Directed by Gareth Nicholls, The Monstrous Heart by Oliver Emanuel is thrilling, chilling, witty and surreal, examining afresh the eternal question of whether we ever really change how we’re made.

Ahead of welcoming his latest play to our stages this Autumn we took a look at some of Gareth's previous work.

[ 3 minute read]

As director of The Monstrous Heart, this autumn will mark Gareth Nicholls’ first visit to the Stephen Joseph Theatre, but he’s been a prolific figure in Scottish theatre over the last decade. Since studying at the world-renowned Royal Conservatoire of Scotland he’s worked with the National Theatre of Scotland, and Glasgow’s The Arches, Tron Theatre and Citizens Theatre where he was Director in Residence as well as many others.

Since joining the Traverse Theatre in July 2017 as Associate Director and being appointed Interim Artistic Director on the departure of Orla O’Loughlin in December 2018, Gareth has directed two of the Traverse’s recent award-winning Festival hits, 2018’s Ulster American (which has already completed its first world tour) and 2019’s Crocodile Fever.

With a strong record of exciting, unexpected and bold work, there’s no one better to bring out the darkness and surrealist spark of Oliver Emanuel’s The Monstrous Heart.

Gareth’s most recent work as director includes...

CROCODILE FEVER

2019, Traverse Theatre Edinburgh / Lyric Theatre Belfast

★★★★★ The Skinny | ★★★★★ Edinburgh Festivals Magazine | ★★★★★ The Reviews Hub | ★★★★★ To Do List | ★★★★★ BritishTheatre.com | ★★★★★ UK Theatre Network | ★★★★★ Miro Magazine

‘It’s hard to say that director, Gareth Nicholls hasn’t captured magic’
★★★★★ The Reviews Hub

‘Gareth Nicholls’ directs a turbo-charged co-production’
★★★★ The Herald

‘Director Gareth Nicholls expertly navigates the shift in the play’s style from naturalistic family drama to full-on horror slasher’
Exeunt

WINNER: Best Production, Broadway World Edinburgh Festival Fringe Awards 2019

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