Meet the Team

A Very Serious Theatre Company

Very Serious Theatre was established in 2019 by a group of actors committed to producing exciting new work.

We have a base in South Yorkshire and tour the UK with our shows (when there isn't a global pandemic).

Over the past year we have been very fortunate to have gained a very loyal following and we can't wait to share with you our plans going forward into 2021.

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Here at Very Serious we also have in place an outreach system to support local dance, drama and amateur dramatic clubs/schools. Included in this outreach programme is a mentoring system offering support for those interested in applying for drama schools, We provide tailored discussions, either 1-1 or in a group setting and can assist individuals in the completion of applications forms and audition preparation.

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Due to the circumstances surrounding Covid 19 we have found this year almost impossible to navigate but we will be back - stronger than ever.

Cobie Scott-Ward - Company Director

Cobie trained at East 15 Acting school graduating with a BA in Acting and Contemporary Theatre.

Professional credits include; Two UK tours of 'Hard to Swallow' with local company Tie It Up Theatre, three regional pantomimes, an advert for a drug awareness campaign in collaboration with the University of Sheffield and three cruise contracts amounting to six musicals.

Cobie has always had a passion for creating new theatre and has kept a network of people around her with that very same passion to enable her to create this company.

'It has been a passion project of mine for a long time to give something back to where I grew up. The support we have received and the generosity of the people of South Yorkshire has been tremendous. St Mary's Church allowing us to use their gorgeous space has left us feeling very fortunate indeed. I can't even begin to express the gratitude we as a team feel for that. We are creating something here that will grow and we are very excited to plant that seed in Yorkshire and to see it travel nationally'.

Cobie is proudly represented by Carina Skinner of CSM and feels very fortunate to have a strong bond with an agent who has supported her right from graduation.

Eleanor May Blackburn - Associate Artist

Eleanor  trained at Falmouth University and graduated with a first class honours degree in Acting.  Since then she has been writing and performing in her own solo show 'Subdural Haematoma'.

She made her professional debut with Very Serious in 'Agnes!' - the story of the First Girl Guide.

Eleanor is a passionate and active member of the Very Serious Team. Aside from this she is a Teacher and Workshop Facilitator and is eager to work in the community as much as possible.

'I believe we owe it to ourseles as a society to invest in local theatre and it's exciting to see where that investment will take us'

William Ward - Musical Director

William is a freelance Musical Director/Musician with over 40 years experience.

He has played for various Musicals both as pianist and Musical Director and has devised music for a number of theatre groups. 

He has also played for a number of artists in addition to playing organ/keyboards for weddings.

He has extensive experience in Education being the Chair of the Every Child Matters Multi Academy Trust.  He is also a Director of Tykes Teaching School Alliance and is a National Leader of Governance.

Jak Ford-Lane - Associate Artist and Young Company Acting Tutor

Jak trained at East 15 Acting school graduating with a BA in Acting.  Since then his work has included; an advert celebrating British Radio for the BBC; Matilda the Empress (voted The Guardian's top 10 of the readers favourite theatre of 2017); other TV credits include the BBC Series Taboo acting alongside Tom Hardy. 

Most recently he has been working for BBC Radio Berkshire on a comedy magic show.

In addition to this Jak teaches for award winning company Reading Between the Lines, award winning regional theatre The Watermill and the UK's leading drama school foundation course at Read College.

Jak also specialises in bespoke acting workshop delivery.

Pete Thompson - Associate Composer

Pete runs his own company Flat Wave Music.  He and Cobie have collaborated on projects on a number of occasions. Flat Wave Music can be contacted via the following link: Flat Wave Music