entertaining and challenging drama
Cast and Crew
Edinburgh Fringe 2025
1, 2 August (previews), 20.25 (50 mins) £8/£6*
3 – 9, 11 – 16, 18 – 23 August, 20.25 (50 mins) £12/£10*
* plus online booking fee
Gabriel Bird (Antonio) is a freelance performer based in Edinburgh, where he studied and graduated with a first-class BA (Hons) in Acting from the MGA Academy (now, the SI). In addition to Scotland, he has worked in Switzerland, Italy, the US, France, and China. He has participated in the last four Fringes, performing mainly his own work as well as a Commedia dell’Arte showcase last year. He is very excited to bring A Pound of Flesh to stage, which will doubtless be an impressive feather to his cap! In his spare time, he enjoys writing songs on his guitar, spending time with his loved ones, and practising Shakespeare monologues in front of his pet gerbil.
Danielle Farrow (Shylock) has accumulated numerous stage, screen and audio credits since her Edinburgh Fringe debut back in 1994 playing the Mayor in Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s The Visit. As a Shakespeare performer, coach and consultant – including in two award-winning series – Danielle loves the way Shakespeare continues to inspire other artists’ work and so is particularly delighted to be involved with Martin Foreman’s adaptation of The Merchant of Venice. She has herself created inVocation: A Shakespearean Horror, which is a portable solo show available for booking – yes, that is a plug – go on, bite that bait!
Further information, reels, reviews and more: daniellefarrow.com.
Ollie Hiemann (Bassanio) was born and raised in Edinburgh. As a young actor he has been passionate about the stage for many years. In 2023, he graduated with First Class Honours from the BA Acting course at Arts University Bournemouth, where he gained vital skills necessary for developing his craft, and spent a lot of time enjoying the southern sunshine. Now based back on home soil, he is eager to dive headfirst into his eighth year performing at the Fringe, where he has had the pleasure of starring in 15 separate productions. Since graduating, he has also starred in two professional pantomimes with Stage Door Entertainment, most recently playing Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk at Portobello Town Hall. Having found his love and appreciation for Shakespeare during his studies, Ollie is thrilled to be taking on the role of Bassanio in A Pound of Flesh, welcoming a new challenge that is sure to turn into an awesome show!
Spotlight: Ollie Hiemann
Representation: Conor Nolan at Red Talent info@redtalentmanagement.com
Michael Robert-Brown (Doge, Messenger etc) is best known for his comic performances, as well as being a versatile character actor whose work ranges from Ibsen and Chekhov to D.C. Jackson and Rose Lewenstein. Graduating from Edinburgh Napier University with a first class Honours degree in Stage and Screen acting in 2024, his first love has always been Shakespeare. A Pound of Flesh will be Michael’s third collaboration with Arbery Theatre.
By day, Michael can be found leading History and Ghost Walks for Mercat Tours on and below Edinburgh’s Old Town. He also directs and appears in a very different role in Arbery Theatre’s Transfers immediately after A Pound of Flesh.
michaelrobertbrown.com
Ruby Rutherston (Portia) is a recent graduate who dedicated her time to performing in a diverse range of productions with the Oxford University Drama Society. Memorable roles included Joanna in Noel Coward’s Present Laughter and Jess in Dennis Kelly’s Love and Money. While this is her first time performing in the Fringe – hindered originally by Covid – Ruby did her dissertation on the Edinburgh Fringe and has visited year after year. As well as an actress, she is a singer and writer, currently shooting her first short film and releasing some new music on Spotify this Autumn. She also enjoys interviewing actors and writing features and reviews on theatre and film.
Ruby also appears in a very different role in Arbery Theatre’s Transfers immediately after A Pound of Flesh.
Martin Foreman (writer, director) has created a number of short and full-length plays based on classic tales and historical figures as well as modern comedies and dystopias. His work has been produced in England, Scotland and Germany, including a version of Ben Jonson’s Volpone; The Satyricon; the lives of Giacomo Casanova and Frederick Rolfe (aka Baron Corvo); Thomas Mann’s Tadzio from Death in Venice; Delivery!, The Report and Taiwan. His last production as director was J B Priestley’s Dangerous Corner. He also conceived and is collaborating as writer on Arbery Theatre’s cast-devised Transfers immediately after A Pound of Flesh.
Dug Campbell (sound) is a composer and sound designer for film, television, and theatre, specialising in evocative, cinematic soundscapes and music that enhance storytelling. With a Master’s in Film Scoring from Berklee College of Music, he creates original compositions and atmospheric designs, collaborating closely with directors to bring productions to life. His work spans classical theatre to contemporary drama.
Selected credits include original composition and sound design for: The Children, Suddenly Last Summer, Being Norwegian, Incognito, Dangerous Corner, Copenhagen, Chalk, The Fastest Clock In The Universe, A Christmas Carol (Assembly, EGTG); Amadeus, Feet of Clay, Going Postal, Guards! Guards!, Men At Arms, Monstrous Regiment (Pleasance Theatre, Strawmoddie); Pressure, Cyrano de Bergerac, Around the World in 80 Days (Arkle); Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Macbeth, Dunsinane, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Julius Caesar (Hill Street Theatre, Necessary Cat).
You can hear excerpts from his theatre work at soundcloud.com/dugcampbell/sets.
Asa McDougall (lighting design) is a theatre technician who grew up in the Cayman Islands and began their career in theatre production there. Last year they graduated from Edinburgh College and worked as a technician in many capacities in the 2024 Fringe for such shows as HELP! My vagina is trying to kill me, Saint, One in Four and The Interval. Asa is excited to be back in Edinburgh and at the Fringe and is looking forward to working with Arbery Theatre and other companies.
Acknowledgements
This production has been developed thanks to
John P Arnold, Ben Blow, Joseph Cathal, Hannah Bradley Croall, Wendy Brindle, Michael Daviot, Noa Gelb, Ross Hope, Brian Hughes of Angelica Mode, Al Innes, Alastair Lawless, Samuela Noumtchuet, Alan Paterson, Kate Stephenson, Alexander Tait, Lois Williams, Robert Wylie, Trystan Youngjohn;
Edinburgh Graduate Theatre Group, University of Edinburgh Community Access Initiative.