ABOUT US
We first ventured into the world of Theatre In Education in 1998 when we began working with the Irish company French Theatre for Schools. For over a decade, Xavier Hock performed as a native French speaker for this company while Christine Béziat organised their tours throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland.
After seeing the phenomenal success of these plays in Irish schools the desire to take this kind of performance to France and Belgium was born. In 2007, Xavier and Christine created the Emerald Isle Theatre Company (EITC) and their first tour on the continent hit the road with performances in Brussels, Wallonia and the South of France.
Since 2010, the EITC has performed all over France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Spain and Italy. Now creating and performing under the new name of Pickles by EITC,
we still love sharing our passion for theatre and language with our main message: learning is fun.
PRODUCTION TEAM
XAVIER HOCK
Artistic Director – Writer
XAVIER HOCK • Artistic director - Writer
Co-founder of Pickles by EITC with Christine Beziat.
Trained social worker (Cardijn, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium).
After having travelled all across Ireland from 1998 to 2008 as an actor in school tours for students learning French, Xavier decided to share his knowledge and experience on the continent. And so, as a writer and director, he now creates english speaking shows for students learning english as a foreign language.
“In my role as a director, it’s a joy to be able to follow our teams of actors daily, having pushed them so hard during the rehearsals :) and what a joy it is to see your reactions, our dear audience! What else? Oh yes, I love a good beer, perfectly chilled, after a long day of walking or snowboarding. I also love swimming in ice cold water (from the beaches of Donegal to the Saint Lawrence river) but, some things that I can’t stand are flat tyres, sweetbread (even if they are nothing alike, I still don’t like them) and not being able to control the situation.
Dreams, I’ve got plenty… but I never remember them when I wake up in the morning.”
CHRISTINE BÉZIAT
Tour coordinator – Writer
CHRISTINE BÉZIAT • Tour coordinator - Writer
Co-founder of Pickles by EITC with Xavier Hock.
Trained trilingual secretary assistant (Ozenne, Toulouse, France)
She’s the one who organises the tour’s planning for our actors, an impossible puzzle that only she knows the answer to. She’s in charge of the tour, our communication…
Originally from Toulouse, Christine lived in Dublin between 2002 and 2009. She’s worked in banks, as a riding teacher before finally dipping her toe into the world of Theatre in Education. Her first experience was with FTFS and then in 2008, she created Pickles by EITC with Xavier.
“My dream would be to travel the world and to be able to speak multiple rare languages. I love the sun, a Bach prelude, a galop in a field, Ludwig von 88, a good book, time with friends, blueberries… Injustice drives me mad, disrespect makes my hair stand on end and as for meat, I’ve been disgusted by it forever.”
ARNAUD CRAMOISAN
Artistic Director – Writer
ARNAUD CRAMOISAN • Director - Writer
I love it when a plan comes together. I love packing my back, it’s always the promise of new adventures, new encounters. I love Monty Python and a cold beer, even if these two have nothing to do with each other.
I hate the smell of body spray in a rehearsal room, “endives cuites” and I hate it when actors ask me “what’s that?” when talking about “endives cuites” it’s impossible to translate!! Try and see what happens, all you need is a native english speaker and a plate of “endives cuites”. Let it rest for 5 minutes and serve hot.
My dream: To travel the world on skates. Or without.
MOLLIE
KEANE
Facilitator – Acting coach – Assistant director
MOLLIE KEANE • Facilitator - Acting coach - Assistant director
Starting my journey in the East of London in a place known as Walthamstow, passing by East 15 acting school, across Europe and ending up in Paris where I now live, I have always loved the way that theatre crosses borders. Whether that be through language, culture, class or generation. Theatre has a power like no other. And that is what I love about working with Pickles, they explore this power to its full extent!
Having worked with Pickles at 21 as an actress, I have now been working with and training the new actors since 2016. Here’s to more adventures!
LOÏC
PETIT
Artistic Director – Writer
LOÏC PETIT • Artistic director - Writer
An actor at heart, I loved the idea of hitting the road and showing our beautiful country to our Irish friends.
To go on an adventure together, for better or for worse. And so we happily shout at the cars in front of us that aren’t moving, we sing old classics that come on the radio and we let ourselves be swept away by the countryside that passes beside us. Well… we do all that when we’re not late, otherwise, we race down the motorway!
