Curtain Call Theatre Podcast

Today, we have both a returning guest and a returning show…although not what you'd expect. Listeners of this podcast will remember Jonathan Andrew Hume from the original London Cast of the Olivier Award winning best musical “Come From Away” as one of the Kevins. He was brilliant in that show…and when I was offered a chance to speak to the incoming cast for the revival of Guys and Dolls at The Bridge Theatre right near Tower Bridge in London…I jumped at the chance and asked if I could speak to Jonathan. He's just one of the loveliest guys in the business…pun intended. Guys and Dolls Official Website (and Tickets) Jonathan Andrew Home on Insta Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is PART ONE of a TWO-PARTER. Listen to The Wrong Cat Died via the links below for the companion episode to this episode. Mike Abrams is the creator and host of the theatre podcast “The Wrong Cat Died'. Originally conceived as a 10-part mini series, he's now over 150 episodes in and going strong. We've decided to have each other on…well…each other's podcasts. It's something neither of us have done, but thought it would be great to share audiences as we know our listeners, if not already listening to the other's podcast, will totally get them and love them. The Wrong Cat Died is an original podcast on the Broadway Podcast Network...where Mike and I met in 2020 during lockdown. The podcast posits that in the musical Cats, Grizabella, the cast chosen to go to the Heaviside Lair , was actually the wrong choice. Only one cat gets chosen. The cat that is deemed most worthy by Old Deuteronomy. Mike's theory is that Griz wasn't the worthiest cat, and 150 episodes and thousand stories told by original cast members from dozens and dozens of productions from around the globe…it's clear that the answer to the question “was Grizablla the correct choice?” is still unclear. The Wrong Cat Died Official Website Broadway Podcast Network Website Listen on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is an attempt to answer the age old theatre questions; “Is it possible to remove expectations and worry over results and create theater that is pure execution? Is there a way to insure that every artist works only from their instinct in creating a play?” Hmm… So what if an evening was created by randomly pairing artists and have them create new plays under a nearly impossible timeline. Would it remove the luxury of thinking and engage their every artistic instinct necessary to pull off creating a show that didn't exist before 9am that morning? This episode, I speak to Markus Flannagan, creator and producer of Same Day Plays, making their inaugural appearance at The Questors Theatre in Ealing, London. Same Day Plays Official Website The Questors Theatre Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, i chat to Olivier Award nominee Anoushka Lucas - actree, playwright, singer, songwriter, composer...I mean, she's defining multi-hyphenate We first had Anoushka on the podcast in 2016 when she starred in Jesus Christ Superstar at Regents Park Open Air Theatre - a critically acclaimed production which I saw twice, as once wasn't enough. And she's about to be heard again in Part II of a musical that started life in lockdown: U.Me U.Me: The Complete Musical tells the story of Rose and Ryo, two young strangers who meet online and fall in love during the pandemic, resulting in Ryo flying across the world from Japan to London for Rose. In Part Two, we meet Rose and Ryo again – the relationship takes an unexpected turn and Rose has to take on the deepest challenge of her life.  U. Me: The Complete Musical Official Page The Crucible Official Page Anoushka Lucas Official Website @johnschwab on all the socials Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To kick off 2024, and what seems like a year of non-stop elections…USA Presidential elections, General Election here in the UK as well as a Russian Election (if you can actually call it that)...less of that, the better, I watched 1979 at the Finborough Theatre. A scathing satire of the Canadian political landscape, and a snapshot of the 6 month reign of the infuriatingly righteous Prime Minister Joe Clark - who, in an effort to not anger anyone, actually ends up angering everyone! We sit down with producer Sarah Lawrie and actors Samantha Coughlan, Joseph May and Ian Porter on stage at West London's Finborough Theatre. The show runs until the 27th of January 1979 Tickets - Official Website 1979 on Insta 1979 on X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we bring you another dose of cheer in the form of our annual Christmas podcast. In the past, I have asked some of my theatrical friends to read out a classic Christmas story, with past readers such as West End stalwart Siobhan Harrison and The Walking Dead star Eleanor Matsura. This year, we have a special treat.   