Director & Dramatist
West End · Paris · New York · BBC
Written by Lisa Forrell and Myriam Cyr. A seven-part television series set in Occupied Rome. The untold story of Nazi stolen art and the round-up of Jews, all during one week in October 1943.
A six-part series created by Lisa and written by Lisa and Helen Serafinowicz (Motherland / Amandaland), now commissioned by BBC TV.
Film treatment of the French classic.
Lisa acquired the French rights; adapted by Stéphane Laporte. Currently casting in Paris.
A play adapted by Lisa based on a work by Jean-Marie Besset.
Lisa's book on the true story of her involvement with the model of Michelangelo's David. Interest from film companies.
A play based on Lisa's real-life experience in East Berlin and Potsdam. Currently writing.
A career spanning the West End, Off-Broadway, and Europe's finest stages
What the critics have said
"Director Lisa Forrell keeps everything spinning suspensefully. I can already envisage a Hollywood film."
Evening Standard ★★★★
"Under Lisa Forrell's careful direction the three central performances convince… Gripping."
The Times ★★★★
"A psychological thriller that grips — the play never relaxes its hold in Lisa Forrell's sharp production."
Daily Telegraph
"Lisa Forrell's powerfully acted production — tense, thought-provoking."
The Independent
"Full of surprises and a superb cast — American Justice is not to be missed."
West End Frame ★★★★
"Lisa Forrell's darkly compelling production."
Daily Telegraph ★★★★
"Forrell's production captures the bruising intimacy."
The Guardian
"For the Belgrade Theatre — this was not just another feather in its cap but a peak."
The Stage
"Exquisitely acted and given a sensitively paced production by Lisa Forrell."
The Times
"Lisa Forrell's company plays with piercing emotional accuracy."
The Independent on Sunday
"Lisa Forrell has obtained minutely realised performances."
Financial Times
"Lisa Forrell's production establishes a powerful visual rhythm, focusing just often enough on the letters to remind us of the epistolary form, but never becoming static."
Evening Standard
"Lisa Forrell's direction splendidly creates an almost Chekhovian mood."
Evening Standard
"Lisa Forrell directs with amused sensitivity and the result is a captivating production."
The Observer
"I invite you to join me on an amazing theatrical discovery."
Daily Mail
"Lisa Forrell's superb production."
Time Out — Critics' Choice
"Good urgent writing and gripping performances."
The Sunday Times — Theatre Choice
"Gets a sharp, tough production from Lisa Forrell, as ruthless as the writing."
Sunday Times
"Lisa Forrell's production is first-rate."
What's on Stage
"Lisa Forrell's well-paced direction and three fine performances."
The Sunday Times
"Extremely well-played."
The Independent
"An impressively bald staging."
Evening Standard
"Lisa Forrell boldly presents as Pirandellian farce."
Mail on Sunday
"Lisa Forrell's scrupulous and faithful production."
Time Out — Critics' Choice
"Lisa Forrell directs meticulously."
Financial Times
"Carefully directed by Lisa Forrell — these are strong performances."
The Guardian
"Savvy direction by Lisa Forrell."
The New York Times
"Under Lisa Forrell's direction, Celia Imrie takes the audience into her snooty confidence right from the off."
Time Out
"In Lisa Forrell's fine revival."
The Guardian — Choice
"Total Eclipse last month and now Peter Nichols' Joe Egg — the last two (so dissimilar) have been excellently directed by Lisa Forrell."
Financial Times
Production photography
A theatre director of approximately 24 plays in England since 1989, Lisa Forrell has — in recent years — broadened her practice to encompass playwriting, musicals, translations and adaptations from French, and the Euro Media award-winning screenplay, The Journey Home.
Lisa continues to direct plays, but during 2024 and 2025 she is concentrating on her film and television projects and writing, including a BBC-commissioned television series and several European co-productions.
Lisa studied as a young actor with Stella Adler and Uta Hagen in New York. She studied directing first at Brandeis University Theatre Arts department, and subsequently at the Berliner Ensemble in East Berlin as a guest artist.
Lisa is fluent in French and German, and is also an English barrister.