CREATIVES

Playwright

TARA LYNNE O’NEILL

Rough Girls is Tara Lynne’s first play.

“A fascination with history and a love of the city call home is what drives me as writer. Northern Irish stories from our past that resonate with audiences today. To see women, take centre stage. Telling tales about the women of this island who have so often been written out of our great history books. Making the marginalised mainstream and shining a light on the women whose stories have so often been left in the dark.”

Director

KIMBERLEY SYKES

Romeo and Juliet for Open Air Theatre, Beryl at Octagon Theatre, As You Like It at RSC & UK tour, The Whip and Dido Queen of Carthage at RSC (Nominated for best director at UK theatre awards), Working at Royal Academy of Music, The Hate Play Macbeth and Mark and the Marked with Box Clever Theatre, Whose Sari Now? at Theatre Royal Stratford East, In the Solitude of Cotton Fields at Tristan Bates, Lomki as part of the Story Project at Southwark Playhouse and Diary of a Thief at The King’s Head Theatre. She has also directed new writing at Theatre 503, Tamasha, The New Diorama and Southwark Playhouse.

Associate director credits include: Dream 16: A Play for the Nation at RSC, City of Angels at Donmar Warehouse and East is East at Trafalgar Studios. As assistant director she has worked at The National Theatre, Headlong, West End and Tricycle.

Kimberley trained at Rose Bruford College and the National Theatre Studio Directors course.

SET & LIGHTING DESIGNER

Ciaran Bagnall

Ciaran was born in Newry and currently lives in Belfast. He trained as the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff where he was made Honourary fellow of the College in July 2018.

Lyric Theatre Credits: Set & Lighting Design for A Streetcar named Desire, Lovers, Beauty and the Beast, What the Reindeer Saw, RED, White Star of the North. Set Design for Double Cross Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching towards the Somme Lighting Design for The Weir, Three Sisters, St Joan, Pentecost, Philadephia, Here I come!, The Little Prince and Pump Girl

Recent Lighting and Set Designs include: Father, The Father (PrimeCut/MAC, Belfast); The Whip (RSC); Peter Pan (Hull Truck); A Christmas Carol (The Gate, Dublin); The Merchant of Venice (The Great Theatre, Shanghai); This Beautiful Village (The Abbey Theatre, Dublin); The Magic Flute

(INO, Wexford Opera House/Gaiety Dublin); Lady Magma (Atelier de Paris); The Last Yankee (Library Theatre, Bolton); UBU The King (Tinderbox, MAC, Belfast); Oliver Twist (Hull Truck); The Mai, (Decadent Theatre Company); The World Goes Round/ Luminaire Club (MAC, Belfast); The Man who fell to Pieces (Tinderbox, MAC, Belfast); Hard to be Soft (MAC, Belfast); The Great Gatsby (Gate Theatre, Dublin); The Train (Abbey Theatre, Dublin); Ashes, Educating Rita (Octagon Theatre, Bolton); Macbeth (Shakespeare’s Globe, London); Singin’ in the Rain (UK Tour); Othello (RSC, Stratford upon Avon); Snookered (Bush Theatre, London); The Killing of Sister George (Arts Theatre, London); A Slight Ache and Landscape (Lyttelton Theatre, National Theatre London).

MUSICAL DIRECTOR & COMPOSER

KATIE RICHARDSON

Katie is a musician, songwriter, producer and composer who currently makes her own music under the name Hex Hue. Over the years she has performed and written with many bands including Choice nominated ‘Pleasure Beach’ with whom she toured the UK and Ireland.

In 2020 Katie was selected as one of Prime Cut’s, ‘Reveal’ artists which champions and develops emerging theatre makers. She is currently developing new work with them. In Summer 2020 Katie curated the Creative Hub for TedX Stormont online working with artists and activists from around the country. Katie is a passionate creative facilitator who believes in promoting inclusion and encouraging growth, expression and change through the arts and creative industries. She is co-founder and chair of Safe in Sound which is a new initiative with the vision to create a safer, stronger and more connected creative sector founded on equality, diversity and respect.

Theatre credits include: Good Vibrations, New Speak, All Mod Cons, Beauty and the Beast (Lyric Theatre) Father the Father (Prime Cut), Brink (Maiden Voyage Dance), The Man Who Fell to Pieces, Ubu the King, Huzzies (Tinderbox Theatre Company), Hatch (The Mac)

Screen credits include: The Death of a Projectionist (Out of Orbit Films), Doggers (136 films), Doody (Caitlin and Aaron), Gravidus (Off the Rails Dance), A life from Time (Prime Cut).

