Director
Cal McCrystal
L’elisir d’amoreBiography
Cal McCrystal is a leading director who continues to transform the face of opera as we know it, recognising his creative vision as one of the most playful and dynamic currently seen worldwide. Originally from Ireland, his work spans opera, theatre, circus and film across the globe, with his productions described as ‘laugh-out-loud funny’ (The Guardian). McCrystal created the critically-acclaimed production of Rossini’s Le comte Ory for Garsington Opera, and two Gilbert and Sullivan productions for English National Opera: H.M.S. Pinafore and the Olivier Award-winning Iolanthe, which returned in the ENO 2023/24 season. McCrystal was Comedy Director for the Royal National Theatre's award-winning West End and Broadway show One Man, Two Guvnors and for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Don Quixote. McCrystal directed the original Mighty Boosh stage shows, winning a Perrier Award, and works regularly for British repertory theatres including Peepolykus, the Comedians Theatre Company, Garry Starr and British clown troupe Spymonkey. He spent many years as Comedy Director for Cirque du Soleil most notably for their touring show, Varekai, and their erotic cabaret, Zumanity: Another Side of Cirque du Soleil, which ran for 15 successful years in Las Vegas. He recently returned to Las Vegas to direct OPIUM at the Cosmopolitan Hotel and created a new resident show for the Venetian Hotel, Atomic Saloon Show. McCrystal is a leading Comedy Consultant for the movie industry where recent work includes: The Dictator, Matilda, The Worlds End, Man Up, The Nice Guys, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Cats and the Paddington films.