Along with all that, I love old french films and playing cards, but I don’t tell the actors that when we play poker and the winner gets to choose the time when they can use the bathroom!
I made a deal with the actors, they teach me the secrets of Shakespeare and I reveal the wonders of Molière to them. And who knows, maybe one day it’ll be me hitting Irish roads to share a bit of French culture with the Irish.
CHARLENRY TRICOIRE
Artistic Director
CHARLENRY TRICOIRE • Artistic director
French actor for the last 10 years, I’ve already traveled almost all the french roads, from north to south and east to west but always for shows in french.
From now on I would like to expand my career internationally. Thus, the idea of practicing the English language on a daily basis with the PICKLES Company immediately appealed to me.
I am always eager to live new experiences and I am looking forward to being on the road with these young English speaking native actors.
MARTIN MAGUIRE
Casting Director
MARTIN MAGUIRE • Casting Director
Martin Maguire is a leading Irish playwright and actor.
He has taught for the Gaiety School of Acting since 1995. As an actor he has worked in most of Ireland’s main theatres as well as on film and television productions broadcast nationally and internationally. He has written extensively for stage, television and radio as well as directing several theatre productions in Ireland and abroad.
TOUR MANAGERS
FRANÇOIS JAULIN
Tour manager
FRANÇOIS JAULIN • Tour manager
Actor, director… and now Tour manager… meeting Pickles is very important in my career…
Accompanying the actors, setting up the stage technically and resolving last minute problems is a stimulating and fulfilling job…
Now, I am no stranger to the Belgian and French roads… nor am I a stranger to all their different beers…
LEA HOSTACHY
Tour manager
LEA HOSTACHY • Tour manager
French actor for the last 10 years, I’ve already traveled almost all the French roads, from north to south and east to west but always for shows in French.
From now on I would like to expand my career internationally. Thus, the idea of practicing the English language on a daily basis with the PICKLES Company immediately appealed to me.
I am always eager to live new experiences and I am looking forward to being on the road with these young English speaking native actors.
MARION BRUYERE
Tour manager
MARION BRUYERE • Tour manager
French actor for the last 10 years, I’ve already traveled almost all the French roads, from north to south and east to west but always for shows in French.
From now on I would like to expand my career internationally. Thus, the idea of practicing the English language on a daily basis with the PICKLES Company immediately appealed to me.
I am always eager to live new experiences and I am looking forward to being on the road with these young English speaking native actors.
NICOLAS BEAUDRY
Tour manager
NICOLAS BEAUDRY • Tour manager
Hi, my name’s Nicolas I’m a tour manager from Paris, I’ve been on the road for different shows as stagehands / stage manager since 2013.
I love meeting new people and cultures, practicing languages so Pickles is a great opportunity for me.
As a beekeeper in my spare time, I’m very close to nature.
CHARLENRY TRICOIRE
Tour Manager
CHARLENRY TRICOIRE • Tour manager
French actor for the last 10 years, I’ve already traveled almost all the french roads, from north to south and east to west but always for shows in french.
From now on I would like to expand my career internationally. Thus, the idea of practicing the English language on a daily basis with the PICKLES Company immediately appealed to me.
I am always eager to live new experiences and I am looking forward to being on the road with these young English speaking native actors.
LUCILE RICHEM
Tour Manager
LUCILE RICHEM • Tour Manager
I’m delighted to get to know and accompany new actors in the Pickles adventure!
I myself am a circus performer, physical theater actress and stage manager. So.. let’s hit the road together !
ACTORS
Adrianna PANIAK
Actress
Adrianna PANIAK
I graduated from European Theatre Arts at Rose Bruford College, where I was lucky enough to complete a placement abroad in Barcelona. Since then, I’ve loved working in different countries and experiencing new cultures through theatre so I can’t wait to explore Belgium, France, and any other countries our travels take us to.
When I’m not performing, you’ll usually find me planning my next trip, making sure I obey Duo the Owl before midnight by practising my Spanish and Japanese, or stretching in just about any place I can find! My mission for next year is to somehow get my hands on those famously sold-out Celine Dion tickets. This is actually my third time applying for Pickles, so I’m beyond excited to finally be going on tour with the team!
Hannah CLEMENTS
Actress
Hannah CLEMENTS
Hey everyone!! I’m Hannah Clements and I have travelled all the way from sunny Bristol. I’ve been acting since the age of 6, now I’m 20 and I am joining France on my third international tour! I’ve experience Italy and Turkey and now I get to see and perform in beautiful France. I graduated from Bristol School of Acting back in 2024 and I’m ecstatic I actually get to do this as my job!
