We are Patch of Blue.
We create fresh, exciting and touching theatre with live music. We are currently producing the world premiere of the original play with music YOU AND ME (AND WHOEVER COMES NEXT) by Keron Day and Alex Howarth with Helen Chong, which will debut at Summerhall at the Edinburgh Fringe 2026 as the winner of the Summerhall Mary Dick Award.
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 the overall Critic's Circle Award 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 director originally from the North West.
Alex was named as one of 'Ten Stage Sensations to Watch Out For' by The Guardian and is the first director in history to have his work performed at the United Nations.
Coming from 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.
Martha Walker (she/her)
Actor
Martha is an actress originally from the North West.
Training: Italia Conti
For Patch of Blue: Super Swing and Kit in CASSIE AND THE LIGHTS (Southwark Playhouse London and Theatre Royal Plymouth), Vera in THE SOAKING OF VERA SHRIMP, 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.
Helen Chong (she/her)
Actor, Writer and Marketing & Social Media Manager
Helen is an actress from the North East.
Training: Guildford School of Acting
For Patch of Blue: Tin in CASSIE AND THE LIGHTS and co-writing YOU AND ME (AND WHOEVER COMES NEXT).
Helen is currently playing the lead role of Satuski in the RSC's MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO in London's West End.
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
Emily is an actress based in Liverpool.
Training: Liverpool Theatre School
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).
Ellie and Imogen Mason
Composers & Musicians
Ellie and Imogen are musicians based in London.
For Patch of Blue: Composers for CASSIE AND THE LIGHTS, WE LIVE BY THE SEA, 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.
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).
Keron is an actor and writer from Cornwall.
For Patch of Blue: Writer and performer in YOU AND ME (AND WHOEVER COMES NEXT)
Other credits include KIRKMOORE (BBC), SEX EDUCATION (Netflix) and WE'RE TOO GOOD FOR THIS (Macpoppy Films).
Keron Day (he/him)
Actor & Writer
Lauren Koster (she/her)
Actor
Lauren is an English, Irish and Burmese actor and writer.
For Patch of Blue: Dani in YOU AND ME (AND WHOEVER COMES NEXT).
Other credits include THE CROWN, Emily in I AM YOUR SISTER, Mara in MAYWARD ROAD, and Elnora Green in MS GREEN AND OTHER LOVELY BEASTS. Stage includes CAMP SIEGFRIED at The Old Vic.