WHAT STORIES INTEREST YOU?
I'm currently drawn to female-driven narratives, which also demonstrate political, social and technological progress, simply because I don't see them often enough. I'm not so much interested in an all too obvious theme or agenda. I believe in "show, don't tell". The most convincing argument is existence. We work to create something, then no one can deny it.
HOW DO YOU WORK?
I value initiative and collaboration. Together we have much more experience to draw from, in order to refine our ideas. I trained in ensemble theatre and on every project we work as an ensemble. No person is more important that any other even though their job might be to have the final say.
WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONNECT WITH?
I love meeting other creatives, no matter what part of the industry they're interested in. I regularly meet with writers, actors and producers. I love hearing about their projects and helping them get eyes on their work, bums on seats or the contacts they need. We are building a network of supportive, genuine gems in the arts. Do you want to join my network?
The Heterosexual Pleasure Gap - a short film, 2022
A sexual dilemma.
Written by Leoni Amandin
Produced by Leoni Amandin and Julia Shevelova
Cinematography by Leoni Amandin
Make up by Pauline Montgarny and Shivika Tiwari
Production Assistance by Pooja Sharma
Artwork by Paula Rivas Rodriguez
Performance by Miranda Colmans, Fiona Gentschenfelde, Katie Penn, Carole Pluckrose, Sangeetha Veluru, Jessy Tsai
Special thanks to Boathouse Creative Studios
Wooden Creatures - a short film with Charles Hlangabeza, 2022
A friendly reunion turns out to be something completely different.
Written by Gabriel Bowker and Charles Hlangabeza
Produced by Leoni Amandin
Directed by Charles Hlangabeza
Cinematography by Nikole Turrell
Sound by Mihai Pirogov
Special effects by Leon Clements Beall
Performancy by Leoni Amandin and Gabriel Bowker
Happy Deathday - a solo show, 2021
We are celebrating our mortality, making sure we make the most of life.
Devised and performed by Leoni Amandin.
After show discussions with celebrant Carole Pluckrose and death doula Sabrina Singh.
Next live performances:
Brighton Fringe May 2022, venue, dates and times to be announced soon!
Dao Hides, No Name - AWARD WINNING short film with Xan Gilmour, 2021
Daryl steals an ancient book from the Royal Asiatic Society. Reading it propels her towards Transcendence - and attracts the attention of gods and demons.
Written and directed by Xan Gilmour
Produced by Leoni Amandin
Cinematography by Cameron Pulham
Assistant Camera James Dougan
Costume Design by Tamsin Robinson
Make Up by Adelina Miller
Animation by Amelia Watson
Sound Recording by Tomas Spacil
Sound Engineering by Melissa Lamerton
Music by Lohrd Snow
Casting Assistant Amanda Murphy
Performance by Ning Lu, Tomi Ogbaro, Ling Whye Hang, Jason Zhen Li, Poppy Thalia, Xan Gilmour
Special thanks to Winslow Opera Hall
Trasho'philia - a short film with Donald Craigie, 2022
A mime, an innocent being born to entertain, seemingly living off thin air, a consumer only of invisible goods suddenly has access to real things, real food, real accessories and gadgets. She has such terrible fun she doesn’t even realise how the pile of waste around her grows and grows.
Written and produced by Leoni Amandin
Co-produced by Will Elliott
Directed by Donald Craigie
Cinematography by Thom Seaman
Production Assistant Paul Roman
Special thanks to Alex K Rojas
NO GUIDE TO GRIEF - a zine, 2019
NO GUIDE TO GRIEF is a collection of sixteen grieving poems by sixteen inspiring poets. There is no one proper way of grieving and it can not be learned. Every relationship, every loss is expressed in its own unique way. We open up in the hope that this publication can help others through their grief journey and make them feel less alone. We are all feeling it too and with this zine we are honouring the people we loved the most.
Thank you for your support, it means the world to us! The poets published in this edition are Leoni Amandin, Tyffany Choi, Ross Edward, Caitríona Fitzsimons, Jenn Hepton, Debra Hill, Rosie Horler, Maya Janjic, The Lantern Carrier, Eliska van Lelyveld, Michelle Mangal, Tempe Nell, Camila de la Parra, Cassandra Soto, Christopher Sturdy and J.W.T. Woodford.
Illustrated by Kaitlyn Jemma Pocock.
Sleeping in Poynter - a devised storytelling/puppetry solo, 2018
Sleeping in Poynter is a powerful political puppetry solo appropriate for all audiences. It started as a dissertation for Leoni's European Theatre Arts university degree and was presented for the first time in May 2018 with great success.
Sleeping in Poynter raises awareness of homelessness and educates through the display of statistics and facts. The show focuses on presenting the stories of relatable individuals. Text and content are inspired by news stories, law articles and more. It offers a different perspective and better understanding of how anyone might end up, get stuck and survive in his unfortunate situation.
But Sleeping in Poynter also deals with the other side, the one Leoni herself experiences. It shares the feelings of shock and helplessness, motivation but also not being sure how to make a difference. It aims to bring people closer, remove the guilt one might feel for not having done anything yet and assures that small actions can make a big difference.
A big element of the show is puppetry. Quirky puppets built around body parts impersonate the characters. The impracticality and strange emotional expression of these puppets lead to many comedic moments. The clever double-use of props in different stories inspires awe.
The show has sparked the interest of Planet B Productions and will be developed and produced in collaboration with them. Planet B Productions create beautiful, engaging political pieces that deal with various issues.
Come To Daddy - devised theatre with Living House Theatre, 2018
‘Come To Daddy’ is a live-art mash up of family history, art history and a show about the long, long journey to the here-and-now. This fever-dream journey through the 20th century is inspired by the work of Tadeusz Kantor and other icons that have led us to where we are today. It is a reflection upon all of the moments that have delivered us to this exact point in time. From the first kisses and awkward goodbyes to the self-portraits of Van Gogh and creations of Dali to the first world war and the atom bomb, all of it will be staged and swept away again. It will all be done. It will all be remembered. Space will be made for all of it.