British Theatre Guide podcast
276 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago -Interviews and more from the world of professional theatre right across the UK.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Ella Carmen Greenhill and Adam Quayle on Plastic Figurines for Box of Tricks
March 31, 2015 18:20 - 26 minutes - 12.1 MBIn April 2015, Manchester-based Box of Tricks Theatre Company will begin a tour of Plastic Figurines, a new play by Ella Carmen Greenhill, at the Liverpool Playhouse Studio. In this episode, Ella and director Adam Quayle, during rehearsals in Manchester, speak about the writing of the play and its roots in Ella's real-life relationship with her brother, who is on the autistic spectrum. You can also hear about Ella's other work and about the philosophy of Manchester-based new writing compan...
Elizabeth Newman on becoming new Octagon Theatre Bolton artistic director
March 22, 2015 19:22 - 35 minutes - 16.3 MBIn November 2014, David Thacker announced that he would step down as artistic director of the Octagon Theatre in Bolton at the end of his current tenure in July 2015 after six years at the venue. Four months later, the theatre announced that its associate director and head of new writing, Elizabeth Newman, will take over from him. We spoke to Elizabeth at the Octagon about her new appointment, her ideas for the future of the venue, her campaigning on theatre issues—including speaking in ...
Barrie Rutter and Catherine Kinsella on performing King Lear with Northern Broadsides
February 22, 2015 15:54 - 36 minutes - 17.2 MBSir Jonathan Miller has returned to Halifax-based Northern Broadsides Theatre Company to director company founder Barrie Rutter in the title role of Shakespeare’s King Lear. BTG editor David Chadderton speaks to Barrie Rutter about his new OBE, playing Lear, working with Jonathan Miller and touring large-cast productions and to Catherine Kinsella about playing Cordelia, winning a Manchester Theatre Award and making a career as an actor in the north of England. The production will open at...
Douglas McGrath on writing Beautiful - the Carole King Musical
February 14, 2015 15:30 - 23 minutes - 11.1 MBDouglas McGrath, who wrote the book, speaks to BTG London editor Philip Fisher about Beautiful – the Carole King Musical. They talk about the genesis of the project, the pleasure of interviewing the four leading characters and developing their lives into a musical and the work itself and its stars both on Broadway and in London. Beautiful - The Carole King Musical began previews at London's Aldwych Theatre on 10 February 2015. Press night will be on 24 February, and the show is currently...
Jonny Donohoe on performing Every Brilliant Thing for Paines Plough
January 15, 2015 11:57 - 22 minutes - 10.4 MBComedian and actor Jonny Donohoe talks about the Edinburgh Fringe and New York success of Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan, as well as his experiences of working interactively with audiences and playing opposite Sarah Jessica Parker. After a successful run on the Edinburgh Fringe in Paines Plough's portable Roundabout Theatre at Summerhall, the production transferred to Barrow Street Theatre in New York from 5 December 2014 until 29 March 2015. Following its run in New York, E...
Panto Dame Leon Craig in Oxford and Keith Jack and Olly Pike in Cinderella in Horsham
December 23, 2014 12:54 - 28 minutes - 13.4 MB2014 sees Leon Craig celebrate his 13th pantomime Dame and first Beauty and the Beast at Oxtord Playhouse. He speaks to Simon Sladen about breaking into the industry, his favourite pantomime titles and reveals some of his experiences from daming up and down the country. Keith Jack and Olly Pike star as Prince Charming and his valet Dandini in the Capitol Theatre, Horsham's pantomime Cinderella. One of panto's best-established double acts, the two roles are rarely thought of in such a way. ...
Re:Play Festival 2015 from Home Manchester
December 18, 2014 11:36 - 26 minutes - 12.4 MBHome Manchester will hold its ninth annual Re:Play Festival, which celebrates the best productions from the Manchester fringe scene from the previous year, in January 2015 at its temporary theatre space in an office block at Number One First Street. At the launch for Re:Play, we hear from Re:Play 2015 producer Rebecca Jenner and some of the contributors to the festival: co-writer of War Stories, Rob Johnston, writer and performer of An Evening of Filth and Despair, Jenny May Morgan, and wr...
