Maryam Ali – Rani in A Proper Merry Christmess & Clementine in A Town Called Christmas

credit Sophie Giddens

Maryam is an actor and theatre maker based in Teesside. She trained at Manchester School of Theatre and spent several years teaching in primary and SEN education before returning to theatre last year. She is currently developing her first full length play which has been commissioned for an R&D with ARC Stockton.

Theatre credits include: Titus Andronicus (Theatre Space NE), Wolf! (Kitchen Zoo/Northern Stage), Partition Play (Live Theatre, rehearsed reading), Home from Home (Novo Theatre, R&D), Dear Rachel Corrie (Alphabetti, response writing programme), Julius Caesar (Theatre Space NE), The Interview (Live Theatre, rehearsed reading), Hamlet (HER productions)

Roo Arwen – Red in A Proper Merry Christmess & Glitch in A Town Called Christmas

credit James Melia

Roo is a Manchester-based actor, singer, and musician, and a recent graduate of The Arden School of Theatre, marking this production as her first professional theatre debut. Originally from Yorkshire, she has cultivated a deep-rooted passion for performance from an early age, with a particular focus on music and storytelling through song. Throughout her training and beyond, Roo has developed a versatile skill set spanning stage and screen acting, vocal performance, and live musicianship. As a singer-songwriter, she has spent much of her time performing original material at venues and events across the North of England, building a reputation for her distinctive voice and heartfelt compositions. Roo continues to pursue her artistic career with dedication, bringing energy, sincerity, and a strong sense of ensemble to every project she undertakes.

Charles Doherty – Michael in A Proper Merry Christmess & Tim in A Town Called Christmas

credit Charles Dohery Photography

Raised in Australia, Charles Doherty is a Northern-based UK actor and singer working across stage, screen, opera, and musical theatre. He trained at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and was honoured with a Young Australian of the Year Award for the Arts.

Recent screen credits include The Pentaverate, Citadel, After The Hunt, Jay Kelly, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams, The Toys That Built America, Rewilding, and a range of award-winning short films. He is also one of the faces of Hilltop Honey.

Charles was an artist with Opera Australia for many years before moving on to international musical theatre tours, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Evita, and Oliver!. UK roles include Bustopher Jones (Cats), Gomez Addams (The Addams Family), and Satan/Warm-Up Guy (Jerry Springer the Opera). He received a NODA award for his performance as King Arthur in Spamalot. He is represented by Mary Liz Management.

Kathryn Hanke – (The voice of) Katherine the garden centre manager in A Proper Merry Christmess

credit Kathryn Hanke

Kathryn is a Leeds based actor and former sketch comedian. After 9 years touring the comedy circuit, she became a professional actor in 2013.

Theatre credits include: Molly’s Marvellous Moustache (Fidget Theatre) Aidy The Awesome (UK tour/The Gramophones), Residue (Speakup Theatre) The Wizard of Oz (Paperback Theatre) Mother of the Revolution (Archipelago Arts) Batty! (Lady Moss) and Mutton (Brave Words, 2025).

Recent TV credits include: The Completely Made Up Adventures of Dick Turpin S1 (Apple TV, 2024) and Halloween special (Apple TV, 2025)

Joanne Bernard – Movement Director – A Proper Merry Christmess

credit Joanne Bernard

Joanne is an alumni of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Her performance career started with Kokuma Dance Theatre  Company, which opened up opportunities  to work and perform with  national and international  African  and Caribbean  artist.

Joanne has worked extensively as Movement Director for Tutti Frutti Productions. As a Rehearsal Director Joanne has worked with artist and choreographers, as an Artistic Consultant and mentor. Company’s include Tavaziva Dance, Gerrard Martin Dance, Phoenix Dance Theatre, Sharon Watson, Verve 24, ME Dance, Alethia Antonia, and Uchenna on their production of Our Mighty Groove which opened the new Sadler’s Wells East Theatre. Joanne was also the Artistic Consultant for Northern Colour an NPO funded project at NSCD for artist of the global majority, and Rehearsal Director for Company of Others  production, Grief Floats which takes place at King Edward’s Bay, Tynemouth in the North Sea. Joanne has recently returned from 3 weeks in Brazil as Rehearsal Director for  Dandyism, by Patrick Ziza.

