Wishing everyone good health and peace since the emergence of the COVID 19 pandemic
If anyone would like to enquire about virtual creative mentoring or acting and presenting coaching, please do get in touch.
Currently…
Scroll down for past live and recorded work
Recent VO as The Guide for Blind Burners World VR Platform – soon to launch online.
VO Character work as Ghost Mother in ‘A Beautiful Break Up’ Feature Film.
live work
Performed in ‘Mumbai Nights 2’ immersive theatre show by Raspberry Productions, at The Louvre Abu Dhabi, UAE – earlier in the year. Check out new articles in the Khaleej Times
Been playing with the Bell Orchestra with Beautiful Creatures Theatre in various locations in Kent over the summer – Always a joy to work with Danielle at BCT.
Worked on ‘Dominoes’ for Station House Opera in Newbury with The Corn Exchange and 101 Arts Creation Space in July 2022.
Explored the map of Plymouth with Third Angel on ‘The Desire Paths’ in July 2022.
Thrilled to have performed as puppeteer for ‘The Wicker Husband’ as puppeteer at The Watermill Theatre in Newbury, February 2022!
Develop Your Creative Practice from the Arts Council England – Paper Tales
So pleased to announce that I have been successful for Rd 8 – Develop Your Creative Practice from the Arts Council England. I shed a happy tear (even in our tiers), seeing it as an early Christmas gift, despite such a difficult year and now in January 2021; I am starting to schedule my #dycp project, WIP ‘Paper Tales’.
From a young age, I always used to doodle and write but what became supplementary art form supporting my Theatre-making and dramatic exploration, shifts to a primary focus in my creative arts practice especially during these difficult times of the pandemic. Exploring my creative writing, drawing & illustration. Thank you @ace_national #nationallottery #Letscreate
Recorded work…
Worked with Scott Bradbury on new series of video learning, corporate training and well-being videos – their first after lockdown.
I had the immense pleasure to be asked to work on short film, ‘Joe’s Journey’, in South London.
Directed by Jason Read, written by Tony Husband and adapted from one of his cartoons. It was lovely to meet the cast and crew. It was also a real treat to meet and work on a scene with Sir Tony Robinson
The story looks at the effects of Dementia and Alzheimer’s and the film is also being made to help raise money for charity. And was part of an earlier crowdfunding scheme earlier in the year.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15703046/?fbclid=IwAR1Sp13HEY6qe0xuMM_23oYQnhuF8abSLonDmjLKPgJXiYoU_j6VBaV5ork?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
The short film will be premiered in Soho on Tuesday 26th October and will be available to view online afterwards. also, more photos of the short film shoot to follow. I will update with more news so watch this space!
Jason Read (Director)
Tony Husband (Writer)
Tomo Davies (Sound)
Tony Robinson (Joe)
Judy Matheson (Joe’s Wife)
Stuart Green (Passer by)
Dan March (Joe’s Son)
Little Olive and her Mum as chaperone (Joe’s Granddaughter)
Kate and Richard (location)
Collaboration with Small Silence ICU Slow Media Project
THE VIDEO IS READY – To view the slow media video I collaborated click here: Nisha’s Allotment – Nisha Anil
Pleased to be invited to work with Richard Bentley from Small Silence to deliver an ‘Almost ASMR’ piece in April/May 2021, born and inspired by my Facebook public page live streams entitled, ‘Almost ASMR, Almost Silent’ created in jest, where I virtually invited my friends into my home and allotment, while carrying out specific chores and tasks – a type of Slow Media-in-company.
Following on from their good news of receiving an ICU Slow Media Grant, ‘delivering arts and wellbeing workshops and a developing a suite of slow media for in-patients thanks to backing from Arts Council England and [their] local partners in Reading, UK’.
‘Small Silence connects people with quiet. We support access to quiet spaces and use arts practices to improve wellbeing, whilst contributing to research in arts and health.’
From Richard :-
For more information about Small Silence’s please click here
Recently completed work for a Facebook Voter information Advert and a Joy Crookes for Beats by Dr Dre Flex Advert.
