Agency News

ILLONA LINTHWAITE captures headlines on her return to the ROH

Sunday, 15th February 2026

ILLONA LINTHWAITE 

is making waves (again) at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden with her soul-catching performance and features in today’s Sunday Times as a clarion for senior actresses everywhere.   In 2025 Illona garnered review mentions way above expectations for her first outing as ‘Erda’ in the Wagner Ring Cycle directed by Barrie Kosky.   She has been invited back to the role for Part 2 - SIEGFRIED in the ROH 2026 season.

Remembering ANDREW JARVIS

Friday, 21st November 2025

It is with great sadness I must let you know that our respected and much loved client ANDREW JARVIS has passed away. Andrew was a unique presence in our business for many decades - he spent ten years with the RSC, five years with the ESC, appeared many times in the West End and played two seasons at the National Theatre in London. He was a distinctive figure, presenting as something between Gandulf (whom he famously played in the West End) and a Wild West cowboy with his long silver hair and stylish black stetson.
A charismatic and award-winning classical actor working with everyone from Trevor Nunn and Ian McKellan to film director Mike Leigh, Andrew was also something of a legend as a drama teacher, in which capacity he was for several years the Head of Postgraduate Performance Courses at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. So many benefitted from Andrew's knowledge and experience particularly with Shakespeare and from his very special gift for inspiring young performers - frankly they adored him and do to this day.
Andrew also gave back in other ways; as a Trustee of the Actors Benevolent Fund and as a member of the Advisory Board overseeing the restoration and renovation of the 15th Century Guildhall in Kings Lynn. He was a Board Member of the British Shakespeare Association, an Honorary Patron of Brownsea Open Air Theatre and the President of the Sunday Shakespeare Society.

Andrew was born and raised in Chesterfield, Derbyshire and was an avid supporter of the football team. Being the manager of which was the only job he always said he would have prefered to being a professional actor - he'd have done that brilliantly too no doubt!

Please feel free to leave a message by commenting below or email [email protected] and we will ensure any message is sent on to Gillian, Andrew's wife. Our love, thoughts and condolences are with Gillian and the family.

Celebrating the BBTA Lifetime Achievement Award for NICOLA BLACKMAN

Sunday, 26th October 2025

We’re delighted to be celebrating NICOLA BLACKMAN’s BBTA (Black British Theatre Awards) 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award!   

Nicola, who'se long career has so far spanned classics at the NT, West End and off-Broadway musicals, extensive regional, new work and tv, will be presented with her award tonight at the Piccadilly Theatre in London’s West End at a glittering ceremony awarding black artists in a number of categories.  

Warmest congratulations Nicola on this well-deserved recognition as one of a generation of pioneering black performers!

They’re back! Award-winning and multi-nominated VERMIN with SALLY PAFFETT and BENNY AINSWORTH on stellar form

Sunday, 7th September 2025

4* and 5* reviews for the revival of VERMIN by Benny Ainsworth @parktheatrelondon in which he co-stars with SALLY PAFFETT who won the 2024 OFFIE Best Lead Performance in a Play.   The text itself was nominated as was Benny for his performance in the play.   A stellar night.

if you are looking for a darkly funny but touching show with excellent performances, Vermin ticks all the boxes THEATRE WEEKLY 5*

An OFFIE nomination for ROBERT MOUNTFORD

Thursday, 9th January 2025

Hats off ROBERT MOUNTFORD for his well-deserved OFFIE Best Supporting Actor nomination!   And it’s not too late to see Rob's delightful and inventive ‘Sir Andrew Aguecheek’ in TWELFTH NIGHT @orangetreetheatre as it’s on until 24th January.

