Karel Bata

Karel was born of Czech
political refugees. He had an unconventional start in the entertainment industry at Soho's infamous Gargoyle Club and the early days of the comparatively respectable Comedy Store.

He moved on to West End Theatre (Amadeus, Sweeney Todd, Evita...) The National Theatre, and rep and fringe productions: lighting Zoo Story, Yerma, Abigails's Party and directing Therese Raquin.

Since film school, Karel has directed a dozen docs, pilots, and short dramas (including Perfect Day and the award-winning Johnny's Liver) and been DoP on 40 productions.

He has crewed as video effects co-ordinator on 200 TV commercials (Ridley Scott, Tony Kaye, David Bailey...)
promos ( INXS, Paul McCartney, Texas...) and features (Interview With The Vampire, Muppets Treasure Island, Bourne Ultimatum...).

But Karel's most enduring claim to fame must surely be when he dumped a bucket of warm water over Elaine Paige on the opening night of Cats. His temper has since improved, but he still refuses to make a public apology. He lives across the road from Russell Brand, and knows how to curse in Romanian.