EAST LONDON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL PRESENTS

Welcome to Verona
East London Shakespeare Festival is committed to bringing high quality and accessible Shakespeare to East London audiences… and our Romeo & Juliet tries to bring a bit of East London to Verona.
Lord Montague can trace his family's lineage and Verona-cum-East London heritage back to the 18th Century, whereas Lord Capulet has recently made his many millions in the building trade and bought and renovated the biggest house he could get in Verona. The tensions between the two men have filtered to the next generation, so the air is ripe with the threat of a scrap.
But when they're not fighting, both families love to throw extravagant parties, determined to better the other.
And Capulet is throwing open his doors for a flamboyant, raucous masked ball, set to be the event of the summer and you are all invited!
This swirling tale of love, hate, missed chances and stolen kisses will be set in modern day and include a pumping soundtrack featuring Dizzee Rascal, Shirley Bassey, Gloria Estefan, Lizzo, Zara Larson & Clean Bandit, as well as original music by Patrick Rufey.
We hope you enjoy the party as much as we enjoyed putting it together.
![]() | ![]() |
---|---|
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
CREATIVE TEAM

Rosie Ward - Director
As well as being Co-Artistic Director of East London Shakespeare Festival, Rosie is the founder & Company Director of UpFront Theatre Company. She is the Principal of Act Out Performing Arts Schools.
She is a professional actor & singer, and trained in Acting at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.
Theatre Credits include: Ariadne Ovid’s Metamorphoses (EdFringe & Vaults Festival, PantsOnFire), Cleopatra Anthony & Cleopatra & Goneril King Lear (Cambridge Shakespeare Festival); Lady Macbeth Macbeth – UK Tour & Viola Twelfth Night – Bloomsbury Theatre + UK Tour (Young Shakespeare Company); Soloist New Musicals Project – Leicester Square Theatre & Soloist British Musical Future Hosted by Stiles & Drewe – The Other Palace (As Told By).
Rosie is based in Leytonstone along with her partner, 18 month old and Darcey the dog!
Director's Note
I am thrilled to be directing this production of Romeo and Juliet. Ursula and I started East London Shakespeare Festival in 2020 in the midst of the pandemic and since then, I have produced, acted and directed our fabulous community cast. So, it is very exciting to be taking on the role of Director, and “Romeo and Juliet” has been such a great one to get my teeth into. It thrills me as a play as there is such an intense range of emotions: love and hate, fear and anticipation, comedy and tragedy.
East London Shakespeare Festival’s strives to break down the ‘traditional Shakespeare’ barrier and make productions which are relatable, hence the choice to set our version in modern times with the feud of the Montagues and Capulets being fuelled by class, snobbery & ‘new money’ vs. ‘old money.’ Sadly, this is something that is still relatable, and tangible in my area of East London.
It was imperative to me to make sense of some of the extreme choices Romeo and Juliet make, and it has been a real joy to discover these as a company. Their love has to be real and passionate and all-encompassing otherwise, why does the play take such a tragic turn? But also, there are external threats which leaves the couple feeling like they have no choice. I wanted to tap into the darkness, impulsiveness and grit of Romeo and Juliet.
But it wouldn’t be an ELSF show without some fun – and there is so much scope for comedy in Romeo and Juliet. Our creative and playful cast have really tapped into this, as well as creating rich, detailed & relatable characters, who I hope will get you laughing (and crying).
The swirling push and pull of the characters & dynamic movement is the heartbeat of the piece and would not have been possible without our phenomenal Movement Director, Carl Harrison; set to the genius music (original and arranged) of our Musical Director Patrick Rufey. George Thompson has joined the team for the third year running bringing his trademark colour, style and flair; and a huge thank you to our stage manager ‘Ali Bear’ and my co-producer Ursula Early for all the hard and non-glamourous graft that goes on behind the scenes.
I cannot wait to invite you to Verona-cum-East London, to fall in love with this story of woe (& wit) of Juliet and her Romeo.
-
Rosie Ward - Director

George Alexander – Designer
George is a designer and illustrator working across a wide range of creative industries, specialising in theatre and costume. With a background in sculpture from Goldsmith University, George began working as a scenic painter in 2010 and has worked on a number of films and music videos since. George's style incorporates contemporary themes with a love of historical fashion and traditional making processes. His passion for extremes allows him to generate pieces that can vary from the wildly extravagant to the absurdly minimal. George's recent work includes a giant mural painted in the lobby of the Unicorn Theatre in London Bridge and an illustration collaboration with the Fashion and Textile museum.
George's designs feature in A Midsummer Night's Dream as the cushions in Titania's bower
Pieces are available to purchase:

