Patricia has worked extensively with Northern Ballet, beginning as drama consultant and acting coach on Christopher Gable CBE’s Dracula, continuing with him and Michael Pink on Giselle and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
She then directed Northern Ballet’s Carmen and A Streetcar Named Desire, both choreographed by Didy Veldman. Her collaboration with David Nixon began on Wuthering Heights and Swan Lake and continued with Patricia co-directing and creating the scenarios with David for the company’s new versions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Peter Pan. Patricia also co-wrote the scenario for David Nixon’s A Sleeping Beauty Tale, which was performed as part of Northern Ballet’s Spring/Summer tour in 2007. As well as co-directing Hamlet Patricia also prepared the scenario alongside David Nixon. Patricia also teaches and lectures on British Theatre for American Universities and directs courses at the Actors’ Centre in London and Central School of Ballet. She also assesses students at leading drama schools.
Born: Hertfordshire
Trained: RADA
Previous Companies
As an Actress
Patricia has worked in many of the major repertory companies in Britain; at the Royal Court, the National Theatre and with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Founding member of the GeVa Theatre, Rochester, NY as well as television, radio and film work.
As a Director
Work includes: Martine, Salisbury Playhouse; Time and the Conways and Noises Off, Ohio, USA; Three Sisters, Great Expectations, Wuthering Heights and Travesties, Manchester Metropolitan University School of Theatre; Puss in Boots and Little Red Riding Hood, Theatre, Chipping Norton; Blue Remembered Hills, A Clergyman’s Daughter, andBloody Poetry with her own company Terra Firma, in London and touring. She has also worked with Central School of Ballet, the National Youth Theatre, and has been involved in the training of students at major Drama Schools as well as working with young offenders for the Prince’s Trust. Patricia also directs courses at the Actors Centre in London and was Rehearsal Director for the children in the Hollywood film Anna and the King starring Jodie Foster.
Personal Career Highlights
As an Actress
The world tour of Peter Brook’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Amanda in Noel Coward’s Private Lives, Emma in Harold Pinter’s Betrayal, Hester in Terence Rattigan’s The Deep Blue Sea, Sheila in Peter Nichol’s A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, Jo in Shelagh Delaney’s A Taste of Honey, Pinocchio and Hedda Gabler.
As a Director
Martine, Blue Remembered Hills, A Clergyman’s Daughter, Wuthering Heights, Three Sisters, Time and the Conways, A Doll’s House, Serious Money, Barnaby Rudge, and productions with Northern Ballet.
Personal
Was married to the director Donald MacKechnie with whom she had a long and fulfilling artistic career. Has a son, Angus MacKechnie, who is Producer of Platforms and Events at the National Theatre.