SMOKE & MIRRORS
All Frankie wants to do, is make great art, but what does it take to make great art? Can you be happy and make great art, do you have to have experienced trauma to make great art? Over the course of three exhibitions, Frankie discovers the reality of the art world as she struggles to juggle all aspects of her life.
WRITTEN BY - Jake Talbot
DIRECTED BY - Miranda Parker
Originally premiered as a part of Dare to Create: Oldham Arts Festival at 1853 Studio's Mill 1 Gallery on Wednesday 27th & Thursday 18th August 2025 before heading to 53two on Wednesday 17th September 2025.
Bruntwood Prize Longlisted Play 2022
"Grabs you by the scruff of your neck"
- Glenn Meads, I Love MCR
THE CAST
ELEANOR PRESTWICH
FRANKIE
Born and bred in Oldham Edge, Eleanor has studied and performed theatre in and around her hometown since being 13 years old. Els undertook Theatre training at Oldham College and continued with AMATA at Falmouth University where her passion for creating performance was nurtured. Since graduating she has acted on screen in various student projects, Sci-fi feature film Nightlens (2021) and newly released music video for artist; Lepani (Feel It). Eleanor has also modelled since being 16 and is currently represented by Manchester Agency; Vauhaus.
Eleanor is currently writing her own play and has recently co-directed Two2 (Cartwright) but her one true love is acting on stage; in the past 2 years playing the role of Bella in Gaslight (Hamilton) and performing Beryl (Maxine Peake) both at Shaw Playhouse 2.
Eleanor will be performing in the upcoming season at Oldham Lyceum and Millgate Theatre.
ISABEL FORD
DENISE
Isabel trained at Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama.
She recently played Shirley Holmes in Birmingham Stage's production 'Horrible Christmass’. She also played Granny in their 2022 national tour of Gangster Granny.
Other theatre credits include Whisky Galore (Oldham Coliseum, Hull Truck and New Vic), Hard Times, Spring and Port Wine, Brassed Off, David Copperfield, Ken and Accidental Death of an Anarchist (Oldham Coliseum), Martha, Josie and the Chinese Elvis (Bolton Octagon and Hull Truck), Alfie (Bolton Octagon and New Vic), Mother F (Articulate Elbow), The Witches (Birmingham Rep West End and Tour), Millennium Mysteries (Teatro Biurio Podrozy), The Twits, 101 Dalmatians, Rumplestiltskin, The Mysteries, (Belgrade Theatre and Macnas), The Orchestra, (Southwark Playhouse).
Film and TV Credits include Through the Eyes of Bairns (Pai Productions) Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger (BBC), Emmerdale (ITV), Coronation Street (ITV), Hollyoaks (Lime Pictures), Bodyfarm (BBC) and Worried About the Boy (Red Prods).
TOM SULLIVAN
JAMES
Tom is a proud Mancunian & graduate of The Oxford School of Drama. Before drama school he worked with the illustrious acting practitioner, David Johnson, an individual who made a tremendous impact on his craft and is sorely missed.
Theatre:
Vardy V Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial - West End debut at The Ambassadors
The Tree for You & Me - The Royal Exchange Theatre
Trespass - Jermyn Street Theatre
Film
Shooting Clerks - The Kevin Smith Bipoic
LAURA ARCHER
VALERIE
Laura trained at the Oxford School of Drama. She made her professional theatre debut in 2022 with Theatre Royal Bath’s UK touring production of THE HOMECOMING, directed by Jamie Glover & starring Keith Allen & Mat Horne. Since then, she has performed at theatres across the UK including The Bush, The Arcola, The Cockpit, Marylebone Theatre, The Dukes Lancaster, Shakespeare North, Hope Mill, HOME, and 53two. When not acting, Laura is writing, producing, and facilitating for stage and screen.
JOHN JOYCE-O'KEEFFE
LAWRENCE
John is very much looking forward to making his Dare To Know Theatre debut in 'Smoke & Mirrors.' In theatre, John recently had his second outing in JB Shorts - JB 25 'The Exact Spot.' He made his BBC debut as Jimmy in 'Mix Tape' on BBC 2 and filmed two episodes of Trigger Point which will be on ITV in the Autumn.