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Playbox Theatre
The Dream Factory
Stratford Road
Warwick CV34 6LE
United Kingdom​

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Theatre Team

Home | Meet the Team

Executive Director

Mary King

Founding & Executive Director

Mary King
Founding & Executive Director

Founding and Executive Director of Playbox Theatre, Mary trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

Theatre credits include Oh What A Lovely War; Lysistrata; The White Devil; House of Bernarda Alba; Cinderella; Henry V; Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Film work includes Sir Gawain and The Green Knight.

Mary has also directed numerous productions for Playbox Theatre including The Boyfriend; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Pinocchio; The Grimm Trilogy; NEWS; Cinderella; Oddweek; The Red Shoes; Strikes; Kinderstransport; Yerma; The Little Mermaid; Cabaret; The Mysteries; The Houses of Bernarda Alba; The Taming of The Shrew; Sleeping Beauty; Playhouse Creatures; Wonderia; Pippi Longstocking; The Tempest; Macbeth; The Merchant of Venice; Laura Spinney Hills & The Turbo Donkey; Dave’s Amazing Trainers; The Princess & The Pea; Scarlet Pimpernel; How To Be A Superhero; Haito The Tree Wizard; The Little Match Girl; Bad Girls; Double Act; Beautiful Soup; Heckedy Peg; Blue Stockings; The Three Musketeers; Games & Thrones: Henry VI; Teeny Tiny & The Witch Woman; Rats Tales; Formula X; Grimm Tales and The Wizard of Oz.

Recently, Mary directed Much Ado About Nothing for Shakespeare Young Company, and Martyr by Marius Von Mayenberg.

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Directors

Stewart Mcgill

Consultant Director

Stewart Mcgill
Consultant Director

Stewart studied at the Department of Theatre, Dartington College of Arts and University of Birmingham. Stewart has worked with many of the UK’s leading theatre companies.

In 1975 he was Arena Project Director for the RSC’s Centenary Elizabethan Fair in Stratford-upon-Avon, bringing jousting and other large-scale activities together on Avonside for a site specific event. He was one of the founding members of the National Theatre’s Young Theatre Challenge, seeing the work of young people the length and breadth of the UK for showcasing at the National Theatre.

Stewart has been a member of Arts Council Drama Advisory Panels, West Midlands Arts Advisory Panels, Attached Advisor to Warwick Arts Centre and Midlands Arts Centre, Board Member Mamaloucos Circus.

In 2002-2003 he was a member of the judging panel chaired by Sir Jeremy Isaacs for the selection of 2008 Capital of Culture.

He directs many Playbox Theatre productions and is Artistic Director of SYC. In 2016 he co-directed Games & Thrones: Henry VI and in 2017 he directed Lion Boy and Formula X. His 2018 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was seen both at The Dream Factory and Santa Monica Playhouse (of which he is Associate Director).

Emily Quash

Artistic Director

Emily Quash
Artistic Director

Emily has been a director of Playbox Theatre since 1999. Emily studied Theatre, Film and Television at Bristol University. During her time there, she headed up the hugely successful Playbox at the The Hippodrome and staged several productions across the city including The Treasure of Ogre Island and NEWS. In 2016 Emily became Artistic Director of Playbox Theatre.

Directing credits include O.U.T. Spells OUT; The Wolves of Willoughby Chase; The Story of The Jaguar & The Old, Old World; Monkey (UK and USA); The Snow Queen; James & The Giant Peach; The Wizard of Oz; His Dark Materials; Peter Pan; The Jungle Book; Dark River; The Mysteries (co-director); The Fallen (UK & USA); Lord of The Flies; Beauty & The Beast, Sir Gawain & The Green Knight, The Shadow Roads, Co-Director of Games & Thrones: Henry VI, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Story of The Jaguar & The Old, Old World, Stockholm and Life Raft, The Canterbury Tales, Gretel. 

As an actress, Emily’s work includes Macbeth; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; The Duchess of Malfi; Richard II; Henry V; Henry VI Parts 1 & 2; Twelfth Night; Playhouse Creatures and A Doll’s House (all for Generator Theatre), Oddweek; Dave’s Amazing Trainer’s; Laura Spinney Hills & The Turbo Donkey; How To Be A Superhero; Haito The Tree Wizard and The Little Match Girl (Jinks Theatre); Chomp & Play and Chalk Walls (Dead Protest). Emily also performaned opposite Sir Ben Kingsley in The Tarnished Phoenix, playing ‘Frieda Lawrence’ to Sir Ben’s ‘D.H. Lawrence’ at The Dream Factory in 2002.

