Artistic Director & Founder

Most recently, Robert appeared as Elyot Chase in Dionysus Theatre’s UK tour of Private Lives. He has adapted and performed in several of the company’s major works, including playing Count Fosco in The Woman in White (2024 UK Tour), Constantin in La Mouette, and the title roles in the company’s flagship 2026–27 production The Curious Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde. Other notable Dionysus performances include Lady Sneerwell and Trip in School for Scandal and Luke Sanderson in The Haunting of Hill House.

He has also performed widely for the company across earlier productions, appearing as Alan Turing in Breaking the Code, Duke Orsino and Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night, and John Forrester in The Rats.

Robert’s directing work outside the company includes Cranford, A Christmas Carol (a version he also adapted), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Kipps, and Our House (winner of the NODA Award for Excellence). His production of The Taxidermist’s Daughter received the BHAC Award for Best Overall Production in 2024.

A graduate of Northbrook Metropolitan College and a member of Equity, Robert continues to champion accessible theatre. Through Dionysus Theatre, he remains committed to reimagining classic stories for modern audiences and expanding the company’s touring repertoire across the UK.

robert@dionysus-theatre.co.uk

Executive Director 

A graduate of the University of Chichester’s Performing Arts programme, he brings a versatile skill set to both performance and creative management within Dionysus Theatre.

David recently produced and starred as Victor Prynne in Dionysus Theatre’s UK tour of Private Lives, delivering a sharply defined and nuanced performance in one of Coward’s most iconic roles. He also appeared as Walter Hartright in the company’s 2024 tour of The Woman in White, further establishing his presence at the heart of Dionysus Theatre’s repertoire.

His wider stage career includes performances as Santa in The Santa Show, the Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol: The Concert, and a member of the Swing Ensemble in The Commitments. David has toured extensively with the street theatre company Bootworks and co-founded Desperate Measures Theatre, producing and performing original comedy work across the UK.

Beyond the stage, David appeared in the film Promenade and narrated the audiobook The Angel’s Return. As Managing Director of Dionysus Theatre, he continues to drive the company’s artistic growth and touring ambitions, combining creative vision with a strong commitment to accessible, high-quality theatre.

david@dionysus-theatre.co.uk

Audience & Community Engagement 

Lauren trained at the London College of Music, graduating with a Master's in Musical Theatre.

Her work with the company spans a wide range of roles, including Amanda Prynne in Private Lives, Marian Halcombe in The Woman in White, Marie in La Mouette, Maria and Sponge in School for Scandal, Pat Green (as well as directing) in Breaking the Code, and Maria in Twelfth Night. Her versatility across classical, gothic, and contemporary repertoire has made her a key creative force within the company.

Beyond Dionysus, Lauren’s recent credits include Connie Gifford in The Taxidermist’s Daughter and Carolyn in Blue Stockings (Southwick Players), Grace in Love in the Harbour (Fat Dan Productions – UK Tour), Lottie in Beneath the Boathouse, Jasmine in The Truth Will Out (Troubadour Theatre – Brighton Fringe), and Princess Jasmine in Aladdin (Outside the Box Productions – UK Tour).

As Audience & Community Engagement Director, Lauren leads on outreach, education, and deepening audience relationships, ensuring Dionysus Theatre’s work remains vibrant, inclusive, and connected to the communities it serves.

lauren@dionysus-theatre.co.uk

Marketing & Development 

Kelly Verstappen is a versatile performer and creative practitioner with a rich background spanning theatre production, costume design, prop fabrication, and innovative programming. As Marketing & Development Director for Dionysus Theatre, she leads the company’s branding, marketing strategy, development initiatives, and funding work, helping to grow Dionysus’ profile and touring reach across the UK.

Kelly most recently played Sybil Chase in the company’s acclaimed tour of Private Lives. Her early career was rooted behind the scenes, where she developed a strong eye for visual storytelling and design while also appearing on stage at Glastonbury and taking day-player roles on Japanese television.

In recent years, Kelly has refocused her creative energy on acting, bringing a dynamic and thoughtful presence to the stage. Her recent performances include Cassie Pine in The Taxidermist’s Daughter, Julie in Sheila’s Island, and Madame Defarge in A Tale of Two Cities, all with Southwick Players.

Combining artistic versatility with strategic insight, Kelly plays a central role in shaping Dionysus Theatre’s future — both onstage and behind the scenes.

kelly@dionysus-theatre.co.uk

Audience Relations Associate / Company Secretary

Vicky Newman is an actor, director, and facilitator whose work spans classical drama, gothic thrillers, and immersive performance. As Audience Relations Associate and Company Secretary for Dionysus Theatre, she supports audience engagement, membership development, and the smooth running of the company’s operations.

Vicky’s company credits with Dionysus Theatre include: Director & Louise in Private Lives; Director & Ensemble in The Woman in White; Jennifer Bryce in The Rats; Irene Aubert in both La Mouette and The Seagull; Director of School for Scandal and Twelfth Night; Sara Turing in Breaking the Code; and Mrs Dudley in The Haunting of Hill House.

Her wider theatre work includes: Assistant Director on Cranford (Ditchling Players), Associate Director on A Christmas Carol (Ditchling Players), Queen of Hearts in Wonderland, Katherine “Kate” Eddowes / Mother Superior in Jack the Ripper Online, Mrs Cratchit in A Christmas Carol, Mrs Pearcey in Become the Detective, and Ruth DeWitt-Bukater in Titanic Experience.

Additional musical theatre credits include: Mrs Harcourt in Anything Goes, Frau Schmitt in The Sound of Music, and Mrs Eynsford-Hill in My Fair Lady at the Connaught Theatre, Worthing.

Vicky brings clarity, organisation, and a strong creative eye to both her onstage work and her vital backstage contributions to Dionysus Theatre.

Technical & Production Associate

Matthew Pike is a production specialist and lighting designer with extensive experience across theatre, touring, and venue management. He graduated from Northbrook College with a BA in Theatre Arts, specialising in Production Management, Lighting Design, and Stage Management.

Matthew is currently Head of Technical and Production for Worthing Theatres and Museum, leading the technical team and overseeing all production requirements across Worthing’s four major venues.

As a freelance lighting designer, Matthew has collaborated widely across the South Coast. His recent credits include Anything Goes, Sound of Musicals, Stepping Out, and Footloose (BROS Musical Productions); Barnum, Chess, Little Voice, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Arundel Players); Our House, My Fair Lady, School of Rock, and Kipps (Worthing Musical Theatre Company); Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; and The Taxidermist’s Daughter, which won Best Lighting Design at the BHAC Awards.

For Dionysus Theatre, Matthew designed the lighting for The Woman in White and La Mouette, helping shape the company’s signature atmospheric and visually distinctive style.

Matthew is also a founding member of Conn Artists Theatre Company and has worked on every production the company has mounted. His touring credits with Conn Artists include The Four Men (2017), Silas Marner (2019), A Perfect Likeness (2021–23), Mary Rose (2022), and The Haunting (2023–24).

Bringing technical expertise, creative sensitivity, and years of production experience, Matthew is a key part of Dionysus Theatre’s technical and artistic identity.