Imogen Frances
Photo by Benjamin Graham
“Powerful, urgent, lyrical and searingly honest, Imogen' s work demands to be heard and speaks for the hopes, fears and rage of those trying to negotiate their way through the misogyny of modern life.”
~ Kate Mosse, Novelist
“Sharp and witty text, precise design, seamless direction and masterful performances”
~ London Pub Theatre
“Imogen reminds us that women are not rays of sunshine, but supercell storms.”
~ Female Arts Review
"It made me feel so at ease to have another queer human in the space, allowing me to further relax in the knowledge I was seen and understood as a non-binary actor. I am so grateful to Imogen and hope to work with them again!"
~ Lucy Clifton (they/them), Actor
About Imogen
Imogen Frances (they/she) trained as an actor at RADA & Rose Bruford College, graduating with a first class degree in 2014. In their final year of drama school they wrote and performed their own solo show and a burning desire to create their own work was set alight. The fact Imogen is a trained and working actor hugely influences their approach as a theatre maker and facilitator, meaning the skills they offer are grounded in an understanding of what it means to embody the work.
As a Director, Intimacy Director and Writer, Imogen is most interested in stories that are female-led and queer-centric. Work that defies genres and blends forms. They are dedicated to the creation of new theatre works, an advocate for emerging artists (whatever their age), passionate about working with actor musicians, and committed to collaboration being at the heart of their practice.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with Imogen directly or via their agent.
Imogen Frances directing rehearsals for Two Cities by Paul Bradshaw. Photo by Rebecca Rayne.
Director
In 2015 Imogen began developing their craft as a director, by working on their first fringe show; Eight by Ella Hickson at The White Bear Theatre, co-directed by Annabel Morley.
In 2022 their directorial production of Paul Bradshaw’s tell me straight (Kingshead Theatre & Chiswick Playhouse) won The Standing Ovation Award for Black Box Theatre. Recent work includes Dogville by Lars Von Trier, adapted for the stage by Christian Lollike, and Yerma by Lorca, adapted by Ursala Rani Sarma. Imogen has also been honoured to shadow directors such as Melly Still & Lynette Linton.
tell me straight by Pul Bradshaw, in rehearsals. Intimacy Direction by Imogen Frances. Photo by Danny Kaan
Intimacy Director
Imogen is a practicing Intimacy Director, having begun their research and training in 2021 with companies such as Intimacy on Set, The Consent Studio, Intimacy for Stage and Screen, and IDC Professionals. They are currently on the Accelerator Program with IDC Professionals. Imogen has supported numerous drama schools productions in the role of ID such as Pavillion directed by George Lamb and Much Ado About Nothing directed by Robin Belfield at Rose Bruford College. Most recently they have worked on Off-West End productions; Outlying Islands at The Jermyn Street Theatre and Bellringers at The Hampstead Theatre, both directed by Jessica Lazar.
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Writer
In their final year of drama school Imogen wrote and performed their own solo show, Lava Lamps, exploring feminine and fluid identity and sexuality. In 2015 they toured the show to venues across London including The Churchill Theatre, RADA & The Etcetera Theatre. Ten years on, after being selected for a day R&D at The Young Vic Theatre, and being showcased as part of the RECLAIM festival at The Northcott Theatre, the play has been re-written into an ensemble piece for female identifying and gender queer actors, under a new title; WOM(b)AN. The play is currently in development and is set to go into production in late 2025.
As a playwright, they have also been co-commissioned by Rose Bruford College, alongside Tanya Bridgeman (Soho Theatre Tony Craze Award, shortlisted writer), to adapt Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet into a contemporary spoken word piece, creating Star Cross’d; a queer love story exploring gender and class. And, in 2023 their poetic and punchy play ; (pause before continuing) made the long list for the RSC’s 37 Plays Award.
As a poet, they are published in the photography & poetry anthology Hidden in Chaos by Chris Holmes, Trope Publishing. As a poet and spoken word artist, Imogen can often be found at street festivals, scratch nights, queer events and open mics performing their poems.