Identity are committed to creating an environment where all participants are treated with respect and dignity. As such, our policy is centred on casting the very best candidates for each role, either on- or backstage.
The cast of The Welkin take a bow, 2024.
Photo by Miles Davies.
Nettie Sheridan and Gary Cook first started their Identity journey in 2017 with their award-winning production of Dennis Potter’s superb Blue Remembered Hills for the Southwick Players. The play was perfect for an outdoor adventure, and what better place to mount a revival of the piece and launch the company than at the gorgeous local space, the Brighton Open Air Theatre.
Following the success of this production, Identity have been invited to return to the BOAT year on year (Covid permitting!) and acclaimed productions of The Crucible, Wuthering Heights, Dracula, Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood and in 2024, Oliver Twist.
October 2024 saw a 5-star production of Lucy Kirkwood's visceral feminist masterpiece The Welkin in central Brighton.
The Identity Adventure continued at the BOAT in June 2025 with a very successful production of Joan Littlewood's groundbreaking Oh! What A Lovely War.
In addition to the Identity titles above, Nettie has directed Lettice and Lovage, Fantastic Mr Fox, The Elephant Man, Blithe Spirit, Blink, A Christmas Carol, Brontë, Humble Boy, Little Women and The Beauty Queen of Leenane as well as the two hander Pity, written by Gary.
Gary is an experienced Director who, in addition to the collaborations for Identity, has directed The Turn of The Screw, Hedda Gabler, Taken and Muswell Hill. Gary wrote Pity for Identity Theatre, which was performed to much acclaim in various venues where it collected donations for the Dementia Society. He has also designed the sets for many of the above productions, as well as composing and designing sound.
In September 2025, Nettie directed The Crucible at Brighton Little Theatre, and in December 2025 Gary directed Abigail's Party for the Southwick Players.
December 2025 saw Gary retiring to York and launching a new venture, Pitchfork Theatre, and Nettie launching her new company Thick as Thieves.