Mudskipper's Beginnings
Madeline and Julia met while studying at the University of Sheffield. Both part of Sheffield University Theatre Company, the first project the pair worked on was The Smuggler’s Arms, an original work written and directed by Whitby, a fantasy lesbian romance that was performed for a four day run in Sheffield in late 2021. Julia was cast in a supporting role, and following the success of the production, reached out to Madeline for support on some original work of her own. Madeline and Julia then collaborated to co-direct Wilted Lavender, an original play by Finn that explored the experience of trans women in pre-civil war Ireland.
Mudskipper was born in 2023, during the third production that Madeline and Julia worked on together; Rope, by Patrick Hamilton. With a combined love for producing queer work, and complimentary writing and directing styles, the pair decided to put their long-standing but unofficial creative partnership in writing and launch a new independent theatre company, dedicated to creating work that sticks to the back of your mind and refuses to be peeled off.
What Mudskipper creates
Mudskipper will always be queer-led and unapologetic about rejecting cis-heteronormative values. Our work, while not exclusively about queer relationships or experiences, is created with the intention of queering the stage and subverting expectations. In particular, we make work that challenges preconceptions and asks the audience to think deeply about the ways they interact with the world and others.
We are always open to new and innovative styles of theatre, be it rehearsal techniques, performance spaces or the content of the production itself.
What's Next?
Currently we're taking a break as we welcome a new producer, and prepare for more exciting projects in the future!