FRANK VAN LAECKE
Over the last few years Frank Van Laecke, called 'the Wizard' in many press reviews, has earned critical acclaim and been the recipient of many prestigious theatre awards, both at home and abroad.
Apart from writing a successful host of radio and television series, he is first and foremost a director for theatre, opera and musicals.
His spectacular versions of 'The Sound of Music', 'My Fair Lady', 'Das Land des Lachelns', and the operas 'Cavalleria Rusticana & I Pagliacci', 'La Boheme', 'Aida', 'Carmen' and 'Nabucco' clearly show that his work is well received.
Frank's artistic and creative talent was discovered at the musical department of the Royal Flanders Ballet, where he directed 'Hollywood By Night', 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 'Camelot', and 'Je Anne' (a musical based on The Diary of Anne Frank.). It was here that he also directed the European premiere of 'Jekyll & Hyde'. He was dubbed the Belgian Trevor Nunn in the English journal "The Musical Stage", and received outstanding reviews for his production of 'She Loves Me', which was performed by the Royal Ballet of Flanders, and which also received 4 nominations including best director in the 2003 Musical Awards in Flanders.
In the period spanning 1997 to 1999, Frank was Artistic Director at Music Hall, the Brussels based production company responsible for 'The Wizard of Oz', 'Les Miserables' and 'Une Puce a L'Oreille'. Frank has directed many operas including 'La Boheme', 'Carmen', 'Aida', and 'Nabucco'. These productions have been performed throughout Europe, including Cologne, Brussels, Lisbon, Barcelona and Amsterdam.
In October 1998 'Sacco & Vanzetti' the musical Frank wrote with Paul Berkenman with the score by Dirk Brossé, was previewed in New York and there are further plans to present it on Broadway. 1998 also saw Piazzolla's Tango Operita 'Maria de Buenos Aires' open in Ghent which went on to play in London at the Covent Garden Festival, and Hong Kong. In October 1999 'Smiley', a play written and directed by Frank about the great cellist Jacqueline du Pré, was premiered in Brussels.
Frank also directed and co-wrote the musical 'Tintin - The Temple of the Sun', which premiered in Antwerp in September 2001 and then transferred to Charleroi in the Spring of 2002, with both productions receiving outstanding reviews. There are now plans for the musical to be performed in a number of cities in Europe and North America.
Frank wrote and directed 'The Prince of Africa', featuring members of The African Children's Choir. The first performances were in September 2002 in South Africa and there are plans for the production to tour internationally in the future. Frank received outstanding reviews for his production of 'La Traviata', which premiered in Brussels in the same year, and Frank went on to direct the show in Madrid and Barcelona in 2004. In December Frank had his opening night on Broadway of 'Santa' at the Beacon Theatre, which had previously been performed in Antwerp.
In 2005 Frank directed 'Equus' (Peter Shaffer) at the Antwerp playhouse, 'Semper Vivat' in Ghent, 'La Traviata' in Alden Biesen and in July directed a new play for Theatre Taptoe in Belgium. In November he directed 'Dracula' a musical of Karel Svoboda, in Antwerp, which he got amazing reviews and the award of best director at the Flanders Musical Awards.
In 2006 Frank's production of Aida was staged in Madrid, he co-directed 'Im weissen Rössl' in Antwerp and in July he had the opening night of 'Rembrandt' a brand new musical produced by Stardust Productions. During that year, he also directed Vanessa Van Durme's monologue 'Look Mama I Dance' which has gone on to tour in Europe and the UK.
In 2007, Frank worked on the circus spectacular of 'Pirates Pirates' with the Chinese State Circus, which went onto tour throughout Europe, and 'Rembrandt' at The Carre Theatre in Amsterdam for which he received outstanding reviews.
The year 2007 continued to be busy for Frank, he took 'Nabucco' to Cologne and worked on 'Anakevka' in Holland with the famous baritone Henk Poort, who he has worked with on numerous projects including 'Rembrandt' and 'Tintin'. In June, Frank directed Die Fledermaus at Alden Biesen, for which he modernised and translated the text, as well as directing the production.
In 2008 Frank worked as artistic director on the teen sensation T.V series 'Ketnet Pop' with a group of Junior Eurosong finalists, to create a concert for and run by children. The concert was a huge success and led to the release of the CD and several further concerts.
Frank then went on to direct 'Tosca' in Alden Biesen and then to work on the new musical 'Daens'. Set in the Flemish town of Aalst, the story concerns radical priest Adolf Daens and his battle to improve conditions in the textile industry. The musical opened in Antwerp in October 2008, and the run was extended due to popularity.
Frank's current productions this year include, 'Tosca' in Chille, 'Nabucco' in Milan, 'Die entführung aus dem serial' at Alden Biesen and Faust in Holland. 'Gardina' his new production with Alain Platel and Vanessa Van Durme will premiere at the National Theatre in Gent, in the spring of 2010.
ium in 1958) was the inspirational force behind the cultural activities for Flanders at the Seville 1992 World Exhibition. He also staged the celebrations for King Baudouin’s 60th birthday.
