FILM AND STAGE
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
Smith (aka Rogue Shakespeare) has been directing and producing acclaimed productions of stage plays since 1996, and festival-winning films since 2010
Below, in reverse order, are some of the highlight productions of his career as a director/producer
“a precociously talented writer-director-actor”
– EDINBURGH GUIDE
“Smith – A magnet for awards and critical acclaim”
– BROADWAY WORLD
2025
FILM
PRETTY, WITTY NELL®
(Final Act – The King’s Death)
In the summer of 2025, Smith directed and produced his 6th short film ‘PRETTY, WITTY NELL – Final Act – The King’s Death‘, based on his OFFIE Award-winning 7th verse play, Pretty Witty, Nell®. The film stars the current star of the stage show, Clarissa Adele.
STAGE
PRETTY, WITTY NELL®
JULY-AUGUST 2025, Smith directed and produced the acclaimed revival production of his OFFIE Award-winning 7th verse play, Pretty Witty, Nell®, with 23 year old American actress, Clarissa Adele, taking over the solo title role. The show ran for a week at Barons Court Theatre in London in July before touring to the Bedlam Theatre for a week in August as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Reviews and Awards:
Current Nominee – Standing Ovation Award 2025
Fringe Review – MUST SEE SHOW – 2025
“This is a superior piece of writing, with an exceptional performer in the chair. There are very few superlatives left for Pretty Witty Nell in terms of writing, but this is exceptional.” – Fringe Review
★★★★★ “With a commanding script and bewitching performance, Pretty Witty Nell transports audiences back to the merry, muddied world of the Restoration. …a performance of startling vulnerability. Adele is mesmerising.” – London Pub Theatres Magazine
“Adele’s explosive performance left you unable to take your eyes off the stage for a moment. Ryan J-W Smith is truly a rogue Shakespeare, stealing the Bard’s famous techniques and reassembling them for a modern audience. It’s pretty, it’s certainly witty and the tongue-in-cheek, racy comedy, pinned down by the beautifully arresting moments of emotion and vulnerability, truly makes you feel as if Nell Gwynn is alive before your eyes.” –
★★★★ “poignant and heartfelt… one of Pretty, Witty Nell’s greatest strengths – it took a tale that seemed predictable and made it utterly relevant in today’s world… Physical theatre in the show was highly commendable… a joy to watch and experience, and for anyone interested in historical fiction, it’s a sure winner.” – The Student News
2024
STAGE
PRETTY, WITTY NELL®
In 2024, Smith revived no less than 4 of his award-winning and award-nominated verse plays. He started by producing and directing his Pretty Witty, Nell® to critical acclaim in the Rotunda Theatre in Brighton.
Reviews and Awards:
OFFIES AWARD-WINNER
“A show worth savouring, seeing twice and buying the text of… An outstanding gem. Smith – the most prolific and crucially, experienced verse-drama writer in the UK. His natural gifts have grown exponentially…” – Fringe Review
★★★★ “funny, sharp witted and brutally honest…an extremely strong performance… one to watch” – Broadway Baby
★★★★ “Smith’s objective in his Rogue Shakespeare company seems to be to revive the rhythm and richness of language achieved through the Bard’s iambic corpus; and the writing here definitely carries a similar spirit, though on the whole it’s much simpler and easier to understand, without the cryptic flights of fancy and lost usage. It’s a noble project and breathes new life into a kind of versification that is often needlessly assumed to be the preserve of one playwright.” – The Reviews Hub
Smith winning the OFFIES OffFest Award for his Pretty, Witty Nell®
STAGE
LOVE LABOURS WON / ROMEO & JULIET IT AIN'T!
Smith produced, directed and performed in revival productions of 3 of his award-winning and critically-acclaimed plays, Love Labours Won, Romeo & Juliet it Ain't! (aka 'Sweet Love Adieu - version II') and MacDeth! with productions at the Brighton Open Air Theatre and the glorious open air Roman Theatre in St. Albans.
★★★★ "...in the Bards absence, Rogue Shakespeare steps into the frame with Love Labours Won and Sweet Love Adieu. Both very different in style and subjects covered, but pays huge tribute to the Bard's work, with an extremely modern twist... This is Shakespearean comedic hilarity for adults with lots of fun along the way." - Broadway Baby
The Open Air Roman Theatre in St. Albans, England
STAGE
MACDETH!
Smith's MacDeth!, in which he performed the title role, was an especially popular sell-out show, which garnered Ryan much praise from audiences and critics alike:
“Smith has actually rewritten MacBeth in his own outstanding verse… I really respected the adaptation and can honestly say I have never come across such a talented living poet-playwright as Ryan J-W Smith.” – St. Albans Times.
