The enormous energy, networking, accounting and development work that goes into making a
production that travels the country in 2026 should never be underestimated.
9/16ths https://brixtonhouse.co.uk/shows/nine-sixteenths/ Paula Varjack’s
ensemblehttps://howlround.com/influence-and-impact-negro-ensemble-
company will have completed twenty nine performances when it completes its
run at Brixton House Theatre on 30th May 2026.
Looking at the cast, creative team and who have birthed it, supported it helps you understand
something of the community around theatre and particularly the theatre, dance, choreography
in women’s theatre in 2026. The cast is the community and the community is the cast:
building the work, building the knowledge making the whole team are growing and helping the
audience to grow stronger, more aware, more skilled.
Talking to young Director Emily Aboud, I realised the complexity of the different theatres in this
literally moving piece of work, moving into the different spaces physical, geographical,
technological, social, contexts that like the work, like the audience will read the team in different ways.
It’s amazing to imagine how the team evolve different strategies to make each venue work:
theatre as laboratory: some venues will learn and teach, some venues will go so right, some will
be harder to reach with a built in difficulty.
To get an idea, If you look at the cast at Brixton: Paula Varjack
https://www.culturalvalue.org.uk/people/paula-varjack/
Pauline Mayers https://www.paulinemayers.com/about
Julienne Doko
https://www.kunst.dk/english/art-forms/performing-arts/danish-dance-at-
tanzmesse-2024/julienne-doko-dance
Chia Phoenix https://icontheatre.org.uk/meet-chia/
Jacqui Beckford https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70AmTfgN4nc
Vinessa Brant: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVHRNULCKa9/
Cherie Gordon https://advocate.agency/project/cherie-gordon/
Director Emily Aboud https://www.emilyaboud.com
Pauline Mayers Director of Movement https://brixtonhouse.co.uk/shows/pauline-mayers-what-if-i-told-you/
Dramaturgs Martin Bengtsson https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3645268/
Louise Orwin BSL Dramaturg and BSL Integrated Interpreter/Performer
Set and Costume Designer Shahaf Beer https://www.shahafbeer.com
Lighting Designer Lucy Adams https://www.lucyadamslighting.com
Sound Designer AJ Turner http://www.aliciajaneturner.co.uk
Video Designer Christopher Harrison https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-harrison-70055652/
Graphic Design Ben Gregory https://www.linkedin.com/in/bengregorydesign/
Producer Beth Sitek https://bethsitek.com
Creative Producer Amy Merrigan https://www.sister.net/about/amy-merrigan
Production Manager Helen Mugridge https://www.barbican.org.uk/digital-programmes/in-bed-with-my-brother-prime-time-the-oxford-samuel-beckett-theatre-trust-award
Technical Stage Managers Ruby Sevink-Johnston https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruby-sevink-johnston-5481b9123/
and Eliza Jayne Gilroy https://www.instagram.com/eliza.jayne.gilroy/
Tour Logistics Support Nassy Konan https://www.linkedin.com/in/nassy-konan-maureen-🍉-1baab234/
Well-Being Practitioner Vivienne Isebor https://www.bps.org.uk/event/adhd-beyond-diagnosis-making-sense-new-directions
Marketing Manager Cynthia Chika Franklin https://www.cynthiachikafranklin.com
PR Stephen Forster https://www.sfppr.co.uk/
Photography (lead image) Christa Holka https://www.christaholka.com/shop
Hair and Makeup (lead image) Jin Ong: https://www.instagram.com/jin__ong/
Stylist (lead image) Amanda Earle https://www.amandaearle.com/contact
Original Set and Costume Designer Ting https://www.linkedin.com/in/ting-huang-36a711216/?locale=en
Makeup on Paula Varjack solo shots Tálè https://www.instagram.com/telltalebeauty/
