End of August, I was asked by the talented actor/writer Nadine Ivy Barr to join an R&D for a piece she is currently writing. Of course I said yes! So, in September, I spent a few days at the Birmingham Hippodrome exploring some the concepts she had created with a team of 4 other actors and our fabulous director Olamide Ajisafe.

The story covers themes of grief after a family loss with a story of self-discovery and acceptance woven into it. I took on the role of Sally, the overworked and exhausted oldest sister of the family who works as a nurse. She’s one of those people who always puts others first, most often at her own expense, and carries the weight of her family’s needs on her shoulders which is only made more difficult in a time very emotionally difficult for everyone involved.

It was fascinating investigating her world and working with both Nadine and Olamide to flesh out who she is individually, within the family and most importantly, who the person is that she suppresses within herself. They gave me such free reign to find Sally and some really beautiful moments came from that – I look forward to seeing her future.