Who we are

The River People are an associate company of The Point Theatre, Eastleigh as part of the Home From Home Scheme

Ed Wren: Director

Ed graduated from Winchester University in 2006 and formed the company with Claire Harvey after they met at university. Ed has a passion for directing and writing, and 'does the words' for all of The River People productions.

Ed loves zombies and hopes to one day write a zombie book.

Claire Harvey: Director

Claire graduated from Winchester University in 2004 and has always had a passion for design and puppetry, so these are the elements she introduced into the company when she met Ed at University. A jack of all trades and master of none Claire has undertaken many different types of arty jobs, acting, singing, dancing, and although appears onstage in River People shows, she much prefers to be involved in the creation of theatre, the getting covered in paint, cutting wood, and working things out stages of production.

As well as this Claire also moonlights as a workshop leader, working with adults and young people on a variety of different disciplines.

Laura Cox: Technical Manager

Laura studied Stage Management and Technical Theatre at Guildford School of Acting, graduating in 2003 and falling into many different theatrey jobs. She has worked all over the place with hundreds of companies, from west end through to workshops in schools and everything in between. Laura designs the lighting for the River People and generally handles all the techie questions that anyone might have. Laura is currently making a foray into 'liking herbal teas', and although technically minded, prefers not to wear black.

Laura McGrath: Administrator

Laura Graduated form the University of Winchester in 2006 after studying Drama. She first joined the company in her third year of University after attending an open audition for 'The Ordinaries in an awkward Silence' after being successfully cast she worked with us to develop the show for one year. Laura re-joined us in June this year as our tour adminstrator. She has done wonderful work via the interweb and the talky phone and has secured us many gigs for our 'Lilly through the dark' tour. She will soon leave this country to travel across the world for an entire year, and we will miss her a lot.

Performers

Joseph Bone

Joe began working with The River People on the second casting of 'The Ordinaries in an awkward silence' after meeting Ed at University. Joe, Ed and 3 others from Winchester University had formed a comedy group called 'Comealong Comedy', and after working together on this for some time Joe was asked to take the part of Father in 'The Ordinaries'. Following the success of the show, Joe then went on to take the role of Rottenpockets in 'Lilly through the dark'. During his time working with The River People Joe has been developing his portfolio with one man shows, 'Radio' by Al Smith and 'Bane' written and directed by Joe which, won best solo show at the Brighton fringe and got him nominated for best solo performance at The Stage Awards at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2009.

Andy Gray

Andy began his work with The River People in his first year at university after attending an open audition for what would become 'The Ordinaries in an awkward silence'. After successfully being cast in the show Andy has remained with the company since before it even had a name taking roles in both 'The Ordinaries' and 'Lilly through the dark' as well as other outdoor projects. As well as his work with The River People Andy has also performed in and directed Steven Berkoffs 'Dog'.

Andy is also a freelance workshop leader for adults and young people in Hampshire

Clare Pointing

Clare graduated from Winchester University in 2006 after studying drama, soon after the degree was over Clare worked with The River People on 'BigaDig Dump' then on to their first toured piece 'The Ordinaries in an awkward silence' for which she played the part of Sarah. Clare continues her work with the company on 'Lilly through the dark' as a puppeteer and performer, playing the part of Mother Moon.

Clare is also co founder of Middle Man, a new writing theatre company and thier first show 'The Head of the Fork' was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 09.

Additional Performers & Staff

We like to work with new people, we really do...looking at new faces and saying awkward hellos.

Here is a short list of lovely people who have also performed with us on and off as musicians set makers/puppeteers/costume makers/actors in our performances over the years...

Kathryn Bond (The Ordinaries) Craig Lockwood (Bigadig Dump), Richard Bond (The Ordinaries), Alex Wadham (AngelRust) , Natasha Christofis (AngelRust), Alice Ross (Lilly through the dark), Tali Trow (Bigadig Dump), Liz Hebden (Lilly through the dark) Rachel Wood (AngelRust) Mandy Travis, Kate Hadley, Amy Tweed, Jerome Cross, Caz Vale, Ben Roe (all Terrible Tales) Holly Hale (Little Matter & Terrible Tales) Alex Brown (Little Matter) Eimhin Walker (Terrible Tales)