{{Short description|English playwright and director}} {{Infobox person | image = | caption = | birth_name = Edward Jack Stambollouian | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1987|10|23}} | birth_place = | other_names = Edward Stambollouian | alma_mater = {{Plainlist| * University of Manchester * Bristol Old Vic Theatre School }} | occupation = | years_active = 2012–present | website = {{URL|https://www.edstambo.com/}} }} '''Edward Jack Stambollouian''' (born 23 October 1987) is an English theatre and comedy director, playwright, producer and blogger. He was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director among other accolades.
==Early life== Stambollouian is from North London. His father John is of Armenian descent; the Stambollouians arrived in Manchester from Kayseri and Smyrna in the 1890s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.armenianinstitute.org.uk/heritage-of-displacement-1/buzzin-over-manchester|title=Buzzin' Over Manchester|work=Armenian Institute|first=Erin|last=Piñon|date=22 January 2026|accessdate=12 April 2026}}</ref> Stambollouian graduated with a degree in Drama and English from the University of Manchester and a Master of Arts (MA) in Theatre Directing from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Interview-Were-Gonna-Up-The-Ante-To-Eleven-John-Patrick-Elliott-Jack-Holden-and-Ed-Stambollouian-on-The-Return-of-KENREX-20251120|title=Interview: 'We're Gonna Up The Ante To Eleven': John Patrick Elliott, Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian on The Return of KENREX|work=BroadwayWorld|first=Kat|last=Mokrynski|date=20 November 2025|accessdate=12 April 2026}}</ref>
==Career== Starting with ''Some Lycett Hot'' at the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Stambollouian began working with Joe Lycett on a number of comedy shows.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/edward_stambollouian/|title=Edward Stambollouian|accessdate=17 February 2024}}</ref> In 2013, Stambollouian served as Associate Director to Jamie Lloyd during Lloyd's tenure as Artistic Director of Trafalgar Studios.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.run-riot.com/articles/blogs/interview-jamie-lloyd-talks-trafalgar-takeovers-pinter-and-politics/|title=INTERVIEW: Jamie Lloyd talks Trafalgar Takeovers, Pinter and Politics|work=Run Riot|first=Katie|last=Antoniou|date=18 May 2013|accessdate=12 April 2026}}</ref> Stambollouian directed Rob Hayes' at the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, starring Jack Holden.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/a-few-of-my-favourite-edinburgh-things-director-ed-stambollouian_35083/|title=A few of my favourite Edinburgh things: Director Ed Stambollouian|work=WhatsOnStage|first=Theo|last=Bosanquet|date=17 July 2014|accessdate=21 March 2022}}</ref>
Stambollouian was selected for the 2015 inaugural Old Vic 12 emerging writers scheme.<ref>{{cite web|last=Snow|first=Georgia|title=Old Vic announces 12 winners for emerging talent scheme|url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/old-vic-announces-12-winners-for-emerging-talent-scheme/|work=The Stage|date=27 November 2015|access-date=17 March 2016}}{{subscription required}}</ref> That same year, he directed ''Feathers in the Snow'' at Unicorn Theatre<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ayoungertheatre.com/offer-5-tickets-to-feathers-in-the-snow-at-the-unicorn/|title=Ticket Offer: Feathers in the Snow at the Unicorn Theatre|work=A Younger Theatre|accessdate=12 April 2026}}</ref> and the international stage tour ''The Amazing Tour Is Not on Fire'' for YouTubers Dan and Phil.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://themusic.com.au/news/youtube-stars-dan-and-phil-bring-the-amazing-tour-is-not-on-fire-to-aus/zcHewcDDwsU/20-06-16|title=YouTube Stars Dan & Phil Bring 'The Amazing Tour Is Not On Fire' To Aus|work=The Music|date=19 June 2016|accessdate=18 September 2020}}</ref>
This was followed by the comedy event ''Invisible Dot's Birthday Bash''. Stambollouian went on to direct ''Blush'' at the 2016 Edinburgh Fringe Festival<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/theatre-review-blush-1468914|title=Theatre review: Blush|work=The Scotsman|date=23 August 2016|accessdate=17 February 2024}}</ref> and ''Night School'' for the 2018 ''Pinter'' event at the Harold Pinter Theatre, marking Stambollouian's West End debut.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/nov/11/pinter-three-four-review-tamsin-greig-lee-evans-pinter-theatre-london|title=Pinter Three and Four review – terror from Tamsin Greig, and a hilarious Lee Evans|work=The Guardian|first=Michael|last=Billington|date=11 November 2018|accessdate=21 October 2019}}</ref>
