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Cast & Crew

Cast

Leah Pollard as ‘Carl

Leah first appeared on stage as Mary in her primary school Nativity. Riding that high, she went on to act in various school plays and external theatre productions, mainly consisting of local plays, musicals and pantomimes.  More recently, Leah has been casted in larger projects, including the development of an upcoming choose-your-own-adventure video game: ‘Nocturnals’. This was Leah’s first introduction to voice acting, which jumpstarted one of her new specialised interests.  At University, Leah has written and directed several times as well as acted in various productions, including a short play written by Cici Hughes, prior to ‘Boardroom’.  Leah has expressed that her involvement in these projects is central to her experience of early adulthood and she is excited to see what the future of theatre holds for her.

Leah Pollard as 'Carl' in Boardroom | Comedy Theatre at Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Calum Blackie as ‘Terry

Calum is an actor and writer currently studying Film at Bristol University. He performed in various roles for many years at Playbox Theatre. Beyond this, he has had the pleasure of performing at incredible venues such as the RSC (‘The Mysteries’) as well as Santa Monica Playhouse (‘Monkey: Journey to the West’ and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’). Calum has visited the Edinburgh Fringe many times previously, as an audience member, and is ecstatic to be part of ‘Boardroom’ this time. 

Calum Blackie as 'Terry' in Boardroom | Comedy Theatre at Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Theo Tomlinson as ‘Michael

This is Theo’s first time at Edinburgh Fringe and he feels incredibly lucky to come here as part of a cast performing such a vibrant and well written script.  Theo’s first taste of theatre was a musical one; in Spring 2019, Theo was part of a quartet who played and sung the role of Feste in a production of Twelfth Night culminating in a performance at Shakespeare’s Globe.  Performances that followed include Theo’s role as the enigmatic monster in ‘Frankenstein’s Monster’ in early 2020 and his role as Eric Liddell in ‘Chariots of Fire’ during Spring 2022.  He has found the production process for ‘Boardroom’ to be a fantastic challenge and a great introduction to theatre outside of a school stage, he has loved being part of such a talented team and can not wait to perform in Edinburgh in the role of Michael. 

Theo Tomlinson as 'Michael' in Boardroom | Comedy Theatre at Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Jemima Hurst as ‘Mary

Jemima is so excited to be taking on the role as Mary in ‘Boardroom’ and performing at the Edinburgh Fringe, having just finished her first year studying Anthropology at the University of Bristol.  She has been fortunate enough to perform in numerous productions while at Bristol.  These productions include, ‘Attempts on Her Life’ and ‘The Murder of Agnes Blue’, both performed at the Loco Klub.  She has also performed as part of various showcases during her first year, including the ‘New Writing Festival’ and ‘Freshcase’.  Her passion for acting also extends to the screen, where she has performed in numerous student short films, most notably working with Alanna Schneider on ‘Bonnie and Orville’.  She has also participated in numerous workshops, specifically working with RADA Short Courses teacher Michelle Chadwick and RADA BA teacher Phillip Shepard.  Alongside acting Jemima also plays the bass guitar and sings, a skill which has led her to be fortunate enough to record at Abbey Road Studios. 

Jemima Hurst as 'Mary' in Boardroom | Comedy Theatre at Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Sam Bain as ‘Warren

@Sam Bain (Spotlight)

Sam is thrilled to be making his Bristol Spotlights and Edinburgh Fringe debut with such an amazing team.  He began his love for theatre after watching Matilda at the RSC.  From there, he performed with National Youth Musical Theatre (NYMT) and trained at Michael Xavier’s Musical Theatre Academy.  Also, he performed as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors at the Bridge House Theatre.  Switching things up, Sam dabbled in Shakespeare, performing as Lysander in Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Benedict in Much Ado About Nothing at The Dream Factory in Warwick.  Sam is violently shaking with excitement to be able perform at the fringe, and looks forward to showcasing this special project!

Sam Bain as 'Warren' in Boardroom | Comedy Theatre at Edinburgh Festival Fringe

CiCi Hughes – Writer & Director

CiCi is an actor, writer and director based in Bristol from Stratford Upon Avon.  When writing Boardroom, she delved into her obsession with outrageous telly, why and how it was all made.  CiCi’s previous work has also been predicated on outrage, her short play ‘WITS END’ explores the intense working environment in hospitality, performed in Bristol. The comedy sketch ‘Unclench, Craig’, she wrote and acted in, is ridden with the neuroticism of workplace power dynamics.  Her love of comedy stretches beyond short sketches and into the world of stand-up, regularly doing gigs in the Bristol area. This is CiCi’s second time at the fringe, she acted in Spotlights’ ‘Ophelia’ last year and she is beyond excited to bring Boardroom to the stage with her co-director Evie King and the cast.

CiCi Hughes - Writer & Director of Boardroom | Comedy Theatre at Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Evie King – Director

@evieeking (instagram)

Evie is a Bristol and London based director/actor, currently going into her third year studying Theatre and Film at the University of Bristol. Prior to University, Evie trained and studied for five years at The BRIT School for Performing Arts, where she was able to develop and refine her skills.  She finished her final year by collaborating on a devised performance at The New Diorama Theatre.  Although she trained predominantly in acting she has moved since to Directing having directed numerous pieces of theatre in Bristol.  One being the play ‘Quiche Isn’t Sexy’, which was performed as part of a Directing Showcase at The Alma Tavern Theatre.  ‘Boardroom’ is Evie’s first Edinburgh Fringe show where she will be co-directing alongside Cici Hughes.

Evie King - Director of Boardroom | Comedy Theatre at Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Ava Borthwick – Producer

@rottenorangepro (twitter), @rottenorangepro (instagram), rottenorange.co.uk

Ava is a passionate and driven producer, currently in her first year studying Theatre and Film at Bristol University.  She has produced various shows prior to her involvement in ‘Boardroom’.  In 2023, she co-wrote, acted in and produced the sell-out show ‘Attendants’ for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and cannot wait to be back in Edinburgh for this year’s festival.  Most notable in her array of shows are ‘Attempts On Her Life’ performed at the Loco Klub in Bristol and ‘The Riot Club’ which she adapted, directed and produced in 2022.  Her production company, Rotten Orange Productions, has enabled her to develop her creative experience, something she wishes to explore during her time at the Fringe this year, during the rest of her degree and beyond university.

Ava Borthwick - Producer of Boardroom | Comedy Theatre at Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Leo Hincks – Assistant Director/Dramaturg

Leo Hincks is in his 3rd year at university.  Aside from being the assistant director of this play, Leo is up in Fringe for the Chortle Student Comedy Awards as a Stand Up finalist. During the past two years at university, Leo has collaborated with others on many projects.  He was Assistant Director for ‘A Love Letter to a Charity Shop’ written and performed by his peers and has acted in numerous plays and sketches, including ‘The Lovely Lovely English’, ‘Lovers, Beards and Other Breeds of Queer’ and ‘The Philadelphia’.  Leo has also written and co-directed a piece for the New Writing Festival, titled ‘They’re So Nice in There’.  Alongside his University credits, Leo also Assistant Produced Toxic Shock Theatre’s ‘Strapped’ performed at the Island. 

Leo Hincks - Assistant Director/Dramaturg of Boardroom | Comedy Theatre at Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Anja Camenzind Broomby – Design Director

Alex Norris – Preview Technician

Owen Perry – Assistant Producer

Saskia Freeman – Marketing Director

Isa Chenique – Fundraising Director

Elliot Turner-Smith – Marketing & Fundraising Assistant

Emma Neal – Design Assistant