202020 Slough – Paper Cinema Tales
The arts heritage project, exploring aspects of theatre making, live performance, live streaming and micro short film making inspired by old cinema tickets with a core community group through free online introductory sessions that started in October – December 2020, working towards and culminating in a finished artwork’s for showcase at an Exhibition. Due to the pandemic, the exhibition was stalled and in its place, a pre-recorded presentation of the project processes and examples of art work was live-streamed to the Slough Libraries Facebook Page as part of their Sunday morning, ‘Memory Lane’ Series (link below). A separate Youtube link to the short film created, ‘I, Remember’ (2min 30secs) is available to watch here.
Check out my 6 min short film, ‘The Walnut Tree’. June 2020
I shared my short paper puppetry & music film at the LOCKDOWN INSIDE-OUT ONLINE FESTIVAL 2020 (not the same as the after-party which featured a mini paper puppetry performance reciting one of my poems, ‘Where have all the walnut trees gone?’).
I created the story with hand-drawn paper puppets and asked Euan Smith to work on the music and editing of the film, all done and dusted in less than a week. It would have been a live puppetry and music performance but had to be adapted due to lockdown. If you check it out, I hope you enjoy it and our work. Do let me know what you think.
#lockdown #lockdown2020 #lockdownart #artfestival #artist #puppetry #handmade #drawn #short #film #theatre #music
Internal corporate video for Heathrow and a separate BBC Ident with Edge Picture Company 2020.
Voicing Anjali in the ‘Strange Brigade’ video game.
Loved celebrating two birthdays this year! One in the J20 Spritz ‘Find your mojo’ advert!
Featured but hidden and well protected in the latest #Vanish ‘Love for longer’ commercial
#HOLLYOAKS! I appeared in Hollyoaks, which aired on E4 on 22nd December 2017 & on Ch 4 on the 27th December 2017.
Appearing regularly as Channel host for CBeebies Asia – going out to several Asian countries, http://www.cbeebies.com/asia
Past Live work…
Completed working with Quirk Theatre in ‘Rhia & the Tree of Lights’ at Exeter Phoenix and The Plough Arts Centre in Torrington, Devon, U.K. Christmas 2021!
Went on an adventure to play the Bell Orchestra with Beautiful Creatures Theatre in Rye on 10th September – Always a joy to work with Danielle at BCT.
Looking forward to meeting annd working with Artist Ling Tan as an R & D Participant at 101 Arts Creation Space in Newbury! #101seedbed
Pleased to be asked back to working with Third Angel on The Desire Paths in Bedford and York #thedesirepaths September 2021
That’s a wrap on the UK wide tour with Illyria Theatre
The Further Adventures of Doctor Dolittle
Co-creation on events and enjoyed the first of my poetry recitals for online events with the Co-Reality Collective for their Love Inn event
Storytelling at The Merl in Reading
Jukebox Telephone Line. April/May 2020
An interactive Theatre project, I consulted on and co-produced, created by Abhi Arumbakkam –
This project was relaunched with success and thanks to Farnham Maltings in Surrey!
Are you feeling isolated? Wish you could pick up the phone and chat to someone? Then ‘Jukebox Telephone Line’ is just for you!
Ring 01753 428119 from Friday 15 May to Sunday 17th May, 4-7pm and speak to someone, ask for a song and sing along. More info on poster.
Most important! Please share this poster widely. Especially with those who are not on social media.
Jukebox Telephone Line is a theatre project encouraging connection and conversation through music, open to ALL but particularly for those who are vulnerable, not good with new technology and in extreme isolation.
We are isolated but we don’t have to be alone.
Landline charges apply. Mobile phones vary. Please check with provider
#Theatre #Performance #Music #Singing #Creative #Telephone #Connection #Conversation #Combat #Isolation #Covid19 #Lockdown #Human #jukeboxtelephoneline #Thankyou #farnhammaltings
Currently working as a Creative mentor with Resource Productions.
Also, providing mentor support, co-producing, project-managing and directing new writing by a South Asian Writer, focusing on #BAME casting opportunities for show at 50/50 & Pleasance Scratch at The Pleasance, London. CURRENTLY POSTPONED.
