Meet The Cast - THE MEN

You've met the ladies, now meet the starring men!
  Uzoma Isichei started acting in primary school plays but didn't get involved with it again for a number of years. However, he auditioned in 2011 for SVG production’s ‘Family Secrets’ and toured with them across the UK, many years later. His professional life couldn’t be much further from the arts – he is a trained business analyst, an ordained minister and his gospel music show comes on Premier Gospel radio regularly. He also works as a stand in artist, taking part in the new James Bond movie ‘Skyfall’.
  Chuma Oraedu loved acting from an early age, but coming from an African household, was unable to initially pursue it as he would have liked, because his parents wanted him to have a solid base before venturing into performing arts. This led to him qualify as a Solicitor (though he suffered countless sleepless nights and grey hairs in the process). He took up sports, competing as an amateur boxer winning the 2009 North East London Championship but had to pull out of the London finals due to a training injury; and he has also done some modeling. Chuma gained his first real acting experience in a television pilot series called "One More Bridge". He was also in an independent film called "Rag Tag" which has won a few awards. He is currently in drama school working to perfect his acting craft. "Life Begins" is Chuma’s first theatre role and he is excited about performing in front of a live audience. His work ethic is "hard work and dedication will always pay off provided you have faith coated in humbleness".

Tosin Ajayi has loved to act for as long as he can remember. Any chance he had he would be on stage. His theatrical side eventually got proper expression when he started work as a Campus Minister with acting students at Imperial College. Since then he has been in several roles ranging from Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream to the dual role of Boss Scheffler/Surgeon Scheffler in the Ugly One. He also recently directed a production of ENRON for the Imperial College Dramatic Society.

You've met the ladies, you've met the men... all that's left to do is to come see the show. TUES 18th - SUN 23rd SEP. For more details, visit http://www.svgproductions.co.uk

Meet The Cast – THE LADIES

One of the most nerve-racking things about putting together a new production is the casting. Will I find the right actors? Will they be committed? Will they work well as a team? Will they understand the vision of SVG? The list of questions go on and on and on…. And really, a lot aren’t fully answered until the show goes live! So, here’s the cast of Life Begins. In addition to their acting abilities, I know they will each bring something unique to the production. We’ve just finished our first read through together and you could really feel the excitement in the room! Lesley-Anne Miller trained in ballet as a child and later in street dance, Jazz, contemporary and latin styles. She worked as a commercial dancer on TV shows such as TOTPs and The Jools Holland Show as backing dancer to artists including Mark Morrison. Lesley-Anne began her drama training as a teenager at The Young Vic Theatre in London and later at Identity Drama School performing in in-house and external showcases in London theatres. Her training includes, Shakespeare and contemporary and modern styles and she toured in the adapted stage version of James Weldon Johnson's God's Trombones with the Jasperian Theatre Company. Lesley-Anne is a member of the Praise and Worship team at Tehillah House of Praise. Sandi Thompson is a Film lecturer and Film commentator who has worked with hundreds of students, teaching Film Appreciation and Film Making for the last 7 years. Sandi was attracted to the creative arts from a very young age, and is currently training to work in story development. Though she is usually found behind the camera, Sandi has recently begun exploring life in front of the camera. She also enjoys photography and blogs and tweets regularly on all things theatre, film and culture. Tolu Stedford has been acting since the age of 10 after earning her first lead in a primary school play. She attended the Young Theatre Company (YTC) at the National Theatre between the ages of 13-16 where she had the opportunity to perform at the Young Vic, Old Vic and the Royal National. This was an amazing and exhilarating experience which included meeting Dame Judy Dench. Following this, Tolu went on to study performing arts at Richmond College. After a 15 year gap, she got married and had children. Although she went through an acting hiatus, Tolu never lost her passion for the arts and recently returned to the industry. Since her return, she performed in a music video (Wiley), Nollywood movies, Commercials (JML, Nikon) and feature films which are due for release this year. Tolu attends Identity Drama School as well as being involved in a number of upcoming projects.

So that's the ladies, next week I’ll introduce you to the men. In the meantime, visit www.svgproductions.co.uk for more details on the show will runs 18th-23rd Sep.