“I will tell you the beginning, and if it please your Ladyships, you may see the end, for the best is yet to do, and here, where you are, they are coming to perform it.”
– As You Like It, 1.2.109

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At The Brenda Productions, we have a deep love for Shakespeare, and what better way to share our journey with you than through his words? (Although, if we're being honest, we think “I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me,” from Much Ado About Nothing, is a funnier choice!)

Our founder, Nichole, was diagnosed in 2019 with a little-known chronic illness called PMDD After struggling with this condition throughout her time at university, particularly in her second and third years, she decided to use her personal experience as inspiration for a 15-minute monologue written for a module called One Voice.

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Taking a break after graduating in 2020 to focus on her health, and with the support of others, Nichole extended, workshopped, and developed that initial monologue into the witty, bold black comedy it is today.

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You might be wondering how a 15-minute monologue turned into a full-fledged theatre company…

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Nichole explains, “I graduated with a First Class degree in Acting and Theatre Arts, but due to my health, I felt stuck. I didn’t get the full benefit from my studies, and I wasn’t sure how I could step into the industry. I also feared how my chronic illness would affect my treatment as a creative in the field. Chronic illness and disability aren’t widely discussed in the arts, let alone how they impact a creative’s work. All I had was this 15-minute monologue, a diagnosis of a chronic illness with no cure, and a student debt of approximately £42,100.”

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She continues, “I’ve always wanted my own theatre company. It became clear that I could make a real difference, not only by sharing the stories I felt compelled to tell but also by changing how chronic illness and disability are perceived within the arts. I knew there were others like me, struggling with an industry that’s already competitive and underfunded, but also having to navigate the additional challenges of living with chronic illness or disabilities.”

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Starting The Brenda Productions was daunting at first, especially considering all the technicalities of setting up a company. But Nichole knew she owed it to herself—and to others in similar situations—to take the leap. “I reached out to see if other creatives felt the same, and the responses I received were invaluable. The stories and experiences people shared with me confirmed how much change is needed and how a company like The Brenda Productions could play a pivotal role in driving that change.”