Robert Mountford’s clubbable but baffled Sir Andrew Aguecheek - Mark Lawson - THE GUARDIAN****

Clive Francis turns in yet another scene-stealing display, this time as a rumpled Toby Belch who doesn’t seem to go anywhere without a hip flask. His exchanges with Robert Mountford’s Andrew Aguecheek, a bright young thing gone to seed, are a lesson in comic timing THE TIMES****

It is worth highlighting the comic talents of Clive Francis, who plays Sir Toby Belch, and Robert Mountford, who plays Sir Andrew Aguecheek. What a pair they are, playing off each other to create some of the funniest moments in the show with their physicality and skilled use of voice control. WEST END BEST FRIEND*****

Mountford’s timing excels itself with theatre business, as tin-helmeted he pratfalls cowardice. FRINGE REVIEW UK

Mountford finding a Lieutenant George energy that leavens his idiocy with an irresistible charm.  Great fun, but also a set up for a ferocious heartbreaker of a sting in that unforgettable denouement. BROADWAY WORLD

SIMON YADOO enjoys 4* and 5* reviews in WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ANNE FRANK @marylebonetheatre

Sunday, 20th October 2024

4* GUARDIAN

5* TIMES

Simon Yadoo - probably my favourite performer in the show - brings a quiet intensity to the role of'Yerucham', whose unwavering faith becomes a focal point of tension.    From mumbling a prayer ashe washes his hands to his shuffling gait, his portrayal of a Chasidic Jew is magnificent.   He is alsofiercely intelligent and the master of the cutting remark...SECRET STAGE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
Yadoo is particularly fantastic in a performance that balances comedic + commanding with ease...ALL THAT DAZZLES

Malina, Catz, Howell, Myer-Bennett and Yadoo are nothing short of exceptional throughout, tackling complex dialogue and themes with such passion and skill that it is impossible to take your eyes off them for a second. They skillfully navigate Englander’s knotty discussions while beautifully exploring the individual motivations, beliefs and contradictions behind each character. CINERAMA

@marylebonetheatre until 23rd November

PETER JEFFRIES opens in LIE CLUB @etceteratheatre and UNHOLYLANDS feature film @belfastfilmfestival

Sunday, 20th October 2024

Exciting times for PETER JEFFRIES as his co-written intriguing new play LIE CLUB opens for a short London run @etceteratheatre transferred from Edinburgh Fringe Festival.    Until 27th October.   And looking forward, Peter also co-stars in THE UNHOLYLANDS feature film starring James Nesbitt and premiering at Belfast Film Festival on 9th November at 6pm.

EDINBURGH ’24: A thrilling 5* performance in MANIKIN from SANDS STIRLING

Saturday, 10th August 2024

I want to mark a thrilling and stellar performance by our Scottish client @sands_stirling in MANIKIN #TheWeeRedBar @edfringe In a week (due to previous cast illness) he’s moved from co-director to solo player in a first class script by nsd_95_ (Nathan Scott Dunn). 

Sands and Nathan have worked together and with others as @saltireskytheatre, for 8 award-winning years, producing Scottish working class classics like ‘1902’ You are welcome @ntsonline @traversetheatre @lyceumedinburgh @playpiepint @ACS @creativescots @trontheatre @citizenstheatre @bbcscotland to take a few steps round the corner to see and hear a brilliant and authentic voice of Scotland @saltireskytheatre.  

Plays Aug 9-13, 15-20, 22-25: Venue 506: 5pm. 

5* review below from EVERYTHING THEATRE https://everything theatre.co.uk/2024/08/review-manikin-edfringe-the-wee-red-bar/#:

MATTHEW SHARPE in KNEECAP ground-breaking feature and official Irish Oscar entry for Best International Film

Sunday, 4th August 2024

MATTHEW SHARPE is ’Sean' in KNEECAP

 - a 2024 comedy drama film describing the rise of Belfast-based hip-hop trio, Kneecap.   The film stars the band members as themselves, as well as Michael Fassbender.   VARIETY has also announced that

'Ireland has submitted “Kneecap” to represent them in the Oscars International Feature Film category, making it the first country to do so in the race to the 2025 Academy Awards.

The early — and widely-anticipated — move by the Irish Film and TV Academy is a solid vote of confidence for a film that became a sensation in Sundance, where it was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics, and has been amassing plaudits at festivals around the world over the last few months. The news of its submission was announced on Friday, the same day as the film’s U.S. release (it launches in Ireland on Aug. 8 and is expected to break box office records for an Irish film).’

Matthew is a native of Belfast where he gained at BA in Drama from Queen’s University. Since then he has worked across theatre, feature and short films and tv, including two seasons of BLOODLANDS (BBC) in a returning role. Matthew is also a highly skilled boxer and basketball player.