As an original, 1986, member of Playbox Theatre, Emily strives to bring to all members the same happiness, challenge and sense of power and adventure that she experienced when growing up with the company. Her own children have now embarked upon their own Playbox journeys, which is something that fills Emily with pride. Her aim is to enable every child to know that they have a unique opportunity to affect change, and this motivates her every day.

Juliet Vankay

Deputy Executive Director

Juliet Vankay
Deputy Executive Director

Juliet trained at Playbox Theatre, and has since worked as a performer in numerous Theatre, Film and Television productions.

Juliet’s Theatre credits include Bill Shakespeare’s Italian Job – Edinburgh Festival/Germany directed by Malachi Bogdanov, title role in Sleeping Beauty at Greenwich Theatre directed by Phil Wilmott, The Beggars Opera – RSC directed by John Caird, Ismene in The Thebans RSC directed by Adrian Noble. Numerous productions for Generator and Jinks Theatre Company.

Film and Television credits include, Sweeney Todd directed by Tim Burton, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Foyle’s War, IT Crowd, BRUM, The Edge of Love, St Trinian’s and Jack the Giant Killer directed by Bryan Singer.

Juliet was the Hermione Granger performance double on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 & 2 directed by David Yates for Warner Brothers.

Juliet has also worked as a Set PA on Harry Potter 6, The Prince of Persia and The Alleyman. She also has worked as the 1st Assistant Director on numerous shoots for Dusthouse.

Juliet’s recent directing for Playbox Theatre includes Disney’s Little Mermaid Jnr; Disney’s Beauty & The Beast Jnr; The Secret Garden. She heads up Playbox Theatre’s enormously successful Musical Theatre department as well as running the Playbox Theatre Agency.

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Creative

Toby Quash

Associate Director & Literary Associate

Toby Quash
Associate Director & Literary Associate

With over two decades as an Associate Director and as Literature Associate for Playbox Theatre Company, heading up many of the company’s most established Training and Performance centres – as well as Founding and Artistic Director of the ground-breaking Blank-Shift Creative Writers’ Workshop based at The Dream Factory – Toby is one of the region’s leading theatre practitioners.

Toby graduated with Honours from Bristol University’s Drama; Theatre, Film and Television course in 1999, and with Distinction from the University of Oxford in 2013.  He is a highly experienced writer, actor and director whose work has taken him across the world, and his dynamic and cross-disciplinary approach to training has led many towards similarly successful and rewarding careers in the performing and creative arts.

Acting for the stage includes the title roles in Macbeth and Henry V; Puck, Malvolio, Warwick, Claudius and Bolingbroke — all for Generator Theatre. For Dead Protest – Estragon in Waiting for Godot and Lussurioso in The Revenger’s Tragedy.

As a director, Toby’s recent stagings include Playbox Theatre’s productions of Beowulf, Framed, Treasure Island, and Skellig.  For the Playbox run Ustinov Theatre School (UK), he also created and directed Paradise Kill, Gutterhead and Catching Flies.

Writing for the stage, his work numbers more than forty adaptations and new commissions.  Among them – The Shadow Roads, The Fallen (Edinburgh Fringe and Santa Monica Playhouse), Chalk Walls (RSC Summerhouse), Gravediggers (Warwick Arts Centre/Battersea Arts Centre), West Country Gangster, (Regional Tour), Oddweek, Dave’s Amazing Trainers, How to be a Superhero! (The Prince of Wales Trust), Delicious Oeshee! (Tokyo Tour 2006), Alice in Wonderland, Hedbull, The Snow Queen, Monkey (USA Tour 2008/2016/2018), The Story of the Jaguar and the Old, Old World, Blank-Shift’s Gretel and the stage treatments of S.F. Said’s Varjak Paw and Kate Brown’s Spider Moon. His latest works for Blank-Shift with Playbox Theatre, Midnight in Raisin Town and Mariner, premiered in 2022.

Owen Young

Workshop Director

Owen Young
Workshop Director

Owen trained at Playbox Theatre and Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts graduating in 2007 where he received 1st class honours in BA Performance – Acting, as well as distinctions in stage combat and performance.

