Ruth Calkin

Education

About me

Given the continuing crisis for the theatre industry, Ruth is amazed to have been one of the lucky ones. In December she filmed the award nominated solo-performer show THE BED for Little Angel Theatre to be streamed as part of YouTube's 12 DAYS OF CULTURE, alongside productions by Sadler's Wells and the ROH. She also appeared in THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR, resident at Hertford Theatre. Sadly, along with so many others, this run was cut short due to a move into Tier 3 restrictions but Ruth has felt incredibly proud to have been part of a live theatre production at such a very difficult time.

An experienced actor/musician and puppeteer, Ruth was performing the solo show THE BED for Little Angel Theatre when the first national lockdown was announced. This was a beautiful production created especially for babies and toddlers and an OFFIES Finalist in the category 'Best Production for Young People 0 - 7'. She was a puppeteer in the national tour of TWIRLYWOOS LIVE! for MEI, which was also resident at the Underbelly Festival, South Bank for August 2019 and is all set for a new national tour throughout Summer 2020. Ruth continues to perform in the sublimely outrageous puppet cabaret THE CLEMENTINE SHOW and performed in a cracking Christmas run at the Rosemary Branch Theatre, Islington.

Other recent work includes: for Theatre-Rites - SIYANDA, PROTECTOR OF PLANTS, a site specific promenade performance in the iconic Temperate House at Kew Gardens; SARAH & DUCK'S BIG TOP BIRTHDAY (Polka/MEI). Ruth was one of the lead puppeteers in the development of the brand new Andrew Davenport TV production MOON AND ME, now showing on CBeebies and recently nominated for a BAFTA.

Other credits include the acclaimed DOGS DON'T DO BALLET (Little Angel); MOOMINSUMMER MADNESS (Polka / Royal and Derngate); Puppetry Director for IN THE NIGHT GARDEN LIVE; puppeteer and sound-design for THE WALTHAMSTOW MYSTERIES (directed by Steve Tiplady); A VERY OLD MAN WITH ENORMOUS WINGS (Little Angel/Kneehigh): THE TEMPEST (Little Angel / RSC).
Additional information:
Reviews of A VERY OLD MAN WITH ENORMOUS WINGS (Little Angel/Kneehigh) included 5 STARS in THE TIMES:

"Now look, children, don't go getting the idea that stage shows are always this good...this is a little miracle of a show. In its small but perfectly formed way it is as memorable as anything I've seen this year"
DOMINIC MAXWELL


Reviews of THE TEMPEST (Little Angel/RSC) included:

"...delightful...with (Brett Brown and) Ruth Calkin particularly good value as Stephano and Trinculo...this 75 minutes deserves it's place in the Swan..."
LYN GARDNER, THE GUARDIAN


"...Ruth Calkin's Trinculo is deliciously absurd..." SUSAN ELKIN, THE STAGE


"...It's hats off to this innovative team-up between the RSC and the Little Angel Puppet Theatre..."FIONA MOUNTFORD, EVENING STANDARD


"...touching, funny, lovely to look at and executed with a gossamer touch..." SAM MARLOWE, TIME OUT, **** and Critic's Choice.

License & Passport

Skills

Accents/Dialects	American - General, Australian, English - England East (East Anglia, Cambridge, Hertfordshire), English - England North West (Liverpool, Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire), English - Essex, English - General, English - Northern England, English - Received Pronunciation, English - Southwest England, French (Standard International), Irish Eastern (Leinster, Dublin), Scottish, South African, Spanish (International Spanish) Acento Neutro, Welsh
Dance Styles	Ballet, Contemporary, Folk, Tap
Vocal Types	Alto
Musical Skills	Clarinet, Recorder, Saxophone, Ukulele
Organisations / Memberships	Equity (UK)