We are thrilled to announce our Playwrights, Producers and Directors cohort for our 2023/24 programme.
This follows a hugely successful year offering support and development to their talented 2022/23 alumni.
Creative Director of Mercury Theatre, Ryan McBryde, said: “The success of our Mercury Playwrights, Producers and Directors scheme has proved to us how vital it is that regional theatres support local artists. These creative programmes are an integral part of supporting our freelance regional community and creating work for the future. This means that we can continue to be a source of innovation for audiences and artists across the East.”
Talent Development Producer for Mercury Theatre, Antony Stuart-Hicks, said: “Throughout all three programmes classes will be supported by some of the best writers, producers and directors in the business; and as I know first-hand, there is no comparison to learning to shape your talent and your art with such supportive navigation from a broad variety of talented professionals.”
Our Artist Development Programme supports the nurturing of ground-breaking, local theatre makers. By providing time and space for researching, exploring and testing ideas, their aim is to aid local innovators. This year’s cohort are all innovative, imaginative talents, and we are overjoyed to be welcoming them and providing them with rigorous training in playwriting, producing and directing, along with the space to platform their voices on their stages.
The programme leaders are Kenneth Emson (Playwrights), Dilek Latif (Producers) and Jessica Lazar (Directors).
Read on to be introduced to all of this year’s PPD’s and their biographies.
PLAYWRIGHTS
ROBIN CANTWELL
Robin is an award-winning playwright, poet and fiction writer. He trained on writing schemes at The National Theatre and Theatre503, and is a recent alumnus of the Yale Writers’ Workshop.
His debut play NAP TIME was a winner of the Scenesaver International Playwriting Award 2023 and was selected for Big Idea Theatre’s One Act Play Festival in Sacramento, California. It will be published later this summer by City Fox Books. His monologue BAD MOULT was awarded the Cambridge Creatives Playwriting Prize 2023 and was longlisted for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 37 Plays. With themes ranging from toxic masculinity to the technological singularity, his short-form works have been performed at venues including Southwark Playhouse, The Pleasance, Haywire Theatre, Green Curtain Theatre, Bread & Roses Theatre, Cambridge Junction and The Arcola.
He is currently studying for a Masters in Writing For Performance at Cambridge University.
HEATHER COLLIER
Heather Collier (she/her) is a writer/actor/director from Hertfordshire.
She graduated from The University of Birmingham with a BA in Drama and English in 2019, and was a part of The National Theatre Writing for Theatre Course in 2022 as well as The Menagerie Young Writer’s Group at The Cambridge Junction in 2023.
Last year, her work was long-listed for the Royal Court Introductory Group. Her favourite writers are Caryl Churchill & Alistair McDowall.
MARIA MESSIAS MENDES
Maria is a writer, director and visual artist. Her work has been published in Streetcake Magazine, Tint Magazine and The Cavendish Chronicle.
Her film ‘A Month’ was longlisted for the ODEON National Youth Film Awards.
Messias Mendes is currently studying for a Masters in Writing for Performance at the University of Cambridge.Her main interests lie in writing of hybridity that crosses boundaries of form, medium and language. She is fascinated by the connection between emotion and the political, as well as activist writing thinking about ideas surrounding aesthetics and politics.
GEORGE MORRIS DE’ATH
George Morris De’Ath is an Essex-based author (Face of Evil – Head of Zeus – Aria Publishers 2021), actor and model with a flair for exploring the dark and twisted aspects of human nature. With his thrillers, George intends to leave his readers with shocks, questions and most of all, wanting more.
MARK FENTON
Mark Fenton is a playwright, screenwriter and sound designer who constructs immersive worlds and exhilarating concepts to create intimate, honest character dramas. Previously shortlisted for the 2020 Phil Fox Award, Mark’s wide range of influences and interests have resulted in emotionally devastating yet hopeful original scripts where anything can happen, from cities exploding in technicolour to entire galaxies being contained within an attic.
In 2018, Mark founded Tiny Change Theatre, a Birmingham-based DIY new writing company making accessible work showcasing the best in undiscovered playwriting. His work has subsequently been featured at Southwark Playhouse, Theatre503, the Edinburgh Fringe, the National Student Drama Festival, numerous pub function rooms, industrial estates, basements, and his own living room.
Increasingly interested in pushing the boundaries of what dramatic writing can be, Mark’s future work will fuse different art forms and communal gatherings – installations, television, even pub trips – to innovate and astonish with unique storytelling.
Music is at the core of everything Mark creates, with his soundtracks ranging from the gorgeous songwriting of Joni Mitchell to the hypnotic euphoria of underground dance music. Fundamentally, Mark wants to create work that resonates with diverse audiences long after the curtain call, addressing core social issues in the package of an electrifying night out. He wants his writing to make people feel less alone.