Carl Harrison – Movement Director
Originally from the north, Carl gained a 1st Class Honours degree at London Contemporary Dance School. He has worked extensively as a performer in dance, cabaret, theatre and film.
He is currently the associate director for PEEP, the cabaret show within Punchdrunk’s The Burnt City. He recently choreographed the drag alien musical ‘Insane Animals’ starring Bourgeois and Maurice and was associate choreographer on the RSC’s ‘Boy in the Dress’. As well as this, he co-founded queer cabaret fundraising night ‘Small Pleasures’ which has delighted audiences in London,Brighton and Shanghai. He is also Mr. CAMP FIT! - an inclusive, online gayrobics class which was voted No. 1 Lockdown workout by The Independent Newspaper.
Previous Credits : Punchdrunk’s ‘Drowned Man’ & ‘Sleep No More’ Shanghai, Aletta Collins, Thick & Tight, Encounter Productions Brokentalkers, ThisisPopBaby, Brokentalkers, Protein Dance.

Patrick Rufey - Musical Director
Patrick trained at the Guildhall school of Music and Drama.
Musical Direction credits Include: Peter Pan, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty (Evolution Productions) NewsRevue 2012-2017 (The Canal Café Theatre, London) An Evening of Jerry Herman (St Pauls, The Actors Church, Covent Garden), Jack & The Beanstalk (The Beck Theatre, QDOS), Jack & The Beanstalk (Buxton Opera House) Cole Porter’s Jubilee (UK Premier, The Tabard Theatre, London), Peter Pan (Paul Holman Associates Pantomime, The Oakengates Theatre, Telford), My Lands Shore (UK Premier Concert Production, The Royal Academy of Music, London) Paprika Crisps (The Unicorn Theatre, London) Days of Hope (St Pauls, The Actors Church, Covent Garden) The Birds (The Leicester Square Theatre, London) Patrick Is also Principle Conductor of The Virtual Theatre Orchestra, formed in 2020 during Covid Lockdown.
As a Composer, Patrick has written for Talkwood Productions; a Musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol, which was performed at The Charing Cross Theatre in London in 2013, a musical parody of the Stephen Spielberg movie ‘Jurassic Park’ called Jurassic Lark The Musical (from the perspective of the Dinosaurs), which premiered at the Leister Square Theatre April 2015. Most recently He has written 1066 A New Musical and the studio cast album is available on all streaming services.

Jonathan D'Young - Fight Choreographer
Jonathan originally trained at Middlesex University on the BA Performing Arts Drama course under the tutelage of John Wright. Following this, he worked with numerous companies and directors as an actor and set up the theatre company, NMT Automatics that updates classical myths, fusing movement, text and music. As Co-Artistic director his roles have included: performer, writer, director, composer and fight choreographer. He completed an MA in Movement: Directing and Teaching at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2019, and his since taught at Rose Bruford, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, The School (formally the Poor School), Arts Ed and Fourth Monkey.
MEET THE CAST... announced soon

PAUL CARROLL – Feste & Antonio
Paul hails from Ireland and early in his career toured as male soloist singer in Riverdance.
He's travelled the world as a singer and also lent his voice to original cast recordings of new musicals.
His acclaimed solo sketch show Forty Shades of Strawberry Blond played successfully at Leicester Square Theatre, Camden Comedy Club and Brighton Fringe.
Theatre credits: A Skull in Connemara (Nottingham Playhouse, Dir: Fiona Buffini), Victorian Women in Bed (London, Liverpool, Manchester), Outlaws to In-laws (King’s Head Theatre), The Non-Stop Connolly Show and Continuity (Finborough Theatre), Permanence by Fay Weldon and That Dark Place by Anna Jordan (Old Red Lion), An Incomplete History of Faces (Tristan Bates Theatre), Way Back (Pleasance London), Pentimenti; All in the Head (Red Kettle Theatre Company).
Screen Credits:
Feature film- Chosen;
Short films- The Wrong Change, Devon Gothic and Drone.
Online, he stars in the YouTube/Web comedy series: 'Thinking Inside the Box'.

