“Director Nell Bailey is one to watch, her stylised direction is one of the stand outs of this production. Her direction compliments the text perfectly. The use of chalk within the design excites the audience. Her direction of movement - whether it is the football drills or the changing of conversation from flashbacks to modern day - is nothing short of excellent.”
Theatre Scotland, ‘PITCH’ - 5 stars
ABOUT
Hello! I’m Nell. I’m a theatre maker, director and facilitator from the South West.
Excited by queer, socially activist theatre, my practice is embedded in building community on and off stage in collaborative, accessible ways. I am invested in using theatre as a tool for radical joy, which means my work is often people-driven, be that collaborating with young people in training; developing new work hand in hand with creatives and community groups; or formally disrupting existing texts to uncover kernels of connection and solidarity.
I love colour, explosive movement and delicate performances.
In 2019, I co-founded November Theatre, which I now run as Artistic Director. November Theatre is a an award-winning collective, producing new writing, devised work and national engagement schemes. You can find out more about our work here.
I am a course director for the National Youth Theatre and recent Co-Lead Facilitator for the Stepping Up program, a 3-month, level two training in Acting and Leadership for those out of education and employment. I have directed work for Southwark Playhouse, Mercury Theatre(Colchester), The Egg(Bath), Camden People’s Theatre, The Pleasance, Assembly, Bloomsbury Theatre, Fourth Monkey, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Bath Theatre Academy.
I am an Associate Lecturer at University Arts London, and an associate artist for The National Youth Theatre. JMK long list 2024.
“Bailey’s production keeps its eyes on the prize of beautifully nuanced performances. It builds on deft flecks of character: alongside Franziska’s keen-eyed observer and Dowd’s assured, laconic artist, Barlow is a delight as bumbling Bea, feelingly moving between wide-eyed adolescence and more self-aware, if klutzy, adulthood.”
The Guardian, ‘how to build a wax figure’ - 4 stars
The Stage: Top Picks of The Fringe