Back in late October, I'd have never expected to be onstage in a new piece of writing before the end of the year. 

I was sat in the green room of a role-play conference with a friend, waiting for our next scenario. She mentioned being asked to do Arts at the Arms but had other performance commitments that clashed, so asked if I'd be interested instead. Although I'd never worked with the team before, I knew many who had and highly rated the quality of Yorkshire creatives involved.

Intrigued, I agreed for my details to be passed on. Once the script was dropped in my inbox, I knew this was a no brainer. Done Up Like A Kipper is rich with connection, depth, humour, heartbreak, child-like curiosity, political statements, and pop culture references. Sean Webster took inspiration from his own childhood growing up during the miners' strikes and wrote with truth, resilience and endearing charm. I couldn't wait to bring this script to life!

Another huge win for this project was being directed by Rachael Halliwell. I've known Rachael for years and always admired her versatility, yet we'd never had the opportunity to work together until Kippers came along.

We had one online readthrough with Sean and one day rehearsal at Slung Low to explore this 15 minute short-play. And now we're ready to join other theatre makers, comedians, poets and musicians in Arts at the Arms 10th edition!

What a way to end the year!

Sunnybank Mills - 7pm Thurs 11th Dec
Tickets HERE

Leeds Playhouse - 7:30pm Fri 12th Dec
Tickets HERE

I was kindly invited by Andrew and Ella from Bold! Bradford to share a 30 minute extract of my solo show, Service with a Smile, at their latest scratch night in November. Taking place at The Underground, I shared the stage with beautiful poet and dance duo, Sammy and Devina, and music maestro, Musumba. 

This was the longest staged sharing of my piece yet and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to explore transitions between scenes, puppetry within the storytelling, and the reality of juggling lines, cleaning and continuity onstage! 

Directing this version was Leanne Rowley - someone I hugely admire in the industry, who brings warmth, creativity and technical know-how in abundance. We shared a rehearsal room for one single day to prepare for Bold! and let's just say I slept well that night! I'm grateful Leanne stretched my performing abilities beyond what I thought possible, in such a short time frame, to build this world onstage. 

The audience play a huge part in Bold! nights as they are all asked to complete feedback forms based on questions we as artists have about our work. The response was outstanding. Supportive, constructive, connected, generous - the list goes on. Bradford is lucky to have so many champions of local art. 

Andrew and Ella have created a space encouraging bravery, vulnerability and community. Their professionalism and encouragement throughout the process knew no bounds - leading to a safe, supportive performing environment. I've never known a scratch night to also offer a reflection session after the event to define next steps for a project. It's been a special and privileged room to be in. 

It's always the people that make projects like this so memorable. A huge thank you to everyone who supported the show and watched my performance. That night has reignited my passion to resubmit my ACE R&D bid so hopefully Service with a Smile can be back with a bang in 2026. 

If you missed it, the wonderful Keyhan Modaressi filmed the entire performance, available below:

We Will Sing was the last project I thought I'd have the opportunity to work on this year. In April, Dr Claire Wellesley-Smith reached out as we'd worked on 509 Arts Lost Mills and Ghost Mansions together. She offered teaming up as the Live Programme Producers for Ann Hamilton's installation in the rooftop space of Salts Mill, commissioned by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture and Arts Council England. 

How could I say no? 

So I've spent the past six months bringing community groups on specialist trips of the space, coordinating the live readers in the booth, and producing public events to celebrate the work. We had choirs performing, a panel discussion with the artist and curators, letters to the future written, poetry shared, prayers sung - and so much more. 

The team involved are expansive and have so generously supported this project. Working with an international textile artist such as Ann Hamilton is unlike any other experience - she is generous, trusting and full of love for the connections made in the space. 

I will miss my time spent in the rooftop space of Salts Mill. The beautiful discussions over coffee and cake in the Espresso Bar. Emily Eagen's whistles through the revolving horns as I arrive through the lift. But as Ann said so gently in the panel on Friday, "We Will Sing lives on inside you now."

We did it!

Life Class took over the Loading Bay theatre from 3-12 October with sold out shows, CUPPA T panel discussions and so many beautiful moments. 

What a gift to work on such a complex, rich and imaginative project as my producing debut. To work alongside theatrical greats, an excellent production team, supportive venue staff and incredible documenters - not to mention every performer, musician, Chorus member and panellist joining us onstage - has been above and beyond my expectations for 2025. I feel so lucky to have learnt so much and work in a world I love. I'll never forget this show. 

Now we're into project wrap up and it's finally sinking in all the crazy complexities of this production and the many decisions made to create live art. It's given me so much gratitute for every production I've simply performed in and those in the wings or up on the tech desk making it possible. 

Here's to more producing projects in 2026!

After enjoying all the events and workshops Bradford Lit Fest has offered over the years, it's a huge honour to take to the stage to host a talk myself. Opportunities like this don't come around every day and it's a real pinch me moment! 

I set myself a goal in March. By the end of June, both my stage and screen showreels will be updated. This wasn't just about re-editing clips however, I wanted something new to show. 

So I got amazing creatives involved that I'm lucky enough to call friends, to devise and film a scene. Inspired by Bill Nighy's and Imelda Staunton's scene in Pride, we wanted to create a two-shot, single take short where the characters' relationships and unspoken hardships are the focus. 

Abdul Rahman Chanara as Zak 
Directed by Nicki Davy
Cinematography and editing by Akeelsworld

And here's the result:

So I've now hit my goal of updating my showreels and I'm so pleased with the range of projects I've been lucky enough to work on. Check them out below:

So this is a project I've been developing behind the scenes for over a year now, and I'm so excited the day is finally here to share it!

I'm producing and hosting a new radio show for BCB Radio (106.6FM) celebrating unconventional routes into creative industries. Each 30 minute episode will feature a local artist sharing their career journey, warts and all. I hope to amplify unheard voices and demystify the process of building a creative career from the ground up. As a full time performer reliant on cleaning in the early days of her career, I want to use this platform to destigmatise 'survival jobs' and imposter syndrome prominent in the arts, especially for working class creatives.

Any form of creative vocation is welcome to apply! This includes, but is not limited to:
- Actors, Dancers and Singers
- Filmmakers and Photographers
- Directors, Choreographers, Intimacy Coordinators, Producers
- Writers and Poets
- Visual artists
- Musicians
- Textile artists
- Potters and Sculptors
- Makeup Artists, Props and Costume Designers

The show will deep dive:

- Invisible barriers in creative fields
- Imposter syndrome
- Obvious and not so obvious routes in
- Realities of networking and industry connections
- Real 'days in my life' for different art forms
- Realistic, achievable actions aspiring creatives can take to pursue their creative vocations
- The many different roles creatives play to sustain a business
- Celebrating those feeling the fear and doing it anyway!

Please note: you do not have to be earning full time from your creative vocation to be considered for this show. I recognise the time, commitment, and individual circumstances that affect career progressions - and this is a huge focus for the show too. This is a safe, supportive space to shine a light on how any form of professional work, regardless of percentage to other income streams, qualifies a creative as professional. I want to champion everyone regardless of their current career stage, asking only that guests are open and transparent about how they got to where they are today. 

To register your interest in featuring on an episode of Creative Frequency, please complete the form below and I'll be in touch!

I've been lucky enough to be involved in Unspun Stories behind the scenes since it's R&D at Salts Mill in 2024 for the Saltaire Arts Trail and I'm really proud of its evolution into a second immersive exhibition and now digital experience. Please go give it a like and share with anyone interested in Bradford's textile heritage, multimedia art or cool new music!