Tamara Stidwell - LAFTA CREATIVE DIRECTOR, WRITER & ACTOR
Tamara Stidwell is a Cornish writer known for her compelling exploration of socio-cultural issues, including housing, identity, and mental health, intertwined with Cornish heritage and folklore. Screenwriter Jane Pugh praised Tamara’s writing as a “human display of fireworks.” Tamara's original plays frequently utilize film to navigate the liminal spaces of time and place, offering depth to characters' inner worlds. Her storytelling often employs dramatic irony, creating a disconnect between dialogue and visual narrative.
Tamara is currently in development working on two projects:
IN DEVELOPMENT:
An exciting commission for Minack Theatre! More info. coming when available.
MY BIG FAT CORNISH PANTO
Exploring Cornish myths & well-known fairy-tales, loosely based around the story of Cinderella. Spring 2025!
Tamara Stidwell is a Cornish writer known for her compelling exploration of socio-cultural issues, including housing, identity, and mental health, intertwined with Cornish heritage and folklore. Screenwriter Jane Pugh praised Tamara’s writing as a “human display of fireworks.” Tamara's original plays frequently utilize film to navigate the liminal spaces of time and place, offering depth to characters' inner worlds. Her storytelling often employs dramatic irony, creating a disconnect between dialogue and visual narrative.
Tamara is currently in development working on two projects:
IN DEVELOPMENT:
An exciting commission for Minack Theatre! More info. coming when available.
MY BIG FAT CORNISH PANTO
Exploring Cornish myths & well-known fairy-tales, loosely based around the story of Cinderella. Spring 2025!
Chris Ager - LAFTA CHAIRMAN, WRITER & ACTOR
Chris is passionate about comedy and heavily inspired by the likes of Monty Python, Milton Jones, Tim Vine and Tommy Cooper! Chris wrote and performed in a number of short comedy sketches and joined a performance group in London in 1986, one most notable performance acting as a waxwork dummy where he had to keep still for 90 minutes ("and no, that's not where my wooden acting started," he says). Chris moved to the Lizard in 2017 and after his retirement, joined The Lizard lifeboat station, the golf club and of course, returned to the stage!
He has just played the lead part of "Mr Skins" in our production of 'Fault.'
Chris is passionate about comedy and heavily inspired by the likes of Monty Python, Milton Jones, Tim Vine and Tommy Cooper! Chris wrote and performed in a number of short comedy sketches and joined a performance group in London in 1986, one most notable performance acting as a waxwork dummy where he had to keep still for 90 minutes ("and no, that's not where my wooden acting started," he says). Chris moved to the Lizard in 2017 and after his retirement, joined The Lizard lifeboat station, the golf club and of course, returned to the stage!
He has just played the lead part of "Mr Skins" in our production of 'Fault.'
Jimmy Johns - LAFTA VICE CHAIRMAN & ACTOR
Jimmy is a Cornish language speaker and natural storyteller. His drama journey began as a schoolboy in Ashton’s nativity play and continued with Breage’s community productions. Now based in The Lizard, he and his wife Esther run Open The Book, producing Bible-based short plays for school assemblies at Landewednack and Ruan Minor School.
A founding member of LAFTA in 2021, Jimmy serves as Vice-Chairman and has performed in numerous productions, including his acclaimed role as Rabbit in Catching Rabbit (2022), Mrs. Claus in Hell-Up Cabaret (2021), Nobby-Ender in Lizard's Got Er... Talent? (2023), the Tin-Man in We're Off To See The Lizard (2023), and Kenza's Grandfather in Fault (2024).
Passionate about Cornwall’s heritage, Jimmy promotes cultural ties between Cornwall and Brittany. He’s involved in local community projects like the Midsummer Bonfire, he was Chairman of The Lizard Football & Social Club, fundraised for The Lizard Chapel and recently began contributing content to Lizard Lives Gazette. Jimmy recently recited Gray Lightfoot's poetry for Kernow Voices. Known for captivating audiences with his storytelling, Jimmy can certainly spin a yarn - he brings characters and tales to life in a way that both entertains and mystifies!
Jimmy is a Cornish language speaker and natural storyteller. His drama journey began as a schoolboy in Ashton’s nativity play and continued with Breage’s community productions. Now based in The Lizard, he and his wife Esther run Open The Book, producing Bible-based short plays for school assemblies at Landewednack and Ruan Minor School.
A founding member of LAFTA in 2021, Jimmy serves as Vice-Chairman and has performed in numerous productions, including his acclaimed role as Rabbit in Catching Rabbit (2022), Mrs. Claus in Hell-Up Cabaret (2021), Nobby-Ender in Lizard's Got Er... Talent? (2023), the Tin-Man in We're Off To See The Lizard (2023), and Kenza's Grandfather in Fault (2024).
Passionate about Cornwall’s heritage, Jimmy promotes cultural ties between Cornwall and Brittany. He’s involved in local community projects like the Midsummer Bonfire, he was Chairman of The Lizard Football & Social Club, fundraised for The Lizard Chapel and recently began contributing content to Lizard Lives Gazette. Jimmy recently recited Gray Lightfoot's poetry for Kernow Voices. Known for captivating audiences with his storytelling, Jimmy can certainly spin a yarn - he brings characters and tales to life in a way that both entertains and mystifies!
Esther Johns - LAFTA SECRETARY, DIRECTOR & ACTOR
Esther is a Gorsedh Kernow Bard, Cornish language speaker, writer and Cornish language teacher who runs the Cornish cookery show Kegin Esther (Cooking With Esther) on the An Mis television programme. She is our specialist for using Cornish language in plays and films. In her recent musical play "We're Off To See The Lizard" (a local adaptation of Wizard of Oz), Esther wrote a musical chorus for Dorothy entirely in the Cornish language. Promoting local heritage and events in the community, Esther regularly contributes an interesting monthly "Cornish Corner" to Lizard Lives Gazette.
Esther is a Gorsedh Kernow Bard, Cornish language speaker, writer and Cornish language teacher who runs the Cornish cookery show Kegin Esther (Cooking With Esther) on the An Mis television programme. She is our specialist for using Cornish language in plays and films. In her recent musical play "We're Off To See The Lizard" (a local adaptation of Wizard of Oz), Esther wrote a musical chorus for Dorothy entirely in the Cornish language. Promoting local heritage and events in the community, Esther regularly contributes an interesting monthly "Cornish Corner" to Lizard Lives Gazette.
Gillian Higgs - LAFTA PROPS & COSTUME LEAD
Cornish costume and props designer Gill is a specialist in using creativity for children's psychosocial development and wellbeing, she has worked extensively in schools around Cornwall supporting children through creative outdoor activities including immersive theatre shows, which she has produced, directed and designed set and props for. Gill has also developed artistic short films with children, helping them to understand the impact of ocean plastic pollution.
Cornish costume and props designer Gill is a specialist in using creativity for children's psychosocial development and wellbeing, she has worked extensively in schools around Cornwall supporting children through creative outdoor activities including immersive theatre shows, which she has produced, directed and designed set and props for. Gill has also developed artistic short films with children, helping them to understand the impact of ocean plastic pollution.