"Be cheeky and ask for advice from everyone who has been working the sector for a while"

Hometown
I currently live in Penzance in Cornwall, but I was born in Uganda and travelled extensively with my parents before settling in Estepona in Spain. I returned to the UK at the age of 12 and I have since lived in Essex, London and Cornwall, as well as the USA and France.

Do you consider yourself to have any disabilities?
I am dyslexic. This makes life a bit harder but with a laptop and a good proofreader I have managed to discover I can do things I never thought possible. Also dyslexics are very good at thinking outside the box, which is very useful in this industry.

What do you do?
Co-founder/ director/ performer Bash Street Theatre
Bash Street Theatre devises and tours mid-scale, street theatre productions.

The company uses live music and physical theatre to weave together a simple storyline with stunts, and circus skills. It has just completed a very successful summer season travelling 40,000 km with more than 50 performances in the UK, Holland, Belgium, France, Germany, Poland, Hungary and Italy. The company’s current show Cliffhanger! won an international award for the best street show at Fira de Tarréga in Spain last year.

Have you got qualifications?
Yes, but not related to theatre. I have a degree in natural science from the Open University as well as a certificate and diploma in business studies (also Open University). I am also currently working on an MBA.

What did you do before you worked in theatre?
In the past I have run various small companies including boat maintenance (painting and varnishing), selling second-hand clothes, selling and making hats and juggling balls and also face painting

How did you make the move to working in theatre?
After meeting my partner who was working as an actor with Cornwall Theatre Company, I decided to run away and start a circus! We originally called ourselves the Bash Street Circus Co.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
A dancer first, then flying trapeze, a sailor, an archaeologist or an astronomer. I had dance lessons as a teenager (jazz, modern and tap) but did not grow tall enough to be a professional dancer. If Circus Space had existed at that time, I would loved to have studied trapeze there.

What do you do all day?
My main focus within the company, apart from performing, is strategic development, fundraising, financial management and networking. I am also a member of the steering committee for the National Association of Street Artists.

What’s the best thing about your job?
We are autonomous, so we are responsible for all areas of the company’s work. We reap the rewards personally and struggle through the harder times together. It is great performing to a large European audience and wonderful when grant applications are successful.

It is also a life choice, because we tour with our family and home educate our two young boys on our travels. We just had a gig in Rome and took the opportunity to visit Pisa, Siena, and Venice, as well as spending time discovering Rome! Although this is not always possible.

And the worst?
Driving through Austria and not understanding how the tolls work and receiving a fine of 650 Euros! Driving all through the night then setting up a show only for it to be cancelled because of rain.

What’s your dream job in theatre?
This is it, although more money to develop new shows and tour them all over the world would be good

Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
Just do it! Provide yourself with your own momentum, be cheeky and ask for advice from everyone who has been working the sector for a while. Watch lots of other shows, work on your own show and ask your local festival to give you a slot. Get some gigs and join the National Association of Street Artists where you will get loads of help.