About our authors

Adam Tait is a philosophy graduate with a developed interest in a wide range of the arts. He nurtures an interest in both artistic practice and theory. He has written reviews for the londonjazz.blogspot website since 2009. Since graduating in 2011, he has also begun his own music blog and begun to pursue a career in journalism, continuing to review a wide range of arts events, as well as writing news pieces for various publications.

Alice Tarbuck studied English Literature and Medieval Literature at Cambridge University. Her thesis was on Inter-digital Touch and Moral Anxiety in Medieval Culture. She currently writes poetry and drama, works for a major publisher, and sees as many plays as she possibly can. You can read her occasional musings here.

Ana is a freelance writer and art critic, and currently works as a press officer and fundraiser for contemporary art gallery 5th Base in East London. Also a committed singer, in her spare time she dedicates herself unflinchingly to the study of opera. She is drawn to art that transgresses social and cultural norms, particularly visual expressions throughout the 20th century up to today. Discovering unexpected nooks in the city, going for walks and trying out new cuisines are some among her greatest joys in life.

Annegret Märten is originally from Germany where she has worked as a journalist, college tutor and assistant director at a rep in Krefeld. She has worked on short films and as a performer for the Danish performance collective SIGNA. At the international Globe Neuss Shakespeare Festival she was the production assistant. In London Annegret has stage managed at the Finborough Theatre and worked as an associate producer on a West End musical. Annegret has an M.A. in Cultural Studies from Düsseldorf University and because she likes to juggle big words she also pursues a PhD on language philosophy and monsters.

Becky Brewis is a writer and regular contributor of theatre features to IdeasTap, A Younger Theatre and Broadway World.

Billie is a gap year student in London who sings with the Rodolfus Choir and currently has an internship at Bachtrack. She has been singing for fourteen years and as well as serious roles, her most memorable ones are Doctor Who and a fish finger! She loves attending a variety of concerts and operas but has a particular interest in Benjamin Britten. Alongside music, Billie loves her four cats and whippet Tipex, and is learning Welsh.

Caroline trained in ballet for several years before studying dance theatre at Trinity Laban in South East London. Originally from Herefordshire, she works as a dancer, teacher and stage manager. She loves theatre and performance, new writing, Shakespeare, site-specific and surprises. Great things happen in theatres. This year she is going to read more books.

Chris Garlick is the co-founder of Signal Gallery in Hoxton. He became involved professionally in the visual art scene six years ago. His first degree was in music, training as a classical composer. Instead of pursuing a career in this, he opted to become a social worker. A career of over twenty years in local government and the NHS ended up with him being in a senior management post. Chris has always been a passionate art lover, so it was a dream come true when he took the plunge and started his own gallery. Chris has written about art frequently in Art of England magazine, Artist and Illustrator and for online blogs.

Christopher enjoyed a long and happy career as a teacher in London schools. Now retired, he is pursuing his interest in writing for the theatre. He completed an M.A. in Theatre (Playwriting) at Royal Holloway and is now an MPhil/PhD student at Goldsmiths. He will be work-shopping his new play this coming year at Goldsmiths as part of his practice-as-research process. He is a dramaturg/actor/researcher for Encompass Productions and has taken the lead role in their first film, Stormin’ Norman, currently in post-production. His one-act verse drama The Strokes was published in Royal Holloway’s prestigious Platform magazine.

David is a graduate of Manchester University's Drama Department and has enjoyed a career in theatre administration and production, television and the voluntary sector. As General Secretary of the National Youth Theatre he worked alongside its inspirational Founder and Director Michael Croft, until Michael's sudden death in 1986. David moved into television and spent seven years in production at ITN. After redundancy and various positions in the voluntary sector, David returned to the theatre and spent the best part of 10 years as Chief Executive of Chickenshed Theatre Company. As well as his passion for the performing arts, David greatly enjoys most sports and, having taken the plunge, is currently trying to forge his own career as a writer.