On the 1st of December, my family was asked to put together a series of readings as part of a Christmas Carol concert for a charity close to our hearts, Allergy UK. It took place in Christ Church Petts Wood, southeast London and it was a great way to kick off the festive season. I thought it would be a great idea to get some of my friends to read parodies of the Clement Clarke Moore poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (A Visit from Saint Nicholas)”. The three actors I asked (Ed Stoppard, David Bedella & Myanna Buring) said “yes” straight away, and I couldn't be more pleased. To end the episode, we have Jack Schwab (I know...nepobaby!) singing his Christmas single (co-written with me) "Winter Blue"...available to listen to on all good music streaming platforms. Have a wonderful holiday season and a blessed 2024 Allergy UK Christmas Carol Concert Video Winter Blue on Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I'm chatting with a dear friend of mine Lourdes Faberes. You may have seen Lourdes in Sandman or The Power or No Time to Die or Good Omens or…I could go on!!!! She's an incredible actor. Lourdes is currently appearing in untitled f**k m*ss s**gon play at The Young Vic in London. Kimber Lee's hard-hitting, but hilarious play is running now until the 4th of November. The play had its initial run at the Manchester International Festival earlier this year and has garnered great notices since opening last month. It's a play that deals with generational trauma and enforced stereotypes amongst Asian cultures in popular entertainment - from Pucini to Boublil and Schoenberg.   Lourdes Twitter (X) Profile Lourdes Insta Profile www.youngvic.org  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, I sat down with Sharlene Hector, who plays Thought 1. But you may recognize the voice as Sharlene is the lead vocalist for the band Basement Jaxx and appeared in the West End production of Hairspray.. But Sharlene can also be heard providing backing vocals for artists such as Alicia Keys, Primal Scream, Josh Groban and many, many more.  We were joined by Tendai Humphrey Sitima (Thought 4) who is also a musician in his own right and could previously be seen in the West End Smash “The Play That Goes Wrong” Official Website / Tickets Broadway Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I am talking to a photographer who really is changing the game when it comes to headshots and self-tapes.  When I came across Charlie Frances and his AKTA photography, that is A-K-T-A and their model of a “pay what you can” for those who see a professional headshot as a barrier to entry, I had to do some research. And if their website aktaphotography.com is anything to go by, Charlie and his team are only going to go from strength to strength. Akta Photography Website The Reel Voice Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a new show in town, but born a few years ago… pretty much like the main character in this astonishing musical. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is currently playing at the Southwark Playhouse: Elephant (not to be confused with the Southwark Playhouse Borough) . First appearing in London in 2019 at its sister theatre, Jethro Compton and Darren Clark's musical is a fresh take on an old tale by F Scott Fitzgerald. From the get go, the music and acting, not to mention direction, design, stage management and sound mixing are just off-the-charts good. I just had to sit down and chat with the two central characters…I cannot call them leads, as this is truly and ensemble piece. Jamie Parker and Molly Osborne who play the titular character and the love of his life, Elowen Keene are an absolute delight on stage and  in person. Official Show Page Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cedering Fox is an internationally accomplished voice over artist. However, her most incredible achievement is Founding Word Theatre way back in 2003. Along with Kirsty Peart here in the UK, Word Theatre and Cedering have been casting top film, TV and theatre actors in readings of works by the world's finest contemporary authors. Theatre talents such as Olivia Williams, Damien Lewis, Elizabeth McGovern, Rae Dawn Chong, Rashan Stone, Gemma Chan, Maureen Lipman, Zachary Quinto, Danny Sapani and a hundred more! Word Theatre Website: https://wordtheatre.org/ Insta: @wordtheatre Twitter @wordtheatre John Schwab Twitter and Insta: @johnschwab Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, I'm chatting with cast and some of the creative team behind the world premiere of Eric Henry Sanders' play Maybe Probably - a play about two couples as they navigate the hilarious waters of preparing to have a baby, or recently having one. We're all either the product of this or have gone through it ourselves. Sanders isn't new to London and UK theatre, with his work being seen in London and the Edinburgh Fringe. He's also worked with Maybe, Probably's director Lydia Parker. AND…it turns out that one of the cast members was coincidentally in Sander's first play. I sat down with Sanders and Parker, as well as cast members Christy Meyer, Maria Teresa Creasey, and Lance Fuller. They spoke of the joys of returning to the theatre, especially in a comedy and the process of discovering just what they could bring to the production for their personal experiences. For Tickets and Info, click here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cottage is a gripping comic drama that has so many themes bubbling underneath the facade of two men meeting up in a public toilet. It goes beyond a queer story and commands the audience's