1215 Productions
1215 was formed in 2004 by two London-based friends: writer Andrew Taylor and composer/lyricist Desmond O'Connor, who together had a burning vision to create original works of theatre exploring the important political and social issues of the day.
1215 exists to produce original and exciting theatre that deals in challenging, stimulating and highly topical themes.
Inspired by the novel The Trial, 1215's first production FAILED STATES projects Kafka's nightmare scenario into a country fixated by the threat of suicide bombers and the promise of control orders, counter-terrorism and a war on terror. Failed States, under the direction of Patrick Wilde, won Best Book, Best Lyrics and a string of four and five star reviews in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2007.
1215 exists to produce original and exciting theatre that deals in challenging, stimulating and highly topical themes.
Inspired by the novel The Trial, 1215's first production FAILED STATES projects Kafka's nightmare scenario into a country fixated by the threat of suicide bombers and the promise of control orders, counter-terrorism and a war on terror. Failed States, under the direction of Patrick Wilde, won Best Book, Best Lyrics and a string of four and five star reviews in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2007.
Desmond O'Connor
BBC Radio One’s “King of Cabaret” Desmond O’Connor is an award winning writer, producer and performer with over twenty years’ experience in cabaret, musical comedy and musical theatre. His work has been enjoyed by over six million people via radio, film and television and he has been likened in the press to a modern day Noel Coward. Desmond's work as composer, lyricist and co-creator of Scott Mills The Musical for BBC Radio 1, combined with his satirical musicals Failed States and Toxic Bankers, has furthered his status as a name to watch in British Musical Theatre. Desmond is currently working on But First This: Radio 4, The Musical with Kathy Clugston.
Andrew Taylor
Andrew Taylor's plays have been performed at London theatres as diverse as the Pleasance Islington, Etcetera, Polka, Barons Court Theatre and Wimbledon Studio Theatre, as well as at venues in Birmingham, Cambridge, Edinburgh and Surrey. He has worked on the script reading panel at the Soho Theatre, London and has run the English Department at a number of schools in London and Surrey. His 2007 collaboration with Desmond O'Connor, Failed States, won glowing reviews and new writing awards. He is currently working on a topical new play,Kettling, and is writing his debut novel.
Hazel Gardner
Hazel trained at Guildford School of Acting, graduating in 2008. Upon leaving she appeared in the national tour of the 50th Anniversary production of West Side Story as Rosalia and regularly played the role of Maria. Other recent credits include Rose Lennox in The Secret Garden (Edinburgh Festival Theatre and Alexandra Theatre, Toronto), Johanna in Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Theatre at the Mill, Belfast) and Desdemona in Othello (Works Theatre Company). Film work includes Amy in MoGrafik’s Express and Alex in Sightline Media’s Light’s Out. Hazel has recently appeared in workshops of The Light Princess for The National Theatre and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg for Kneehigh.
Jonathan Dryden Taylor
Jon was born in London and trained with the National Youth Music Theatre and at Cambridge University. Recent Theatre includes Jump! (Edinburgh), Chappers in Scott Mills The Musical (BBC Radio One/Pleasance), two seasons at Pitlochry Festival Theatre (where parts included Horatio in Hamlet, Tito in Lend Me A Tenor, Desmond in A Small Family Business, Bill in the European Premiere of Agatha Christie's Chimneys and ensemble in The Grapes Of Wrath); Algren in The Inland Sea (OSC/Wilton's); The Beggar's Opera and The Road To The Sea (Orange Tree); Troilus And Cressida (Old Vic); Penny For A Song, 50 Revolutions (Whitehall). Jon has also performed in over 20 plays and series for BBC Radio 3, 4 and World Service, and in countless commercial voiceovers. As a writer he has written extensively for television and radio, most recently for the BAFTA-winning series That Mitchell And Webb Look (BBC2). Translation and adaptation work includes Klaxons, Trumpets And Raspberries (Gate, translated) and Stephen Fry's The Liar (adapted and directed, Gilded Balloon).
Donnla Hughes
Donnla trained at LAMDA. In her final year she won the Carleton Hobbs Award and went on to form part of the BBC Radio Drama Rep for six months. Radio credits include Planet B, Henry VIII, The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Time Machine. Theatre credits include The Well of the Saints (Druid Theatre Company), Twelfth Night for the Sam Wanamaker Festival (The Globe Theatre), Love Bites (Calder Bookshop Theatre), The Under Room (Cock Tavern Theatre), Conflict Tourism (Leicester Square Theatre) and Pure O (Kings Head Theatre). She recently filmed new comedy pilot Get Down Stay Down directed by Peep Show creator Jeremy Wooding.
