© 2026 yawning dog productions ltd
GOLDFISH
a new play by
NINA BECK
A fable from the Klondike Gold Rush
Original theatre performance of "GOLDFISH", a fable set during the Klondike Gold Rush, Alaska 1898. The story follows real-life conman Soapy Smith, and his descent into madness following the discovery of a talking fish.
Reflecting modern themes of fake news, mass hysteria, and gender identity, GOLDFISH pushes powerful visual styles, with contemporary derived movement, and sound design. A surreal and moving account of broken families, and hardships experienced following the American Civil War.
CAST:
(Soapy Smith)
Prey For Me (Uninion Theatre)
Runaway (Netflix)
Doctors (BBC)
Eastenders (BBC)
(Tappan Adney)
Operation Fortitude (movie)
Nuremburg (movie)
California Schemin (movie)
Casualty (BBC)
(Kathleen)
Rivals (Disney+)
Asgaard (BBC Radio 4)
Lorca's Blood Wedding (Tower)
Disenchanted (Disney+)
(Carter/Doctor)
BIFA Nominated, “A Sisyphean Task”
“Killed by my Debt”, (BBC)
“Polaroid” at The Canal Cafe Theatre.
“Dad is not my Friend”, Cockpit Theatre
(Man, Hench)
Musician/Actor
“Audience with Father Christ..” Eltham Palace
Peter Pan (Outdoor Theatre)
Peter Pan (Outdoor Theatre)
Anthony Evans-Pughe
(Father/Man)
Musician/Actor
“The Visit" (Lead) Oxford Playhouse
CHARLIE LAKIN
(Thomas / father)
Charlie is also crew member
(William)
Voiceovers for Oxford University Press
Student at Sylvia Young Theatre School
(Abi/Nurse Kate)
Hot Mess (TYC Prods)
The Divine Feminine (Holly Looker)
The Gut Girls (Kirstie Davis)
Bath Spa Uni, Drama & Performing Arts
LAUREN SCOTT
The play's movement style is designed by movement director, LAUREN SCOTT who is a previous finalist in the 2022 BBC Young Dancer Award. Lauren (22), is associated with Sadlers Wells' "Breakin Convention", a major force in the UK's HIP-HOP scene. Lauren has recently been working with the famous Complicité physical performance company.
GOLDFISH' director, Guy MW, is inspired by Lauren's urban influence, and productions by GECKO and Complicité. Together they create a contemporary vibe that is appealing to a younger audience, without contradicting the historical setting.
The team is fortunate to have RACHEL FOX, lighting & creative designer, with over 30 years of experience, in theatre and live production.
A Spatial Design graduate from UEA, her career has spanned large-scale musicals, ballet, opera, etc. Recently Creative Director at the Theatre Royal Winchester.
RACHEL FOX
LIGHTING DIRECTOR
SOUND DESIGN
GOLDFISH is delighted to have SIMON SLATER on the team as an award winning musical composer. With over 400 credits as composer for film, TV & theatre, Simon has been nominated for Olivier and Ivor Novello Awards. Simon is also an associate artist for the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton.
The music design for the play will include live performances by violinist ANTHONY EVANS-PUGH, and banjoist ALASTAIR BRAIDWOOD.
BANJOIST - ALASTAIR BRAIDWOOD
(performing for GOLDFISH)
These live performances give the play authenticity, reflecting the folk music from the 1890's era. Simon Slater will fill-in those areas in the performance that require a more cinematic score, to reflect dramatic lighting and sound effects.
SIMON SLATER
MENTORS:
YAWNING DOG PRODUCTIONS LTD
GOLDFISH is produced by Yawning Dog Productions Ltd, originally a TV & music video production company established in London, in 2000. The company is owned by Guy and Nina McNair-Wilson, who met in 1996 while working for the Channel 4's live-TV show, The Big Breakfast.
Guy, is the creative director of "GOLDFISH", previously a live TV & Music Video director in the late 1990's and 2000's, for the major record labels. Nina is the writer of the play, with years of experience as a film/TV producer. Nina uses her maiden name (BECK) for her writing.
NINA & GUY MCNAIR-WILSON
GOLDFISH has performed at the MAST Mayflower Theatre (Southampton) and the Chichester NEST Theatre for a series of 20-minute development performances, during September and November 2025. Audience feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.