Panto writer and director Simon Aylin
December 02, 2014 10:10 - 17 minutes - 7.97 MBSimon Aylin has ticked off almost every role both front and backstage in panto. Now best known as a writer and director, he speaks to Simon Sladen about the season ahead and his first time as a pantomime producer. Simon's pantomimes this year include Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Beck Theatre, Hayes featuring Linda Robson, Dick Whittington at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon with Nigel Havers, Aladdin at the White Rock Theatre, Hastings starring Louie Spence, as well as Peter Pan at th...
David Cromer on Our Town at the Almeida
November 24, 2014 10:50 - 21 minutes - 10.2 MBPhilip Fisher talks to American actor/director David Cromer about the striking new production of an American classic Our Town at the Almeida Theatre in London in which he stars. They also talk about his career and aspirations. Our Town runs at the Almeida Theatre in London from 10 October to 29 November 2014. For more information, see www.almeida.co.uk. Image credit: Marc Brenner.
Tim Webb of Oily Cart Theatre Company on There Was An Old Woman
November 09, 2014 13:53 - 39 minutes - 18.4 MBOily Cart Theatre Company was founded in 1981 to specialise in creating theatre for the under-5s, considered a challenging audience by most theatre groups. A few years later, it started to create theatre for children and young people with multiple and profound learning difficulties or on the autism spectrum, which is now a major strand of its work. Oily Cart co-founder Tim Webb talks about the company's philosophy and methods and also specifically about the company’s Christmas show, There ...
Michael Rudman on his life as a leading UK and US theatre director
October 31, 2014 16:31 - 26 minutes - 12.6 MBTheatre director Michael Rudman talks to BTG London Editor Philip Fisher about a long career in theatre, running the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, Hampstead Theatre in London and the Lyttelton at the National Theatre on the South Bank. He also discusses his productions of Death of a Salesman in the West End and on Broadway and his long association with Felicity Kendal. Michael Rudman's memoirs are published by Capercaillie Books as I Joke Too Much: The Theatre Directors Tale, and were ...
Mike Tweddle on the Best of BE Festival tour 2014
October 15, 2014 15:16 - 24 minutes - 11.5 MBBirmingham’s BE Festival of European arts will be touring the best of 2014’s event for the fourth year, taking three performances from Hungary, Austria and Belgium to venues throughout the UK and Madrid. In this episode, BTG's David Chadderton speaks to Mike Tweddle, who is one of the festival’s directors with Miguel Oyarzun and Isla Aguilar. The 2014 tour visits runs from 8 October to 8 November, visiting the Pit at the Barbican in London, The Door at Birmingham Rep, Bath Spa Live, Circ...
Pete Brooks of Imitating the Dog on Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms
October 06, 2014 11:13 - 31 minutes - 15 MBImitating the Dog, a company known for its integration of video and other technology into its theatre work, has managed to secure the rights for the first ever UK stage adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s 1929 novel A Farewell to Arms for a short tour of the UK and Italy. The novel has been adapted for the stage and is directed jointly by Imitating the Dog founder members Pete Brooks and Andrew Quick. In this episode, David Chadderton speaks to Pete Brooks a week before the show’s opening a...
Marcus Romer of Pilot Theatre on Antigone
September 18, 2014 15:32 - 26 minutes - 12.4 MBYork-based Pilot Theatre’s latest project is an adaptation by British playwright Roy Williams of the Greek classic play Antigone by Sophocles. In this episode, Pilot artistic director Marcus Romer, who is directing this production, talks about how the project came about, how they have approached this ancient Greek play, working with Roy Williams and about the work and philosophy of Pilot Theatre Company. Antigone from Pilot Theatre opens at Derby Theatre on 19 September 2014, then goes t...
