We are Patch of Blue.
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We create fresh, exciting and touching theatre with live music. We are currently producing Alison Carr's acclaimed 'The Soaking of Vera Shrimp' at Adelaide Fringe 2026, and original play with music 'You and Me (and Whoever Comes Next)' by Keron Day and Alex Howarth, which will debut at the Edinburgh Fringe 2026.
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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' 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. He is currently directing 'Lifeline'- an original musical exploring the antibiotic resistance crisis with a professional cast and a chorus of sixty healthcare professionals. His play 'Cassie and the Lights' is published by Nick Hern Books.
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.
Helen Chong (she/her)
Martha Walker (she/her)
Actor
Martha is an actress originally from the North West.
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Training: Italia Conti
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For Patch of Blue: Super Swing and Kit in 'CASSIE AND THE LIGHTS (Southwark Playhouse London and Theatre Royal Plymouth) and Sophie in their upcoming YOU AND ME (AND WHOEVER COMES NEXT).
Other credits include: Dorothy in THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ (Redbridge Drama Centre) and Wendy in PETER PAN (Guildford Fringe).
Her credits in training include Tobias in SWEENEY TODD. She can currently be seen in a Suzuki E Vitara advert.
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Actor and Social Media Manager
Helen is an actress from the North East.
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Training: Guildford School of Acting
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For Patch of Blue: Tin in CASSIE AND THE LIGHTS and Dani in their upcoming YOU AND ME (AND WHOEVER COMES NEXT).
Other credits include: Amy March in LITTLE WOMEN (York Theatre Royal), Emel the Elephant and Baby Bunny in HUNDRED FEET TALL (Old Vic), Ensemble in GERRY & SEWELL (Aldwych West End), THE DUMPING GROUND (BBC), OUR MODELS IN BRIGHT HATS THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE (Live Theatre), ORCA (Lone Pine Pictures), HADDAWAY AND WRITE (Live Theatre), JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Applecart Arts), and 'CINDERELLA, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Gala Theatre Durham).
Emily McGlynn (she/her)
Actor and Prop Maker
Emily is an actress based in Liverpool.
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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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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 WHEN WE RAN and musical directors for their upcoming YOU AND ME (AND WHOEVER COMES NEXT).
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.
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). ​