Owen joined Playbox Theatre at the age of 10 and, during his time with the company he appeared in many productions including playing title roles in Hamlet, Oedipus Rex and Don Quixote. Other Playbox productions included Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio), The Boyfriend, Cabaret, ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Clockwork Orange, Believers, Peter Pan (JM Barrie), Treasure Island, Beyond Beauty, Antigone, Henry IV parts 1 & 2, The Railway Children, and Winnie The Pooh (Eeyore). He was also involved in several USA tours to Santa Monica Playhouse.

​Recent acting credits include:  The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe (Birmingham Rep and West Yorkshire Playhouse); The Inn at Lydda (Shakespeare’s GLOBE); The Duchess Of Malfi (Southwark Playhouse); As You Like it; A Midsummer Nights Dream, An Enemy Of The People and 6 Characters In Search Of An Author (Aquila Theatre Company – OFF BROADWAY – New York); Chalk Walls (Dead Protest Theatre Company directed by Toby Quash @ RSC Summerhouse); Title role in Edward II (Eyestring’s Theatre Company); A Dolls House, The Duchess Of Malfi, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, and Richard II (Generator Theatre Company); Blood Wedding (Directed by Phil Wilmott), Picasso (starring Antonio Banderas).

​Owen currently acts and narrates for the Birmingham Royal Ballet in their First Steps programme, performing with a 60 piece orchestra and a full company of dancers in front of huge audiences, introducing ballet to a younger audience between the ages of 3-7 yrs. Birmingham Royal Ballet productions include Swan Lake, The Dream, Cinderella, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty and Aladdin.

​He is currently in rehearsal for Peter and the Wolf with Birmingham Royal Ballet.

​Radio and Voice over work includes The Nativity (BBC World Service) and narrating original children’s stories entitled Sir John The (Mostly) Brave and Cap’n John The (Slightly) Fierce for Oakhill Publishing LTD.

​Owen directs many workshops for Playbox including heading up several of our Warwick centres,  and numerous education workshops exploring stage combat, Shakespeare and contemporary works. 

Liam Bessell

Stage Combat & Screen Acting Director

Liam Bessell
Stage Combat & Screen Acting Director

Liam joined Playbox Theatre at the age of eight and during his time with the company he appeared in many productions, taking lead roles in: Skellig, The Jungle Book, James and the Giant Peach, Puss in Boots, Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz and the US tour of Monkey to Santa Monica Playhouse. He then went on to train at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) graduating in 2014 with first class honours. 

Liam has worked for the company for many years in different capacities and now heads up two new exciting training programmes, ‘Acting For Screen’ and ‘Fight Lab.’ Liam received his theatrical fight qualifications at Distinction level whilst at LAMDA from the BADC (British Academy of Dramatic Combat). He has choreographed fight sequences for stage and screen, his work as Fight Director for Playbox Theatre includes Peter Pan and The Three Musketeers. Liam was Fight Director for Playbox Theatre’s 2021 production of Hamlet.

Richard Norris

Musical Director

Richard Norris
Musical Director

 
Richard studied music at Goldsmiths College before moving onto a Ph.D at Royal Holloway. He works as an MD, composer and teacher throughout the UK. Recent work has included a UK tour with the Modulus String Quartet exploring caves and interesting concert locations over the country, and composition projects for Channel 4, Southbank Centre, Tate Modern and the Ambassador Theatre Group. Richard is interested in creating events in which live music works alongside visuals and is currently working with musicians and video artists towards a new project later this year. Richard loves working with musical theatre groups and has worked at Playbox Theatre on and off for over ten years.

Isabella James

Workshop Director

Isabella James
Workshop Director

Isabella James (Izzie) was a member of Stratford Playbox Theatre from 2005 – 2012. During her time at Playbox, Izzie was lucky enough to be involved in many productions, including six Christmas shows and a trip to The Edinburgh Fringe with Toby Quash’s ‘The Fallen,’ 

After her time as a Playbox member, Izzie completed the internship as part of her gap year, then becoming a full time staff member until 2016. 

Izzie has a degree in Arts Management from Birkbeck University. During her time as a student, Izzie developed her creative practice and ran workshops for a wide range of theatre companies – often returning back to Playbox for special projects. 

In 2020 she created her own company YoYoJoy, which delivers educational escape rooms in schools.