AARON DOUGLAS - Sebastian
Aaron originally hails from the West Midlands. Born and based in Birmingham and London. He is a working-class, Global Majority, queer artist; half English, quarter Caribbean and a quarter Scottish.
He trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts on the PG Acting Course. As well as graduating from BA Theatre Studies at the University of Surrey.
As an actor-musician, he sings, plays guitar and writes and composes music.
Performance Credits: Interruptions (Jacksons Lane), Albatross (Playground Theatre), Money (Southwark Playhouse), The Proletarians (Criterion Theatre), Passing (Theatre Royal Haymarket & RADA Studios) and Michael Morpurgo's Kensuke's Kingdom (Pleasance Theatre)
As a writer, his short plays have been performed at Criterion Theatre, Theatre503, Arcola Theatre, The Vaults and Ambassadors Theatre. He is a commissioned and published playwright with James Graham’s Sketching. With an upcoming anthology of monologues published by Rikki Beadle-Blair’s Team Angelica showcasing diverse voices. Currently writing with Big Finish Productions.

URSULA EARLY - Olivia
Ursula is an East-Londoner – she was born and raised in Hackney and has lived in Waltham Forest for 10 years.
She trained at Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Her TV credits include: Eastenders, Doctors, The Bill, Life Begins, The Life Class and several independent films.
Stage credits include: Please Right Back (1927), Midsummer Nights Dream (ELSF), The Endings (Soho Theatre & Nottingham Playhouse), Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Elbows, (Arts Theatre/Theatre Royal Stratford East), Powerhouse, Last Manor Standing and The Power Of Love (Pleasance Theatre, London & Edinburgh), Wives As They Were Maids As They Are and Animal Magnetism (Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds and Haymarket, Basingstoke), Much Ado About Nothing and Twelfth Night (Cambridge Shakespeare Company), Guests (Hall For Cornwall), Master Of Mayhem (Eastern Angles), Just For Fun (New End Theatre), Diamond (Kings Head), Blame (Sphinx Theatre Company – Tour), The Glimmer (Bristol Old Vic Studio).

PHILIP HONEYWELL
Theatre credits include: 'Twelfth Night' (Orsino / Feste) & 'Much Ado About Nothing' (Claudio / Dogberry, National Tours) 'Karaoke Play' (Darren, Bunker Theatre), 'A Clockwork Orange' (Various Roles, Park Theatre, Soho Theatre, International Tour), 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (Lord Henry Wotton), 'Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde' (Henry Jekyll & Edward Hyde), 'The Importance of Being Earnest' (Algernon, all Italian Tours) 'Persuasion' (Captain Wentworth, Rosemary Branch Theatre), 'Birthday Suit' (Nick, Old Red Lion Theatre), 'Honey, Baby' (Pavel, White Bear Theatre), 'The Cow Play' (Owen, Rosemary Branch Theatre), 'Jane Eyre' (Various Roles, Rosemary Branch Theatre), 'The Oresteia: Eumenides' (Apollo, CPT), 'Venus Quarry' (Ed, Broadway Theatre Catford), 'Love In The Past Participle' (Arthur, Tabard Theatre.)
Film/TV: ‘Eastenders’ (BBC), ' The Time Travellers' (Jack Judd Films) 'Inner Workings' (Peter Greenhall Productions)
Audio Work : 'The Tiger Who Came To Tea' (ZipZap), 'Love Island, Interactive' (Unrd) and 'Wind Therapy' (Jack Judd Films)

ARYSHA KELLY - VIOLA
Arysha Kelly is an actress, writer and dancer. She trained at Artsed BA Acting, graduating in the class on 2021.
Twelfth Night is Arysha's professional debut.

HASSAN MAARFI - Orsino & Sir Andrew Aguecheek
Proud working-class actor born in Plymouth, Devon to British/Libyan parents. Trained at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (formerly Birmingham School of Acting), where he received the John Gielgud Bursary Award.
TV credits: The Left Behind (BBC - Winner of the 2020 BAFTA for Best single-drama)
Theatre credits: A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Purple Princess & Dear Wolfgang (Guildford Shakespeare Company), The Mullah of Downing Street (Warwick Arts Centre & Rubicon Theatre, Los Angeles), Macbeth (Proteus Theatre & UK Tour), The Key Keepers of Kabul (Tara Theatre), Silent Meat (Vaults Theatre), A Family Affair (Vienna’s English Theatre), Our Man in Havana (Minerva Theatre, Chichester)
When not acting Hassan can be found competing on the tennis courts around North London.

