Will Barnett

Book, Music & Lyrics

Will studied Law at Cambridge University and, after a few years spent in advertising at agencies including Saatchi & Saatchi, he started working as a Musical Director, pianist and arranger on shows across the country including the West End and the National Theatre.

In 2000, he founded Perform with Lucy Quick and has since written hundreds of songs and shows for children including:  The Circus Adventure, The Magician's Chamber, Around The World, Mermaids & Pirates, Outer Space, Fairytale Forest, Under the Sea, Wild West, The Jungle, Superheroes, Cinderella Rocks, Hercules Beat, Bluebeard's Bride, Rome 'n Jewels, Jack & The Wonderbeans, The Dream, Ebenezer, Outlaw, Robinson Crusoe In Space, The Dream, The Magical Island, Zak & Zara's Cyberspace Adventure, Dangerous City, The Looking Glass, Oz Rebooted, Twisted, Grooove Like An Egyptian, Killa Queen, Alien Invasion, Rise Of The Robots, Beaty & the Beast, The Jungle Book, Arabian Nights, Alice In Wonderland, Narnia, Pinocchio, The Wizard Of Oz, The Ice Queen, Hansel & Gretel, Mr Toad's Wild Adventure, The Secret Garden, Castaway Island and Marigold & Her Magic Toys.

Susie McKenna

Director

Susie has been working as an actor, writer, and director for over 35 years working in theatres, nationally and in the West End, Television and film. She has also produced documentaries including Battle Axes for Channel 4 and Journey into Evil for ABC in the USA.

Susie is currently Associate Director at Kiln theatre, and working freelance as a writer, director and actress.

She recently co-directed the critically acclaimed NW Trilogy by Roy Williams Moira Buffini Suhayla el Bushra at Kiln Theatre and previously Blues In the Night starring Sharon D Clarke, Clive Rowe, Debbie Kurup and Gemma Sutton at Kiln theatre as part of their inaugural season after re opening, which has been Olivier Nominated for Outstanding Achievement in an affiliate theatre. 

After writing and directing Hackney Empire’s first ‘in house’ pantomime, Dick Whittington, in 1998, Susie wrote and directed the pantomime there every year since including 2020’s year’s 21st anniversary production of Dick Whittington set in post war London 1948 as Dick arrives on the SS Empire Windrush 

 Having had a long association with Hackney Empire as associate director, Susie spearheaded the reopening after a brief closure in 2010 and became Creative Director of Hackney Empire until December 2017, responsible for programming including commissioning the hit musical drama Rudy’s Rare Records by Danny Robbins starring Lenny Henry and curating the London cultural Olympiad comedy festival at the theatre in 2012. Susie also managed the delivery of the creative learning and community programme including directing Hackney Empire’s Artist Development Programme main house show each year since 2000.

Her other main house productions at Hackney Empire include: Blues in the Night, Beau Jest , Sit and Shiver starring Steven Berkoff, Kat and Tameka Show, La Variété, Sing Out, Alter Ego, A Midsummer Night’s Madness ( NYC and Edinburgh) a musical adaptation of Macbeth and Once on this Island; a co-production with Birmingham Rep and Nottingham Playhouse. In 2012 she was the festival director for Ha Ha Ha Hackney – a 7 show celebration of 60 years of British comedy for the London 2012 Festival.

Susie and her writing partner Steve Edis musically adapted two other shows, A Christmas Carol (Arts Theatre London West End 2009) and Ian Serraillier’s The Silver Sword for the stage at Coventry Belgrade theatre and toured nationally in 2015.

In 2018 /19 Susie directed the critically acclaimed world premiere of Oranges and Elephants by Lil Warren and Jo Collins, which told the story of Girl Gangs in Victorian East End as part of the Female Parts season at Hoxton Hall in London. The show is Nominated for two OFFIES.

She also adapted and directed Martin Smiths KING commemorating the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's assassination in 2018 to critical success.

As an actor her West End Credits include Cats, Chicago, Ragtime and Witches Of Eastwick. TV includes the Trip, Casualty, EastEnders, Emmerdale, London’s Burning, 3 episodes of Mr Bean Films include Jack and Sarah, Cats (TV and video of stage show playing Jennyanydots), Muppets Most Wanted and Lennie James’s Storm Damage.

Frank Thompson

Choreographer

Training; Laine Theatre Arts.

