Creative Team
Michael Whitmore - Artistic Director, Writer/Adapter/Director
Michael Whitmore founded Quantum Theatre in 1993 having gained a degree in Drama followed by an MA in Acting at Guildford School of Acting and Dance and since then has written, adapted and directed all of the company’s output.
To date Michael has written around 40 plays for Quantum Theatre, both adaptations of classic texts and his own work on subjects from the National Curriculum as well as new work exploring the Great War, The 2012 Olympics and environmental issues including energy saving and recycling.
Michael enjoys adapting the classics for the stage and amongst others has adapted Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen , Dickens' A Christmas Carol and Great Expectations, ETA Hoffmann's The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, Lewis Carroll’s Alice Through the Looking Glass and Beatrix Potter’s much loved The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny. He has also produced and directed Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night and The Tempest.
For a full list of Michael's writing output please click here
Jessica Selous - Artistic Director, Set Painter/Prop Maker/Sound Editor
Jessica co-founded Quantum Theatre with Michael in 1993 and is Co-Artistic Director as well as the main set painter, prop and costume maker and sound editor for Quantum shows.
She creates the strange and wonderful creatures that appear in all the shows including Alice Through the Looking Glass, The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny and The reluctant Dragon and makes all the props and costumes for Quantum’s output.
Jessica edits much of the music that underscores Quantum shows as well as writing lyrics for all the songs and you may occasionally find her working out the odd harmony.
Jessica is in charge of marketing and writes and produces all the Quantum literature and publicity material. She has designed children’s worksheets and teachers' notes for the company's schools work as well designing and writing the programmes for each season and designing posters and leaflets for all Quantum's output.
Gideon Escott - Musical Director, Composer/Arranger
Gideon Escott was first commissioned to write the music for Quantum’s show The Big Drip back in 1993 and thus began the partnership which continues to this day. Gideon writes and arranges all the music for Quantum shows with styles ranging from 1930s jazz through orchestral, rock to contemporary pop as well as sharing the administration of the company with Caroline.
As well as writing scores for Quantum shows Gideon also arranges all the music for Quantum’s output and plays all the instruments too.
Gideon has arranged traditional sea shanties for Treasure Island, the fairy music for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Feste’s pop songs in Twelfth Night and he wrote and arranged Scandinavian folk music for The Snow Queen, traditional tunes for The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny and Great Expectations , nursery rhymes for Alice Through the Looking Glass, folk songs for The Reluctant Dragon and carols for The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol.
For a full list of Gideon's scores and arrangements click here
