Our Associate Artists

Our Associate Artists have a long history of working with Red Rose Chain. They are regulars on our stage, but they also collaborate with us creatively on artistic projects and community work.

Ailis Duff

Ailis is a much-loved Red Rose Chain actor best known for her incredible performances in Theatre in the Forest – from appearing out of a BBQ as Banquo’s ghost in Macbeth to the long bearded Old Shepherd in The Winter’s Tale! Ailis has also appeared at The Avenue Theatre in The Magic Fishbone, as well as in our green scree productions during the COVID pandemic. We are thrilled to have her on board!

“Working with Red Rose Chain over the last few years has been an amazing experience, and I’m so delighted to be an associate of such an incredible company who make such a difference to the community”

Jack Heydon

Jack has been part of Red Rose Chain since 2013 when he first volunteered at Theatre in the Forest. He has since graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has become a firm favourite on stage! Jack is one of Red Rose Chain’s artistic collaborators, working on projects as a designer and Musical Director. Jack has also been a huge part of our community work, working on our under 5s storytelling project and most recently creating our beautiful Roses film made during lockdown!

“I always have such a great time working with Red Rose Chain so to become an associate artist with a company that means so much to me is a dream come true. They are stuck with me now!”

Darren Latham

Darren is a firm Red Rose Chain favourite with audiences, loved for his brilliant music and comedy in roles including Mercutio (Romeo and Juliet, 2019) and the March Hare (Alice in Wonderland 2018 & 2020)! Darren also works closely with our community groups, especially the Gold Chainers, most recently working with them to create the music for their play, The Nightingale!

“I’m so happy to be named an associate artist at Red Rose Chain! I love working for the company in their shows and amazing community work!”

Lawrence Russell

Lawrence is an Actor/Writer and Co-Producer of Sitcom competition: Sitcom Mission. As a result of the early support of Red Rose Chain, he is also Artistic Director of Happy Idiot Productions.  Lawrence is a firm favourite on stage at Theatre in the Forest and The Avenue, with much loved performances ranging from Richard III and the Mad Hatter!

Fizz Waller

Fizz began her acting training as part of the Red Rose Chain youth theatre, having grown up in Ipswich. She has participated in countless performances with the Red Rose Chain as a young person and a professional actor, including three Theatre in the Forest productions, as well as participating as a workshop leader for multiple groups. Fizz has performed in national theatre tours, as well as in Camden and Brighton theatre festivals.

“The power and passion that Joanna Carrick and David Newborn have instilled at Red Rose Chain should never be underestimated. It is no exaggeration to say that I have seen lives transformed with the work Red Rose Chain do – not to mention the company’s exceptionally high creative output. Red Rose Chain has had untold impact on my life and creative career – this is why I could not be happier or more honoured to be an Associate Artist at a company I love so dearly and have been involved with since the age of sixteen.”