DI TREVIS
Di Trevis has had a long career in the British theatre where she started as an actor in theatre, television and film. She became a director in 1982 and subsequently joined the Royal Shakespeare Theatre with productions of Taming of the Shrew, Brecht’s Happy End, Turner’s Revenger’s Tragedy and Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing. She was the first woman to run a company at National Theatre and in her opening season directed Brecht’s The Mother, Moliere’s School for Wives and Lorca’s Yerma. She adapted Proust’s Remembrance of Things Past with Harold Pinter, which she directed at the Olivier Theatre and won an Olivier award for.
Episode 23: Drama, with Di Trevis – My Montessori Life with Barbara Isaacs and David Gettman
Workshops by Di Trevis: Shakespeare & Chekhov
In every moment, Di has been able to explain and enrich my idea and understanding of Shakespeare and, even more, has given me the tools and confidence to work and approach a Shakespearean (but not only) text. The direction and notes she gave throughout the moments of proper performance were absolutely eye-opening and of incredible value. I kept thinking about the work we did together and her words for many days after the end of the workshop. I can’t´ wait to meet her again, and I absolutely recommend every actor to attend one of her classes!” – Gaia Poli (September 2025)
It might feel rough now and again, and yet there is so much human warmth in what Di gives you. For how long will we be able to learn from teachers with a profound knowledge like hers?I am grateful for my second workshop with Di Travis, this time dealing with Anton Chekhov but also inspiring basics like using the chair, pivots, and diagonals. If a director from the great British theaters shares insights with you, you have a rare opportunity to upgrade your acting, which might not come again. If you are ready to work.We had a colleague who came over from the U.S. for this, one actress from Romania, who had worked with Di at least three times before, and a gentleman from Austria. You are living in Berlin? What are you waiting for?” – Claas
More feedback on the experience of working with Di Trevis.
She has always run a teaching career alongside her productions in the theatre, teaching workshops and seminars before joining the Drama Centre, London, as Head of Directing. She has revelled extensively in her work teaching in Germany, Australia, Cuba, Austria, the United States (where she did productions with her own company at the Artaud Theatre, San Francisco, Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh and The University of California.) Eleven years ago, she established the Jerwood workshop for young professional actors. Over the years she has led workshops on a multiplicity of subjects including Greek Drama, the tragic and comic mask, the Jacobeans, Restoration Comedy, Chekov, Ibsen, American naturalism, Pinter, Coward, Wilde, Becket, New Writing and most recently Scenes of Struggle including work by O’Casey, Odets, Synge and Brecht. She has directed Shakespeare in English, German, French, Romanian and Arabic. Running under all this has been an emphasis on Shakespeare as a source of brilliant writing, every kind of acting demand and the delicate balance between technique and emotional release.
Gary Oldman, Jim Cartwright, and Mark Rylance joined Di Trevis in a collaboration on Shaun Lawton’s play, `Desperado Corner`. Its premiere was at Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre on January 16th, 1981. Her collaboration with Gary Oldman continued with the 1984 Palace Theatre (Essex) production of Edward Bond’s „Saved”.
With a rich teaching history, she has influenced notable actors like Gary Oldman and Kenneth Branagh. In 2011, she published her memoir, “Being a Director: A Life in Theatre”. Trevis continues to be a vital figure in the theatrical community, inspiring the next generation of performers and directors.
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