Draft:Chris sonnex
{{Short description|Theatre Director}}
{{Draft topics|biography|performing-arts|northern-europe}}
{{AfC topic|blp}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Chris Sonnex
| image =
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| birth_date =
| birth_place = London, England
| nationality = British
| occupation = Theatre director, Film Director, Dramaturg, Artistic Director, Writer
| known_for = Artistic Director of Cardboard Citizens; former Artistic Director of The Bunker (theatre); Artistic Associate of the Royal Court Theatre
}}
Chris Sonnex is a British theatre director, writer, and dramaturg. He is currently the Artistic Director and Joint CEO of Cardboard Citizens, a theatre company that works with people who have lived experience of homelessness and poverty. He was previously the Artistic Director of the The Bunker (theatre) in London and has directed work for venues including the Royal Court Theatre, Soho Theatre, Almeida Theatre, Paines Plough, HighTide, Arcola Theatre, The Bunker (theatre), and Liverpool Everyman.
Early life and education
Sonnex grew up in London on a council estate and has spoken about his experiences of poverty and working-class identity shaping his artistic outlook. He attended Pimlico School.
Career
=Royal Court Theatre=
Sonnex began his career at the Royal Court Theatre in 2012, starting as an intern on the Theatre Local Peckham project. He progressed to backstage crew, then to Community Producer and Artistic Associate. During his tenure, he led projects such as the "Beyond the Court" programme, a three-year residency in Tottenham and Pimlico aimed at breaking down barriers around engagement with theatre and mentoring the next generation of artists and creatives. He also co-directed Tom Fowler’s katzenmusik in 2017.
=Bunker Theatre=
In September 2018, Sonnex was appointed Artistic Director of the The Bunker (theatre) in London. Under his leadership, the theatre became known for championing new and diverse voices. Notably, 90% of directors and 86% of writers programmed during his tenure identified as women. He established initiatives like the Writers' Snug and formed partnerships with organizations such as the Black Ticket Project to provide free tickets to young Black audiences. The Bunker Theatre received significant recognition, including the Best Fringe Theatre Award from The Stage and multiple Off West End Theatre Awards Offies in 2020, including Best Artistic Director, Best Programming Policy, and Best Social Media Presence. Sonnex was also listed as the 97th most influential person in the UK theatre industry in The Stage 100.
=Cardboard Citizens=
In August 2021, Sonnex was appointed Artistic Director and Joint CEO of Cardboard Citizens, becoming the company’s first Artistic Director with lived experience of homelessness and poverty. His leadership focuses on growing the company's artistic profile while maintaining its social mission. Sonnex has directed and commissioned new works addressing systemic inequality, homelessness, and lived experience. Notable projects include the touring productions Bangers and faun, as well as the short film series More Than One Story, which received national media coverage and awards. He also established The London Ticket Bank, providing free tickets to cultural events in London for people affected by the cost of living crisis.
=Other work=
Sonnex has worked with several leading UK theatres, including the Royal Court Theatre, Soho Theatre, and Liverpool Everyman. He has also been involved in mentoring emerging artists and is a frequent speaker and panelist on issues related to class, access, and equity in the arts. Sonnex was instrumental in founding Good Chance Theatre, a theatre in a refugee camp in the Calais Jungle.
Awards and recognition
Under his artistic direction, The Bunker (theatre) won the Best Fringe Theatre Award from The Stage and multiple Off West End Theatre Awards Offies in 2020, including Best Artistic Director, Best Programming Policy, and Best Social Media Presence. Additionally, Sonnex was listed as the 97th most influential person in the UK theatre industry in The Stage 100 and has featured in The Stage 100 in 2023 and 2024. He won several awards for directing the film series More Than One Story, including the Arts Council Digital Content Award in 2025. He has been nominated for awards for his theatre direction and received critical acclaim.
Critical reception
Chris Sonnex's work has garnered widespread critical acclaim for its innovative storytelling, social relevance, and immersive theatrical experiences.
Chris Sonnex's directorial work has been widely praised for its immersive storytelling, social relevance, and innovative staging.
