Comfortism started in 2003, on Victoria Day.
For the next three years a core of half a
dozen actors performed at a number of pubs in Derby
but also around the country. They
specialised in very short plays mainly written by Ashley but also from other
members of the group. In this time they
staged around 50 of these short pieces, with increasing use of the audience as
another character in the action.
This style has been taken on and developed further by Ashley
when he went solo in 2006. Members of
the group went on to work as professional actors or take up more actor
training. Here and abroad.
Last year saw Comfortism turn professional and Ashley
recently went full time with the company.
Ashley has also been director, led workshops, written and
performed for Animistic Theatre, Ahjam Theatre and Mixed Feelings, in London,
Cardiff and the East
Midlands.