RICHARD HOGGER (Artistic Director)
I have always been involved in theatre: directing, performing, programming and writing. My training at Dartington College of Arts, led to a career spanning Local Authority Drama Adviser in Norfolk, Director of Darlington Drama Centre, Director of Performing Arts at Eastern Arts Association in Cambridge and Director and Chief Executive of the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds and later The Everyman, Cheltenham. I came to Aberystwyth in 2001 as the first Director of Creu Cymru – a new organisation, set up by the theatres and arts centres across Wales, to support their programming and encourage the development of theatre across Wales.
I have performed and directed for Pendulum and The Mill Theatre, Kings Lynn. Since moving to Aberystwyth, I have performed and directed for Bold (Slight Ache/Dumb Waiter, Feelgood, The Birthday Party, Krapps Last Tape) and for Pendulum (Death and the Maiden, and October 1918) and worked with the New Writing group, directing Town with No Traffic Wardens. I have also performed with the Arts centre’s Community company (Pygmalion; The Dresser; Christmas Carol; Under Milk Wood, Oh What a Lovely War).
‘October 1918’ is the first play from Tom Francis – and I’ve been pleased to bring to life one of the most complete first scripts I’ve had the pleasure to direct.
I have always been involved in theatre: directing, performing, programming and writing. My training at Dartington College of Arts, led to a career spanning Local Authority Drama Adviser in Norfolk, Director of Darlington Drama Centre, Director of Performing Arts at Eastern Arts Association in Cambridge and Director and Chief Executive of the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds and later The Everyman, Cheltenham. I came to Aberystwyth in 2001 as the first Director of Creu Cymru – a new organisation, set up by the theatres and arts centres across Wales, to support their programming and encourage the development of theatre across Wales.
I have performed and directed for Pendulum and The Mill Theatre, Kings Lynn. Since moving to Aberystwyth, I have performed and directed for Bold (Slight Ache/Dumb Waiter, Feelgood, The Birthday Party, Krapps Last Tape) and for Pendulum (Death and the Maiden, and October 1918) and worked with the New Writing group, directing Town with No Traffic Wardens. I have also performed with the Arts centre’s Community company (Pygmalion; The Dresser; Christmas Carol; Under Milk Wood, Oh What a Lovely War).
‘October 1918’ is the first play from Tom Francis – and I’ve been pleased to bring to life one of the most complete first scripts I’ve had the pleasure to direct.
TOM FRANCIS (Writer in Residence)
Originally from Shropshire, Tom came to Aberystwyth in 2002 to study History and has been hanging around ever since. Following jobs in, among other places, a butcher’s shop, a hotel kitchen, and a swimming pool, he now spends his days working very quietly as a librarian at the university. He is very grateful to Richard and the Pendulum team for taking on October 1918 with their considerable talent and energy. Following on from the successful debut of October 1918, he is now working on a novel and his second play, The Trial of Hermann Ethé.
Originally from Shropshire, Tom came to Aberystwyth in 2002 to study History and has been hanging around ever since. Following jobs in, among other places, a butcher’s shop, a hotel kitchen, and a swimming pool, he now spends his days working very quietly as a librarian at the university. He is very grateful to Richard and the Pendulum team for taking on October 1918 with their considerable talent and energy. Following on from the successful debut of October 1918, he is now working on a novel and his second play, The Trial of Hermann Ethé.
MAISIE BAYNHAM (Principle Scenographer and Stage Manager)
Maisie studied Theatre and Scenography at Aberystwyth University, and since graduating has worked with numerous local companies as both Stage Manager and Lighting Designer. As Lighting Designer, her first major work was on the premiere of David Rudkin’s Merlin Unchained at The Castle Theatre, and she has designed for Lurking Truth, Bold Productions and Run Amok Theatre Company, for whom she is currently Principal Scenographer. As a Stage Manager she has worked with National Theatre Wales, Theatre Rue, Louche Theatre, The Wardens, and has worked with Richard previously for Bold Productions. Most recently she has worked on tours of Sarah Kane’s 448: Psychosis and Ed Thomas’s Flowers of the Dead Red Sea.