Apart from writing a successful host of radio and television series, he is first and foremost a director for theatre, opera and musicals.
His spectacular versions of “The Sound of Music”, “My Fair Lady”, “Das Land des Lachelns”, and the operas “Cavalleria Rusticana & I Pagliacci”, “La Boheme”, “Aida”, “Carmen” and “Nabucco” clearly show that his work is well received.
Frank’s artistic and creative talent was discovered at the musical department of the Royal Flanders Ballet, where he directed “Hollywood By Night”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Camelot”, and “Je Anne” (a musical based on The Diary of Anne Frank.). It was here that he also directed the European premiere of “Jekyll & Hyde”. He was dubbed the Belgian Trevor Nunn in the English journal “The Musical Stage”, and received outstanding reviews for his latest productions of ‘She Loves Me’, which was performed by the Royal Ballet of Flanders. He received a nomination for best director in 2003.
In the period spanning 1997 to 1999, Frank was Artistic Director at Music Hall, the Brussels based production company responsible for “The Wizard of Oz”, “Les Miserables” and “Une Puce a L’Oreille”. Frank has directed many operas including “La Boheme”, “Carmen”, “Aida”, and “Nabucco”. These productions have been performed throughout Europe, including Cologne, Brussels, Lisbon, Barcelona and Amsterdam. Frank’s production of “La Traviata” was premiered at Brussels in 2002.
Together with Paul Berkenman and composer Dirk Brossé, Frank wrote the musical “Sacco & Vanzetti”, which opened in October 1996. In October 1998 this musical was previewed in New York and there are plans to present it on Broadway. 1998 also saw Piazzolla’s Tango Operita “Maria de Buenos Aires” open in Ghent and go on to play in London at the Covent Garden Festival, and Hong Kong. In October 1999 “Smiley”, a play written and directed by Frank about the great cellist Jacqueline du Pré, was premiered in Brussels.
Frank also directed and co-wrote the musical “Tintin – The Temple of the Sun”, which premiered in Antwerp in September 2001 and then transferred to Charleroi in the Spring of 2002, with both productions receiving outstanding reviews. There are now plans for the musical to be performed in a number of cities in Europe and North America.
Recently Frank has written and directed ‘The Prince of Africa’, featuring members of The African Children’s Choir. The first performances were in September 2002 in South Africa and there are plans for the production to tour internationally during the next few years. Frank received outstanding reviews for his production of 'La Traviata’, which premiered in Brussels, and has most recently directed ‘Rembrandt’ at the Carre Theatre in Amsterdam for which he also received outstanding reviews.
In 2007 Frank took Nabucco to Cologne and worked on Anakevka in Holland with the infamous baritone Henk Poort, who he has worked with on numerous projects including “Rembrandt” and “Tintin”. In June, Frank directed Die Fledermaus at Alden Biesen, for which he modernised and translated the text, as well as directing the production.
In 2008 Frank worked as artistic director on the teen sensation Ketnet Pop with a group of Junior Eurosong finalists, to create a concert for and run by children. The concert was a huge success and led to the release of the CD and several further concerts.
Frank then went on to direct Tosca at Alden Biesen and to work on the new musical Daens. Set in the Flemish town of Aalst, the story concerns radical priest Adolf Daens and his battle to improve conditions in the textile industry. The musical opens in Antwerp in October 2008 for a 6 month run. Frank is directing and has co-written the lyrics with Allard Blom, with the music composed by Dirk Brosse. (who wrote the score for the original film released in 1993) The production will be premiered in De Post (a reconditioned mail sorting depot in Antwerp), with a stage twice the size for that of a normal musical. Studio 100 is producing what will be a bilingual musical, with sub titles in Flemish (representing workers) and French (representing mill owners).
He has coordinated a series of hugely divergent events for the province East Flanders for many years. He is the artistic consultant fo Zuiderkroon, Antwerp, and is also a member of the NVAO commission in music theatre. Frank is the Cultural Ambassador for the city of Gent.
CREDIT-LIST INCLUDES
- Aida
- Agamemnon
- Annie
- Bedroon Farce
- Carmen
- Cavalleria Rusticana & I Pagliacci
- Das Land des Lachelns
- Don Pasquale
- Dracula
- Equus
- Daens de Musical
- Elektra
- Hollywood by Night
- Im weisen Rossl
- Jekyll & Hyde
- Jesus Christ Superstar
- Jouw hand in mijn hand
- Jubilee 15
- Kijk mama, ik dans
- La Boheme
- La Traviata
- Maria de Buenos Aires
- My Fair Lady
- Nabucco
- Rebrandt – The Musical
- Sacco & Vanzetti
- Santa
- Semper Vivat
- She Loves Me
- Smiley
- Tintin – The Temple of the Sun
- The King and I
- The Prince of Africa
- The Sound of Music
- Yours Anne
- Santa’s Last Christmas