Find out about the people behind Blu & the Magic Web.
This show marks an ambitious growth for TRUESTORY. Having built our reputation on adaptions of classic texts, this is a brand new story we are telling. The process has taken two years to get the work to stage and has only been possible with an army of talented creatives, artists, technical and production professionals. We are delighted to share it with you - and hope you enjoy it.
Blu & the Magic Web is presented in association with Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts. This iconic theatre (designed by Basil Spence) is a perfect venue for this show - our thanks go out to the team here, who have been brilliant as we built the show
production photography (c) Rosie Powell Freelance
The company would like to thank... Annie Siddons & Charlotte Jones for their dramaturgy support as we developed the show. Susie, Jake, Ethan & Lois Sefton, Tony Hawkins, Joe Burns, Richard Johnston and all at MYA Studios, Colin Holden Designs, Junction Inc, Karen Howard and the team at University of Chichester, Chris Keen, Howards Eaton, Yvette Driver & the other brilliant artists who help us build the show.
Truestory Theatre is led by writer, director & actor Gary Sefton & is produced by James Turnbull (Frolic).
MEET THE COMPANY
GINA CAMERON - Granny
Gina is delighted to be working with Truestory again after a stint in their Frankenstein in 2019. Loving working so close to home - Hove - and with Gary Sefton who she has known since drama school, 2 jobs in 30 years…..hmmmmm.
Art imitating life, Gina is practicing on Little Red and Blu as she is becoming a real life Granny in April! Gorgeous!!
ELISE DONOGHUE - Punzel
Elise is delighted to be making her professional debut with Truestory.
She has recently completed a diploma at ICTheatre Brighton and is over the moon to be part of this brand new exciting show!
SOPHIA GRILLI - Red
Sophia is an Arts Ed 2020 graduate and is thrilled to be making her professional debut! She has trained in physical theatre, and recently finished a comedy course with Sean Turner (associate dir. The Play That Goes Wrong). She has loved being able to say goodbye to dreaded Zoom and be back in the room creating work again!
BEN JONES - Wolf
Ben has over 20 years’ experience on stage and screen, recently appearing on stage alongside Phil Daniels in Jekyll & Hyde and tackling Ben Hur - 5,000 characters, four actors! On screen, he recently filmed with Roger Allam in Murder in Provence, due to be broadcast on ITV in the New Year, and played Dr Greg Robinson in BBC’s Doctors for five years.
OSCAR LLOYD - Hansel
Oscar’s career began on screen, with leading roles in television projects such as Emmerdale (ITV), Dr Who (BBC), and 4 O’Clock Club (CBBC). His stage experience includes multiple runs at the Edinburgh and Brighton Fringe with the critically acclaimed Hungry Wolf Youth Theatre Company. He recently graduated from Drama Centre London.
LILY McGIBBON - Blu
Lily graduated from the Institute for Contemporary Theatre in 2021. Blu is their professional debut (straight into the lead role, of course) and can't wait to share the show with audiences this December! #teamblu
CHANEL McKENZIE - Gretel
Graduating from ALRA in 2021, Blu & the Magic Web is Chanel's professional stage debut. Since graduating, she has recorded various BBC radio dramas and its represented by Alexandra Mclean.
EMMA POSTINGS - Rose
Emma is a physical theatre performer and stilt walker, graduating in 2021 from the Acting and Physical Theatre course at East 15 Acting School. Highlights included Something Wicked, directed by Rich Rusk (Gecko Associate Director) and The Darkness, directed by Jimmy Grimes (War Horse Puppetry Director) Emma is thrilled to be making her professional debut in Blu.
GARY SEFTON - Spindra
Gary is the artistic director of Truestory and has led all our shows both on stage and as director and writer. He has worked extensively in theatre for over 20 years including for The RSC, National Theatre, Northampton Royal & Derngate and many other regional repertory companies. He teaches at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, East 15, GSA, Mountview, Rose Bruford and Chichester University.
CREATIVE TEAM
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY
DESIGN
COMPOSER, MUSICAL DIRECTOR & SOUND DESIGN LIGHTING DESIGN
PROJECTION DESIGN
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ADDITIONAL MOVEMENT CHOREOGRAPHY FIGHT CONSULTANCY
PRODUCTION MANAGER COMPANY MANAGER & DEPUTY STAGE MANAGER COSTUME SUPERVISOR
MARKETING MANAGER SOCIAL MEDIA ILLUSTRATION FILM PHOTOGRAPHY
For ACCA Creative Director Box Office & Admin Production Management
For FROLIC Executive Producer Finance | GARY SEFTON
Darren Tunstall Annie North Stuart Angell Erin Pearce Tom Jordon
Sam Rush Lauren Pilbeam Julie Sayers
Rebecca Cooke Kate Wright David O’Connor Jake Sefton & Big Egg Films Rosie Powell
Laura McDermott Melissa Cox Seb Falcone Beth O’Leary
James Turnbull Kate Thomas |