Roadside | Maddie Wakeling
A one-person show inspired by the personal experience of Roadside’s writer & performer, Maddie Wakeling, and featuring real-life testimony from new travellers living across the South West.
Roadside summons the chaos of an endless night at a free party through captivating performance and immersive sound design. It weaves together poetic voice, playful dialogue and audio testimony from members of the Southwest New Traveller community.
With high energy movement, enchanting shadow puppetry and vibrant lighting design Roadside is a chaotic and tender exploration of what creating a home for yourself can mean.
Initially developed as part of Starting Blocks 2023 at Camden People’s Theatre. Supported by Arts Council England, Trinity Centre and The Cockpit.
Lead Artist/Performer/Writer – Maddie Wakeling
Direction & Dramaturgy – Dominika Ucar
Sound Design – Lisa Meech
Set & Costume Design – Kiera Saunders
Lighting Design – Joe Price
Sound Associate & Technician – Anna Short
Set Design Assistant – Callum Govan
Movement Direction – Laila Diallo
Producer – Emma Hill
About Maddie
Maddie is a performer, theatre maker and community theatre facilitator. She is drawn to theatre that is spacious – work that can hold messy and complicated ideas without trying to force them into unity. She makes physical, political work. Her practice is rooted in meaningful community engagement and the belief that everyone has the right to access creative spaces.
As a writer she starts from listening. Her work always begins in conversation. Maddie grew up in Glastonbury and is very influenced by its heady blend of festival culture, folk lore and countercultural chaos. Initially trained as an actor at the Manchester School of Theatre (grad 2018) and a recent graduate of MA Advanced Theatre Practice at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Currently trainee director at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre 2026. Supported by Bloomsbury Festival as a New Wave Writer 2026. Maddie is co-director and founder of When Blossom Comes CIC.
Dates & Tickets
| Date | Time | Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 23 October, 2026 | 7:30pm | Buy Tickets |
Reviews
The show (Roadside) was an innovative and inspiring piece deftly weaving together authentic storytelling, high quality sound design that perfectly encapsulated free party culture and so much more. We are really proud to have supported such wonderful work
Maddie Wakelings wit and charm shines bright