Contributers

Suzanne Field – Set Designer – trained in Theatre Design before working extensively in theatre for a number of years as a set and costume designer. Suzanne worked at The Citizens’ Theatre, Glasgow where she designed the hugely successful production of Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh which toured extensively at home and abroad before completing two highly popular runs at the Whitehall Theatre in London’s West End. Suzanne also designed the original theatre production of The Reader by Bernard Schlink which toured nationally in Scotland culminating in a sell-out run at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh during the Edinburgh Festival. She has worked for most touring theatre companies in Scotland, designing both set and costumes for over 30 productions and is a founder member of Theatre in Action which she formed in 1997 with David O’Neill whom she met whilst working at the Citizen’s Theatre.

Ten years ago she made the move from theatre to film and has designed several short films and one feature film – she is currently working as an Art Director.

Vanessa Oakes – Playwright – trained as a theatre designer before working extensively in scenography, community arts and arts administration. Her recent plays include; The Game Anew (Pentabus at Latitude), The Watched Sea (CAPITAL), The Permitted Number (Paines Plough/Belgrade), I Am Active (Red Teapot), The Kindness of Strangers (Warwick Words), Lost in Paradise CV6 (Belgrade Theatre), A Body Moving Through (the estate) and Live Like Us (Belgrade Theatre).

>David O’Neill – Director – Started as an ASM at The Citizens’ Theatre, Glasgow, in 1984 and continue to work as a free-lance stage manager and production manager for a number of companies including the Edinburgh International Festival (stores), BBC, Imaginate Scotish Childrens’ Festival and Visible Fictions, among others. Established Theatre in Action with Suzanne Field and have directed 6 productions with them; “In Lambeth” by Jack Shepherd, “The Gigli Concert” by Tom Murphy, “The Busker” by James Kelman, “Faith Healer” by Brian Friel, “Judith” by Howard Barker and “Moriarty Is Crying” by Raymond Friel and Derek Boyle. Have also co-directed 2 community productions for the Citizens’ Theatre and directed 3 community productions for Borderline Theatre Company, Ayr. As a side-bar, a growing involvement with playing music has led to teaming up with Mary-Jane Bothams and Mark Price (Curt Price & The Discounts) in “The Nashwegians”, a country inspired acoustic trio, as well as collaborating with Alec Mack in “Clashmaclaver” (formerly “The Working Stiffs”) on a series of projects in a broadly folk/new work/jazz vein.

Elaine Robertson – Costume Designer – trained in Theatre Design at the Slade School of Fine Art.