Peter Darney- Director
Peter trained as an actor at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and has a distinction at MA in theatre directing from St Mary's University College.
Directing credits include Frank Sent Me (Winner of Writer's Avenue Best Play 2011, Soho Theatre), Lodgers (Soho Theatre), Mysterious Skin ( The Drill Hall, The Teachers Club Dublin, The Gilded Balloon Edinburgh Festival), Edward II (Rose Theatre Bankside), Arden of Faversham (Rose Theatre Bankside), The Unthinkable (The Space, Edinburgh Festival) and Beautiful Thing (BAC).
Formally an actor, he was recipient of the prestigious BBC Carlton Hobbs award, he has featured in over 75 Radio Dramas, and has played leading roles at Birmingham Rep, Bristol Old Vic, Northcott Theatre (Exeter), and the Sherman Theatre (Cardiff).
Sophie Johnson- Sound
Sophie is currently on the Technical Theatre foundation course at City Lit. This is her second production with City Lit. She worked on A Christmas Carol last year and as DSM on Macbeth earlier this year. Prior to City Lit she graduated from The University of Kent, where she created and stage managed StriKtly Kent Dancing, a now annual event held in aid of the Prince's Trust. Sophie has also worked on many stage productions including What the Butler Saw performed at The University of Kent 2011 and Jack and the Beanstalk and Half A Sixpence performed by the Broxbourne Civic Theatre Company.
David Amaddio - Deputy Stage Manager
David is currently studying on the Technical Theatre Foundation Course at City Lit. This is his third production with City Lit. Last year he worked on A Christmas Carol as an Assistant Stage Manager and early this year David worked on Macbeth as the Stage Manger.
Peter trained as an actor at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and has a distinction at MA in theatre directing from St Mary's University College.
Directing credits include Frank Sent Me (Winner of Writer's Avenue Best Play 2011, Soho Theatre), Lodgers (Soho Theatre), Mysterious Skin ( The Drill Hall, The Teachers Club Dublin, The Gilded Balloon Edinburgh Festival), Edward II (Rose Theatre Bankside), Arden of Faversham (Rose Theatre Bankside), The Unthinkable (The Space, Edinburgh Festival) and Beautiful Thing (BAC).
Formally an actor, he was recipient of the prestigious BBC Carlton Hobbs award, he has featured in over 75 Radio Dramas, and has played leading roles at Birmingham Rep, Bristol Old Vic, Northcott Theatre (Exeter), and the Sherman Theatre (Cardiff).
Sophie Johnson- Sound
Sophie is currently on the Technical Theatre foundation course at City Lit. This is her second production with City Lit. She worked on A Christmas Carol last year and as DSM on Macbeth earlier this year. Prior to City Lit she graduated from The University of Kent, where she created and stage managed StriKtly Kent Dancing, a now annual event held in aid of the Prince's Trust. Sophie has also worked on many stage productions including What the Butler Saw performed at The University of Kent 2011 and Jack and the Beanstalk and Half A Sixpence performed by the Broxbourne Civic Theatre Company.
David Amaddio - Deputy Stage Manager
David is currently studying on the Technical Theatre Foundation Course at City Lit. This is his third production with City Lit. Last year he worked on A Christmas Carol as an Assistant Stage Manager and early this year David worked on Macbeth as the Stage Manger.
Augustina Amoa- Mrs Aid (A Cavalier for Milady), Lena (Hello From Bertha)
Augustina began training in Acting and Dance at Hammersmith and West London College, before moving on to the City Lit where she has been studying for the last two years. She appeared in the award winning short film 'JUMP‘ which was screened at the IMAX Cinema in 2009 and has had roles in 'Waking the Dead’, 'The Thick of It ‘ and the Channel 4 series ‘Camelot’. Augustina is looking forward to using her skills for further training on the Drama Studio London 1 Year Postgraduate course.
Augustina began training in Acting and Dance at Hammersmith and West London College, before moving on to the City Lit where she has been studying for the last two years. She appeared in the award winning short film 'JUMP‘ which was screened at the IMAX Cinema in 2009 and has had roles in 'Waking the Dead’, 'The Thick of It ‘ and the Channel 4 series ‘Camelot’. Augustina is looking forward to using her skills for further training on the Drama Studio London 1 Year Postgraduate course.
