bob carlton, artistic director

Bob Carlton is the Artistic Director of the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch. He read Drama at the University of Hull and on graduating won an Arts Council Trainee Director's Bursary to the Belgrade Theatre in his hometown of Coventry.

Since then Bob has been Associate Director at the Dukes Playhouse, Lancaster and York Theatre Royal.

In 1980 Bob was appointed Artistic Director of London's Bubble Theatre Company, the company that performed in a big top style tent.

Bob has worked as a freelance director all over the country including, Oxford Playhouse, Newcastle Playhouse, and Liverpool's Everyman Theatre.

On Television Bob has directed Brookside, Emmerdale Farm and the award-winning children's series Streetwise.

His writing includes You'll Never Walk Alone for the Liverpool Everyman, (for whom he has also written five record-breaking Christmas shows), Keep On Running for Birmingham Rep and From A Jack To A King, which transferred to The Ambassadors Theatre in London's West End. Bob is perhaps best known for Return To The Forbidden Planet, which won the 1990 Olivier Award for best musical and was nominated for two Outer Critics Circle Awards in New York. Subsequently the show has been seen all over the world, Bob having directed the Australian, Japanese and New York productions. He co-wrote Face with Bob Eaton, Julian Littman and Phil Whitchurch, which was produced at the Queen’s.

Bob directed the musical Lust at the Haymarket Theatre, London and The Walnut St. Theatre in Philadelphia, where he was nominated for a Barrymore Award as Best Director Of A Musical. The show later transferred to The Houseman Theatre in New York. Bob’s work in Philadelphia includes She Stoops To Conquer and Blood Brothers.

Bob lives in London with his actress wife Caroline and their daughter Emily. Bob is an avid supporter of Coventry City and always will be.