Production Details
Full details, production shots & reviews,
bookmarked from each CV entry.

Christmas 2003 - Fairy Godmother in Cinderella by Stuart Thomas
Tale Two Productions at the Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh, Edinburgh
Directed by Stuart Thomas

The show is written and directed by Stuart Thomas with whom I worked in December 2002 at the Citizen’s Theatre Glasgow in his acclaimed new play, Damn’d Jacobite Bitches. I last appeared at The Brunton Theatre in February 2002 as Titania and Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream for director Mark Thompson. With Vari Sylvester, Victoria Balnaves, Tom Freeman, James Bryce, Steven Wren, Keith Hutcheon, Sean Kane and Lee Scott

Nicola Burnett Smith is smart of movement and strong of voice as the Fairy Godmother,
leaving one wondering why we don’t see more of this actress on Scottish stages.
Steve Cramer in The List

... Particularly with the Ugly Sisters and the Fairy Godmother ... there’s the odd moment of genuine brilliance.
Nicola Burnett Smith as the much-maligned Good Fairy has exactly the right understanding of a young, vocal crowd and quickly
gets them all under her spell, before setting them up for the show. It’s an effect she manages to maintain throughout the show.
And, while she does so, she creates a character who is more like a kind matron or an understanding Auntie
than a tinsel-clad totem from the top of the Christmas tree. Thom Dibden in The Evening News

Nicola Burnett Smith is a merry, mischievous Fairy Godmother Mary Brennan in The Herald

Top of the tree is Nicola Burnett Smith Thom Dibden in The Stage

The excellent Nicola Burnett Smith (the Fairy Godmother) looks very much out of place in this tawdry production. (!)
Mark Brown in The Scotsman

2003 - Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
The English Theatre of Vienna
Directed by Andrew Hall

This production celebrated the 40th anniversary of the theatre, marked by a special gala reception with the British Ambassador at the British Embassy. With Kevin Brock, Felicity Duncan, Giles Ford, Jeffrey Harmer, Michael Hucks, David Kendall, Jack Laskey, Katie McGuiness, Jethro Skinner and James Wooldridge.

Designed by Terry Parsons
Fight Director Malcolm Ranson
Musical Arrangement by Nicola Burnett Smith and Jeffrey Harmer.

Photos by Alan Wylie

2002 - 'Colonel' Anne Mackintosh in Damn'd Jacobite Bitches by Stuart Thomas
The Citizen's Theatre, Glasgow
Directed by Mary McCluskey

Four very different women, united by a common cause, meet for a final meal. Over food, drink and strained bonhomie, the rise and fall of Charles Edward Stuart is revealed. Each of the women shares a very different relationship with him and his notorious cause, and each has a bone to pick with History. The romantic mythology that surrounds Bonnie Prince Charlie has concealed the influence of the forgotten Jacobite women of  the Rebellion. This is their story. We are all the same in this. Whatever history will record.

Mackintosh is played with fabulous gin-swilling, blue-blooded ribaldry by Nicola Burnett Smith. The Scotsman

Nicola Burnett Smith is particularly good as the engagingly rude Ann Mackintosh who spars splendidly
with Anne Marie Timoney’s Jenny Cameron. The Guardian

Nicola Burnett Smith gives a splendid account of the plain-speaking Ann Mackintosh … a fascinating and hugely entertaining show.
The Mail on Sunday

Nicola Burnett Smith has the most fun part and she commands the theatre with passionate tirades, Jacobite songs and even a little opera. Metro

… richly characterized and splendidly performed, a palpable hit.  The Times

There is subtlety in all the performances with flashes of brilliance ... the result is quite delightful.  The Stage

With Steven Scott as Prince Charles Edward Stuart, Vivien Reid as Flora MacDonald, Rae Hendrie as Clementine Walkinshaw and Anne Marie Timoney as Jenny Cameron. Designed by Annie Curtis Jones with Lighting designed by Michael Lancaster.

2002 - Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
Brunton Rep Theatre in Musselburgh, Edinburgh
Directed by David Mark Thompson

This was the last Shakespeare production of the Brunton Repertory Company which, owing to a funding crisis, then had to fold after more than twenty years. Acclaimed director Mark Thomson has since been appointed to run the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. With Peter Grimes, Gill Robertson, Katrina Bryan, Lucy Paterson, Andrew Dallmeyer, Jordan Young, Gowan Calder, PJ Henry, Robert Paterson, Gareth Glen, Keith Warwick, Neil McKinven. Excellent reviews include the following:

…glows with meticulous attention to detail and realizes many of the play’s ideas with intelligence….the traditional Titania/Hippolyta
(Nicola Burnett Smith) and Oberon/Theseus (Neil McKinven) doubling show us the appropriate rational
and pre-rational divided self with real psychological dexterity. The List

