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: West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar 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 is currently playing at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. After developing and adapting a play for stage based on The Cut by Hibo Wardere she then collaborated with Jen Rainsford in adapting its themes into the screen play I Carry Your Crown for MommaLionFilms and producer Sarina Taylor, who are both now thrilled to be in collaboration with RSA films in realising this story to screen.
Most recently CJay has completed the development of Trainspotting the Musical with Irvine Welsh and Steve McGuinness. Alongside Stewart Morley as MD and Colin Richmond (Set Design), the creative team is looking forward to going into production in 2024.
2022 sees Only Fools and Horses the musical extend into its 3rd year at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.