After a childhood spent between a remote Greek fishing village and the urban delights of Wolverhampton, Rebecca turned to the theatre as a tool to help make sense of her conflicting cultural inheritance.

Following a brief detour for a degree in Ancient History, she trained as a director at RADA and then jobbed about as a freelancer working for companies like Scottish Opera, Shakespeare's Globe and Battersea Arts Centre. Then in 2008 she founded Arch 468, a theatre production and development company focussed on international touring and innovative new theatre before joining Ovalhouse (now Brixton House) from 2010 to 2016 as Director of Theatre.

These days she is a multi-award-winning writer, director and producer for stage, screen and audio, working across the UK and internationally. She also runs a small ceramics studio making utility ware in the anglo-japanese tradition.

Since moving to Mull to take up the post of Chief Executive and Artistic Director at An Tobar and Mull Theatre she has been delighted to discover that there are more similarities between Greek fishing villages and Hebridean island communities than you might expect. She loves rambling about the island with her husband Andy and developing her pottery skills in An Tobar’s art room.

Rebecca@antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk

Meet the one and only Calum, a man with a knack for art, business, and defying the odds. After graduating in Printmaking at Falmouth School of Art, he found himself at a crossroads. While most people would jump at the chance to house-share in the hip neighbourhood of Crouch End, Calum had other plans—more specifically, plans that involved embracing the remote and slightly wilder side of life in Tobermory.

With an entrepreneurial spirit burning within him, Calum wasted no time in starting his own design and promotional company. With the support of PSYBT and Highlands & Islands Enterprise, he fearlessly ventured into the world of business. Of course, life occasionally threw him a curveball, leading him to spend four memorable years managing an electronics company in Essex. But the siren call of Tobermory was too strong to resist, and he found himself drawn back to the wild embrace of Mull, where he has lived and worked ever since.

Calum's artistic endeavours have earned him recognition and membership in esteemed organizations like the Society of Scottish Artists and Visual Arts Scotland. He's no stranger to the spotlight, having exhibited his work in prestigious venues such as the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh.

Despite living in one of the most remote corners of the UK, Calum has managed to defy nature itself. Even the notorious west coast weather couldn't diminish his Essex glow. His fake tan remains intact, proving that he's not just an artist and entrepreneur, but a true master of self-preservation and a beacon of bronzed resilience.

So, if you happen to stumble upon Calum in Tobermory, you'll be greeted by a man who's not afraid to chase his dreams, embrace the untamed beauty of the Scottish wilderness, and rock a tan that would make even the sun jealous.

Calum@antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk

Born and raised on the captivating Isle of Mull, Mary decided to venture off to Lincolnshire for school during her teenage years. Little did she know that this would be the beginning of a wild and unpredictable adventure.

Throughout her journey, Mary explored various roles in the equestrian and finance industries, proving that she's not one to shy away from diverse experiences. But life had a few surprises up its sleeve for Mary. In a plot twist that no one saw coming, she found herself pursuing an undergraduate degree in Law at the University of Birmingham. Who would have thought that a Mull native would end up in the realm of legal jargon and courtroom dramas?

However, fate works in mysterious ways. After enduring the stress and chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mary experienced a moment of pure joy. She made her triumphant return to her beloved home, back to the place that had played such a significant role in shaping her upbringing—the illustrious An Tobar and Mull Theatre. It's safe to say that Mary was over the moon to be back on familiar soil, surrounded by the creative energy that had always resonated with her soul.

In her current role as the Community Engagement Manager, Mary has found her true calling. Not only does she get to immerse herself in the vibrant world of theatre and events, public facing the community.

So, if you find yourself at An Tobar or Mull Theatre, keep an eye out for Mary. With her Mull roots, she brings a touch of island magic, a dash of legal expertise, and a love for all things theatrical to her role, making her a truly unforgettable member of the team.

Mary@antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk

Fin’s musical journey began in Inverclyde at 14 when a rugby injury sidelined him and sent him stumbling into the music department. Trading tackles for tunes, he quickly picked up instruments and started songwriting. He left school to pursue music full-time, studying a BA in Songwriting at BIMM Brighton/University of Sussex. From solo gigs to session work, Fin became a familiar face in sweaty venues, playing everything from heartfelt originals to rowdy basslines for whoever needed a hand (or a guitar).

