Gareth Fry is an multi-award winning sound designer best known for his cutting edge work in theatre and his collaborations with leading UK theatre directors such as John Tiffany, Complicité’s Simon McBurney, Sacha Wares and Katie Mitchell. He has also designed events and exhibitions from the V&A’s landmark David Bowie Is exhibition, to being asked by Danny Boyle to design the sound effects for the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games.
Awards include a Special Tony Award for the sound design of The Encounter, for which he (and co-designer Pete Malkin) also received an Evening Standard Award, a Drama Desk Award and a Helpmann Award; he received an Olivier Award, Tony Award, Drama Desk Award and an Outer Circle Critics Award for best sound design for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child; an Olivier and a Helpmann Award for Black Watch and a Olivier Award for Waves. He has also received an Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) award for Wild Swans.
He is a specialist in the use of binaural sound, being involved in a number of theatre productions, Virtual Reality (VR) projects, exhibitions and advertising campaigns.
His work includes over 20 productions at the Royal National Theatre, over 20 at the Royal Court and countless more at venues such as the Donmar Warehouse, the Old Vic, Young Vic and in the West End. He has worked extensively internationally, including New York, Berlin, Cologne and Dublin.
Most recent Work:
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child - London, New York, Melbourne. Director: John Tiffany. Music: Imogen Heap. 2017 Olivier Award & 2018 Tony Award Best Sound Design.
The Barber Shop Chronicles - National Theatre/Fuel. UK tour, Camden Roundhouse. Director: Bijan Sheibani.
Alys, Always - Bridge Theatre. Director: Nick Hytner.
Draw Me Close - VR experience, selected for Tribeca and Venice Film Festivals -Young Vic Theatre. Director: Jordan Tannahill.
CBeebies Thumbelina - BBC CBeebies, BBC 2 & cinemas nationwide. Director: Jon Spooner.
Omay, Between The Ears - BBC Radio 3. Produced by David Waters. Listen here (with headphones)
The Discovery Adventures - Land Rover / Cecilia. A 7-part family drama podcast, recorded binaurally. Listen here (with headphones)
Hear Their There Here - iPhone/Android app-based sound-walk around Brooklyn Bridge Park. Director: Geoff Sobelle
The Cat in the Hat - MTI / National Theatre. Director: Katie Mitchell
He regularly runs workshops for directors exploring how they can use sound design in their work. These workshops have been commissioned by the National Theatre, Sadler's Wells, Complicité, the Prague Quadrennial, Mousetrap Theatre Projects, National Student Drama Festival, the Brit School, the JMK Awards and the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama.
He is a founder of, and former chairman of the Association of Sound Designers, a charity that works to support people entering and working in, the UK theatre sound industry. Gareth is an honorary fellow of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Publications:
Sound Design for the Stage - A new book by Gareth Fry, published by the Crowood Press. More info
