Tobias and Syd

Syd, a young anthropologist, is hiding, somewhere secret, because she let herself ‘get trapped’ by something or someone. Months earlier, Syd watches a confident, alluring man called Tobias, deliver a public talk.  Tobias tells how his product is failing in the market place and how he hopes to revive it. Syd, in spite of herself, is intrigued... In Part 1 of Tobias and Syd: Tobias was played by Sion Daniel Young, and Syd by Ell Potter Written, Directed and Produced by Elspeth Penny The Dramaturg and Executive Producer was Sara Davies The Sound Recordist and Editor was Iain Hunter Composer, Performer of Music by Matthew Sheeran Funded by Arts Council England and UKRI ESRC Council Tobias and Syd is a 2BU Production.   Winner! Best Audio Fiction Standalone, Sydney Webfest 2023, Winner Best Audio Fiction Standalone Apulia Web fest 2023; Winner for Best Narration for an Audio Fiction Podcast… (Ell Potter).Rio Webfest Official Selection Best Podcast Fiction and Best Director. Selected for Hollywood Series Webfest. LA Webfest 2023 Nominee, Minnesota 2023 Official Selection, Cusco Webfest 2023 Official Selection. For Baltimore Next Media Web Fest, Nominated for Best Dramatic/Slice, Best Podcast Director, Best Actor (Sion Daniel Young), Best Sound Design.

Syd meets Nell, a barrista, and gets a cigarette from her – she’s getting more addicted. The ‘breath voices’ start to haunt her. In Part 2 of Tobias and Syd: Tobias was played by Sion Daniel Young, and Syd by Ell Potter. Kezrena James played Joan and Nell, and John Donne was Joseph Tweedale. Breath voices came from members of the cast and production team. Written, Directed and Produced by Elspeth Penny The Dramaturg and Executive Producer was Sara Davies The Sound Recordist and Editor was Iain Hunter Composer, Performer of Music by Matthew Sheeran Funded by Arts Council England and UKRI ESRC Council Tobias and Syd is a 2BU Production

Syd is now deep in to the world of Tobias, how can she make the best of the situation she is in? Where will she time travel to next? In Part 3 of Tobias and Syd: Tobias was played by Sion Daniel Young, and Syd by Ell Potter. Kezrena James played Nell. Columbus was played by Joseph Tweedale, and the newsreader was Gaia Ashwood. Breath voices came from members of the cast and production team. Written, Directed and Produced by Elspeth Penny The Dramaturg and Executive Producer was Sara Davies The Sound Recordist and Editor was Iain Hunter Composer, Performer of Music by Matthew Sheeran Funded by Arts Council England and UKRI ESRC Council Tobias and Syd is a 2BU Production.

Nell has a few things to say to Syd. Syd isn't well. Will Syd get out in time? In Part 4 of Tobias and Syd: Tobias was played by Sion Daniel Young, and Syd by Ell Potter. Nell was played by Kezrena James, and Harry by Joseph Tweedale. The announcers were Gaia Ashwood and Joseph Tweedale, the teenagers were Aaron Donovan and Reuben Orr and the Doctor was Joseph Tweedale. Breath voices came from members of the cast and production team. Written, Directed and Produced by Elspeth Penny The Dramaturg and Executive Producer was Sara Davies The Sound Recordist and Editor was Iain Hunter Composer, Performer of Music by Matthew Sheeran Funded by Arts Council England and UKRI ESRC Council Tobias and Syd is a 2BU Production

Credits Tobias: Sion Daniel Young Syd: Ell Potter Nell/Joan: Kezrena James Columbus/ John Donne: Joseph Tweedale Harry: Joseph Tweedale Newsreaders: Gaia Ashwood, Joseph Tweedale Teenagers: Aaron Donovan and Reuben Orr Breath voices: Cast and Production Team   Written, Directed and Produced by Elspeth Penny The Dramaturg and Executive Producer was Sara Davies The Sound Recordist and Editor was Iain Hunter Composer, Performer of Music by Matthew Sheeran   Co-production advisory panel: Charlotte Bailey, Arthur Burston, Andrea Hernandez, Aggie Nyagari, Sol Okasha, Evie Shortman, Jack Owen, Bede Burston, Lois Barton, Miles Chambers. Young Advocate: Elisha Westmore Photos and Videos: Tom Sparey, Arthur Burston, Nick Sutton Illustration: Maria Herreros Additional thankyous for all the wider help, support and additional material from more people that can be mentioned. Thanks to Andrew Russell, Alice Malpass, David Richmond, Deasy Bamford, Theatre Orchard, Julie Peel, Becky Condron, Elisha Westmore, our invaluable advisory group – Arthur Burston, Charlotte Bailey, Bede Burston, Aggie Nyagari, Evie, Sol, Andrea Hernandez, Jack Owen. To our early stage exploratory cast – Kirsty Cox and Chris Pirie and the audience that chose this play. Also to Miles Chambers, Angie Belcher, 2BU's non-executive advisory board, Fiona Matthews, Paul Appleby, Barny Hole, Justine Schneider. To Innovate Edge Uk, Heather Wright, Saikat Ahamed, Aisha Ali, Mya-Rose Craig, Lee Hutchinson and the MShed, The Island, The Puppet Place, Lois Barton, Clevedon School drama department and students, First Nation producer Jim Compton, the first Indigenous screen summit at Rocky Awards 2022, Jean Rankin, The Bristol Packet, Tess Davidson, Raffy Vanderwal, Elizabeth Rahman, Kate Binnie, Karing Silver and Louis Laurence from Tobacco Tactics group, Alex Gapud, Matthew Chapman from the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, Angie Athay-Hunt and the Open Door adult drama participants at Theatre Orchard and Havi Carel. Special thanks to those in Breathe Easy Groups who wrote Breath letters, as part of Letter to My Breath, Life of Breath Project whose voices inspired and are heard in this play. Also to our funders at Arts Council England and ESRC IAA. Winner! Best Audio Fiction Standalone, Sydney Webfest 2023, Winner Best Audio Fiction Standalone Apulia Web fest 2023; Winner for Best Narration for an Audio Fiction Podcast… (Ell Potter).Rio Webfest Official Selection Best Podcast Fiction and Best Director. Selected for Hollywood Series Webfest. LA Webfest 2023 Nominee, Minnesota 2023 Official Selection, Cusco Webfest 2023 Official Selection. For Baltimore Next Media Web Fest, Nominated for Best Dramatic/Slice, Best Podcast Director, Best Actor (Sion Daniel Young), Best Sound Design. Tobias and Syd is a 2BU Production Go to the Tobias and Syd website