attention and asks questions of the viewer's thoughts into human relationships and their deeply complicated makeup - no matter what sexual preference one might have. Cottage's playwight, Ben Willows, sat down with me, in separate rooms becuase he's already in Edinburgh performing in a show, to talk about where the idea came for the play and it's journey so far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earlier in the year, i was honoured to be asked to judge the 2022 Durham Drama Festival at Durham University in the UK. It was an incredible 3 days of workshops, talks, networking events…but most importantly new theatre written, directed and performed by the incredible talent pool of students at Durham Uni. One of the stand out plays was Em Oliver's “Beautiful Nothing”. A one-woman show bringing into sharp focus how evil the internet can be towards women and the pitfalls that lie therein. It was a great piece of theatre and I wasn't at all surprised to hear that it was going to the Fringe Festival this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Director Ben Mole has put together an incredible ensemble cast for his latest project, "Code of Silence" - a feature film surrounding the events that led to the arrest and incarceration of the legendary London gangland bosses, the Kray Twins, Imagine my shock at hearing good friend, the American actor Ronan Summers, was the next to follow in some pretty big footsteps in taking on the role of BOTH…yes, BOTH, of the Kray Twins in the film. Appearing in this episode Ronan Summers, Actor. Ben Mole, Director John Schwab, Host. Krays: Code of Silence is on DVD and digital from 27th December (101 Films)  (Digital includes. iTunes, Amazon, Sky Store and Virgin) Curtain Call Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

in our Pioneer series, we're going to be highlighting the companies that are getting the live events industries back to business and who've been supporting the freelancers and professionals that found themselves unable to make a living in the sector due to the pandemic. Andrew Bishop - of BishopSound - is a fascinating first guest in our Pioneer Series. I do mention in this episode that I could have spoken with him for at least another hour or two. He has amazing stories that only scratch the surface of his experience in the live events sector. BishopSound Website Curtain Call Website WeMakeEvents Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Parker is a musical director, composer, conductor...you name it, if it has anything to do with music or musicals, Alex is all over it..and now he has his own orchestra, to boot! Alex is the musical director on a massive concert presentation of Andrew Lloyd Weber's musical Sunset Boulevard in the iconic Royal Albert Hall. Sunset Boulevard is perhaps on of ALW's most beloved scores, and in my opinion the most complete musical in his canon. And this concert version promises to be a BLAST with Mazz Murray as Norma Desmond, Ramin Karimloo playing Joe Gillis. And a musical wouldn't be complete without a Strallen sister, so Zizi steps in to play Betty Shaefer. AND, get this, with a 40...that is right, 40-piece orchestra. Luminaire Orchestra Website Curtain Call Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Norlen is a New York-based artist and performer, most recently on stage in the national touring company of Broadway's Kinky Boots. During lockdown, when Andrew was at a loss as to what his performing career was going to look like when things opened up, if indeed they were ever going to open up, and when he'd ever get back to see the people he loved and worked with...he felt he needed to do something to both get creative, express himself and serve as a catharsis to acknowledge and work through the feelings he and his fellow professionals were experiencing. His book When The Lights Are Bright Again started as a little seed of an idea and grew into a book with stunning photography from Broadway photographer Matthew Murphy and over 200 contributions from theatre veterans, theatregoers, theatre dreamers, ushers, designers, creatives...they're all in there. When The Lights Are Bright Again Website Curtain Call Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In July 2012, a gunman opened fire on a cinema audience that had just sat down to watch a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora Colorado killing 12. Writer/Director Kate Barton, actors Hannah Schunk-Hockings, David Austin Barnes as well as original designer Matthew Jennings take us through the journey of the verbatim play Screen 9 so far, and how they're looking forward to their run at The Pleasance Theatre in London. Official Site for Screen 9 at The Pleasance Curtain Call Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Come From Away team didn't want to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the events of September 11th 2001, without sitting down with the current West End company and really drilling down into their personal experiences of that day.  