Theatre Alba

Born in Edinburgh to a Polish father and Scottish mother. Educated at George Heriot’s School and The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. (1971-74)

 

He started his career as an actor appearing first with The New Shakespeare Company, Regent’s Park with which he toured throughout the UK and in India and Sri Lanka with Hamlet and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. On his return he played Tranio in the Taming of the Shrew at the Roundhouse, London with Jeremy Irons and Zoë Wanamaker. After spells at The Royal Court, Derby and York he returned to Scotland accepting a three play offer at Dundee Rep under Stephen McDonald and the late Robert Robertson. He stayed for three and a half years!

 

During that period his desire to direct was noted and given vent when he was asked to direct two late night plays at The Rep – two short plays by Joan Ure.
The seed was surely sewn and so after acting spells at The Lyceum, Perth Rep, The Citizen’s and various television programmes he embarked on his first company, The Netherbow Theatre Players which was the first company in Scotland dedicated to works for women. This developed in 1981 into the company, Theatre Alba which continues to thrive to this day. In 1986 he became the Artistic Director of the Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh and in 1991, of the Lyric Theatre, Belfast.

 

Upon his return to Scotland after the ill-fated sojourn into Northern Ireland, the life of Theatre Alba was re-kindled and along with the companies, Communicado and 7:84 became the most successful touring theatre in Scotland.

Notable productions of Nowosielskis’ are the Scot’s classics - Tamlane, The Shepherd Beguiled, The Wallace, The Bruce, The Cauldron, Mary Rose and the award-winning The Puddok an the Princess. Major world classics of note are – St Joan, The Three Sisters, The Seagull, The Diary of Anne Frank, Good, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Taming of the Shrew, and  Hamlet – to name but a few.

 

He has directed Pantomime, Christmas Shows and a ten year close association with Duddingston Kirk, Edinburgh has led to outdoor plays at the Edinburgh Festival and a memorable To The Cross, the Passion of Jesus Christ.

 

The key to his work has been a close association with fine musicians most notably, Richard Cherns and John Sampson, music by who have been and remain, intrinsic to Nowosielski’ work.