2023
STAGE
PRETTY, WITTY NELL®
2019
STAGE
PRETTY, WITTY NELL®
Nominated – Hollywood Fringe International Award 2019
Melanie Johnson as ‘Nell’ in the world premiere, 2019
2016
In 2016, Smith directed and produced and starred in the world premieres of both his award-winning 5th verse play, MacDeth!, and his critically-acclaimed 6th verse play, Romeo & Juliet it Ain’t. Awards and Reviews for both below:
STAGE
MACDETH!
WINNER – Hollywood Fringe International Award 2016
WINNER – Encore! Producers' Award 2016
Nominated – Hollywood Fringe Comedy Award 2016
“SHOWS TO SEE – MACDETH!.. lighten up the classic study in evil with a touch of Monty Python” -
"Writer and director, Smith’s turn as MacDeth exhibits an obviously accomplished actor of impeccable comedic timing and presence, boldly leading his ensemble to the promised land – a full house and standing ovation.” -
“Fringe award-winner, Smith, no stranger to the words of the Bard, offers up an abbreviated version of the the Scottish Play that races along at lightning speed, peppered with comedic asides and modern references.” -
“WHAT TO SEE FOR SURE – MACDETH! – a wild comedy of errors” -
“The reinventions keep coming… from the iconoclastic British writer and poet, Ryan J-W Smith” -
“MACDETH! is outrageous, clever, political, disgusting, hilarious! This show is a must see! It’s brilliant… Loved it!” -
Ryan J-W Smith winning the Hollywood Fringe International Award for the 2nd year in a row, June 2016.
STAGE
ROMEO & JULIET IT AIN'T!
Nominated – Hollywood Fringe International Award 2016
“a non-stop, hilarious, irreverent (if not fully raunchy) parody… a loving tribute to the Bard of Avon, from Smith – a bard in his own right… GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!” -
“Shakespearean Satire is tricky, but this trouple pulls it off with elan, thanks to a sound script that seems like something Will might have WISHED he’d thought of himself.” - LA Theatre Critic and Author
“Smart, funny, bawdy, awesome! The creator of my personal favorite show from HFF 15 does it again – there is so much comedic brilliance in the writing and in the performances. My words fail me, Ryan J-W Smith’s never do. Go if you possibly can!” - Critic
“simply delightful. It’s one of the funniest stage plays I’ve seen.” - Theatre Critic
“The best show we have been to at the Fringe, and is sure to be a winner in whatever categories it is entered in. I highly recommend it, just wonderful!” - Theatre Critic
Smith as 'Sidney' in his ROMEO & JULIET IT AIN'T! - June 2016
2015
STAGE
LOVE LABOURS WON
In 2015, moving back into theatre from film, Smith directed, produced and performed in the critically-acclaimed US premiere of his Love Labours Won. This production won the highly coveted International Award and an Encore! Producers Award at the 2015 Hollywood Fringe Festival. Awards and reviews include:
WINNER – Hollywood Fringe International Award 2015
WINNER – Encore! Producers' Award 2015
"one of the most acclaimed plays ever to come out of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.” - Broadway World
“…a thrill hearing Smith’s verse, a reminder that the old forms still hold up under new hands. A good time, to be sure.” - Critic, Turnstyle News
Smith winning the Hollywood Fringe International Award 2015
2012
FILM
THE POET CURSED
In 2012, Smith's fifth short film, The Poet Cursed, starring, produced and directed by Smith and written by Smith in his unique rhyming verse, was selected for the Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival, and was also an official selection at 7 other international film festivals.
The Poet Cursed (2012)
– Premiered in the Short Film Corner at the 65th Cannes Film Festival
– Official Selection 5th Siliguri International Short Film and Documentary Contest
– Official Selection 8th Athens International Short Film Festival
– Official Selection 16th Purbeck Short Film Festival
– Official Selection 2nd Healdsburg International Short Film Festival
– Official Selection 13th Melbourne Underground Film Festival
– Official Selection 7th Deep Fried Film Festival
– Official Selection 22nd DaKINO International Film Festival
2011
In 2011, Smith directed and produced 2 festival-winning short films – Army Strong and The Profit Cost
FILM
ARMY STRONG
Army Strong (2011)
– Winner Best Short 8th Cinewest Flex International Film Festival (joint-winner with 3 of Smith’s other short films)
– Nominated for Best International Short 10th T-Mobile New Horizons Int. Film Festival
– Nominated for Best Short 2nd IASI International Film Festival
– Nominated for Best Drama 15th Portobello Film Festival
– Official Selection ‘Best of the Fest 2010’ Portobello Film Festival Tour Program
– Official Selection 49th Golden Knight Malta International Film Festival
FILM
THE PROFIT COST
– Winner Best Short 8th Cinewest Flex International Film Festival (joint-winner with 3 of Smith’s other short films)
– Nominated for Best Short 2nd Purbeck Short Film Competition, Perbeck Film Festival
– Official Selection Two Short Nights Film Festival
– Official Selection 49th Golden Knight Malta International Film Festival
– Official Selection 15th Portobello Film Festival
– Official Selection 8th I Will Tell International Film Festival
2010
In 2010, Smith directed and produced 2 festival-winning short films – Trafficked and For Rachel
FILM
FOR RACHEL
For Rachel (2010)
– Winner Best Short 8th Cinewest Flex International Film Festival (joint-winner with 3 of Smith’s other short films)
– Official Selection 49th Golden Knight Malta International Film Festival
– Official Selection 15th Portobello Film Festival
FILM
TRAFFICKED
Trafficked (2010)
– Winner Best Short 8th Cinewest Flex International Film Festival (joint-winner with 3 of Smith’s other short films)
– Official Selection 15th Portobello Film Festival
2008
STAGE
NEW WORLD ORDER
In 2008, Smith directed and produced (and starred in) his 4th verse play – the politically daring one-man show, New World Order. The show premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it was nominated for the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award and received nothing but glowing 4 and 5 star reviews from critics. The show subsequently toured to venues in Los Angeles, and Australia, concluding at the renown Judith Wright Centre in Brisbane.