KATE AUSTEN
Kate is from Essex. A trained actor, Kate has been working in the industry for over ten years and has been fortunate enough to have worked in many types of theatre in that time including touring, outdoor, T.I.E and the Edinburgh Fringe, to name a few.
An emerging writer, Kate has been writing for just over two years. Kate’s first piece was a self-verbatim piece entitled Find Me and later staged at The Vaults Waterloo. Kate enjoys writing about characters from Essex that surprise the audience. Kate has recently been commissioned by the Minack Theatre in Cornwall.
In 2020, Kate was accepted into the prestigious John Burgess Playwriting Group, gaining experience of writing for radio, mosaic structure plus many other skills
PETER IMMS
After being workshopped at the Almeida Theatre by Director Denzel Westley-Sanderson in 2019, Peter’s adaptation of Marjorie Wallace’s ‘The Silent Twins’ is currently being read and considered by the National Theatre script department.
Peter’s other work includes: ‘Wilhelmina’, ‘Section 2’ (Bunker Theatre/Paper Creatures), ‘Saturday’(Karamel Club), ‘Choose Life’ and ‘Press’ (both at Bread & Roses Theatre. Peter is slowly but surely working towards his first novel.
MARK MILLIGAN
Mark is an actor and writer from Essex. After studying English at Cambridge, Mark went on to train as an actor at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (2020). Since graduating, credits include BBC Sounds, ISIS Audio, and Mark is currently rehearsing and devising a production of Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes with Waterperry Opera Festival, in association with Opera Holland Park.
Mark’s first solo play “Plant Daddy” began developing following his Dad’s cancer diagnosis, and his subsequent passing. Following an initial R&D at Pleasance Downstairs Dec 2022, Mark performed as Martin/Plant Daddy, as part of Part of the Main’s curated season: Fringe Futures Festival: The Future is too Hot.
ELIZABETH PARIKH
Liz’s theatre experience includes five-years as a script report writer with The Manchester Library Theatre. Additionally, Liz has experience in television in continuing drama series storylining and comedy sketch writing, and has written audio for adults and children. Liz has an interest in emerging storytelling trends.
Last year, Liz was selected as part of the New Blood Writing competition for Fright Fest Horror film festival, and also completed the Royal Court Introductory Writers’ course to study and discuss eight plays chosen by lead Sami Ibrahim.
EMMA PALLETT
Emma is a new writer, fresh to the industry; she enjoys a variety of styles from poetry to plays to screenplays.
Emma trained at NYT, BYMT and graduated in 2019 from The University of Nottingham with a First Class Degree in English with Creative Writing. Her writing credits include: ‘Flumps’ her dark comedy play about two children abandoned in a caravan, ‘Kites’ a self written poetry collection performed at Derby Theatre (2021) and ‘When It Rains’ a comedy web series currently being released throughout 2023 . Emma is currently working on a short film script titled ‘Gecko’ that she has submitted to the South East BFI Hub for 2023 funding consideration.
As a debut writer who only began creating scripts in 2020 Emma has entered ‘Flumps’ into a number of competitions this year and it has made the top 10% or the longlist in every single one and was pushed through to the second stage read for this year’s BBC Writersroom. Emma has been in the industry for 10 years and in previous years she has performed as an actor i n various projects from stage to screen that have catalysed her desire to write.
Her 21/22 performing credits include: ‘Ghost Therapy’ at The Colchester Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe, ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream & ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at the Brockley Max Arts Festival and ‘Flumps’ which was performed at the Barons Court Theatre in 2022.
PRODUCERS
MITCH DONALDSON
Mitch Donaldson is a working class actor, producer, stage manager and theatre all-rounder based in Leigh-on-Sea, hailing from Northumberland, who trained at East 15 Acting and Stage Combat. In his final term of East 15 he created the company Shoddy Theatre, after being awarded the Essex Graduate Award for their show A Shoddy Detective which has since sold out at The Ed Fringe, Camden Fringe, New Normal Festival and a 2023 Spring Tour.
As a performer his theatre credits include: A Shoddy Detective (Shoddy Theatre), Blyth Spirit (Live Theatre, Newcastle), Romeo & Juliet (Globe Theatre, Rome), A Night Before Christmas (Theatre N16) and Simon Boccanegra (Royal Opera House).