Alison Baugh- Mrs Pocciotti (The Dark Room), Matron (Lord Byron's Love Letter)
Alison is a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist by day, Thespian by night. This is Alison's debut performance. She has been training at the City lit for over 2 years. Alison started with the Introduction to Acting course at the City Lit in January 2010 , she enjoyed it so much she continued taking City Lit classes.
Alison is a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist by day, Thespian by night. This is Alison's debut performance. She has been training at the City lit for over 2 years. Alison started with the Introduction to Acting course at the City Lit in January 2010 , she enjoyed it so much she continued taking City Lit classes.
Emmanuelle Buchs- Miss Morgan (The Dark Room)
Emmanuelle was part of the Youth Theatre Company in Paris for 8 years. She then moved to London where she studied Film and Journalism, while continuing her acting studies at such schools as Guildhall, CSSD, Lamda and City Lit. She is now working as a sales executive for a live event ticketing company, flying across France and the UK to develop this fast growing business and dedicating all her spare time to developing her acting skills.
Emmanuelle was part of the Youth Theatre Company in Paris for 8 years. She then moved to London where she studied Film and Journalism, while continuing her acting studies at such schools as Guildhall, CSSD, Lamda and City Lit. She is now working as a sales executive for a live event ticketing company, flying across France and the UK to develop this fast growing business and dedicating all her spare time to developing her acting skills.
Jeremy Chelu- Mr Paradise (Mr Paradise)
Determined to shake off the image of a mild mannered accountant, Jeremy has taken several acting and writing classes at the City Lit. One course – Performance Improvisation: the Play - led to him performing several times with Third Person Theatre Company. He also wrote comedy sketches for the Fold Up Sketch Show.
Determined to shake off the image of a mild mannered accountant, Jeremy has taken several acting and writing classes at the City Lit. One course – Performance Improvisation: the Play - led to him performing several times with Third Person Theatre Company. He also wrote comedy sketches for the Fold Up Sketch Show.
Grace Cookey-Gam- Mother (
A Cavalier for Milady)
Grace read music at Birmingham University. She enjoyed acting in student plays but majored in classical singing. She subsequently trained as a teacher and pursued her opera studies at Morley and Birkbeck College. Alongside her teaching, she has worked as a singer including an enjoyable stretch in HMP Wandsworth with Pimlico Opera’s Les Miserable and as a vocal animateur for Pegasus Opera, Sing Up! and Glyndebourne Education. Playing Louise in Child’s Play (Best International Short Film, 168 Festival 2011) re-ignited Grace’s love for acting (without music) and she hopes to continue her studies in September.
Grace read music at Birmingham University. She enjoyed acting in student plays but majored in classical singing. She subsequently trained as a teacher and pursued her opera studies at Morley and Birkbeck College. Alongside her teaching, she has worked as a singer including an enjoyable stretch in HMP Wandsworth with Pimlico Opera’s Les Miserable and as a vocal animateur for Pegasus Opera, Sing Up! and Glyndebourne Education. Playing Louise in Child’s Play (Best International Short Film, 168 Festival 2011) re-ignited Grace’s love for acting (without music) and she hopes to continue her studies in September.
Mary Corney- Mrs Yorke (Why Do You Smoke So Much Lilly), Old Woman (Lord Byron's Love Letter), Mrs Josie Flattery (A Cavalier for Milady)
Mary has had a long and varied acting career. She has combined her stage experience with training gained at Rose Bruford (some years ago) with training at the City Lit. Her favourite roles have been Sarah in Harold Pinter's The Lover (for which she won an HTV Best Actress of the Year award), Kate in Dancing at Lughnasa, Hester in The Deep Blue Sea and Bernada Alba in Lorca's The House of Bernada Alba. She has very much enjoyed the challenge of her various roles in the Tennessee Williams' one-act plays.
Mary has had a long and varied acting career. She has combined her stage experience with training gained at Rose Bruford (some years ago) with training at the City Lit. Her favourite roles have been Sarah in Harold Pinter's The Lover (for which she won an HTV Best Actress of the Year award), Kate in Dancing at Lughnasa, Hester in The Deep Blue Sea and Bernada Alba in Lorca's The House of Bernada Alba. She has very much enjoyed the challenge of her various roles in the Tennessee Williams' one-act plays.