Come From Away tells the story of how the inhabitants of a small, rural community on a Canadian Island came to be involved in a musical that transformed one of the most tragic days in human history into one of the biggest shows in modern times. In this episode you'll meet cast members: Alice Fearn Kate Graham Jonathan Andrew Hume. Gemma Knight Jones Harry Morrison Sam Oladeinde Come From Away Official Site Broadway Podcast Network Official Site Curtain Call Official Site T: @curtaincall I: @curtaincall F: CurtainCall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Welcome to the Rock!” is a behind the curtain peek of the multi-award winning musical Come From Away - and what it takes to get a show from a seed of an idea all the way to a Broadway hit and beyond. In this episode, meet the real inhabitants of Gander, Newfoundland and the Come From Away's that you see on stage in the musical, including Captain Beverley Bass, Sheriff Oz Fudge and many more.  The voices you will hear in this episode:   Oz Fudge - Former Sheriff of Gander David Hein and Irene Sankoff - Book, Music & Lyrics Claude Elliot - Gander Mayor Diane Davis - Teacher at Gander Academy Beverley Bass - American Airlines Pilot Kevin T & Kevin J - Passengers / Come From Away's Beulah Cooper - Royal Canadian Legion (Gander) Derm Flynn - Mayor of Appleton Nick and Diane - The Lovebirds / Come From Away's Brian Mosher - Gander Reporter    Presented on behalf of Curtain Call by John Schwab   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Welcome to the Rock!” is a behind the curtain look at the musical hit Come From Away. Listen to the incredible real-life story of the passengers from all over the world that were grounded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland in the wake of the events of 9/11. In the first episode, the creative team behind Come From Away discuss their personal experiences on the journey of the musical. In this episode, the creative team behind Come From Away discuss their personal experiences on the journey of the musical. Among other places, the interview took place at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End the afternoon before the Olivier Awards.   The voices you will hear in this episode are:   David Hein and Irene Sankoff - Book, Music & Lyrics Christopher Ashley - Director Ian Eisendrath - Musical Supervisor Kelly Devine - Musical Staging Claude Elliot - Former Gander Mayor Rachel Tucker - Beverley / Annette and others (West End Cast) David Shannon - Kevin T / Garth and others (West End Cast) Harry Morrison - Oz and others (West End Cast) Jenna Boyd - Beulah and others (West End Cast) Helen Hobson - Diane and others (West End Cast) Clive Carter - Claude and others (West End Cast) Nathanael Campbell - Bob and others (West End Cast) Jonathan Andrew Hume - Kevin J / Ali and others (West End Cast) Emma Salvo - Janice and others (West End Cast) Mary Doherty - (West End Cast) Gareth Owen - Sound Designer Joseph Smith - Producer Sue Frost - Producer     CURTAIN UP: 00:00 - 02:10 - Intro 02:15 - 04:40 - The Origin Story 04:45 - 10:00 - Colleges, Workshops & Festivals 10:05 - 17:30 - The Creative Team Comes Together 17:45 - 18:30 - Gander Concert 18:35 - 19:40 - Landing on Broadway 19:45 - 20:45 - NYC Reviews 20:45 - 22:30 - Canadian Embassy, London 22:35 - 25:30 - The Dublin Reaction 25:45 - 26:25 - London Reviews 26:30 - 29:00 - Olivier Awards 29:00 - 29:25 - Wrap up CURTAIN DOWN   LINKS   Come From Away Tickets https://comefromaway.com/tickets.php?content=tixbroadway   Broadway Show Page https://comefromaway.com/   London Show Page https://comefromawaylondon.co.uk/   Toronto Show Page https://www.mirvish.com/shows/come-from-away   Australia Show Page https://comefromaway.com.au/   Shanghai Show Page https://m.juooo.com/ticket/107774     All music and sound rights are reserved. You must not reproduce or use any element of this podcast without explicit written permission of both Junkyard Dog Productions and Curtain Call Ltd.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listeners to Broadway Radio's “Today on Broadway” will recognise Grace, as she has recently joined the line up alongside Matt Tamanini and Ashley Stevens. Grace Aki is an actress, stand up comedienne and podcaster in her own right - you can find her podcast “Tell Me on a Sunday” on all good streaming platforms. Grace Aki is a powerhouse. The energy she brings to every episode of Today on Broadway is palpable, and when I heard that Grace was performing her one woman show “To Free a Mockingbird”, I wanted to reach out to dig a little deeper on how she arrived at this point in her career. She ATL Arts Facebook Page Grace Aki Official Website Tickets for "To Free a Mockingbird" Curtain Call Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's guests are Bristol's The Wardrobe Ensemble - a group of young theatre makers who met whilst studying drama. They create new pieces that explore modern themes through intimate storytelling, with the Wardrobe Ensembles' nine core members garnering praise up and down the country for their innovative productions. With their shows cut short because of the COVID pandemic, this group of young enthusiastic creatives decided to put on not only a show, but a whole festival of shows...Theatre on the Downs...and announce a £10,000 commission to devise a new piece for the company. Don't forget to get sign up for a free profile on Curtain Call if you are theatre, live events or entertainment professional and curtaincallonline.com Guests: Helena Middleton & James Newton Host: John Schwab Curtain Call Website - build your profile here. The Wardrobe Ensemble Broadway Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2021 had felt like a beacon of hope, and the new year promised the restart we were all waiting for. But as the year ticked over, shows programmed for the new year, for Spring for Summer even well into the future that started to feel uncertain, then impossible, and inevitably, they were cancelled too. According to current government guidelines, supposedly, theatres will be able to reopen in a few weeks time. But the closer we get to reopening, how likely is it that we will get what our theatrical ancestors were longing for: Restoration.