Jack Furness

Welsh stage director Jack Furness is the Artistic Director of Shadwell. His work ranges from the smallest studio shows to the biggest grand operas, with a particular focus on contemporary opera, but also reimagining the works of Handel to Stravinsky. Having studied music at university, he brings a musical approach to everything he directs. And has also developed strong links between his opera work and community engagement and youth work. 

Alongside directing work, Jack is also a designer and has developed an interest in video design with particular shows. Recent directing credits include Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (London Handel Festival), The Snow Maiden (Royal Northern College of Music), Faust (Irish National Opera), Il re pastore (Buxton International Festival) Candide (Scottish Opera); Rusalka (Garsington Opera, Edinburgh International Festival); Don Giovanni (Nevill Holt Opera); Gianni Schicchi (Copenhagen Opera Festival); Dido and Aeneas (Royal Academy of Music); revival of David McVicar’s production of Carmen (Dallas Opera); revival of Kasper Holten’s production of Don Giovanni (ROH); Le nozze di Figaro, Così fan tutte and Don Giovanni (Teatru Manoel, Malta); Written on Skin and Lessons in Love and Violence (Melos Sinfonia in St Petersburg); and Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel (Wexford Festival).