David has been writing reviews and articles for theatrical publications since January 2012, as well as collaborating on scripting a new musical. He has also worked, under a stage name, as an actor and choreographer, so endeavours to appreciate theatre from both a critic’s and actor’s perspective when reviewing, in order to give a rounded, fair and informed opinion. He is extremely passionate about theatre in all aspects. If not on stage, choreographing or teaching, he’s writing about it!

Denise has just finished a BA in Creative Writing and Film Studies at Kingston University. Her play, Pandora’s Boxes, was first broadcast on Resonance FM and adapted for stage at the Camden Fringe and for a three week run at the Rosemary Branch Theatre. She has had two plays produced by Mind The Gap Theatre in New York and has written for television. She is also an award winning actress and a published poet. She has travelled extensively and enjoyed the hospitality of strangers from Key West to Kashmir. She plans to ride a motorbike through Vietnam and down through Malaysia to Bali this winter.

Ellen is Artistic Director of Brighton based company Witness Theatre that she established in September 2011. A lot of her time is spent developing work for Witness but she also directs elsewhere and writes features for A Younger Theatre. Ellen writes for theatre and film and enjoys collecting stories from the world around her. She has a love of theatre that plays with multimedia and the magic of theatre. When she isn’t watching or making theatre she can be found making cake. Her musings theatrical and otherwise can be found at witnesstoexperience.wordpress.com and you can find her on twitter @racernell.

Born and bred in London, with a slight cockney accent, Emily has recently graduated from doing a Masters in Playwriting. She once dreamt of a career in acting but now writes plays, poetry and random scribbles on post-it notes. She loves watching theatre, writing for and about theatre and... well, anything else theatre related. She can also play the piano, hum a tune and eat lots of peanut M&M’s.

Emma is a recent Nottingham University graduate with a degree in Classical Civilisation and a particular passion for Greek theatre. Currently living on a charming little island on the coast of Essex she loves to visit the theatre as often as possible and regularly volunteers at the Southwark Playhouse. She aspires to work in magazine publishing and in her spare time enjoys reading, writing, baking, and channelling the 90s in her fashion sense and music taste. She hopes to one day run her own tea shop, have a few published books under her belt and master the croquembouche.

Emma N Double is an art historian, writer, arts film presenter, illustrator and Londoner. After studies at Camberwell College of Art and BA History of Art at UCL, she completed an MA History of Art at the University of York, working alongside York Art Gallery as the first Friends of York Art Gallery Research Scholar. Upon finishing her studies, she undertook an international volunteer heritage project in the South of France. She currently works as a communications officer for a contemporary art gallery in Nîmes, writes for numerous publications, and is a frequent blogger. You can find her on Twitter @EmmaNDouble.

Erin Johnson is a postgraduate student at London Contemporary Dance School, and an avid writer. She holds two bachelor degrees from the University of Washington, one in journalism and the other in dance. A Seattle, Washington native, Erin is thoroughly enjoying the vibrant dance scene in London, and gets out to see any and every show she can. Pursuing a master’s degree in dance performance, she plans to investigate a question she finds deeply important as a performer and writer: how we can improve the way we talk and write about contemporary dance, to make it more meaningful and accessible to a wider audience.

Frances read Anglo-Saxon and Medieval English at the University of Exeter, and worked for ten years in specialist fine art publishing and antiquarian bookselling before she had her son. A classically-trained pianist, she holds a Diploma (Distinction) in Piano Performance from Trinity College of Music, London, and runs a popular private piano teaching studio. In between reviewing concerts and exhibitions, and studying with international concert pianist, Penelope Roskell, she blogs on music, pianism and culture as The Cross-Eyed Pianist. Frances lives in south-west London with her husband, son, and Burmese cat, Freddy.