When lockdown hit, Fin took the DIY Bedroom Pop route, cranking out his own tracks while working at BrokeNFamous Records. His knack for storytelling and talent for digital campaigns led him to Edinburgh, where he earned an MSc in Digital Campaigning and Content Curation at Queen Margaret University.

Fin’s skillset is as varied as his gigs: he has written copy for Gaelic publisher Luath Press, handled communications for shows like Disney’s Aladdin and The Rocky Horror Show at Edinburgh Playhouse, and delivered digital marketing campaigns for bands including Tidelines and Hue and Cry at Beacon Arts Centre. At An Tobar and Mull Theatre, he spent a year as a Marketing Assistant before moving into the role of Marketing Manager.

Alongside his marketing career, Fin has continued developing his music, recently finishing his debut album Weight Will Unwind with Dylan Cooper (Post Malone, Lil Peep, Ashley O (Miley Cyrus), Charli XCX, Anne-Marie, Cheryl, and Brooke Candy), set for release in 2026 which was all recorded in his bedroom, at Crannich Farm and An Tobar all on Mull.

Now, Fin’s off to the Isle of Mull—a place he’s dreamed about since childhood holidays, filled with fresh air and questionable weather. Drawn by fond memories of his late grandfather and their shared love of Scottish theatres (and probably the snacks), he’s ready to embrace island life, deepen his Gaelic, and continue his work with An Tobar and Mull Theatre. The island’s got the landscapes—he’s bringing the tunes.

Finlay@antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk

Louise was brought up in Plymouth but escaped to Scotland as soon as was practically possible. She graduated from Aberdeen University with a degree in English and Philosophy and a deep love of theatre, becoming part of the Aberdeen amateur theatre community. She quickly discovered that being backstage was far more fun and interesting than being onstage. She worked as a secretary and administrator for a decade whilst building her skills in the amateur theatre world, and then began her professional career at the Sage Gateshead, before moving to Northern Stage in Newcastle.

Louise has spent the last ten years travelling the world as a freelance Production/Stage Manager and Lighting/Sound Designer with various small and mid-scale theatre, dance and live art projects, and has worked on a number of festivals and award-winning shows. Louise also runs NAVIGATE, a programme for emerging artists based in Scotland who face barriers to making work and which helps develop their practice.

Louise came to the island with a theatre project in May 2022, and quickly fell under its spell. She is delighted to be moving here permanently and excited by the opportunities for walking, wildlife, writing and swimming. She also loves learning languages and has recently been adding Gaelic to her portfolio.

Louise@antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk

It has often been said that Mark came out of the womb singing. He sang before he talked, and he danced before he walked. Growing up in a sleepy Oxfordshire town, it wasn’t long before he had his sights set on the bright lights of the West End.

After training in Musical Theatre at Arts Ed London, he worked as a professional performer for over fifteen years, appearing in tours and original West End musicals like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Elf. In 2012, Mark felt the need to pass it on, so he branched out into musical theatre education, receiving his degree from Middlesex University, and has since taught and choreographed at many of the top musical theatre institutions in the U.K.

Mark has always said that theatre changed his life, but the bright lights no longer have the pull they once did and Mark now prefers to leave the dancing to those who can still do the splits. Theatre will always be in his blood, as will his Scottish roots on both his maternal and paternal sides, so changing the lives of others by creating theatre with An Tobar and Mull Theatre seems like the perfect fit.

Mark@antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk

Dr Micah A. Mackay is a South African-British arts development professional, writer, historian, and cultural advocate. She is committed to equity and sustainability in the arts, advocating for a fairer future where long-term funding and support for artists are prioritised. She has appeared on STV to discuss the arts funding crisis in Scotland and to comment on the governmental budget for culture. Her advocacy is informed by a decade of experience in development and fundraising, working with and consulting for leading organisations including Christ Church, Oxford, Dunedin Consort, Edinburgh Arts Festival, and An Tobar and Mull Theatre.  

Micah holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Oxford, where she was funded by a Leverhulme Doctoral Fellowship and Balliol Dervorguilla Scholarship. Her academic interests centre on oral traditions, living heritage, and manuscript studies. Her research has led to appearances on platforms such as BBC Radio 3 and HistoryHit. 

