Programme Notes

Cast

Delano Byfield

Acting gives me a chance to express myself and it also helps in real life with my confidence and self esteem

I wanted to be involved in this project to help gain acting experience. It also Improved my confidence with learning lines.

This project has made me feel mentally, physically and emotional stronger.

I feel supported by Pajoma/Collective. It makes me feel happy!

GRACE KADANGA

I’m Grace Kadanga, a neurodivergent Actress from London.

I love acting because it lets me explore and tell stories from various backgrounds. As a creative, I enjoy working on projects that get my creative juices flowing.

I wanted to join the Pajoma Collective because I want to see more inclusion and diversity in the acting industry. Growing up, I didn't get the chance to be a theatre kid, so I want to be a theatre adult to heal my inner child. Playing a gold wolf is definitely on the right track to achieving that .

This project has shown me that there's a place for me in this industry. I love being in a space where it’s safe to make mistakes and everyone’s needs are considered. My favourite thing we do is the warm-up games we play, where we have hippy rounds , so that winning isn’t the most important thing but just being involved is.

Juley-ann smith

The Arts is where I first found my voice and visibility amongst others in a positive way as a young girl who was a young carer with a troubled home life who day dreamed and had a lot of imagination to get through it all.

Returning to the arts as a much older and more settled adult is timely and is changing how I see the Arts, theatre and performance in relation to  life. Arts, music, theatre and performance truly is for everyone and I hope my own future work and collaboration opportunities will show that one day.

I knew I wanted to be involved in this Pajoma/Collective project because it would help me build my confidence as an older returnee performer and emerging writer.  Having anxieties about writing, memory, learning lines, group work,  my physical challenges and my mental health that I never previously felt were accommodated or understood it seemed like they would be accommodated here. From the moment of their R&D workshops I knew I really wanted to be involved.

Being part of this Pajoma/Collective project has been life changing. It really is a community and I find myself enthralled by every individual in the cast and production team.  I have felt growth from experiencing an inclusive and diverse community in ways I have never experienced before especially as I struggled in  academic spaces throughout my life. These are the real spaces and places to actively learn about theatre and performance  and it  truly makes me proud to know this side of British theatre arts and performance.

Pajoma/Collective is a space where I am not alone, whilst on  my own journey as a writer and performer later in life unmasking as a neurodivergent and disabled individual and to do so with access support and the accommodation that Arts Bridge and Pajoma provide. I have never encountered a director like Andrea Ling who champions for you to “do you” or the championing of access support provided by Amanda Bright of Arts Bridge Charity. I found myself challenged, humbled and able to take risks in ways that I feel have  set me on a path of trust and  real growth to enable me to be a human being I choose to be as well as a writer and performer for this time and at this time of my life and it feels without doubt…empowering and life affirming.

SAKSHI CHANDER

I developed a passion for acting a few years ago because it was a skill that really helped me to open my confidence and since then I’ve really enjoyed the process of bringing characters and scenes to life, attaching myself to their stories and I would love to make a livelihood out of such creativity.

I wanted to be a part of the Pajoma/Collective project as I wanted to continue to pursue my drama interests over the summer period and I loved the values that the company was formed out of, emphasising on accessibility on all grounds of theatre. It is something I have rarely seen with my experience in theatre work and as a neurodiverse individual I wanted to experiment to see how this would compare to my previous experiences.

Being part of the Pajoma/Collective project has made me feel indescribably content. To be a part of a group that emphasises on accessibility and inclusivity has allowed me to unmask and fully present myself to others, in turn helping me with my confidence and allowing my depth to expand as an actor. I've felt that I've been able to view and use my disability as a strength, rather than a weakness.

This opportunity to work with likeminded people has really inspired me to continue pursuing similar projects like these. Pajoma/Collective is a great place to start advocating for accessibility in the theatre and this was a wonderful experience compared to mainstream theatre practices. I feel reassured in my talents and strengths, and I thoroughly enjoyed the making of this production and have made some very valuable partnerships along the way.

RAYHAD ALI

I am a disabled actor/spoken word artist/singer/dancer who wears a hearing aid, has mobility issues. I love acting and performing in shows, inspiring others, meeting new people, making new friends and helping others along the way.

I wanted to be part of Pajoma/Collective to gain more experience and more opportunities in the industry. Also to make new friends and develop my craft as an actor and develop my skills.

Being part of Pajoma/Collective has made me feel very welcomed and supported. It also helped me build up my confidence and my skills. I’ve been having the best time and fun in the collective. I really enjoyed being in the Pajoma/Collective it was amazing and fun!

