2021


DAILY PROFUNDIS
Simon reads Oscar Wilde’s DE PROFUNDIS complete, streamed in fifteen daily episodes throughout the festival, then as a complete download
Brighton Festival,
May 1-15 at 9pm, then available complete for three months

MAKING MASSINGER
A 17th Century Salisbury Scandal
by Simon Butteriss
Simon's new full-length play, commissioned by Wiltshire Creative, will be recorded with a cast including Samuel Barnett, Edward Bennett, Hubert Burton, Julia Hills, Jane How and Nina Wadia and streamed on Wiltshire Creative's digital platform.
May 27 premiere, then available until August 27

In a world where heresy is certain death and Art relies on aristocratic whim, blackmail, political intrigue and sexual assault thrive: in 17th century Salisbury, the young playwright Philip Massinger, uncovering the horrible truth about his father’s death, finds that both the young Earl of Pembroke and the voracious dowager Countess want much more than plays in return for their patronage. Fleeing to London to wreak revenge with his writing, Massinger plunges into a hurly-burly where lovers and friends seem to be every bit as treacherous as enemies.
Philip Massinger’s own plays precariously balanced elegant comedy with revenge tragedy. MAKING MASSINGER imagines that his life did, too.

IOLANTHE/Lord Chancellor
A complete recording of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera, streamed by Charles Court Opera and The King’s Head Theatre

THE MIKADO/Ko-Ko
Simon directs and plays Ko-Ko in a new production for the National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival
August 1 (m&e), 4(e) Buxton Opera House
August 8, 14, 17 Harrogate Royal Hall

PATIENCE/Bunthorne
Simon directs and plays Bunthorne in a new production for the National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival
August 3, 4(m) Buxton Opera House
August 9, 14(m), 18(m) Harrogate Royal Hall

HMS PINAFORE/Sir Joseph Porter
Simon plays Sir Joseph in a new production for the National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival
July 31, August 6 Buxton Opera House
August 8 (m), 12, 15, 18 Harrogate Royal Hall

THE DIARY OF A NOBODY/Charles Pooter
Simon's one-man adaptation of George and Weedon Grossmith’s best selling novel premieres at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival
August 6 (m) Buxton Opera House
August 13 (m) Harrogate Royal Hall

SIMON'S COMEDY SONGBOOK
Cruise of the Douro, November 9-16

SIMON'S COMEDY SONGBOOK
Cruise of the Danube, December 8-15

He also returns to ENO this year, with performances as a guest principal.

His recording of Charles Dibdin's THE WAGS, accompanied by Stephen Higgins, will be released during the summer as a CD on the Retrospect Opera label.

He has written two opera libretti, currently being set by Oscar-nominated composer Gary Yershon and operetta specialist Andrew Nicklin.

He currently appears in twelve complete Gilbert and Sullivan operas on gsopera.tv