The Lyttelton Circus Theatre Co. Players

  • Pascal Ackermann

    Chinese Pole, Aerials, Unicycle, Musician Set Design & Construction, Chief Rigger

    A lifetime musician, Pascal completed a violin-making apprenticeship in Switzerland before moving to NZ where he completed a Diploma in Circus Arts. 

    Credits include ‘Free Theatre’ production ‘Alice’, World of Wearable Arts, Rhythm and Vines, Fuse Circus, World Buskers Festival, Auckland Buskers Festival, and The Butler, Oak and Happy Home Road with the LCTC.  Pascal also has 2 Guinness World Records.

  • Carmel Courtney

    Musician, Musical Director

    Carmel is a well know multi-instrumentalist, teacher and singer songwriter who has toured locally and internationally, at festivals and clubs, playing a variety of styles from Jazz to Electronica, to Latin and funk.

    Some projects of note have been with The Jews Bros. Band, Max Maxwell and Mamaku Project. Credits include The North Seas Jazz Festival, WOMAD (Redding), SPLORE and Roots, as well as previous incarnations of ‘Berlin Burlesque’.

  • Sophie Easton

    Singer, Dancer, Actor, Mime

    Originating from Melbourne, currently residing in Canada and with a background in Musical Theatre, Dance and Drama, Sophie has been performing all her life. She has completed a Dip. Circus Arts, and has a strong passion for incorporating healing with the performing arts. 

    Credits include the World Buskers Festival (NZ), Portraits: The Women Outside (Dunedin Fringe NZ), The Butler and Happy Home Road (LCTC)

  • Bea Hemsley

    Bea is an actor based in London who joined the company in 2024. After completing a foundation at RADA, she has gone on to be in the Almeida Young Company with a production of Hedda Gabler in London. 

    Having most of her training been in acting and dance, Bea will to continue her journey through different mediums in the arts. 

  • David Ladderman

    Actor, Juggling, Mentalism, Equilibristics, Story Editing

    David is an actor, circus performer and theatre maker, and one of the founding members of the LCTC.  He’s performed at dozens of festival and events all over the world, and as an actor in multiple productions with The Court, Centrepoint, Fortune and Circa Theatres as well as tutoring within the Creatives in School program.

    Credits include: Macbeth, Happy Home Road, The Butler and Berlin Burlesque with LCTC, as well as touring with NZ Opera. David is co-founder of ‘Rollicking Entertainment’ and has co-created and performed in eight original shows.

  • Nele & Jola Siezen

    Acrobatics, Aerials, Chinese Pole

    Identical ‘Twisty Twinz’ Jola and Nele began their strong bond in the womb, which continues today. They have completed Diploma’s in Theatre and Performing Arts, and Circus Arts. They have travelled extensively, performing, training and teaching around the globe, working with a variety of artists and performers. 

    Credits include: The Butler, World Buskers Festival, Linz Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Guinness World Records Shows (Italy & NZ).

  • Tom Trevella

    Actor

    Tom is an original member of the LCTC and has been acting professionally for 18 years both locally and internationally.

    Credits include over 30 productions at the Court Theatre, and works with Circa, Top Dog and LAF Theatres, the Hannah Playhouse, and East Riding Theatre in the UK.

    His work with the ‘LCTC’ includes; The Butler, Happy Home Road, Berlin Burlesque, Macbeth, and the development and production of his solo show ‘Stuck Up the Alley’.

Behind The Scenes

  • Mike Friend   

    Mike emigrated to NZ in 2004 and founded The Loons as an entertainment venue in 2006. As creator of The Lyttelton Circus Theatre Company, Mike, Joe Bennett and The Company went on to create original and tour new works around NZ and internationally.

    Past highlights in Mike's directorial career includes 'The Bedsit' Assembly Rooms Edinburgh 1997 with Jimmy Ellis (Time Outs Critics Choice), 'Kaki' an original ballet created for the King of Thailand in Bangkok 1998 , Bliss' with Emily Blunt and Adrian Rawlins. Edinburgh. 1999 and  'A Christmas Carol' the inaugural production for East Riding Theatre (ERT) in the UK 2016. 

  • Darryl Cribb

    Darryl has been involved in the arts and entertainment business in Christchurch for most of his life. He was the co-founder of The Loons as an entertainment venue in 2006 venue and is the co-founder of LAF acting as the theatre Manager since 20015.

  • Joe Bennett

    Joe Bennett’s a writer. He’s written countless columns, numerous books and several stage shows. He lives in Lyttelton.