Recently performed with Third Angel on ‘The Desire Paths’ & Beautiful Creatures Theatre on ‘Big Blue’ in Battle, Hastings and toured ‘Fizzlebert Stump, The Boy who ran away from the Circus’ in Kent.
Facilitated a series of physical theatre workshops for both Adults and for Families with children.
Performed in Pantomime as Dandini & Fairy Godmother in ‘Cinderella’ 2018/19 at The Oldham Coliseum Theatre
‘I’s for SALE’
‘I’s for SALE’ pop-up performance photos & youtube video link
I performed, ‘I’s for SALE’, on Saturday 2nd June (as part of the postponed, International Women’s Day events in the Town Square, due to the snowy weather). It was a last minute experimental performance-art, performance poetry, art installation and drop-in community outreach workshop, turned around in short amount of time, improvised using separate extracts fused together from our theatre show, ‘There are Secrets, Dear Sister’, that Anna and I devised for International Women’s Day last March The Curve – Slough. I compiled different poems starting with Sylvia Plath’s, ‘Mirror’, followed by ‘Grazia Greer’ written by my co-collaborator, Anna Jones and then my own poems. The make-up I wore was part of the ‘Grazia Greer’ – aka the ‘Cover those pores’ section from our theatre show, that we originally recorded and projected as a floating (‘globlinesque-bad-witch’) head, looking down on the human (me) writhing on the floor. On the day, I made 4 live videos (facebook and instagram), different takes which I compiled to one take and uploaded to youtube. Plus there is a final film which the photographer recorded as I was ‘going live’ for one of the takes. I also took ‘selfies’ from willing passers-by who participated in our community outreach that was happening simultaneously, keeping only the photos with consent given. This work continues sparked by our International Women’s Day Theatre show. ‘I’s for SALE’ forming part of our research and development, trying out new ideas for further performance projects we have submitted proposals for. So if you like it or are intrigued. Watch this space. So if you like it or are intrigued. Watch this space. #International #Women #Day #performancepoetry #theatre #poetry #art #installation #identity #image #slough #Berkshire #London
‘There are Secrets, Dear Sister’
‘There are Secrets, Dear Sister’ photo album
A scratch performance I co-devised and performed in, last March, as part of the International Women’s Day Celebrations. It was a commission, by The Curve (a multi-purpose venue) in Berkshire.
Research, rehearsal, reviews and show pics of ‘There are Secrets, Dear Sister’. After approaching The Curve – Slough, to be a venue partner for a different funding bid project, The Curve were interested and kindly offered us a commission to make our theatre project happen. It was a wonderful opportunity for Anna Jones and I to collaborate together after previously working on a much smaller commission, Anna had approached me with her creative writing ideas. Anna wished to pursue her love of creative writing, directing, producing and me with my love for devised theatre-making, idea-making, creating and performing. And what an opportunity for me to bring theatre home, to the town I moved to as a young girl with my Mother. An excellent moment to breathe in and out, utilising my training and ideas gathered over the years, harnessed from Mime school to Dartington College of Arts that had matured in me. To research and celebrate what was hidden in our town, what women were/are hidden in the connection to and heritage of our town. And as always celebrate my late Mother and my own multi-layered identity as part of the International Women’s Day Celebrations. And what a journey it has been, a learning experience and a challenge and what amazing feedback from those that came to watch, I hopefully wish to add here. Thank you to everyone that has listened, offered help and advice or sent good wishes, to those that did help by offering props, worked hard and to all of our audience, wonderful to have an audience member who had also studied at Dartington College of Arts in the crowd, whom I had not seen in years. And a big, BIG, thank-you, goes to Anna Jones of course, my co-collaborator; Jackie, Hannah and Danya and all staff at The Curve, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts Technicians, Matt Biss and Rob, our Costume, Prop-maker and Stage-Manager, Mark Burford, Rob for the Music and composition, Richard Rowntree for helping with filming and a fast edit, 4Motion Dance Theatre Company for stand-by rehearsal space and equipment, if needed, Karen Hanley and Jamie Hanley, Richmond for props, all our community outreach participants and of course those that are nearest and dearest to me, Richmond Harding and my always helpful Dad – especially both of them for listening to me repeatedly going on and on and on. And I will, continue to go on and on and on. #stars #secrets #snow #snowflake #stories #spokenword #scratchperformance #slough #slougharts #devisedtheatre #pinkladoo #poonams #internaltionalwomesday2018 #IWD2018 #carolineherschel #herschels #astronomy #Sophia #sophiaduleepsingh #lydiasimmons #catchmeatthecurve
I just completed a run starring as Princess Jasmine, in Q Productions ‘Aladdin’, in Maidenhead’s first professional panto! It was an absolute joy to perform alongside a West-End cast and an ensemble of young-local performers in a fun family show, so close-to-home.