Film credits include: Danny & Mick (CBBC), Drunken Butterflies (Feature Film) and Soldiers of the Damned (Feature Film). Producer and company manager roles include: A Shoddy Detective (Shoddy Theatre), Ballad of Maria Marten (Eastern Angles and Matthew Linley Creative Projects) and 1902 (UK tour) The Chronicles of Atom & Luna (Matthew Linley Creative Projects), Macbeth (New Wimbledon Theatre and Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham) and A Christmas Carol (Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham).
JAMIE RYCROFT
Jamie started freelancing part-time as a Producer in 2023, after previously being the Manager of the ADC Theatre in Cambridge and Programming and Marketing Manager of the OSO Arts Centre in Barnes.
His producing credits include Iphigenia; or the sacrifices of a woman in nine movements (Hope Theatre), Text & Delete (OSO Arts Centre, King’s Head Theatre, Etcetera Theatre) and Happy Hour (Upstairs at the Gatehouse).
He is the Co-Producer of Roger McGough’s new family-friendly musical Money-Go-Round, which tours to Glastonbury, Jersey and the Edinburgh Fringe this summer before touring nationally in 2024.
LISA WRIGHT
Hailing from Southend, Lisa graduated from LIPA in 2014 and spent the majority of her professional life as a Freelance Actor-Musician, and is now keen to develop her practise as a Producer!
As an Actor/Musician, Lisa’s recent credits include: Sunny Afternoon (No.1 UK Tour), Girls Don’t Play Guitars (Royal Court, Liverpool), Urban Myths (Sky Arts TV) and Tales from the Thames (Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch). After graduating from LIPA in 2014, Lisa has spent almost ten years working as a professional Actor/Musician and Songwriter, and is now developing her practice as a producer.
As a songwriter, Lisa has worked with some of music’s most prolific acts including: Amy Wadge, Cam and Ward Thomas. She has toured the UK extensively as the supporting artist for a number of major-label performers; showcased at Latitude Festival on the BBC Introducing stage; and was the lead vocalist for the World Mental Health Day campaign in 2020 across London and Times Square.
Most recently, in collaboration with Black Books Matter UK, Lisa composed the music for their inaugural children’s theatre show: ‘The Sun Shines for Everyone’, working alongside previous Mercury Creatives alumni, Mia Jerome.
LEO SHEPHERD
Leo is a 22-year-old artist & Theatre maker from Harlow, Essex. In 2022, Leo graduated from Rose Bruford College after 3 years on the European Theatre Arts course, which helped him broaden his understanding of theatre and gave him the tools to begin his own artistic journey as a creative.
Leo’s development as a young artist continues under The Harlow Playhouse Young Practitioners Programme, a programme which offers young Harlow artists access to rehearsal spaces, performance spaces and mentorship from industry experienced artists all without charge. With the mentorship and experience he received under the programme, Leo was able to launch his own artistic collective, ‘The Mercy Theatre Collective’.
Growing up in Harlow, Leo saw people use their life experiences as fuel to do incredible things. Believing that everyone has a story and deserves to have it told, Leo structured Mercy’s vision as a collective to allow everyone to have their voice heard and story platformed no matter their background. In doing this, the collective aim to help other individuals who have experienced similar issues. Leo is proud to be from Harlow and continues to use his work to benefit the community.
JULIA PARGIN
Julia studied at the University of East Anglia and lives in Colchester. She has 10 years of experience in the legal industry, specialising in commercial contracts and litigation following her qualification as a Solicitor.
She is inspired by unsung heroes – key individuals that have played important roles in local communities and that have shaped history in a significant way. It is these people’s stories that Julia looks to bring to life through theatre. Julia has a broad range of experience across the industry.
She is a keen member of her local amateur dramatics’ society and participates in performances herself. Julia also undertakes the role of Assistant Stage Manager for her local theatre. Further, Julia has founded and participated in amateur choirs. Julia is delighted to be a part of the Mercury Producers Programme. Julia is very much looking forward to creating some fantastic theatre; together with meeting, learning from, and building new relationships with well-established leaders and up and coming new talent.
DIRECTORS
RICHARD BLAND
Richard is from Colchester and is Director and Theatre Maker soon to graduate from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s MA Drama Directing course.
Richard also trained as an actor at the Guildford School of Acting and is an experienced teacher and practitioner. Richard enjoys making collaborative work that is rooted in truth but not necessarily in the literal with an undercurrent of myth and magic.
Recent directing credits include Wasted by Kae Tempest at the Wardrobe Theatre Bristol, Ben Hur By Patrick Barlow for Castle Park Theatre, and How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found by Fin Kennedy at the Headgate Theatre. Recent asst. directing credit includes This House by James Graham at the Tobacco Factory, Bristol.
