Tom Adams is the creator of Elephant & Castle, one of three pieces debuting at Engine Room
Tom is a performer and composer who produces his own solo shows including Still Score and Howl at the Moon. He trained at Circomedia, Bristol to be a clown and has now worked with, among others, Red Herring Productions, Laura Mugridge, Field Trip and Miracle Theatre. He has composed music for Daniel Bye, Polka Theatre, Miracle Theatre and Katy Schutte. His work always mixes live music and theatre and his next project is called ‘Bookish’, a brand new theatre project with peformer Laura Mugridge.
What is the piece about?
The piece is about Sleeptalking, sleepwalking and other parasomnias. I wanted to make a show about this subject because I sleep talk and walk most nights and have an app which records everything I say and do in the night. I thought these recordings could be used as material.
It is a Gig-Theatre show with live music at the core of the story telling. I am going to collaborate with performer and composer, Lillian Henley (1927 Theatre Company). Working with Lillian will be a totally unique experience as we are actually husband and wife, so she has a unique viewpoint as we share a bed. The show will be just as much about her experience as it is me.
Also, it is called ‘Elephant and Castle’ because one of the first things I said to her in my sleep was: “I want to get in a cupboard and take you to Elephant and Castle”.
How have you found the support at Omnibus?
Fantastic. Marie is simply wonderful and I am so glad to be an associate artist of Omnibus.
What’s next and how can people follow you?
I am currently touring a show called ‘Bookish’ (5 mini theatre shows, each one about a totally different book) around bookshops and libraries. Then I am playing an Ugly Sister in Cinderella. After that, we start making ‘Elephant and Castle’ proper. After that, I am making a solo show about my magician Dad called ‘Bolt’. You can follow me on Twitter @TomAdamsSeagull
Any shout outs?
Laura Mugridge is excellent. Buy Lillian Henley’s DVD ‘Make More Noise’ and her CD soundtrack to Regents Park production of ‘Pride & Prejudice’. Also, I like the musician Toscil.