…Thomson’s actors carve an effective path through Shakespeare’s exquisite text, led by Nicola Burnett Smith’s impressive Titania.
The Scotsman

… a witty, emotionally rich production. Under Thomson, the Brunton company has performed Shakespeare
that shows the same close reading and panache he would have encountered at the RSC. Sunday Herald

… exciting and entertaining to watch… a pearl of a production…
McKinven and Burnett Smith return to the stage as King and Queen of the fairies.
She, to rather better effect, as a most lascivious and randy Titania. Edinburgh Evening News

Photos by Ian Tilton

Nicola Burnett Smith brilliantly portrays Rachel Ashley, a beautiful and enigmatic woman. The Stage

Nicola Burnett Smith is magnificent in her role as the beautiful, spirited Italian. The Herald

The portrayal of this complex and mysterious woman by Nicola Burnett Smith is very convincing,
an excellent piece of acting as she weaves a spider’s web of attraction. The Reminder

Rachel Ashley is brilliantly played by Nicola Burnett Smith. Times and Star

... Exotic and beguiling… Kesmail

Nicola Burnett Smith excels as Olwyn Peel … the cast work beautifully together. The Stage

Season Company: Geoffrey Banks, Paul Currier, Alison Darling, Roger Delves Broughton, James Nickerson, Pat Rossiter, Corinna Powesland, Michael Vaughan.

1999 - First Mezzo in Silver Swan
Clod Ensemble at the Battersea Opera Festival, Battersea Arts Centre
Directed by Susy Willson - Conducted by James Keane

Paul  Clark’s composition for unaccompanied choir and actors was inspired by 17^th Century songs by John Smith and William Lawes. A recording of the music is available. With Zoe Bywater, Jason Thorpe, Dan Milne, Linda Kerr Scott, Sarah Belcher, Sabina Netherclift, Morag Boyle, Rosemary Forbes-Butler, Osnat Schmool, Emily Sharp, Lianne-Marie Skinner.

1999 - Prince Charming in Cinderella
Theatre Royal, Northampton
Directed by Michael Napier Brown - MD Maurice Merry

A traditional pantomime aimed at the family audience (i.e. gorgeous costumes and no dirty jokes). With Jane Dolamore, Matthew Woolcott, Nigel Nevinson, Vicki Hopps, Nicola Ball, Matthew Scarlett, David Brett, Daniel O’Brien, Leigh Palmer.

1998 at the Royal National Theatre

Miss Lockhart in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd - Musical director and composer - Stephen Warbeck

At the Lyttleton Theatre and on national tour. Apart from playing Miss Lockhart, the Chemistry teacher who marries Miss Brodie’s lover, I also understudied the role of Jean Brodie, played by Fiona Shaw. The understudy rehearsals and performances were directed by Loveday Ingram. More detail on the Music page.

With Fiona Shaw, Adam Kotz, Annette Badland, Nicola Wheeler, Nicholas Le Prevost, Irene Allan, Camilla Power, Pauline Lynch, Joyce Henderson, Lindsay Fawcett, Joanne Bending, Sarah Corbett, Joanna Page, Diane Thornton, Susannah Wise, Sarah Goodchild, Julie Maisey. (See rehearsal photo left: L-R Fiona Shaw, Adam Kotz, Nicola, Nicholas Le Prevost)

Emilia (understudy) in Othello by William Shakespeare - Directed by Sam Mendes

Whilst part of the company at the National Theatre, I also worked on Sam Mendes’ production of Othello, covering the roles of Emilia (Maureen Beattie) and Bianca (Indira Varma) whilst the production was at the Lyttleton. With David Harewood (Othello), Simon Russell Beale (Iago), Claire Skinner (Desdemona), Colin Tierney (Cassio).

Hella in The Master & Margarita by Mikail Bulgakov - Directed by Helena Kaut-Howson

A workshop production of a new adaptation of the book performed at the National Theatre Studio. With Kathryn Hunter, Nicholas Le Prevost, Yolanda Vasquez, John Baxter, Irene Allan, Martin Freeman, Ewan Hooper, Enzo Nicoli, Simon Roberts, Toby Sedgwick, Michael Hodgson, Ronan Vibert and Jo Bending.

1997 - Lucy in Hallisinia
Royal National Theatre & The Tate Gallery - Directed by John Abulafia

This was a modern chamber opera presented at the Tate Britain to celebrate the bicentenary of the painter William Hogarth. I played the lead character of the maid, Lucy, who observes, narrates and links the story from past to present and back again. The piece was based on Hogarth’s Marriage a la Mode. The music was written by Cameron Sinclair with the Centre Stage Writers. Artistically directed and written by John Abulafia, we also worked with John Lubbock and nine musicians from the orchestra of St John’s Smith Square. Later in the year we performed extracts from Hallisinia at the Tate Modern Millbank Fete. With Alex Kelly, Richard Henders, Jasna Ivir, Bryan Robson, Joe Speer, Scott Davies.

