THE ART of SUCCESS by Nick Dear
Director Dewi Johnson
Casting Danièle Sanderson
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s licence to present Nick Dear’s THE ART OF SUCCESS is granted by Rosica Colin Limited, London.
Contains nudity, themes of a sexual nature and adult language.
Thursday 9 - Saturday 11 October 2025
The Crescent Theatre, Main House
Birmingham City University
THURSDAY 9 - SATURDAY 11 OCTOBER
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
The Art of Success first hit the English stage in 1986 at the Royal Shakespeare Company before transferring to the West End and then Broadway. I came to the play myself as a student at Drama school when my head of course recommended me to direct it for my grad show. I ultimately went with a play by Marivaux, but never forgot Nick Dear’s take of Hogarth and am delighted that seven years later, I get to finally work on the piece with this company.
The play falls in the ‘Classical Contemporary’ genre - It looks at the issues of today but through the prism of the past.
The challenge when attempting this play is to link the three worlds - Our world (2025), the world of the playwright (1980s) and the world of the play (18th Century). At its heart, it’s a play about sex, money and power. It questions who has the right to tell what story? What is art and who is it for? How do you ‘codeswitch’ to adapt to the world around you? And just to make things even easier, Nick Dear compresses the events of ten years of Hogarth’s life into one eventful evening, never repeating a location and scatters historical references throughout like breadcrumbs for an audience. This play is so brutal that actors cannot hide from the material - you must face it head on and play your action with ferocious precision.
The play forces us to look at ourselves and what we are capable of as individuals and as a society leaving us with one question. Do we laugh or cry?
It’s been a pleasure to return to Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and work with the graduating class of 2026 and wish them all the best with their future creative endeavours.
Dewi Johnson
DEWI JOHNSON
Dewi Johnson is a theatre and opera director, trained at the Drama Centre London.
He is particularly recognised for his expertise in Restoration Theatre and 18th Century Comedy of Manners. As the founder and Artistic Director of Foppish Theatre, Dewi has established a reputation for producing high-quality performances that engage audiences with lesser-known classics.
As Director
The Art of Success, The House of Bernarda Alba, Playhouse Creatures (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire); Immaculate, Suckers, Arranged Nikah (Birmingham Rep & Sky Comedy); Nell Gwynn (Crescent Theatre) nominated for a Whatsonstage award; Loveplay (Drama Centre London); The Fop Reformed, In Praise of Folly, The Will (Foppish Theatre); Away From Home (Gritty Theatre) Winner of best newcomer award.
As Associate Director
Dr. Strangelove (Noel Coward Theatre/ Bord Gáis Energy Theatre) Co-adapted by Armando Iannucci, starring Steve Coogan and Giles Terera; The Crown Jewels (Garrick Theatre and UK tour) Starring Al Murray, Mel Giedroyc, Neil Morrissey and Carrie Hope Fletcher.
As Assistant Director
Der Fligende Hollander (Persona Arts) received Royal recognition from his Majesty King Charles III; Linck & Mülhahn (Hampstead Theatre); The Olivier-nominated The Upstart Crow (Apollo theatre) by Ben Elton starring David Mitchell and Gemma Whelan; Three Sat Under the Banyan Tree (Tara Arts/UK tour), Purcell’s King Arthur (Dartington International Festival), Il barbiere di Siviglia (Royal Opera House, Stage One Director’s Placement).
Dewi is a board member at the Historic Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham.
Dewi is represented by Bronia Buchanan at BBA Management.
CAST
William Bennett Oliver
Maddie Clarke Jane Hogarth
Niamh Logue Louisa
d’Lemos Henry Fielding
Sammy Ho Sum Lee
Drummer girl/ Queen Caroline
Jay Hopkins Frank
Alfie JamesMurray Gaoler/Robert Walpole
Max Paterson William Hogarth
Trisha Kashyap Mrs Needham
Lauren Park Sarah Sprackling
Leon
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Production Manager Jacqui Findlay
Scenic Designer Emma Thompson
Lighting Designer Jo Dawson
Sound Designer Adam McCready
Head of Costume Michelle Shaw
Head of Props Dan Raven
Production Technician Dilpesh Patel
Staff Stage Manager Louise Turner
Stage Manager Ygrainne Walshe***
Deputy Stage Manager Claire Hyde**
Assistant Stage Manager Hannah Brown*
Technical ASM Lighting James Yates*
Technical ASM Sound Cerys Langford*
Production Assistant Anna Nee
Costume Assistant Sarah Lowes
Scenic Assistant Rosie Lunney
Technical Assistant Naomi Day**
Set Assistant Esme McIntyre**
Costume Assistants Caitlyn Kopera**, Mollie Jones**
Props Assistants Audrie Gilliland**, Oliver Higham**
Voice Support Loreto Wright
Fight Support Roger Bartlett
Movement Support Patsy Browne-Hope
*1st Year Stage Management Students
**2nd Year Stage Management Students
***3rd Year Stage Management Students
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Association Supporting our Actors and Musicians
The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Association (RBCA) is more than just a membership organisation - it’s a vibrant community of music and drama lovers, patrons, and advocates who are passionate about nurturing the next generation of artists.
As an RBCA Member, you’ll enjoy exclusive benefits, including:
• Invitations to special social gatherings before select RBC events
• Opportunities to meet our talented students and dedicated staff, and hear their inspiring stories firsthand
• A bi-annual newsletter, filled with exciting updates from the Conservatoire and fellow members
But most importantly, your membership directly supports students facing financial challenges — helping them focus on their craft, not their costs.
By joining from just £27 per year, you’ll be making a real difference in the lives of students like Anastasiia Vasyliuk (voice - soprano, pictured right) and Kara Woods (saxophone) - empowering them to pursue their dreams and share their talents with the world.
Become part of something extraordinary. Join the RBCA today and help shape the future of the performing arts.
www.bcu.ac.uk/RBCA
