Meet Firebird!
21 Jul 2026
Firebird Theatre is a Company of Learning Disabled artists based in Bristol.
The company works as an ensemble of experienced Learning Disabled performers with a consistent track record of making plays and performances together for over thirty years. Bristol Old Vic is very proud to have been able to support them on that journey since the beginning.
Firebird is Learning Disabled-led: its members make the decisions about the company's art, its direction and its future.
Their production of The Tempest opens at Bristol Old Vic's Weston Studio this week and we are thrilled to be able to introduce the fabulous company to you - in their own words!
Olivia Watkins
My name is Olivia and I have been part Firebird since April 2015. I celebrated my ten year anniversary last year. I have been part of two Firebird Theatre productions; Propspero Duke of Milan and A Spark and a Beating heart.
I love Shakespeare. I love acting and poetry. I am looking forward to playing Miranda in the Tempest I want to gain more experience and challenge myself.
I worked on the Firebird Charter with our Company Producer to help develop the Firebird Charter, I really enjoyed this and I am looking forward to working on more projects like this and leading more workshops!
I am playing Miranda in The Tempest.
Mol Hutchinson
My name is Mol and I am a new member of Firebird. I have been with the company since September 2024. I was part of Misfits Theatre and worked in the prop making department in 2014. This was part of the Mencap work I was doing at the time.
I am part of a choir, The Umbrella Singers. I love to sing, especially Adele.
My favourite theatre game is Mol Steps, I like it because it is interactive and competitive. I like Firebird because it is inclusive and a friendly environment.
I am playing Gonzalo in The Tempest.
Tina Kelly
My name is Tina and I have been part of Firebird since the beginning. I have been in The Tempest, Sharing the Stars, Nine Lessons of Caliban, The Lying Doctors, The Breadhorse, Spark and a Beating Heart and Faustus. I was part of Art and Power choir too, we performed at The Victoria Rooms and Ashton Court festival.
I performed alongside Back to Back theatre in 2011 at Barton Hill with Firebird Theatre. I have enjoyed working with David Ellington over the years when he BSL interpreted our plays. I am interested in learning more BSL alongside Firebird.
I am an artist and I was part of Art and Power art group, I was then part of Artists First for several years and since that closed I am now part of Art In Motion, we meet weekly at Arnolfini.
I am on the board of Trustees with Daniel Bryan (another Firebird member).
I am playing King Alonso in The Tempest.
Maya Sarosh
My name is Maya and I have been a part of Firebird since September 2024. This is my first theatre company I have been part of.
I've been dancing from a very young age and now I do tap and hip hop dancing. I have performed at lots of different venues. I love dancing and using movement on stage. I'm excited about bringing my dance skills to Firebird and the character I’m playing. I also like singing and was part of a choir. My favourite thing to do is performing.
I am playing Ariel in The Tempest.
Jake Binns
My name is Jake and I have been part of Firebird since September 2024. I have been involved in my local theatre group and drama productions at secondary school.
I have had a number of roles in the following productions; Bugsy Malone, The Nutcracker, Private Peaceful, Panto, Treasure Island, Wind in the Willow and Aladdin.
For the past three years I have been learning new skills in hospitality at Foxes. I have loved this experience.
I like making Tik Toks of me dancing, I have got a lot of followers. I love performing especially on stages with all the professional lights.
I am playing Stephano in The Tempest.
Daniel Bryan
My name is Daniel. I’ve been in Firebird since 2009. The plays I’ve been in are The Breadhorse; The Tempest; Prospero the Duke of Milan; The Nine Lessons of Caliban; A Spark and a Beating Heart. I’ve been part of a celebration performance with Firebird’s patron, Kathryn Hunter, to celebrate the life of one of our members.
I am part of two other theatre groups in Bristol and we have performed in different places around Bristol and in Salisbury and Swindon.
I am an entertainer, a performer and a dancer. I like showing things to audiences when I perform. I love musical theatre.
What I am looking forward to with Firebird is ticking off things on our bucket list for Firebird like more touring! I am on the board of Trustees with Tina Kelly (another Firebird member).
I am playing Prince Ferdinand in The Tempest.
Liam Hudson
My name is Liam. I’ve been in Firebird since 2024. I am also part of Misfits Theatre Company. In my school production of Jungle Book I played Baloo. I also played a farmhand in a production of the Wizard of Oz.
What I love about performing is that I enjoy working with friends and people that have a creative eye for coming up with plays. I love Pokémon and Harry Potter. I also enjoy doing colouring and gaming.
What I am looking forward to with Firebird is learning more and getting to do more theatre productions.
I am playing Caliban in The Tempest.
Kevin Hogan
My name is Kevin and I have been in Firebird for a very long time, around 30 years.
First I was in the Portway Players and then Firebird. I have been in the Lying Doctors, Sharing the Stars, The Chalk Circle, The Boy with the Cart, The Breadhorse, Yellow Sun Red Moon, Spark and a Beating Heart, Nine Lessons of Caliban and Faustus. I was on the local news with Firebird promoting who we are and what we do.
I was part of Artists First for about 5 years. I was part of Art and Power’s choir, we performed at various venues such as Ashton Court Festival and Victoria Rooms.
I am excited about touring and leading more workshops.
I am playing Antonio in The Tempest.
Chris Wiltshire
My name is Chris, I have been with Firebird since it began, over 30 years. I am Firebird’s longest-standing member! I was part of the Portway Players before Firebird. I have performed in The Lying Doctors, Sharing the Stars, The Chalk Circle, The Boy with the Cart, The Breadhorse, Yellow Sun Red Moon, Spark and a Beating Heart, Nine Lessons of Caliban and Faustus. I have been on the local news talking about Firebird and all the great work we do.
I like Doctor Who and trains, I also enjoy watching the news. I enjoy acting with everyone.
I am playing Prospero in The Tempest.
Alice Lamb
I am an honorary member of Firebird!
I am a Bristolian actor, theatre maker and charity worker. My acting credits include; Sherlock in Homes (Sharp Teeth & Wardrobe Theatre), Faustus (Headlong), Drac and Jill (Wardrobe Theatre), Wild Swimming (FullRogue), Goldilock, Stock and The Three Smoking Bears (Wardrobe Theatre), Autobiographer (Fuel). My Theatre making credits include; 25 (Take Back Theatre) & Mental (Kane Power Theatre - winner of the first Mental Health award at Edinburgh Fringe). I was a long running cast member of Closer Each Day; The Improvised Soap Opera.
I am playing Sebastian and Trinculo in The Tempest.
George Webster
I am a BAFTA award-winning TV presenter, actor, dancer, author and charity ambassador. I was the first person with Down Syndrome to become a presenter on the BBC and is a firm favourite on CBeebies. My credits include Strictly Come Dancing, stage work in the UK and France, and a Best Actor award for my lead role in S.A.M. I have featured in the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 and I’m an ambassador for parkrun, Yorkshire Dance and Royal Mencap. I live in Leeds.
I'm super excited to be involved with Firebird and their production of the Tempest in Bristol. I absolutely love Shakespeare, and I have loved The Tempest since I did it at school in English and cannot wait to be in their production of the well-known Shakespearean play. I love playing different characters and the Narrator is a role I haven't played before. I'm very excited to be telling the story of The Tempest. Thank you to Firebird for giving me this amazing opportunity.
I am playing the Voice of the Narrator in The Tempest.