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the attempt to resurrect live theatre while navigating constantly shifting terrain, how far can hope get you? How do you make theatre when the world keeps changing, when time keeps collapsing, when the earth beneath your feet keeps sinking into bog? And how do you communicate with a government who seems to be operating on a different frequency somewhere in a separate universe?  In order of appearance: Kwame Kwei-Armah (Director) Adele Thomas (Director, Presenter) Sunita Hinduja (Stage Manager) Jessica Hung Han Yun (Lighting Designer) Roy Williams (Writer) Clint Dyer (Director) Produced by Curtain Call Presented by Adele Thomas   Written by Adele Thomas and Freddie Crossley Sound engineered by John Schwab  Music by Freddie Crossley Support for this episode and original concept for the Freelancers Make podcast from Sally Beck Wippman Special thanks for this episode goes out to Athena Stevens and Alistair Cope Transcription by Kelsie Acton. Freelancers Make Theatre Work is a community for the 200,000 self-employed theatre makers in the UK - it is currently run by a team of incredible volunteers from around the industry. Follow us @freelancersmaketheatrework   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While we wait for Episode 3 to drop (20th April 2021), we'd like to know if you were taking part in a "Ghost Show" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enjoy your Easter Holiday. Stay safe. Be kind. Listen next week for details on how you can get involved in a very special episode of Ghost Shows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ghost Shows follows the shows that were conceived, programmed and even rehearsed in 2020 but were closed down before they’d even opened.  This is not a historical document - this is an emotional record of the first few months of lockdown. This is our untold story.  If you haven’t listened to the first episode, we'd really encourage you to do so. In Episode 1, we chronicled the lead up to the mass closures of theatres in March last year, and some of the individual shows that never made it to the stage. In this episode, we look at what happened next: the emotional and creative chasm that comes from finding yourself adrift in a wilderness.  Cast (in order of appearance): Lauren Grace - Actor Adele Thomas - Director (Narrator) Sharon D Clarke - Actor Maria Aberg - Director Ruby May Martinwood - Actor Atri Banerjee - Director Emma Baggott - Director Jessica Hung Han Yun - Lighting Designer Sunita Hinduja - Company Stage Manager Rona Munro - Writer Gemma Smith - Company Stage Manager Rona Munro - Writer Freelancers Make Theatre Work website CurtainCall Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A year on from theatres closing their doors, ‘Ghost Shows’ asks what happened to the shows that were created, rehearsed and tech'ed but never lived in front of audiences? Presented by freelance opera director, Adele Thomas, the series features interviews with freelance performers, stage technicians, creatives and production staff from a variety of productions across the UK. From ‘the announcement’, through the confusion of government updates, in and out of lockdown, ‘Ghost Shows’ explores the unheard voices and impact of the pandemic on the day to day jobs and livelihoods of the freelance workforce.  Cast (in order of appearance): Sunita Hinduja - Company Stage Manager Adele Thomas - Director (Narrator) Maria Aberg - Director Lauren Grace - Actor Rona Munro - Writer Jessica Hung Han Yun - Lighting Designer Ruby May Martinwood - Actor Atri Banerjee - Director Emma Baggott - Director Gemma Smith - Company Stage Manager Freelancers Make Theatre Work website CurtainCall Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sally Beck Wippman, an American Director, had just moved back to the UK a few months before the pandemic sent the country into lockdown.  