PRESENT WORK
Alt Text: A promotional image for 'The Clacton Three' featuring a sad teenage girl in a killer whale costume sitting on a bench, flanked by another girl and a boy, with a pier, grey ocean, and cloudy sky in the background.
Fringe News: The Clacton Three - by Sarah Jane Baxter
At the Colchester Fringe this October, I will be directing 'The Clacton Three,' a compelling new play by talented emerging playwright, Sarah Jane Baxter.
Set against the backdrop of the 1980s, it tells the gripping story of three teenagers determined to free the killer whales held in a pool no deeper than 4 metres on Clacton Pier.
As their quest unfolds, the lines between freedom and confinement blur, mirroring the struggles of the whales and the teens themselves.
Based on real life events - don't miss this poignant exploration of hope, friendship, and the fight for change!
Dates: 30th October - 2nd November
Venue: Headgate Theatre as part of Colchester Fringe
To book: https://colchester.ssboxoffice.com/events/the-clacton-three/
Eastword - Mercury Theatre New Writing Showcase
(in partnership with Paines Plough)
I was thrilled to direct three of the seven featured pieces for this vibrant showcase of new writing at the Mercury Theatre. This special event celebrated emerging playwrights from the East of England who were mentored by the nationally renowned new writing company, Paines Plough.
Working closely with the writers, I directed rehearsed readings of three powerful and distinct new extracts from their plays. My work focused on bringing the unique voice of each script to life, tackling complex and sensitive themes to create a compelling first experience for the audience.
The pieces I directed:
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Bitter by Ed Ismail
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Burnout by Ellie Hyde
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Deadlines by Sue Bevan
It was a privilege to be part of this vital celebration of new work and to help launch these important stories and the next generation of theatre voices.
Alt Text: The title graphic for 'EastWord: An East of England Playwrights Showcase.' The image symbolizes the sparking of new talent, showing a single lit match in front of a row of unlit matches against a dark background, with a large, bright flame illuminating the scene.
Fringe News: Directing The Toilet Monologues
Excited to announce I'll be directing a brilliant and vital new play, The Toilet Monologues, which is premiering at the Colchester Fringe this year.
Written by the fantastic Wendy James and produced by the wonderful Wonky Hearts Productions, the play is a sharp, intimate look at four women in those moments we all know—when you have to lock yourself in a public loo to cry, to think, to escape, to make a life-changing phone call. It’s about the private drama that happens just feet away from the public world.
It’s poignant, funny, and incredibly relatable. I can't wait to get into the rehearsal room with our talented cast to bring these powerful, hidden stories to life.
Dates: 25th - 28th October
Venue: Dragonfly Lounge, Colchester
To book: https://colchester.ssboxoffice.com/events/the-toilet-monologues/
Alt Text: A promotional image for 'The Toilet Monologues' that captures the play's theme of private moments. The view is from outside a public toilet stall, looking through the gap at the bottom to see a woman's feet in black flats as she sits inside, hidden from the world."
New Musical: The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Olly Medlicott at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester.
In October 2026, I will be directing a brand-new musical adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic, The Picture of Dorian Gray.
This is a dream project. We're diving deep into the gothic heart of Wilde's novel to create a show that is both a thrilling piece of entertainment and a dark exploration of the human soul. The concept frames the story as a show-within-a-show, presented by a company of outcasts in a "theatre of the depraved." Expect it to be glamorous, visceral, and unforgettable.
I'm especially excited to be collaborating with the incredibly talented local writer and composer Olly Medlicott, who is part of the Mercury Creatives programme. Olly's music is absolutely stunning, and building this piece with him is a true joy.
This is going to be a huge team effort, and I can't wait to get into the rehearsal room.
Dates: October 2026
Venue: Mercury Theatre, Colchester
Tickets not yet on sale.
Founder, Associate Director, & Mentor | Headgate Young Company presents The Trials
Our next major production will be Dawn King's urgent and provocative play, The Trials. The show will be performed in early September 2025.
Having directed several of our past productions, I am thrilled to be taking on a new and vital role for this project. This season, I am moving into a mentorship position to support the next generation of theatre-makers, guiding the brilliant emerging director Tyler Reuben Woodhouse as he takes the helm.
The Trials is a gripping, near-future drama that imagines a world where the generation responsible for the climate crisis is put on trial by a jury of children. It is a powerful and challenging piece that questions accountability, justice, and the future we will leave behind—a perfect vehicle for our talented young actors to explore.
My role as a mentor is to support Tyler's artistic vision, and empower him to lead the company with confidence and creativity.
Dates: 10th - 13th September 2025
Venue: Headgate Theatre
To book: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/headgatetheatre/e-xzqpap
Alt Text: Promotional image for 'The Picture of Dorian Gray': Several women in Victorian attire stare at a large, empty gold frame in a dark, ornate room.
Alt Text: A figure in a red hood looks at a dry, cracked riverbed and burning cars under a hazy orange sky.