Maisie studied Theatre and Scenography at Aberystwyth University, and since graduating has worked with numerous local companies as both Stage Manager and Lighting Designer. As Lighting Designer, her first major work was on the premiere of David Rudkin’s Merlin Unchained at The Castle Theatre, and she has designed for Lurking Truth, Bold Productions and Run Amok Theatre Company, for whom she is currently Principal Scenographer. As a Stage Manager she has worked with National Theatre Wales, Theatre Rue, Louche Theatre, The Wardens, and has worked with Richard previously for Bold Productions. Most recently she has worked on tours of Sarah Kane’s 448: Psychosis and Ed Thomas’s Flowers of the Dead Red Sea.
KYLE ARROWSMITH (Sound Designer)
Having recently graduated from Aberystwyth University with a BA (Hons) in Drama and Theatre Studies, with a focus on stage management and sound, Kyle now runs the sound/PA company ‘Pretty Sound Guy’. October 1918 was Kyle’s debut as a sound designer. He recently designed the soundscape for Run Amok Theatre's professional tour of Ed Thomas's Flowers of the Dead Red Sea. His other credits include running Open Mic nights and sound operating.
Having recently graduated from Aberystwyth University with a BA (Hons) in Drama and Theatre Studies, with a focus on stage management and sound, Kyle now runs the sound/PA company ‘Pretty Sound Guy’. October 1918 was Kyle’s debut as a sound designer. He recently designed the soundscape for Run Amok Theatre's professional tour of Ed Thomas's Flowers of the Dead Red Sea. His other credits include running Open Mic nights and sound operating.
TOM O'MALLEY (Actor in Residence)
Tom has been involved with a number of Welsh theatre groups, including the Aberystwyth Arts Centre Community Theatre Group, Castaway, Louche Theatre, Playpen, Bold Productions, Showtime Singers, and Pendulum. Productions he has appeared in include Under Milk Wood, Blue Remembered Hills, Tom Jones, Cider with Rosie, The Wizard of Oz, Guys and Dolls, The Birthday Party, Twelfth Night, Krapp’s Last Tape, the EarCandy project, Rain of Blood and, most recently, Grave Men Near Death.
Tom has been involved with a number of Welsh theatre groups, including the Aberystwyth Arts Centre Community Theatre Group, Castaway, Louche Theatre, Playpen, Bold Productions, Showtime Singers, and Pendulum. Productions he has appeared in include Under Milk Wood, Blue Remembered Hills, Tom Jones, Cider with Rosie, The Wizard of Oz, Guys and Dolls, The Birthday Party, Twelfth Night, Krapp’s Last Tape, the EarCandy project, Rain of Blood and, most recently, Grave Men Near Death.
MATTHEW CHRISTMAS (Actor in Residence)
Since moving to Aberystwyth in 2009, Matt has performed regularly with companies including Castaway Community Theatre, The Wardens and Louche Theatre. Recent theatre credits include professional tours of Ed Thomas’s Flowers of the Dead Red Sea (Run Amok Theatre Company), The Life of Riley (What Was That? Productions) and Very Hard Times (Theatre Rue). He is soon to appear in Juncture Theatre's A Little Nonsense, touring the south of England before performances at the Edinburgh Festival. Audio credits include writing for and appearing in the web-based EarCandy project (Scriptography Productions) and he was delighted to read the part of Wilfred for the audio drama Wilfred Owen: The Pity of War (Leftfield Productions).
Since moving to Aberystwyth in 2009, Matt has performed regularly with companies including Castaway Community Theatre, The Wardens and Louche Theatre. Recent theatre credits include professional tours of Ed Thomas’s Flowers of the Dead Red Sea (Run Amok Theatre Company), The Life of Riley (What Was That? Productions) and Very Hard Times (Theatre Rue). He is soon to appear in Juncture Theatre's A Little Nonsense, touring the south of England before performances at the Edinburgh Festival. Audio credits include writing for and appearing in the web-based EarCandy project (Scriptography Productions) and he was delighted to read the part of Wilfred for the audio drama Wilfred Owen: The Pity of War (Leftfield Productions).