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Stambollouian dabbled in food blogging with a focus on Armenian cuisine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.armenianinstitute.org.uk/events/edstambollouian|title=London Cooking's Dolma! with Ed Stambollouian|work=Armenian Institute|date=26 September 2020|accessdate=17 February 2024}}</ref> He returned to directing in 2021 with Ian Wooldridge's adaptation of ''Animal Farm'' in a collaboration between the Royal & Derngate Theatre and the National Youth Theatre.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://exeuntmagazine.com/reviews/review-animal-farm-national-youth-theatre/|title=Review: Animal Farm at National Youth Theatre|work=Exeunt|first=Farah|last=Najib|date=14 June 2021|accessdate=17 February 2024}}</ref>
In 2022, Stamboullian directed Max Fosh's comedy show ''Zocial Butterfly'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/MAX-FOSH-ZOCIAL-BUTTERLY-Comes-To-The-London-Palladium-20220615|title=MAX FOSH: ZOCIAL BUTTERLY Comes To The London Palladium|work=BroadwayWorld|first=A A|last=Cristi|date=15 June 2022|accessdate=13 November 2022}}</ref> Daniel Howell's tour ''We're All Doomed!''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://omdkc.com/acclaimed-true-crime-thriller-kenrex-to-have-american-premiere-this-spring-after-three-sold-out-london-productions/|title=Acclaimed true crime thriller "Kenrex" to have American premiere this spring after three sold-out London productions|work=DKC O&M|date=27 January 2026|accessdate=12 April 2026}}</ref> and the Sorted Food live Christmas special.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://onin.london/sorted-food-and-the-live-show-company-presents-sorted-live-the-big-christmas-bash/|title=Sorted Food and The Live Show Company presents… Sorted Live: The Big Christmas Bash|work=On in London|date=December 2022|accessdate=17 February 2024}}</ref>
With Holden, Stambollouian co-wrote and directed the true crime play ''Kenrex''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ayoungishperspective.co.uk/2025/02/09/in-conversation-with-ed-stambollouian/|title=IN CONVERSATION WITH: Ed Stambollouian|work=A Young(ish) Perspective|first=Tabitha|last=James|date=9 February 2025|accessdate=12 April 2026}}</ref> The play premiered in Sheffield in 2024 before transferring to London the following year and New York in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-18 |title=Kenrex to transfer to London following Sheffield premiere |work=WhatsOnStage|first=Alex|last=Wood|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/kenrex-to-transfer-to-london-following-sheffield-premiere_1652450/ |access-date=2026-03-11 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-27 |title=Kenrex with Jack Holden to transfer to New York |work=WhatsOnStage|first=Alex|last=Wood|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/kenrex-with-jack-holden-to-transfer-to-new-york_1710130/ |access-date=2026-03-11 |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Kenrex'' went on to receive six Laurence Olivier Award nominations, including Best Director for Stambollouian and Best New Play.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wiegand |first=Chris |date=2026-03-05 |title=Paddington and Into the Woods up for 11 Olivier awards each |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/mar/05/paddington-and-into-the-woods-up-for-11-olivier-awards-each |access-date=2026-03-06 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The play was also nominated for an Off West End Award and Critics' Circle Theatre Award.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://broadwaybaby.com/features/offies-2026-and-the-winners-are-/2793|title=OFFIES 2026 - And the Winners Are….|work=Broadway Baby|first=Richard|last=Beck|date=1 April 2026|accessdate=12 April 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thereviewshub.com/critics-circle-theatre-awards-2026/|title=Critics' Circle Theatre Awards 2026|work=The Reviews Hub|first=Maryam|last=Philpott|date=|accessdate=12 April 2026}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:stambollouian, ed}} Category:1987 births Category:Alumni of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Category:Alumni of the University of Manchester Category:English people of Armenian descent Category:Living people Category:People from the London Borough of Camden Category:Theatre people from London Category:English theatre directors