[5] Yates has been described as "a major talent"[6] in The Guardian, and "a director of unusual flair"[7] in The Observer.
Yates directed and co-created VANYA adapted by Simon Stephens and featuring Andrew Scott.
The filmed National Theatre Live production, directed by Yates, played in cinemas internationally and took over $2.5million at the box office.
[9] His productions have been nominated for Olivier Awards: Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Murder Ballad (2017),[10] and Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre for The Phlebotomist by Ella Road (2019).
[12] Yates is known for his "eclectic body of work" and his "superb sense for casting",[13] having directed leading talent Andrew Scott,[14] Daisy Ridley, Ruth Wilson,[7] Hayley Atwell,[15] Gemma Arterton,[16] Christian Slater,[17] Matthew Broderick,[18] Ciaran Hinds,[14] Jane Horrocks,[6] Elizabeth McGovern[18] and Jonah Hauer-King.