London Grey & Green was founded by Charlie Ely, Tess Shrubsall and Berengere Ariaudo de Castelli in 2013, after the three met studying for an MA in Theatre Studies at Royal Central School of Speech & Drama. Whilst there, they presented a research paper on immersive theatre practices and politics, and staged a charity production of The Vagina Monologues.  London Grey & Green was created out of the success of these joint endeavours and a shared passion for contemporary theatre.

The company staged four successful independent productions: new full-length plays Princess Suffragette by Subika Anwar-Khan (VAULT Festival 2017), A Sudden Burst of Blinding Light by Ben Maier (Zoo Southside, Edinburgh and Rosemary Branch, London) and two week-long runs of new short plays: City Shorts (Rosemary Branch) and City Slices & Country Crumbs (Hen & Chickens).  The company was invited to present The King of Cats, a devised, promenade, physical theatre piece at Secret Garden Party, and two short pieces, Magical Leon and The Vaudevillians, at the Big Noise Festival.  The company also delivered Play-in-a-Day workshops for schools.

London Grey and Green Theatre Company will go far’ – Female Arts

Charlie Ely – Artistic Director

Charlie is currently a PhD candidate in the Workshop Theatre at the University of Leeds. Her research looks at current physical theatre and dance practices in East Africa. She spent six months in the region in 2017-18, which included a month working with Lagnet Theatre Company, Kenya. She holds an MA in Theatre Studies (Distinction) from RCSSD and a BA in Drama Studies & English Literature (1st Class) from the University of Sussex, and has extensive experience as a drama teacher and workshop facilitator for both children and adults.

Charlie led London Grey & Green, whilst also working freelance. Directing credits include: Orion and the Dark (UK Tour), A Sudden Burst of Blinding Light (Rosemary Branch, London and ZOO Southside, Edinburgh) and new short plays at venues including Park Theatre, Southwark Playhouse, The Rosemary Branch, The Hen & Chickens and Big Noise Festival; as co-director: The King of Cats (Secret Garden Party). She was selected by director Katie Mitchell to participate in a week-long workshop exploring ‘Women as Artists’ at the Young Vic.

Charlie was an Associate Director at Peaceful Lion Productions, which created high-quality theatre for children and family audiences. Associate and assistant director, and stage management credits include: Nutcracker! The Musical (Pleasance), The Lovers of Viorne directed by James Roose-Evans (6 Frederick’s Place), Rosie’s Magic Horse (Southwark Playhouse, Pleasance and UK Tour), A Dashing Fellow (New Diorama), Hey, Presto! (Pleasance), The Vagina Monologues (RCSSD).  She has had significant physical theatre, dance and choreographic training. She has also worked as an arts critic for A Younger Theatre and for The Telegraph, India.

@charlie_ely

Tess Shrubsall – Associate Director

Tess works as a director, performer and educationalist. Directing credits include: MilkChelsea & Henriette (Hen & Chickens); Anna (Rosemary Branch), The Vagina Monologues (RCSSD). Co-directing and assistant directing credits include: The King of Cats (Secret Garden Party), All Those Endearing Young Charms (‘Kenneth Branagh New Writing’ award finalist, Windsor Fringe and OPEN Ealing, London) and Around the World in 80 Days by Phil Wilmott (Questors Youth Theatre). Tess performed in and directed ‘The Vaudevillians’ (Big Noise Festival). As a singer, she had a monthly residency at the Orchard Café in west London, and as one half of folk-rock project ‘Blushing Bones’, she supported Simon Townshend of The Who and Thunderclap Newman.

Tess has a PGCE with a specialism in Early Years; other education work includes delivering workshops for London Grey & Green and Shakespeare Schools Festival. She has also worked for Artis Education and Clod Ensemble as an administrator.  Tess holds an MA in Theatre Studies (Distinction) from RCSSD and a BA in English Literature from the University of Sussex.

Bérengère Ariaudo De Castelli – Associate Producer


Bérengère is one of the founding member of London Grey & Green. She is currently the General Manager of Maketank and has worked for the Bike Shed Theatre, Playful Productions, DV8 Physical Theatre, National Theatre Productions and Theatre Royal Stratford East. She graduated from MA Theatre Studies (Distinction) at RCSSD and BA Drama & English at the University of Greenwich.

Credits include, as producer: A Sudden Burst of Blinding Light (Rosemary Branch), Magical Leon (Big Noise Festival), City Slices & Country Crumbs (Hen & Chickens), City Shorts (Rosemary Branch) and Othello (Lion & Unicorn); as associate producer: A Sudden Burst of Blinding Light (ZOO Southside); as assistant producer: Othello (White Bear Theatre) and SQUID (Young Actors Company at Theatre Royal Stratford East).

@BeeInTheStalls

Patrick Goodden – Composer & Sound Designer

Patrick is a composer, sound designer, stage manager and technician, who worked with London Grey & Green on most of their productions, including: A Sudden Burst of Blinding Light (Rosemary Branch, London and ZOO Southside, Edinburgh), City Shorts (Rosemary Branch), Magical Leon (Big Noise Festival) and City Slices & Country Crumbs (Hen & Chickens).

As Technician & Stage Manager at Perth Concert Hall (2014-16), Patrick worked on: Beauty and the Beast (Chief AV, Sound Assistant), Dick McWhittington (Chief AV, Sound Assistant) and Sleeping Beauty (Sound Assistant), as well as countless touring shows and concerts.  His freelance work includes taking A Transit Passenger to Astana Central Concert Hall in Kazakhstan. He graduated with an MSc in Music Engineering and Production from the University of Glamorgan.

Superb theatre-makers that have been part of London Grey & Green production teams:

Subika Anwar-Khan – playwright
Tuktu Barbaros – director
Emily Bestow – set & costume designer
Clare Greenwood – producer
Alysha Laviniere – assistant producer
Ben Maier – playwright
Izabella Malewska – assistant producer
Sarah McColgan – lighting designer
Suren Seneviratne – sound designer