Bradford

Trish Cooke is a Playwright, Actress, Television Presenter, Scriptwriter and Children’s Author who might be best known for being a presenter on the children’s series Playdays.  Born in Bradford, she gained a BA in Performing Arts from Leeds Polytechnic before moving to London to pursue an acting career. She worked as a stage manager for the Black Theatre Co-operative for six months, and after receiving her Equity card worked as an actor in London and regionally. She has also written scripts for EastEnders, Doctors, The Real McCoy and Brothers and Sisters. Trish was the Writer in Residence at the Bush Theatre from 2019 to 2021 and is a Royal Literary Fund fellow.

Cooke’s children’s book So Much (1994) won the 0–5 category of the Nestle Smarties Book Prize, the She/WH Smith’s Under-Fives Book Prize and the Kurt Maschler Award. It was also Highly Commended for the Kate Greenaway Medal and was shortlisted for both the Sheffield Children’s Book Award and the Nottinghamshire Children’s Book Award.

Her series of inter-racial adaptations of children’s fairy tales have been popular at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. Cinderella (2007) was the first pantomime to be nominated for an Olivier Award.

Huddersfield

For over 20 years Amanda has directed and worked for theatre and television and is now Co-Director at Vanitas Arts working with creative teams using digital storytelling which contributes to the telling of a wide range of stories from Black & diverse perspectives in the U.K. 

She has directed productions as a Freelance Director as well as part of the Hidden Gems team with Marcia Layne in theatres for audiences far and wide, including Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield, Leeds Playhouse, Hull Truck Theatre, Liverpool Royal Court and the National Black Theatre Festival in North Carolina USA. 

Amanda has enjoyed training for ITV Emmerdale as well as casting for the long overdue first Black family ‘The Bailey’s’ on Coronation street. 

Amanda mentors a number of people  both professionally and informally as the creative industries works through improving the experience for those of us who face racism. She is Chair of RJC Dance, Board member of Huddersfield Media Centre, committee member of Huddersfield Literature Festival, Inc Arts committee the Anti Racist National Touring committee newly launched in 2021. 

The work continues. 

Leeds

Born and raised in a musical household and schooled in the arena of gospel music, Cleve never had any doubt that the world of music was his destiny. Whether in the school band playing rock music, conducting the gospel choir, teaching in school, mentoring young people or playing in the street the love and passion has never diminished. Nearly 50 years, Cleve is still driven to play and help change lives. Long may it continue.