1997/98 - Heidi & Ensemble in William Tell
Natural Theatre Company
Directed by John Abulafia - MD Steve Edis

A national tour of the UK including the Purcell Rooms on the South Bank and culminating in six weeks at the St Pauli Theatre in Hamburg. With Chris Dickens, Jill Myers, Ralph Oswick, Iain Wotherspoon.

Britain’s version of the late, great Charles Ludlam’s Theatre of the Ridiculous. The Times

The performances utilize clockwork precision  to deliver the appearance of total chaos… brash, loud, silly ... the perfect night out.
The Independent

Luxurious… extremely funny…another sure-fire hit… if Tony Blair wants to keep the nation healthy,
he should consider allowing the whole of the Natural Theatre Company on prescription. Bath Chronicle

1997 - Bathsheba Everdene in Far From The Madding Crowd
The King's Head Theatre, Islington, London
Directed by Duncan Law

A two-person adaptation (with Ian Keith) of Thomas Hardy’s novel.

The adaptation … has a quiet dignity. Nicola Burnett Smith jumps convincingly through endless hoops of pain as Bathsheba. Time Out

Wycombe Theatre Company at the Wycombe Swan

1996 - Chorus Leader & Composer/Music Director in Murder In The Cathedral by TS Eliot
Directed by Andrew Potter.

See the Music page for more details of my composition and music direction. With Daniele Sanderson, Amy Finegan, Dickon Thorndike, Simon Hemingway, Brian Panton.

1994 - Lady Macbeth in Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Directed by Stephen Hartford

Nicola Burnett Smith gives the finest performance as a strong, steel-hearted Lady Macbeth. The Stage

With Dickon Thorndike, Justin Saunders, Mark Carlisle, Daniele Sanderson, Nelly Morrison, Richard Moody, Brian Panton, Chris Myles, Iain Armstrong, Andrew Potter.

1996 - Sarah Carew in Jekyll and Hyde
Major Road Theatre Company - Adapted & Directed by Graham Devlin & Felix Cross

This contemporary chamber musical introduced the new character of Sarah Carew, an American doctor and scientist visiting Victorian London. Sarah becomes alternately beguiled by both Jekyll and Hyde and ends by solving the mystery of their dual identity. With Philip Curtis, Dan Fineman, Sara Hillier, Martin Johnstone, Debra Michaels.

Sarah Carew is sensitively played by Nicola Burnett Smith…a clever, many-faceted production. The Stage

1995 - Emily in David Copperfield adapted by Phil Smith
International Theatre Co London - Directed by Paul Stebbings

Eleven week world tour, visiting France, Sweden, Norway, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong & Spain. With Carrie Wale & Jeffrey Harmer.

Emily’s plight invites our sympathy but never our pity, due to inspired acting. South China Morning Post

1995 - Nickie Pignatelli in Sweet Charity
Handstand Productions, National Tour
Directed by Han Duijvendak

This was an actor-musician version of the Neil Simon musical on national UK tour. I played Charity’s best friend, the ruthless and sexy Nickie, as well as saxophone and clarinet. With Andrew Callaway, Alison Gunn, David Howarth, Rebecca Jackson, Barbara Leon, Anthony Hunt, Jill Myers, Bruce Panday, Debbie Paul (Charity), Colin Stevens, James Wilson.

Nicola Burnett Smith and Jill Myers really catch the eye when they sing and dance together.
They are both wonderfully, lip-smackingly raunchy. The Stage

A fine cast of actor-musicians – notably Nicola Burnett Smith and Jill Myers. New Forest Post

Nicola Burnett Smith shows star quality with a performance that lights up the stage. Evening Sentinel

With Kerry Angus, Neil Boorman, Maria Carrigan, Chris Cooper, Simon de Deney, Thomas Frere, Deb Williamson and my web designer Tim Frances

1993 - Kirstie Strachan in The Sunset Song Trilogy
TAG Theatre Company Glasgow
Directed by Tony Graham & Andy Howitt - MD Dougie Maclean