Awards and reviews include:
Gandhi Foundation Award
Nominated – Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award
★★★★★ “FLAWLESS” – Edinburgh Guide
★★★★★ “hard-hitting one-man epic” – One4Review
★★★★ “performed immaculately – it should be missed by no-one” – Fringe Review
★★★★ “Smith has written an incredible play here” – Three Weeks
★★★★ “sharply scripted” – British Theatre Guide
★★★★ “STUNNING” – The List Magazine
“Few performances I’ve seen have been as gripping, touching and perceptive as New World Order. Transitions between the three characters are so smooth it’s easy to forget there is only one person on stage. Adept use of physicality and vocal nuances mark each character and compliment the depth of the text. Suspending disbelief is an almost unconscious act from start to finish.” – writer for the Sydney Morning Herald
In 2005, Smith received an Arts Council England financial award (his 3rd ACE award) to write his subsequently award-winning and critically-acclaimed 3rd verse play, Love Labours Won, which stunned critics and audiences alike at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2006 and 2007.
2007
STAGE
LOVE LABOURS WON
Smith directed and produced a revival all-female production of his award-winning 3rd verse play, Love Labours Won, for the entire duration of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2007. Performed in the Debating Hall of the Guilded Balloon.
Awards and reviews include:
‘PICK OF THE FRINGE’ – 2007
Fringe Promoter of the Year 2007 – Ryan J-W Smith –
★★★★★ “go see it and watch great theatre in action” – UK Theatre Network
★★★★★ “a damned good romp” – British Theatre Guide
★★★★ “still excellent – Smith has done an astonishing job” – Broadway Baby
★★★★ “Smith – master of the iambic pentameter, cleverly matches Shakespeare at his own game” – Hairline
★★★★ “Smith is, to my point of view, far better than anything that came out of Stratford” – One4Review
The late and dearly missed Jade Allen as Caesus, Emma Canalese as Annabelle and Victoria Porter as Edmund in the critically-acclaimed all-female revival of Love Labours Won, in the Gilded Balloon Debating Hall, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2007.
2006
STAGE
LOVE LABOURS WON
Smith directed, produced and performed in the world premiere of his award-winning 3rd verse play, Love Labours Won, for the entire duration of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2006. Performed in the Debating Hall of the Guilded Balloon.
Awards and reviews include:
‘PICK OF THE FRINGE’ – 2006
★★★★★ ““the best Shakespearean comedy not written by Shakespeare – this is unmissable!” -
★★★★★ “Go see it and watch great theatre in action.” -
★★★★ “there are not many Fringe productions pulling the size of audience this is’” -
★★★★ “Smith is one to watch” -
★★★★ “a mesmerizing work from a young writer whose career we should follow very closely” -
★★★★ “This Shakespearean-style verse comedy is pacy and well performed” – One4Review
“The brilliant wit of Ryan J-W Smith” -
“brilliantly pacy, well-balanced and intriguing… bravo Ryan!” -
The original cast of the world premiere of Smith’s Love Labours Won, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 2006
2003
STAGE
SWEET LOVE ADIEU
In 2003, on the basis of his success in 2001 (see below), Smith was granted an Arts Council Award to produce, direct and perform in a revival production of his first verse play, Sweet Love Adieu, in the ruins of Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire.
Fun fact: The show starred Kate Golledge as 'Anne', who also went on to become an acclaimed UK and international theatre director.
★★★★ “Takes one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies and turns it into a hilarious comedy” -
"Methinks it's a treat!" - Whitby Gazette
2001
STAGE
SWEET LOVE ADIEU
Rogue Shakespeare was born when Smith directed, produced and starred in the world premiere of his first verse play, Sweet Love Adieu, in the ruins of the Roman Theatre in Verulamium (St. Albans), England in 2001. Performing to thronging local crowds, the local paper noted Smith's promise:
"There IS culture - if you want it! Highly accomplished…this play’s a comic delight!" - St. Albans Observer
The Roman Theatre, St. Albans, England