BEN HARRISON

DIRECTOR

Ben Harrison directed his first play on the Fringe in 1989.
Best known as the Co-Artistic Director of internationally-acclaimed site-based specialists Grid Iron, which celebrates its 30th birthday in Edinburgh this year, he has directed for the National Theatre of Scotland, Almeida Theatre (where he was Associate Director) Citizens Theatre, Tron Theatre, Dundee Rep, Dogstar amongst many others. His production of Peter Pan for 360 Entertainment was seen by over a million people in the UK and across the US.

“I’m drawn to Chickens as I believe it is a highly convincing post-lockdown and post-Brexit text that examines how a situationship fails to develop into a healthy relationship. The play examines vital themes of coercive control, obsession and mania but does so with great humour and vitality.”

• More about Ben

• Ben is delighted to be directing CHICKENS which he sees as a taut psychological tragicomedy - a genuine post-pandemic play.

Owen Whitelaw

AS JAY

Owen Whitelaw trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has since established himself as one of Scotland’s most compelling stage actors.

He has performed with the National Theatre of Scotland in landmark productions including The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart, Knives in Hens, and Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off. His stage credits also include Trainspotting with the Citizens Theatre and Wedding Band at the Lyric Hammersmith.Owen's screen work includes One of Us and Shetland for the BBC, and the feature film My Son (Sixteen Films). His distinctive voice has featured in numerous BBC radio dramas including Macbeth, Measure for Measure, King Lear, and Blindness.Also an accomplished writer, Owen’s plays include The Breach (BBC Radio Four), Faking It (BBC Radio Three), The Storm (Oran Mor), The Holy One (Tron Theatre).

PAULINA SZAREK

AS WERONika

Paulina Szarek is a Polish-born actress based in Edinburgh and London. She trained at Italia Conti in London and graduated in 2020.She can be seen as Sister Agnieszka in We Were the Lucky Ones on Disney+ and Hulu, a limited series set during WW2 in Poland. Her screen credits also include EastEnders for the BBC.Theatre work includes BU21 as Ana at the Old Joint Stock Theatre in Birmingham, Hedda in Hedda Gabler, Olivia in Twelfth Night, Béline in Hypochondriac, Róża in New Labour and the lead in This Island’s Mine at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

“What draws me into Chickens is that it captures the struggle of every relationship — what’s actually important to make it work? Is love enough? How much can you compromise before you lose yourself?”

MARISA FERGUSON

STAGE MANGER

Marisa has a BA (Hons) Degree in Technical Theatre from Rose Bruford College and has worked in professional Stage Management for over 25 years, across a wide range of productions and events. Her theatre credits include: West Yorkshire/Leeds Playhouse, Northern Stage, Northern Ballet Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Exchange Theatre – Manchester, Fiery Angel, Scottish Opera, Scamp Theatre Company, Watford Palace Theatre, Visible Fictions, Magnetic North, and the Royal Lyceum Theatre – Edinburgh.

Marisa moves so fast between her duties that capturing a photo of her is like trying to photograph an electron — the moment you press the shutter, she’s already somewhere else.From coordinating cues and calling the show to wrangling props, prepping the tech team, and checking if the actors have eaten — she’s everywhere, all at once. Her calm amidst chaos is the invisible framework that keeps Chickens running smoothly.

Nick Olofsson

sound designer

Nick Olofsson is excited to be on the team and create sounds for Chickens. He has worked in studios as a sound engineer with a brief diversion to form a post-punk band called Cay in London.
With a deep passion for all aspects of sound recording and the myriad possibilities for creative innovation and expression he has returned to the controls. He currently is studying for an MA in Advanced Music Technology at the University of West London.

Monika klisch

the playwright
and the producer

With a PhD in physics, she began a research career, spending her days in labs and her evenings exploring dance, pottery, writing, yoga, and singing. Creative expression was never a hobby for Monika – it was a constant companion to her scientific path.

In 2012, Monika completed her yoga teacher training and opened a studio in Kraków, combining movement, mindfulness, and teaching. A shift to the tech world soon followed, and she unexpectedly landed a QA Engineer role in London. Her curiosity later led her into data science.Alongside her technical work, she also supports women through life transitions as a change coach.

• More about Monika

Though she had written poetry and stories as a child, "Chickens" is her first play – a bold and surprising debut that draws on her artistic roots, sharp observations, and fascination with human connection.