Meet the Team

Say My Name: TOE-bee MIT-shull

What’s your story?
As a teenager, I discovered that before I was born, my dad had been a famous jazz musician. Knowing how unpredictable arts careers are, and having left school at 16 to go straight into music, he strongly discouraged me from going straight into the arts myself. So I studied French and German at university – and only later did a Drama MA at Central. But, after co-founding Tall Stories with Olivia, the rest is history. Sorry, Dad!

What do you do at tall stories?
Some of my duties as artistic director include directing and writing shows, choosing new shows, and having random ideas. All of us at Tall Stories have ideas for shows and for how the company works. I have far too many ideas – most odd or frankly unworkable, some good! I also have an overview of marketing and design – and I take most of our publicity photos. Outside of Tall Stories, I’m a board member of Action for Children’s Arts.

What are your favourite stories?
I’ve always loved ‘Alice in Wonderland’ for its mixture of nonsense and warped logic. (I’ve created two shows based on Alice over the years.) I also love ‘Winnie the Pooh’ for its own mix of silliness and philosophy. And then there’s a great book which I consider the American equivalent of ‘Alice’ – ‘The Phantom Tollbooth’. As a teenager I loved the brilliant ‘Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’, which I still re-read today.

Say My Name: TAR-ruh WILL-kin-suhn

We’re delighted that Tara is joining Tall Stories’ executive team from the Almeida Theatre where she worked as Producer from 2019. Tara brings 16 years of experience across the theatre sector to the role, having previously worked for Underbelly, The Old Vic and Paines Plough touring theatre company.

Tara will start at the end of April.

Say My Name: MAR-kous mahsh

What’s your story?
I was first introduced to stories through visiting the theatre with my family. After studying theatre in Leeds, I set up a production company – finding new stories to tell and enjoying all parts of production! Alongside working with my company, I have worked as Associate Director at Stockwell Playhouse and Associate Producer at the British Theatre Academy.

What do you do at Tall Stories?
My role involves assisting the running of productions day to day, supporting the cast and company in the lead-up and during the run of shows in any way possible. I am responsible for problem solving when necessary and organising schedules of where people need to be and when!

What are your favourite stories?
My favourite stories are the ones that ignite our imagination alongside educating us about the world we live in! I grew up on stories by Roald Dahl – Esio Trot was a particular favourite as we had a pet tortoise! I then became a fan of Michael Morpurgo and the Harry Potter series.

What’s your story?
I was a big reader growing up so it was no coincidence that my first job in arts marketing was for the Fiction department of a book publisher. After a stint in Australia working for The Sydney Writers Festival, I made the move into theatre and since then have worked in the marketing teams of a number of London venues including the Bush Theatre, Young Vic, The Yard, and Soho Theatre!

What do you do at tall stories?
I am the Marketing Manager at Tall Stories working on marketing campaigns for our touring productions. This involves liaising on marketing strategies with teams at our tour venues, creating content for our website and social media channels, setting up adverts, writing budgets, and everything in between.

I like the mix of strategy and creativity in theatre marketing and working with lots of talented creative people from writers and actors to photographers and graphic designers.

What are your favourite stories?
Growing up I adored Mary Poppins (the writer PL Travers lived next door!), The Railway Children, Babar and the Shirley Hughes books. As a teenager I read every Judy Blume – she really knew how to write coming of age angst. Nowadays I love epic family dramas and books that capture the complexity of human relationships – I know This Much is True by Wally Lamb and Stoner by John Williams and are two of my favourites which I keep going back to.

Say My Name: fee-OH-nuh bines sounds like “lines”

What’s your story?
Growing up I always loved being read to and reading books that whisked me away on adventures that were full of imagination, surprises, and intrigue.  Later, I also discovered the joys of experiencing stories through seeing live theatre and being part of the theatre making process itself.  I went on to study Musical Theatre at the BRIT School, had director training at the Young Vic, assistant directed, facilitated workshops, and worked Front of House in theatres.  Through my years working in theatre, I started to see the many ways that theatre can evolve and mean different things to different people in different contexts. So, I went to Central to study the Drama, Applied Theatre and Education degree.

