DARE TO CREATE
OLDHAM ARTS FESTIVAL
ADULT ORPHANS
SALFORD ARTS THEATRE
1853 Studios - Mill 2
WEDNESDAY 27th AUGUST
7:30pm
Written by Becca Ashton
Directed by Roni Ellis
When their father dies, estranged sisters Bea and Eleanor are reluctantly reunited in the crumbling house they once called home. As they dig through decades of memories and emotional wreckage, laughter mixes with grief, and old wounds reopen with surprising humor. Darkly funny, painfully tender, and achingly real, Adult Orphans is a sharp, heartfelt exploration of family, forgiveness, and what it really means to come home.
Produced by
Salford Arts Theatre
​Salford Arts Theatre is a charming 124 seater theatre in the heart of the Salford Community, with an intimate theatre bar and a community garden.​
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They produce professional theatre in house, everything from published plays, new writing to a much loved sell out seasonal pantomime.
They have young actors who are trained in theatre, tv and radio acting and are taught by professionals working in the industry.
Throughout the year they run various projects working with the community. These projects are run in our venue as well as in other community settings.
THE TEAM
BECCA ASHTON
Roni Ellis
Writer
Director
Becca Ashton graduated from East 15's BA Acting course in 2023. (Recent credits include Emmerdale.) She's currently part of the Royal Exchange's Young Writers Company and recently worked with Becx Harrison to develop short play 'Maybe Baby' as part of 'Off Cut' 2024's mentored writer's programme.
Roni Ellis is a director, actor, and Artistic Director at Salford Arts Theatre. Alongside her performance work, Roni has directed award-winning productions, including the winners of the Shelagh Delaney New Writing Award. She collaborated with Charlotte Delaney, daughter of Shelagh Delaney, to direct Sweet Responsibility, and recently directed Boys We Knew, also supported by the Delaney award. Passionate about nurturing new talent, Roni thrives in collaborative environments and is committed to championing emerging voices in theatre.
MICHELLE ASHTON
As Eleanor
Michelle trained as an actor at the Arden School of Theatre, as a voice coach at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and is about to begin a PhD at Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Theatre includes: JB Shorts 25 (Real Life Theatre), Off Cut (53two) and Clothes Swap (Green Carnation).
TV includes: Coronation Street.
Dialect coaching includes: The Jetty (BBC) and Significant Other (ITV).
Michelle is currently Voice Lecturer at Mountview, Manchester and The Mill School of Performance, Leeds.
JOSIE MORRIS
As Bea
Josie is a working-class, Manchester-based actor, originally from Derbyshire. She graduated with a BA (Hons) in Acting from East 15 Acting School in 2022.
She is thrilled to be a part a new piece of work that is relatable and moving.
Theatre credits include Fishcat (Nottingham Playhouse).
Screen credits include Meet the Richardsons (Dave), The Letter (Salford University) and Bait (Young Film Academy).