Francis Beckett is an author, journalist, broadcaster, playwright and contemporary historian. The latest of his 17 books is What Did the Baby Boomers Ever Do For Us?, (Biteback, 2010). Laurie Penny wrote in the New Statesman that it "returns Sixties mythology to history. The mirror Beckett holds up to the recent past is smeared with the suffering of young people today." His most recent play is The London Spring, and Michael Billington wrote in the Guardian: "As a dystopian satire in the tradition of 1984 or A Clockwork Orange, his play has a graphic vividness... The virtue of Beckett's nightmare vision lies in its Orwellian detail and suggestion that the future contains echoes of the present." He is the editor of Third Age Matters, a national magazine published by the University of the Third Age.

Harriet Dopson is a London graduate of Fine Art and Critical Theory. She enjoys being part of community projects and art events and has recently volunteered for the Islington based charity Rowan Arts. Harriet is particularly interested in site specific work as well as learning about 20th century art. She currently volunteers as a gallery assistant at the Estorick Collection in Highbury and Islington and at the Borough Road Gallery. Outside of the gallery Harriet enjoys reading poetry and exploring London.

Heather is a blogger and budding playwright living in London, who splits her time between fringe theatre, art exhibits, charity shops and youtube. She has a degree in Theatre and enjoys conversations about lighting, backstage gossip and reviews. You can find her blog here.

Jessica Shepherd is an arts writer, currently taking an MA at Goldsmiths in Contemporary Art Theory. As well as writing reviews, she interviews both emerging and established international artists and writes theoretical texts. Read her blog artandchips.wordpress.com.

Joe Crystal is a wannabe polymath who, much to the chagrin of several teachers, spent most of his youth making his classmates laugh, correcting their spelling and grammar and forging parents' signatures all of which served to protect him from being bullied. Despite this, following a lengthy prosperous career in the financial services sector, he turned to acting, singing and producing as a refuge from the perils of an ever-growing bank balance and is now comfortably among the poor huddled masses of the entertainment industry. He aims to provide crystal clear reviews of multiple theatrical genres without using, utilising, referring, turning or resorting to a thesaurus...

John Patrick Egan was born in Dublin, Ireland, and studied at Central Saint Martins (M.A. Fine Art). He has exhibited widely throughout Ireland, the UK, and Europe, and his pieces are held in private collections in Dublin, London, Paris, Amman and Los Angeles. In addition to his own practice (which is primarily drawing and sculpture based), he works as an independent curator, reviewer, and portfolio advisor. A classically-trained violinist, he harbours penchants for old photos, so-bad-they're-good horror movies, and rioja.

Julia works behind the scenes at Westminster Abbey as an Editorial and Administrative Assistant. Outside of her job, she sings with a variety of ensembles in London and further afield, and undertakes freelance editorial and writing projects – from concert programmes to tasting notes. She is a keen concert- and opera-goer, but maintains a broad interest in the arts in general, and enjoys visiting museums and art galleries equally as much. On a rare weekend off, she may be found cooking up a storm in the kitchen, or exploring the National Parks on horseback.

Karen has been a University Lecturer for eleven years and currently is a Principal Lecturer in English Literature at Kingston University. Karen’s research interests bring together Eighteenth-Century Literature, Art and Architecture and she has recently published a book on the representation of the domestic interior in Eighteenth-Century British novels. In her spare time, Karen is also an enthusiastic supporter of the arts and tries to see as many plays and exhibitions as she can.

Kate Ross is an Independent Curator, curating contemporary art, design and sound art exhibitions with a particular interest in non gallery spaces. Since living in Italy she is a bilingual Italophile with a History of Art & Italian BA, as well as an MA in Museum Studies. Kate now works at Chelsea College of Art & Design and CHELSEA space gallery. She lives the life of an extreme culturalist, fascinated by hidden parts of the best city in the world (she’s a Londoner born and bred. Kate is also a classical music singer and active within the London vintage retro scene. She loves arts writing through her blog at curatorialcuriosities.wordpress.com.

Katy Darby’s work has been read on BBC Radio, and published in various magazines and anthologies including Stand, Mslexia, Slice and the Arvon and Fish anthologies. She has a BA in English Literature from Oxford University and an MA in Creative Writing from UEA, where she received the David Higham Award. She teaches Short Story and Novel Writing at City University and runs Liars' League, a short story reading night (www.liarsleague.com). Her first novel, The Whores' Asylum, ("a truly Gothic little gem" - Independent) was published by Penguin in February 2012, and will appear in paperback in September, under the title The Unpierced Heart. Her personal website is here.