Far from family, and without an established place in the UK theatre community, she found solace in Freelancers Make Theatre Work - and the Migrants in Theatre movement. In this episode, Sally takes us into an empty Tobacco Factory Theatres in Bristol, England to reminisce on past productions and dreaming of future ones... She is joined by actor Joe Tweedale. Freelancers Make Theatre Work Website Curtain Call Website Episode Narrated by Leo Wan "Getting Better Every Day" arranged by Tom Johnson Episode Music Composed by Freddie Crossley Edited by John Schwab Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Lighting Designer Prema Mehta returns to Storyhouse during the pandemic to reflect on previous experiences there, and also to show what a theatre freelancer feels like when they are no longer able to go into work with theatres shut. Prema has designed the lighting for over 200 productions, and works across the UK. Recent work includes productions at The Royal Court, Sheffield Theatres, Shakespeare’s Globe, Storyhouse, and The Young Vic. She has also designed for Madame Tussauds, The O2 Arena and Westminster Hall. She founded Stage Sight to widen the theatre workforce in offstage roles, and encourage those who are under represented backstage, so that our industry more accurately reflects our society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We thought we’d bring you a little bit of cheer in the form of our annual Christmas podcast. This year we turn our ears towards the creator of the world of The Wizard of Oz which, of course, begat the megahit musical “Wicked”.  In this slightly different Christmas tale by L Frank Baum, Santa encounters an unfortunate series of events that may or may not prevent him from delivering his presents.   Baum’s short story “A Kidnapped Santa” has it all.  Santa. Elves. Pixies. Knooks and Rils (don’t worry...if you don’t know, you will get to know) and Daemons....not just one of them. And to bring us this fantastical and fantastic story is none other than The Walking Dead and Wonder Woman actress Eleanor Matsuura.  So pour yourself a mug of eggnog, hot apple cider, mulled wine or just a simple good old cup of tea and let Eleanor whisk you away to the Laughing Valley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paule is an Olivier and Tony award-winning freelance lighting designer. She is an associate director of the National Theatre and of Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures.  She has worked on shows like Ocean at the End of the Lane, Angels in America, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Les Mis, Warhorse and Follies.  Her designs have transported audiences and characters to heaven, deep into the ocean, through the inner workings of a child's mind, through wars, and into dreams.  She is a passionate believer in collaboration - both onstage and off.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A little bite-size morsel of what's to come from the Freelancers Make Theatre team. A fantastic insight into the world of theatre in lockdown and it's anticipated return. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No Pressure is all about artists, freelancers, creatives and creators like George MacKay - the people that make things happen, who are up against it every day, and work tirelessly behind the scenes (and as in George’s case) in front of the camera too.  This podcast was recorded at the tail end of the first UK lockdown in the summer of 2020, just before George was due to start filming a new project, "Wolf". He's one of the busiest actors around. so getting some sit-down time with him was a real win. George understands productions. He understands the huge collaborative effort that goes into a film, or a stage play. He’s grown up around productions, with parents who worked in the business, and he himself has been filming from a young age. Working with Sam Mendes, advice for young actors, work/life balance and playing in a punk band are just a few of the topics covered.  Curtain Call Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We catch up with Proper Production's Mark Ward and Loud Sound's Steven Reynolds as they take us through their journey from Newcastle to London via Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Reading, Oxford, Brighton and more. The #WeMakeEvents campaign continues to highlight the precarious position of freelancers and suppliers in the live events industries. Topics discussed. as you can imagine, include saddle soreness and crashing into buses.  Donate to the campaign We Make Events "Asks" Curtain Call Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We return to our first ever interviewee. Over five years ago, I sat down with West End actor David Hunter to chat about his career and recorded it, even though we didn’t know at that point we’d even have a podcast. Those were different times, for sure. This week, we did an online call to talk about his return to the West End stage after nearly 10 months. “Songs for a New World” was the first musical to appear on a stage in London’s West End since lockdown and I was there to witness what was a triumphant return, to say the least. Along with his cast mates, Rachel John, Rachel Tucker, Cedric Neal and Shem Omari Jones - they brought the house down on a number of occasions...even before the curtain! David Hunter official website "The Space Between" video Curtain Call website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a successful event lighting the Thames-side venues in London (and beyond) in red on August 11, followed by a global day of action on the 30th of September where over 2,300 venues around the world were lit in red...proving that even when there is no show..there IS a show... the next event is already taking place. The Survival Tour. A 1500 km bike ride