Creatives

ANDREA LING - DIRECTOR

Andrea is an interdisciplinary artist : a director, writer, dramaturg and practitioner within theatre, installation, film and visual arts. Her work advocates for social change and connection through art, finding the right form for a story or exchange to take hold. Andrea recently won the Genesis Future Director’s Award directing ‘The Earthworks’ by Tom Morton-Smith at the Young Vic. In 2020, Andrea won the Jerwood Live Work Award.

Her heritage, Bolivian and Chinese, influences her personal work examining the intersection of culture, capitalism, colonialism and ecology. In 2021, Andrea founded Pacha People, an interdisciplinary arts company making work that is co-curated/ co-created within communities to incite change.

“I have laughed and enjoyed this project so much; from working with the company to what we came up with. I feel we've just scratched the surface with how we can celebrate access tools into theatrical delights.”

Amanda Bright - Producer

Amanda Bright is an actor, audio describer, producer and award-winning writer.

Since graduating from Royal Central School of Speech & Drama’s BA Acting course in 2003 Amanda has devised and delivered large-scale education projects for numerous Arts organisations including Shakespeare’s Globe, Orange Tree & Kiln Theatre. From 2005 - 2011 Amanda was a Visiting Lecturer at Royal Central School of Speech & Drama and in 2008 she was also made the Artistic Director of Royal Central’s Jack Petchey Youth Theatre.

Passionate about making the Arts accessible for all and using creativity for personal growth, Amanda created Arts Bridge Charity in 2011.  As a Black British woman from Tottenham - an area of high poverty - Amanda overcame barriers to pursue an arts career and created Arts Bridge to help demolish these barriers for others.

Arts Bridge brings communities together - making a positive difference by using the arts to give a voice to those who often feel voiceless or unheard.

Pajoma/Collective has been almost two years in the making and at times it felt like an uphill battle. The utter joy and creative freedom that this project has given to all the creatives involved has made it all worthwhile.

SOUND DESIGNER - POUYA EhsaeI

Pouya Ehsaei is a sound designer, musician and producer. Pouya's sound involves experimenting with different compositional and sound synthesis techniques to create a sonic passage through hypnotic soundscapes, industrial beats, epic soundscapes, fractal polymeric rhythms, and pulsating hard-hitting sub frequencies.

Pouya has released two solo albums There (2014) & RocRast (2020) and two albums with his band Ariwo. Starting his musical career in the underground scene of his hometown Tehran, He has since performed at acclaimed venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Barbican Centre, Southbank Centre and the Royal Academy of Arts alongside at festivals including Montreux Jazz Festival, Womex, Womad, Fusion, Shambala and Linecheck.

Virginie taylor - video design and creative captions

Virginie Taylor is a London based theatre video, lighting and creative captions designer, with a background in fine art. Her artistic journey is fuelled by a passion for devised theatre, new writing, and politically engaged fringe shows.

She graduated from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and Central Saint Martins in London. Virginie is now a visiting lecturer at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Recent video and lighting design credits include: « Vagina Rex and the Gas Oven » at London Performance Studios, « I’m Sorry I’m not Lucy Liu » at Camden People’s Theatre and « Hummingbird » at Vaults Festival.

Video design credits: « Windrush the Journey » « Roman Fever » and « the Human Voice » by Pegasus Opera, « The Odyssey » at Unicorn Theatre, « Wendy: A Peter Pan Story » at the Egg (creative captions only), « waiting for a train at the bus stop » at Edfringe, « Press » at Park Theatre, « Charlie Russell Aims To Please » at EdFringe/The Other Palace and « No Place Like Home » at EdFringe/Camden People’s Theatre (LET 2022 Award winner).

Lighting design credits: « Storm » at Southwark Playhouse, « GIRLS » by the PappyShow and « E-Man-A » at the Cockpit.

Joseph fletcher - movement support

Joseph trained and graduated from Performers College.

Choreography includes: Associate choreographer on ‘The Little Big Things’ (@soho place), ‘Princess and the Pauper’ (Mowlem Theatre), ‘Hear! Hear!’ (Trinity Laban), ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ (The Pleasance Theatre).

Theatre includes: Original cast of ‘101 Dalmatian’s’ (Regent Park Theatre), 10th and 15th anniversary cast of ‘WICKED’ (Apollo Victoria Theatre), Originated ‘Billy Bones’ in ‘Mop The House’ (UK Tour), 'Fred Astaire' in Robert North 'The Snowman' (Hong Kong, Singapore and International/UK tour, Peacock theatre), 'Enlightenment - Paralympic opening ceremony' (Olympic Stadium),

Deaf Men Dancing (Mark Smith) includes: ‘TIME’ (Laban Theatre), ’Hear! Hear!' (Sadler's Wells), 'Sense of Freedom' ('Deaf Festival Theatre of Clin d'Oeil', City Lit's 'Deaf Day', 'The Place Resolutions'), 'Alive' (UK tour, Original Cast), and guest performances for 'United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities', 'DanceEast’s 1st Anniversary Gala', London 2012's 'Deaf Day', and the '20th Anniversary of Candoco Dance Company'.

