We are Patch of Blue.
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We create fresh, exciting and touching theatre with live music. We are currently producing Alex Howarth's 'Cassie and the Lights'- an award-winning play with music which we have been lucky enough to perform in New York, Edinburgh and Australia, and are now bringing to London at Southwark Playhouse, 3rd-20th April 2024.
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We are the recipient of the prestigious Grahame F. Smith Peace Foundation Award for promoting social change through theatre, Critic's Pick and Best Theatre of the Year in the New York Times and two Best Theatre awards at Adelaide Fringe. Nominated for the Fringe First and the BBC Writer's Room Popcorn Award, we strive to create theatre that is playful, fresh and moving.
Alex Howarth (he/him)
Artistic Director
Alex is a multi-award-winning theatre director and writer based in London. He was named as one of
'Ten Stage Sensations to Watch Out For in 2023' by The Guardian.
Coming from the North West and a background of working in care, Alex is passionate about amplifying under-represented and northern voices.
A former drama therapist for the charity Sense, he has worked extensively with disabled artists, and recently co-created one man show Strictly Lawrie with disabled artist Lawrie Morris. His play about a girl with autism We Live By the Sea received Critic’s Pick and Top Theatre of the Year in the New York Times, won the Best Theatre Award and the Critic’s Choice Award at Adelaide Festival, and the Grahame F. Smith Peace Foundation Award for promoting human rights through theatre, and was nominated for the Fringe First and the Off West End Awards for Best Production and Best Ensemble.
He was the assistant director on La Traviata at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and regularly directs at drama schools including Italia Conti, Central School of Speech and Drama, Mountview, and Chichester Conservatoire. He adapted and directed the world stage premiere of What's Eating Gilbert Grape, alongside the movie's writer and director, Oscar nominee Peter Hedges.
He is the Artistic Director of multi-award winning Patch of Blue, who create original theatre pieces with live music for festivals and touring.
He strives to create ensemble-led theatre that is playful, fresh and moving.
Alex Brain (they / he)
Actor
Alex is an actor and theatre-maker based in London. They play Cassie in 'Cassie and the Lights'. They are also a theatre technician and production manager and recently worked on the acclaimed UK production of 'Stranger Sings'.
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For Patch of Blue: Cassie in 'Cassie and the Lights', Katy in 'We Live By the Sea', Cyla in 'When We Ran' and Cosmo in 'Back to Blackbrick'. Other credits include: 'The Railway Children' (Waterloo Station), Enid (BBC) and Primeval (ITV).
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Helen Chong (she/her)
Actor and Social Media Manager
Helen is an actress based in the North East. She plays Tin in 'Cassie and the Lights'. She also runs Patch of Blue's social media.
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Training: Guildford School of Acting
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Upcoming: Haddaway & Write (Gala Durham and The Exchange)
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For Patch of Blue: Tin in 'Cassie and the Lights' (2024 onwards) and Super Swing in 'Cassie and the Lights' at 59E59 Theaters New York. Other credits include: 'The Dumping Ground' (BBC), 'Four Models in Bright Hats Think About The Future' (Live Theatre), 'Orca' (Lone Pine Pictures), 'Jack and the Beanstalk' (Applecart Arts), and 'Cinderella' (Gala Theatre).
Emily McGlynn (she/her)
Actor and Prop Maker
Emily is an actress based in Liverpool. She plays Kit in 'Cassie and the Lights'. She also makes props for Patch of Blue.
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Training: Liverpool Theatre School
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For Patch of Blue: Kit in 'Cassie and the Lights'. Other credits include 'Oh You Pretty Things' (Southwark Playhouse), 'The Fall' (The Old Red Lion and touring), 'Piramania' (Underbelly), 'Long Joan Silver' (Hope St Theatre) and 'Jose' (Liverpool Fringe). .
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Actor
Martha is an actress originally from the North West. She is the Super Swing for 'Cassie and the Lights'- covering the roles of Cassie, Tin and Kit.
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Training: Italia Conti
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For Patch of Blue: Super Swing in 'Cassie and the Lights'. Credits in training include Tobias Fogg in 'Sweeney Todd' and Ensemble in 'Big Fish'.
'Cassie and the Lights' is Martha's professional debut.
Martha Walker (she/her)
Ellie and Imogen Mason
Composers & Musicians
Ellie and Imogen are musicians based in London. They are the composers and performers of the original score for 'Cassie and the Lights'.
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For Patch of Blue: Composers for 'Cassie and the Lights', 'We Live By the Sea' and 'Back to Blackbrick' and musical directors for 'When We Ran'. They are two thirds of Voka Gentle- a trio of songwriters, producers and multi-instrumentalists tearing up the rulebook with their unique blend of earthy psychedelia, motorik beats, collaged soundscapes and harmonised vocals. Recent collaborators include the Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne and cult folk chanteuse BELLS, who both appear on Voka Gentle’s acclaimed second album WRITHING! (“one of the underground albums of the year” -Loud And Quiet), co-produced with Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs guitarist Sam Grant.