Gemma works as a creator, director and actor.
After a degree in English Literature at Cambridge University, Gemma moved to London for a year of theatrical training at Central School. There, she met nine friends and they became the SHUNT collective. She has also studied clown with De Castro and Gaulier, and Commedia dell’Arte with Antonio Fava.
Shunt created their own venue in Bethnal Green (2000-04) where they mounted their first productions. In 2004, Shunt moved to London Bridge, where they built an artistic empire! There, they became the first company to produce an ‘immersive’ show for the National Theatre main programme: Tropicana, a cult hit. They went on to create the legendary Shunt Lounge night club. In 2014, Shunt worked together for the last time on The Boy who Climbed out of his Face before deciding to stop.
Beyond Shunt: In 2001, Gemma directed her first devised show - An Execution (Time Out Critics’ Choice). The following year, she met Silvia Mercuriali and they created Pinocchio, a show where the audience was driven through the city at sunset. They went on to tour internationally. Gemma’s work as director has also been produced by the RSC.
She is also a commissioned writer at the RSC. She has written extensively on the History of the Kiss : The University of O, which has been a lot of fun. She is currently working on a book about the history of experiential theatre.
Image: Gemma (Monument)