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

What do you like best about your job?

The people I get to work with. I’m lucky to be in a room with so many talented and creative people. It’s hard and physically demanding – but we laugh all the time and what could be better than that?!

What was your favourite story as a child?

I loved being read Mr Tickle by my dad. The anticipation of him tickling at the end was almost unbearable…

Why did you want to work in theatre?

I learn best through stories and am inspired by getting lost in a brilliant tale. To be part of making great stories come to life for a living is a real treat.

What have been your favourite projects to work on?

As a director, ‘The Smeds and The Smoos’, ‘The Snow Dragon’ and ‘The Snail and the Whale’; as a writer/performer, ‘Future Perfect’ (a show I performed with my then 10-year-old son).

What was your favourite story as a child?

‘Alice in Wonderland’ (for its nonsense and intelligence) and ‘Winnie the Pooh’ (for its silliness and philosophy).

Say My Name: I-la sh-or sounds like roar

What have been your favourite projects to work on?

I designed ‘Macbeth’ at Shakespeare’s Globe. It’s incredibly exciting to have 1600 people responding to work in that space! It’s raw and exciting!

What do you like best about your job?

I really enjoy how every day is different. From research and problem solving, to working creatively with the director, and being part of a team to create a show.

What have been your favourite projects to work on?

I’m very lucky to have worked on all sorts of projects, so it’s very hard to pick a favourite. But I did have a blast the first time I went to New York with Tall Stories!

What was your favourite story as a child?

My favourite story as a child was ‘The Wind in the Willows’, and it still is! One day I would like to light it on stage.

Say My Name: mah-tin rod-jez

What have been your favourite projects to work on?

One of my favourites was ‘Anything Goes’ at the Barbican, because it was the first proper theatre job I did after lockdown and so it felt like I was finally getting back to normal.

Why did you want to work in theatre?

I tried every single job in theatre and finally settled on costumes – I enjoy realising the designers’ drawings on stage. 2024 will mark 35 years of working in the costume industry.

What have been your favourite projects to work on?

We’ve enjoyed all of the shows we’ve worked on with Tall Stories but I think our favourite experience was working with actor-musicians, devising songs and music for ‘Wilde Creatures’ and ’The Canterville Ghost’.

What was your favourite story as a child?

Jon’s favourite story as a child was ‘Peter and the Wolf’ (although it terrified him!) and Andy’s was ‘The Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse’.

What have been your favourite projects to work on?
Working on something from the very start of an idea to when it lands on stage is always such a joy. One of those shows was How the Giraffe Got its Neck.

What was your favourite story as a child?
The Owl Who was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson. Like Plop, sometimes you have to close your eyes, take a deep breath… and fall off your branch!