SOME FAVOURITE PROJECTS
Just a few in no particular order
THE REFORMATION
Location, location, location
The grounds and rooms of the historic Gwydir Castle in Wales were such an extraordinary location. As a history lover, I was delighted to work there on The Reformation for EWTV. The wild peacocks roaming freely created some challenges for both the sound department and the catering team, but were a joy to behold. The location gave such a sense of place and history (and the cold weather certainly made me appreciate the heavy fabrics of the costumes.)
Photograph by Will Busby
4:48 PSYCHOSIS
Beautiful breakdowns
Sarah Kane’s iconic play is beautiful, disturbing and heartbreaking in equal measure. Exploring the text under the direction of movement guru Nicholas Jonne Wilson and then performing it in company with four astonishing women was a true privilege.
We took turns supporting each other through breakdowns backstage (such is the power of Kane’s text) and laughed much.
A rehearsal room in which the direction “you’re cockroaches - and you’re menstruating” made perfect sense!
Photograph by Robert Vass
TEACHING
"By your students you are taught"
Seeing a student learn and grow is a true joy. Over the years I’ve taught and coached children and adults, amateurs and professionals alike. I've found the old saying that it is by your students that you are taught to be absolutely true.
I am particularly grateful to Lyn Kidd of The Actors Workshop, Australia for giving me my start in teaching.
Pictured here are first year students of The Questors Student Group, London.
Photograph by Rory Hobson.
THE RULES
Getting behind the camera
I wrote, produced and directed this short comic film about love and friendship. It was my first adventure behind the camera (and a very steep learning curve.) I’m indebted to the incredibly talented (and patient) cast, creatives and crew who collaborated with me on this project.
We were delighted to win the award for Best Independent Drama (10 - 30 minutes) at the Warner Roadshow Studios 19th Queensland New Filmmaker Awards.
Click here to see the film on YouTube.
WILL YOU LICK MY EYEBALL?
La Boite’s Sex Cubed
The brief was for a play about sex that would take advantage of extraordinary multimedia facilities. And so my then fiancé (now husband) Scott Drummond and I learnt about some of the more obscure fetishes out there as we researched and co-wrote a play about eyeball licking and sexual insecurities. (Balloon popping anyone?)
Screens surrounding The Roundhouse stage allowed us to create the characters' inner demons in larger than life personas while the actors performed fearlessly. I felt the piece was deeply moral at its core, but some reviewers insisted on being scandalized.
It was our professional debut as playwrights and our first writing collaboration. It holds a place dear to my heart and eyeball.
Pictured here are Rebekah Moore & Ryan Gibson (on stage and on screen).
Photograph by Greg Clarke
(PS: I do not recommend eye-ball licking.)