Photo credit: Pete Copeland
This is a picture of my face.
And I am a theatre director. I’m based just north of Glasgow, Scotland, but work takes me all over the place.
I direct plays, musical theatre, and opera, creating processes that support actors and acting. My practice is rooted creative collaboration, aiming always to uncover the most vital and playful ways to tell stories. I’m into text, dramaturgy and playfulness, and music and song are often central in my work. I seek to build positive, inclusive environments, where our differences are seen and celebrated.
I’m a part-time Lecturer for the Musical Theatre department at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Currently I’m module co-ordinator for BAMT2 Integrated Skills Projects and BAMT3 New Musical Development, and lead the season programming and casting processes.
CURRENT PROJECTS
DICK WHITTINGTON
Gaiety Theatre, Ayr, a family pantomime by Fraser Boyle, November 2026 - January 2027. I’m excited to return to the Gaiety for my second pantomime as director, after last year’s CATS Award-nominated Aladdie.
https://thegaiety.co.uk/events/dick-whittington-a-scottish-pirate-pantomime/
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
Musical comedy by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1974 film by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, BA Musical Theatre, in the New Athenaeum Theatre, 16-19 March 2027.
THE GLASGOW POISONER
The libretto of The Glasgow Poisoner, which I co-created with Jen McGregor for A Play A Pie and A Pint / OneRen / Ayr Gaiety, was published by Salamander Street and is available to purchase here.
PRESS
‘a riotously clever and entertaining 60-minute musical’ - The Scotsman, The Glasgow Poisoner, Òran Mór / OneRen / Ayr Gaiety (as composer, co-lyricist and co-director)
‘a gritty and thrilling new Scottish musical’ - Broadwayworld.com, The Glasgow Poisoner
‘Tom Cooper’s production is a pleasing combination of tradition and originality… full of generous laughs… a merry ensemble show ’ - The Guardian, Aladdie, Ayr Gaiety
‘brilliantly directed by Tom Cooper’ - corrblimey.co.uk Armour: a herstory of the Scottish Bard, Òran Mór / Traverse
‘fantastic… the musical’s abundant comedy works at every turn… bravo director Tom Cooper’ - thequintessentialreview A Little Night Music RCS MAMT at Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh
‘director Tom Cooper worked wonders… seriously high mischief’ - bachtrack Gianni Schicchi Opera Bohemia, Scottish tour
‘the best joy ride ever. Each musical number is a story within a story, fantastical in its unique creativity, simply brimming with ideas… Director Tom Cooper leads his company with aplomb’ - musicaltheatrereview Big Fish RCS MAMT at Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh
‘this is musical theatre that is challenging, compelling and compulsive… astonishing intelligence and physicality… one of the most rewarding experiences you can have’ - Mark Shenton, The Stage Myths and Hymns UK premiere, Finborough Theatre, London
‘makes it argument with warmth and subtlety… a company that demands to be taken seriously’ - Mark Brown, The Scotsman Part of the Picture Pleasance, Edinburgh
‘Tom Cooper’s remarkable production’ - Times Literary Supplement A Day by the Sea Finborough Theatre, London
‘expertly nuanced performances… beautiful, intelligent, moving’ - Financial Times The Trojan Women Edinburgh Fringe
‘a first-rate production’ - Lancashire Evening Post La Traviata Heritage Opera