Stacey Newton

Workshop Director

Stacey Newton
Workshop Director

I started my Playbox Theatre journey at age 9, attending sessions in Stratford-upon-Avon. Little did I know it was the beginning of decades of time within the Playbox Family.  

After many years of attendance, I began assisting my director, Emily, probably becoming the longest running Senior Assistant, as I just had too much fun!  I studied Early Years education alongside work at Playbox, and both were a great help to one another.  

My many roles within the Playbox world began with working alongside directors during the preschool ‘Early Stagers’ programme. This then developed into my own role as an educational director, running sessions with several schools, as well as at The Dream Factory. I absolutely love bringing energy and magic to outside settings, giving them an insight into the wonderfully creative world of drama.  

This then developed into working within The Dream Factory as an Information Officer and supporting the facilitation of Playbox Parties – this role was fantastic and gave me the opportunity to meet lots of new people.   

I then took a break to continue my work in early years and education, and to have two wonderful children of my own. With my daughter, then aged 3, beginning her own Playbox Journey it was the perfect time to come back to The Dream Factory.  

I have now taken over the role as Head of Children’s Welfare and look forward to the exciting times ahead.  

Hannah Hampson

Workshop Director

Hannah Hampson
Workshop Director

Hannah started training at two and a half years old at The Dance Consortium in Tunbridge Wells. During her time there she gained her Advanced Level qualifications in Ballet, Modern, Tap and National as well as competing on a National level at the All England Dance Festival, which she won when she was 12.

As a child Hannah was signed to Redroofs Children’s Agency and played roles both on screen and stage, the highlight being Little Cosette in Les Miserables in London’s West End when she was 9.

As an adult Hannah has performed numerous roles for local theatre companies including Carmen in Fame (STC), Rusty in Footloose (STC), Kathy Selden in Singing in the Rain (LWMS) and Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde (LWMS).

Hannah currently teaches Ballet, Modern and Tap at Leamington and Warwick Academy of Dance, where she thoroughly enjoys sharing her love of dance with children of all ages. She is also the Choreographer for Leamington and Warwick Musical Society, having helped create shows such as Oklahoma, Cats and most recently Evita.

Cherelle Coleman

Workshop Director

Cherelle Coleman
Workshop Director

Cherelle started training at the age of two at her local dance school in Coventry. Whilst there, she obtained various BTDA exam grades for tap, ballet, acrobatics and modern.

After finishing school, Cherelle continued her passion for dance and attended college to study performing arts, specialising in dance and stage management and then continued to university.

After finishing education, Cherelle went to work as a dance and sports instructor where she went into many schools teaching dance and various sports.

Currently, Cherelle works full time as a PE coach in a school in Kenilworth and currently teaches Tap, Ballet, Acrobatics, Musical Theatre and Street/Commercial at Elite Dance Academy in Coventry.

Alfie Jones

Workshop director

Alfie Jones
Workshop director

Alfie is an actor, writer and workshop director raised in the West Midlands but now based in London.

Alfie began his journey at Playbox theatre from a young age, taking part in productions such as Peter Pan (2014), The Three Musketeers (2015), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2018). Alfie has also directed for Playbox, with Furnace for your Foe (2018).

Alfie then went on to train at LAMDA. Since graduating, he has gone on to work at The Donmar Warehouse and Hampstead Theatre.

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Technical Department

Richard Cooper

Technical Director

Richard Cooper
Technical Director

Richard first came on board in 2016 as a freelance sound designer on Playbox’s Games and Thrones. Since then he has made himself indispensable as a source of all technical knowledge: lighting, sound, set design and so much more!

After an extensive career working on live music tours and large scale concerts, Rich is happy to be bringing his wealth of knowledge to Playbox. Richard is the Technical Manager at Playbox and runs the Technical Theatre course.

Kevin Hamilton

Building Maintenance

Kevin Hamilton
Building Maintenance

Born and raised in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, Kevin completed a HND in mechanical engineering at Dudley College and worked primarily in the aerospace and motorsport industries for 14 years.

Kevin is a driven and motivated person who is key to building maintenance at The Playbox Theatre.

Happy to learn the numerous new skills that are possible at Playbox he is always looking to expand his role and increase his knowledge in what is a completely different working environment to what he is used to.

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ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT

Stacey Newton

Head Of Children's Welfare

Stacey Newton
Head Of Children's Welfare

I started my Playbox Theatre journey at age 9, attending sessions in Stratford-upon-Avon. Little did I know it was the beginning of decades of time within the Playbox Family.  