Frank has been a performer and Director and Choreographer, working international around the world including the West End and Broadway for more than 30 years.

Current work; Director of the 2nd Uk tour of The Bodyguard & German Tour of TBG 2019 onwards Choreography and staging for The Critically acclaimed – ‘Blues in the Night’ – at the Kiln Theatre London 2019 transferring into West End 2020 Starring Sharon D Clarke. Nominataed for an 2019 Oliver award Movement & Staging of the revival of ‘King’ The musical based on the life of Martin Luther King – Summer 2018, The Vienna & Paris productions of ‘The Bodyguard’ Director of 2017 West End Proms staring Lea Salonga, Ruthie Henshall, Marti Pellow, Jodi Prenger & Jon Lee Director of 2016 West End Proms staring Lea Salonga, Ruthie Henshall, Ramin Karimanloo Jodi Prenger & Jon Lee. Director of The international productions ‘The Bodyguard’ Stuttgart, China Tour, Dominion Theatre London, The Dom Theatre Cologne, Australian Tour, US Tour as well as directing the two international tours of Andrew Lloyd Webbers The Sound of Music, 2014/2015 and 2017. A new production of Blues In The Night’ & Puss In Boots Both for Hackney Empire & Frank choreographed and Co Directed a new revival of the Boy George Musical ‘Taboo’ playing at The Club House Brixton Nominated for Best Choreographer award, Broadwayworld.com and winning ‘WOS Award, Best Off West End Award 2013 Also Associate Director and Additional choreography for The Bodyguard directed by Thea Sharrock the Adelphi Theatre & Winner of ‘Best New Musical’ at the 2013 ‘What’s on Stage’ Awards. Frank trained at Laine Theatre Arts and went on to appear in Cats (West End, UK tour and including the closing night performance at New London Theatre); War & Peace (The Coliseum); La Cava (Churchill Theatre, Bromley and The Piccadilly Theatre); The Pajama Game (Birmingham Rep, The Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto & The Victoria Palace); S’Wonderful (London Palladium); Hey Mr Producer! (Lyceum); Sunset Boulevard (Adelphi); Pickwick The Musical (UK Tour); Jack in Review (London Palladium); and West Side Story and Mother Goose (York Theatre Royal). Film and television credits include Tom Jones, All We Need is Love, Jethro Tull 25 Years Celebration, Elaine Page - As If We Never Said Goodbye, & her South Bank Show, This Is Your Life - Petula Clark, The Lawrence Oliver Awards and The Royal Variety Performance; Reach for the Stars, a documentary based around the Sylvia Young Theatre School, (BBC1); Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - The Making of a Musical (Mentorn); Turning Point Documentary (ITVC); Hey Mr Producer! (Cameron Mackintosh & VCI Video Ltd); Cats (Film for RUG & Polygram); Hale & Pace & The People Program (LWT); Great Westerners (HTV); Free Time & CITV (Carlton). Frank staged a new production of Tom Foolery with Kit & the Widow and Dillie Kean at the Jermyn Street Theatre prior to a UK tour; the critically acclaimed productions of Aladdin, Cinderella and A Christmas Carol (directed By Susie McKenna at the Hackney Empire); No One in The World (a new musical directed by Steven Dexter); A Chorus Line (directed by Gillian Gregory); MGM with Cyd Charisse and The Styne Way with Chita Rivera and Rita Moreno (The London Palladium); The Ultimate Knees Up, Cinderella and Mother Goose (Hackney Empire); The Beaux Stratagem and The Boyfriend (Wimbledon; The Fleet’s In (Theatre Royal Drury Lane); Slapper and Slaphead (The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester). He was the associate choreographer for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium, the Ford Centre on Broadway, and UK tour. Frank was the assistant choreographer on War & Peace for the ENO; and resident choreographer for the Miss Saigon School. Frank has reproduced work for The Royal Variety Show, ITV This Morning, Proms in the Park, Children In Need, Blue Peter, The Variety Club of Great Britain Awards and ITV’s The Christmas Show.

Frank was associate director for Hackney Empire’s 2008/09‘Mother Goose’ starring Clive Rowe (Olivier nomination for his performance), and associate director on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s London Palladium production of The Sound of Music (directed by Jeremy Sams) In 2007 Frank staged a new production of the Marriage of Figaro at Sadler’s Wells, which also toured the UK, for the Classical Opera Company. Frank co-directed and choreographed Rags at the Chelsea theatre. He directed and choreographed the opera band Amici for their 2006 UK, Australian and New Zealand stadium tour.