Tom Blackband – Lighting and Sound Designer and Technical Manager

credit Tom Blackband

Tom started his professional career working with bands in and around North London and then touring Europe with Chris Barber’s Jazz and Blues Band and Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen. He moved north and became Technical Manager at City Varieties Music Hall before continuing his freelance career and working for various production and theatre companies including Production Light and Sound, Red Ladder Theatre Company, Firefly, Phoenix Dance, Wrongsemble, and Theatre By The Lake. He is looking forward to spending Christmas with Red Ladder and WrongSemble.

Bay Bryan – Composer & Associate Musical Director – A Town Called Christmas

credit Michael Shelford

Bay Bryan is a composer, singer/songwriter and performer originally from the Rockies of Colorado. Now based in Manchester, Bay’s work is primarily in the UK. Recent composer/MD theatre credits include The Uncrackable Case (Lawrence Batley Theatre and Front Room Productions), The Wizard Of Oz (The Dukes), Three Little Vikings (Wrongsemble).

In 2023 Bay released The Meadow, an alt-folk/pop concept album. It enjoyed a few spins on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, as well as Worldwide FM. The release also led to a few exciting live shows including Jazz Cafe, Manchester International Festival, HOMOBLOC, Live at Leeds and more. With formal training in musical theatre from the RCS in Glasgow, Bay also continues to act, with recent credits: The Gifting (Leeds 2023 & Slung Low) and Napoleon (Apple TV+). Sometimes Bay’s drag alter ego Queen Bayard tries to steal the limelight. www.baybryan.co.uk ; instagram @baybryanmusic

Leon Fleming – writer –       A Proper Merry     Christmess

credit Leon Fleming

Leon is a originally from Castleford, now based in Leeds. He is currently under commission to Leeds Playhouse, and is also Co-Artistic Director of 5Pound5 Theatre.

His writing credits include: Mucky Titus (1623 Theatre Company,) Masc for Masc (5Pound5 Theatre video,) Going Outside (Bradford Fringe/Heifer Productions, live broadcast,) Chechnya Plays (5Pound5 Theatre, Theatre Deli Camberwell/Kings Head Islington,) Kicked in the Shitter (5Pound5 Theatre with Theatre in the Mill, Hope Theatre Islington/Theatre in the Mill Bradford,) Sid (5Pound5 Theatre, UK tour/West End,) The Boy Next Door (Jersey Arts Trust/BBC Radio Jersey,) Monkeys in Toy Town (New Mercury Theatre, Crescent Theatre Birmingham.)

Leon is winner of the Channel Islands Radio Drama Competition 2010, and three-time winner of the Jersey Arts Trust New Plays Project 2010, 2011, 2012. He was also co-creator of Plays Rough; a monthly platform for new theatre writing

Eija Gibson – Stage & Company Manager

credit Fay Summerfield

Eija Gibson is a Leeds-based Stage Manager and theatre-maker originally from Southampton. She trained in Acting at Leeds Conservatoire (2020–2023) and now works across the North in a range of creative and production roles.

Eija’s recent credits include: Stage Manager for Red Ladder’s We’re Not Going Back (2024), Associate Director on Tinsel (Wrongsemble, 2024), Assistant Director on POV: We’re in Love Actually (Darkhorse 2025) and Director of The Lost Property Library (Wrongsemble 2025). She regularly facilitates with Darkhorse’s Young Company and supports youth work at Leeds Playhouse. 

As a queer, working-class artist, Eija is passionate about inclusive, local theatre and advocating for disabled and underrepresented voices.

