Nat Riches is an experienced writer and composer; having composed a full musical by the age of 18, Nat has also written and staged a university pantomime, and was highly commended in the 2021 Robinson College Music Society Composition Competition.
Natasha Atkinson, a talented musician, writer and composer, was Music President of Downing College. She has performed original musical theatre compositions in university showcases and composed music to be played at a wedding at Girton College and a Downing College fundraising event.
Nat and Natasha have been composing musical theatre songs as a team since studying music in high school together, where they both received full marks for their A-level compositions, arranged for and performed in instrumental ensembles, and wrote original music for a student showcase. At the University of Cambridge, they decided to combine their talents to create their biggest project yet: 1816.
Gina Stock; Director
Gina Stock is an emerging director and choreographer with a passion for combining literature and musical theatre through unconventional and abstract narratives. She has directed in Cambridge, Edinburgh and London for student and professional theatre, and is otherwise based in East Anglia where she works on accessibility of the arts and community projects. Her work has previously been described as “exhilarating, sexy and very creative” (The Cambridge Critique), a “sugary spectacle” (Varsity) and “unparalleled artistry and skill” (The Tab).
Olivia Newbery; Producer
Liv Newbery is an experienced producer based in Cambridge. From teaching at a youth production company at home, she brings a passion for community engagement to her roles. She has produced shows in collaboration with the Fletcher and Pembroke Players, including Evam Indrajit (2025, dir. Aryan Misra) and It's News To Him, a new work of student theatre. Liv also sits on the committee for Brickhouse Theatre Company as Producers’ Rep.
Rich Mandal; Music Director
Rich is a singer and a pianist, and an accomplished composer of contemporary classical music. He has won multiple prestigious national awards, with his music being performed in Gloucester Cathedral, and was a finalist for the ORA Singers National ‘Young Composer of the Year’ in 2023. Since taking on the role of musical director for the 2024 Cambridge Fresher’s Musical, he has developed a particular knack for directing new theatrical music, having also directed and conducted a student-written short opera and orchestrated music for the 2025 CUMTS Gala. He is also co-MD for the upcoming production of Gypsy: A Musical Fable at the ADC Theatre.
Yvonne Gao; Costume Designer
Yvonne Gao makes her debut as a costume designer with 1816, effortlessly combining historical Regency styles with a Vivienne Westwood twist to bring the legendary Romantics to life onstage. She is also involved in costuming a Cambridge production of "Dial M for Murder", and she is excited to see her passion for fashion and design come to fruition on the stage.
Beatrice Heslop; Lighting Designer
Beatrice Heslop began her journey into theatre during her first year at the University of Cambridge. She aspires to bring literature to life with the use of theatrical effects, and has previously worked on shows including Pride and Prejudice (ADC Theatre, 2025, dir. Abi Beton), Everybody's Talking About Jamie (ADC Theatre, 2025, dir. James Critchley), The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Yusuf Hamied Theatre, 2024, dir. Alexander Payton), and The Joker the Thief and the Knight (Christ New Court Theatre, 2025, dir. Akshit).
