The Proteans

BEHIND-THE-SCENES

Want to know a little more about our brand new production The Law Of Mayhem?
Across this week we'll be sharing some clips we filmed with the creative team working on the project, to give audiences an insight into the fascinating world of Michael and Roberta, and... why now is the perfect time to shed a light on their story.

In this short video, we speak to writer Tabby Lamb about her research process and the journey she went on discovering this vital piece of trans history, in which #Basingstoke played an important part.

The show premieres at The Haymarket (18-20 Sept) in just over a week's time and we hope you will join us!
https://tinyurl.com/3hw5jyv8

Join us this Saturday (Sept 13) for a truly unique night of music, fused with spoken word, spanning from hip-hop, to folk and shoegaze. Dance Myth (Dan Smith from the band: Listener) + Derek Zanetti (from the band: The Homeless Gospel Choir) come together in Basingstoke for a live music experience ...like no other...

Tickets from £5, full details at: https://www.proteustheatre.com/events/dance-myth-derek-zanetti/

✨ Rehearsal room magic ✨

Joyful moments captured by 📸 Chuck Douglas in the rehearsal room for The Law of Mayhem.

Things have come along way since these early shots of some of the physical sequences (choreographed by Daniela Essart) were being worked on!
Now with 2 ...weeks to go we have costumes, lighting and set all ready to light up the stage for our opening shows Anvil Arts at The Haymarket and bring Tabby Lamb 's word to life with the help of the incredible Kit Green, Pete MacHale, Milton Lopes, Mos Bain and Oran Muir.

Don't miss out on this 4 night premiere run in #Basingstoke as you'll have to wait until 2026 for the tour!
Book now! https://tinyurl.com/3hw5jyv8

Just two weeks away now until THE LAW OF MAYHEM opens...here's a little preview from Theatre Weekly to give you a taster of the story behind the play!

The Law of Mayhem Brings Groundbreaking Trans History to the Stage at The Haymarket, Basingstoke - Theatre Weekly

Proteus Theatre presents The Law of Mayhem, a powerful new play from acclaimed trans writer Tabby Lamb, exploring the

theatreweekly.com

🎭It's September, and that means it's SHOW MONTH for us!🎭

Proteus Theatre Company brand new production The Law Of Mayhem premieres at The Haymarket Anvil Arts from 18-20th Sept and tell the story of the intertwining lives of trans trailblazers Michael Dillon and Roberta ...Cowell - and the part that our hometown of #Basingstoke played in this little-known piece of history!

At a time when trans lives are under-threat for simply existing, this is a story that shows the bravery and strength of character of two people who gave the UK so much, Roberta - a wartime spitfire pilot and 'one of the few', Michael a merchant Navy Doctor. In the 1950s, with the help of Sir Harold Gillies, they became the first individuals in the UK to undergo gender affirmation surgery - a ground breaking moment for the community.

Here's our concept teaser trailer which shows the cast in rehearsal using both aerial and physical theatre to help tell this incredible story.

https://www.anvilarts.org.uk/events/the-law-of-mayhem

So excited to share this story with audiences at last!
🗓️ Opens 18th September Anvil Arts

Telling the story of the first gender affirming surgeries in the UK, our new production of The Law of Mayhem by Tabby Lamb opens at The Haymarket, Basingstoke on Thursday 18th September.

🎉 EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!🎭
Our new production THE LAW OF MAYHEM by acclaimed trans playwright Tabby Lamb (A Grievance of Witches, Happy Meal) will be premiering at The Haymarket from 18th-20th September 2025 before touring venues in 2026!!

We are so proud to be creating a show ...about the remarkable true story rooted in our hometown of Basingstoke, of trans trailblazers Roberta Cowell and Michael Dillon. Their extraordinary lives became deeply intertwined, and with the help of surgeon Harold Gillies, they left a lasting mark on history, paving the way for generations to follow.

“It’s extraordinary, isn’t it? That we should find each other.”

The year is 1949, and Roberta Cowell; racing driver, RAF pilot and ‘It’ girl, meets Michael Dillon; a ship's doctor who pursued Buddhism into the high Himalayas. Together they will change the course of British transgender history. Yet after just three short years, they never speak again.
Separated by time and space, Michael and Roberta meet for one last impossible encounter, to find out if the thing that brought them together was the same thing that broke them apart - The Law of Mayhem.

For tickets visit Anvil Arts https://www.anvilarts.org.uk/events/the-law-of-mayhem

Love Basingstoke #visithampshire #theatre #Haymarket #basingstoke

16-35 year olds?

Sharing on behalf our amazing artists in residence Scratch Built Productions 🎨 🎭 Dreaming of a career in the arts but don't know where to start? 💭
Y B Creative is a brand new free to access creative program for young people, We will connect ...16-25-year-olds in Basingstoke with industry professionals, providing hands-on work experience, developing confidence and social/ practical skills, a chance to build a portfolio and also gain a valuable arts award qualification!

Please express your interest in this opportunity by filling in this form:

https://forms.gle/vtvwsZx1F3nZbKzv8

Feel free to share with those who might be interested.
#Basingstoke #CreativeCareers #YouthOpportunities #workexperience

Made possible by #UKSPF

Y B Creative

A free creative work experience program for young people in Basingstoke (16-25) Brought to you by Scratch Built Theatre CIC Regular sessions to be...

forms.gle

Sharing on behalf of our wonderful friends and creative associates Scratch Built Productions A great opportunity for North Hampshire based young creatives to get a real hands on approach to the industry