His production of We Anchor in Hope at the Bunker Theatre was lauded for its authentic portrayal of community and the impact of gentrification. BroadwayWorld noted that "Sonnex draws out brilliant performances... creating many highly watchable moments."https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/BWW-Review-WE-ANCHOR-IN-HOPE-Bunker-Theatre-20191006 A Younger Theatre highlighted his ability to capture the nuances of everyday conversation, stating that "Sonnex’s direction captures the nuances of everyday conversation: the glances, the inside jokes, the subtext, without being painfully obvious."https://www.ayoungertheatre.com/review-we-anchor-in-hope-bunker-theatre/ The Spy in the Stalls described the production as "a richly atmospheric show about memory, community, and what it means to let go," emphasizing the immersive environment created under Sonnex's direction.https://thespyinthestalls.com/2019/10/we-anchor-in-hope/
The play Bangers, directed by Sonnex, received significant acclaim across various venues:
- *The Guardian* described it as “a joyous party of a play celebrating the rousing power of music,” highlighting Sonnex's sharp direction that balances energetic performances with moments of thoughtful reflection.{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/jun/16/bangers-review-soho-theatre-london-danusia-samal | title=Bangers review – a joyous party of a play celebrating the rousing power of music | work=The Guardian | date=16 June 2022 | last1=Ryan | first1=Anya }}
- *The Skinny* awarded it five stars, calling it “a flawless combination of music, direction, and storytelling,” and commended Sonnex's superb direction that effectively utilizes minimal set pieces to create dynamic scenes.{{cite web | url=https://www.theskinny.co.uk/festivals/edinburgh-fringe/theatre/bangers-summerhall | title=Edinburgh Fringe review: Bangers @ Summerhall - the Skinny }}
- *Theatre Weekly* noted that “music is at the heart of Bangers,” and praised the engaging performances and inventive use of a DJ as a narrative device under Sonnex's direction.{{cite web | url=https://theatreweekly.com/edinburgh-review-bangers-at-roundabout-summerhall/ | title=Edinburgh Review: Bangers at ROUNDABOUT @ Summerhall | date=11 August 2023 }}
- *Islington Tribune* highlighted the imaginative staging by Sonnex, stating that “Samal’s rhyming dialogue is exhilarating, it’s beautifully performed and imaginatively staged by Chris Sonnex.”{{cite web | url=https://www.islingtontribune.co.uk/article/review-bangers-at-arcola-theatre | title=Review: Bangers, at Arcola Theatre }}
- *A Young(ish) Perspective* commended the depth and poignancy of the production, noting that “Jim Caesar plays Clef, (and others) with joy and nuance, always eeking out the most of the comedy, for which director Chris Sonnex must also be admired for.”{{cite web | url=https://ayoungishperspective.co.uk/2024/07/25/review-bangers/ | title=REVIEW: Bangers | date=25 July 2024 }}
Sonnex's short film series More Than One Story was also met with critical acclaim. *The Big Issue* described it as “a rousing chorus for justice, fairness and change,” emphasizing its powerful storytelling and social impact.{{cite web | url=https://www.bigissue.com/news/housing/cardboard-citizens-more-than-one-story-what-it-means/ | title=14 years of austerity left many feeling grateful simply not to be on the streets | date=5 September 2024 }}
Sonnex's 2024 revival of Martin McDonagh's The Lieutenant of Inishmore at Liverpool Everyman received acclaim for its bold and unflinching portrayal of dark comedy. The Guardian described the production as "a quirky and pin-sharp treatment of a visceral piece of theatre," praising Sonnex for capturing the play's savage satire.https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2024/sep/30/the-lieutenant-of-inishmore-review-martin-mcdonagh-everyman-liverpool North West End UK commended Sonnex for bringing McDonagh’s dark humour to life, stating that he "delightfully brings to life McDonagh’s dark humour, drawing out the absurdity and futility of violence with a comic-book style portrayal."https://northwestend.com/the-lieutenant-of-inishmore-liverpool-everyman/ The Indiependent highlighted the production's impact, calling it "brutally funny" and noting that "the performance quickly deteriorates into all-out havoc and really, it’s a slippery slope from there," underscoring Sonnex's effective direction in handling the play's escalating chaos.https://www.indiependent.co.uk/unadulterated-madness-the-lieutenant-of-inishmore-review/
Personal life
Sonnex has spoken publicly about his working-class background and experiences of housing insecurity, which inform much of his artistic and leadership work. He is the first Artistic Director of Cardboard Citizens to have had direct experience of homelessness.