Welcome to the website of Martin Riley: writer, performer, storyteller, and director
"One of the funniest authors ever!" Alice Tuffen aged 11 Clifton Green School Yearbook
Martin writes for theatre, opera, television and interactive educational projects. He also writes books, tells stories, performs his poems and enjoys running workshops. He comes from Southall, West London but has lived most of his life in Yorkshire. Martin likes travelling and can be found in Cardiff, Edinburgh, London and especially Leeds where he is a director and writer for Alive & Kicking Theatre Company, which creates innovative interactive drama for children. He takes himself a lot less seriously than he takes his work but is passionate about story and encouraging literacy and what he calls the sincerity of good comedy.
Find out more about Martin over on his biography pages, explore his many and various works, and of course please exit through the shop.
Some reviews of Martin Riley’s theatre and opera:
“A six year old adored it; so did a sprightly septuagenarian.” The Independent
“Bags of Character, atmosphere humour and originality.” The Telegraph
"I have rarely seen such energetic theatre grabbing audiences by the throat. Brilliant!” Cheltenham Festival
Gwyneth & The Green Knight: "Why so good? Well, Plowman's brilliantly illustrative music never falters. Add Martin Riley's pithily funny rhymed libretto and you have another Knussen's Where the Wild Things Are." Roderick Dunnett, The Independent
To see and hear more of Martin's four operas with Lynne Plowman click here and then select a title.
“Extraordinary, impressive, effective ... a spell-binding triumph.” Evening Star review of "Death's Cabaret - a love story" with composer Stephen Deazley
To view an excerpt from Death's Cabaret click here. To view an interview with Stephen and Martin click here.