Andrew Mudie
Andrew graduated from The Poor School in 2011 and has worked on a number of productions since, most recently playing Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol. He performed in the inaugural production of Seven People, a Theatre company he formed with other Poor School graduates in December 2011. Other recent rheatre credits include Zagon in the Sturdy Beggars’ award nominated The Wolf, Hugo and Frederic in Ring Round the Moon, Canon Throbbing in Habeas Corpus and Macduff in Macbeth.
Stuart Saint
Stuart trained at the Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama. Theatre credits include Boudoir Star (Leicester Square Theatre), Aladdin (Northampton), Slow Motion Suicide (Pleasance, Islington), Jump (Ed Fringe), Peter Pan (Northampton), The Bovary Tale (Upstairs at the Gatehouse), Sideshow (Leicester Square Theatre, Arts Theatre, Ed Fringe), Apocalypse & HappyLand: The Musical (Ed Fringe), Aladdin (Skegness), Hans Christian Anderson (Derby Playhouse), Trance (Moscow State Circus National Tour), Cinderella (Skegness). Televison credits include BBC Culture Show, GMTV, Stars In Your Eyes, Fox Kids, Peak Practice, Haven Holidays (Commercial). Cabaret / Variety includes Clappy Hour (Dance Attic), Scarlets (Cafe Koha), Spittin' Feathers (London), Camber Live (Madame Tussards), Back To The 80's (Bourne Leisure), Cirque de Masqurade (Trends), Divas (Madame Tussards). Stuart has extensive choreography experience including Princess: a rock ballet (Stuart Saint Dance Company), Guru Josh Project: 'This Is The Night' (MTV), Hazell Dean Live (UK Tour), Jynx: 'U Got Me Crazy' (MTV BASE), Songs For A New World (The Barn, Rose Bruford), Aladdin & Peter Pan (Stage Right), Pure Magic (Deco Theatre).
Kimberley Eyles
Kimberley trained at Guildford School of Acting, graduating in 2008. Since leaving her theatre credit’s include Cinderella in Cinderalla (Ludlow Assembly Rooms), Singer/Dancer in ASDA’s Flashmob(Liverpools, The Eco), Hare in The Hare and the Tortoise (Henley Fringe Festival), Mama Bear in Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Tour), Fred’s Wife in A Christmas Carol (Tour/Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre), Dorothy in Wizard of OZ (Tour), Actor 5 in MacDeath (Landor Theatre) and Dad in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (Tour). Television credits include Ballerina in The Lift and Girl in Waiting in David Starsky’s Monarch Series 2. Last year Kimberley trained at Aircraft Circus specializing as an Aerialist. She is now skilled in Silks, Trapeze, Hoop and Rope and is currently waiting to find out whether she will be performing as an Aerialist for the Olympics. Circus credits include Silks in Aircraft Showcase, Trapeze and Silks in The Urban Circus Show and Silks in Royal Surrey Hospital Charity Ball.
Nigel Thomas
Having spent the last four years as a full time professional musician and singer/songwriter with London band The Foxes (whose début album Last of Many produced by John Cornfield is out now), Nigel has been returning to his other great love of acting and recently worked on Bloody Tales from the Tower for the National Geographic Channel. He also dj's Death2Disco at Notting Hill Arts Club, has released a free acoustic album Third Movement, writes, reads and enjoys snooker and coffee.
Kathy Clugston
Kathy is a familiar voice on BBC Radio 4 and is also the 'Posh Radio 4
Lady' (PR4L) on the Scott Mills Show on Radio 1, although she gets
recognised more often for being one of the voices on a popular SatNav
system. She has narrated family concerts with the Kensington Chamber
Orchestra and many TV documentaries. Her first book A Brief History of
Tim was published in 2010 and she is currently writing a musical.
Lady' (PR4L) on the Scott Mills Show on Radio 1, although she gets
recognised more often for being one of the voices on a popular SatNav
system. She has narrated family concerts with the Kensington Chamber
Orchestra and many TV documentaries. Her first book A Brief History of
Tim was published in 2010 and she is currently writing a musical.