What do you do at Tall Stories?
I run the Tall Stories Studio which involves organising the studio schedule, studios hires and our community and artist development projects. I am working to make the studio a versatile storytelling hub that has a place in the Islington local community, an exciting creative programme, and a diverse and inclusive practice.

What are your favourite stories?
My favourite stories are in the fantasy genre. I have special memories of ‘The Hobbit’ being read to me as a child. My most recent favourite book series that I have read is ‘The Witcher’ and one I have just begun is the ‘Rivers of London’.

Say My Name: fin-LEE ad-ums

What’s your story?
Growing up in Staffordshire I always wanted to pursue a career in storytelling and so moved to London to study Acting at Arts Ed and later RADA. I then went on to work at The Orange Tree Theatre where I helped facilitate the youth theatre. Watching the way theatre and stories has an influence on young people and builds their imaginations fueled my ambition to be involved in family theatre. I moved into the world of casting for a while and now I’m here at Tall Stories with an incredible team bringing theatre and stories to families around the world.

What do you do at Tall Stories?
I help with day to day production support and ensure things are running smoothly. This can vary from planning and tour logistics to organisation and lots of problem solving. I’m here to roll my sleeves up and get stuck in whilst also making everyone a brew when needed. 

What are your favourite stories?
The first story I fell in love with was ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ by Enid Blyton because of its magical world full of fabulously odd beings. ‘Winnie The Pooh’ closely followed with its beautiful stories of friendship and wisdom. Harry Potter goes without saying, and a more recent love is ‘The Book Thief’ by Markus Zusak, its story is one that will forever be powerful and will continue to challenge and move me. 

Say My Name: im-AAN un-SAH-ree

What’s your story?
I loved stories and playing pretend as a child. My own story is of growing up in Cambridge, summers spent in Pakistan, and a family who taught me to stay interested in the world around you and always welcome anyone who ends up on your doorstep. Before Tall Stories I stage managed a few small, chaotic university theatre productions where I learned to juggle getting the job done and caring for your team, and worked in hospitality where I learned a lot about people as well as how to make a decent cocktail or two.

What do you do at Tall Stories?
Along with the rest of the production team (aka the Prod Squad) I do whatever it takes to get our shows up on stage! This involves lots scheduling and logistics – getting things (and people!) in the right place at the right time. I help with casting and managing our programme of access performances. I also run our merchandise, help out with marketing, and will try my hand at anything else that comes my way.

What are your favourite stories?
I think Eva Ibbotson is criminally underrated. Her characters are rich and real, kind and flawed, and her descriptions of settings from Vienna and St. Petersburg to the Amazon Rainforest always made me long to pack my bags. For older readers I am also absolutely evangelical about recommending Jackie Kay’s Trumpet, quite possibly the perfect book!

Say My Name: RAY-chul BEN-sun

What’s your story?
I initially trained as an actor Musician at Rose Bruford, having loved theatre since I was a child. I’ve come to Tall Stories in a slightly indirect route. I first worked with them as an actor in The Snail and the Whale in 2018 and subsequently on the West End. I’m still performing in the evenings in London, but in the day time I get to have fun in the office!

What do you do at Tall Stories?
I help market our shows and company so that the message of Tall Stories can spread far and wide! I run some of the show campaigns which means I get to meet lots of different people, as well as do silly things like make content for our socials. I also consider myself the unofficial Tall Stories fun coordinator, and organise events like hot cross bun tastings!

What are your favourite stories?
I’m a big crime and thriller reader. I read loads of Nancy Drew books as a child. My favourite series is Slow Horses by Mick Herron, but I’m also a big fan of one-off books like The Chain and The Power. My favourite book of all time is probably The Binding by Bridget Collins. I think I must have bought at least five copies to give to friends and lent out my copy copious amounts!

Say My Name: PAT-rik ORK-nee

What’s your story?
I grew up in Bristol and studied Actor Musicianship at Rose Bruford. Since graduating I’ve worked as an actor in several family theatre shows, and for the past couple of years have been part of the Customer Experience team for ATG. Tall Stories have very kindly given me my first office job!

