Patron
We are delighted to announce that Emma Dalmayne will be joining the Bespoken family as an honorary Patron. Emma is a well known community figure who is also an autistic campaigner, and advocate for autistic rights. Emma runs an autistic led organisation called Autistic Inclusive Meets in Woolwich S.E London. She is an established author of books including Susie Spins and It’s An Autism Thing- I’ll Help You Understand It published by www.eklan.co.uk Emma was a consultant on the film The Reason I Jump which explores the experience of non-speaking autistic people from around the world. We want Bespoken to become a multi divergent led organisation. We know that having Emma on board will support us in our work to generate acceptance of the autistic community and the rights of autistic artists and performers globally.
Patron
Playwright Rebecca Prichard's first work, Essex Girls, was performed at The Royal Court Young Writers’ Festival in 1994. Fair Game, her adaptation of Edna Mazya’s Games in The Backyard opened at the Royal Court Theatre Downstairs in 1996 and her play Yard Gal (co-commissioned by Clean Break Theatre Company and Royal Court) was staged at the Royal Court Theatre, followed by a national tour. In 2013 Yard Gal was named one of the most influential plays in contemporary British Theatre (V&A, Played in Britain: Modern Theatre in 100 Plays). The Rebecca is currently under commission to the Royal Court Theatre. Her short play Bury Her (2019) was recently performed at Queer Upstairs at The Royal Court, an event marking fifty years since the Stonewall Riots. Awards and residencies include: Critics' Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright (1998); Writer-in-Residence, Royal Court Theatre (1999-2000); Literary Associate, Hampstead Theatre (2004-2005); AHRC Creative Fellowship (2007-2010); Yale University Fellow at the Gilder Lehrman Centre for Modern Day Slavery (2014-2015); International Research Scholar, University of Melbourne (2015-2019)
Patron
Lee Simpson, writer and performer is also the Artistic Director of Improbable Theatre. Lee is also well known and loved for being a member of The Comedy Store Players. Bespoken Theatre have been huge fans of Improbable Theatre for many years and are delighted to have Lee Simpson as a patron for the company. Lee explores social attitudes to disability, mental health and aging amongst other issues through theatre, comedy and improvisation. He recently directed the show Still No Idea for The Royal Court with Lisa Hammond and Rachael Spence which explores attitudes towards disability and inclusion. Lee collaborated with Paul Merton on the comedy show Out Of My Head which dealt with issues around mental health. In 2017 Lee directed Lost Without Words for The National Theatre with Phelim Mcdermott. An improvised show with older actors in their 70's and 80's using just props, no script but their own words. Lee is also a dedicated pioneer in the art and skill of improvisation and also teaches and delivers workshops with performers and artists. He has also facilitated story telling and drama workshops for the Bethlem and Maudsley Hospital school.