After many years of attendance, I began assisting my director, Emily, probably becoming the longest running Senior Assistant, as I just had too much fun!  I studied Early Years education alongside work at Playbox, and both were a great help to one another.  

 My many roles within the Playbox world began with working alongside directors during the preschool ‘Early Stagers’ programme. This then developed into my own role as an educational director, running sessions with several schools, as well as at The Dream Factory. I absolutely love bringing energy and magic to outside settings, giving them an insight into the wonderfully creative world of drama.  

This then developed into working within The Dream Factory as an Information Officer and supporting the facilitation of Playbox Parties – this role was fantastic and gave me the opportunity to meet lots of new people.   

I then took a break to continue my work in early years and education, and to have two wonderful children of my own. With my daughter, then aged 3, beginning her own Playbox Journey it was the perfect time to come back to The Dream Factory.  

I have now taken over the role as Head of Children’s Welfare and look forward to the exciting times ahead.  

Amelie Friess

Administration Assistant and Duty Manager

Amelie Friess
Administration Assistant and Duty Manager

After almost 9 years at Playbox, Amelie is extremely happy to be spending their gap year here, working as an administrative assistant as well as assisting sessions for all ages. 

Since joining Playbox, Amelie has taken part in productions such as The Canterbury Tales, Strikes, Mariner, Beauty and the Beast, and Cinderella. Alongside regular acting workshops, they’ve been part of the writer’s programme, Blank-Shift, and have been part of projects such as Lunch and Raisintown. More recently, they’ve also joined the Playbox Professionals programme. 

Amelie is also one of the co-founders of Playbox’s 2023/2024 gap year ensemble ‘Millennial Wizard’. Their endeavour to revive the program has been a great success, premiering with a production of The Duchess of Malfi. They’ll soon be performing I & You, and later, some of Amelie’s own writing. 

Next year, they’ll be studying Film and Television at Bristol University. In 10 years they’d like to be living in Berlin, writing and making mad films, and coming back to Playbox every Christmas for carols. Until then, you can find them at the Dreamfactory!

Jess Chapple

Administration Assistant

Jess Chapple
Administration Assistant

Jess is delighted to be joining the Playbox team! Having been a member for most of her life, she has attended many workshops including: acting, musical theatre, circus and Shakespeare Young Company as well as travelling to the Santa Monica Playhouse for Playbox’s 2018 USA Tour. Jess has also worked as part of the technical team on several productions, including The Wizard Of Oz and Formula X.

Jess is studying medicine at university and has just spent three months on an exchange to Malaysia as part of the course, working for Playbox remotely.

 

Karenza Cullingworth

Front of House Manager

Karenza Cullingworth
Front of House Manager

Karenza has had many public-facing roles during her career. From working at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, communicating effectively with members of the public from all different backgrounds and experiences to leading nativity plays for 3-7-year-olds at Symphony Hall in Birmingham.

Karenza has a great love for the theatre and frequently attends professional and amateur dramatic productions. As Front of House Manager, she loves combining her two passions of working with people and the theatre.

When not working, Karenza can be found reading with a cup of tea or out walking, looking for the horses in her local park.

Heather Riley

Wardrobe Mistress

Heather Riley
Wardrobe Mistress

Heather claims she doesn’t work at Playbox, she “just has fun”. Knitting, sewing, embroidering and the like since childhood, she can’t draw, can’t make a costume from the creative’s sketches. (give her a pre-printed pattern, pattern, she’ll have a go), but she enjoys turning directors’ ideas for masks into reality, running up toile skirts for flatware with not a lot of time to curtain up, turning chocolate gateaux into Christmas cakes, making the most outrageous wedding veils for evil step-mamas, sausages from old tights and shredded paper, attempting to keep the ‘Narnias’ (the name of our Wardrobe Department) tidy, the props in good nick and the costumes clean and repaired. In other words, she gets to let her slightly batty sense of artistic creative humour run riot AND she gets to clean and tidy! What more could a girl want?

She believes every cloud has a silver lining and rainbows of every variant are special, sometimes magical. She knows she’s the luckiest wardrobe mistress in the world. Here in The Dream Factory, during the urghs of lockdown, was born New Narnia, which Heather knows knocks the socks off any other theatre wardrobe space. Oh – and sometimes she bakes cakes.