PERCUSSION DIRECTOR

EMMA KING

Emma is originally from Co.Down and now based in Brighton. After completing her studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2013, Emma joined the West End/ Broadway smash hit show STOMP in 2014 and toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and South America with the company.

Theatre credits include The National Theatre of Scotland's production of Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour 2016, the Steven Sater London Showcase 2017 and the 2018 Adelaide Festival with The Lost& Found Orchestra

Television appearances include Live at the London Palladium on ITV and The Late Late Show on RTÉ. In 2019 Emma performed with Joss Arnott Dance Company as the Percussionist and CoComposer for their production of PULSE touring the UK Dance and Music Festivals.

In October 2018 Emma performed in the World Premiere and Irish National Tour of a new Opera production by John O’Brien (The Everyman Theatre, Cork) inspired by Oscar Wilde’s timeless story, The Nightingale & The Rose. In September 2019 she performed the live soundtrack of JOUD Movie in Saudi Arabia with the London Contemporary Orchestra

In 2020/2021, as a member of Bangers and Crash Percussion Emma worked with Music Network Ireland, Irish National Opera and Cork Midsummer Festival.

Emma is proudly endorsed by Schlagwerk Percussion and would like to thank her friends and family for their continued support.

Movement Director

Dylan Quinn

Dylan Quinn and has been working as a Choreographer, Dance Artist, Movement Director, performer and facilitator for over 26 years. In 2009 he established Dylan Quinn Dance Theatre (DQDT) and has operated as Artistic Director for the last 11 years.

Dylan has created numerous company performances and commissioned works for a range of dance and theatre companies.

Dylan was Irish Times Theatre Award Nominee 2018 for his work on the production Red with Prime Cut and The Lyric. Dylan’s work has been presented nationally and internationally across Europe and the US.

Dylan has performed and undertaken a wide range of performance, community and education projects across the UK, Ireland and Internationally. He has developed a particular focus on creating work that explores the context around the border in Ireland, it’s impact and highlighting the experiences of these living in border communities. Dylan has undertaken a range on innovation projects involving performances on the border in live and film formats.

Dylan has been instrumental in initiating the We Deserve Better social engagement movement in Northern Ireland, highlighting the inadequacies of the political system. As a development of the Movement he has established the Conversations NI platform, engaging people from a range of backgrounds in conversations that are important to them and to their community.

Costume Designer Kimie Nakano

Kimie Nakano studied literature at Musashino University in Tokyo, Theatre Costume at ENSATT in Paris and Theatre Design MA at Wimbledon College of Art in London. Costume design for Le Grand Théâtre de Genéve, Northern Ballet, Lithuanian National Opera and Royal Danish Ballet, Companhia National de Bailado, ENB, Introdans, Stuttgart Ballett, Norrdans, Sadler’s Wells,The Royal Ballet of Flanders, Rambert Dance Company, David Nixon, Didy Veldman, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui . Opera productions include: The Return of Ulysses by John Fulljames for ROH and Tristan und Isolde by Carmen Jakobi for Longborough Festival Opera. Theatre production including Fruen fra havet ,Kilden teater, for Beckett Festival at TNP.

For Akram Khan Company: Outwitting the Devil, XENOS, Vertical Road Dust for ENB , iTMOi, TOROBAKA, Gnosis, Kaash, The Rashomon Effect, technê for Sylvie Guillem Shadow of Memory Kwibuka 20 Rwanda. Exhibition iTMOi Prague Quadrennial World theatre design, V&A Film Macbeth directed by Kit Monkman.

Chemo Express (audio drama) and Fast and Loose (Accidental Theatre,) Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Annie Jr Wonderful Wild West Musicals (Theatre at the Mill), Buddy the Elf (New Lodge Arts), High School Musical Jr, Honk Jr, Fame Jr Hairspray, Curtain Up (Encore Arts, Courtyard Theatre), Hippos in the Shower (Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival) and The Girl on the Sofa (Prime Cut Productions).

Some of Sarah’s writing credits include Pip’s Riverboat Adventure, Jack and the Beanstalk, Puss in Boots: The Panto, Rapunzel: A Tangled Tale Chemo Express, Frozen Winter Wonderland, Buddy the Elf Pop Up Castle Gulliver.

CAMERA DIRECTOR SAM O’MAHONY

With over 20 years action experience under his belt, it was 5 years ago that Lemuel set up Northern Ireland’s first professional stunt company Black Art Stunts and, whilst still enjoying action in front of the camera, has also turned his skills to stunt, fight and action co-ordination where he takes words from a script and brings the action to life in his own unique way. He has recently worked on feature films such as Stranger With a Camera and TV series such as The School for Good and Evil and Dalgliesh Lemuel is known for creating raw, realistic action that tells the cast’s story with vivid imagery. He aspires to deliver captivating action sequences, work with new talent and delight viewers of award winning productions.