Manchester Shakespeare: Maxine Peake's Hamlet at Royal Exchange and Home's Romeo and Juliet at Victoria Baths
September 10, 2014 10:00 - 1 hour - 30.3 MBThe hottest tickets for 2014’s autumn theatre season in Manchester are productions of Shakespeare from two of the region's leading theatre companies. The Royal Exchange Theatre production of Hamlet is directed by artistic director Sarah Frankcom starring popular stage and TV actress Maxine Peake in the title role. When we spoke to Sarah and Maxine with two and a half weeks to go before opening, this had already become one of the theatre’s most popular productions. Hamlet runs at the Roya...
Writer and performer Neil Gore on United We Stand from Townsend Productions
September 04, 2014 12:16 - 24 minutes - 11.5 MBTownsend Productions is touring a new play about a group of protesters in the 1972 builders’ strike who have become known as the Shrewsbury 24, one of whom is now well-known to TV viewers as actor Ricky Tomlinson. The 24 strikers were arrested and charged with conspiracy, and the campaign to have their convictions quashed is still ongoing 42 years later. In this episode, we speak to writer and co-performer Neil Gore. United We Stand by Neil Gore from Townsend Productions, directed by Lo...
Edinburgh 2014: producer Richard Jordan, Hannah Price of Theatre Uncut and Guy Masterson
August 25, 2014 16:15 - 1 hour - 32.4 MBProducer Richard Jordan and BTG's Philip Fisher discuss trends in Edinburgh and recommend shows that should not be missed, including The James Plays in the International Festival. Founder and Co-Artistic Director Hannah Price tells Philip Fisher about the phenomenon of Theatre Uncut, which sets out to address political issues through drama, its genesis and future. Actor, director and one of the most established and respected theatre producers on the Edinburgh Fringe Guy Masterson, now in...
Edinburgh 2014: Baby Wants Candy and James Grieve of Paines Plough
August 17, 2014 16:35 - 45 minutes - 21 MBDavid Chadderton talks to Zach Reino, Jessica McKenna and Nick Semar of American comedy group Baby Wants Candy, one of the longest-running companies to offer a brand new, fully-improvised musical at each show. The Completely Improvised Full Band Musical runs at Assembly Roxy until 25 August 2014, plus the same group's All Star Improv Explosion Show runs at Underbelly Bristo Square until the same date. For more information, see babywantscandy.com Also, Philip Fisher talks with James Gri...
Edinburgh 2014: Horse + Bamboo's Red Riding Hood and Blofeld and Baxter Memories of Test Match Special
August 09, 2014 11:57 - 36 minutes - 17.1 MBLancashire-based Horse + Bamboo, a company that has specialised in mask and puppet theatre since it was founded in 1978, brings its version of classic fairy tale Red Riding Hood to the Scottish Storytelling Centre for the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe. Performers Jonny Quick and Nix Wood talk to BTG editor David Chadderton about the production and their involvement with the company. The production runs at 1PM until 17 August 2014. For more information about this and the company, see www.horseand...
Director Conrad Nelson on She Stoops to Conquer for Northern Broadsides
August 03, 2014 13:39 - 25 minutes - 12.1 MBHalifax-based Northern Broadsides will soon tour a new production of Oliver Goldsmith’s 1773 comedy She Stoops to Conquer, directed by director, actor and composer Conrad Nelson, a regular member of the Broadsides production team. In this episode, Conrad talks about his production and about how it fits with the general philosophy of the company. She Stoops to Conquer will open on 29 August 2014 at the company’s own Viaduct Theatre in Halifax before touring to The Dukes in Lancaster, Rose...
Actors Shobna Gulati and Joe McGann on touring in John Godber's April in Paris
July 05, 2014 10:49 - 19 minutes - 9.42 MBActors Shobna Gulati and Joe McGann speak to BTG Midlands editor Steve Orme about touring in John Godber's two-hander April in Paris, directed by the author. Shobna Gulati is best known for playing Anita in Victoria Wood’s Dinnerladies and Sunita Alahan in Coronation Street from 2001 to 2006, a role to which she returned at the end of 2009 and departed again in 2013. Since then she has been a panellist on Loose Women. Joe McGann was Charlie Burrows, the “housekeeper”, in the hit TV come...