Carol Marshall

Distribution

Carol Marshall
Distribution

Carol has worked for Playbox since April 2000, just a year after Playbox opened The Dream Factory. She started as an Information Officer and is now responsible for distributing Playbox Theatre’s literature to schools, shops, hotels, leisure centres and libraries throughout Warwickshire and the West Midlands. Carol loves working for Playbox and hopes to continue to do so for a few more years yet!

Lynne Roote

Duty Manager

Lynne Roote
Duty Manager

I am delighted to be joining the Playbox Team as my own children (now 21 and 24) gained so much fun from their many years at Playbox, developing confidence alongside unique circus skills such as tightrope walking, aerial hoop, diablo and juggling. I previously helped out as Chaperone where I loved seeing back stage excitement during shows. It reminded me of the fun I had as a child playing the role of the Wicked Witch in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in the Guide Pantomime! My acting career ended at this stage but I continue to love singing with Forte Choir.

I recently took early retirement from teaching and am now enjoying working at the RSC alongside my role as Duty Manager at Playbox. I believe that the creative arts play a vital role in society, supporting our well-being and helping us to see the world from different perspectives. 

Alyx Lemming

Duty Manager

Alyx Lemming
Duty Manager

Alyx is excited to be joining the Playbox team as a Duty Manager! She does this role alongside working as Communications & Marketing Manager at Clearcast, where she recently finished an exciting project creating a bespoke, advertising-themed escape room. 

 
Her career includes operational management, events and marketing across a number of businesses including KidZania London, The View from the Shard and Impact Marketing. 
 
She has a BA Theatre (Hons) degree from Brunel University, a history in dance (IDTA) and likes to take on the occasional freelance project, such as voice acting in a BBC Sounds podcast voice, producing (online arts events) for ‘Nobody’s Empire’ theatre company and more recently, performing in ‘Aspects of Love’ at Rugby Theatre. 
 
She has recently moved back from London to her hometown in Warwickshire and lives with her partner and (very cute) cat Peggy.
 

Cherise Wilkinson

Duty Manager

Cherise Wilkinson
Duty Manager

I’m delighted to have joined the Playbox team as Duty Manager. My husband and his siblings were members over 30 years ago and now our eldest son has been a member for 5 years. It has been such a wonderful place for him to grow in confidence and skill!
 I have a BA (Hons) in Media & Performance from Salford University and was also part of a youth theatre myself (including assisting in running it many years later) and I really enjoy being back in the theatre setting and being able to watch such talented young actors grow and be celebrated!

Louise Lampitt

Duty Manager

Louise Lampitt
Duty Manager

I have been in and out of Playbox’s Dream Factory for well over a decade now, ever since my daughter started sessions aged 4. It has proved to be a wonderful experience, opening my eyes to the magic of theatre. Helping backstage as a chaperone has given me many opportunities to witness the infectious enthusiasm, co-operation, dedication and talent of the children and their directors in the production of drama.
Graduating in fine art at the dawn of computer age, I found myself pulled into graphic design, desktop publishing and subsequently to web development. Being a part of the Playbox team allows me a much needed break from coding to welcome families into the encouraging world of theatre where children can thrive and gain confidence through self-expression.

Sim Bassra-brar

Duty Manager

Sim Bassra-brar
Duty Manager

I am a mum of two teenagers and both my children have been Playbox members over the years, and my daughter currently attends classes in Warwick. 

I have a professional background in publishing and communications and believe in the power of words to express human emotions, inspire, and make a difference in the world. Likewise I see theatre as another form of creative expression which can make a positive difference to those who create, perform and watch performances.  I’m absolutely delighted to support the fantastic work of Playbox Theatre through my role here as Duty Manager. 

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Cafe Whirl

Claire Moss

Cafe Manager

Claire Moss
Cafe Manager

Claire has been a member of our cafe team for nearly three years after being a Playbox Parent for many years before that. Whilst her children got more and more involved in Playbox life, Claire was inspired by her their creativity and so channelled hers into her baking and food creations. Having previously worked for her local school’s breakfast club, Claire has a love of musicals and performance, so finds working in a children’s theatre the perfect fit!

