About Theatre of the Gentle Furies
The Theatre of the Gentle Furies – or just the Gentle Furies – is a collective of artists and academics based in the UK and the US. We have been working together since 2011. We seek to make work that envisions a more equitable, sustainable, and liveable world, drawing on the stories of the past to think about being in the world in the twenty-first century – and how that world might change, for the better, in future.
In ancient Greek myth, Furies are rageful spirits of the earth who haunt those who’ve murdered their loved ones. To re-imagine their rage as gentle is a bit of a paradox – but that sums up the work we make. Our work is – at the same time – old, new, and looking to the future. It is dead serious about the problems our world faces – misogyny, queerphobia, climate disaster, to name just a few – but approaches these problems with camp irreverence and a love of the ridiculous. It is full of fury – but full of gentleness, too. Some shows have leaned more one way than the other, but the ingredients are always in the mix.
As an experimental company who pursue a lab-based approach to theatre making – we don’t write plays and then stage them, we throw lots of ideas into the mix and let them bubble away and transform over time – we embrace academic research alongside creative practice and see creative practice as research. We are proud to be a registered CIO (charitable incorporated organisation) and to have ongoing partnerships with several UK universities. The company is overseen by a board of trustees and led by a core group who, in turn, work with a wider pool of associates.
Although our work is often supported by organisations such as Arts Council England, we receive no regular government funding. You can make a difference to our work by becoming a supporter over on Patreon – even small regular donations have a big impact. Or, if you want to support our work in other ways, either through larger financial donations or support in kind, get in touch with us at info@gentlefuries.org
The Company
Alexander Woodward
Alexander is a spoken-word poet who has been anthologised multiple times, performed throughout the UK, and appeared in the shortlists and finals of several national competitions. He writes on love, mental health, and what he terms “deliberate and wilful nonsense”, trying always to put joy into the world and make people feel less alone. He loves fantasy novels, is fascinated by the history of how societies view themselves, and has been known to dabble in the less strenuous areas of philosophy. If you meet him in the bar, he would like a double gin and tonic, please and thank you.
Christine Plastow
Christine is an academic, writer, and dramaturg. She became co-director of the Gentle Furies in 2022. Christine is a Lecturer in Classical Studies at the Open University, teaching undergraduate and Masters courses in Greek language and ancient history and culture, and a researcher in Athenian law and oratory, Greek rhetoric, and performance receptions of myth. Christine directed and co-wrote Homer’s Women for the Gentle Furies, and wrote for The Gentlest Work.
David Bullen
David is a writer, director, dramaturg, and academic. He is Lecturer in Drama and Theatre at Royal Holloway, University of London, as well as co-founder and co-artistic director of the Gentle Furies. Both David’s research and theatre practice focus on the ways contemporary theatre makers re-imagine traditional artforms and narratives – especially Greek tragedy – to intervene in so-called ‘culture war’ issues such as gender identity, anti-racism, and the climate emergency.
Malinda Smith
Malinda started performing in her early teens and was a member of the National Youth Theatre and British Youth Music Theatre, before graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London with a BA in Drama and Theatre Studies, and undertaking acting training at Mountview. She is currently a theatre maker, performer and facilitator in training with Talawa and Emergency Exit Arts; developing practice around self determination theory and creativity in community settings. She is a facilitator at Angel Shed theatre company with additional experience facilitating with young people in organisations including the Little Angel Theatre and Ministry of Stories. She also catsits; surely the greatest professional experience any human could ask for.
Nicole Savin
Nicole is a Long Island, New York-based theatre-maker, and founding member of the Gentle Furies. She holds a BA (Hons) in Drama and Theatre Studies from Royal Holloway, University of London. She also serves as Associate Artistic Director of EastLine Theatre on Long Island, where she has directed Treasure Island, Long Ago and Far Away, and the infamous Yiddish play God of Vengeance. She recently appeared as Chana in the Long Island premiere of Indecent. Her interests include theatre history, musical theatre, Yiddish theatre, and site-specific performance. Her theatre practise is whimsical, inclusive, and based in re-invention.
Sinead Costelloe
Sinead has been working with the Gentle Furies since 2013. Previous productions include: Homer’s Women, Pride and Prejudice:
SJ Brady
SJ is an actor, director, and writer. She has been performing with the Gentle Furies since 2011 and served as co-director from 2017-2022. She writes spoken word poetry and is part of the Young Vic Directors Program. SJ has a keen interest in feminist adaptation and has adapted Othello and The Bacchae for the Gentle Furies. She is specifically interested in writing and performing narratives accompanied by a musical score. She is currently developing a full collection of poetry while working in the West End for a theatre producer. She enjoys dance, music, and art and currently resides in South East London.
Wendy Haines
Wendy is a writer for the Gentle Furies with a particular interest in women’s writing, magical realism, science fiction, popular culture, and queer performance practise. She has written and co-written adaptations of Bacchae, The Oresteia, and Medea for By Jove, and produced plays independently (Beautiful Halo – One Act Festival, Stockwell Playhouse).
The Board
Theatre of the Gentle Furies is grateful to be supported by a Board of Trustees who champion our work and guide the future of the company. They are:
Emma Cole
David Haines
John J Johnston
Tzu-I Liao
Liz Schafer