Ken Ward spent most of his working life driving buses for Eastern National and London Buses. Having had an enthusiasm for the works of Bruckner since 1962, he became editor of The Bruckner Journal in 2005, but retains passionate interest in much other music. He was awarded The Bruckner Society of America 'Kilenyi' Medal of Honor in 2011.

Kitty Walsh is an independent art researcher, working for top London art and antique dealers. She studied history of art as an undergraduate at Cambridge, before obtaining an MA, with distinction, in the Dutch Golden Age at UCL. Her main areas of specialism are old master sculpture and the decorative arts, which she discusses on her blog, Objects of Art.

Laura studied Theatre at The BRIT School for four years before starting her BA studying Drama and Creative Writing at Kingston University. She has a strong interest in play writing and passion for writing screenplays. Born in London, the fringe theatre scene has been a pivotal influence and inspiration to her work, but you can often find her with her nose in a Shakespeare play. She is currently planning her third year dissertation writing a creative piece based on Shakespeare and his many unforgettable characters.

My name is Lauren, I am a writer with a passion for all types of music, theatre and literature. My dearest love is my cat, yes, I am a mad cat lady, but I do have the sense to get out of the house once in a while to enjoy this beautiful world in every way I can! I love the arts culture in London and have a particular soft spot for Camden, which encapsulates many of my greatest obsessions including great food, quirky music, strange fashion styles and old books. ‘If I don’t write to empty my mind, I go mad’ - Lord Byron

Lyndsey has been a passionate writer for many years, challenging herself by writing in a variety of styles and genres. She has always had an interest in the arts, especially theatre and film, of which writing reviews is something she enjoys. Her other creative outlets include playing the guitar and writing poetry and lyrics to the music and performing them to friends. Currently, she is studying for a BA degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, endeavouring to find a career in writing or editorial work. Not overlooking her cat of course, who is always a wonderful inspiration for her!

Margaret studied ballet in Moscow for five years and later was a member of London City Ballet. A reviewer since 1978 for many newspapers and magazines including Dancing Times and Dance Magazine, Margaret is a specialist on Russian Ballet, and has written books on Russian Ballet and Carlos Acosta.

Originally from Toronto, Melissa Wong completed a BA in Music (Honors) at Columbia University and an MA in Music Theory at McGill University. Currently, she is a PhD candidate in music at the University of Cambridge, where she writes about cover versions in popular music. She is also active as an organiser of community events exploring the relationship among music, technology, and urban space.

Miranda is a 22 year old graduate of Royal Holloway, University of London. As well as reviewing for One Stop Arts, she is currently editor and reviewer for What's Peen Seen and writes for both Gloobbi.com and Run With The Pack.

Natalie Ferris: London and Brighton-based writer. Following three years of intellectual torment at Cambridge, she is enjoying the freedoms of London. As a writer, and intermittent artist, she is now studying for a Masters in Critical Writing in Art & Design at the Royal College of Art.

Nik is a small town boy, counting his lucky stars to be living in the glare of London’s bright lights. He studies Creative Writing and Drama at Kingston University. He has two pieces published in ‘RiPPLE 2013’ and has performed his poetry live with Rhythm&Muse and the university at the Ram Jam Club and the Rose Theatre. He has strong opinions and is (almost) always right. He can occasionally be found making a fool of himself on stage around Kingston. He maintains a (mainly poetry) blog at www.nikofway.wordpress.com.

Ninfea is a graduate of Magdalen College, Oxford, and is now completing an MMus degree at the Royal Academy of Music. She works as both a cellist and composer and is committed to the performance of new works. Her current projects include an investigation into concert hall rituals from the perspective of electronic music, and a chamber opera tracing the life of the Art Nouveau illustrator Aubrey Beardsley.

