👋 ABOUT ME

The Artist Formerly Known as Bernard.

I’m a multi-disciplinary creative producer, facilitator and writer from London.

I founded THE UPSETTERS, an anti-racist arts company that makes work which sits at the intersection of creative resistance and social justice.

I also work as a freelance creative producer.

I aim to centre anti-racism, anti-capitalism and radical politics at the heart of my work.

I want to make art for the revolution.

📧 CONTACT

marcus@theupsetters.co.uk
@marcus_berdaut on Twitter and Instagram

🔨 RIGHT NOW

the apothecary network
My most ambitious and radical project yet. I am developing a prototype app to establish a network of decolonial community apothecaries in Bristol and beyond. The latest stage seeks to integrate AI into the development. Funded by Bristol+Bath Creative R+D.

Tour the Writer
I am currently working with Paines Plough on a freelance basis as the project producer on a three year writer development programme with partners across England including Belgrade Coventry, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Mercury Colchester and more.

Project O (working title)
Project O is a new theatre project in development, written by Aisha Zia and created by 62 Gladstone Street in association with Landmark Theatres and THE UPSETTERS. It will be touring the UK in 2024/2025.

Anansi And Other Such Stories
Combining the Ghanaian folktales called Anansi stories and stories from writer Kwami Odoom’s own life. Anansi and Other Such Stories explores ethical storytelling and audience expectations when you’re part of a diaspora.

🧑‍🔧 IN THE PIPELINE

Tears Make Ripples When They Fall
I am currently writing and developing a new play about generational trauma, fatherhood, hope and trying to be better. Written by me.

🔥 WITH THE UPSETTERS

Dismissed, Soho Theatre Upstairs
Abolition in the UK
TAKEOVER Festival, Bunker Theatre
Apple, VAULT Festival
Home Truths, Free Word Centre
We Are The Upsetters, Bunker Theatre

📋 AS A FREELANCER

Interim Producer, Theatre Deli
Black Earth: Resistance, Anti-Racism and the Environment, tiata fahodzi
Newham Unlocked 2022, London Borough of Newham
CSW Recruitment, Access All Areas
Black Futures, Sculptress Theatre and ICA
Who Is She, ETT and Watershed

⚙️ WORKSHOPS

I am an experienced workshop facilitator.

I’ve led workshops on a range of subjects from Introduction to Freelancing with the National Theatre to Creative Resistance and Climate Justice with Flourish Festival.

If you’re interested in having a creative workshop created and delivered, please do get in touch.

✍️ WRITING

I have written a number of short plays which have been performed in theatres across London. Some of those credits are:

- Tears Are A Luxury, Royal Court
- Shoes in Twos, Theatre503 (Rapid Write Response)
- Matt, Lion and Unicorn / Space Arts Centre
- Grace, Young Vic Freshworks
- Flightless, Theatre503 (Rapid Write Response)
- Light Work, White Bear Theatre

I am currently developing my first full length play called Tears Make Ripples When They Fall.

📺 PRESS

BBC Radio London - Discussing THE UPSETTERS debut production on The Carrie and David Grant show.

Shado Mag - If exclusion is retribution, abolition in education is freedom! Exploring how art and move forward the conversation on ending school exclusions.

Guardian Stage - Theatre company wrestles with knife crime in its first West End show. Discussing Dismissed with Daniel Rusteau.

Shado Mag - Can tech help us get closer to nature?

🌺 SOME OTHER BITS

I was a reader for the Verity Bargate Award in 2020, completed the Soho Theatre Writers Lab and was part of the Soho Writers Alumni Group from 2019 to 2022.

🪦 A PAST LIFE

Before working as a creative producer, I worked in the tech industry for over 16 years beginning in IT Support. My most recent role was as the Director of Operations, EMEA for Crave Interactive Limited, a hotel tech company.

I left this position in 2018 and I haven’t looked back.

⏭️ WHAT NEXT

If any of this interests you and you want to have a little chat, please get in touch. Email is always the best way to reach me and I prefer to have initial conversations over Zoom.

Email: marcus@theupsetters.co.uk

I prioritise working with artists who self-identify as being from racialised backgrounds. This may include being Black (African or Caribbean), South Asian, East or South-East Asian, Middle Eastern, West Asian, Latinx, Jewish, Romany or Irish Traveller, Mixed Heritage, POC or Global Majority. This is not an exhaustive list and I do not police anyone’s identity.

This is just for clarity on my practice and who I hope benefits from my work.

If you have not already, please make sure you join a trade union and, if you have capacity, get active… up the workers!

PEACE, LOVE AND JOY! ✌️