Irina Brook is an Anglo-French theatre and opera director known for her work in both classical and contemporary productions.
Born in Paris to director Peter Brook and actress Natasha Parry, she was educated between England and France before moving to New York to study acting with Stella Adler, making her stage debut in Off-Broadway productions.
Brook worked for several years as an actor appearing in such films as Captive (1986).
BrookâÂÂs recognition as a theatre director came in London in 1996 with âÂÂBeast on the Moonâ at the Battersea Arts Centre. She directed productions of âÂÂMrs Kleinâ at the Palace Theatre and âÂÂAllâÂÂs Well that Ends Wellâ at the Oxford Playhouse before establishing herself in Paris with her French adaptation of âÂÂBeast on the MoonâÂÂ, which won five Molière Awards, including Best Director and Best Play.
Her opera career began directing MozartâÂÂs âÂÂDie Zauberflöteâ for the Nederlandse Reisopera. She has since directed a range of operatic works at major opera houses around the world, including TchaikovskyâÂÂs âÂÂYevgeny OneginâÂÂ, RossiniâÂÂs âÂÂLa Cenerentolaâ and VerdiâÂÂs âÂÂLa TraviataâÂÂ. Her work at Teatro La Scala in Milan includes âÂÂDie Sieben TodsündenâÂÂ, âÂÂLa Rodineâ and âÂÂIl Matrimonio SegretoâÂÂ.
In 2003 she formed IrinaâÂÂs Dream Theatre Company, through which she toured globally with productions of BrechtâÂÂs âÂÂDer Gute Mensch von SezuanâÂÂ, MarivauxâÂÂs âÂÂLâÂÂÃÂle des Esclavesâ and âÂÂA Midsummer NightâÂÂs Dreamâ internationally. Her work at major festivals includes the Salzburg Festival, Barbican Centre, Spoleto Festival, and her production The Island Trilogy, which toured internationally.
From 2014-2021, she was the first female Director of the Théâtre National de Nice, where she produced, curated and directed the theatreâÂÂs programme.
Her work in theatre and opera has been recognised with several awards, including the âÂÂChevalier and Officier of the Ordre des Arts et des LettresâÂÂ, the âÂÂMolière Awardâ for Best Director & Best Play and in 2023 the âÂÂCommandeur de lâÂÂOrdre des Arts et des LettresâÂÂ.