In 2020, I developed an interest in Theatrical Producing, and by October 2021 had begun working first for a highly acclaimed UK Producer, Josh Andrews as his Production Assistant and before becoming Assistant Producer for one of my lifelong favourite theatre companies, NPO Told by an Idiot. This period of work opened my eyes to the joy and possibility creating my own work and in 2022 launched my own theatre company Crafted By Fools.
In association with Unbelievably Loud Theatre, we previewed our debut production This Be The Verse - a trio of short plays exploring the complex relationships between parents and children. The plays previewed at at the Hen & Chickens Theatre, Islington, for three days, at the end of March 2022 (this was the limit to what we could afford!). We sold out every performance and received both a 5 star review (Reviews Hub) and a 4 star (London Theatre Reviews) from the two publications we invited.
★★★★★
“This Be The Verse is fringe theatre at its best: three short plays, each tautly written and immaculately performed, combine to give depth and nuance to Larkin’s poem with its famous opening, ‘They fuck you up, your mum and dad’.”
“Bishop’s clever, well-wrought play moves sinuously between comedy and glimpses of tragedy. Its final line will haunt you.”
“Colm Gleeson performs Andrew to perfection”
“It’s a delightful play, brought fully to life by Duncan’s beautifully modulated acting. Her ability to register tiny changes of emotion has something of Emma Thompson in it.”
“All three plays offer highly imaginative, entertaining and moving facets of human life. There’s nothing extreme – no Shakespearean tragedy. Just the gradual revealing of the deep wounds of ordinary fucked up lives.”
— This Be The Verse, Reviews Hub ★★★★★ (5)
★★★★
“Bishop’s energetic performance of a “cool rock n’ roll dad” is contagious”
“As entertaining as each piece is on its own, showcasing three individual stories one after another allows us to truly immerse ourselves…”
“It is easy to accept that This Be The Verse’s three stories are just a part of life that we need to accept. After all, as Bishop put it, “the world is only 50% a let down”.
— This Be The Verse, London Theatre Reviews ★★★★ (4)
“A very fresh and funny evening showcasing new writing. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and the acting and writing were top notch. I always believe new writing should be supported and this company are one to watch.”
-Mark Bell, Director, The Play That Goes Wrong
“Three gorgeous, tender new pieces of writing. Call your parents (trust me), pack yourself some Kleenex and get yourself a ticket”
- Twitter Comment, Audience Member
“I went to the theatre for the first time in ages and saw the most amazing show. Great new writing, wonderful performances and expert direction. An experience that needs to be shared…”
- Stephen Hagan, Actor & Producer