Paul is Reviews Editor at Bachtrack and One Stop Arts. He has written on music and culture for publications including Culture Wars and Huffington Post UK. He holds BA and MPhil degrees in music from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, and is particularly passionate about contemporary music of all types. His website is here.

Roger Mortimer-Smith was born in London and studied for an MFA in playwriting at The Lir, part of Trinity College Dublin. His plays have been performed all over the country to great acclaim, and have enjoyed success in competitions both here and abroad. They have also been translated into German, Italian, Spanish and Polish, and one of them, GUILTY SECRET, has been published by Oberon Modern Plays. He lives in London with his wife, opera singer Nadine Mortimer-Smith. rmstheatre.com

Sara Fielding lives in London and is an enthusiastic follower of live theatre. Her interest started when she met David Essex on stage during a performance of Godspell in the 1970’s – well, you have to start somewhere! During a stint of working abroad in South East Asia, where live English theatre productions were rare, she helped promote Theatreworks, a non-profit-making theatre company in Singapore. She subsequently became a member of the Bangkok Community Theatre and was involved in many aspects of amateur dramatics, playing Mrs. Burlap in RR Oliver’s farcical Imaginary Lines, the General in Guys and Dolls and, most importantly, the gorilla in the Christmas pantomime, as well as many chorus roles. Returning to the UK in 2003, Sara relinquished her thespian ambitions and became an avid theatregoer once again. She is a regular assessor with OffWestend.com and has covered and assessed Fringe shows across London for the Offies Awards over the last three years.

Sarah studied Music at Cambridge University, graduating in 2010. Since then she has been working in arts management with the Academy of Ancient Music and Steinway Pianos. She now works for Rhinegold Publishing coordinating their music directories and listings supplements. Sarah is a regular concert- and theatre-goer and appreciates most music – with the exception of heavy metal and Wagner.

Simon Longman is a writer based in London. He currently works in Editorial publishing Design and Visual Arts books, specialising in architecture, graphic design and photography. He also writes for theatre, having work performed at the Arcola in East London. He holds an MA in Theatre Studies from the University of Manchester and rides a bike.

Stefan is a freelance writer ingesting and reviewing all things arts and culture in the wond. He has written features for Catch 22, The Playground and Flux & Drapers magazine. He is currently deputy editor of .Cent magazine and a Tumblr rambler on youngpeopleclimbstairs.tumblr.com.

Symone Keisha is an undergraduate at Kingston University studying Dance with English Literature. With an immense zeal in both subjects, she aspires to travel the world as a professional dancer, choreographer and critic. London born, she immersed herself in the arts developing her skills particularly in dance. She continues to build her credentials academically and practically. If she was not dancing and writing, you would find her at the athletics track. Follow her blog here: www.symonek.wordpress.com.

I grew up in a rural community in the West Midlands where the local theatre brought a lot of people together and gave me the chance to experience a lot of different plays. I enjoyed watching the characters as much as I did performing them, which might explain why I went on to do a degree in Psychology then a masters in Acting. Since moving to London, I feel a bit poacher-turned-gamekeeper being a reviewer but I hope to offer no more than the perspective of someone who really enjoys a good show. I look for productions that engage you throughout and achieve what they set out to do. I like the opportunity to learn from actors and directors both when things work well and when they don't. Theatre, like life, is about taking risks and the bigger the risk, the more exciting a production can be.

Will Howard is a London based Creative Writing student. He started out writing for Fringeguru.com for the 2012 Edinburgh after two and a half years of writing music journalism, and he still hasn’t quite got his head around the idea of other people valuing his opinions but he won’t start complaining now. He’s been into theatre for nearly ten years now and is relishing the prospect of writing about it for the very first time.

Zak moved to London from Chicago in order to pursue his passion for music and the arts. He blogs about these passions and the oddities of daily life here, but particularly enjoys promoting artists through his writing. Zak’s linguistics and music background have helped him explore the creative link between language and sound, which may explain his soft spot for pop music too. He plays the euphonium in two symphonic bands.