Caroline moved into directing after a long career in theatre and its related forms as a performer, working with Peter Darling, Arlene Philips, Antony Van Laast, Alan Harding and Clark Peters. Throughout the 1980s she worked with music artists on videos including Nomad, Adamski, Kiss, David Grant, Jackie Graham, Queen and Freddie Mercury. Choreography includes: many rock concerts and live shows for Steve Coogan and Tim Minchin amongst others. As a performer her West End Theatre includes: Starlight Express, West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, Closer to Heaven and Chicago.
In 2008 she returned to study directing at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art under Sue Dunderdale and with mentor Michael Attenborough CBE. During this period she was assistant director to Matthew Warchus on God of Carnage on Broadway and Stephen Unwin at the Rose, Kingston.
Directing credits include; Steve Coogan Live UK & Australian tour, the Rod Stewart Musical Tonight’s the Night (2006 and 2014 tours), The Shape of Things by Neil LaBute (Edinburgh Festival), Love in the Time of Barriers by Hassan Abdul Razzak and Perve by Stacey Gregg (Vanburgh, RADA), Look Back in Anger by John Osborne (Rose, Southwark), The Cook and the Insurgent by Hassan Abdul Razzak (BBC3 Celebrating Sanctuary at the Southbank), Immaculate Conception by Cary Crankson (Vanburgh, RADA), Mr WH – A Forgery by Billie Brown (RADA), Marbles by Lydia Prior (Soho Theatre Project Wednesday), Staging for Tim Minchin Live Tour. Associate director to Eric Idle on Monty Python (Almost) Live (The O2, London 2014). Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse Legends Live Tour (2015).
She worked alongside John Cleese and directed the adaptation of Fawlty Towers Live which premiered in Sydney August 2016. Associate Director on the West End production of Roddy Doyle’s The Commitments Musical 2013 (The Palace Theatre) and directed The Commitments Musical for the UK tour (2016/17).Most recent directing credit include Early Doors Live 2018 by Craig Cash and Phil Mealey and consultant Director on Clive Tulloh and Joanna Lumley’s It’s All About Me UK Tour 2018/19.
After working on the early development of Only Fools and Horses the Musical she then directed its West End debut which ran at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket.
The Final west End performance of Only Fools and Horses the musical was on April 29th 2023 after a 4 year run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket – making it the longest running show in the prestigious theatre’s history.
CJay and Paul Whitehouse pair up once again with Stuart Morley and Denise Ranger to bring Only Fools and Horses the musical on tour. Introducing Sam Lupton and Tom Major as Delboy and Rodney Trotter.
After breaking box office records in theatres around the UK in 2024 we introduced Vinny Jones playing the gangster Danny Driscoll for a limited three week season at Hammersmith Apollo and played to over 75,500 people. It continues to break box office records on tour until July 2025.
“It’s a dream job to direct this classic piece of British Comedy and rehearsing with Paul alongside an outstanding talented cast makes the work a complete joy with a lot of laughter.” CJay Ranger.
CJay is currently in further creative development and workshop stage of Trainspotting the Musical working closely with Irvine Welsh. Music by Steve Mac and Stuart Morley the creative team are looking forward to bringing this iconic title to stage in 2026.
Most recently she recreated her direction with Fawlty Towers the play at the Apollo Theatre Shaftsbury Avenue. Playing to sold out houses, it now extends until March 1st 2025.
Fawlty Towers is set to bring the laughter back to the Apollo Theatre Shaftesbury Ave in June 2025. This will mark 50 years since the first episode was broadcast with the BBC. Fawlty Towers will embark on its first UK Tour in September 2025 till July 2026.
