How did you start your career in theatre?
While growing up in Walsall, West Midlands, I attended various youth theatres, like so many young people interested in theatre do. I moved to London aged 21 to study Drama, Applied Theatre and Education at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
During my first month in London, we went to see the production of Saved by Edward Bond at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. Working at the Lyric now and welcoming students who have just moved to London feels somewhat full circle!
Why do you enjoy supporting new talent?
I was once sitting next to a young writer during the opening night of their premiere play. Seeing and feeling the audience react to the words, story and characters that the young writer had conceived come into fruition was a precious memory that I had the privilege to share with them.
It is moments like these that motivate me to continue to support people to discover a love for theatre.
How have you worked with H&F Council to support the community?
The Lyric is working in collaboration with the Hammersmith & Fulham Gangs Violence Exploitation Unit (GVEU) on a brand-new touring theatre intervention production, Cross The Line, based on how we want to break county lines issues in west London.
Our collaboration aims to reduce crime in H&F by touring this production to primary schools, youth clubs and pupil referral units throughout summer 2025.
What programmes does Young Lyric offer?
Young Lyric has something for everyone aged 0 to 25 in West London.
It may be one of our 36 free or low cost after school classes. It may be one of our inclusion programmes for Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) young people, or perhaps the Young Lyric Associates youth advisory group.
For the Lyric's 125th Birthday, we launched 'Born in the Borough' – a commitment to provide 25 years of free arts opportunities to babies born in H&F between the 20 July 2020 and the 20 July 2021.
How does SPRINGBOARD champion emerging talent from West London?
SPRINGBOARD is a free training programme designed to shape, inspire and sustain the next generation of performers from underrepresented backgrounds.
The programme specifically supports young people aged 18 to 25 who live in west London, have zero to little formal drama training and are currently underrepresented in theatre.
What's your favourite spot in H&F?
My standouts are walking along the river in the summertime or strolling through Ravenscourt Park. It really is a special place, full of wonderful people from all backgrounds, who make H&F a brilliant place to live and work.
I spend many of my evenings exploring theatre across London and beyond. But my biggest obsession aside from theatre is following the World Cup and European Championship football. That feeling of hope, disappointment and awe of players and teams abilities is not unlike drama on stage, it draws me in.