Robert Daoust- Writer (The Lady of Larkspur Lotion), Husband (Lord Byron's Love Letter)
Robert studied Film at Rhode Island School of Design, RI, USA, and Design for Interactive Media at Middlesex University. He has trained with Michael Grando in Mime and with Toby Jones/Theatre de Complicité in Le Coq technique. He is also a freelance fashion stylist.Theatre: Pest!, Bunker (Theatre 100Fleck, Berlin), Saint Joan (Berlin Playactors, Berlin, Germany). Alice in the Elevator (Lindy Annis, Berlin, Germany). Dance: Consort de Danse Baroque, Nonesuch.Robert is making his London theatre debut in Tennessee Paradise.
Robert studied Film at Rhode Island School of Design, RI, USA, and Design for Interactive Media at Middlesex University. He has trained with Michael Grando in Mime and with Toby Jones/Theatre de Complicité in Le Coq technique. He is also a freelance fashion stylist.Theatre: Pest!, Bunker (Theatre 100Fleck, Berlin), Saint Joan (Berlin Playactors, Berlin, Germany). Alice in the Elevator (Lindy Annis, Berlin, Germany). Dance: Consort de Danse Baroque, Nonesuch.Robert is making his London theatre debut in Tennessee Paradise.
Rosalind Hull- Lilly (Why Do You Smoke So Much Lilly), Spinster (Lord Byron's Love Letter)
At the age of 20 Rosie won a scholarship for CSA drama school in Chichester, where she performed a solo infront of 1700 people at the Kings Theatre in Southsea and various other musical numbers.
Rosie is part of Funtington Players Amateur Dramatics and West Dean Open Air Theatre in West Sussex. She has played the role of Mag in Lovers Winners and Losers by Brian Friel. a part in Dandy Dick by Wing Pinero at the open air theatre in West Dean and Irene in The Dresser by Ronald Harwood. Rosie is currently applying to train at various drama school in London.
At the age of 20 Rosie won a scholarship for CSA drama school in Chichester, where she performed a solo infront of 1700 people at the Kings Theatre in Southsea and various other musical numbers.
Rosie is part of Funtington Players Amateur Dramatics and West Dean Open Air Theatre in West Sussex. She has played the role of Mag in Lovers Winners and Losers by Brian Friel. a part in Dandy Dick by Wing Pinero at the open air theatre in West Dean and Irene in The Dresser by Ronald Harwood. Rosie is currently applying to train at various drama school in London.
Dasha Ilinskaia- Bertha (Hello From Bertha)
In her younger years Dasha attended Sylvia Young Theatre School, which first engnited her passion for acting. Dasha has a BA (Hons) in Drama and English from Queen Mary, University of London. She has also completed the Foundation Acting Course at ALRA and will be starting her training on the Drama Studio London's 1 Year Postgraduate Course this August.
In her younger years Dasha attended Sylvia Young Theatre School, which first engnited her passion for acting. Dasha has a BA (Hons) in Drama and English from Queen Mary, University of London. She has also completed the Foundation Acting Course at ALRA and will be starting her training on the Drama Studio London's 1 Year Postgraduate Course this August.
Samantha- Jade Shellie- Girl (Mr Paradise), Goldie (Hello From Bertha), Woman in the Rear (Thank You Kind Spirit)
Samantha-Jade Shellie trained at The Arts Educational School in Tring Park in her younger years, where she won both the Classical Acting Medal & Comedy Cup. After this Samantha-Jade gained a BA (Hons) in Drama & Theatre from Royal Holloway, University of London. Since then, Samantha-Jade has tried her hand at many a career, from advertising to commercial property, but her passion lies firmly with acting. Samantha-Jade hopes to complete her training at a drama school next year.
Samantha-Jade Shellie trained at The Arts Educational School in Tring Park in her younger years, where she won both the Classical Acting Medal & Comedy Cup. After this Samantha-Jade gained a BA (Hons) in Drama & Theatre from Royal Holloway, University of London. Since then, Samantha-Jade has tried her hand at many a career, from advertising to commercial property, but her passion lies firmly with acting. Samantha-Jade hopes to complete her training at a drama school next year.
