Isobel Thom
“THEY DON’T LET ANYTHING SLIDE. KNOWING SOMEONE HAS YOUR BACK FULLY IS SO REASSURING.”
Fresh from graduation of the Royal Welsh College, Isobel Thom flew into the lead role in I, Joan at London’s Globe Theatre. “I’d met with a few agents,” tells Thom. “But something about Aileen and Leah kept pulling me back. They didn’t beat about the bush. They were very direct, and I found it to be quite a relief.”
I, Joan caused quite a stir when it opened. A powerful, thought-provoking piece that challenged some protected characteristics. “It was a turbulent time,” reveals Thom, who had graduated, moved to London, and opened the play all within a few short weeks. “I learnt a lot in a very short time. The way Aileen helped me navigate the press and publicity was invaluable. They knew exactly what to do.”
The play Isobel Thom took the lead in was incredibly well received and lauded for it how it made nuanced, complex points about gender. As a non-binary actor, Thom explains their concerns on how their career trajectory might be handled. “I didn’t just want to be sent stuff for a queer part,” they said. “And I was nervous about being pigeon-holed. But Aileen and Leah understood that completely.”
“McEwan & Penford have really listened to me. If there’s things I want to do, or people I want to work with, they’ve set up a meeting. But they’ve also been able to advise me on what is a good idea for where I am right now too.”
“No question was a stupid question.”
“Because I was fresh from graduation, there was a lot of things I had to learn quite quickly. I think I learnt, like 10 important lessons in the space of four months. I had to ask loads of questions, but they made me feel like no question was a stupid question, which was so helpful at that stage. Even things like self-tapes. I’d done classes on them at school, but it’s not the same as doing them for real. They were so patient with me. They were never worried, even when I was, and they gave me the feedback I needed to get them right.”
“I’ve never felt like they were doing me a favour. And they don’t make me feel disposable, you know. They have such a solid vision of what I should expect of myself.”
Isobel has proven themselves as a force to be reckoned with, producing powerful work that resonates. Together, we continue to explore a number of opportunities in stage, tv and film.
