ALT B: Talking People

Our next round of shows will delve into three individually unique scenarios that explore connection, emotion and the universal truths that unite us all.

The first night will be a three-hander dealing with ambition and the faith we have in those we love. The second and third night of shows will explore how different cultural backgrounds shape the grieving process when a family comes together to scatter a relative’s ashes. A night in two parts—two distinct casts, each from a different heritage—performing the same scenario through their unique family dynamics.

Crafted in real time, each performance merges the boundless creativity and talent of our casts with the invaluable input of you, the audience. Together, we will create characters and watch stories unfold that are as raw and real as they are unforgettable. While laughter is invertible, Talking People isn’t a comedy show.

Three shows, endless possibilities with some of the industries finest actors.

Monday 7 April
Zack Morris
Milly Zero
Olivia Benjamin

Tuesday 8 April
Stevie Raine
Clea Martin
Keturah Chambers
Holli Dempsey
Tegen Short

Wednesday 9 April
Mohammed Mansaray
Aliyah Odoffin
Jason York
Landry Adelard
Ayoola Smart

This event is presented as part of the Bush Theatre’s ALT B programme – a platform for creatives, makers and performers across artforms.

This is a past event

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Cast

Zack Morris

ack Morris is an actor hailing from Basildon, Essex, best known for his portrayal of Keegan Butcher-Baker in the BBC soap opera EastEnders (2017–2022). A graduate of D&B Academy of Performing Arts, Zack was awarded the Marvin Humes Scholarship and was the sole recipient in his cohort. Since departing EastEnders, Zack has continued to expand his career across both film and television, in the UK and internationally. In 2023, he starred as Monty Temple in the action-thriller feature film Jericho Ridge. Later that year, Zack starred as Isaiah Howard in the Disney+ anthology series Goosebumps, taking on a lead role in the franchise’s first season. Zack’s most recent work includes The Bluff produced by the Russo Brothers’ (AGBO) and Amazon MGM Studios, alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Karl Urban. The Bluff is due to be released on Amazon Prime in the near future.

Landry Adelard

Landry Adelard is a versatile actor who has recently been seen in Sky Atlantic’s Guerrilla, BBC’s Casualty, and EastEnders. Raised in East London. In 2020, he graduated from the renowned Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, where he honed his craft by taking on complex roles such as Macbeth and Lord Capulet. These experiences have cemented him as a well-rounded performer, equally adept on stage and screen.

Ayoola Smart

Ayoola Smart is a multidisciplinary artist appearing in television series like The Wheel of Time, Smother, Killing Eve, Death In Paradise & Les Miserables. Her film appearances include Cocaine Bear & Juliet, Naked. Smart has also performed in theatre productions such as: Paradise Now! (Bush Theatre, original cast) which was nominated for an Olivier Award, Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare's Globe), The Lovely Bones (Birmingham Repertory Theatre, original cast), Othello (Unicorn Theatre), and The Taming of the Shrew (Globe Theatre). She works as a voiceover artist through Loud & Clear Voices, writes and recently produced her first film, which is currently in post-production.

Jason York

Credits include BAFTA winning series Mood (BBC), Dreaming Whilst Black (A24), House of Spoils (Blumhouse), Sliced (Dave), Van Wife (Merman) an award winning short for Women’s Aid 50th Anniversary in collaboration with Lad Bible. Upcoming work includes new BBC One drama Wild Cherry. Jason is also an associate artist with Kestrel Theatre a charity that employs professionals to work creatively in the criminal justice system

Mohammed Mansaray

Screen credits include BOARDERS (BBC), RULES OF THE GAME (BBC) and feature films THE CUT (dir. Sean Ellis) and GASSED UP for Amazon (dir. George Amponsah). Stage credits include FOR BLACK BOYS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE HUE GETS TOO HEAVY (Garrick Theatre), I LOVE ACTING BUT F**K THIS INDUSTRY (Theatre Peckham), MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (RSC), BARBERSHOP CHRONICLES (UK, US & Canada Tour), ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (Sheffield Crucible) and THE LONG SONG (Chichester Festival Theatre)

Keturah Chambers

Raised in Luton, Keturah Chambers trained at Mountview before stepping into the industry with the leading role in the US feature film Tell No Lies. She has also appeared in EastEnders, Casualty, Netflix’s series YOU and is set to feature in the upcoming seasons of Professor T (ITV) and Sister Boniface (BBC). On stage, she previously played the title role in Grace written and directed by Richard Vincent, continuing to creatively work together now at The Bush Theatre. Further stage credits are, ‘The Birthday Party’ at The Harold Pinter theatre as U/S Lulu and Spotlight Prize finalist.

