Toby Foy's artistic journey began in the 1970s when he trained at the esteemed Jacques Lecoq School in Paris, where he founded The Moving Picture Mime Show, a groundbreaking physical theatre company that would go on to establish itself as a pioneer in its field, globally.
As an actor, Toby has had a prolific career, working extensively in the UK's leading theatres, including the Royal Shakespeare Company, Chichester Festival Theatre, the Royal Exchange, and the National Theatre. He has also performed and co-devised numerous productions with Théâtre de Complicité, such as Help I'm Alive, The Noise of Time, Light, and The Master & Margarita.
Toby's versatility as an actor is showcased in his diverse range of roles, including his portrayal of Harpo Marx in Animal Crackers and his appearance in The Play What I Wrote, both in the West End. He has also made appearances in film, including Vacuums, a production by Stomp, Laissez Passer for Bertrand Tavernier, and The Last Planet, directed by Terrence Malik in 2019.
As a Director of Movement, Toby's work has been seen worldwide, with notable productions including The 39 Steps, War Horse, and A Dog's Heart. He has collaborated with renowned directors such as Danny Boyle, Simon Dormandy, and Jon S Baird, and has worked on a wide range of projects, from opera to film.
Some of Toby's most notable credits include directing The Mill for Ockham's Razor at The Royal Opera House and for a major UK tour, co-directing The Hudsucker Proxy with Simon Dormandy, and collaborating with Danny Boyle on the London 2012 Olympics as Director of Movement and Choreographer of the 'Industrial Revolution' and 'The Green and Pleasant Land'.
Toby has also worked on several notable films, including Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang, directed by Susannah White, and Stan and Ollie, directed by Jon S Baird, starring Steve Coogan and John C Reilly. In 2021, he directed the film Pistol, set in the 1970s about the punk band the Sex Pistols.
In addition to his work in theatre and film, Toby has created a short film for the London Mime Festival 2021, in which he reprises his role as Bernard Knowes, a character he created during lockdown.
