Inspired by the novel Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Artwork by Jason Dickens
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Director - Kevin Shaw
Kevin is the Chief Executive and Artistic Director of The Albany Theatre in Coventry, with a brief to further develop the programme of performance and participatory work and oversee the refurbishment and extension of the beautiful Art Deco Theatre. He previously spent 17 years as Chief Executive and Artistic Director at Oldham Coliseum Theatre where he directed more than 100 productions, as well as directing and co-writing 15 pantomimes. He also founded the Coliseum’s thriving learning and engagement department giving thousands of participants opportunities to engage with theatre. Before this he spent 7 years in the New Forest as Artistic Director of Forest Forge, a rural touring theatre company and 4 years as Associate Director at Salisbury Playhouse. Kevin has a strong commitment to developing creative talent, providing a platform and professional support for work from new and emerging theatre companies and artists.
Set and Lighting Design - Dan Tilley
Dan is the Technical Manager here at The Albany Theatre as of September 1st 2017.
Theatre Credits include The Bear That Went to War, Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, The Snow Queen and Peter Pan at The Albany Theatre, The Sorcerer, HMS Pinafore Castle, Alice and Wonderland, So You Think You’re a Superhero and Holocaust Memories at Castle Theatre, Jurassic Adventure UK National Tour and more.
Live Music Credits include Rock Your Age, Dreadzone, The Specials and Badmanners Castle Theatre.
Set Design credits include The Snow Queen, A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist at The Albany Theatre.
Musical Director - Claire Tyler
Claire is a fully qualified music teacher and has worked with many musical theatre societies over the years as a performer and musical director.
Most recently Oliver Twist for The Albany Theatre, Made in Dagenham for TSG at the Warwick Arts Centre and Rugby Theatre, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Acorn Antiques and Godspell at the Priory Theatre and Barnum, Oliver and The Full Monty at the Royal Spa Centre in Leamington.
She has also arranged the vocals for many pantomimes in the area over the years.
Choreographer - Katie Gavin
Katie trained at Pattisons Theatre Arts and is a licentiate of the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA). For many years she entertained professionally overseas – her most memorable cruising around South America, as a magician’s assistant!
Previously Katie, was in partnership with Coventry Theatretrain, but now puts all her time into her dance school, KT School of Dance. She now considers herself too old to perform but has had many principal roles over the years with the many Theatre groups Coventry has to offer.
Coventry Youth Operetta Group (YOG) was a huge part of her life and was guided by Choreographer Beryl Thomas, that gained her enough experience to take on the choreographer’s role for many years, ending her time at YOG as artistic director for ‘Loserville’ in 2014.
Costume Design and Construction - Anna Lewis
Anna is a talented costume designer for theatre and film and long-time collaborator with the Albany Theatre having previously made costumes for Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol.
She currently works freelance with Ego Arts. Previously she has designed costumes for the closing ceremony of Coventry City of Culture, the Lord Mayors inauguration ceremony and Celtica Irish Dance at The Belgrade.
Scenic Artist - Trudy Rees Marklew
Trudy is an artist from Coventry. She has previously painted the set for A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist at The Albany Theatre.
Photography by Dylan Parrin
THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Production Manager:
Dan Tilley
Deputy Stage Manager:
Abbie Drudge
Sound Operator:
Charlie David
Production Electrician:
Adam Blake
Flyman and Stage:
Phil Anthony and Adrian Fairbairn
Production Carpenters:
Neil Plastow, Keith Williams, Hillary Folks and Adrian Fairbairn
Video:
Chris Gernon
CAST
Cerys Lee-Jones as Alice
Cerys graduated from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2018, attaining a degree in Musical Theatre.
Since then Cerys landed her professional stage debut in the Albany’s A Christmas Carol in 2022, playing the role of the Ghost of Christmas Past.
In 2023 Cerys appeared as Blanche Dubois at The Old Joint Stock Theatre, in an adaptation of A Streetcar named Desire. Following this, Cerys took on one of her favourite roles of all time, The Artful Dodger, in Oliver Twist The Dickens Classic back at The Albany Theatre last Christmas.
During 2024, Cerys has had the privilege to work with the RSC for their trailer for one of their recent productions The School for Scandal.
Cerys is absolutely over the moon to be returning to the Albany for her third Christmas production, only this time, taking on the lead role of Alice.
“I’m ridiculously excited to bring my favourite book to life, it’s an honour to be playing Alice, I’m so excited for the journey we are about to embark on! Let’s embrace the madness.”
Paul Nolan as The White Rabbit, The Mad Hatter, Gryphon, Ensemble
Paul returns to the Albany Theatre for the fourth consecutive year under the directorship of Kevin Shaw.
Last year he appeared and earned plaudits as Fagin in Oliver Twist and in the 2021 and 2022 adaptations of Christmas Carol he played Ebenezer Scrooge. Previous professional productions at The Albany have included Mole in Wind in the Willows and James in The Pity. Directing credits at the Albany include the premiere of his play The Window and Tom Murphy’s Whistle in the Dark.
He has recently completed writing and directing Baddesley After Dark for the National Trust. He is part of the creative team telling the true story of the racial discrimination experienced by Margaret Keane’s family in their bid to secure an epitaph in the Irish language on her gravestone.
Dru Stephenson as Caterpillar, Dormouse, Dodo, Card Five, Ensemble
Dru is a Midlands actor who has worked throughout the region & beyond. Her recent theatre credits have included: The Importance of Being Earnest and Round & Round the Garden for Worcester Rep, The Misanthrope for Here to There Productions & Sheila’s Island at the Old Joint Stock.
She filled her pandemic time with occasional trips to Ambridge for The Archers & voiceover work. She is excited to be working with The Albany for the first time.
Sarah Palmer as Mock Turtle, Sister, Mouse, Card Seven, Ensemble
Sarah is an Actress, Singer and Puppeteer from the West Midlands. She has performed in numerous UK and European Tours and recently played the role of Betty in the Olivier Award Winning, ‘Hey Duggee! The Live Theatre Show’.
Being from the Midlands, Sarah is looking forward to performing in Coventry for this Christmas season!
Aisha Taylor as The Queen of Hearts, Parrot, Cook, Ensemble
Aisha Trained at The Manchester School of Theatre.
Her theatre credits include To kill a Mocking Bird at the Royal Exchange Theatre.
TV credits include Doctors BBC and Abbey Hatcher Nick Jr.
Aisha is incredibly excited to be joining the cast of Alice in Wonderland, this marks Aisha’s debut with the Albany Theatre.
Robin Johnson as The March Hare, Duchess, Eagle, Ensemble
Training: Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, London
Credits include: Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol (Albany Theatre); Dreamboats & Petticoats (Savoy Theatre); Up On The Roof, (Harrogate Theatre); Next Big Thing, (Charing Cross Theatre); Truckers (Belgrade, Coventry); Good Golly Miss Molly (Oldham Coliseum); The Creeper (Palace, Westcliff).
TV: Emmerdale, ITV1; Doctors, BBC
Sukhy Gill as King, Duck, Ensemble
Sukhy Gill is a professional actor, singer and performing arts teacher.
He trained with the Royal National Youth Theatre in 2016 and then attended Brian Timoney’s Actors Studio where he studied Method Acting and Acting for Camera. He has since appeared in several commercials and short films.
With special thanks to...
The Albany Volunteer Team – the life and blood of the theatre and the Albany Technical Volunteer Team, the unseen beating heart of the Albany Theatre’s technical operation. Their dedication and hard work is a constant in our endeavours.
We at The Albany Theatre wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