Micah is also an accomplished writer. She is an alumna of the Traverse Theatre’s Young Writers’ Programme and her debut screenplay was shortlisted for the 2023 Edinburgh TV Festival/All3Media New Writers’ Collective. In 2024, she was selected as a part of the Scottish Documentary Institute’s Emerging Filmmaker Circle and received Creative Scotland funding to create a theatre piece, Wholes, based on her creative work as a Community Artist in Residence with Caithness and Sutherland Women’s Aid and Lyth Arts Centre. She is represented by Aitken Alexander Associates and is currently working on a book exploring a more sustainable future for the cultural sector. 
Micah@antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk

Tim has always been obsessed with sound and music. As a child, he religiously recorded theme tunes from the television and he can remember buying almost every record in his vast collection! Throughout his career Tim has collaborated with artists and designers on sound design for a diverse range of film and installation projects, from the toilets at Little Chef restaurants to writing scores for film and television.

Alongside his freelance practice, he has worked at the Royal College of Art since 1996. Initially in the influential Design Interactions department and more recently leading on sound within the Moving Image Studios. He currently divides his time between remote teaching at the Royal College and his new role for An Tobar and Mull Theatre.

Tim@antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk

Born in Sheffield and raised in Northamptonshire, Hannah headed north to study Construction Management at the University of Salford, later completing a Masters in Building Conservation and Regeneration. She began her career as a Senior Project Manager delivering complex capital works projects, including multi-million-pound NHS theatre refurbishments and investment programmes.

In 2018, she swapped corporate Manchester for Mull, relocating to Dervaig to run one of the island’s best-loved inns, The Bellachroy Hotel — a 400-year-old listed building. Over seven lively years, she developed a deep appreciation for community, resilience and the practical realities of keeping much-loved buildings thriving on an island.

Now delighted to be part of the An Tobar & Mull Theatre team, Hannah is combining her passion for historic buildings, operations and the creative energy that makes Mull’s cultural life so special. She believes great spaces — and great people — make great things happen.

Outside work, she can usually be found enjoying the spectacular walks on Mull with her pooch Rosie, cooking, growing vegetables, or attempting to perfect her archery technique.

Hannah@antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk

Originally from just outside of Boston, Massachusetts, self described stinker Kelsey grew up surrounded by loud, silly accents, terrible death-defying drivers, and lots and lots of Meat Loaf (the band, not the food) -all of which has shaped her into the person she is today. 

She was also constantly surrounded by the arts, from piano lessons, to 4th grade creative writing class, and of course, to after school theatre. After discovering her passions for writing and for theatre could be combined (who knew!), she attended NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where she graduated with her BFA in Dramatic Writing with a specialization in Playwriting.

With all of her work, whether it be writing, facilitating, or a secret other third thing, Kelsey aims to not only make people laugh (and groan), but to turn “play” into a verb again for all involved. 

Post graduation, she moved to Galway, Ireland with her partner while he completed his Masters; during that year, they spent the best 24 hours of their lives in none other than sunny Glasgow. They moved over as soon as they could, and have been in Glasgow ever since!

After several years of developing her icky-sticky creative practice, writing several plays about anthropomorphic animals, and seeing her work go up on stages all over the world, Kelsey finally discovered and began nurturing her Creative Learning practice, working with Lyra’s teenage Culture Crew to help them host, manage, and produce two Bright and Wild Festivals!

Kelsey is now so excited to move to the Isle of Mull to further develop her Creative Learning practice with Andi, the Mull Youth Theatre, and the team at An Tobar! She can’t wait to muck in and help support the incredible work these groups create!

Kelsey@antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk

Glasgow-born Andi gained her Dance and Drama degree at Liverpool University and has been teaching for more than 40 years in schools, universities, theatres… and prisons! Andi trained at the London Contemporary Dance School and performed in West End theatre and TV, moving on to launch her own dance centre in Manchester.

Many years of sailing the West Coast of Scotland led to the inevitable love for and move to the isle of Mull. Bringing with her a long-suffering husband and two amazing, beautiful daughters, a clinker-built dinghy and a quite mad border collie, to take ownership of The Tobermory Hotel (Andi is always performing!)