From the adaptation of A Scot’s Quair, a trilogy of novels written by Lewis Grassic Gibbon in the 1930s. Commissioned by the Edinburgh International Festival to be the headlining project in 1993 at the Assembly Hall on The Mound, we started with Sunset Song at the Glasgow Citizens Theatre for the Mayfest and then added Cloud Howe and Grey Granite in time for the festival and a national tour. Every Saturday at the Festival we would perform all three plays over the course of a day.  Word-of-mouth and excellent national reviews made the show a sell-out success with queues of theatre-goers waiting for tickets outside the Assembly Hall. All the actors played a variety of different roles and took part in the movement sequences and the music. With Michael Mackenzie, Malcolm Shields, Ian Stuart Robertson, Dougal Lee, Jacqueline Anderson, Stuart Bowman, Anne Kidd, Pauline Knowles, Stuart Porter.

at the end of the six-and-a-half hour trilogy… the cast looked exhausted but triumphant
and the audience rose to its feet and roared approval … best performances … Nicola Burnett Smith ... The Telegraph
... an outstanding performance given by Nicola Burnett Smith as Kirsty Strachan. The Stage
… best performances … Nicola Burnett Smith... Jewish Chronicle
…theatre that stands proud on Edinburgh’s international stage. The List
ensemble acting at its best… truly captivating. Edinburgh Evening News

photo Nobby Clarke

1991 - The Magic Storybook by Renata Allen
Directed by John Retallack - MD Juliet E Hill - Music Composed by Howard Goodall

An award-winning debut run of the Christmas show at the Oxford Playhouse and on national tour. The cast of seven told five different stories – I played Cinderella, and in The Girl and the Snake I sang the narration composed for me by Howard Goodall. With Jan Alphonse, Andrew Dennis, Carol Redfern, Karl James, Penny Dimond.

the story of the paradise bride, played by the lovely Nicola Burnett Smith… intrigued and amused. Somerset Gazette
beautiful simplicity…one of the finest pieces of theatre to have passed your way in a very long time. Basildon Echo
utterly enchanting …wonderfully mimed and narrated … Nicola Burnett Smith sings the narration beautifully… Financial Times

1991 - Medea in Female Parts by Franca Rame & Dario Fo
Great Northern Theatre
Directed by Lucy Pitman-Wallace

Medea delivers a persuasive, poetic and uncompromising crie de coeur…
Nicola Burnett Smith is exceptionally impressive as Medea. What’s On
Nicola Burnett Smith gives a performance of great power and dignity as Medea. Time Out
Best is Nicola Burnett Smith as Medea. The Oracle

Classics on a Shoestring at The Gate Theatre, Notting Hill, London
Directed by Katie Mitchell

1991 - Chorus in The Women of Troy
A box office and critical success, starring Paola Dionisotti as Hecuba. The production was particularly acclaimed for its use of the chorus (see reviews). We worked for six weeks as a company to create the chorus’ unusual style with daily physical training and musical chorus work. I sang choral & solo pieces in ancient Greek. With Barbara Flynn, James Purefoy, Kathryn Hunter, Siobhan Fogarty, Cate Hamer, Sadie Shimmin, Zara Turner, Emma Rice, Cheryl Moskowitz, Kristin Hewson, Susannah Rickards, Paul Brennan.

Intensely dramatic…the chorus, at once grief-stricken and burning with anger, makes the strongest impression of all. The Telegraph
Katie Mitchell’s most notable achievement is to have infused such vigour into the chorus. The Times
Stunningly brought to life by an ensemble of 12 women and men who perform with tireless conviction over two unbroken hours
of spine-tingling drama…the glory belongs to the chous…the effect is inexpressively powerful. Time Out Critics’ Choice

1990 - Polya in Vassa Zheleznova
This production of Gorky’s play starring Paolo Dionisotti as Vassa was a sell-out and a critical success. I played Vassa’s maid, Polya. To link the acts of the play I also sang solo unaccompanied songs adapted by musical director Ben Livingstone from original Russian and Georgian folk music. With Walter Hall, Simon Coates, Sarah Harper, Guy Henderson, Chris Hunter, Lizzie McInnerney and Judy Sweeney.

Deserves an award The Stage. Thrilling ... Recommended The Times. Splendidly engrossing Time Out Critics’ Choice.

1990 - Tanya in Love and Madness from the Chekhov short story ‘The Mad Monk’
Café Theatre, Leicester Square, London

Nicola Burnett Smith as the bumpkinish wife, Tanya, puts in a versatile performance,
switching adroitly from wedding joy to lonely frustration. Time Out 

photo Phil Cutts

1989 - Inti Coussi in The Royal Hunt of the Sun by Peter Shaffer
Compass Theatre
Directed by Tim Pigott-Smith

One of the last productions for Sir Antony Quayle’s theatre company in the year he died. I played the wife of Atahualpa, the Inca King, played by Jack Klaff. There was heavy input from the writer Peter Shaffer and an excellent cast, including Denis Quilley, Jack Klaff, and Rufus Sewell.