Who are the pantaloons?
Mark Hayward (producer)
Mark graduated from the University of Kent in 2005 with a degree in English Literature. Mark played Celia in The Pantaloons' inaugural production of As You Like It in 2004, before taking a sabbatical from Shakespeare. In his time out of the company Mark played several roles elsewhere including Reg in This Happy Breed, Toby in Amy's View and, most notably appeared as Baz in Joel Horwood's hit musical Mikey the Pikey in Canterbury, Scarborough and Edinburgh. Mark re-joined The Pantaloons as a musician and actor in 2007, and became a producer and company owner in 2008. Mark currently looks after www.thepantaloons.co.uk, so this is his fault.
Caitlin Storey (producer)
Caitlin graduated in 2006 from the University of Kent with an MDram, having specialised in Stand-Up Comedy. She has been working as an actor for The Pantaloons since 2005, having completed tours on The Winter's Tale, Romeo and Juliet (twice), Cymbeline, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Taming of the Shrew and Twelfth Night. It was in 2007 that she was made a producer and in 2008 gave up her full time job in PR to focus more on The Pantaloons. Caitlin puts her PR expertise to good use and currently deals with all press enquiries.
Stephen Purcell (artistic director)
Stephen is the artistic brains behind The Pantaloons having formed the company in 2004 at the University of Kent from where he holds a PhD. He has directed every Pantaloons show since. Leading figures in Shakespeare and Performance studies have suggested that his book, Popular Shakespeare: Simulation and Subversion on the Modern Stage, will make a significant contribution to the field. He has also been working on a research project in collaboration with RSC director Tim Carroll, and The Factory Theatre. Stephen was also a founding member of critically acclaimed comedy revue team Pappy's Fun Club. He teaches on English and Performance courses at Southampton Solent University.
Biscuit Henry (official mascot)
Biscuit Henry joined The Pantaloons in 2005 and has since become the company's official mascot. He cites his hobbies as "growing his beard, muttering and stooping". Acting roles with the company include Old Shepherd (The Winter's Tale, 2005), Caius Lucius (Cymbeline, 2006), Gremio (The Taming of the Shrew, 2008), Fabian (Twelfth Night, 2009), Colonel Moustache (Anonymous Anonymous, 2010) Hugh Oatcake (Much Ado About Nothing, 2010), Old Man (Macbeth, 2010) Fezziwig (A Christmas Carol, 2010) and Parson/Gaoler/Pope/January (The Canterbury Tales, 2011).