Hannah Jobbins

Cafe Team

Hannah Jobbins
Cafe Team

Hannah has been a member of our cafe team since the summer and has been helping Claire out with busy shifts and plenty of baking. Hannah and her husband Ian ran a restaurant in Spain for 8 years before settling back down in their hometown of Stratford. During lockdown, they set up their own catering company: Shakespeare Kitchen. This endeavour takes them into people’s homes to provide intimate fine dining experiences. Since then, Hannah and her husband have gone from catering for household bubbles to large-scale events – their Sunday lunch is especially recommended! 

Cecile Gregory

Cafe Team

Cecile Gregory
Cafe Team

My name is Cecile Gregory, I am French with an international background as I have travelled as an expat daughter all my life. I am therefore made of those different cultures which makes me very understanding and accepting of others.

I love discovering and learning so I would say it comes from my natural curiosity. 

It makes me feel good to help others and be there for them.

To be brave and kind is my way forward. I always say to my kids that it is the way to be.

And finally, I try for everything I do to come from a place of love, which means if you do things willingly you’ll be happy and you will then do things to the best you can.

 

Jennie Beattie

Cafe Team

Jennie Beattie
Cafe Team

Jennie has been a devoted member of Toby’s Kenilworth Playbox since she was 9, where she has developed a love for physical theatre and character acting. Her first show was Young Production Company’s ‘Rat’s Tails,’ and since then she has appeared in lots of Playbox productions such as ‘James and the Giant Peach’ as Aunt Sponge, ‘Beauty and The Beast’ as Beauty’s sassy sister Veronique,’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ as Bottom,’ The Mysteries’ and most recently the musical theatre showcase, ‘ Harmony’. She is very excited about the 2023 Christmas show ‘Cinderella- The Ash Girl,’ where she will play Mother Dove.

Alongside Toby’s acting sessions, Jennie is a member of the ‘Blankshift Brigade,’ where she loves all things storytelling (specifically when the characters are from the ‘Mr Men’ universe). She is currently involved in the creation of ‘Sketchy: The Chronicles of Funge’, an exciting Blankshift studio project.

Jennie’s favourite cafe treat is a Biscoff Blondie, and her favourite drink to make is a mocha.

Celine Delahaye

Cafe Team

Celine Delahaye
Cafe Team

Celine had been a proud member of Toby’s Kenilworth Playbox team since she was 7 years old, and a part of the creative writing “Blankshift Brigade” since she was 14.

Celine loves being at Playbox and has been lucky enough to perform in productions such as James and the Giant Peach, Beauty and the Beast, and The Mysteries, and is looking forward to preforming in the upcoming Christmas production of Cinderella.

Celine loves singing and all things music. In her spare time she plays with her friends in the Doomsday Band, plays piano, clarinet or sings. She also loves cuddles with her dog Ralph (who played Sandy in Annie) and spending time with amazing Playbox people.

Dylan Somanathan

Café Junior

Dylan Somanathan
Café Junior

Dylan has been a member of Playbox since he was six years old. It has been a wondrous and creative journey so far. Right now Dylan enjoys doing his Acting sessions, Technical Theatre and Blank Shift. He’s been in shows such as James and the Giant Peach, The Dancing Bear and the Hunter in the Stars, A Midsummer Nights Dream and The Mysteries.

When he can he loves to go rock climbing and skiing. In his spare time, Dylan enjoys cooking, writing scripts and playing his musical instruments, such as piano and ukulele. 

Dylan is so grateful to now be part of the café team and to meet people face to face. His favourite thing to eat at the café is the signature Tuna Melt Panini with a rocky road.

Lyla McLeod

Café Junior

Lyla McLeod
Café Junior

Lyla has been a member of Playbox since she was 7 years old and attends Musical Theatre with Juliet and Acting with Emily. Lyla loves everything about Playbox and especially loves being in the productions – from being a silk worm in James and the Giant Peach (her first show) to a lampstand in Beauty and the Beast, Mrs Zuckerman in Charlotte’s Web, and more recently Pepper in Annie Jr. 

Lyla’s favourite thing from the Café is Claire’s freshly baked biscuits – the prefect fuel for a busy Playbox session.

Tom Quash

Café Junior

Tom Quash
Café Junior

Tom has been a member of Playbox since he was 3 years old and attends Stratford Playbox and Blank-Shift every week. Tom’s been lucky enough to perform in a few productions, including James & The Giant Peach, Gretel, Mariner and The Mysteries. This summer, he will be Assistant Director on The Scarecrow & His Servant.

