Benji Sperring Benji Sperring Welcome to the website of Benji Sperring, theatremaker, director, adaptor, dramaturg and developer. Based in London and directing across the UK and internationally, Benji has worked with world-famous estates and titles to bring musicals, comedies and dramas to the stage for the first time in bold, ambitious productions which garner cult followings, effervescent audiences and critical acclaim.

CV

Freelance Directing Work

Yeast Nation (Southwark Playhouse, July/Aug 2022)

  • European premiere of a new musical by Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann, Tony-award winning writers of Urinetown.
  • Developed the show with the writers for the UK audience.
  • Co-producer along with Proud Haddock.
  • 6 week run at Southwark Playhouse.

A Killer Party (Released online, April 2021)

  • UK remake of successful Broadway online murder mystery by Jason Howland.
  • Featured leading West End and Broadway performers.
  • Rehearsed, directed and filmed entirely remotely.

An Act of God (Vaults Theatre, December 2019-January 2020)

  • UK Premiere of David Javerbaum’s Broadway play with Zoe Lyons.
  • Redevelopment of work for a UK audience in collaboration with the author.

Night Of The Living Dead Live (Pleasance Theatre, April 9th 2019 to June 8th 2019)

  • UK Premiere of Romero’s classic film, given a comic twist, working with the Romero estate.
  • Ten week run at 350 seat Pleasance Theatre in London.
  • Released internationally on BroadwayHD.
  • Produced by Aria Entertainment, designed by Diego Pitarch.
  • Immersive production, blending comedy and horror, performed entirely in monochrome.

Liver Birds – Flying Home (Royal Court Liverpool, 2018)

  • Original musical written by Barb Jungr and Mike Lindup (from Level 42), working with Carla Lane’s estate.
  • Five week run at 1,300 seat Royal Court in Liverpool.
  • Produced by James Seabright productions and The Royal Court.

Toxic Avenger The Musical (Southwark Playhouse, Pleasance Edinburgh, Arts Theatre West End, 2016-2018)

  • European premiere of off-broadway musical written by Joe Di Pietro and David Bryan (from Bon Jovi), based on Lloyd Kaufmann’s cult horror hit.
  • Six week run at Southwark Playhouse, followed by a run at Pleasance One at the Edinburgh Festival for a month, and then a 3-month run at the Arts Theatre West End.
  • Re-directed a new cast for the West End Transfer and mid-run actor replacement.
  • Co-producer on the original Southwark Playhouse run.
  • Show was released worldwide after being filmed by BroadwayHD.

Shock Treatment (Kings Head Theatre, 2015)

  • World premiere of the stage adaptation of the 1981 movie, developed with Richard O’Brien and Richard Hartley.
  • Eight week sold-out run at the Kings Head Theatre, Islington.
  • Received international coverage and critical acclaim, and nominated for Whatsonstage Award for Best Off-West End Production.
  • Co-produced along with the Kings Head Theatre. Designed by Tim Shortall.

How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Wilton’s Music Hall, 2017)

  • The first major revival of the show in the UK for fifty years.
  • Co-produced alongside Nic Thompson Productions.
  • Three week sold-out run

Other credits

  • Richard O’Brien and Richard Hartley’s The Stripper at the St James Theatre, co-produced with Scala Theatre, in a new adaptation of the piece;
  • Ivor Novello’s Valley of Song, the world premiere of his final musical, Finborough Theatre (4 week sold out run);
  • Rutland Boughton’s The Immortal Hour, the centenary performance of his most famous opera, Finborough Theatre (4 week sold out run);
  • Maurice Maeterlinck’s The Blind and The Intruder, Old Red Lion (4 weeks) and transfer to Tabard Theatre (4 weeks);
  • Eugene Ionesco’s The Bald Prima Donna, Old Red Lion (6 weeks);
  • The Heather Brother’s Holy Crap and Fiona English’s Hamilton (Lewis), both new writing, at the Assembly Rooms Edinburgh and King’s Head Theatre.

Other relevant experience

  • Director in Residence, Eton College (2008-2009)
  • Director in Residence, Portsmouth Grammar School (2010-2012)
  • Associate Director, King Head’s Theatre (2015-2019)
  • Director of Creative Arts, Dulwich Prep London (2012-2022)
  • Visiting Director, Italia Conti (2021-current)

Drama School Productions

Hangmen (Italia Conti 3rd Year BA Acting, 2021), Cry Baby (Italia Conti 3rd Year BA Musical Theatre, 2021), Oppenheimer (Italia Conti 3rd Year BA Acting, 2022), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Italia Conti 2nd Year BA Musical Theatre, 2023), A Flea In Her Ear (Italia Conti 2nd Year Acting, 2023)

Awards and Nominations
Whatsonstage Awards Shock Treatment, 2015, Best off-West End Production.
OffWestEnd Awards – Shock Treatment, 2015, Best Musical Production, Best Actress, Best Lighting, Best Costume; Toxic Avenger, 2016, Best New Musical, Best Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role (x2), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (x2), Best Costume; The Stripper, 2017, Best Actor, Night of the Living Dead, 2019, Best Design, Best Sound Design, Best Costume Design.
Musical Theatre Review Shock Treatment, 2017, Best New Musical; Hamilton (Lewis), 2018, Best New Musical.

Education
Masters of Arts - Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, MA Directing, 2007
Bachelor of Arts – University of Manchester, BA Drama with English, 2006