KATE THOMSON RAHMANIAN - MARIA
Kate trained at Arts Educational School. Her theatre credits are: Hear Me Now:LoveSexIdentityAmbition (Theatre503 and Blackfest), Helena & Hermia: Untucked (The Other Palace theatre), Raw (Cuckcoo Bang), Come Heavy Sleep (RSC Courtyard theatre), X&Y (Frantic Assembly), Aloclasp (Midlands Arts Centre).
ALISDAIR SAKSENA - Sir Toby Belch
Alasdair trained with the National Youth Theatre and with Philippe Gaulier in Paris. He is known in the UK as the only human in the critically acclaimed King Lear With Sheep. He has toured Europe with his comedy trio Lobster Quadrille.

APPRENTICE SCHEME
Each year, ELSF employs talented young professionals to join the team. Our aim is to discover and nurture new talent. In addition to a professional credit, ELSF provides mentoring and training.

FRANK ALEMITU BERTOLETTI - Fabian/Valentine
Frank is a non-binary Actor-muso hailing from the North. Since completing their Cambridge degree they have freelanced across the arts, working with NYT, NYJO, Tomorrow's Warriors, Southbank, The Royal Albert Hall et al.
After having to turn down a Guildhall masters, they are very eager to gain hands-on industry experience, that they might build a career thus. Performing has always been their passion, and they are absolutely over the moon to be joining the Twelfth Night cast.

BUSHRA BAIG - Apprentice Community Engagement Assistant
Part of our Kickstart team, facilitated by Crate, Walthamstow
Bushra has acted since she was in primary school and knew that she wanted to make it within the industry as an actress. In 2013, she joined Lewisham Youth Theatre and undertook some acting training from them. And she is still with them today, as a mentor and assistant director for young actors in Lewisham. In 2016, she attended London South Bank University and did a BA in Drama & Performance. Since graduating in 2019, she freelanced as an actress and did several exciting projects. At the start of 2021, she signed with an agent. She’s hopeful to make it on EastEnders and the West End stage one day. Currently, she is working with the East London Shakespeare Festival as their Creative Engagement Assistant.

CAT WINTER - Apprentice Production Assistanct
Part of our Kickstart team, facilitated by Crate, Walthamstow
Cat is currently doing an MA in Performance Making at Goldsmiths University. Having performed at the Bristol Old Vic, and Tobacco Factory Theatre, she is now composing an electronic opera and helping to produce her MA final show. Cat is really excited about the community aspect of our show and can’t wait to spend the summer in East London’s lovely parks!
COMMUNITY ENSEMBLE






