About Us

Nettie Sheridan and Gary Cook first started their Identity journey in 2017 with their award-winning production of Dennis Potter’s Blue Remembered Hills for the Southwick Players. Set during World War 2 amongst the rolling hills and woodland of The Forest of Dean, the play was perfect for an outdoor adventure, and what better place to mount a revival of the piece than at our gorgeous local outdoor space, the Brighton Open Air Theatre.

 

Following the success of this production, Identity have been invited to return to the BOAT year on year (Covid permitting!) and acclaimed productions of The Crucible, Wuthering Heights and Dracula followed. In 2023 they were delighted to return to this beautiful performance space with Dylan Thomas’ celebrated Under Milk Wood, and then to take it to Hurstpierpoint for a mini-tour.

 

In addition to the BOAT-specific production titles above, Nettie has

directed Lettice and Lovage, Fantastic Mr Fox, The Elephant Man,

Blithe Spirit, Blink, A Christmas Carol and a two hander, Pity, written by Gary. In 2023 Nettie directed Brontë for Brighton Little Theatre/Brighton Fringe, and Humble Boy for Southwick Players'

Brighton and Hove Arts Council Awards submission.

 

Gary is an experienced Director who in addition to the collaborations for Identity has directed The Turn of The Screw, Hedda Gabler and Taken. Gary wrote Pity for Identity Theatre, a play dealing with the impact of Dementia on both the sufferer and the carer. Pity was performed to much acclaim in various venues where it collected donations for the Dementia Society. He has also designed the sets for many of the above productions, as well as composing and designing sound. More recently, Gary has written exciting full length plays that Identity hope to stage in the very near future. In April 2024 Gary will direct Muswell Hill at the Barn Theatre, Southwick.