In Spring 2010 Frank directed ‘The Australian Fire & Flood Benefit’ at the Palace Theatre, starring Lee Mead, Jodie Prenger, Jason Donavan and Rolf Harris. He also Co Directed and choreographed ‘A Christmas Carol’ Staring Gareth Hale at London's Arts Theatre. Also directing and staging for the highly acclaimed cabaret group Fascinating Aida creating their Sellout ‘comeback’ show at the Jermyn Street theatre in spring 2008. Two Uk tours and the Edinburgh Festival shows 2009/20010 also their production 'Absolutely Miraculous' which Opened on Broadway in December 09 to rave reviews and receiving two Drama Desk Nominations for ‘Most Outstanding Review’ & ‘Best Lyrics’ recently Frank has staged for Darren Hayes solo concert 'Secret Codes & Battleships' Touring the Uk and Australia in 2012 Frank has been back to Hackney to stage 2011/2012 production of Cinderella and has work with The Empire team on their 2012 Olympic Theatre Season, Also directing the new Fascinating Aida show for 2012 Edinburgh festival, which transferred to a sell out run at London’s South Bank prior to Uk tour.

Lotte Collett

Design

Lotte trained at the Motley Theatre Design Course. Lotte's creative collaboration with Susie McKenna began with A Christmas Carol when it was originally performed at The Bullion Room Theatre in Hackney and they have worked together on Once on this Island for Birmingham Rep, Nottingham Playhouse and the Hackney Empire. Slappers and Slapheads at Liverpool Empire, Sophie Tucker’s Last Night Stand at The New End, Kings Head and Edinburgh Festival and the Hackney Empire's renowned Pantomimes; Puss In Boots, Cinderella, Dick Whittington & his Cat, Mother Goose and Aladdin. She designed the Ha Ha Hackney, comedy shows for the London 2012 Festival and most recently productions of Blues in the Night and the tour of The Silver Sword.

In Beijing she designed The Merchant of Venice as part of their Cultural Olympiad at The Centre for the Performing Arts. Biblical Tales and Sit and Shiver for Steven Berkoff at The New End Theatre and Hackney Empire Theatre. She has had a long association with the National Youth Theatre designing, White City Black Country, their short play season at Soho Theatre and for the fiftieth anniversary season; Savages at the Royal Court, three of their Sextets at Soho Theatre, God Save the Teen in Trafalgar Square and Henry V at the Hackney Empire. She also designed Stoppard’s abridgement of The Merchant of Venice for BBC Education. Murder in the Cathedral at both Southwark and Westminster Cathedrals, The Threepenny Opera, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, at the Lyric Hammersmith, They Shoot Horses Don’t They, Othello, Oedipus The King, Romeo and Juliet and Oh What a Lovely War at the Bloomsbury Theatre. Other Theatre work includes The Creation Project, Trial by Jury and Camelot for The Covent Garden Opera Festival, Yerma, Blood Wedding and The House of Bernada Alba at The Riverside Studios. Design work at The New End Theatre in Hampstead includes Lunch with Marlene, Prophesy, Lotte's Journey, The Hokey Cokey Man and Candida. Dance design includes Passport to Ballet for ENB and Mind Games 1, 2 and 4. And Bohemian Rhapsody for Monte Carlo. For T.V and film Lenin and The Quest both for Invision Documentary film makers, Marvin the Metal Eating Baby and Spy in the Cab for the BBC scene series. Most recently, Lotte has been running the workshops for Spitting Image.

Tom Marshall

Sound Designer

Tom Marshall has worked in sound for the past twenty five years.

