Different gifts.
One shared purpose.

Robert Tremayne

Robert founded Dionysus Theatre and leads its artistic vision, productions and development. For A Christmas Carol by Candlelight he appears as Ebenezer Scrooge, and serves as adaptor and designer.

His Dionysus performances include Elyot Chase in Private Lives, Count Fosco in The Woman in White, Constantin in La Mouette, Lady Sneerwell and Trip in School for Scandal, Alan Turing in Breaking the Code, Duke Orsino and Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night, and Luke Sanderson in The Haunting of Hill House.

A graduate of Northbrook Metropolitan College and a member of Equity, Robert is committed to making ambitious classic theatre accessible and taking the company’s work to audiences across the UK.

Lauren Whedbee

Lauren trained at the London College of Music, graduating with a Master’s in Musical Theatre. In A Christmas Carol by Candlelight she plays Mrs Cratchit, Emma, Fan and Mrs Dilber, and understudies several principal tracks.

Her Dionysus roles include Amanda Prynne in Private Lives, Marian Halcombe in The Woman in White, Marie in La Mouette, Pat Green in Breaking the Code and Maria in Twelfth Night.

Lauren leads outreach, education and audience development, helping Dionysus remain welcoming, inclusive and connected to the communities it serves.

Kelly Verstappen

Kelly is a performer and creative practitioner with experience across theatre production, costume, prop fabrication and programming. In A Christmas Carol by Candlelight she plays Ms Bentley, Jacob Marley, Marley’s Ghost and Mrs Newbury.

She previously appeared as Sybil Chase in the company’s tour of Private Lives. Kelly leads branding, marketing, development and funding work, helping to grow Dionysus Theatre’s profile and touring reach.

Vicky Newman

Vicky has been at the heart of Dionysus Theatre from the beginning. She is Associate Director of A Christmas Carol by Candlelight and appears as Old Sal, Rose and the Caroller.

Her company credits include directing Private Lives, The Woman in White, School for Scandal and Twelfth Night, and performing in The Rats, La Mouette, The Seagull, Breaking the Code and The Haunting of Hill House.

As Director and Company Secretary, Vicky supports the organisation, governance and continuity of the company with clarity, care and a strong creative eye.

Pippa Dawes

Pippa returned to acting after first discovering theatre at school, where her productions included Our Day Out, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Wiz and Blue Remembered Hills.

She has also performed stand up comedy at Komedia, created a two season comedy podcast during lockdown and sung in charity concerts. In A Christmas Carol by Candlelight she plays the Spirit of Christmas Present, Mrs Harrington, Fezziwig and the Second Gossip.

George Simmonds

George first performed as Bugsy in Bugsy Malone at Shoreham Academy. He joins the Dionysus ensemble with warmth, energy and a strong instinct for character.

In A Christmas Carol by Candlelight he plays the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Be, Fred and Young Scrooge, and understudies Mr Murdock.

Charley O’Hagan

Charley studied Drama at Queen’s University Belfast, where her roles included Gloria in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot and Lara in Happy as Larry. Earlier musical theatre credits include Fat Sam in Bugsy Malone, the Admiral in Mary Poppins and Lord Brockhurst in The Boyfriend.

In A Christmas Carol by Candlelight she plays Bob Cratchit, Dick Wilkins and Mr Murdock, and understudies Mrs Newbury.

Anna Connors

Anna has performed with Burgess Hill Musical Theatre Society in Made in Dagenham, The Wedding Singer, Kipps and Shrek. Her theatre credits also include Playhouse Creatures and Entertaining Angels with Burgess Hill Theatre Club, and Martha in Cranford with Ditchling Players.

In A Christmas Carol by Candlelight she plays the Spirit of Christmas Past and Belle, and understudies several company tracks.

Claire Coull

Claire’s stage credits include Miss Pole in Cranford, Ruth in Calendar Girls, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Gossip in Caged Birds, Wifey in Call Me Daddy and Nursey in Shakespeare in Love.

In A Christmas Carol by Candlelight she plays Miss Granger, Miss Topper and the First Gossip, and understudies Mrs Dilber and Dick Wilkins.

Matthew Pike

Matthew is a production specialist and lighting designer with extensive experience across theatre, touring and venue management. He is Head of Technical and Production for Worthing Theatres and Museum.

For Dionysus Theatre, Matthew designed the lighting for The Woman in White and La Mouette. He returns as Lighting Designer for A Christmas Carol by Candlelight, helping shape the company’s atmospheric visual identity.