Alternative Comedy | Writing | Performing| Facilitating
Editing | Sound Design | Sound Op | Stage Tech | Badges n Zines
Now That
Sounds Like Shevek
Who is Shevek?
I’m a neurodivergent, genderqueer, alternative comedy writer-performer-technician from and based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Combining an affinity for surreal silliness with my technical skillset as a sound designer/operator, I offer hope-punk absurdism with an unique collaborative performance style.
In 2025 I co-founded (Mr) Funbles’ Productions, addressing a local gap in provision for platforming accessible alternative comedy. Over the course of the year we produced six spectacular live variety shows, including three Mr Funbles’ Sunday Portal shows as season regulars at Alphabetti Theatre, as well as a selection of online sketches and a souvenir fanzine. Funbles’ nurtures an anarchic DIY vibe with a welcoming ensemble feel, intersectionally queer- and neurodivergent-friendly, adaptive to meet the access needs of our performers and audiences. It’s proving very rewarding cultivating a much-needed supportive space for marginalised creatives to experiment and be unapologetically authentic without having to inhibit, adapt or limit their work to “fit in” with mainstream approaches to performance. It’s been equally well-received by audiences, who have commented that they “really needed” the levity, hope and silliness we’re providing in the current climate. Through Funbles’ we’re managing to strengthen our community and grow resilience through escapist, joy-filled alternative spaces to rest and rejuvenate around our fight for survival. Join the Patreon (for free!) to keep up to date with Funbles’ latest exploits!
Alongside writing & performing, I wear many hats under an umbrella of multifarious creative practitioner. Recent pertinent projects and exploits include:
- A commission by QueerAF to produce a half hour audio documentary for their Trans+ History Week podcast series. Listen to ‘Back when boys, played girls, pretending to be boys’ here.
- Script reader, assistant producer and sound tech for Homebake, a new writing night at Gosforth Civic Theatre, produced by Lindsay Nicholson.
- Sharing my love of baking in zine form and embracing the snail in multiple performances as part of the Queer Pleasure Archive Project, produced by Sarah Li with the DGA.
- Popping up around the region as a sound designer, QLab programmer, dramaturg, script editor, video editor, button presser (tech op), stage tech, badge-maker, zine-maker & creative facilitator…
This is many many hats, so it’s a good thing I’m always joined by Pongo, the emotional support phrog.
All Sorts of Editing
For writing. Across forms, genres and audiences. I have a strong sense of how to put words together effectively for a solid impact, whilst always careful to maintain writers’ authentic voices.
For audio. I love working with sound, and am always happy to dip my auditory muscles into Pro Tools to make whatever fun, weird things folks need.
For audio-visual content. Video editing satisfies my poetical storytelling tendencies. I am proficient at finding the rhythm of the composition. I’m also as at ease working with DIY collected assets as I am with more traditionally produced footage. Whatever material there is, I can help construct and share a narrative with it.
Technical Assistance
Confident in compiling SFX files, creating showfiles for traditional and interactive set-ups in QLab, and operating sound desks.
Able to assist with setting up live sound equipment in addition to general technical assistance for stage, podcasting, recording audio-visual content and streaming.
Facilitation
Providing spaces where people can create things in a way that works for them! My practice emphasises finding and elevate participants’ own authentic voices, cultivating creativity through comfortable community engagement.
So far I’ve led workshops in badge-making, zine-making, sketch-writing, comedy writing and performance. I’m always excited to share the skills I have and encourage cultural engagement at all levels of experience.
Why Shevek?
Conscientious, a calm presence, I know my stuff. Though, if I don’t know something I’m always quick to do the necessary research to find out.
I’m driven, determined, reliable, and – most importantly – always on the hunt for fun.
I care about the process and the people who make things happen – if it’s not enjoyable to do then in my (neurodivergent) mind, it’s not worth doing. I’m access-centred and wellbeing focussed – working hard within my capacity to help meet the needs of my community.
Funbles’ Productions
2025 –
Cultivating a cosy home for weirdos 🎈 Sharing silly things online on a weekly-ish basis 🐌 Live alternative comedy variety shows on a semi-regular basis in Newcastle upon Tyne
Role
Creative Director
About
Creating with Funbles’ is providing space and focus for me to exercise all my intersecting creative muscles simultaneously, and see what joyful anarchy can ensue with the opportunity to authentically direct my sense of feel-good absurdism into one, expansive, label-resisting, malleable output.
Inspired by the likes of Stamptown, The Muppet Show and Aunty Donna, and wanting to bring something of their unhinged energies to my home region, Funbles’ is an evolving exercise in cultivating a resilient queer- and neuro- inclusive creative community empowerred to concoct escapist, joy-filled ways of making ourselves and others laugh, without needing to meet normative expectations of what comedy apparently should be. Fundamentally, Funbles’ is growing into a home for creatives to try out whatever weird ideas they have, especially those that are hard to fit onto other stages. Funbles’ shows and content include a motley array of characters, sketches, running gags, ensemble shenanigans and surprising sounds. Always in 5D (and sometimes more!)
I’m gaining a lot of fulfilment and increasing confidence directing this glorious world of organised chaos, and am responsible for co-ordinating pretty much everything behind the scenes (with an increasingly healthy amount of delegation to maintain my sanity).
For live shows, it’s my utmost priority that everyone involved knows what to expect and how they can fit in, so that they’re comfortable and confident to come along and play on a night. I really enjoy working 1:1 with creatives to develop their acts to both fit what they want to get out of performing, and to fit the vibe of the show. I’m also able to offer reactive tech elements through my hot keyed soundboard, adding an extra layer of fun into the mix.
And, making sketches and other assorted oddments for online audiences, I’m developing the skills and networks that essentially encompass a mini-production house to get AV content made from concept to shareable on the interwebs. While this is currently occuring on a small scale, I have determined aspirations to scale up this operation as and when we can get further investment (business handshake).
Together, our ensemble are devising Funbles’ lore and ethos, an irrepressable spirit to keep showing up and inspiring laughter. It is very hard to describe, you could say uncategorizable and virtually unmarketable, but if one thing’s for sure, it has to be experienced to be experienced.
My Name Is Rachel Corrie
wet arts ltd with Alphabetti Theatre
Presented at Alphabetti Theatre in October 2024. Directed by Ryan Hay, performed by Rebecca Glendenning-Laycock. The North-East Premiere of the play, compiled from Rachel Corrie’s diaries and emails, edited by Katherine Viner and Alan Rickman.
Role
Sound Designer and Technical Operator
Contribution
As part of a core creative team of three, with a minimalist design and sensitive material, the sound design was an integral part of telling the story conscientiously on stage. I undertook some close reading of the text, and then met with the director to establish what was needed from the sound design. As the directorial vision necessitated a complex microphone set up I liased early on with the technical team at Alphabetti Theatre to realise this. I researched core aspects of the soundscape that I wanted to include, such as birds in Olympia and Gaza. I curated the sounds from libraries, doing some additional editing to make them work in Pro Tools; I then programmed the SFX showfile in QLab and assembled the tech script.
In my role as technical operator I was also responsible for setting up and packing down the show in the venue space, compiling show reports and ensuring handover was smooth for cover.
I found this project challenging and fulfilling, and I’m keen to continue to develop my skills in these areas and help to facilitate all manners of storytelling through sound.