What do you do at tall stories?
I assist the finance manager in keeping track of spending, income and receipts – Microsoft Excel is my new home!

What are your favourite stories?
I absolutely love ghost stories and gothic horror; anything that sends a little shiver down the spine is a winner for me! Dracula is one of my favourites, and I recently loved reading the Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.

Say My Name: ‘jen-ee-fur in-jai’ (rhymes with thai)

What’s your story?
Growing up as an only child, stories were how I learnt to navigate the world and its many facets. As time went on, I was drawn to the question of how stories impact us, channelling this into my own writing, as well as through studying psychology at the University of Bath. Upon graduating, I joined Tall Stories as an Executive Assistant, witnessing and working behind the scenes to share beautiful and creative storytelling with families around the world!

What do you do at Tall Stories?
I help to support the incredible office and executive team – and each day is diverse and fascinating in its own way! From often acting as a first point of contact, to assisting with previews and, most importantly, shaking up the company snack selection every week!

What are your favourite stories?
Anything with a good first line. I’m a massive fan of gothic fiction and adore ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ by Robert Louis Stevenson. I also love reading plays, prose and pretty much anything, with some of my favourite writers being, Toni Morrison, Daniel MacIvor, Hanya Yanagihara and Sarah DeLappe.

Growing up, I had a soft spot for the Garfield comics, ‘The Cat in the Hat’, and adored ‘Matilda’ – both the book and the incredible film directed by my favourite person ever, Danny Devito!

Say my Name: ‘DELL-uh’ (rhymes with Bella) ‘roo-TH’ (rhymes with truth) ‘HIN-ee’ (rhymes with mini)

What’s your story?
After graduating university with a BA in Sociology, I booked a one-way ticket to London from Canada, and I’ve been here ever since! I always wanted to do something creative, so at the moment I’m growing my portfolio as an actor, writer, and producer. When I’m not planning events for my theatre company, Stoke The Embers, then I’m here at Tall Stories supporting the team!

What do you do at Tall Stories?
I support the Production and Creative Programmes teams, which is super exciting because no two days are the same. It’s a lovely mix of producing, supporting with artist development, and project management. A typical day in the office starts with a cup of coffee and ends with me getting to check off items from a long list of to-dos!

What are your favourite stories?
I love stories that depict the hero’s journey, especially when we meet the protagonist later in their life. There’s something endearing and inspiring about seeing someone conquer an obstacle at an age where people would expect them to have everything figured out. It’s a lovely reminder that we’re constantly writing our stories and that there’s always potential for something new. Some of my favourites are The Lord of the Rings (film series), the Chronicles of Narnia (books and films), and Before I Was A Bear (a brilliant play by Eleanor Tindall)!

Say My Name: uh-LIV-ee-uh JAY-kuhbs

What’s your story?

Writer Margaret Atwood said, “We all become stories one day.” I love that – we all have unique stories, and form part of hundreds of bigger stories too. My story involves an English/Drama degree, training at CSSD, working for Soho Theatre, Besht Tellers (a Jewish storytelling company); Black Theatre Co-operative, and as Artistic Director of Camden People’s Theatre. It also involves founding Tall Stories with my friend Toby; a fella called Jon; two children and a puppy.

What do you do at tall stories?

Originally a co-founder and co-director of the company, I spent 24 years working alongside Toby and our amazing team to steer the artistic policy of the company, to work on strategy and development and to choose which new shows we created. Nowadays I’ve stepped back a little and work on specific projects for the company, directing productions or managing projects as and when they need me. I hope I’ll continue to be involved as the company continues its brilliant adventures.

What are your favourite stories?

This is changeable. Originally it was the ‘Mr Men’ Series (in particular ‘Mr Tickle’), which my folks used to read to me at bedtime. After that pretty much anything by Roald Dahl, then ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and after that ‘Catch 22’. And I’ve always remained fond of ‘Winnie the Pooh’ – wise old bear.