Louise Lowe and the cast of Angel Meadow from ANU Productions and HOME Manchester
June 08, 2014 12:00 - 42 minutes - 19.5 MBHOME Manchester, the new arts organisation formed from the merger between the Library Theatre Company and Cornerhouse Cinema, is filling the time before the opening of its new, purpose-built home in spring 2015 with a series of site-specific productions around the city. The first of these, Angel Meadow, is a collaboration with Dublin-based ANU Productions that looks at the Irish communities in Ancoats who settled there in the late nineteenth century. In this episode, some of the team fro...
Daniel Boys and Lauren Samuels on Love Story at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton
June 01, 2014 12:00 - 28 minutes - 13.3 MBThe Octagon Theatre in Bolton ends its year-long season with the first UK revival of the musical Love Story since it closed on the West End in 2010. Based on the novel by Erich Segal and the hit film, both from 1970, the show features a book by Stephen Clark and a score by Howard Goodall. The Octagon’s production is directed by Elizabeth Newman, the theatre’s associate director, with the principal couple both played by graduates of the BBC TV audition reality shows: Daniel Boys, who was ...
Mike Shepherd and Charles Hazlewood on Kneehigh's Dead Dog in a Suitcase
May 25, 2014 12:14 - 59 minutes - 27.7 MBKneehigh Theatre Company from Cornwall is currently working on a brand new adaptation of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera titled Dead Dog in a Suitcase, with a script by regular Kneehigh writer Carl Grose and music by Charles Hazlewood, directed by Kneehigh founder Mike Shepherd. Charles Hazlewood spoke to us from Sweden where he was conducting a concert of music from video games with the Malmö SymfoniOrkester. He talks about his involvement in the project from taking it to Mike Shepherd as a...
National Theatre on tour: War Horse, One Man Two Guvnors, Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
May 18, 2014 12:00 - 46 minutes - 21.7 MBBritain’s National Theatre is currently promoting tours of three of its most successful productions: War Horse, adapted from Michael Morpurgo’s First World War novel by Nick Stafford, Richard Bean’s One Man, Two Guvnors, an updated version of Carlo Goldoni’s The Servant of Two Masters set in 1960s Brighton, and an adaptation by Simon Stephens of Mark Haddon’s much-loved novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. The title character of War Horse is Joey, created on stage by th...
Annie Get Your Gun on tour: director Ian Talbot OBE and actor Norman Pace
May 11, 2014 11:45 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MBIrving Berlin’s classic Wild West musical Annie Get Your Gun, based on the true romance story of sharpshooters Annie Oakley and Frank Butler, is to be revived by Ambassadors Theatre Group starring Jason Donovan and Emma Williams in the two lead roles with Norman Pace as Buffalo Bill Cody. Like many of ATG’s own productions, it will open at one of the company’s own Manchester theatres as part of its “Manchester Gets It First” scheme, with previews at the Opera House from 16 May 2014. Dire...
Mark Babych on A Taste of Honey at Hull Truck Theatre
March 25, 2014 12:00 - 33 minutes - 15.7 MBMark Babych, who was artistic director of the Octagon Theatre in Bolton for ten years up to 2009, was appointed artistic director of Hull Truck Theatre in 2013. His debut production as director is a revival of Shelagh Delaney’s A Taste of Honey, which will run at Hull Truck from 27 March 2014 starring Shameless and Waterloo Road actress Rebecca Ryan as Jo before embarking on a national tour. In this episode, Mark speaks about why he chose this play, bringing one of Salford's best-known p...
Manchester Theatre Awards ceremony 2014
March 21, 2014 16:09 - 1 hour - 29.2 MBHighlights of the 2014 Manchester Theatre Awards at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester on 7 March 2014 hosted by Justin Moorhouse, celebrating the best theatre seen in Manchester throughout 2013. Speakers, presenters and award winners who can be heard on the podcast include: Kevin Bourke, Sue Jenkins, David Crellin, Andrew Wright, Kathryn Davies, Richard Mantle, Ray Fearon, Julian Glover, Lisa Maxwell, Catherine Kinsella, Paula Wilcox, Christine Cort, Christopher Villiers, Isla Blair...
