Ben Purkiss

Ben first started directing at the University of East Anglia, where he studied English Literature & Drama. Whilst there, he was able to direct and act in numerous productions, whilst maintaining an excellent academic standard, which resulted in graduating with First Class Honours. 

Since graduating, he has worked on numerous projects, ranging from fringe productions to larger scale community projects. Born and raised in London, Ben feels strongly about representing diverse voices in his work.

Ben's work is generally raw and gritty with a distinctly modern feel to it. He loves working with new writing and contemporary plays but also thrives on finding the continued relevance and importance of historical plays by bringing them into the 21st Century.

Credits

Actor and Assistant Director, War of the Sperms, Irstead Theatre. Edinburgh Fringe Festival, August 2017. 

Assistant Director, Machinal, UEA Drama, UEA Drama Studio, December 2017. 

Actor, 19 Short Scenes For Sons by David Charles Gill. Directed by Dr. Pema Clark, UEA Rehearsal Room, May 2018. 

Actor in an adaptation of Too Loud A Solitude, Mad Dogs Theatre, UEA Rehearsal Room, May 2018. 

Director, Wasted by Kate Tempest, Associated Show with UEA Drama Society, UEA Rehearsal Room, April 2018.

Writer and Director, Disabled, Minotaur Theatre Company, The Garage, Norwich, June 2018. 

Assistant Director, Jam Tomorrow, Tramshed (formerly GLYPT), The Fellowship Inn, London, February 2019. 

Actor and Assistant Director, Ignatius, Tramshed, Greenwich Park, London, June 2019. 

Assistant Director, What You Will (Twelfth Night), Little Lion Theatre Company. Tea House Theatre, Vauxhall, October 2020.

Training

BA (Hons) First Class, English Literature and Drama. 
September 2015-June 2018. University of East Anglia.