Laura Churchill ~ Shady Doll

As a close ensemble we are equally committed to the development and direction of Shady Dolls; my duty as Artistic Director is to oversee the creative and administrative organisation, pulling together the different facets of the business to ensure an overall coherent, productive and innovative theatre company. In addition to this, utilising my skills as a fine artist I manage the design aspects of Shady Dolls such as publicity, website, costume, set and image.

In addition to producing, designing and promoting theatre each Doll is a talented performer and being on stage is where we all belong! I perform regularly in each Shady Dolls Cabaret, and played 'Myrrah' in Deadstock, 'Constance Hately' in An Ornery Tale, 'Loti' in The Spoils, 'Mara Lee' in Homestead and various characters including 'Mary Magdalene' and 'Intern' in The Erotica Project.

Polly Henson ~ Shady Doll

As Marketing Officer I work closely with press on enhancing Shady Dolls' public profile. Other responsibilities include liaising with venues and suppliers, advertising, market research and forming relationships with companies that provide Shady Dolls with the ability to function smoothly and productively. I am also the Shady Dolls' Outreach Officer and currently run a series of drama workshops at a local youth club (details on this can be found on our Outreach page).

But of course this is all in addition to being an actor (my favourite role) within the company! The roles I have played in Shady Dolls productions to date include 'Minnie Hately' in An Ornery Tale, 'Dobra' in The Spoils, 'Adele' in Homestead, various characters in The Erotica Project, and I perform many songs at our popular cabarets.

Rebecca Pollock ~ Shady Doll

As Shady Dolls Theatre Company has become a closer unit, so have a number of our roles developed and amalgamated. As Press Officer, I work to provide promotion for shows which involves writing press releases, liaising with journalists and securing media coverage for all Shady Dolls' projects.

In my position as Education Officer, I am steadily working towards the construction and promotion of our schools and universities workshops which, I am pleased to say, are becoming increasingly popular. Alongside this work, I still perform my duties as Company Secretary; controlling the company's finances, managing funding applications and providing a stable foundation from which the company and our sponsors can operate at a professional and productive level.

In addition to my regular appearances in our cabaret spectaculars, roles to date have included 'Ruby Hately' in An Ornery Tale, 'Tala' in The Spoils, 'Agnes' in Homestead and various characters in The Erotica Project.

Sarah Anne Spry ~ Musical Director & Piano

Sarah is a fellow graduate of the American Theatre Arts degree programme at Rose Bruford College. She is a skilled musician, with grade eight Piano, grade five violin and grade five Theory of Music. In addition to her outstanding musical skills she is a talented performer; previous appearances include Dora, in Bed of Roses and Rosalind,in As You Like It. Sarah has been working with the Shady Dolls Band since it's inception in 2008.

Callum Hughes ~ Drums & Guitar

Callum is in his first year of the American Theatre Arts degree programme at Rose Bruford College. He has been performing from a young in many bands ranging from function cover groups, to rock and swing bands. He plays several instruments including drums, piano and guitar and has used these skills to lead a Rock n' Pop workshop for his local council, compose music for a children's theatre workshop in a special needs school, and performed many original acoustic sets in his home town, Oxfordshire.

Matt Thomas ~ Bass Guitar & Ukele

Matt, aged 20, has been playing bass guitar for five years. He is currently in his final year at the London Centre of Contemporary Music studying for a degree in Sound Production and Live Sound Engineering. In addition to his work with the Shady Dolls Band, Matt is a member of three others: Kelville (Country Rock), The Blackhat Band (a function band) and The 007's (a James Bond tribute Band).

Ben Whitehead ~ Compère

Ben Whitehead is a voice over artist and Character comedian from London. He regularly acts as compère for the Shady Dolls' Cabarets, his characters have included Latino Night club owner, Ricky Cabeza; 1940's British Radio announcer, Leslie Manwater; and unsettling entertainer, Fred Strangebone.