Ellie Nunn on Bombshells
February 23, 2014 16:04 - 13 minutes - 6.52 MBEllie Nunn, daughter of director Sir Trevor Nunn and actress Imogen Stubbs, talks to BTG reviewer Belle Lupton about her one-woman show Bombshells. Ellie talks about playing six different roles in this comedy by Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith which she performed at Jermyn Street Theatre in London in January 2014. She also explains about not going to drama school and about growing up with parents famous for their theatre work—plus how she reacts if they offer her advice.
Jersey Boys: cast and production team on first ever UK tour
February 16, 2014 16:56 - 39 minutes - 18.5 MBJersey Boys is a smash hit musical based on the songs and the life story of pop band Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons which started life at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, California in 2004, moved to Broadway the following year and has since opened all over the world, winning best musical awards at the Tonys in 2006 and the Olivier Awards in 2008. Producer David Ian talks about bringing the show to the UK after seeing the last preview on Broadway. West End cast members David McGr...
Anya Reiss on the Library Theatre revival of her adaptation of Chekhov's The Seagull
January 30, 2014 12:42 - 24 minutes - 11.3 MBPlaywright Anya Reiss, whose first play was produced by London's Royal Court Theatre less than four years ago, talks about her adaptation of Chekhov's The Seagull, written for Southwark Playhouse and currently being revived by Manchester's Library Theatre Company. Anya talks about her original works—Spur of the Moment and The Acid Test at the Royal Court, Forty-Five Minutes for National Theatre Connections and a monologue for the Bush Theatre's Sixty-Six Books—plus her adaptations, with ne...
Deborah McAndrew on An August Bank Holiday Lark with Northern Broadsides
January 26, 2014 17:06 - 29 minutes - 13.7 MBActor and writer Deborah McAndrew, who played Angie Freeman in Coronation Street in the 1990s, talks about her latest play, An August Bank Holiday Lark, commissioned by Barrie Rutter of Northern Broadsides Theatre Company to commemorate the centenary of the start of the First World War. Deborah talks about her research and writing process for this play, her 20-year association with Northern Broadsides as an actor and writer and, the week after Julie Hesmondhalgh made a high-profile exit fr...
New York: Bryce Pinkham on The Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder and Eric Tucker and Andrus Nichols on Bedlam Theatre
January 09, 2014 10:50 - 37 minutes - 17.3 MBLondon editor Philip Fisher speaks to some of the stars of Broadway and off-Broadway on his annual trip to New York's theatreland. Bryce Pinkham stars in the hit Broadway show The Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. This is a musical based on the same story as the classic Ealing comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets. He talks about his road to stardom and also the pleasure of working in a Broadway success story. Eric Tucker and Andrus Nichols are the artistic directors behind Bedlam’s four-...
Walter Meierjohann and Dave Moutrey on creation of new Home Manchester arts centre
December 23, 2013 17:46 - 30 minutes - 14.2 MBHome Manchester is a new purpose-built arts centre that will bring together Manchester’s Cornerhouse cinema and Library Theatre Company into one organisation with shared facilities, due to open in spring 2015. BTG editor David Chadderton speaks to Walter Meierjohann, who takes over from Library Theatre Company artistic director Chris Honer, and chief executive Dave Moutrey about the new building. For more information about Home, see the official web site homemcr.org.
Panto: Nottingham Playhouse's Jack and the Beanstalk and Birmingham Hippodrome's Snow White
December 17, 2013 15:56 - 33 minutes - 15.8 MBThe Nottingham Playhouse and Birmingham Hippodrome are two of the UK's leading pantomime powerhouses. Simon Sladen speaks to Rebecca Little of the Nottingham Playhouse's Jack and the Beanstalk and Danielle Hope, Gary Wilmot and Matt Slack of Birmingham Hippodrome's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs about their pantomime careers and this year's festive productions. Nottingham Playhouse's Jack and the Beanstalk runs from 29 November 2013 to 18 January 2014. Birmingham Hippodrome's Snow White...
