Cassie mcfarlane and adrian hope

Cassie McFarlane originally trained as an actor at RADA and acted in theatre, film, and television. This included playing the lead in Burning an Illusion, now a seminal film of Black British cinema. For this she received the Evening Standard Most Promising Newcomer Award. She then went on to work in production where she wrote and produced short films for the BFI, Channel 4, ZDF Canal+ and Arte. For the theatre she wrote and produced her own plays at the Soho Theatre, under Tony Craze, at the Drill Hall and the Diorama in Regents Park.

Cassie is now part of a writing partnership with Adrian Hope, who, during his time at Cambridge was active in theatre, where he acted in and directed a variety of productions. Their partnership has resulted in, among others, their stage play, MAD AS HELL about the life of screen actor, Peter Finch and his Jamaican wife Eletha Barrett. This was produced at the Jermyn Street Theatre in London during 2018.

They joined Blake Friedmann in 2019 with a roster of screen and stage plays, some in development and some in completion. Cassie and Adrian live in Devon with no cats, no dogs and no kids.

Praise for MAD AS HELL:

"Quirky but intelligent" (Tim Walker, The New European)

"Engaging and well-constructed (Dave Hollander, The Stage)

"Brash and provocative" (Cindy Marcolina, Broadway World)

"Gentle, thoughtful play" (Keith McKenna, British Theatre Guide)

"An enjoyable romp" (Samantha Harding, West End Extra)

"Very well written (Terry Eastham, London Theatre Blog)

"Masterfully put together" (Christina Ferrauti, The Up Coming)