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The Melodramatic Elephant in the Haunted Castle has brought together a diverse group of local creative talent to produce a spectacular show and final piece of theatre for the Coronet. The show layers music, dance, inventive costume, handcrafted sets, art and short film, and blends acting styles such as classic melodrama and Brechtian technique. This page welcomes you to meet the team behind the production and the actors you'll see onstage and onscreen during the performance.
The play was performed on the 8 November 2017 with a follow up art exhibition at the Art Academy Gallery from 9-20 December.
The play was performed on the 8 November 2017 with a follow up art exhibition at the Art Academy Gallery from 9-20 December.
CREW AND COLLABORATIVE ARTISTS
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John Whelan
People's Company founder John, the play's director and co-writer, has enjoyed developing this project in partnership with his local community, and fusing art and theatre. The process has increased his knowledge of local history and pushed the boundaries of his professional practice. |
Constantine Gras
Multimedia artist Constantine researched this project to connect with lost cinema and theatre spaces. His art practice has been detoxed and enriched by close collaboration with John and the fantastically, fun-charged People’s Company members. |
Rachele Fregonese
Stage manager and assistant director Rachele is an actress, writer, and theatre maker. She has trained in Italy, the US and the UK and, after joining People's Company at the very beginning, she now facilitates their workshops, provides acting advice and assists with their productions. |
Ruth Pearson
Ruth recently completed her BA in Drama. She is delighted to assist in directing for The Melodramatic Elephant. She describes working with the production as a perfect opportunity to become part of her local history and enjoys exploring the changing face of Elephant and Castle. |
Aubrey Ayoade
After receiving his MA in Creative Writing (Plays and Scripts), Aubrey collaborated with 'Guerrilla Filmmakers' and wrote a play for Barons Court Theatre. Script editing for The Melodramatic Elephant has reinvigorated his passion for writing and visual storytelling. |
Alongside the main crew, the play would not exist without the exceptional contributions from the following talent:
- Laurence (Lysergide), music
- Samina Sattar, costume design
- Sandra Crisp, digital sequences
ACTORS
Ishola Akanni
After studying Film and Television Screenwriting at UAL, Ishola has taken acting workshops at RADA and Pineapple Performing Arts School. Since then, he has forged his career as an actor with various film and TV credits. |
Nina Atesh
Nina started acting at a young age. Her stage work includes productions of The Tempest and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Whistle Down the Wind. She currently studies at Identity Drama School of Acting. |
Eloy Barba
Eloy studied acting at Morley College before joining People’s Company in 2016. He enjoys the experiences the company offers and the people that make it special. |
Tiberius Chis
Tiberiu is studying for a PHD in Computer Science but still finds time to act in numerous plays and at the Edinburgh Fringe. He has made several short films, three of which screened at the London Short Film Festival. |
Miranda Clarke
Miranda attended drama classes with Theatre Peckham before joining People’s Company in the summer of 2017. She enjoys acting as it allows her to change her character as much as her hair colour! |
Carolyn Cronin
Despite having no prior acting experience, Carolyn felt accepted into the People's Company family immediately. She enjoys the friendly atmosphere and performing with the team boosts her confidence. |
Sonja Doubleday
Sonja has a BA and HND in Community Dance and Acting respectively. Her diverse performance background includes singing, plays, short films, and writing. She is currently on tour performing as clown stand up, 'Cheekykita'. |
Rawlene Evelyn
Rawlene is the newest member of People’s Company! In her youth, she was a member of the National Youth Theatre. She also studied Drama at Morley College. The Melodramatic Elephant will be her first performance with People's Company. |
Shelagh Farren
Shelagh has been with People’s Company since its inception. The company has driven her into things she’d never have contemplated and loves working with the team on fun projects. She describes their weekly meeting as “Happy Tuesday”. |
Erina Jamil Nordin
Erina has been a member of People’s Company since the beginning, describing it as her "theatrical home". Following drama training, she has already amassed credits in feature films, adverts and theatre. |
Jackie Kearns
Jackie loves being part of People’s Company and appreciates its passionate responses to current issues. She also enjoys singing as a hobby. The Melodramatic Elephant will be her first performance as a member of the company. |
Kimberly Marie Freeman
Kimberly is a professional actress, producer, and animal behaviour expert. She has produced award-winning work on both sides of the Atlantic. Her theatre credits include A Brief History of Scotland and The Marionettes. |
Charlotte Nicod
Charlotte has been a People’s Company member since Jan 2017 and her first performance with them was Scratch at Theatre Delicatessen. She has enjoyed learning about the history of melodrama and its famous figures. |
Adriana Solari
Adriana’s passions lie in the past and present, with a particular interest in historical dances. She is also a keen costumier and offered her assistance with the play's costumes. This is her first performance with People's Company. |
Harvey Steven Meneses
Harvey is a trained method actor and studied at Central de Cine Acting School. His credits include theatre and film. Previously working with the Young Company, this is his first People's Company production. |
Elly Stewart
Elly is an actress and writer. She studied at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art before proving her skills on the Glasgow circuit. Her work has also been produced at the Edinburgh Fringe. This is her first performance with People’s Company. |
Michelle Strutt
Michelle’s background lies in acting and the performing arts. She joined People’s Company in April 2017 and appreciates the opportunity it provides the community to get involved with their vibrant, talented team. |
Mina Temple
Mina has been with People’s Company since 2015 and describes it as a warm, friendly, and supportive family. She enjoys the challenges of The Melodramatic Elephant, a play which increased her local history knowledge. |
Michael Tuffnell
Michael describes himself as 'an actor, friend, cat lover, and life enthusiast'. He joined People’s Company in 2015 and loves its vibrant community. He is enjoying working on a play celebrating his local history. |
Euan Vincent
Euan is a writer, actor, and member of the marketing team at People’s Company. He writes a blog focusing on the South London theatre scene and will study his Masters at RADA in 2018. |