Mountview Alumni News February 2022

The trailer for Downton Abbey: A New Era was released this month, featuring Brendan Coyle in the role of John Bates.

Big-Cook-Little-Cook BBC

On the small screen, Mabli Gwynne and Aled ap Steffan starred in brand new Welsh drama Y GYFRINACH.

Also on our televisions, classic children’s program Big Cook Little Cook returns this month, starring Ibinabo Jack.

Coronation Street legend Sally Dynevor collected her MBE for services to drama.

Meanwhile, Paul Bradshaw’s play tell me straight opened at Chiswick Playhouse, featuring fellow alumni George Greenland, Hiba Elchikhe, Chloe Stally-Gibson and Ed Paget. 

Directed by MA Theatre Directing grad Alice Fitzgerald and written and performed by MA Acting grad Sarah Hanly, Purple Snowflakes and Titty Wanks opened to critical acclaim at the Royal Court.

Also receiving rave reviews, Emily Aboud’s Splintered, produced by Grace Dickson and starring Chante Faucher, opened at Soho Theatre.

SPLINTERED-photo Lidia Crisafulli

A host of MA Acting graduates brought together new perspectives and innovative forms over 5 days of shows in Kaleidoscope Theatre Festival.

Fellow MA Actor Adam Deary started rehearsals for Rose Theatre’s Persuasion, seeing him return to Mountview in our professional rehearsal space.

The company of Bonnie and Clyde: The Musical was announced this month, with Jordan Luke Gage stepping into the role of Clyde Barrow, Cleve September as Ted Hinton and Katy Richardson as Musical Supervisor.

Sha Dessi and Abigail Morris The Stage Awards

At Wilton Music Hall, Paul Aitchison played all four acts in a spectacularly bizarre magic competition, Could it be Magic?

Curated by current MA Creative Producing student Evira Parr, our Asexuality Visibility Day featured a podcast interview with alum and producer Lotty Holder.

Elsewhere, Sha Dessi and Mountview Artistic Director and CEO Abigail Morris headed to the The Stage Awards, celebrating Sha’s place on The Stage’s list of 25 theatremakers to watch out for this year and beyond.

Coming up

MA Creative Producing grad Rebecca Lyle is producing Tramshed‘s first festival for emerging artists, Found Arts Festival, on 3 weekends in March.

Opening 4 March, Drag Race UK star Kitty Scott Claus hits the West End in the cast of Death Drop, with set design from fellow grad Justin Williams.

The director producer duo of Emily Aboud and Grace Dickson returns with Chatham House Rules at The Pleasance, from 15 March.