from Newcastle to London via major cities around England. I sat down with Steve Reynolds from Loud Sound and Mark Ward of Proper Productions, two professionals at the very heart of the events industry and who are leading the Survival Tour to chat about the idea, the first couple days of riding and what the tour is hoping to achieve. We Make Events Website Fundraising Page Merch! PLASA Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tamara von Werthern, Lily McLeish and Josephine Starte are the podcast equivalent of the Three Musketeers - bringing justice and equality to the world of online audio theatrical drama. The Fizzy Sherbert Podcast is an extension of an idea that brought together the brightest female writing, directing and acting talent to the Hackney Attic. When Covid-19 hit, they needed to make sure that the momentum wasn’t lost, so they packed up their trunks and headed online. Fizzy Sherbert Website Fizzy Sherbert Podcast site Tamara von Werthern website Lily McLeish Website Facebook Twitter Insta Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What started out as a campaign launched by the Professional Lighting and Sound Association to highlight the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the live events industry has grown into a global movement to keep the issues faced by those industries in the spotlight - both at governmental level and across the general public. We chatted to Nicky Greet from PLASA (Professional Lighting and Sound Association), Koy Neminathan from Avolites and Gavin Eldridge a freelance production manager to talk all things We Make Events - the genesis of the global movement, present and future events and what the industry needs to sustain itself until we can all get back to belting our collective throats off at a live event in the future. We Make Events Website Fundraising Page Merch! PLASA Website Are you a professional in the Events and Entertainment industries. Visit Curtain Call to see what we're up to. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Georgia Tapp is an inspiration for anyone looking to find their way in the business. She’s done it all because she is a “doer”, and we love “doers” at Curtain Call. Sit back for the next 25 minutes and let Georgia tell you what called her to the theatre, her travels, the final auditions she was undergoing right when the pandemic brought everything to a halt and keeping your voice and body in good nick when you’re not using it every day. Twitter: @GeorgiaMTapp Insta: @georgiatapp @curtaincall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Founded by Stuart Brown in early 2019, Sounds of Broadway has an absolutely full schedule of musicals you love, along with some you may not even have heard about. There’s also weekly quizzes and request shows...not to mention his podcast. Needless to say he is a very busy man. His audience reach is truly global and growing and we were intrigued to find out what he’s planning and just how he manages his days. https://soundsofbroadway.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A returning guest this week. Playwright David Spicer and host John Schwab have a long history of working together. John directed two of his plays before...Long Live the Made Parade at a regional theatre and “Stop! - The Play” in the West End. Before lockdown, David and John were workshopping a new play. Covid stopped all that, but David didn’t stay still at all. He got to work writing new plays with Northern Comedy Theatre and went about selling tickets for the plays...something that is vital to support those in the industry that aren’t able to work because of theatre closures This weekend, an omnibus of the collaboration with Northern Comedy Theatre will be presented via Zoom before their final production takes place live on Sunday the 6th of September. https://northerncomedytheatre.com/ https://northerncomedytheatre.com/doing-the-business Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of our guests this week has already been on the show. Laurence Mark Wythe appeared way back on episode 122 BC (before Covid) He’s not been sitting idle during lockdown, however. Not only has he continued composing, he’s also started his very own podcast called Game of Shows. It’s a fantastic podcast that pits cast members from different West End Shows against each other in a game of knowledge of all things musical. Represented shows include Hamilton, Six, Come From Away, Only Fools and Horses, Les Mis and more. They are just nearing the end of their first series and Laurence, his co-host Chris Stoddart and I sat down separately but together to chat about how it came about and their plans for the future. gameofshowsquiz.com  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/game-of-shows/id1513731808 

In this episode, we revisit our previous episode 39 to give you an encore of a Curtain Call show visit. I talk to the company of Amadeus, recently at The National Theatre, about the process of rehearsing with musicians who never had the opportunity of getting out from behind their instruments. But also had a chance to talk to the musicians about having to get out of their comfort zones and get comfortable with telling the story though movement as well as music.  

