Bethany Wedgwood

I am a bubbly, sometimes ridiculous actor with a need for creativity and a want for connection.
I act because it lights me up, it gives me a feeling incomparable to anything else.
I recently returned to acting after a long hiatus, starting my own family has given me the burning desire to show my children that your passion can work for you. I want them to believe in themselves so I need to do the same.
I am delighted that my debut return to stage was in the incredible Carmilla, performed at The Boat Shed, Ellesmere Port as a part of the Edinburgh Fringe 2021 - what a way to start!

Monologue Reel

What's New

Along with acting, I dabble in some other art forms. I do a little bit of writing - mostly for myself and mostly just random stream of consciousness type stuff. More recently my musings have been in rhyming form, some I feel I'd like to share, maybe as a confidence/courage thing. Others are definitely not seeing the light of day!
I'm going to open a little poetry corner on my website and every so often add one of my nonsenses. Find it under musings, if you want to see how my brain works!
See my Spotlight profile here

Work

Finding Bliss
Role: Lead (Dr. Charlotte)
SAE LiverpoolA sympathetic short film centred on the struggles of a doctor when he finds himself a widower, and how he works through this with his therapist.

Leafyard mental health and wellness app
Role: Presenter
Diskette Ideas Ltd.A lovely job for a really worthwhile app that will hopefully help many people.

Medical Trauma Roleplay
Role: Trauma Victim
Evermore ProductionsI had a massively interesting and informative weekend being part of the cast of trauma victims for training medical professionals in high pressure environments.

Carmilla
Role: Supporting (Bertha/Swing)
Chalice Productions
Director: Laura J HarrisI cannot describe how incredible this was as my first professional job back. Such a passionate, creative and fun team. I truly landed on my feet with this role.

Photos By Emily Sheriff

Memories of Solitude
Role: Voiceover and translator
Creator and Director: Daniel Jo

Musings of my ever-ticking, over-thinking mind

There are days I want to hide away, just me and the duvet.
There are days when I feel like I don't even know what's wrong.
More days than I can count, letting it wash over me.And then, it drags me under and I feel it all.
I'm too much this, I'm not enough that.
Too bold, too old, too young, too strong (or not), too big, too small, all of it, all.And then... and then there are days I want to remember.
To bury deep inside, to take with me when I want to hide.The glow of happiness when I've done something right. That feeling I get when I feel I might, just might be getting closer.
Nothing compares to the feeling of success.Something I wrote. Something I did. It was me. They want me.
And here it comes again.
All of the praise isn't quite enough to fight the demons yet.
Maybe one day. Maybe one day I'll believe what they say. Or even part of it. Because it's exhausting not to.
All of my brain screaming BELIEVE...What if I do?

Workshop Tapes

I joined a super exciting workshop, Drop the Ball, in February 2021 and taped 8 monologues, each from a different writer. I've loved being part of a really exciting collaboration between writers and actors, aiming to keep us sharp in the creative mindset whilst still having to be socially distanced. These guys have been so much fun to work with and the writing is such an amazing standard.
Find my 8 tapes below!

So here it is, the very last week of Drop the Ball. This amazing group of people are the most talented bunch. There are some incredible stories told by these guys and equally incredible performances. I have cried and laughed throughout this process and I know this wonderful group of crazy, fun, immensely talented people will go far.My script was written by the lovely Elissa Nicholson - go to https://stories-by-liss.weeblysite.com
or find her at @stories_by_liss on Instagram. This piece was enchantingly beautiful. Heart-breaking, poignant and a delight to read. I told her how much I loved it at the time, but this was a truly beautiful piece to end the workshop with. Thank you!

Week 7, the penultimate week and what a piece! The wonderful Toby McShane wrote a 3rd person omniscient narrator and gave me a lot to work with. I went through ideas ranging from using time-lapse of a beer/bar scene,
a comic strip being filled in as I spoke, dressing all in black and hiding my face, to this idea that grabbed me and just seemed to fit perfectly (even if it was a little off the wall). I hope you all enjoy!

Week 6 now and this has gone so quickly! This week's monologue, Scarecrow by the amazingly talented Phoebe Delafaye (seriously you need to see her tapes!) gave me some freedom in how I wanted to stage and play the character. I liked adding subtleties rather than it being completely in your face. Find Phoebe on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/phoebe.delafaye

Week 5 of Drop the Ball brought a beautiful monologue to work on. Timothy Norman is the writer of this piece go find him at www.theatrabilia.com. Tim has been such a joy to speak to whilst working with this text. I know I've said it each week, but I loved this piece so much.
It was a piece that brought a genuine reaction from me each time I read it. On my first read I got goosebumps and had to go and read it again immediately.Hope you all enjoy it as much as I did taping it!

Week 4 and halfway through!
Thanks to the wonderful writing of Elston Taylor, I got to stretch myself by inhabiting the mind of a boxer - a little different from my every day life!Elston gave me some references to look at and insight on the boxing industry. I also used this as an excuse to watch Warrior with Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton, but really, who needs an excuse to watch Tom Hardy?