Lung Ha at 40: Spotlight on… Kiki McLeod

Jun 4 2024 | By Thom Dibdin More

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Lung Ha Theatre Company, All Edinburgh Theatre is delighted to collaborate with the award-winning professional company for actors and theatre makers who are autistic or learning-disabled.

Lung Ha have marked the occasion by commissioning a series of portraits of every member of its 25-strong ensemble from Edinburgh-based photographer Peter Dibdin. Æ will publish the individual portraits over the coming year of celebrations (see our News story: Lung Ha hit 40). We are publishing a new spotlight on a different actor every fortnight.

Spotlight #2: Kiki McLeod

Kiki joined Lung Ha in May 2023. She recently took part in the Creative Space programme, which offer the Lung Ha actors a safe and supportive space to develop their artistic practice on a one-to-one basis. They can explore themes they are especially interested in or focus on skills they would like to improve

Kiki’s favourite thing about acting is the emotion of the audience watching the actors and seeing a smile on everyone’s face. What Kiki likes about Lung Ha is that everyone who works there is very welcoming and friendly. She says that the energy at Lung Ha is just so awesome and wonderful.

Lung Ha actor Kiki McLeod, photographed by Peter Dibdin for Lung Ha’s 40th year celebrations.

Kiki McLeod Q&A

What do you think is the most fabulous thing about being an actor? Meeting other actors and actresses like me and making friends too.

If you could give an aspiring actor one piece of advice, what would it be? Just be yourself!

40 years is a big milestone during which we look back but also look ahead! What are your hopes or ambitions for the future? One thing I am looking forward to in the future is my first ever theatre show with Lung Ha and many more opportunities to come with the company!

The 40th anniversary photo shoot took place at the Traverse Theatre. Costumes by Karen Tennent; hair and make-up by Catherine Christie.

Browse the rest of the Spotlight on series here.