Back from the Brighton Fringe, to an afternoon of STORYTELLING at The Curve Slough children’s library as part of the celebrations of Home Slough ‘Streets-Alive’ day-time event in conjunction with Creative Junction Page’s sunset supper, singing and spoken word, ‘We are all made of Stars’ event on Saturday 17th June, and RECITING POETRY in the evening. There was a whole host of activities and entertainment inside and out on the streets; music, dance and theatre. With Bureau Of Silly ideas , Sol Samba and much, much more. There was something for everyone. ‘As part of the national The Big (Lunar) Lunch come and experience art and eat with us, including an event designed for sunset and Iftar. These events also mark The Great Get Together in memory of Jo Cox MP and are about togetherness and collective action.’ CJ
Click on the link for more info:-
http://homeslough.org.uk/event/streets-alive
http://www.creativejunction.org.uk/carousel/we-are-all-made-of-stars/
#slough #Berkshire #brighton #children #storytelling #theatre #dance #music #streetparty #herschels #cosmos #constellations #astrononomy #celebrations #biglunarlunch #thegreatgettogether #togetherness #jocox #sunset #supper #love #peace #unity
Great to perform ‘The Grimmest of Grimm Tales’ with Avva Laff Productions at Brighton Fringe Festival, 27th May – 4th June 2017 at 15:15.
At Sweet Venue 263, St Andrew’s, 3 waterloo Street, Brighton, BN3 1AG.
Loved having been a guest in the 5th series of Citizen Khan last November 2016 on
BBC 1 https://www.facebook.com/citizenkhanofficial/
Has regularly sung live with The Herberts, the new album is free to stream and download here:- http://www.theherbertsband.co.uk/ and has enjoyed singing backing vocals for Richmond & the Groovolution too!
Invited back to perform at The Curve by Creative Junction last December 2016 for more Storytelling, ‘The Story of the universe’, as part of Spark Festival -Spark celebrates the Herschels, the universe, light and discovery. Amongst a whole range of activities including my recital of a poem about Caroline Herschel by Anna Jones (Creative Director of Creative Junction). http://www.creativejunction.org.uk/carousel/spark-be-inspired-by-slough-the-universe/
Returned to puppeteer on ‘The Gift’ with Beautiful Creatures Theatre Company in November 2016 as part of Dance Reading, after having worked on a re-imagining of ‘The Gift’ in June. And previously performing with the same theatre company as The Moth in December 2015, guiding ‘The Winter Giant’ home.
Latest music video from The Herberts
A song about a love of Spirituality, playing music as a way of sharing community spirit and why we do this anyway, regardless of fame or money
Web http://www.theherbertsband.co.uk/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/herbertsband
Twitter https://twitter.com/theherbertsband
Working with Richmond & The Groovolution:-
I helped to unpack bags, boxes and trunks revealing veils and stands of silk. I opened up my Mothers suitcase and there were her Saris, handed down to me, what better way to display those beautiful exotic garments ranging from the 60’s onwards, in Richmond Hardings new live music video, where I helped dress the set for ‘I the Needle (you the thread)’.
Do have a look, the visuals and music is beautiful and awash with colour.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Richmo…
🙂
Nisha Anil 