Joanna O'Connor

Joanna is an actor producer and writer. An irrepressible romantic and lover of classic literature and social history, she has created original stage adaptations of Pride & Prejudice, The Brothers Karamazov, Far From the Madding Crowd, Our Mutual Friend, Wuthering Heights, Anna Karenina, Little Women, Great Expectations, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Tess of the d’Urbervilles, A Christmas Carol, Crime & Punishment and Much Ado About Salsa, a contemporary play based on Much Ado About Nothing.

During lockdown, she found herself wondering how Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy would have fared were they faced with similar circumstances and the idea for Lizzy & Darcy in Lockdown was born. She then completed Lizzy & Darcy Unleashed and has now released the two as an omnibus in The Lizzy & Darcy Letters.

Joanna also co-runs Summer Light Theatre Company (YouTube @SummerLightTheatre) which offers full plays and filmed adaptations as free resources to students and anyone who loves theatre but doesn't get to see it live. These include Anna Karenina, A Doll’s House, The Bear, Crime & Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov.

She lives with her partner James, close enough to London to be fun, but far enough to have plenty of beautiful countryside to roam together in. They both love travel, theatre & film and seem to attract furry friends in need of refuge.