Stephen NEWTON
Actor
Stephen NEWTON
Born and raised in the great state of Texas, Stephen now resides and pursues his artistic career in New York City.
Having grown up working professionally in theatre since grade school, Stephen is driven to create safe and welcoming environments for youth coming up in the arts, paying forward the comfort and kindness he received growing up. While his experience spans across multiple areas, choreography and helping individuals find the joy and power behind movement has always been a favorite of his.
When not on the stage, Stephen enjoys spending time crafting worlds and spinning tales for his Dungeons and Dragons campaign, playing ultimate frisbee in Central Park, and DJing and curating the dance floor for his friends.
Sean FARRELL
Actor
Sean FARRELL
Hi! My name is Sean, I’m from the city of Auckland in the beautiful Aotearoa/New Zealand, have recently dropped myself in Europe, and am now beyond excited to be a part of this crew. Ever since discovering a love of theatre in high school I have enjoyed engaging in the arts space as much as possible.
After majoring in Theatre at the Victoria University of Wellington, I fell in love with the amazingly artsy capital city and all the incredible talent hidden throughout its local communities, living there for six years and simply adoring it. As someone with interest and experience in education, I’m keen to combine this with my love of theatre and bring that passion with me every day.
Sophie WALTERS
Actress
Sophie WALTERS
My name is Sophie Walters, and I’m from Seattle, Washington, USA! I recently graduated with a BFA from The Hartt School Actor Training Program, where I honed my skills in stage, film, and classical acting styles as well as voiceover, improv, and devised theater.
Besides acting, I also have a deep passion for directing, playwriting, and intimacy directing. In my free time, you can find me singing and playing guitar, and maybe writing a song or two. I believe art and storytelling to be something that transcends culture and language, which is why I am so thrilled to be a part of a theater company like this. I can’t wait to share the magic of theater with young audiences across Europe!
Christina KULOW
Actress
Christina KULOW
The witty blonde badass from Boston, Massachusetts. This Scorpio is an avid stage combatant with a collection of eight swords that grows constantly. Christina has always been the fashionista of her family; she is just as much a costume designer as she is a performer, and works professionally in both departments as often as she can. Known as “Tina” to those closest to her, Christina can usually be found at a Renaissance Faire, working as a writing tutor, or putting the finishing touches on a new sketch or painting.
Tom JACQUES-SMITH
Actor
Tom JACQUES-SMITH
Hi there my name is Tom, an actor from the historic city of York in North Yorkshire, England. I have been an aspiring Actor for the last seven years, recently graduating from Leeds Beckett University in Performing Arts. I love meeting new people, exploring new places, and have a passion for teaching and performing to different audiences. I have joined the Pickles family as it is the perfect step in my acting career. I look forward to meeting each and everyone of you on this year’s tour.
See you all very soon!
Lily BOULARD
Actress
Lily BOULARD
Lily Boulard is a French-American actor, writer, musician, and comedian based in New York City. They have toured in the United States and Italy, performing theater for young audiences. Most recently, Lily played the role of Mowgli in The Panto Company’s The Jungle Book. Lily is thrilled to now be touring France and Belgium with Pickles and cannot wait to get started!
Mary Caroline WILKERSON
Actress
Mary Caroline WILKERSON
Mary Caroline Wilkerson is a Milwaukee-based actor and a proud graduate of Syracuse University’s BFA Acting program. She fell in love with acting taking classes and seeing shows as a kid at First Stage in Milwaukee, and later toured with the Syracuse Stage’s Children’s Tour.
Now, she is thrilled to continue her educational theatre journey with Pickles! Having previously lived in Belgium and Australia, and can’t wait to merge her passion for performance with her love of exploring new places. When she’s not acting, Mary is an avid reader and loves spending time in nature.
Our plays have been specially created for pupils learning English as a foreign language. The actors speak clearly and the plays are written to include a lot of repetition to make it easy for students to understand what is happening.
For each show we create a few small roles for students to perform. There are also other moments of interaction during the play that the whole audience can take part in. Language level isn’t a block for students to participate.
Each workshop is an exploration led by native English-speaking actors and fuelled by the dynamics of the group: exploration is encouraged, the language barrier is broken and everything becomes a reason to play and to improvise. Pure fun!