Hester began her directorial apprenticeship in 2016, shadowing Julliard’s Eve Shapiro at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art on a production of John Gay’s ballad opera The Beggars Opera. She continued her training in London before taking up a directing role at the at the Lyttelton Arts Factory, New Zealand, completing three productions in 3 years (separate to her independent works) alongside LAF’s Artistic Director Mike Friend.
In 2022, Hester directed Robin Judkin’s experimental live rock musical Free Bus to God at the James Hay Theatre, Christchurch Town Hall. Capitalising on her talent in creating collaborative, imaginative and alternative worlds of mixed discipline, the show combined live music, poetry and comedic film elements and an all star professional cast of musicians, actors and comedians.
2019- OUR TOWN
LYTTELTON ARTS FACTORY
Written by Thornton Wilder
Directed by Hester Ullyart
Assisted by Mike Friend
Hester’s directorial debut came in 2019 with a contemporary realisation of Thornton Wilder’s iconic play Our Town. Working with a large community cast, and headed up by professional actor Tom Trevella as Stage Manager, the show ran for a sell-out summer season, featuring an atmospheric live music soundtrack from Aotearoa violinst Anita Clark and set design from Tony Geddes.
Tom Trevella as Stage Manager in LAF’s Our Town, 2019
‘Wilder's original three-act structure is retained but the director, Hester Ullyart, has given the production an unequivocal New Zealand voice. (…) the entire production flows perfectly surrounded by Tony Geddes' beautifully imagined set. Collectively and individually, every member of the large cast play their parts with polish and finesse, handling the bustling flow of action like professionals. The children are especially miraculous. Visually, there are many lovely moments, including the projection of historic photos (…) the Lyttelton cemetery surrounded by the surprisingly convivial dead. Anita Clark's musical score adds a rich dimension to the entire production.’ STUFF NZ
2020- GLADYS AND ALFIE
LYTTELTON ARTS FACTORY
Written by Jane McLauchlan
Assistant Director to Mike Friend
‘a gently spoken but unquestionably affectionate study of enduring love and growing old. These are two gentle souls who never rage against the dying of the light’ THE PRESS
In 2020 Hester assisted Mike Friend on an original production of Gladys and Alfie, the debut play from NZ playwright Jane McLauchlan. This gentle, observant and life-affirming two-hander featured veteran Aotearoa actors Geoffrey Heath and Yvonne Martin and put McLauchlan on the international map, the play recently transferring for a season at the East Riding Theatre, UK.
Actors Geoffrey Heath, Yvonne Martin and creative team Mike Friend, Hester Ullyart (and Bubbles the dog) in tech rehearsals for LAF’s Gladys and Alfie, 2020
2021- GLADYS AND DAPHNE
LYTTELTON ARTS FACTORY
Written by Jane McLauchlan
Assistant Director to Mike Friend
‘Gladys and Daphne is a gentle, thoughtfully-observed exploration of female friendship, laden with good humour and poignancy.’ STUFF NZ
Hester continued her directorial apprenticeship working alongside Mike Friend with McLauchlan’s ‘Gladys and Daphne’. Picking up where Gladys and Alfie left up, the play featured the enigmatic Julie Edwards and Lynda Milligan. Focussing on the nuances of grief, family, and female friendship, it was a hit with audiences and continued the championing of new work.
2022- FREE BUS TO GOD
JAMES HAY THEATRE, CHRISTCHURCH TOWN HALL
Written by Robin Judkins
Direction and Dramaturgy by Hester Ullyart
In 2021 Hester was approached by New Zealand legend Robin Judkins to direct his brand new rock, play and poetry fusion, the bombastic ‘Free Bus to God’. It featured a large cast of Aotearoa talent, headed up by Judkins himself. The band: Jazz royalty Reuben Derrick and Mike Kime, Adam Hattaway as Singer (of Adam Hattaway and the Haunters), with singer songwriter Emily Fairlight the Lady with the Pram and multi-talented Tomas Isbister on the drums. The cast: the inimitable Janice Gray, Shay Horay and Tom Trevella. Combining stage, pre-recorded film vignettes and an impressive soundtrack of original songs, this show certainly rocked the iconic Christchurch Town Hall all the way to hell and back.
STUFF ARTICLE- ‘Coast to Coast Founder spends lockdown writing a musical’
OTAGO DAILY TIMES- ‘Theatre show ‘an hour of madness’
Adam Hattaway as Singer and the cast and band of Free Bus To God, James Hay Theatre, Christchurch Town Hall, 2022
Robin Judkins as Poet in ‘Free Bus to God’ at the James Hay Theatre, Christchurch Town Hall, 2022