Andi is the director of Mull Youth Theatre and the Tidal Dance Company. Since forming both in 2010 they have had success with various performances and tours, working in collaboration with Mull Theatre and other theatre companies. Many of Andi’s students have found the support from these groups invaluable in their own professional art careers.

Andi@antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk

Poppy grew up on the Isle of Mull, where she attended Salen Primary School and Tobermory High School before leaving the island to pursue further education. Growing up on her family farm, she was surrounded by animals from day one and she quickly became (in her own words) completely obsessed - and not much has changed since!

After leaving the island to study Events Management and Marketing, Poppy swapped her yellow wellies for city life for a while, gaining experience and building her skills in the creative and events world. But the love for Island life, Mull and the farm was too strong to stay away for long.

Now back home, she’s hands-on in helping to run the family’s 150-acre smallholding, home to Highland cattle and Scottish Blackface sheep (all of which have names, of course). She has also recently taken on an additional area of tenanted land, Glenaros Farm, continuing to grow the farming business and shape its future.

Poppy has worked, and continues to work, with primary schools across the island on nature and farming education projects, helping children learn through hands-on experiences in rural environments. She is particularly passionate about inspiring the younger generation and creating opportunities for children and young people to grow in confidence, develop new skills, and build connections with nature and farming/rural life.

Alongside her work on the farm, Poppy has a strong interest in the arts, events, and community. She is excited to now be part of the team at An Tobar and Mull Theatre as Programme Support Worker, where she supports a wide range of administration, projects and events and she is very keen to contribute to the organisation’s creative and community work across the island.

poppy@antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk

Born and raised in Australia, Zoe has a strong connection to the natural world and wild places. She has a deep love for theatre and has written, directed and worked on many plays since moving to the UK. 

She has spent the last few years travelling around the world and is extremely excited to settle into the community of Mull at An Tobar.  She loves creating warm and inclusive spaces and can’t wait to welcome and get to know other creatives in her role as housekeeper.

She completed a Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) at RMIT University in Melbourne and, more recently, the MSt in Creative Writing at the University of Oxford. She assistant-directed Barney Norris’s play The Band Back Together at The Arcola Theatre in London. Her first play Checkout, premiered in Oxford in March last year.

She is excited to get to know Mull; to go cold swimming, hiking, cycling, play music and get involved in local community projects! 

Zoe@antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk

Alessandro Bucci is an accomplished cultural leader with a proven track record in transforming organisation and expanding the reach of their work. He is currently the Director of Holocaust Centre North, based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Alessandro’s expertise spans strategic planning, artistic programming, stakeholder management, governance, and fundraising. He is particularly proud of two key initiatives: Homeward Bound – which enabled the Centre to catalogue its collections and make them accessible remotely for the first time, while expanding its archive by over 10,000 new acquisitions in just one year – and Memorial Gestures, a residency programme for contemporary artists, writers, and translators that has given a platform to previously unheard voices, reframing memory through contemporary critical perspectives.

As Deputy Director of the National Arts Fundraising School, Alessandro also helps a range of organisations diversify their funding streams and develop sustainable financial strategies. He has overseen the expansion of the Holocaust Centre North team from 2 to 12 members, fostering a supportive and dynamic working environment.

Catriona is an award-winning writer, director and cabaret performer from Tobermory. 

She has worked in the box office of Mull Theatre, the An Tobar cafe and as administration assistant.  

Her first solo and self-produced show Cat Loud’s Big Night In debuted at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to five-star reviews and subsequently toured the UK. Apocalypse cabaret To the End of the World! won a VAULT Festival Origins Award for Outstanding New Work. She was selected for the BFI-funded Convergence screenwriting course with Short Circuit, was awarded one of Vanishing Point’s Everyone Is Creative grants, has been commissioned as part of GMAC’s Little Pictures filmmaking scheme to make her first short, is in the Glasgow Film Festival New Talent scheme, and was assistant director on Every Brilliant Thing. 

She’s passionate about telling stories from a Hebridean perspective and is looking to establish solid links between rural communities and the film industry.

Haftor is a Norwegian-born guitarist, composer and educator based in Edinburgh. His work spans an acclaimed catalogue of recordings, from five albums with his own group to collaborative releases with artists including Will of the People (Pete Furniss – clarinet; Tom Bancroft – drums), Jacob Karlzon, Espen Eriksen, Gunnar Halle and Anneke Kampman.