Joining the company onstage for a selection of performances are our wonderful community ensemble:
Ace Harvey, Erica Djassi, Savio-Kevin Lubega, Fontanna Kennedy, Zoe Zhou, Tasmiyah Rahman, Tom Roberts, Fatma Bana, Eliska Elly Jurcikova, Raif Amlani, Caitlin Stevenson, Kitty, Gaby Marcon, Clarisa Carvalho, Zora Duric-Speare, Jagger Bence
Cabin girl: Erica Djassi
Sailors: Savio-Kevin Lubega, Eliska Elly Jurcikova, Tom Roberts, Clarisa Carvalho, Zora Duric-Speare
Olivia's Gentlewomen: Fontanna Kennedy, Clarisa Carvalho, Zora Duric-Speare, Caitlin Stevenson, Rosie Ward & Jagger Bence
Orsino's Crew: Raif Amlani, Erica Djassi, Savio-Kevin Lubega, Eliska Elly Jurcikova, Tom Roberts, Tasmiyah Rahman, Fatma Bana, Ace Harvey
Servant: Caitlin Stevenson
Officers: Kitty, Bushra Baig, Tasmiyah Rahman, Fatma Bana, Ace Harvey, Gaby Marcon
This opportunity was open to all: residents and participants joined us in rehearsals, as well as a workshop facilitated by industry professionals.
SYNOPSIS
Twelfth Night follows the story of Viola, who finds herself washed up alone on the shores of Illyria after a perilous shipwreck drowns her twin brother, Sebastian. Illyria is a dangerous land, so Viola disguises herself as a man, names herself ‘Cesario’ and goes to work for the Duke Orsino. The charismatic but indulgent Duke is desperately in love with the Lady Olivia, and makes sure everyone knows it. He bares his soul to Viola (disguised as Cesario) who quickly falls in love with him. Orsino sends Cesario to woo Olivia in his name but Viola’s romantic verses and turn of phrase quickly have Olivia head over heels in love with her / him! And so, the classic Shakespearean love triangle ensues!
Meanwhile, in Olivia’s household, Andrew Aguecheek, Maria, Fabian and Feste are wreaking havoc with their constant partying and noisy, all-nighters, led by the ultimate party animal, Sir Toby Belch; much to the frustration of Malvolio, Olivia’s pompous servant. After breaking up one too many of their benders, the gang plot their revenge, and succeed in tricking Malvolio into thinking Olivia is in love with him. They convince him to dress in yellow stockings and smile. Olivia thinks he is mad and orders him to be locked away.
On the other side of Illyria, a handsome young man who is the spitting image of Cesario is rescued from a shipwreck by local man, Antonio. It is Viola’s twin brother, Sebastian – who survived the storm after all. Sebastian heads to Orsino’s court, but on the way meets Olivia, who he thinks is the most beautiful woman in the world. Olivia is thrilled – finally! Cesario has fallen for her. Olivia and Sebastian (who she thinks is Cesario) marry immediately.
But of course, it isn’t long before the real Cesario… aka Viola… appears and denies marrying Olivia. Olivia is furious, at which point, the real Sebastian appears. Orsino, Olivia and all the passers-by marvel at these two men who are the mirror image of one another. Viola realises that she is reunited with her other half, her dearest twin survived, and she finally feels safe to reveal her true identity. Olivia and Sebastian marry; and Orsino declares his love for Viola, who he has come to love (in her male form); and they all live happily ever after!
If you have seen the show & enjoyed it, please share & tag us on social media

PRODUCERS - URSULA EARLY & ROSIE WARD
Ursula
Producing and Directing: Alongside being one of the founders and directors of ELSF she is director for Waltham Forest based theatre and community company Blackhorse Arts. She is also Producer and Programmer for Walthamstow’s performance venue CentreE17.
Rosie
Founder and Company Director of UpFront Theatre Company, touring educational PSHE workshops and plays around UK Schools. Principal at Act Out Performing Arts and co-founder and co-director of East London Shakespeare Festival.
The East London Shakespeare Festival aims to bring joyful, contemporary and professional productions to outdoor community spaces. We want to make Shakespeare accessible to all, be that creatively, financially or logistically. Alongside our fantastic productions, we are running a Community Programme including an Apprentice scheme for aspiring actors/directors; Community Ensemble for local people to get involved; Performances & Workshops for Local Schools and plenty of Volunteer opportunities. We have partenered with local companies and aim to support other local businesses though our productions.

MARKETING - ELODIE FORAY
Elodie Foray works in all aspects of theatre, from the stage, as an actor, backstage as a director, some way away from the stage as a playwright and in graphic designing and marketing. Some jobs are dull but there are few briefs that are more fun than “it’s Shakespeare and it’s 80s inspired, go!”.

PHOTOGRAPHER - RAH PETHERBRIDGE
Irish artist Rah Petherbridge has risen to popularity in her industry as a photographer and fine art painter combination. Offering the ability to create theatrical and classical scenery and then to photograph these creations with her dramatic lighting style.
Based in the UK, her photography has appeared in The National Portrait Gallery, The Guardian, and British Vogue, among many others.
Her scenic design and painting not only includes bespoke backdrops present in her portraiture but her painting has appeared on TV and theatre, in several BBC, ITV & Channel 4 Productions, music videos, and west end theatre productions.
Her collaborative union with the National Trust has provided a rich historical archive in her body of work. Inspired by the history of art, she has polished her master painting skills with acclaimed scenic James Rowse.
Whilst building a sparkling career Rah never fails to have her camera in hand to capture her journey leading to the captivating stories in her documentary diary which she relays with great heart and intamacy.
https://www.rahpetherbridge.com/
Our Venues
As an outdoor production, it was really important that our venues were as magical as our story. We have found some East London gems, that truly reflect the Illyria vibe.

