Once in a House on Fire R & D Cast

Thanks to our wonderful cast who have not only performed in the Rehearsed Readings of Once in a House on Fire‘s first draft, but collaborated to help develop the script.

Playing various characters were:

Rachel Austin: After leaving Drama School Rachel has remained pro-active working consistently in Manchester theatre. Born and bred in Leigh, Lancashire, Rachel is proud to be a ‘northerner’ and has no plans to flee Manchester just yet. One of her main passions is sharing and developing new writing which challenges its audience and tells a clear story.  Twice a year Rachel performs with comedy sketch group Bo Jazz, allowing her to act a bit silly, playing various and quite often flamboyant characters. Making her debut for Monkeywood in Once in a House on Fire, Rachel worked with fellow Monkey Sarah McDonald Hughes in Be My Baby at The Lowry earlier this year and is thrilled to be working on this wonderful project with such dedicated and talented individuals.

Ted Holden: Ted trained at The University of Salford, graduating in 2002 with a BA Honours in Performing Arts. Ted has previously worked with Monkeywood in Last Orders, as part of the Royal Exchange Theatre’s sell-out PUB season. His most recent stage appearance was as ‘Jay’ in the M.E.N. Award Winning new play Lub You at The Octagon, Bolton and The Young Vic, London. Ted has also appeared as ‘Smiler’ in Chips With Everything and ‘Edward’ in Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me at The Lowry, Salford Quays. Some of Ted’s extensive television credits include – The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister, Coronation Street, Life of Riley, Heartbeat, EarlyDoors, The Royal and the ITV drama Dead Clever.

Sarah McDonald Hughes: Sarah’s credits for Monkeywood include Jade in Maine Road, Michelle in Last Orders, Caty in A Song for the Lovers which was produced at the 2006 24:7 festival and subsequently at The Lowry in October 2008. Sarah also appeared in Closer and Coach G for Monkeywood. Her recent acting credits include Be My Baby and A Taste of Honey for Northface Theatre, Love Shaped Thing and Caligari for BBC Radio, Night Train and A Million Shades of Pink for Action Transport Theatre Company. Sarah performed at the Sheffield Lyceum in Somebody’s Son, in which she appeared again at the Library Theatre in September 09 as part of the Decibel Showcase.

Francesca Waite: Francesca’s credits for Monkeywood include Donna in Maine Road, Crystal in Last Orders, Jenna in A Song for the Lovers and as Janet and the infamous Rabbit in Coach G. She recently appeared in Verbally Challenged at The Contact Theatre and prior to that as a villager in The Kirov Ballet’s production of Don Quixote at The Lowry. Francesca toured the north east with Team Players Theatre in Education Company and has appeared in several short films for Shameless Films, including the title roles in Nona Transvaal and Avril Tungsten. Francesca’s writing work includes On Standby for Verbally Challenged at The Contact Theatre and Silent Movie for BBC Learning & Libra Television.