Leo Warner - Designer and director of 59 Productions

Leo Warner
Designer and director

Leo Warner studied at Leeds College of Art and Design before going on to graduate with an honours degree in English Literature from the University of York in 2001.

He founded graphic design company Fifty Nine (Design) in 2001, and was creative director until leaving to set up sister company Fifty Nine Productions with fellow director Mark Grimmer in 2006.

Since designing projection for Stellar Quines’ “Sweet Fanny Adams in Eden” in 2003, Leo went on to undertake the video for the National Theatre of Scotland’s “Roam” (2005), and “Black Watch” (2006).

His first production at the National Theatre (London), was on Katie Mitchell’s “Waves” in the Cottoesloe in 2006. New productions at the English National Opera and Royal Opera House followed shortly after, as did hit National Theatre production, “War Horse”, which has gone on to transfer to the West End and Broadway. He was made an Associate of the National Theatre by artistic director Nicholas Hytner in 2008.

Leo has led the company in designing sets and projection for productions across the world, including a number of shows at the Metropolitan Opera (New York), and for the Salzburg Festival in 2009. He was the lead set and projection designer on 59’s first rock production for Jonsi’s “Go” tour.

His first directing credit was at the Schaubuhne (Berlin), in 2010 on a production of Strindberg’s “Miss Julie”, which he co-directed with regular collaborator Katie Mitchell.