TV includes: 'My Silence World' (Mark Smith and Balletboyz), 'Toast of London’ (Channel Four and Netflix),

Garry Rutter & John Harmer - Masks

John Harmer and Garry Rutter are artist husbands. They have often collaborated together as artist for the duration of their 25 year relationship. 

Growing up on the coast of Norfolk, John Harmer would say that the natural world has fed and inspired his art and filmmaking practice throughout his life. Having graduated from the Royal College of Art, Harmer has pursued a career as an artist, working on social engagement projects for major national arts organisations, theatres, and museums such as The Barbican, National Portrait Gallery and Royal Opera House. He tailors these projects for vulnerable young people and adults within hospitals, CAMS units, SEN schools, mainstream schools, and residential mental health units. Alongside his art practice, he works as an animator and filmmaker within the vibrant cottage industries of London's animation companies. 

Garry Rutter is an interdisciplinary artist, primarily focused on performance. Magic, myth, and the absurdity of ritual are at play in Rutter’s work as he takes his audiences on a Storytelling trip, either vocally or mimetically. His work is informed by his 30 year career as a puppeteer and puppet builder, placing the live animation of objects, as diverse as canapés and repurposed bathhouses, at the heart of his making. Crafting elements of his work from found cardboard his sculptural elements often have a provisional feel. As a puppeteer he has performed in many CBeebies, Hollywood movies and commercials. As an artist Rutter has exhibited in and curated group shows and performance nights in London and shown work throughout the UK since 2013. In 2016, Rutter won the Hamad Butt Memorial Prize while studying as a mature student on the BA Hons at Goldsmiths. 

Harmer and Rutter have found working with Pajoma to have been a privilege. The artists and performers Pajoma has bought together are exceptional and seeing their commitment to their work and rolls and how they have grown in confidence even in the short time we have been together is a joy. 

Siddarth Mehra - Sound engineer

Siddharth Mehra is a passionate sound engineer who thrives on creating immersive audio experiences for live events, believing that sound is key to bringing stories to life. He was drawn to working with the Pajoma Collective because of their commitment to accessible art and their unique approach to storytelling. Being part of this inspiring production has been incredibly rewarding for Siddharth, deepening his appreciation for the power of inclusivity in the arts and he can’t wait to share this experience with you!

It really has been a pleasure working with you and the rest of the team!

Felix dunning - stage manager

Felix Dunning has worked with some of the leading companies and directors in the UK including Sir Nicholas Hytner, Emma Rice, Tinuke Craig, Sir Trevor Nunn, and Sam Mendes. He has led international tours to China, Russia, America, Sri Lanka and Australia.

He is a trustee of The London Shakespeare Workout who teach drama as an aid to personal development within the UK prison system. He believes passionately about the need for better representation in all areas of the Arts.

SHARON GOLDSON - BSL INTERPRETER

I am a registered British Sign Language Interpreter (RSLI).

I cover a wealth of sectors including, education, theatre, retails, health, social services, workshops, religious settings, ceremonies and events. Working across organisations / businesses in the charity, public and private sectors.

One of my favourite assignments is R & D in theatre and being amongst amazing actors, involved in the Pajoma/Collective project, is a wonderful experience for me.

I enjoy being part of such a talented team.
To watch individuals, grow and develop in themselves, their communities and profession.
Being part of this project, has made me feel even more aware of all the challenges that confront people, every day. However, the resilience and determination shown by everyone, makes me proud to be involved in a project that celebrates uniqueness, diversity and inclusion.

Jadeaana Odle - BSL INTERPRETER

Hi lovely people, my name is Jadeaana and I've been a qualified British Sign Language Interpreter for 10 years now - (not sure when that happened!)

Joining the Pajoma project was a no brainer for me as it epitomises the same reason I became a BSL Interpreter - that being, making sure an environment has access for all.

The start of the project really focused on how we may think of access from the very start, rather than as a 'add on' at the end - it was this initiative of inclusivity that meant, joining this amazing team and cast was seamless and an absolute privilege to be a part of. 

Alic Cover - Cast Access Support

Alic is a support worker with the Pajoma/Collective.

I have loved being a part of the creative team, congratulations

everyone on all hard work you have put into the show!

Thank you!

Pajoma/Collective would like to thank the following for all their help and support:

St Luke’s Church, N7

Steve Bright

Sugarland

Jodi, Mette & Bridget at Graeae Theatre Company

Almeida Participation Team

Azieb, Courtney, Dylan, Colleen & Laura at Bernie Grant Arts Centre

Darnell Shakespeare