Sound Design credits include: A Chorus Line (Curve, Leicester), The Drifters Girl (Garrick Theatre, London), Amelie (Criterion Theatre, London), Sister Act (UK Tour 2022), A Christmas Carol (Watermill Theatre), Hairspray, (Pimlico Opera), The Boy In The Dress (RSC), Curtains (London Wyndham’s Theatre & UK Tour), White Christmas (London Dominion & UK Tour), Amelie (Watermill Theatre, The Other Palace, London & UK Tour) West Side Story (Curve), Grease (UK Tour), My Beautiful Laundrette (Curve), The Color Purple (Curve & Birmingham Hippodrome), Moll Flanders (Mercury Theatre), Oklahoma! (Grange Park Opera), An Officer And A Gentleman (UK Tour), The Jungle Book (UK tour), Sunset Boulevard (UK Tour), Project Polunin (Sadlers Wells & London Coliseum), Crazy for You (UK Tour), Nativity! (UK Tour), Flashdance (UK tour), A Little Night Music (Watermill Theatre), Working (Southwark Playhouse), Brass (Hackney Empire), Bugsy Malone (Curve), Crazy for You (Watermill Theatre), Oliver! (Grange Park Opera) Legally Blonde (Curve), Tell Me on a Sunday (UK Tour), The Silver Sword (UK Tour), Sweet Charity (Curve), Oliver! (Watermill Theatre), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (London Savoy & UK Tour), Women On the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Playhouse Theatre, London),The Hired Man (St. James Theatre), West Side Story (Victoria Warehouse, Manchester), My Favourite Year (Bridewell Theatre), The Tailor Made Man (Arts Theatre), Pushing up Poppies (Theatre 503), Legally Blonde, The Life, Crazy For You, Cry Baby & Newsies (Arts Educational School, London).

Sound Recording & Mixing Credits: The Color Purple & Sunset Boulevard for Curve ‘At Home’ season, L’heure Espagnole, Owen Wingrave, A Feast in The Time of Plague for Grange Park Opera. The Found Season and the Interim Season for Grange Park Opera

Tom has acted as an associate sound designer on over thirty shows in the UK and internationally, including The Bodyguard, Warhorse & Gypsy to name a few. Prior to this he worked as No.1 (Head of Sound), opening and mixing numerous large West End shows over the past two decades.

As a freelance mix engineer Tom has had the privilege of working on countless events, such as the 2012 Olympic stadium athletics and touring with many artists including; PJ Harvey, The Coral, The Bees, The Lightning Seeds, Elaine Paige, Lewis Taylor and Martina-Topley-Bird.

www.tommarshallsound.com

Simisola Majekodunmi

Lighting Designer

Graduated from RADA with a specialist degree in Lighting Design

Works in Theatre include: Human Nurture at Sheffield Theatres; The Wiz at Hope Mill Theatre; Is God Is at Royal Court Theatre; J’ouvert for Theatre 503 & Harold Pinter Theatre; Lucid for New Public Company; Tiger under the skin for New Public Company; Driving Miss Daisy for York Theatre Royal; Invisible Harmony at Southbank Centre; Just Another Day and Night for The Place Theatre; Living Newspaper Edition 6 for the Royal Court Theatre.

As Associate: The Shark is Broken at Ambassador’s Theatre; Carousel at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre; Shoe Lady at the Royal Court Theatre; 15 Heroines at Jermyn Street Theatre; Herding Cats at Soho Theatre.

Producer

Lucy Quick

General Managers

Caitlin Ferrara & Liz Eddy for Anthology Theatre

Production Manager

Jack Boissiux

Company Stage Manager

Vanessa Sutherland

Deputy Stage Manager

John Blunden

Assistant Stage Manager

Gemma Davies-Starr

Lighting Op and Programmer

Jack Wills

Production Sound Engineer

Larry Golland

Production Sound Engineer

Will Thompson

Sound No.1

Simon France

Sound No.2 / Tech Swing

Bobo Lai

Set Dresser

William Edwards

Puppet Maker

Johannes Sperring

Scenic Crew

Kaur Kivilo
Kyle Buchan
Sean Laing

Costume Supervisor & Wardrobe Head

Tabby Carter

Props Maker

Fahmida Bakht

Props Maker

Janelle Joseph

Headress Maker

Emily Brooks

Costume Assistant

Polly Mitton

Wardrobe Assistant

Aston Rodwell

Musical arrangements

Steven Edis, Rob Millet & Will Barnett

Musicians

Ben Gant, Dave Berry, Dunan Lamont, John Francis, John Paricell, Phil Hopkins & Rob Millett

Thank you to...

Anthology Theatre Team
Fortune Theatre Team
Nicola Killeen Textiles
DAP Studios
Autograph Sound
Sparks Theatrical Hire Ltd
Elanor Banasik
JC & Joel