James Bonas

James Bonas is a traditional storyteller for the modern era, combining imagination and intellect with a curiosity for technology and new forms, whether directing classical or contemporary theatre, opera or instrumental music.

Current highlights include the upcoming Hans Abrahamsen’s Snow Queen for Opéra national du Rhin, Jonathon Dove’s Flight for RCS Glasgow, Carl Orff’s Der Mond with L’Opéra National de Lyon (featuring projections by animator Grégoire Pont), Rossini’s Le Comte Ory with Lisbon’s Teatro Nacional de São Carlos and a collaboration with Damon Albarn as Artistic Consultant on the creation of the new multi-disciplinary piece, Le Vol du Boli, at the Théâtre du Châtelet.

James directed a new narrative ballet, The Crucible, for Scottish Ballet, in collaboration with choreographer Helen Pickett and composer Peter Salem. This work opened the 2019 Edinburgh International Festival, winning several awards and was reviewed as “bewitchingly good” by The Times. 2019 also saw a critically-acclaimed staging of Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz with Nicholas Collon and Aurora orchestra at the BBC Proms.