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. Around this time, she studied clown with De Castro and Commedia dell’Arte with Antonio Fava. Years later, she went to Gaulier to scratch a persistent itch.
in 2000, Shunt created their own venue in a railway arch in Bethnal Green. Dance Bear Dance (2002) was their smash hit, drawing crowds from across the world. The Telegraph called it ‘the greatest fringe show on Earth’. The same year, Gemma directed An Execution which was Time out Critics’ Choice. And she began working with Silvia Mercuriali on a show where the audience would be driven through a city at Sunset. This became Pinocchio which travelled the world.
In 2003, Nicholas Hytner saw Dance Bear Dance and invited SHUNT to be part of his inaugural season at the National Theatre. For this, Shunt took on 80,000 sq ft of railway vaults in London Bridge, where they built an artistic empire! Tropicana was the National Theatre’s first ever main programme show off-site. It was a cult hit and brought immersive theatre into the establishment. Shunt 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.
During this time, Gemma continued to work with Silvia, developing their work with real spaces. And she worked as a freelance performer for artists including Tai Shani (Turner Prize Winner), Amber Sealey (Film Director) & Handspring UK (Puppetry Wizards).
In 2017, she created and directed the first immersive devised show for the RSC - ‘Bold, brilliant work’ (The Stage).
Over lockdown, she wrote extensively on the History of the Kiss : The University of O - and curated an online advent calendar.
Image: Gemma (Monument)