I am the Artistic Director of Dorsetborn.
We are a young company, here to discover new stories deserving of new audiences. You can find us making new work across Dorset and the South West.
Since being formed in February 2022, Dorsetborn have generated 30+ paid opportunities for freelancers and engaged with over 2000 audience members/participants.
We have partnered with organisations including Artsreach, Dorset Libraries, the New Diorama, Pavilion Dance South West, and Taunton Brewhouse. We are an Associate Company of National Youth Theatre and been featured on ITV Meridian and BBC Radio Dorset.
We are just getting started.
Get in touch at dorsetborntheatre@gmail.com!
Georgia
and the
Iceberg
A Show for Young Adventurers
South West Tour
11th February - 14th April 2023
Writer and Director - Rohan Gotobed
Producer - Olivia Tetlow
Designer and Puppetry - Layla Bradbeer
Composer & Sound Designer - Ed Lewis
Dramaturg - Priya Patel Appleby
Puppetry Director - Molly Harris Farley
Creative Captioner - Stephen Lloyd
Stage Manager - Philippa Hendry
Marketing - Gabriella Sills
Helena / Penguin - Zoë May Dales
Georgia - Flossie Ure
When Georgia goes to Antarctica to visit her big sister Helena, all she wants is to explore the big frozen continent outside her bedroom window.
While Helena is focused on completing her chores, Georgia discovers a giant iceberg on a collision course with the nearby penguin colony!
If she can't journey across the ice in time to warn them, then everyone's in danger...
Funded by Arts Council England with additional support from Poole Lighthouse.
This production's development included workshops with Avonwood Primary, Merley First School, Ashley Junior School, and St John's First School.
“The play uses an inclusive and interactive production to engage with its young target audience, with something for the adults to enjoy as well, in a beautifully crafted show, with an original script that incorporates threat, danger and adventure within the shared knowledge and light-hearted entertainment.
Georgia and the Iceberg tells a serious ecological message, connecting with the natural world in a fun yet educational way, with poignant and provocative performances, both heart-breaking and heart-warming, that could melt the coldest cynical heart.
I dare you to watch this and not be moved!"
— Scene One+
Flossie Ure (Georgia) and Zoë May Dales (Penguin)
Flossie Ure (Georgia)
Venues Included:
Poole Lighthouse
Dorchester Arts
Artsreach
Ilminster Arts Centre
Front Room WSM
Pegasus Theatre, Oxford
ARC Winchester
Forest Forge, Ringwood
The Mill, Banbury
Dorset Libraries
"Dorsetborn's first show is a delightful two-hander...
Our audience of young children were fully engaged and loved being involved by the actors."
— Elspeth McBain,
Poole Lighthouse
“The star of the show has to be the puppetry penguin... they were enchanting and cheeky."
— Elaine Chapman
“Such a beautiful, touching, compelling and accessible production! Congrats to the cast and creative team! You have something really special."
"A show that has heart and knowledge at its core. Thought the wisdom imparted to the audience was great."
— Lisa Gregan,
Bristol Old Vic
Pride
An Immersive Audio Drama
Kingston Lacy
From 14th July 2023
Written by Naomi Denny and Rohan Gotobed
Director - Rohan Gotobed
Producer - Olivia Tetlow
Composer and Sound Designer - Freddie Lewis
William John Bankes - Neil James
Anne Bankes - Melody Fisher
Seymour / George Bankes - Jamie Lee-Hill
Sarah - India Murray
Special Thanks to the volunteers of Kingston Lacy and the entire Kingston Lacy team for their support and collaboration.
Commissioned by the National Trust
In 1841, William John Bankes was forced into exile due to his homosexuality.
He would never return to Kingston Lacy, his stately home in Dorset, where William John had spent years cultivating one of the country's most exciting and eccentric collections of art and artefacts.
But what if he did? And what if you could see the house through his eyes?
"A tour de force... Each scene was pacy, with convincing characters and punctuated with facts that never felt shoehorned in.
It's a fun way to explore our famously stately pile at your own pace, with insights into the lavish contents as well as the complex and eccentric William John Bankes himself."
— New Stour & Avon Magazine
"This audio drama adds so much to the visitor experience, and I would urge people to take advantage of it."
— Dorset View
"Dorsetborn theatre highlights the struggles and fear forced upon men for simply being true to themselves. Gay rights and freedoms only began the journey for equality in 1967 and the fight continues today for equality in the LGBTQ communities as people quite rightly so want the freedom to being themselves without fear of harm and persecution.
The depth of research and care that has gone into this 45-minute audio tour is a credit to the theatre company, adding another depth to the tapestry of Kingston Lacy’s history."
— Elaine Chapman,
Theatre and Art Reviews
Neil James (William John), Melody Fisher (Anne), and Jamie Lee-Hill (Seymour)
Jamie Lee-Hill (George)
Melody Fisher (Anne)
Neil James (William John), Melody Fisher (Anne), and Jamie Lee-Hill (Seymour)
A Shipwreck Story
A playable digital experience
Coming Soon
Created by Layla Bradbeer and Rohan Gotobed
Text - Rohan Gotobed
Designer - Layla Bradbeer
Producer - Olivia Tetlow
Commissioned by Poole Museum for their 'Creatives in the Community' programme. This production's development has included workshops with Bourne Academy and Poole Lighthouse's Young Writers programme.
Fort R&D
Dorsetborn @ Poole Lighthouse
15th July 2022
Written by Tabitha Hayward
Director - Rohan Gotobed
Producer - Olivia Tetlow
Daisy - Kitty Schneider
Viv - Molly Thorne
An R&D supported by Poole Lighthouse and Artful Scribe.
Included workshops with Parkstone Grammar and Sturminster Newton High.
Georgia
and the
Iceberg
R&D
Dorsetborn @ Lyric Theatre Bridport
25th March 2022
Created by the Company
Directed by
Rohan Gotobed
Priya Patel Appleby
Designer - Layla Bradbeer
Producer - Amy Olwen Tribe
Puppetry Director - Bryony Moores O'Sullivan
Helena / Penguin - Amber Lin
Georgia - Eliza Beth Stevens
An R&D funded by Arts Council England, with further support from Poole Lighthouse, Lyric Theatre Bridport, and Activate Performing Arts. Included workshops with Merley First, Greenford Primary, and Bridport Primary.