Strange-Twig
Theatre Company
Meet The Team
Rob Coke-Woods
Artistic Director and Founder
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Specialising in physical theatre and aerial performance as well as being an adept storyteller Rob has been the director of Strange-Twig since he founded the company in 2005.
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Training at Bretton Hall in Yorkshire Robs catalogue of works stretches from classical theatre through musicals and dance and into circus where his heart truly lies. He has been involved in countless productions across his extensive career.
Penny Coke-Woods
Executive Director and Head Technician
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With a focus on technical theatre and aerial performance as well as being an adept physical performer Penny has been co-director of Strange-Twig since 2010.
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Pennys career has taken her all over the world with credits in China, Greece and Australia to name a few. Her skills cover aerial and acrobatics, lighting design, stage combat, production management and clowning. Her work at Strange-Twig incorporates every aspect of her experience.
Ruth Jepson
Senior Company Member
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Ruth is an experienced performer and an emerging fire artist based in Yorkshire. Educated at Huddersfield University in BA Drama. She has worked with Strange-Twig since 2013 in a variety of roles across several productions. She regularly performs in venues around Sheffield and the surrounding area, most recently as Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island and has played multiple audience interaction fronted roles. Her favourite role to date has been as Connie in The Effect.
Jade Fearnley
Company Technician
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Jade studied Technical Theatre (Production and Design) at the University of Salford achieving a First as well as the Award for Best Technical Theatre Student 2021/2022. Since graduating Jade hs been working as a freelance stage manager and multi-skilled technician across a variety of live events.
Recent credits include: ASM (Jack and The Beanstalk, Leeds City Varieties), SM (Sweet Dreams, Factory International) and many more.
Nathan Ritson
Performer and Production Assistant
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Nathan is a performer and fine artist specialising in Shadow Puppetry and large scale outdoor events based in Cornwall. He has performed in multiple roles for Strange-Twig and has assisted in the creation of puppets for Dream of The Sea and taken a lead in all puppetry for Under The Leaves. He is co-founder and a principal part of Frog and Bone and has worked across the UK with several other theatre companies.
Bryony Hallam
Performer
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Bryony has been working with Strange-Twig since 2021 and has taken on multiple roles during that time, not least of which as Ma for Have-A-Go-Pirates and as an ensemble vocalist in Dream of The Sea. She has also worked in prop creation and as a production assistant for the company as well as taking on stage management roles for several outdoor festivals. In addition to being a vocalist Bryony is also a textile artist and character actor.
Sophie Rushworth-Davies
Performer
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Sophie is a performer, dancer and stage manager based in Yorkshire. Educated in Contemporary Dance at the University of Chester she has worked with Strange-Twig since 2023. Recent roles include Ambrosia the Hummingbird in Under The Leaves as well as ensemble roles in Have-A-Go-Pirates and Dream of The Sea as well as recent work with the Northern Ballet Company.
Imogen Danbury
Performer
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Imogen has appeared in many TV productions and feature films including Victoria, Emmerdale and The Little Stranger as well as the short film 25% - A Confession for which she won 7 international best young actress awards including an award at the Cannes World Film Festival. Imogen is studying BA Screen Acting at the Central Film School in London and will play Solasta in Strange-Twigs Under The Leaves National Tour.
Elliott Dale-Hughes
Performer
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Elliott is an actor and an Advanced Fight Performer based in Yorkshire. Elliott has worked in the performance industry since 2017 and has been studying the blade (and shield, baton and cape) since 2023.
Recent Roles in addition to Strange-Twig include Samuel Vimes, Long John Silver and Mercutio.
Shannon Baker
Performer
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Shannon has trained in theatre from a young age, more recently diversifying into dance and fire arts. She specialises in shuffle, body popping and street dance styles such as breaking and house. She is an adept public speaker and has trained in fire arts on courses in London and Mansfield. She is an emerging fire artist with skills in multiple fire disciplines and has begun to explore other circus arts in addition including aerial and Cyr Wheel.