When we got a call from The Unicorn Theatre to take part in an R&D week to take it’s hit play “I Cinna (the poet)” and put it online, we jumped at the chance.  It was a fascinating experience to see just what could be achieved on the Zoom platform, and it’s safe to say that today’s guest, lighting and video designer Will Monks, absolutely pushed the boundaries of what could be done remotely. It was a brilliant week and was so successful that they are putting the show on and have already extended the run after the initial dates sold out extremely quickly. You can see all that he’s up to by visiting his website www.willmonkstheatre.com.

So...we’ve passed 100 days in lockdown here in London, and as restrictions ease down around the country for small and non-essential businesses, as of the time of release of this episode, July 1st 2020, there is no specific news for the theatre industry and live entertainment industries as a whole.   We know the pressure and uncertainty that puts on freelancers who work in the industry - and we will be bringing you a special episode with a panel in the very near future. But what about the buildings themselves? We have seen news reports high profile buildings going into administration including the Theatre Royal Plymouth and Nuffield Southampton Theatres. I had the opportunity to have an online chat with Jon David Morgan of the Theatres Trust to explain what they are doing to both raise awareness for the issue, but also how they’re actively reopening theatres that have long since been closed. THEATRES TRUST WEBSITE: http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/

Welcome to No Pressure - a podcast for creatives, theatre makers, artists, and ambitious souls with host, Matt Humphrey, photographer and founder of CurtainCall, In this episode I am so honoured to be talking to producer REBECCA WOOLCOCK - Lead Producer with Hartshorn Hook and Immersive Everywhere. This podcast is all about creators and theatre makers like Rebecca - the people that make things happen, who are up against it every day, and yet you’d never know it.  This is perhaps especially true right now - in the midst of lockdown that has been shaking our industry from the very core. As theatres, production companies and venues across the country face tremendous uncertainty and potential closure - we find ourselves at a pivotal moment. This podcast was recorded at the tail end of 2019 - BC - Before Covid - and a lot has happened since then. You may be pleased to hear that there is a good news story here, as Rebecca’s company Immersive Everywhere have recently announced that they will be opening a Covid-secure immersive production of Great Gatsby in London in October. http://immersiveeverywhere.com/ www.immersivedoctorwho.com https://immersivegatsby.com/event/the-great-gatsby

Whilst on lockdown, I have been mentoring five students from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts here in London. The five of them are all getting their MA in Acting and should be doing their showcase performances about now, but I don’t need to tell you if that is happening…I have been talking to all of them this week for the podcast My final guest student this week is Pear Chiravara. Pear is a fascinating and fantastic actor, coming to the acting profession after her best friend suggested that she follow her dreams. So she left Bangkok to travel to sunnier climes to attend Mountview and get her MA.

My penultimate guest student this week is Nathan Elliot. Nathan is another one of Mountview’s students who didn’t have a straightforward route into drama school. But his tenacity and perseverance paid off, and I think stands him in good stead for the challenges he faces in the industry, especially in a Covid-19 world. Nathan Elliot, acting student on the Acting MA course at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Keep listening this week to hear from more Mountview students that are continuing their course virtually in London and far, far beyond.