Alongside his work as a performer, he has composed for a wide range of film and television projects, among them Building a Nation (Wark Clemmens, Channel 4) and the award-winning Tartan Short Cry For Bobo (David Cairns). His portfolio also includes the large-scale 2014 son et lumière production A Night at The Botanics, installation collaborations with Alan Kilpatrick and Michele Marcoux, dance and video works with choreographer/film-maker Katrina MacPherson, and commissions for a series of exhibitions at the National Galleries of Scotland.

Haftor is Professor of Music at Edinburgh Napier University, where he completed his doctorate in 2013. His research in new jazz studies has been published internationally, and he has presented widely at conferences across Europe, including for the International Society of Musicologists, Rhythm Changes, KISMIF, HEA and the Nordic Research Network. He is the founding Chair of the Scottish Jazz Archive and serves as a Director of the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival.

Haftor Medbøe is a Yamaha artist.

Matt is the Head of Policy, Research and Communications at the UK National Commission for UNESCO. He supports the coordination of the UK Government’s policy positions at UNESCO and implementing its programmes in education, science, culture, communication, and information, under the aegis of the UK’s Ambassador to UNESCO and the HMG Senior Responsible Officer.

An Archaeologist by training, with an MA in international relations, economics and diplomacy, he was previously the Senior Parliamentary Advisor at Historic England and Policy and Communications Manager at The Heritage Alliance. Matt’s Mclaren forebears farmed Ballimackillichan Croft on Lismore for hundreds of years, inspiring Matt’s commitment to sustaining the culture of the Inner Hebrides and his extensive work on Intangible Cultural Heritage projects across Scotland.

Sue is the Principal and Vice-Chancellor at Edinburgh Napier University. Prior to this role, she was Vice Chancellor at Bath Spa University and held senior leadership positions at the Universities of Lincoln and Edinburgh.

Whilst in Bath, Sue chaired the Cultural Compact for the West of England and developed a Cultural Strategy and Strategic Plan supported by the unitary and regional authorities alongside Arts Council England.

Sue has a background as an academic palaeontologist, and has a national profile in learning and teaching. She sits on the Board of the Quality Assurance Agency and recently led a project to revise the credit framework for England, which is the base-code for degree design.

She is a strong advocate for creativity in education and sits on the board of Project Trust. She Chairs the Board of Trustees of Student Minds, a national charity focussed on student mental health and wellbeing.

Sue is an honorary fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge and an honorary Professor at the University of Edinburgh.

Scott MacLean, of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull has recently returned to Mull after 27 years living in various locations across the USA.  Originally, Scott ventured to North Carolina on a golfing scholarship, and then studied through his Masters in Business Administration.  Latterly living in Washington State in the Pacific Northwest, Scott was then able to transfer with his work to help Utility Customers in Scotland and Ireland utilize technology to maintain grids during initiatives to reduce carbon and integrate renewables.

A family that was involved in Ballet in NYC and the PNW, and with children both already taking part in workshops and theatre activities on Mull, Scott and his family are excited to be part of the community and help in any way possible to support An Tobar and Mull Theatre.

Born and raised in Dumfries, Nicky Spence is a Scottish operatic tenor who performs in opera, oratprio, and recital in the UK and internationally. His unique skills as a singing actor and the rare honesty in his musicianship have earned him a place at the top of the music profession.

The 2021/22 season sees Nicky make his role debut as Siegmund in a new production of Die Walküre for the English National Opera directed by Richard Jones and conducted by Martyn Brabbins. Nicky will also return to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden as Laca in Claus Guth’s new production of Jenůfa conducted by Henrik Nánási and as Samson in Richard Jones’ new production of Samson et Dalila opposite Elīna Garanča and conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano. Nicky also makes his debut at the Deutsche Staatsoper in the 2021/22 season, as Gregor in Věc Makropulos, another new production by Claus Guth and conducted by Sir Simon Rattle.

Future seasons see Nicky return to La Monnaie, L’Opéra national de Paris and the Metropolitan Opera.

Nicky gives recitals internationally, appears in concert extensively and records prolifically. Upcoming recital appearances include Wigmore Hall, La Monnaie, the Janáček Brno International Festival and the Two Moors Festival.

Photo credit: Ki Price.