Meet the team
We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the cast and creative team of the Cumbernauld Theatre Company and Tortoise in a Nutshell co-production – Hibernate.
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![Charles Donnelly]( "Charles Donnelly")
CHARLES DONNELLY – Performer
Charles trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. He has worked in most fields of theatre, from childrens theatre to Rep. to Number 1 tours, as well as popping up in film and television. Among his favourite roles were, as The Voice in Under Milk Wood, Frank in Educating Rita, Michael in Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, and Malvolio in Twelfth Night. He has also written a play ‘The Man Who Ate The Sun’, a fictional account of the last two months in the life of Vincent Van Gogh.
CHARLES’ FESTIVE FACTS
Favourite part of working on the production?
Working with ‘mouse’. “Mouse is the only one in the company who’s not totally bonkers.”
Favourite Festive Song?
‘Merry Christmas Everybody’
Favourite film?
‘Muppets Christmas Carol’
Any fun festive traditions?
Meeting up with friends and family.
Favourite festive food?
Brussel sprouts.
First impressions of our new venue, Lanternhouse?
Only been here a couple of weeks, but really impressed by layout and facilities. Nice friendly atmosphere.
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![]( "thumbnail_Jessica Innes Headshot Twin City Pictures")
JESSICA INNES – performer
Jessica is an actor, puppeteer and multi-disciplinary artist, with a focus on work that is visually and socially engaging. Recently, Jessica performed as a puppeteer with Tortoise in a Nutshell, taking over Arran’s role in their award-winning production of Feral, and is thrilled to be working with them again on their brand new production; Hibernate. This year she has been touring Scotland with Vision Mechanics as a puppeteer for their 10-metre-tall Sea Goddess STORM.
Jessica created her first puppetry short film Mr Holdcroft commissioned by Puppet Animation Scotland for their kinetic installation Restless Worlds, and has been awarded their Creative Fund to join the Academy of the Wooden Puppet course by Bernd Ogrodnik where she is learning to carve hand, rod, and marionette puppets. Jessica has acted in productions across the UK, and was recently in the ensemble of actors for the Traverse Theatre’s Script Writer’s Scratch Performances.
JESSICA’S FESTIVE FACTS
Top 5 things about the festive season?
The lights – I love seeing the streets and houses lit up
The over-the-top jumpers
Putting up the Christmas Tree
It’s an emotional time, people are generally more kind and generous
It’s the ending of one year and the beginning of another
Favourite festive song?
Driving Home For Christmas – Chris Rea
Favourite festive movie?
Muppets Christmas Carol
Any fun festive traditions?
Every year, I cook Christmas Eve dinner – a home-made festive soup with a baked camembert and bread to dip!
Favourite festive food?
Mince Pie
First impressions of our new venue, Lanternhouse?
It’s a fantastic building! I love the bright open foyer and the big performance spaces. The team at Lanternhouse are all very welcoming and helpful! It’s a pleasure to be spending so much time at Lanternhouse!
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![]( "Arran cumbernauld pic")
ARRAN HOWIE – Design and Assistant Director and Co Director of Tortoise in a Nutshell
ARRAN’S FESTIVE FACTS
Favourite part of working on the production?
The delight of making live theatre again and working with lots of talented people.
Top 5 things about the festive season
Spending time with family & friends
Decorations- I love Christmas decorations!
All the delicious food
Mulled wine when it’s frosty/snowing outside
Welcoming our new baby this year 😊
Favourite Festive song?
One More Sleep ’til Christmas
Favourite Festive movie?
Elf
Fun Festive Traditions?
Quizzes!
Favourite Festive foods?
Cheese board
First impressions of our new venue, Lanternhouse?
Loving the new Lanternhouse space and excited to see it packed with lots of festive audiences.
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![]( "Li Kennedy")
LI KENNEDY – PRODUCER
LI’S FESTIVE FACTS
Favourite part of working on the production
Working with this incredible team on this beautiful show, knowing that for many little audience members it will be their first experience of theatre.
Top 5 things about the festive season?
Spending time with family and friends, food, Christmas trees, wrapping presents, a warm glass of mulled wine
Favourite festive song?
White Christmas
Favourite festive movie?
It’s A Wonderful Life
Any fun festive traditions?
Reading The Night Before Christmas with my family
Favourite festive food?
Terry’s chocolate orange!
First impressions of our new venue, Lanternhouse?
It’s a gorgeous new space, with a brilliant team, and we’re so excited to be welcoming audiences in with Hibernate!
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![]( "Alex Bird")
ALEX BIRD – Director and Assistant Designer and Co Director of Tortoise in a Nutshell
ALEX’S FESTIVE FACTS
Top 5 things about the festive season?
Advent calendars (love a countdown), food, decorations, festive football and family!
Favourite festive song?
Anything from the Muppets Christmas Carol
Favourite festive movie?
Oooh. See above!
Any fun festive traditions?
I just about manage a walk after eating wayyyyy to much. Some times people have to roll me out the door, which makes me feel very special and loved.
Favourite festive food?
Anything with brandy cream on it is a current winner!
First impressions of our new venue, Lanternhouse?
It’s a real treat to be working in a brand new space, with a brand new team, filled with ideas for making amazing things for people from across the region. Thanks for having us!