Antony Jones – Costume and Set Designer

credit Wrongsemble

Antony Jones is a Yorkshire-based designer and set builder. He has been a core member of Wrongsemble for the past decade, and is driven by creating work which is ecologically conscious and sustainable. Antony trained in Fine Art at Lincoln University, with a Masters in Landscape Architecture from Leeds Beckett. Recent credits include: Three Little Vikings (Wrongsemble), Bring It Back (Bradford Arts Centre), Tinsel (Wrongsemble), Breadcrumbs (Wrongsemble), and The Not So Ugly Sisters (Wrongsemble / Red Ladder / Leeds Playhouse).

Chris Lloyd – Executive Producer

credit Lian Furness

A Red Ladder employee of over 10 years, Chris is still in constant awe of the talent he has to work with at the company. Lloydy stumbled across Red Ladder after stints at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Rosehill Theatre in Cumbria, three years in the south of Spain and ten years in London at Theatre Royal Stratford East and The Shaw Theatre in Euston.

Never happier than when sitting in his parlour counting his pennies Chris occasionally emerges, blinking, into the theatrical spotlight for opening nights, launches, free lunches and end of tour thrashes.

Cheryl Martin – Director – A Proper Merry Christmess

credit Lian Furness

Cheryl became Artistic Director of Red Ladder Theatre Company in January 2024. Alongside her writing and directing, Cheryl has supported writers and practitioners at Contact Theatre, Traverse Theatre Edinburgh and Oldham Coliseum, and worked with Community Arts Northwest on a series of community plays. In 2015 she co-founded LGBTQ+ Global-Majority performance arts company Black Gold Arts. In addition to being an Edinburgh Fringe Total Theatre assessor and judge, Cheryl was also Co-Artistic Director of Manchester’s grassroots Global-Majority-led publisher and writer development company Commonword and is Co-Director of Manchester Pride’s Candlelight Vigil. A Proper Merry Christmess is her second production for Red Ladder following Sanctuary in 2024.

Lillie-Rose McCormick – Assistant Stage       Manager

credit Lian Furness

Lillie-Rose McCormick is a final year student at University Centre Leeds studying Production Arts (technical theatre and stage management). She is working with Red Ladder as assistant stage manager on its show A Proper Merry Christmess and Wrongsemble’s A Town Called Christmas

Claire O’Connor – Composer – A Town Called Christmas

credit Emily Goldie

Claire O’Connor is a creative from Leeds. She trained at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. As an actor she has worked for many local and national theatre companies. She co-composed ‘A Town Called Christmas’ and has MD’d previous productions. She is absolutely thrilled that the show is getting another outing. For wrongsemble she has been lucky enough to also co-compose ‘The Three Little Viking’s’ and ‘The Not So Ugly Sisters’. She has recently toured in Red Ladder’s production of ‘We’re Not Going Back’ and will be performing in ‘Mutton’ that is currently on the Red Ladder Social Circuit. Claire has a long standing relationship with both Red Ladder & Wrongsemble and is thrilled that they’ve paired up to tour this special piece!

Claire’s Musical Directing & Composition credits include:The Wizard of Oz (The Dukes Lancaster) The Odyssey (NT/Cast) The Not So Ugly Sisters/A Town Called Christmas/Hansel & Gretel/The Three Little Vikings(Wrongsemble); A Christmas Carol/A Midsummer Nights Dream/Outlaws/Murder at the coliseum/The Uncrackable Case(Front Room Productions); Harold & Maude (Interplay); Connected (Red Ladder Theatre) Hidden Histories (Mind the gap); Robyn Hood/Pirate Bonnie (Fidget Theatre) The Good Book (Slung Low) Mutton (Brave Words); Where is love/Down’t Allotment (Bloomin’ Buds) 

Elvi Piper – Writer & Director – A Town Called Christmas

credit Tarek Slater

Elvi is a Yorkshire-based theatre director. She trained at Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama and Insitut del Teatre, Barcelona, and is the founding Artistic Director of award-winning family theatre company Wrongsemble. 