BETH LILLY premieres early May in THE SISTER BONIFACE MYSTERIES S3

Sunday, 28th April 2024

Yet another new look from versatile BETH LILLY - shortly starring in a guest lead role in THE SISTER BONIFACE MYSTERIES (Britbox/BBC) on UKTV.    Beth is fresh from award-winning work in MAKESHIFTS AND REALITIES at the Finborough Theatre (Best Ensemble) and a further clutch of great reviews for COCKFOSTERS at the Turbine Theatre.    Her theatre work also includes ‘Annie’ in THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG (UK No 1 tour) and THE GAME OF LOVE AND CHANCE (Arcola Theatre - to ecstatic reviews!).  Whatever next..?!

Trevor Nunn’s UNCLE VANYA @OrangeTreeThtr featuring SUSAN TRACY opens to 4 + 5* reviews

Friday, 8th March 2024

It's Chekhov, it's Trevor Nunn, it's the Orange Tree and SUSAN TRACY is  Vanya’s mother ‘Maria’ in UNCLE VANYA until April 13th

Susan Tracy as Maria steals all eyes when on stage with nuanced detailed reactions as Vanya’s passionate and somewhat neurotic mother

WEST END BEST FRIEND - 8th March 2024

Nunn has drawn an immaculate ensemble

THE GUARDIAN***** 9th March 2024

SALLY PAFFETT wins Best Performance In A Play at the 2024 OFFIE AWARDS

Tuesday, 27th February 2024

Huge congratulations @salpaf SALLY PAFFETT who has deservedly won Best Performance In A Play at the 2024 OffWestEnd Awards - THE OFFIES.    We also congratulate Benny Ainsworth, who co-starred and wrote the play, which was a finalist in the Best New Play category.   Also our ALEX LEWER who lit the production and Michael Parker the director.

NUALA McGOWAN plays in THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS at the MAC Theatre in Belfast

Saturday, 2nd December 2023

NUALA MCGOWAN 

is in the pink (pic centre) in THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS at the MAC Theatre in Belfast directed by Lisa May 

...and three strutting, pink, candy-striped piglets (Rivers, Nuala McGowan and Jack Watson), a subversive, close-harmony piggy power trio, who are deserving of their own show. It’s a terrifically fun escapade THE STAGE 4*

Nuala McGowan makes her own engaging contributions as Jem and Grandmother...LONDON REVIEWS

the porcine barbershop-harmonising trio—McGowan, Rivers and Watson—who sizzle like rashers in the pan in the show’s standout finale BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE

MIRANDA BRAUN absolutely insists on having a marvellous time whilst recording a leading role ‘Maya’ in series 2 of ENGLISH ROSE for BBC Radio 4 - now airing and on iPlayer!

Saturday, 2nd December 2023

MIRANDA BRAUN

insists on having a marvellous time whilst doing the serious business of playing a lead role in a major BBC R4 drama series. As she puts it ‘..this time was great - I wasn’t so nervous as with series 1 when I was virtually a rookie - this time I started to feel I know what I am doing!”. Well, the performance is transformative

RICHARD DERRINGTON may be the worst butler in the world, but he’s getting the best reviews!

Saturday, 25th November 2023

Appreciation across the board for the fine and funny work of 

RICHARD DERRINGTON 

in #SHESTOOPSTOCONQUER @orangetreetheatre.   

“a gloriously shakey servant” GUARDIAN****

“Richard Derrington’s wizened retainer...works a treat” THE TIMES****

And Richard Derrington makes he very, very most of Diggory the dishevelled manservant, doddering for England with every move provoking ripples of delight.  LIBBY PURVES - THEATRE CAT

Meanwhile, Richard Derrington, playing the flaky old butler Diggory, nearly steals the show, as he quivers his way perilously around. No wonder the characters go through so many brandies! EVERYTHING THEATRE ****

Diggory (latterly also Sir Charles Marlow), Richard Derrington, manages some blissful routines with a variation of Victoria Wood’s Two Soups: here Two Rum Punches shaken not stirred over Diggory’s betters, as well as recalling the octogenarian waiter in One Man, Two Guvnors THE FRINGE REVIEW