Tegen Short

Tegen trained at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and graduated in 2018. She recently completed filming on THE WILDING for 52 Films, as well on THE MYSTERIES OF MADAM BLANC for Acorn. Her other television credits include PANDORA for the CW and DELICIOUS for Sky. On stage, Tegen has starred in HOW TO DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY for Long Nights Productions and US AND NICK CAVE for the Arcola Theatre and the recent new read through of Are You Watching at the Omnibus.

Holli Dempsey

Holli is an Actress born and raised in East London. Her career started on stage at the Theatre Royal Stratford East youth theatre. Since then she has gained many TV credits including DEREK, HARLOTS, THE ALIENS, BLACK MIRROR & AFTERLIFE - to name a few. She also starred in the reboot of the Dad's Army film with Catherine Zeta Jones, Bill Nighy and Sir Michael Gambon. Holli has also starred in many Radio dramas such as IVANOV and played the Lead character in 'Broken Colours' for Radio 4. She is delighted to be back on stage at The Bush after starring in their Sold Out shows 'The Knowledge' and 'Little Platoons' which got rave reviews

Clea Martin

Clea Martin is a London born actor. She can currently be seen as ‘ Ann Marie Dove’, one of the leading roles in Sexy Beast out now on Paramount +. Clea's other recent credits include; One Day for Netflix, House of The Dragon for HBO, This Is Going To Hurt for BBC One, Showtrial for BBC One and Hanna Season 2 & 3 for Amazon Prime. Clea can also be seen in Industry Season 1 for HBO/BBC and Whitstable Pearl for Acorn TV

Stevie Raine

Stevie's recent theatre credits include Jez Butterworth's 'The Hills of California' at The Harold Pinter Theatre and Kiki Delivery Service at Southwark Playhouse. His recent television credits include Vera (ITV) , The Long Shadow (ITV) and Brassic (Sky Atlantic)

Milly Zero

Milly Zero is an actor from South London. She is best known for playing Dotty Cotton in BBC soap opera ‘Eastenders’, from 2019-2023. She also played ‘Hannah’ in CBBC’s ‘All At Sea’ for several series as a teenager. Milly trained at The BRIT School for Performing Arts in Croydon, and also with NYT and Open Door. She most recently filmed on Netflix’s new comedy ‘Too Much’ and in 2023 was also cast as Hermia in The Stafford Gatehouse’s ‘Midsummer Nights Dream. She has also performed at The Arcola, Brixton House, Theatre Peckham and Theatre Royal Stratford East. Recently Milly played the lead role of ‘Kitty’ in BFI Funded film ‘Better’, which premiered at the London Film Festival 2023. She also is the founder of ‘Here For The Drama Academy’, a children's drama school, running several branches across London.

Olivia Benjamin

Olivia is a British actor and graduate from Mountview. Most recently, she starred as Caroline Bingley in the Hallmark film An American in Austen and played Princess Margaret in BBC's Father Brown. She also played the role of Helli in Tony Britten's production of Astoria at the Jack Studio Theatre. During her training, Olivia played the role of Claudius in an all female re-telling of Hamlet and was chosen to represent Mountview in BBC's Carleton Hobbs competition, where she finished as a finalist.

Aliyah Odoffin

Upon graduating from RADA in 2021, Aliyah was quickly snapped up by Working Title to play one of the leads in Everything I Know About Love, which landed her a Royal Television Society North West nomination in 2022. Her theatre debut in Clybourne Park garnered her fantastic reviews, and most recently she led the cast alongside Alfie Allen in Suffrajitsu, a short film produced by Steve McQueen's production company, Lammas Park.

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