Mountview Rewind - Class of 2014

We are thrilled to present Mountview Rewind – a new series where we will be revisiting graduating year groups throughout Mountview’s history, finding out what they’ve been up to since their time with us and where they are now!

The summer of 2014 was a busy time for arts and culture, with Audra McDonald winning a Tony Award for her role as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Bob Dylan’s handwritten “Like a Rolling Stone” lyrics selling for a record $2 million, and Monty Python performing their last ever comedy show at London’s O2.

But most importantly, it was the year our outgoing joint CEOs Stephen Jameson and Sarah Preece’s first graduating class took their steps as industry professionals!

Read on to see what some of the Class of 2014 have gone on to do since…

Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race will certainly recognise Louis Westwood… AKA Kitty Scott Claus! She recently reached the final of the third UK series of RuPaul’s Drag Race, where she gained particular notoriety for her impression of a felt tip and became a firm favourite with the viewers.

Also on the small screen, Lottie Tolhurst has featured in audience favourites such as ITV’s Endeavour, Hulu’s Harlots and most recently in Holby City.

Another graduate you may have spotted on TV is Scott Paige – who in 2020 appeared on the Channel 4 reality TV show The Circle! Scott has also worked extensively in musical theatre since graduating, in shows including Nativity!, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Wedding Singer. He can currently be seen sporting a fetching hairless look in The Addams Family UK Tour, playing the role of Uncle Fester.

His fellow graduate Rosanna Harris is no stranger to big touring productions either, having performed the role of Jan in both the UK and International Tours of Grease. Rosanna has also appeared in the role of Barbra Streisand in The Funny Girls.

Since graduating, Hiba Elchikhe has taken on the role of Pritti Pasha in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (alongside fellow Mountview graduate Noah Thomas as Jamie!), as well as Antony and Cleopatra at the National Theatre and musicals including Ghost, Fiver and Brooklyn.

Also treading the boards is Stanton Wright, who has previously appeared in shows such as The Kite Runner (UK Tour) and The Winter’s Tale at the National Theatre and is currently starring in Beauty and the Beast at Rose Theatre.

Cory Stuckey has toured the country with Box Clever Theatre in Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet and A Christmas Carol. In 2019 he wrapped filming of The Kings Man, the prequel to The Kingsman series and has also been part of some short films. One, A Doll Distorted, was shortlisted for a BAFTA and an Oscar and won 13 Jury awards.

Meanwhile Raphael Bushay has appeared in plays with the RSC, Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre to name a few, as well as touring the UK and UAE in Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox. He is currently starring as the Wolf in Theatre Royal Stratford East’s pantomime Red Riding Hood.

Anne Odeke has also featured in many productions since graduating, including multiple plays at The Globe and in The RSC’s The Winter’s Tale on BBC iPlayer. She is also a teacher and a playwright.

Fellow postgraduate actor Rebecca Pickering is a highly skilled screen fighter trained in martial arts, archery, sword fighting, firearms handling, horse riding & mounted combat. She will be appearing in the title role of Jane Eyre at The Minack Theatre in June 2022.

Meanwhile Paul Bradshaw has been expanding his talents. After working in musicals across the UK after graduating, in 2018 he began writing and directing plays and has had his work performed at Southwark Playhouse, The Space and Lion & Unicorn Theatre. In 2021 he co-wrote and directed The Barn, which was livestreamed from the Turbine Theatre and nominated for an OnComm commendation. Recently he wrote and starred in tell me straight at the King’s Head Theatre, alongside fellow Mountview graduate George Greenland. The production received an Offie nomination and will be revived in 2022.

Also developing their skill-set has been Rob Hughes, who joined Felix De Wolfe as an agent in 2016.

Maisey Bawden has been similarly busy. In 2021 she co-founded Mawa Theatre Company, UK’s first to be comprised of Black and Black mixed race women, and has appeared on the BBC and Vogue.co.uk. She is currently Resident Director on The Drifters Girl, which stars Beverley Knight (and features fellow Mountview graduate Tyrone Huntley as Associate Director!).

Meanwhile Eleanor Sutton has been combining her musical theatre work with helping others, in her role as co-founder of Connectforce Community. Connectforce was founded in response to the 2020 lockdowns, and aims to deliver programmes which are designed to channel artists’ skills to support the wider community. Eleanor has also worked extensively around the UK, including productions of Amadeus, Beauty and the Beast and The Wizard of Oz.

Fellow graduate Dora Rubinstein has also worked across the UK, including with York Theatre Royal, Northern Stage and English Heritage – and currently starring as Princess Jasmine in Aladdin at the Oldham Coliseum. Dora has been successfully awarded a DYCP Grant from the Arts Council to explore and develop her practice as an artist, in particular combining circus and theatre.

Meanwhile, two 2014 graduates have been reunited in the current UK Tour of Les Miserables! Barnaby Hughes and Emily Owens both joined in the production in 2021, with Barnaby playing the role of Enjolras. They are also joined by a whole host of other Mountview graduates, including Nathania Ong as Eponine, Steven Hall as Grantaire, plus Rebecca Bolton, Emily Olive Boyd, Rebecca Ferrin and Dean Read. The production of Les Miserables at Sondheim Theatre also features Mountview alumni – including 2014 grad Jessie Hart!

After graduating from MA Theatre Direction, Amy Liptrott went to the Octagon Theatre Bolton where she assisted critically acclaimed directors David Thacker and Elizabeth Newman before working as Douglas Gordon’s Assistant Director with Manchester International Festival. She is now Associate Director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre.

And finally, fellow MA Theatre Direction graduate Lilac Yosiphon has returned to Mountview, having become joint Head of Theatre Directing. Lilac is also Artistic Director of Althea Theatre, and has recently been awarded an Unlimited Commission in partnership with Polka Theatre.

Did you graduate from Mountview in 2014 (or any other year)? Stay in touch by joining our alumni network and emailing your latest news to marketing@mountview.org.uk.

We’ll be continuing this series of spotlights in 2022 so keep an eye on our socials for more call outs.