Ashwani Jha- Boy (Green Eyes)
Prior to embarking on the Access course, Ashwani completed the City Lit Foundation course last year. In his spare time he also studies neuroscience at University College London.
Prior to embarking on the Access course, Ashwani completed the City Lit Foundation course last year. In his spare time he also studies neuroscience at University College London.
Zulehka Maynard-Brown- Mrs Wire ( The Lady of Larkspur Lotion), Mother DuClos (Thank You Kind Spirit)
Zulehka achieved a BA Hons in Drama with Film and Television Studies at Brunel University in 2006. Since then she appeared in Happy Returns by Talawa Young People's Theatre in 2006. She then performed in Mem Morrison's Ringside at the Spill Festival 2009. Zulehka also performed in The Secret Consul, a site specific guerilla opera directed by Steve Tiller in 2011. She returned to her drama training at City Lit college through the Drama Access course.
Zulehka achieved a BA Hons in Drama with Film and Television Studies at Brunel University in 2006. Since then she appeared in Happy Returns by Talawa Young People's Theatre in 2006. She then performed in Mem Morrison's Ringside at the Spill Festival 2009. Zulehka also performed in The Secret Consul, a site specific guerilla opera directed by Steve Tiller in 2011. She returned to her drama training at City Lit college through the Drama Access course.
Polly Misch- Girl (Green Eyes)
After completing a Foundation Acting Course at Oxford School of Drama in 2010, Polly has been observing life from behind the reinforced glass of a post office counter, compulsively tango dancing, eavesdropping on busses, falling in love and learning Kung fu in preparation for a career in acting.
After completing a Foundation Acting Course at Oxford School of Drama in 2010, Polly has been observing life from behind the reinforced glass of a post office counter, compulsively tango dancing, eavesdropping on busses, falling in love and learning Kung fu in preparation for a career in acting.
Ben Muir- Vaslav Nijinsky (A Cavalier for Milady)
Ben has a National Diploma in Performing Arts from Croydon College. He has recently starred in an advert for popular Channel 4 sitcom Phone Shop and has acted in various short films, including Dog Shit and I Suck Your Guts. In 2011 Ben won the Geoffrey Killick Award for Best Actor. Ben's spare time is taken up by such glamorous activities as catwalk modelling for an Italian fashion label.
Ben has a National Diploma in Performing Arts from Croydon College. He has recently starred in an advert for popular Channel 4 sitcom Phone Shop and has acted in various short films, including Dog Shit and I Suck Your Guts. In 2011 Ben won the Geoffrey Killick Award for Best Actor. Ben's spare time is taken up by such glamorous activities as catwalk modelling for an Italian fashion label.
Jennifer Strickland-
Mrs. Hardwicke-Moore (The Lady of Larkspur Lotion)
Before the Drama Access Diploma, Jennifer completed the Foundation course and she continues to take many courses at City Lit. These range from Advanced Camera Work to Working in Voiceovers, and from Singing to Belly Dancing!
Before the Drama Access Diploma, Jennifer completed the Foundation course and she continues to take many courses at City Lit. These range from Advanced Camera Work to Working in Voiceovers, and from Singing to Belly Dancing!
Amy Wells- Nance ( A Cavalier for Milady)
Amy Wells was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne and grew up in Manchester, the US and Belgium. After completing a master’s degree in French and Italian translation, Amy fell in love with acting. She studied the Drama Foundation and Access courses at City Lit and played ‘Amy’ in a recent production of Laura Wade’s Breathing Corpses at South London Theatre. When Amy isn’t acting, she works in arts education and as a translator, and enjoys yoga.
Amy Wells was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne and grew up in Manchester, the US and Belgium. After completing a master’s degree in French and Italian translation, Amy fell in love with acting. She studied the Drama Foundation and Access courses at City Lit and played ‘Amy’ in a recent production of Laura Wade’s Breathing Corpses at South London Theatre. When Amy isn’t acting, she works in arts education and as a translator, and enjoys yoga.