Kat B and Matt Dempsey on Hackney Empire Puss in Boots and Phil Gallagher on Marlowe Canterbury Jack and the Beanstalk
December 11, 2013 06:00 - 43 minutes - 20 MBKat B and Matt Dempsey have appeared in many Hackney Empire pantomimes. The two performers speak to Simon Sladen about the pantomime rehearsal process, their love for the Hackney Empire and their roles as Puss and Tom in this year's production of Puss in Boots. Having returned to the UK after filming Mister Maker Around the World for CBeebies, Phil Gallagher speaks to Simon Sladen about his pantomime career, his love of Kent and his role as Billy Trot in this year's Marlowe Theatre, Cante...
Anna Jordan announced as winner of Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting 2013
December 04, 2013 13:46 - 26 minutes - 12.5 MBThe winners of the £16,000 first prize and three judges prizes of £8,000 in the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting were announced at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester on 22 November 2013. We present some highlights of the ceremony itself, followed by a chat with winning playwright Anna Jordan and three members of the judging panel: broadcaster Dame Jenni Murray, Bruntwood chairman Michael Oglesby and Royal Exchange artistic director Sarah Frankcom.
Nick Hern on 25 years as a specialist theatre book publisher
December 02, 2013 11:53 - 20 minutes - 9.76 MBTo celebrate the 25th anniversary of his publishing house, Nick Hern talks to Philip Fisher about a career in theatre and his work with some of the greatest names in the business. For more information about Nick Hern Books, see www.nickhernbooks.co.uk.
Martin Barrass on playing the fool in the York Theatre Royal panto for 28 years
November 27, 2013 09:00 - 31 minutes - 14.4 MBActor Martin Barrass on playing the fool in his 28th panto at York Theatre Royal, the art and the craft of slapstick, having the part of Alfie written for him by Richard Bean in One Man, Two Guvnors and his home town of Hull becoming City of Culture. Martin will appear in Aladdin and the Twankeys by Berwick Kaler at York Theatre Royal from 12 December 2013 to 1 February 2014. See www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk for details.
Paul Holman and Lee Waddingham of pantomime producers Paul Holman Associates
November 24, 2013 20:54 - 21 minutes - 10.1 MBPaul Holman Associates has produced over 200 pantomimes since 1995. Simon Sladen speaks to Paul Holman (founder, company chairman and Managing Director) and Lee Waddingham (Artistic Director / Associate Producer) about their pantomime careers, producing pantomimes and Paul Holman Associates' 2013 season, which sees the company produce thirteen pantomimes and one Christmas musical in venues across the UK.
Tom Morton-Smith and Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder on In Doggerland from Box of Tricks
November 01, 2013 15:59 - 37 minutes - 17.5 MBPlaywright Tom Morton-Smith and director Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder on In Doggerland, the first national tour from new writing company Box of Tricks Theatre Company. The play will tour to: 7-9 November: The Lowry Studio, Salford 10-11 November: New Diorama, London 14 November: Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven 15 November: Derby Theatre Studio 19 November: Mill at the Pier, Wigan 20 November: York Theatre Royal Studio 21 November: The Continental, Preston 22-23 November: Lantern Theat...
Stuart Rogers and Roxana Silbert on reopening of refurbished Birmingham REP
September 10, 2013 10:24 - 22 minutes - 10.3 MBAfter two and a half years, the newly-refurbished Birmingham REP has reopened with an additional third auditorium. REP executive director Stuart Rogers takes us on a tour of the new building and artistic director Roxana Silbert explains what it is like to have three separate spaces to programme.
Edinburgh 2013: Philip Zeigler on Laurence Olivier, director Michael Bogdanov, Fringe veteran Pip Utton
August 26, 2013 14:23 - 1 hour - 28.4 MBAt the Edinburgh International Book Festival, author Philip Zeigler talks about his new biography of Laurence Olivier, based largely on 50 hours of taped interviews with the great actor, and theatre director Michael Bogdanov gives us his views on directing and Shakespeare as his books on directing and directing Shakespeare are published. Over at the Assembly Rooms, actor and writer Pip Utton, celebrating his 20th year on the Fringe, talks about the two pieces he has revived in Edinburgh fo...
