CURRENT WRITERS
Jay Darcy
Creator/Editor (Manchester – and occasionally London)
Jay is an award-winning journalist and the creator of JaDar (in case that was not obvious by the name). He was previously Head Theatre Editor of The Mancunion.
Jay has covered countless events, from the Eurovision Song Contest and musical festivals, to world premiere musicals and huge arena events such as Cirque du Soleil. He has covered huge artists such as Cher, Diana Ross, Little Mix, and Queen. He has interviewed the likes of Carrie Hope Fletcher, Pete Waterman OBE, Scouting for Girls, Steps, The Vivienne, and Todrick Hall.
He has also worked as an assistant producer in television, most notably creating and curating the acclaimed BBC documentary Bend It Like Bollywood, which won three Royal Television Society Awards and was nominated for an Asian Media Award and a Prix Europa (European Broadcasting Festival) award.
Instagram/Twitter: @jaydarcy7
Katie Bray
Columnist (Manchester)
Katie was one of The Mancunion‘s most-read writers during her two years as a contributor.
Before launching JaDar, Jay asked Katie to join him. She wrote the site’s first review.
Katie enjoys reviewing not only theatre must also art and music. She has also photographed a few gigs.
She has interviewed stars such as Joanne Clifton and John Partridge.
Instagram: @katiejbray
Maria Plakhtieva
Contributor (Manchester)
Maria Plakhtieva wrote a few theatre reviews at The Mancunion.
Shortly after launching JaDar, Jay asked Maria to join him; she wrote the site’s second review.
She has interviewed stars such as Olivier nominee Ian McIntosh.
Instagram: @mary_loskutnikova.l
Urussa Malik
Contributor (Manchester)
Urussa joined The Mancunion alongside Jay in 2018, before joining JaDar a few months after its launch.
She is an aspiring playwright.
Instagram: @_urussa_
Robert Gyorgyi
Contributor (Manchester)
Robert joined JaDar after writing for The Mancunion and replaced Jay Darcy as the paper’s Theatre Editor, alongside Harriet Cummings, before eventually joining JaDar.
Instagram: @robiful
Joyce Yu
Contributor (Manchester)
Joyce is the first JaDar writer with no prior reviewing experience and one of only a few writers who never wrote for The Mancunion, which is a testament to her talent as a writer.
Joyce joined the team on the recommendation of her friend, Maria, who is currently back home in Russia.
Instagram: @jjjjoyce_yueyu
Jenifer Hosking
Contributor (Manchester)
Jenifer joined JaDar after messaging us on Instagram.
She is a theatre-maker who has taken shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Instagram: @jeniferhcb
Lucy Lillystone
Contributor (London)
Lucy was recommended to Jay by their mutual friend, Sophie Hicks, who works in theatre.
She is a full-time Campaigns Executive for a Quarto Kids.
Instagram: @luceann_x
Madison Emmett
Contributor (Manchester)
Madison previously reviewed a couple of shows for The Mancunion.
She is one of Jay’s most regular plus ones (and drivers!) but occasionally reviews shows herself.
She is a full-time solicitor with a love of theatre.
Erin Walfisz
Contributor (London – previously Manchester)
Erin joined JaDar after messaging us on Instagram.
She used to be based in Manchester but is now living in London.
She is a theatre-maker.
Instagram: @erin_walfisz
Madison French
Contributor (Manchester)
Madison was recommended to Jay by her friend and colleague Jen.
She is a theatre-maker.
Instagram: @madimfrench
Carys Anderson
Contributor (London)
Carys joined JaDar after messaging us on Instagram.
FORMER WRITERS
Olivia Catsagnetti
Contributor (Original London Writer)
Olivia was JaDar‘s first London-based writer.
She previously reviewed a few shows in London at The Mancunion.
She is a full-time accountant and amateur drummer with a huge love of theatre.
Instagram: @oliviacast19
Joe McFadden
Contributor (London)
Joe began his career as a journalist at The Mancunion, where he worked his way up to Managing Editor.
He is a full-time journalist at the BBC.
Instagram: @joe_mcfadden104
Rebecca Maher
Contributor (London)
Rebecca began her journalistic career at The Mancunion.
As a professional journalist, she has written for publications such as Insider.
Instagram: @instantrommen
Emily Turvey
Contributor (London)
Emily began her journalistic career at The Mancunion.
Instagram: @emily_turvey
Devi Joshi
Contributor (London)
Devi began her journalistic career at The Mancunion though she never wrote for the Theatre section.
Instagram: @_thisshortlife
Alice Henderson
Contributor (London)
Alice began her journalistic career at The Mancunion, working her way up to Fashion and Beauty Editor, though she never wrote for the Theatre section.
As a professional journalist, she writes for Business Traveller.
Instagram: @alice.elh
JADAR 