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Combining our knowledge of theatre and capital, Playing Field is dedicated to accelerating the creation of world class theatre.
We are involved in the early-stage development, late-stage investment and production of a wide variety of projects in London, nationally and internationally.

OUR WORK

Life of Pi (London and NY), Back to the Future (London and NY), Starlight Express, MJ The Musical, Opening Night, The Hills of California, Dear England, King Lear, Stranger Things, The Motive and the Cue, Dr Strangelove, Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Just For One Day, Lyonesse, Edward Scissorhands, Merrily We Roll Along (NY), Dr Semmelweis, Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder, A Strange Loop (London), The Crucible, Accidental Death of an Anarchist, 42nd Street, Greatest Days, Crazy for You, Groundhog Day, A Little Life, A Streetcar Named Desire, Patriots, 2.22 - A Ghost Story, A Dolls House (NY), Medea, The Wizard of Oz, New Adventure’s Sleeping Beauty, New York, New York (NY), Oklahoma!, Hey Duggee, Bugsy, Sylvia, Cages, The Piano Lesson (NY), The Seagull, Death of a Salesman (NY), Moulin Rouge, The Lehman Trilogy (London and NY), The Ocean at the End of the Lane, The Drifters Girl, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Magic Goes Wrong, Punchdrunk The Burnt City, Jerusalem, Funny Girl (NY), The Cher Show, The Little Prince (NY), Spring Awakening, The Time Travellers Wife, 101 Dalmatians, Identical, Good, New Adventure’s Nutcracker!, Cruise, The Human Voice, Newsies, Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomstick, Singin’ in the Rain, Chicago, School of Rock, My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Art of Banksy, Girl from the North Country, What the Ladybird Heard, The Comeback, Grease, Hairspray, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Pillowman, Annie, Oi Frog and Friends, The Son, Noises Off, White Christmas, Touching the Void, The Bodyguard, The Watsons, The Barbershop Chronicles,  A Taste of Honey, Peter Pan, Nine Night, Mame, The Man in the White Suit, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Fiddler on the Roof, Rosmersholm, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Night of the Iguana, Home, I’m Darling, Groan Ups, Club Tropicana, Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
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Dear England
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Starlight Express
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OUR TEAM

Lisa Popham

Chief Executive Officer

Lisa’s career spans strategy, sales, marketing, theatre management, business management, innovation and consultancy. Previously she has worked for Dewynters, The Royal Court Theatre, The Really Useful Group, The Theatre of Comedy Company, The Society of London Theatres, and Capital Radio. At Dewynters, one of the world’s leading entertainment marketing agencies, her roles ranged from Head of Marketing to Chief Operating Officer, working on projects from Wicked, We Will Rock You, Disney’s The Lion King and Priscilla Queen of the Desert to The Royal Opera House and Donmar Warehouse

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Ashley Herman

Founding Director

Ashley founded Applause in 1982, which became the U.K.’s leading specialist tourism theatre ticket agency. In 1997 Applause was merged with First Call Plc. In 1989, on behalf of Cameron Mackintosh, he launched Theatre Direct Inc., which is now known as Broadway.com. In 2000, he founded Encore to specialise in the multichannel distribution of West End theatre, becoming responsible for over 20% of West End theatre admissions. Encore was recently acquired by Today Tix and the combined company is the largest independent supplier of West End tickets. Ashley has served on the Council the University of Surrey, as Chair of the Guildford School of Acting, as a Trustee of The Lyric Theatre Hammersmith and of Mousetrap Theatre Projects. He has produced and co-produced many West End and touring productions.

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Andrew Empson

Investment Consultant

Andrew’s theatre career began backstage, then onto running three London Fringe theatres, before moving into West End general management and Production. He was Managing Director of PW Productions, producing a long series of West End and touring shows including The Woman in Black, An Inspector Calls, Amadeus and re-opening the Roundhouse theatre with Oh What A Lovely War from the NT. Since leaving PW Productions he has been involved in shows, events and theatre operations in the UK, USA and in Europe.

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Lois Lancaster

Chief Operating Officer

Lois has over 25 years of experience in managing Operations. She has held senior positions in a number of large financial institutions including Lloyds Bank PLC and Aviva PLC.

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Shilpa Thanki-Green

Chief Financial Officer

Shilpa is a qualified accountant with 25 years’ experience in financial services operating at C-level roles. She was the International CFO at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management and EMENA CFO at Citi Private Wealth Management, and has successfully led and implemented multiple strategic initiatives including scaling businesses, mergers & acquisitions, divestments and restructuring businesses.

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Stonehage Fleming

Co-founder & Corporate Adviser

Stonehage Fleming is a co-founder of Playing Field. Stonehage Fleming is the leading independent family office in Europe and a valued adviser to the world’s leading families and wealth creators. Stonehage Fleming works with families to help determine a purpose and strategy for their wealth, and provides the platform to protect and manage their assets, across generations. The Group advises on over £60bn of assets. Stonehage Fleming is majority owned by management and staff, operates from 18 offices in 14 geographies, employing over 900 people. www.stonehagefleming.com

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