Edfringe 2013: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Orla O'Loughlin and Howard Read
August 17, 2013 11:05 - 51 minutes - 23.7 MBPhoebe Waller-Bridge talks to Philip Fisher about her solo show Fleabag at Underbelly as well writing, performing in the West End and elsewhere and the Edinburgh experience. The Traverse's Artistic Director Orla O'Loughlin takes a break from rehearsals to discuss with Philip Fisher the theatre's work and what the Festival Fringe means to her. Animator and stand-up comedian Howard Read talks to David Chadderton about his two shows in this year's Fringe: for families his most successful an...
Edinburgh Fringe preview: Theatre of Widdershins, Puppet State Theatre, Les Enfants Terribles and Phil Nichol
August 02, 2013 16:13 - 52 minutes - 24 MBOn the day of the official start of the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe (Friday 2 August), we bring you our first Edinburgh podcast with interviews with the creators of some events we will be reviewing: Andy Lawrence of Theatre of Widdershins on Rumpelstilskin and the Wheel of Fortune Richard Medrington and Rick Conte of Puppet State Theatre on The Man Who Planted Trees Oliver Lansley of Les Enfants Terribles on The Trench plus Les Petits Theatre Company's Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs ...
Co-founder Simon Willis and presenters Alex Gaumond and Louise Dearman on Stage Door Internet radio station for musical theatre
July 26, 2013 16:32 - 53 minutes - 24.7 MBCo-founder Simon Willis, head of content for Wise Buddah, talks about the proposed new Internet radio station dedicated to musical theatre called Stage Door and about the crowd-funding campaign, currently running on Indiegogo, to raise the funds to launch it. The presenters on Stage Door will all be current stars of musical theatre, and two of them spoke to us about their involvement. Canadian actor Alex Gaumond is probably still best-known for playing Galileo in We Will Rock You but is ...
Founder David Slack and some of this year's writers on Manchester's 24:7 Theatre Festival
July 12, 2013 07:29 - 45 minutes - 21.1 MBIn July 2013, Manchester's 24:7 Theatre Festival, dedicated to producing brand new one-hour plays in venues around the city, will celebrate the tenth of its annual events. Actor David Slack, who co-founded the festival in 2004 and is still its producer, reflects on ten years of putting new writing on stage and talks about new developments for this year's event. Following this, five of the writers from this year's festival talk about their plays at the media launch in June 2013 at Manches...
MIF: Alexander Vlahos on Macbeth and Hadley Fraser on The Machine
July 05, 2013 17:04 - 34 minutes - 16.1 MBAt the Manchester International Festival, Alexander Vlahos talks about playing Malcolm in Macbeth, a production that sees Kenneth Branagh return to the stage in the title role opposite Alex Kingston as Lady Macbeth, directed by Rob Ashford and performed in a deconsecrated church at a secret location in Manchester. Also, Hadley Fraser talks about playing chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov in The Machine by Matt Charman directed by Donmar Warehouse artistic director Josie Rourke who, despite b...
Seth Numrich on Sweet Bird of Youth at the Old Vic
July 02, 2013 07:16 - 18 minutes - 8.69 MBPhilip Fisher talks to actor Seth Numrich, currently playing Chance Wayne opposite Kim Cattrall as Alexandra del Lago in Sweet Bird of Youth by Tennessee Williams at the Old Vic in London following Broadway success in Golden Boy and War Horse.
Sarah Greene on The Cripple of Inishmaan at the Noël Coward Theatre
June 28, 2013 08:00 - 19 minutes - 9.1 MBBTG London editor Philip Fisher chats with actress Sarah Greene, currently playing a romantic lead opposite Daniel Radcliffe in Martin McDonagh's The Cripple of Inishmaan at the Noel Coward Theatre. See Philip's review of this production.