Richard is soon to direct a new play Dirty by Han Morgan as part of the Colchester Fringe Festival.
PRASHANT TAILOR
Prashant is a South-Asian theatre maker who lives for challenging what theatre is by definition, function and cultural association. He is keen on working with both classical and modern texts to find out why they appeal to our human condition.
Entering the industry through National Youth Theatre ultimately kickstarted Prashant’s acting career, which reached new heights when he was cast in productions at the Lyric Hammersmith, Theatre503 and Southwark Playhouse. Wanting greater creative agency, Prashant began his directorial journey under Young Vic’s Introduction to Directing. Making the most of our industry’s quiet period in 2020/2021, he directed filmed theatre (“Walk to World’s End” – Theatre503 and “One Shot” – Applecart Arts) whilst simultaneously debuting as a writer and making work for radio (Dirty Reflection – Foreign Body Productions/The Albany Deptford).
Catching the attention of Tamasha Theatre Company through these multidisciplinary talents, Prashant continued growing through their Directors Programme which culminated in him creatively leading an audio production at National Theatre Studios (“Unfinished Song”) and a touring show from Birmingham Hippodrome to Theatro Technis (“Manfred”).
Prashant is looking to establish deeper networks with theatres around him in hopes that there can be mutual prosperity and aggregate regional growth.
JESSY ROBERTS
Jessy is a director, dramaturg and playwright from Peterborough. Jessy trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and studied Theatre at the University of York. Jessy is the Senior Reader at the National Theatre, and worked as Literary Assistant at Soho Theatre.
Jessy is an Associate Writer of Middle Child Theatre, Associate Director of The Rondo Theatre and Bomb Factory Theatre, and Co-Artistic Director of Teastain Theatre. Jessy’s work is form-breaking and multidisciplinary, interrogating subjects and themes such as equality, co-existing with the climate crisis, and seeking out joy.
Recent credits as Director include: Thirst (Vault Festival/The Omnibus Theatre), BRANDED (Bloomsbury Festival/Bomb Factory Theatre), Untitled Sparkly Vampire Play (Omnibus Theatre), Period Dramas (The Other Palace & Pleasance), Girls With Wings & Trauma (Bomb Factory Theatre), Hitchhiker (Rondo Theatre), and I Hate Alone (The Wardrobe Theatre). As Assistant Director: Octopolis (Hampstead Theatre, dir. Ed Madden), Broken Lad (Arcola Theatre, dir. Richard Speir), Absolute Scenes (Motion Bristol/BOVTS, dir. Tanuja Amarasuriya), Crimes Camera Action (Theatre Royal Bath, dir. James Farrell), Horseshoes for Hand Grenades (East Riding Theatre, dir. Eric Loren).
FRANCESCA CROSS
Francesca Cross is a Producer, Director and Facilitator. She is currently a Project Manager at Punchdrunk Enrichment and works closely with schools, teachers and cultural partners. Francesca manages projects including The Lost Lending Library and teacher-led projects such as A Curious Quest and A Small Tale.
Francesca is an ambitious facilitator and director, running workshops with varying age groups and levels in different environments, including at Blue Elephant Theatre and with Open Clasp Theatre Company. As a director, she is mainly focused on new writing. Most recently, she directed ‘Why Not Telling Stories’ by George Rennie, as part of Four Figs new writing festival, a piece about imaginary friends.
Previously, Francesca worked as Creative Producer at artsdepot, leading on Barnet’s Cultural Education Partnership to develop relationships between local schools and creative organisations as well as producing and delivering a diverse range of arts projects in school and education settings.
HEATHER DAVIS
Heather has a B. Ed(Hons) in dance education and has enjoyed a rewarding career teaching dance, drama and performing arts in Secondary Schools. An advocate for the Arts, Heather became SSAT Lead Practitioner for the arts East of England in 2014. Later in 2018 after training with Royal Opera House on their leaders for Impact course, this lead Heather to chair the Local Cultural and Educational Partnership Steering Group for Chelmsford to advocate for arts and cultural provision locally.
Heather has a personal interest in theatre and has dedicated a lot of time to directing A level students in preparation for drama school, Heather has become adept at directing and choreographing a range of play texts and styles of theatre, particularly enjoying directing plays with a physical theatre, movement or dance element. Heather produced and directed the AET awards ceremony at The Shaw Theatre London in 2016. Successful student productions have included 4:48 Psychosis by Sara Kane, Woyzeck by, The Trial by Steven Berkoff, Sold, Bouncers, Teechers and Shakers by John Godber and Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. Recent musicals include We Will Rock You for schools, Oliver Twist, The Wizard of Oz, Guys and Dolls Junior, Grease.
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