Movers and Shakers in the World of Theatre – While the world of theatre remains heavily affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, the most creative and exciting talents haven’t stopped working. Here we’re looking at some of the most exciting theatremakers out there.

Lucy St Louis

Lucy St Louis has been pivotal in bringing The Phantom of the Opera back to life after the Coronavirus shutdown. Playing the role of Christine, Andrew Lloyd Webber himself has said “Brilliant women have played Christine over the years. And none more so than Lucy St Louis.” The actress is set for an exciting career with such fantastic comments already and her role at the heart of Phantom has made her an unforgettable star. As well as taking to the stage as Christine, St Louis has also worked on Motown the Musical and Beautiful: the Carole King Musical showing the versatility in her fantastic voice.

Atri Banerjee

Atri Banerjee is an exceptional direct whose professional directing debut won an award at The Stage Debut Awards 2019. Since then, Banerjee has continued to direct stage shows which continuously attract critical acclaim. In 2021 he produced of Phoebe Éclair-Powell’s Harm, a monologue on the dangers of influencer culture. Praised by the Guardian as “fearlessly dynamic”, Banerjee has also directed for the screen showing his multitude of talents. He is currently a resident director at the Almedia Theatre in North London with an exciting calendar of work coming up, including a reimagining of Williams’ The Glass Menagerie and an adaptation of Kes at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton.

Ryan Calais Cameron

Ryan Calais Cameron has made a name in performing, writing and directing. Turning to acting aged 17 with no experience, training or industry contacts, Cameron has built his own destiny and continues to attract critical acclaim. Starring in Mogadishu at the Royal Exchange in Manchester, as well as taking roles on TV, Cameron’s experience has grown significantly year on year. He is currently artistic director of the creative group Nouveau Riche. In 2021 the group staged For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy and Cameron is also under commission from several theatres in addition to future TV projects.

Daniel Brodie and Matt Parritt

Brodie and Parritt have worked together on a number of well-loved projects and continue to produce highly thought of stage shows. Known for their Trafalgar Theatre Productions company, the pair work together on huge productions including The King and I. They have also brought several shows to the West End including Nine Night and Misty. They were at the forefront of the efforts to open up UK theatre again, taking charge of some of the first shows out post-COVID including Death Drop and the latest UK tour of The Rocky Horror Show.

Fly Davis

One of the most exciting young designers in the theatre world, Fly Davis graduated from RADA technical theatre and Motley theatre design. Her work first went to Broadway in 2021 with the show Caroline, Or Change transferring to New York. Her work on The Ocean at the End of the Lane has one of the most eye-catching and original set and show designs in recent times. In 2022 her work will return with a revival of Shakespeare’s Henry V.

Amy Letman

The independent leader and director of the Transform Festival, Amy Letman’s work has transformed the city of Leeds and its arts scene. Transform is one of the smaller festival’s in the UK theatre calendar but it makes up for its size in the creativity and originality it offers. Letman looks for ways to take theatre into the streets and other unexpected locations around the city of Leeds. Its in her unique way of thinking and creating she stands out from the crowd and the next Transform Festival is always something to look forward to.

Ariel Smith

Ariel Smith’s choreography has been heralded from very early in her successful career. Her first choreographic work was for the National Youth Ballet aged just 14 and by 22 she was highlighted by the Guardian as one of five women pushing the medium of dance forward. Her work came to life in Jolly Folly and it is this piece which has kept her in the limelight and attracted even more attention to her fascinating reimagination and reinterpretation of classic dances, from Chaplin’s Little Tram to Tchaikovsky with a Latin twist.

Abdul Shayek

Director and Chief Executive of Tara Theatre, Abdul Shayek is a leading voice and representative of the BAME community in the world of theatre. In 2020 he took over at the Tara Theatre in London, a theatre focused on working with and for South Asian communities. Community-led and entrenched in the diversity of South Asia, the theatre’s work has attracted significant acclaim from many critics, with Bangladesh 50, a show to celebrate the country’s independence, on this year. Shayek’s voice is one of the loudest and stronger in the world of theatre, campaigning for inclusivity and diversity on stage.

Jessica Hung Han Yan

Playing a unique role in the technical side of production, Jessica Hung Han Yan is a leading lighting designer, particularly well-known for her unforgettable work on Equus. In high demand from producers and directors, her work makes lighting an integral part of the staging and she is recognised for her individualised and idiosyncratic approach to colour. Creative vision and technical expertise combine in her unique designs and her recent work has been highly acclaimed in The Mirror and The Light.

As more theatres open up around the UK and more shows can be held, we’ve no doubt even more exciting talent will emerge. Finding the time to see a new show or even an old favourite reimagined is a great day out and a wonderful chance to connect with the world of theatre. The Blackpool Grand has a packed out schedule in the coming months with many shows to choose from. Explore our calendar to find the perfect show for your tastes.