When he’s not at Playbox, Tom loves playing the piano, football and film-making.

He loves the entire café menu, but the favourite combo has to be ham and  cheese panini coupled with a Biscoff blondie.

Evie Jackson

Café Junior

Evie Jackson
Café Junior

Evie has been coming to Playbox since she was 3 and in Early Stagers, and currently does Musical Theatre with Juliet. In her spare time she enjoys dancing, crocheting and finding bargains in charity shops. She has loved meeting lots of new people at Playbox over the years and now through working in Café Whirl too.  

Her favourite thing on the menu is the delicious cheese and ham panini. 

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Senior Assistants

Jennie Beattie

Workshop Senior Assistant

Jennie Beattie
Workshop Senior Assistant

Jennie has been a devoted member of Toby’s Kenilworth Playbox since she was 9, where she has developed a love for physical theatre and character acting. Her first show was Young Production Company’s ‘Rat’s Tails,’ and since then she has appeared in lots of Playbox productions such as ‘James and the Giant Peach’ as Aunt Sponge, ‘Beauty and The Beast’ as Beauty’s sassy sister Veronique,’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ as Bottom,’ The Mysteries’ and most recently the musical theatre showcase, ‘ Harmony’. She is very excited about the 2023 Christmas show ‘Cinderella- The Ash Girl,’ where she will play Mother Dove.

Alongside Toby’s acting sessions, Jennie is a member of the ‘Blankshift Brigade,’ where she loves all things storytelling (specifically when the characters are from the ‘Mr Men’ universe). She is currently involved in the creation of ‘Sketchy: The Chronicles of Funge’, an exciting Blankshift studio project.

Jennie is also a Café Whirl team member, where her favourite treat is a Biscoff Blondie, and where her favourite drink to make is a mocha.

Celine Delahaye

Workshop Senior Assistant

Celine Delahaye
Workshop Senior Assistant

Celine had been a proud member of Toby’s Kenilworth Playbox team since she was 7 years old, and a part of the creative writing “Blankshift Brigade” since she was 14.

Celine loves being at Playbox and has been lucky enough to perform in productions such as James and the Giant Peach, Beauty and the Beast, and The Mysteries, and is looking forward to preforming in the upcoming Christmas production of Cinderella.

Celine loves singing and all things music. In her spare time she plays with her friends in the Doomsday Band, plays piano, clarinet or sings. She also loves cuddles with her dog Ralph (who played Sandy in Annie) and spending time with amazing Playbox people.

Amelie Friess

Workshop Senior Assistant

Amelie Friess
Workshop Senior Assistant

After almost 9 years at Playbox, Amelie is extremely happy to be spending their gap year here, working as an administrative assistant as well as assisting sessions for all ages. 

Since joining Playbox, Amelie has taken part in productions such as The Canterbury Tales, Strikes, Mariner, Beauty and the Beast, and Cinderella. Alongside regular acting workshops, they’ve been part of the writer’s programme, Blank-Shift, and have been part of projects such as Lunch and Raisintown. More recently, they’ve also joined the Playbox Professionals programme. 

Amelie is also one of the co-founders of Playbox’s 2023/2024 gap year ensemble ‘Millennial Wizard’. Their endeavour to revive the program has been a great success, premiering with a production of The Duchess of Malfi. They’ll soon be performing I & You, and later, some of Amelie’s own writing. 

Next year, they’ll be studying Film and Television at Bristol University. In 10 years they’d like to be living in Berlin, writing and making mad films, and coming back to Playbox every Christmas for carols. Until then, you can find them at the Dreamfactory!

Mery Sutherland

Workshop senior assistant

Mery Sutherland
Workshop senior assistant

Mery has been a member of Playbox Theatre since she was 6 years old, attending numerous different sessions; such as, (proudly) Stratford Playbox, Musical Theatre, Professionals, SYC and Blankshift Writer’s course. 

Through the incredible Playbox community and growing up watching Theatre, Mery has built a deep love and passion for both acting and directing.  Playbox has provided the opportunity for Mery to be involved in over 20 productions (playing a range of roles from Antigone to Miss Hannigan)- even directing a version of Annie Siddon’s ‘Raymondo’ in Professionals. She also loves to sing and play bass guitar with her friends in The Doomsday Band. 

Mery hopes her future career will be in the arts, full of both performing and directing (and perhaps writing). 

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