Recent theatre credits as Director include: ‘The Wizard of Oz’ by Daniel Bye (The Dukes, Williamson Park Show), ‘Hush Hush’ by Lucie Raine (Mikron), ‘We’re Not Going Back’ by Boff Whalley (Red Ladder Theatre Company), ‘Three Little Vikings’ by Bethan Woollvin (Wrongsemble), ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ (Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, Storyhouse, 2023), Romeo and Juliet (Storyhouse, 2022), The Coup Coup Club book by Paul Jenkins, music/lyrics by Darren Clark, concept by Amy Draper (Leeds Conservatoire/Slung Low).

Richard Priestley – Director & Choreographer – A Town Called Christmas

credit Lian Furness

Richard Priestley (he/him) is a Northern Irish-born director, choreographer and facilitator based in Manchester. He specialises in movement and ensemble-led theatre, creating bold, energetic, and inclusive work for audiences of all ages. With over 15 years of experience across professional, educational and community settings, Richard has worked extensively with companies including Wrongsemble, The Dukes, Red Ladder, Storyhouse and The British Library. His directing and choreography credits include Breadcrumbs (2025), Three Little Vikings (2025), The Wizard of Oz (2025) and Romeo & Juliet (2023). Alongside his theatre-making, Richard leads creative workshops through organisations such as Proper Job Theatre Company and The Lowry, using drama and movement to build confidence, communication, and creativity in participants from all walks of life. He is thrilled to be Co-Director and Choreographer for A Town Called Christmas and to be partnering with Red Ladder and Wrongsemble to bring festive magic to audiences across the country.

Seeta Wrightson – Writer    – A Proper Merry Christmess

credit Andy Hollingworth

Seeta Wrightson is a Bradford born, Leeds based, writer, stand-up comedian and voice actor. She was commissioned by Redladder after taking part in the playwriting workshops in 2024.  Seeta reached the 2021 semi-finals of BBC New Comedy Awards in 2021, is running her solo show “It’ll be all Wrightson on the night, son” at comedy festivals around the UK, and she has been selected for the BBC Comedy sponsored 2025 Female Pilot Club initiative for her sitcom script “BD5 Girls”. Seeta has also taken part in several writers rooms for TV comedy sitcoms. In 2024, she supported comedian Kiri Pritchard-McClean on several of her “Peacock” tour dates and voice acted several characters in the Bradford City of Culture BBC play “Bilal and Ted’s Bradfordian Adventure”. 

A Proper Merry Christmas is Seeta’s playwriting debut.

Kathleen Yore – Puppet Maker & Trainer – A Town Called Christmas

credit Odd Doll

Kathleen is a Yorkshire based puppet / mask maker and director. Graduating with distinction from Bretton Hall. Previous making and directing credits include: All ‘Odd Doll Puppetry’ shows, Hansel and Gretel (Cast in Doncaster) Mutton (Brave words) Hansel and Gretel, Tinsel, Three Little Vikings, A Town Called Christmas (Wrongsemble), Rapunzel (Ballet Lorrent) The Hidden Garden (Theatre Company Blah Blah Blah) Jack and the Beanstalk (City Varieties) Squid and the Sea (Tatwood Puppets) Masque of Might (Opera North)

Performance credits include: Ava (Nikki Davis) Wrong un, and Mother Courage (Red Ladder) Utopias (Aber Dabai, Denmark) Northern Dreaming (Leeds 23) Grandads Tales (Pickled Image) Christmas in Leeds Market (Alive and Kicking) Submercycle, Bees, Moths at work, Action painting (Pif Paf) Pirate Bonnie (Fidget). For fifteen years, Kathleen has also worked as a hospital clown doctor for northern children’s hospital units under the name ‘Dr Nic Nac’ for ‘Theodora Children’s Charity’, specialising in improvisation and play with families in order to relieve anxiety and to remind people of the joy of life.