4638063160

4638063159

4638063159

4638063160
HIGHAM HILL HUB
Thank you to Lillian Gerber for allowing us to use the magical outdoor space at Higham Hill Hub.
Higham Hill Hub is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation based within Higham Hill Park whose social purpose is to facilitate, host and deliver a diverse range of activities & seasonal events for all generations of the community.
Higham Hill Hub’s facilities include a hall, small kitchen, toilets (including disabled toilet), and limited storage. The 6m x 12m hall includes a sprung dance floor and mirrors.
The building is wheelchair accessible and we also have a large, private lawn.
The Hub is affordable to hire for everything from classes and events, to meetings and birthday parties.

FELLOWSHIP SQUARE
Thank you to Abi Lemon, Sid Patrick at the Fellowship Funding Scheme.
Our press venue is the sensational Fellowship Square in Walthamstow, which has undergone an extensive renovation. Based outside the iconic town hall, Fellowship Square has become a vibrant new cultural hub for residents and families to enjoy, complete with colourful power-jet fountains and music. ELSF’s Twelfth Night will be central to Fellowship Square’s summer events programme, making us the first theatre production to transform this exciting space into a theatre.

4638063167

4638063169

4638063169

4638063167
THE TEMPLE AT WANSTEAD PARK
Many thanks to Ben Rosendale, the Visitor Experience Manager for Epping Forest.
We are very excited to venture from Waltham Forest to Redbridge to the stunning Wanstead Park.
Wanstead Park was once a sculpted landscape surrounding the great Wanstead House, often compared to Blenheim Palace. Though the house is gone, the park remains and provides a perfect venue for relaxing and escaping the urban sprawl.
The park is also home to The Temple, one of our Visitor Centres - once a rich man's folly, and nowadays home to art and history exhibitions and the story of Wanstead House.

4638063161

4638063162

4638063162

4638063161
KUKOOLALA CAFE GARDEN AT LEYTON JUBILEE PARK
Thank you to Joy at KukooLaLa Cafe & Greenspace, for allowing us to use the lovely space behind the cafe.
KukooLala has charm by the bucket load, and we can't wait to add some fairy magic into the mix.
We have been awarded the permanent contract to run the community cafe in Leyton Jubilee Park. It is our hope to make the cafe a meeting point for local residents to come together in a diverse warm space. Whether you need a formal, but light & airy meeting room or a magical garden, we can make your event a success. Just feeling lonely? Come for a chat. Are you a new parent or carer & looking to meet others? Check out our events or just head on down anytime & let the little one(s) have a go at our toybox for a well deserved break.

HOXTON COMMUNITY GARDENS
Thank you to Paul Fleming at Hoxton Trust.
The Hoxton Trust exists to make the area of Hoxton and Shoreditch a better place for everyone who lives or works there.
We do this by supporting those most economically and socially disadvantaged with opportunities to build their levels of skills, knowledge and confidence; by providing free legal advice and assistance to those without the means to otherwise obtain it; and by managing and maintaining a community garden for the health, wellbeing and general enjoyment of everyone.
Our award-winning garden is a private space for the benefit of everyone who lives and works in the area. It is maintained by our volunteers and is not a council-run park. The garden provides an oasis of beautiful green space in a densely populated urban area where more than 80% of people rent a flat (3 times the national average), most without their own garden. As well as a place to be, the garden hosts numerous groups and community events that help reduce isolation, break down barriers and boost social cohesion.

HIGHAMS PARK
Thank you to Gordon Turpin and Toni Hanshaw from the wonderful Humphry's Cafe
Set in the beautiful park “The Highams Park” and surrounded by nature with stunning views of Highams Park Lake, Humphry’s is a vibrant but relaxing café and community space.
Humphry’s is also home to many community based activities and is used as an exhibition space for work by local artists

VALENTINES PARK
Thank you to Janice Hunte from Vision and the wonderful team at Valentine Park's Gardeners Cottage Cafe.
Valentines Park is our premiere award winning park. It has been given a Green Flag Award and has been voted top 10 in the country in the People's Choice Award on 5 occasions.
The park was originally the parkland to Valentines Mansion and Gardens.
Valentines Mansion was built in around 1696 - the Council acquired the house in 1912. Since then, the mansion has been home to wartime refugees, a hospital, a public health centre, and a council housing department.
After standing empty for 15 years, Valentines was restored in 2009 with Redbridge council and Heritage Lottery funds, and strong community support to create the historic but contemporary venue it is today.
Gardener's Cottage Cafe
Nestled in the Kitchen Garden you’ll find the Gardener’s Cottage Cafe. Open everyday, the cafe has ample indoor and outdoor seating, Choose from a variety of hot and cold drinks, snacks, cakes, soups, sandwiches and other lunch options.

