Charlotte Bennett

Charlotte is a multi-award-winning theatre director and the Joint Artistic Director of Paines Plough. With nearly two decades of experience, she has directed over 35 plays at some of the UK’s most prestigious and exciting venues, including the National Theatre, Kiln Theatre, Leeds Playhouse, Northern Stage, and Soho Theatre.

Passionate about stories that spark imagination and empower audiences to learn, question, and debate, Charlotte’s work spans both the dynamic landscape of the UK’s new writing scene and the timeless brilliance of classical works, including Shakespeare and Chekhov. She is equally proud of the lasting impact of her bold, large-scale family and community productions, which resonate with audiences young and old.

Prior to her artistic leadership role with Paines Plough she was Associate Director at Soho Theatre; founded and lead her own company Forward Theatre Project; was Creative Producer for RashDash and has lead various writers' and youth theatre groups.

Recent Credits include: ORDINARY DECENT CRIMINALS by Ed Edwards (Upcoming Paines Plough/Live theatre/Theatre Royal Plymouth); MY MOTHER'S FUNERAL by Kelly Jones (Paines Plough - Edinburgh, UK Tour, New York transfer); REASONS YOU SHOULD(N'T) LOVE ME by Amy Trigg (Paines Plough - Women's Prize for Playwriting winner); RUN SISTER RUN by Chloe Moss (Sheffield Theatre/Soho); WHITEWASH by Gabriel Bisset-Smith (Soho/Francesca Moody Productions); RATTLE SNAKE by Catrina McHugh (Open Clasp/Live Theatre); HAPPY HOUR by Jack Rooke (Soho Theatre); GENESIS by Frazer Flintham (Forward Theatre); CLOTHES SWAP THEATRE PARTY by Evan Placey, Alison Carr, Tim Price, Ben Ellis (Forward Theatre Project); MACBETH, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, COMEDY OF ERRORS, TAMING OF THE SHREW (Sprite Productions at Ripley Castle); THE SPACE BETWEEN US by Catrina McHugh (Open Clasp/Live Theatre); GO by Bola Agbaje (Lyric Hammersmith); ON THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF TOBACCO/CAN CAUSE DEATH by Anton Chekhov and Alison Carr (Forward Theatre Project/NT/Northern Stage); THE TURAS MOR by Ollie Birch (Soho Theatre); THE BEGGAR'S OPERA by John Gay & Richard Hurford (York Theatre Royal); FATHER CHRISTMAS by Raymond Briggs (West Yorkshire Playhouse).