Lil Lambley and Sam Julyan launch new production company Act Two Entertainment

Leading theatre industry professionals Lil Lambley and Sam Julyan have launched a new production company, Act Two Entertainment.

The company will develop and produce theatre while also offering consultancy and executive producing services through a sister LLP, Act Two Entertainment Partners.

Act Two Entertainment begins with a development slate spanning musicals, plays and literary adaptations, including projects with Matthew Dunster, Marisha Wallace and Tim Firth. The company is also seeking new comedies and a 90-minute musical for future development.

Alongside its producing work, Act Two Entertainment Partners is co-general managing Before I Go To Sleep, starring Giovanna Fletcher, with Josh Andrews, and is working with partners across the UK, Australia and the US on workshops and new material. The consultancy arm will also support other producers looking to bring work to the UK market.

The company said it aims to develop work with a distinctive voice, strong visual and emotional impact, and long-term commercial potential for audiences in the UK and internationally.

Lambley and Julyan explained that “Act Two Entertainment will operate with a dual ethos: producing exceptional theatre today while building valuable intellectual property for tomorrow. Its unique spirit lies in identifying material with enduring possibilities – from new musicals and original plays, to reimagined classics and cross-platform collaborations. Our consultancy business affords other producers rigorous support and ideation, grown from our own producing experience. This bespoke offering ensures we can provide a dedicated, personalised service for projects that truly excite us with partners we cherish.

“We are thrilled that Act Two launches with an active development and consultancy slate, so that we can scale the company whilst moving existing projects forward at pace.”

Lambley previously served as managing director and executive producer of Anthology Theatre, held roles with Sonia Friedman Productions and Ambassador Theatre Group, and has worked as executive producer on Matilda the Musical for the Royal Shakespeare Company. She also sits on the Society of London Theatre board, is a Stage One mentor and recently completed a term as a trustee of Headlong Theatre.

Julyan’s credits include Carmen Jones at New York’s Classic Stage Company, the West End premiere of Arthur Miller’s debut play No Villain and the UK and international tour of Bat Out of Hell.