Voice Coach Brendan Gunn

ASSISTANT

DIRECTOR & PUPPETRY DIRECTOR SARAH LYLE

Sarah was born in Belfast and trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, London, 2001-2004, as well as with The Jim Henson Company in puppeteering.

Sarah comes from a performance background specialising in puppeteering and musicals.

Sarah writes, directs, and produces theatre freelance, and is Artistic Director of Cre8 Theatre.

Sarah has worked in television; Charles Hurst Renault presenter, Power NI commercial, Moy Park commercial, Pajanimals (Jim Henson Company with Sixteen South), Sesame Tree (Sixteen South and Sesame Workshop), Sketchy with Diarmuid Corr (Green Inc.), The Dwelling (Stirling Television), Building Energy Rating commercial (RTE), No Vote No Voice commercial (BBC NI), Casualty and Down to Earth (BBC).

Some of Sarah’s directing credits include Pip’s Riverboat Adventure (Zoom Theatre, Ards and North Down Borough Council&Cre8 Theatre), Jack and the Beanstalk@the Drive In Cinema (Let’s Go Hydro Belfast&Cre8 Theatre), Jack and the Beanstalk – Live in your Living Room! (Zoom Theatre, Cre8 Theatre), Bubble Belfast Children’s Festival 2019, Pop Up Castle, Balmoral Show 2019, Jack and the Beanstalk, Puss in Boots: The Panto, Rapunzel: A Tangles Tale (Cre8 Theatre, Braid Arts Centre), Under the Hawthorn Tree (AD, Cahoots NI), 50 Shades of red White and Blue (audio drama, Red Brick Road Productions),

Sam O’Mahony is a film-maker recently arrived in Belfast. Alongside his work with the V&A museum capturing numerous live shows across Britain, he is an award-winning director of short films and music videos. He recently established 2nd Part Productions, who’s debut film starring Stephen Rea, will premiere in September. As an actor, Sam worked with the RSC, NT, Young Vic and Gate theatres amongst others as well as extensive tv and film appearances.

AUDIO SYSTEM DESIGNER IAN VENNARD

Ian Vennard has worked at the Lyric Theatre since May 2016 and is currently the Senior Technician.

His Lyric Theatre credits include: Alice the Musical (2018); Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleetstreet: The Musical (A Lyric Theatre and Northern Ireland Opera co-production - 2019); and Kiss Me, Kate (A Lyric Theatre and Northern Ireland Opera co-production - 2020)

Ian also has close ties with the Belfast Ensemble since their conception and credits include: Doppler Effect (2017); Fall of the House of Usher (2018); Young Pornographers (2019); Abomination – a DUP Opera (2019)

FIGHT DIRECTOR LEMUEL BLACK

Lemuel Black is a stunt co-ordinator and performer from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Since an early age Lemuel had a passion for fight and action choreography and has trained in many aspects of combat from Muay Thai to handling 17th century weapons. From crashing off bikes to fighting dragons, Lemuel’s diverse work has convinced audiences over many different mediums. As a stunt performer he has doubled actors such as Russell Brand and Neil Morrissey and fought his way in and out of trouble in TV series such as Vikings, Kin and feature films The Northman The Last Duel and Dungeons and Dragons

Brendan Gunn holds an MA and a PhD in linguistics. He began working as a Dialogue and Dialect Coach in 1986 after leaving the University of Ulster where he was a Lecturer in Linguistics. From the initial project which took him into the world of film, television and theatre - A Prayer for the Dying starring Mickey Rourke - Brendan has gone on to become one of the most in demand vocal coaches around, especially after his work on the Jim Sheridan film In the Name of the Father which earned Oscar nominations for Daniel Day-Lewis and Pete Postlethwaite in their lead roles.

Brendan has consistently worked with many of the world’s most well-known and talented actors, as evidenced by Brad Pitt’s request for his help on The Devil’s Own, Meet Joe Black and the Guy Ritchie cult hit Snatch. Similarly Edward Norton asked to work with Brendan to achieve his character voices for Kingdom of Heaven

The Illusionist and The Painted Veil

Brendan has also ended up in on-screen appearances speaking with dialects ranging from Irish to English, Australian to American and whatever else is required.

After over thirty years experience Brendan has dealt with a vast range of vocal styles and subjects from character dialect in film, television and theatre to accent reduction for non-native speakers of English and from television presenting to public speaking.

Recent projects include Shedding of the Skin for Kabosh Theatre Company and a range of films including The Northman and Dungeons and Dragons as well as television series including Rogue Warriors and The English