Who’s who in the cast of new mental health comedy Netflix & Chill? What have you seen them in before? Check out full biographies – and sneak a peek what they’ve been up to behind the scenes. The premiere production is at London’s Drayton Arms Theatre for a limited season from 11 to 29 February 2020, in support of The Mental Health Foundation. Time to get booking!
Have you ever wondered what goes through people’s head in certain situations? What do you think about during a date? Or the random thoughts that go through your head during sex? What about when someone’s mental health is deteriorating?
Ben is a working-class chef whose life spirals out of control after trying to rekindle a relationship with his mum. His work, friendships and love life are all tested as his week goes from bad to worse. In this dark comedy exploring mental health and toxic masculinity, you’ll get a glimpse into Ben’s inner monologue when he’s “Netflix & Chilling”, including stories of tragic sexual conquests, Magaluf prostitutes, and ejaculating into a bus tray.
Author Tom Stocks plays Ben. A working-class actor, director and producer, Stocks is also the founder of Actor Awareness, which campaigns for more equality, diversity and working-class talent in the arts and aims to provide a community and voice for these disenfranchised groups. Netflix & Chill is co-produced by Actor Awareness and JLA Productions, an independent company specialising in socially conscious theatre.
Rehearsal photos
Tom Stocks is joined in the cast by Emily Ellis, Julie Binysh, Charlotte Price and Joseph Lindoe (who also co-produces). The production is directed by JLA co-founder Luke Adamson.
Bios
Tom Stocks
Tom Stocks (Writer, Producer & Playing Ben) is an actor, writer and producer. Tom is a proud Northerner, born and raised in Bolton and Manchester. Tom has appeared alongside the likes of Christopher Eccleston, Maxine Peake and Julie Hesmondhalgh in the documentary The Acting Class. His feature films include Giantland and the Bruce Springsteen blockbuster Blinded By The Light. He has also acted alongside Eastenders Legend Michael Greco and Weasley twin James Phelps in the hit theatre show The Greater Game He is the writer of Netflix & Chill alongside the writer of comedy sketch show Brittle Britain. He is also the founder of Actor Awareness which fights for equality, diversity, and working-class talent in the arts. He has a passion and commitment to helping talent from all backgrounds, by giving various opportunities through Actor Awareness.
Charlotte Price
Charlotte Price (Playing Jill) is a London-born, half-Irish actress, trained at ArtsEd (BA Acting 2013-16). She is an advanced actor combatant with the BADC. Theatre credits include: Common (National Theatre/ Headlong), Into Thin Air (fEAST Theatre, tour), Macbeth (YSC, England & Gibraltar Tour), The Three Musketeers (National Tour), Pluto (Kings Head/ Cockpit Theatre, Moonchild Theatre Co.), Strindberg’s Women: The Stronger and Storm (Jermyn Street Theatre) Those Who Trespass (Matthew Dunster/ Steven Atkinson/ HighTide) Screen credits include: Fair Alien Jr. (Sure Sampa Films, Bollywood Feature), Acceptable Damage (Cinematic Feature, plus Amazon Prime/ Sky), Dorian (TV Pilot, Arcademic Ltd), Carnage – Holy Moly (Music Video, stunt double), Bad Education (BBC3, Tiger Aspect Productions), Run (Channel 4, Acme Films).
Julie Binysh
Julie Binysh (Playing Mum) studied Drama at Goldsmiths College. Following a career change as a Therapist and Trainer, she transitioned back into acting. Recent theatre credits include Sea Changes at the Etcetera, Vitesse at the Southwark Playhouse and One Last Waltz at Greenwich Theatre, written and directed by Luke Adamson. Film includes Sunrise, not Sunset, a short film about the Human Rights Act, and Toast. She has been able to draw on her therapist background in films for the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and for Public Health England. Julie has also directed productions of Bad Jews and Pride and Prejudice.
Emily Ellis
Emily Ellis (Playing Sophie) graduated from East 15 Acting School, where she trained for three years on the Acting & Stage Combat course. Since graduating, Emily has appeared in a variety of TV, short films and stage productions. From playing the lead in the immersive theatre show ‘Delectably Dead’ which toured around London, she also starred in an independent film ‘One Year Later’ directed by Dan Booth. Emily has also recently starred in Sam Fenders music video ‘Boarders’ whilst she ended the year in the 2019 Tesco Christmas advert. Emily is thrilled at being re-cast as Sophie in Netflix and Chill and is looking forward to progressing her acting career in 2020.
Joseph Lindoe
Joseph Lindoe (Producer & Playing Ryan) trained at ALRA where he forced Luke Adamson (the other half of JLA Productions) to be his friend and worked together consistently since then – working as a production manager on Oh No It Isn’t and Th’ Importance of Bein’ Earnest. As an actor, Theatre credits include Keep The Change (Zoo Venues, The Edinburgh Fringe & The Rosemary Branch), Found (The Hope Theatre), Sandal (Above The Stag), The Deserter (The Lost Theatre). He has a wide range of voice over credits, from promo pieces (Heineken, Schweppes, Laundrapp, Top Man) to video games and most recently audiobooks – notably Fletcher’s Fortune and The Traitor of Treasure Island with Endeavour Media.
Luke Adamson
Luke Adamson (Director & Producer) was, for eight years, director of Black Coffee Theatre and during this time co-produced work with Northern Stage, ARC Stockton, Alnwick Playhouse & Dep Arts. He has had two Arts Council funded tours of his own original plays and has worked and toured extensively as an actor. He is also a visiting director and board member of leading drama school ALRA. Th’Importance of Bein’ Earnest, Adamson’s Northern adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy, was critically acclaimed at Drayton Arms last year.
Netflix & Chill runs 11-29 February 2020. Click here to book!
