Lung Ha at 40: Spotlight on… Kay Ann Jacobs

Jun 18 2024 | By Thom Dibdin | Reply More

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Lung Ha Theatre Company, All Edinburgh Theatre is delighted to collaborate with the award-winning professional company for actors and theatre makers who are autistic or learning-disabled.

Lung Ha have marked the occasion by commissioning a series of portraits of every member of its 25-strong ensemble from Edinburgh-based photographer Peter Dibdin. Æ will publish the individual portraits over the coming year of celebrations (see our News story: Lung Ha hit 40). We are publishing a new spotlight on a different actor every fortnight.

Spotlight #3: Kay Ann Jacobs

Kay Ann joined the company in 1986, soon after it started. Her first show was the company’s third: Mrs Mackechenie Meets the Megaloths staged at the now sadly defunct Theatre Workshop.

The company made their own sets and costume from scratch for the story about the Mackechenie family who traveled through space to the distant planet of Clunoid to save it from destruction by the Megaloths. Kay Ann played one of the family In this visually stimulating story in which good triumphed over evil assisted by slides, a shadow pie, live music and drama.

Kay Ann has performed in a total 33 productions with Lung Ha. Among her many roles, Midsummer night in 1994 found her back at Theatre Workshop as Hippolyta in The Dream, a co-production with the theatre’s youth company. In May 2004 she featured as the Lord Provost of Edinburgh in Fergus Steps Out. Most recently she played Mrs Boyd, a visitor to Castle Lennox (Æ review: ★★★★☆ Huge humanity).

Lung Ha Actor Kay Ann Jacobs, photographed by Peter Dibdin for Lung Ha’s 40th year celebrations.

Kay Ann Jacobs Q&A

What do you think is the most fabulous thing about being an actor? Seeing people smiling and clapping for you when you’re on stage.

If you could give an aspiring actor one piece of advice, what would it be? Be patient and be kind to everyone. We’re all in the same boat.

40 years is a big milestone during which we look back but also look ahead! What are your hopes or ambitions for the future? To see the company grow to do big things in future, but always remembering the root where it all started.

The 40th anniversary photo shoot took place at the Traverse Theatre. Costumes by Karen Tennent; hair and make-up by Catherine Christie.

Browse the rest of the Spotlight on series here.