Here at Pocket we are lucky enough to cover such a huge range of Theatre, from Opera to ballet and Fringe to West End. As a team, we see so much variety that is so hard not to recognise people for their talents. In some reviews its hard to just recognise someones talent because you have to look on it as a piece of theatre, not just singling out one persons contribution to the production. But as 2018 comes to a close, we had brought together a list of people who we think are going to be the hot names of 2019. So keep an eye out for these talents, as I'm sure you'll all see more of them soon.
Toby Marlow | Writer
After being part of the Duo who wrote the phenomenal new musical, Six, and recently bring his new show 'Hot Gay Time Machine', which he also co-wrote Toby is on our list because the success he has achieved in such a small amount of time is astonishing and totally well deserved. Our faith in the British musical theatre scene is officially back!
Tessa Kadler | Actor
After making her West End debut as the understudy to Katherine Jenkins in Carousel at the London Coliseum, we've seen a lot from Tessa this year. From her performance as Catherine in Pippin at the Hope Mill in Manchester and later at the Southwark Playhouse to playing Kitty in the Return of the Solider at the Hope Mill also. She is currently playing Maria in the Sound of Music in Cyprus, we hope to see more of her in 2019.
Oscar Conlon-Morrey | Actor
After seeing Oscar in Toxic Avenger in 2017, we have followed his career as his performance was just a complete stand out. He has gone from strength to strength, 2018 saw him in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat at Kilworth House Theatre & most recently in Nativity. He has also been cast in the new musical adaptation of Only Fools and Horses at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in the new year. Having only graduated drama school in 2017, we can't wait to see what the next few years brings him.
Grace Mouat | Actor
Grace graduated from the Guildford School of Acting in 2018 and made her professional debut as a 'Super' Swing in the West End production of Six. After an incredible, sell out run it'll return to the West End next year with Grace now taking on the role of Alternate Jane Seymour & Katherine Howard. For anyone, let alone a new graduate, to take on this role, and be as good as Ms Mouat is, is a massive achievement. We can't wait to see what she does next.
Jack Weir | Lighting Designer
Jack has worked for a few years now as a lighting designer but recently he's come to our attention. With credits in 2018 that included Grindr the Opera at Above the Stag, The Wizard of Oz at the Blackpool Opera House, the UK tour of Rain Man, Hanna at the Arcola, Blood Wedding at the Clapham Omnibus and Dust at the Trafalgar Studios to name but a few. His ability to transform a space with lighting is phenomenal and he's a name you must remember in 2019, he'll be popping up all over the place.
Olivia Moore | Actor
Olivia graduated from Arts Educational School in 2018 and went straight in to cover Carrie Hope Fletcher in Heathers as the lead role of Veronica and also covered the role of Heather McNamara. She triumphed, winning over the fans! We are very much looking forward to seeing what's in store for this young lady in 2019.
Josh Barrow | Actor
Josh starred in the one man play 'Silk Road (How to Sell Drugs Online) at the Trafalgar Studios and at the Vaults, directed by Dominic Shaw. Josh provided a truly captivating performance, multi rolling and showing such incredible versatility as an actor. After only graduating in 2017, he is definitely one to watch.
Joanne McShane | Choreographer
Joanne has primarily been choreographing in Drama Schools and Pantomimes recently but her work has also been seen on the Off-West End circuit. 2018 saw her choreograph the UK tour of Salad Days after working on the show in it run at the Union Theatre. She is an incredibly talented Choreographer and we hope that we see more of her work in 2019!
Joe Idris-Roberts | Actor
Having graduated in 2015 from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, we've seen Joe leading the cast of the incredible production of Pinocchio in the title role at the National Theatre and most recently as Albus in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a role which he is currently still playing. He's a wonderful actor and we cannot wait to see more from him in the New Year.
Laura Baldwin | Actor
Everybody knows this talented lady from her work in Eugenius and Big Fish at The Other Palace, she has recently been cast as the lead role of Dawn in the West End premier of Waitress at the Adelphi Theatre and to our amazement this is her West End debut! She is a fabulous talent and we can't wait to see her do what she does best on the West End stage.
Bryan Hodgson | Director
This year, we saw the return of Hodgson's work in Twang!! at the Union Theatre and on the UK tour of Salad Days, another production that started at the Union. His work is fantastic and he is definitely a director to keep your eye on, he's got bigger things coming in his future and we can't wait to see whats next for him.
Nancy Sullivan | Actor
Best known for her run as Eponine in Les Miserables, we saw Nancy this year in 'The Country Wife' at the Southwark playhouse and she was one of the highlights of the production. 2018 has finished really well for Nancy, having appeared on Call the Midwife and on stage in Fabric at the Soho Theatre. We look forward to seeing more of her in the new year.
Timothy Lucas | Actor
This 22 year old actor trained professionally for 4 years at Liverpool theatre school and demonstrated his musical theatre skills brilliantly at the New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth as Captain Hook in December 2018. He has a strong stage presence, good voice and great comic timing and will surely go on to star in West End Musical Theatre.
Bronte Barbe | Actor
Another fine performer who recently toured as Carole King in the wonderful Beautiful, we also saw her in the excellent Girlfriends concert at the Bishopgate Institute and also stared in the small scale off Broadway musical Striking 12 at the Union Theatre this December. Her talent is stunning and we are sure we'll see more of her in the coming year.
Article written by Mark Swale, with additional material by Nick Wayne.
