The Princess and the Pea by Mike Kenny

Writer, Sweet Dreams audio play

Mike Kenny is one of England’s leading writers specialising in young people’s theatre. He was included in the Independent on Sunday’s list of Top Ten Living Playwrights and his plays are performed regularly throughout the UK and all over the world. His Olivier Award-winning adaptation of THE RAILWAY CHILDREN for York Theatre Royal, has had several successful revivals at Waterloo and Kings Cross stations, as well as at the National Railway Museum. In Canada it won the People’s Choice Award following its record-breaking run in Toronto. Mike won the 2015 Writers Guild Award for Best Play for Younger Audiences with THREE WISE MONKEYS and the DeutscherKindertheaterpreis in 2012 with ELECTRIC DARKNESS. In July 2013, Mike was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of Nottingham for his work in theatre for young people.

Mike’s recent productions include Batley Variations, a community opera for Batley, and Random Selfies for Ovalhouse, London (Nominated for an Off West End Award) His play The Vulture Song was a co production between Blah Blah Blah in Leeds and Yellowcat, in Delhi. Last Year he wrote This is Not For You, working with Graeae and Forces Veterans on a large outdoor piece inspired by the disabled of the First World War. This was a 14-18-Now commission.

Ollie trained at LAMDA. As an actor: His recent THEATRE includes THE CABINET OF DOCTOR CALIGARI Arcola MOBY DICK Arcola THE NORMAN CONQUESTS Liverpool Playhouse THERE IS A WAR National Theatre FOUR STAGES OF CRUELTY Arcola ALICE Sheffield Crucible

He is co-artistic director, writer and composer for En Masse which produces original family theatre.

TC Howard has worked as a performer, choreographer, movement director and educationalist throughout her career. She has danced and taught with many companies including V-Tol, Ludus Dance Company, Northern Broadsides, Vincent Dance Theatre and Gary Clarke.

Her work with The David Glass Ensemble took her to countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia and The Philippines to perform and work alongside street children and local artists. She continues to research work with children using a multiple intelligence approach to learning and also works with a wide range of mixed abilities and ages.

TC has choreographed for theatre productions in Bolton Octagon, Manchester Royal Exchange, The Dukes Playhouse and with Red Ladder, Opera Circus and Horse and Bamboo. She also creates dance for site specific and installations works in non traditional venues.

TC has previously worked with Tutti Frutti on Rapunzel and The Boy Who Cried Wolf.

I have been working in theatre lighting for 10 years now. Most recently designing ‘Exactly Like you’ at the Vaults in London, I enjoy finding small shows with big hearts to be a part of. I am extremely passionate about all corners of the industry having worked in places from the fringe to the Coliseum, but my favourite type of show to work on has always been children’s theatre.

I have had the great fortune to work with Tutti Frutti on several shows, ‘WiLd!’, ‘The Snow Child’ and ‘The Princess and The Pea’. Each one is magical and captivating in its own unique way and I am looking forward to being a part of another one.

Artistic Director, Chair of PYA England

I have held the position of Artistic Director at tutti frutti since 2005 and have directed all but one production in partnership with York Theatre Royal, touring nationally and internationally and co-producing the Little Feet Festival of Children’s Theatre and the First Words writers’ development programme

Before working with tutti frutti I was Artistic Director of Red Ladder Theatre Company, and previous to this; Merseyside Young People’s Theatre Company in Liverpool. Over the years as a freelance director work has included; Everyman Theatre Liverpool, Crucible Theatre Sheffield, Hope Street Ltd, Oxford Stage Company, Unity Theatre Liverpool, European Stage Company, Theatre Royal Stratford East, and Contact Theatre Manchester. I currently live in Leeds with my partner Mark and two sons Louie and Eliot.

Claire has recently graduated from the 3 year BA (Hons) Acting Degree at Italia Conti. She is extremely excited to be touring with the tutti frutti team.

Her most recent accolades include ‘Isolated Incident’ (Fulham Broadway), ‘I don’t want to set the World on Fire’ (New Vic Theatre) and ‘The Night Before Christmas’ (UK Tour).

Claire has also worked in Ireland, playing Nancy from ‘Oliver’ at The Grand Opera House, Belfast’ and ‘Juno and the Paycock’ in the Burnavon Theatre, Cookstown. Aside from her acting, she also gigs and performs regularly with her guitar.

Joanna has just graduated from Rose Bruford Drama School as an Actor-Musician.

Whilst studying she played Rapunzel in Into The Woods, Betty Parris in The Crucible and Princess of France in Love’s Labour’s Lost.

The Princess and The Pea was Joanna’s first professional engagement and she was delighted to be starting her career with Tutti Frutti.

Oliver trained at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and has worked in Theatre, Film and Radio including: Theatre: The Hundred and One Dalmatians, A Christmas Carol (New Vic Theatre); The Cowardly Porter, Godspell (Frinton Rep); The Mystery of Edwin Droon (Arts Theatre, West End); Thirteen Days (Arcola); Canary (Hampstead Theatre); A Midsummer Night's Dream, Alice in Wonderland, The Hunting of the Snark (Iris Theatre); Orpheus: The Mythical (Royal Opera House); Bitesize (The King's Head); My Favourite Madman (Tristan Bates Theatre); The Sword and the Dope (Greenwich Playhouse); Maya (Baron's Court Theatre). Film: The Devil's Lamp (National Portrait Gallery & LFS); The Chancery (Haligonian) Radio: The Corrupted (BBC)

Zoe graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Stage Management and Technical Theatre in 2012. Recent credits include the European Union Youth Orchestra (Europe & Middle East Tours), The Marriage of Figaro (Royal Opera House Muscat), Bare the Rock Musical (Greenwich Theatre), London 2012 Olympic Homecoming Parade (Cardiff), Bert's Magical Musical Kitchen (UK Tour), Chess The Musical (Union Theatre), Symphony (UK Tour) and Pobol y Cwm (BBC Cymru).