PAUL CARROLL opens in Brian Friel masterpiece FAITH HEALER

Friday, 8th September 2023

At the first stop on a UK tour for @londonclassic1 @paultcarroll @NewVicTheatre is off to a fine start at the New Vic Theatre.  This is the latest in a line of Irish classics in which Paul has appeared.  The first was @nottinghamplayhouse in Martin McDonagh’s black comedy A SKULL IN CONNEMARA.  This was followed @traversetheatre @RaptureTheatre by another McDonagh play THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE  and now FAITH HEALER - here is the opening press salvoe

He carries with him an air of mystery as he spills his truths, his half truths, and might not be truths to the audience. His performance is impressive, with all eyes watching every carefully considered footstep, ears taking in every spoken word.   It is a flawless delivery, that’s for sure.   Frank’s struggle with his gift, the ambiguity of his healing abilities, and his inner demons are portrayed with a raw intensity   BEFFSHUFF.COM

tour dates:

http://londonclassictheatre.co...

trailer:

;t=3s

and an interview with Paul for Irish World

https://www.theirishworld.com/...

DAVID HENRY - fine actor, singer and voice artist

Tuesday, 8th August 2023

I am very sad indeed to report the passing of our much loved and admired client David Henry. 

I first met David in 1990 when he brilliantly played the title role in UNCLE VANYA for Co-Producers (of which I was then co-Artistic Director) and I was delighted when many years later we worked together on a rehearsed reading and he approached me for representation. 

It would take too long here to list David’s acting achievements but suffice it to say they encompassed West End musicals including CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG (in which he created the role of Baron Bombast) and MARY POPPINS and also CAROUSEL (amongst many productions at the NT including THE MADNESS OF GEORGE 111), theatre at Chichester, West Yorkshire Playhouse, RSC and extensively across the UK, award-winning audio work, many major feature films from THE KILLING FIELDS to ALI G IN DA HOUSE and tv from POIROT to AB FAB to name but a few. David used to say he was both Australian and South African as he grew up in both countries and he was often cast as characters from those places as a result - he was a gifted vocal artist.   

And David was no stranger to new and challenging work, playing Lear in LEAR/CORDELIA @1623theatre.co.uk and in Giles Cole’s THE WEATHERMEN at Brighton Festival as two of his latter projects.

Our sincere condolences to David's wife and family in Germany. David in later life was supported by the staff and friends of Denville Hall. 

Dear David - we’ll miss your wonderful optimism, warm personality, professionalism and fine acting and singing - you made a great contribution to our profession.

ADDY CAULDER JAMES has the title role in Sally Cookson’s CINDERELLA: A FAIRY TALE at Greenwich Theatre

Monday, 24th July 2023

@addycaulder 

ADDY CAULDER JAMES 

has landed a great debut role - the lead ‘Ella’ in Sally Cookson’s playful adaptation of a classic story;  CINDERELLA: A FAIRY TALE opening 18th August @greenwichtheatr.  Congratulations Addy!

GRACE DEAVALL is both Hero and Dogberry in MUCH ADO for Nottingham Shakespeare Company

Tuesday, 11th July 2023

GRACE DEAVALL in a heroic double is both Hero and Dogberry in Nottingham Shakespeare Company’s short, sharp, sparkling version of Shakespeare’s famous romantic comedies

Currently on tour in site-specific venues around the city and off to Stratford On Avon to play at The Dell as part of the RSC’s outdoor season on 20th August.

Grace Deavall is grace itself as the lovable Hero who is played in the style of an attractive tomboy. Deavall also doubles as the very comical Dogberry whose badly-chosen vocabulary is more than equal to any over-confident Facebook Keith or Karen EASTMINDLANDSTHEATRE.COM

https://www.rsc.org.uk/events/...

https://nottinghamshakespeare....

AKASH HEER cast as ‘Richard Parker (Tiger Head) in LIFE OF PI

Tuesday, 6th June 2023

We are delighted to announce that @AKASH0224 AKASH HEER will co-star in LIFE OF PI as ‘Richard Parker’ (Tiger Head) on the first UK No 1 tour of the Olivier Award-winning West End hit.   We send our warm congratulations to Akash and good wishes for a wonderful run opening 29th August @SheffieldLyceum and touring until mid-2024 - truly an epic voyage!  All tour details here:  

https://lifeofpionstage.com