Meet the Team

Gillian Lacey-Solymar

Bookwriter and Lyricist

Previously, Gillian  worked as management consultant, BBC journalist, UCL lecturer. Despite living in London, she and her daughter Tanya run a wedding business in the north of Scotland. In 2012, she was diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson’s Disease and underwent  a Deep Brain Stimulation operation. The illness has changed her life in many ways.  Though it has stopped her from lecturing, one unexpected side effect of the medication has proved a blessing: increased creativity, the product of which is this musical.  Although  Parkinson’s is certainly not a club anyone would want to belong to, Gillian appreciates the breadth of perspective and awakened imagination that have come along with it. 

The disease has also introduced her to a motley bunch of well-known names, who have banded together to produce ‘Movers and Shakers’, a weekly podcast about Parkinson’s for those within and beyond the community. 

“I’ve always been an avid theatre-goer, and I’m thrilled to make my first foray into the creative world. Playing with words to blend the historical with the fictional is proving exhilarating. Let’s hope audiences agree!”

Shauna Baird

Co-Director

Shauna Baird is an actor, director, producer and teacher in the professional theatre. She trained at UBC and the Banff Centre of Performing Arts in Canada before pursuing post grad studies at the Webber Douglas Academy in London. Her career began in The UK where she spent a decade playing everything from pub theatre to long runs in the West End. Marriage took her to Calgary, where for 11 years, she trod the boards at major venues in Canada: Theatre Calgary, ATP, The Citadel, MTC, Theatre Junction, Vertigo and Lunchbox. Shauna became an artistic associate at Theatre Junction, curating their festival “Random Acts”, and began to work as a director. She moved to Paris in 2005 and for 7 years she did large scale musical theatre projects for international youth. She also taught her workshop “Shakespeare from Page to Stage” at schools throughout Europe. Shauna returned to Canada in 2012, where she and her husband bought an old cinema that they converted into a home for Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre. She has now returned to London and is very excited to be taking IRREPRESSIBLE to the Edinburgh Fringe.

“I am a devoted theatre practitioner and I’ve tried to get involved and sprinkle fairy dust

wherever I have lived. I particularly enjoy working with young people and early career artists. I

met Gillian 30 years ago and I’ve always been in awe of her brilliance. I have had the pleasure of

working with Kevin McKendrick throughout my career and am so delighted that he joined us to

play.”

Caroline Penn

Composer

From first picking up a violin at the age of 5 to her recent graduation from the University of Oxford with a first class degree in Music, Carrie’s passion for music has been a constant in her life. Whilst at university, Carrie had the chance to develop her burgeoning interest in composition, working on a number of student productions and short films.

She joined the team of Irrepressible in September 2022, and has delighted in exploring the range of genres showcased in the musical, from the traditional to the contemporary. Alongside Irrepressible, Carrie is studying for an MA in Composing for Film and Television at the National Film and Television School.

Kevin McKendrick

Co-Director

Kevin has worked exclusively in the arts his entire adult life as a performer, director, administrator, and educator. A career spanning over four decades. Following graduation from the Canadian Mime School, Kevin toured internationally for 13 seasons in a company he co-founded. For many years, he served as the Producer of Shakespeare in the Park in Calgary, Canada. As a director, Kevin has led over 90 professional productions in cities all over Canada, including the world premiere of 'The Hobbit'. Some, such as 'Urinetown', and 'Evil Dead, The Musical' began life at fringe festivals. Kevin has been nominated for awards, for his directing and stage fighting, nine times. His hometown of Calgary honoured him recently with an award commemorating his outstanding commitment and contribution to theatre in that city. When not directing, Kevin enjoys teaching acting, and physical theatre at universities throughout Western Canada. That is, when he’s not fly-fishing, or tearing around on his e-bike. A special thank you to co-Director Shauna Baird for the invitation to come and play.

“I have always been a student of history. In fact, it was my first love.

Irrepressible is an astounding tale of an extraordinary woman whom history seems to have ignored. I am truly thankful to have learned about Emma Hamilton through Gillian’s beautiful lyrics, and Carrie’s evocative music.”

Caitlyn Calfas 

Emma

Caitlyn is an actor, singer, dancer, writer, and avid hiker. She recently graduated from LAMDA with her MA in Classical Acting, which culminated in her performance as Hector in an all-womxn "Troilus and Cressida" directed by Nick Bagnall. Before LAMDA, she earned her BA in Musical Theatre from UCLA. 

Caitlyn started her career on professional stages and in developmental workshops in Los Angeles, San Diego, and New York City. Her favourite roles to date include Maureen in "RENT", Queen Elizabeth in "Richard III", Serena in "Legally Blonde", Nina in "In the Heights", Celia in "As You Like It", and Hattie in "Ella Enchanted".

She is an award-winning singer and choreographer for her work in the UCLA ScatterTones, a heralded competitive A Cappella group.

Caitlyn is passionate about her Greek heritage and is in the process of developing two new works centred on Greek tradition, ritual, and lyric poetry.

“Emma Hamilton was a fascinating figure and it is my joy to bring this contemporary and refreshingly feminist exploration of her humanity and legacy to the Fringe stage. I’d like to dedicate this performance to my women ancestors. They did what they had to do to survive and for me and my sisters to thrive."

Molly Lydon 

Beth

Molly is a recent graduate from the Guildford School of Acting, where she has just completed a two year MFA in Musical Theatre. She previously attended Capilano University’s Musical Theatre Diploma Program in Canada, where she was born and raised.

Stage credits include Margery William in "The Velveteen Daughter" (GSA), The Witch in "Into the Woods" (CapU), Ilse in "Spring Awakening" (Arbutus Studio), Anne in "Anne of Green Gables" (VOS), and Natalie in "Next to Normal" (Langham).

Molly is buzzing to make her UK professional debut in "IrePRESSible", and is very much looking forward to sharing it with Edinburgh Fringe audiences! Special thanks and love to her family & friends, and to the team for this amazing opportunity.

“During my time at GSA, I developed strong admiration and respect for the inherent value of new work. I couldn’t be more delighted to explore IrePRESSible with these talented actors and creatives. It is such a joy to bring an original piece to life in collaboration with others, and I’m honoured to perform alongside such gifted emerging artists."

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