Jamie is a theatre director, specialising in opera. After training at RADA, he worked for Kent Opera, Glyndebourne Festival and Touring Opera, the BBC and English National Opera. He has directed many new opera productions in the UK whilst his new opera productions overseas have premiered in Reykjavik, Malta and Melbourne. Jamie was Associate Director on the original production of the hit musical Miss Saigon in the West End and on Broadway. He has directed many productions at leading conservatoires, including the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Jamie was Director of Productions for Clonter Opera in Cheshire. His La Traviata was awarded The Manchester Evening News Award for Best Opera in 2006 and his Don Giovanni of the following year received a nomination. His productions range from Mozart and Rossini via Verdi and Bizet to Gilbert and Sullivan and Britten. Jamie was Director of Productions for British Youth Opera for over a decade, a company devoted to promoting the talents of our finest young opera singers in the UK. He recently became an accredited lecturer for The Arts Society and regularly delivers his lectures around the UK. Jamie lives in Buckinghamshire and is married to the mezzo-soprano Jean Rigby. They have three children.

Honours:
Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA)
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) : Diploma in Stage Management
The Open University: Diploma in Literature
The Open University: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Open; Upper Second Class Honours

1. The History of Opera.
A fascinating talk of how opera began, developed and spread worldwide; from 1600 to the present day. Illustrated with musical examples and excerpts of opera productions from around the world. Suitable for the operatic novice; or expert.

2. The History of the Musical.
A talk which examines the journey of the musical, from its almost accidental beginnings of 150 years ago through to the modern phenomenon which is Hamilton. This illustrated talk will highlight the great musical productions which have graced London’s West End and Broadway. Every great musical has its own story from page to stage – enjoy the great music, the great stories and the dynamic theatricality of their finest moments.

3. Miss Saigon: The Making of a Musical.
Jamie’s own personal journey as Associate Director on the original production of Miss Saigon in the West End and on Broadway. The process, from page to stage; and beyond. Illustrated with unique film clips of the original rehearsals and world premiere.

4. Gilbert and Sullivan: Their Topsy-Turvy World.
The story of two remarkable men and the birth of English comic opera. The bouquets, the brickbats, their extraordinary lives, popularity and fame. Still admired and performed all around the world; their journey to success was unparalleled.

5. Mozart and His Operas.
Mozart composed his first opera aged just eleven. He composed eight more before he was eighteen. Then his major works began! Illustrated with musical examples and excerpts from productions around the world. Embrace and enjoy the story of Mozart's glorious and extraordinary operatic genius.

6. The Beatles: Here, There and Everywhere.
Four humble Liverpool lads who conquered the pop world. Discover how. Their legacy remains here, there and everywhere. A fully illustrated talk with musical examples and excerpts of the exceptional moments of the fab-four's extraordinary career. Some pop groups are not of an age, but for all time.

7. What a Carry On! The History of the Carry On Films.
The Carry Ons have been a part of the British way of life for over 50 years. 31 films; the longest-running and most successful comedy series of all time. Enjoy this warm and comprehensive celebration of the most treasured institution in the world of British cinema.

8. The Three Great Game Changers of 19th Century Opera.
The world of opera is full of remarkable contributors, great game changers who leave the stage in a completely different place from the one they found. In the 19th Century three such men revolutionised the art form; in three very different ways; Verdi, Wagner and Puccini

9. Laurel & Hardy; The Funniest of Funny Men.
Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy have remained, since 1927 to the present day, the screen’s most popular comedy double act, celebrated by legions of fans. Hear their story, from soup to nuts as they became cinema’s most graceful and strangely beautiful clowns.

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.