writing
I strive to write quick-witted, sharp, irreverent yet touching stories.
I continue my quest to investigate the human condition and probably equally as importantly, make people laugh.
“Around The World on Christmas Day is easily the best family Christmas show I’ve seen. Quirky, funny, totally unpatronising”
Plays
“What I liked most about this show – and it is not short of things to admire – is the way it explores 21st Century teenage issues as well as having quirky fun with a great classic. Yes, this is a piece which knows, really knows, about adolescence. ”
After the Dream came Thisbe, after Thisbe came the truth.
The end of A Midsummer Night’s Dream sees the four lovers all paired off nicely. One for you, one for you, one for you and one for you. Simple. Or is it?
Fast forward thirteen years and we meet Helena and Demetrius’ neglected daughter, Thisbe. She doesn’t get a look in as thanks to that prankster fairy Puck, her Father is a love addict. Thisbe decides to meddle with her parents’ magic-induced marriage and soon discovers ‘The course of true love never did run smooth…’
We accompany the innocent yet complex character of Thisbe into the forest where she is forced to account for her actions.
Can she save her parents marriage? And does she really want to?
This play stands as a unique vision of the infamous lovers and their calamitous daughter tussling with their past and futures; full of playful wit and boisterous theatricality.
“Thisbe is a fusion of a magic, music and levity which reminds us why Midsummer’s is so much fun while still feeling totally new. Comic & heartfelt performances from a multi-talented, character-changing, instrument-swapping cast keep the energy going throughout - a real joy to experience.
”
“‘A brilliantly clever production, a hugely exciting fresh look at a Shakespeare’s work.’
”
Thisbe premiered at Vault Festival in 2016 where we won the Festival Spirit Award.
Produced by Euan Borland and directed by Roberta Zuric, the cast of 5 actor-musicians brought this show to life with original music by myself and the musical director, David Hewson.
After the success of Vault Festival, we toured Thisbe around the UK in early 2017.
The touring show was also developed to include integrated BSL by actress and BSL translator, Jenny Wilson.
photos © Alex Brenner * Thisbe played by Rosalind Burt * Helena played by Anne-Marie Piazza * Puck played by Joey Hickman * Demetrius played by David Osmond * Hesper played by Samantha Sutherland * Mnḗmē played by Jennifer Wilson
Around the World on Christmas Day is an off-beat comedy celebrating Christmas tales and traditions from all over the globe. The show mixes comedy, theatre, live music, elves, and a variety of festive goats, with merriment and songs performed live by a cast of actor-musicians.
“Meta-theatrical, IT Crowd meets Christmas (elves), Christmas loveliness. ”
Around The World On Christmas Day premiered at Mirth, Marvel and Maud, Walthamstow in December 2016.
Produced by Jared Ashe and directed by Tim Bell, the cast of 4 actor musicians brought to life an Elvish AGM with an urgent agenda - save Christmassing from the flailing human’s belief and enthusiasm.
To prove their Elvish dedication they throw themselves into a presentation of international Christmas traditions.
With a cameo from a less than impressed Mrs Claus, the Elves get competitive, passionate and desperate to save Christmassing and themselves from the worst fate - being turned into garden gnomes.
The show was a great success and was performed to over a thousand people.
photos © Katherine Rothman * Alby played by Jenny Murphy * Snorri played by Todd James * Lars played by Callum Patrick Hughes * Edda played by Susannah AustinstOries fOr KIDS
The adventures Of OOp and imm
Oop comes from the Important Lands but finds it very difficult to behave importantly.
Imm comes from the Not-So-Important Lands and is far too busy having fun to worry about being important.
Can Imm show Oop the ways of the Not-So-Important people?
But more importantly - what will Oop’s important parents say!?
The Adventures of Oop and Imm is a story I wrote for The Little Angel Theatre during the pandemic in 2020. Eager for content and entertainment for families struggling with being cooped up indoors, we ran a writing competition. I wrote the first half of the story and then asked children to come up with ideas for the second half of the story. From the entries we received we chose a favourite and I finished the rest with these ideas in mind. My Dad, David Sutherland, illustrated the story.
I produced a story-time video of Oop and Imm featuring original music and my Dad’s illustrations. You can watch it here.
We had The Adventures of Oop and Imm printed! You can buy it here.
The Little Angel Theatre is a beautiful puppetry theatre in Islington, London. See what they’re up to here.
Have a look at my Dad’s excellent ceramics here and his brilliant caricatures here.
