UK national tours and West End season); and opening night variety gala concerts (director/writer) for Adelaide Cabaret Festival and The Art House.

Richard’s producing work includes: DARLINGHURST NIGHTS and HIGH SOCIETY (Hayes Theatre Co); SPAMALOT, CALAMITY JANE and SIDE SHOW, (One-Eyed Man Productions); MIRACLE CITY and SWEET CHARITY (Luckiest Productions).  Richard co-wrote and was associate producer of the documentary DAVID CAMPBELL ON BROADWAY. Richard is also the producer and host of popular podcast EVERY MUSICAL EVER.