The Old Bowling Green in SPRINGFIELD PARK
Thank you to Amarah White from Hackney Council.
Springfield Park officially opened as a public park in 1905 and takes its name from its unique geology. The park was formed from the grounds of three private houses, of which only Springfield House (The White House) remains.
The park is 14.73 hectares in size, with formal gardens and conservation areas and has extensive views across Walthamstow Marshes.
The park holds a Green Flag award. Green Flags are given to the best green spaces in the country and are awarded each year to make sure the quality of the green space remains high.

CLISSOLD PARK
Thank you to Amarah White & Kimberley Jacobs
One of Hackney’s best loved traditional parks, Clissold Park was opened in 1889 and has held a Green Flag award since 2006. Green Flags are awarded annually to the best green spaces in the country.
Clissold Park and House were renovated in 2011 as part of an £8.9 million Heritage Lottery Fund restoration project.
Situated in the beautiful Clissold House, Park Life Café is the perfect place to unwind.
Enjoy locally roasted barista crafted Coffee which pairs excellently with tempting cakes and bakes that are made right here in Hackney.
Freshly made ‘to go’ food options are available for a tasty bite to eat on the move, as well as signature hot dishes from the kitchen. With a wide range of options available to suit all tastes and dietary requirements, there’s something for everyone.
We have been hugely lucky to have our fair share of fairies, who have made this project possible.
Our Partners

WALTHAM FOREST COUNCIL
This project has been funded by Community Ward Funding from Higham Hill, Chapel End, William Morris and Leyton.
Special thanks to Cllr's Karen Bellamy, Simon Miller, Paul Douglas and Grace Williams.
They have been on board from the very early stages of this project and their continuing support and guidance has been invaluable.

SWIRE CHARITABLE TRUST
This project received a generous donation from Swire Chartiable Trust.
The Swire Charitable Trust is an independent UK grant making trust. Since 1975 we have been supporting charities that share our commitment to delivering positive and lasting change to UK society. We receive our funding from John Swire & Sons Ltd, the parent company of the Swire Group.

A huge thank you to Stow Brothers for generously covering our print. They have supported the project and have been sharing and spreading the word!
Established in 2014 in the heart of one of London’s most diverse and energetic areas,t they are estate agents with a real desire to redress the balance and do things differently.

Many thanks to Toni from Humphry's Cafe who is kindly providing storage space.
Food & refreshments will be available during the show and all of it is delicious!
Lillian Gerber at Higham Hill Hub was one of the first people to hear about our idea for the play and has been an invaluable support since then. They are kindly donating performance, storage and rehearsal space.
The outdoor space at Higham Hill Hub is truly magical; and hosts a huge array of projects for the community, including fantastic charitable work with PinPoint Inc & COG.

Many thanks to John Walker at Crate for sharing opportunities with their network.
Introducing an exciting business community for creatives, retailers, food outlets and service businesses in the heart of Waltham Forest, E17. CRATE also offers all businesses accross the UK business support with the CRATE BOOST platform: boost.crateuk.com

Many thanks to Hackney Council, who have been sharing the project and engagement opportunities. As well as all their help securing some beautiful performance venues.

UpFront Theatre Company is kindly lending us their tour vehicle for the run. They have also provided assistance in writing the schools workshop.
UpFront Theatre Company is an educational theatre company providing interactive PSHE workshops for KS2-5.
Special thanks to Lizzy Renihan at Natural Voices, Sammy at RAW Academy, Ian Noble at Redbridge Drama Centre, UpFront Theatre Company, Act Out Performing Arts, Mary Dunne Theatre School for spreading the word about the project and sharing our opportunities to get involved.
Thanks to Joe & Emma Ward, Jack Bence & Rob Dent for their assistance with transport and kit.
© East London Shakespeare Company Ltd, Registered in England, Company No 064-961760
East London based theatre company