Prompt

I know. It's been a minute. But we are back! This was a truly uplifting episode with the radiant, talented and beautiful Clare Foster from 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'. I always get nervous just before a recording with artists I don't know or haven't spoken with before. But I just felt like I had known Clare all my life. She was funny and thoughtful and gave amazing insights into the working of a tightknit company who are putting on such a special piece night after night. I loved the idea of dedicating a performance to someone each night, and I got my ABSOLUTE geek on hearing about how that show works from a technical perspective.  This was exactly the start to Season 2 I wanted and I am so looking forward to the rest of this year and the episodes we have to come. 

In this episode, we sit down with Danny Robins, the mastermind behind the hit play "2:22" and the creator of gripping paranormal podcasts such as "The Battersea Poltergeist". Together we dive into a range of topics, from Danny's personal take on punctuality to how he's ensuring that "2:22" remains accessible to a wide audience. We also tackle the criticisms he's faced for “star casting” in his productions and discuss how he's become the new face of the paranormal genre, both on stage and in the podcast world. This is such an insightful conversation with one of today's most exciting voices in supernatural storytelling.

I know I say every episode is special, but this one is really truly something else... Probably because my guest is the very special, and hugely candid, Tori Allen Martin.

In this episode, I sit down with the incredibly talented Zoe Birkett; West End star and former Pop Idol sensation, currently lighting up the stage in the incredibly demanding production of 'Tina; the Tina Turner Musical'.  During the short time we had whilst Zoe prepped for a performance, we managed to cover peri-menopause, parenting, the influence of her working class background when it comes to punctuality, and the delicate topic of giving feedback to other performers.  Such a fun episode to record and hopefully even more fun to listen too. 

In this episode, we sit down with Jack Knowles, the brilliant lighting designer behind some of the most stunning stage productions in recent years. Jack takes us behind the scenes of his award-winning work on *Sunset Boulevard*, which earned him a coveted Olivier Award. But it's not all about the accolades—Jack also shares some of the more unexpected moments from his career, including the time he accidentally blew smoke into Nicole Scherzinger's face. Join us for a light-hearted and entertaining conversation that shines a spotlight on the artistry, challenges, and occasional mishaps that come with lighting the stage. Whether you're a theatre enthusiast, a fan of Jack's work, or just looking for a good laugh, this episode will hopefully brighten your day as much as it did mine whilst making it.

In this episode, I sit down with a dynamic, beautiful and hilarious couple of the theatre world—Chris Bush and Roni Neale, both accomplished playwrights with a passion for storytelling. Chris, known for the critically acclaimed 'Standing at the Sky's Edge', shares insights into their creative process (all nighters and avoiding Zip Zap Boing), while Roni, a stage manager AND playwright currently being mentored by Theatre Royal Plymouth, explains the challenges and rewards of balancing these two roles. Should we as stage managers be reigning in our creativity or finding more of a voice in the rehearsal room? Together, they navigate the highs and lows of the theatrical world, from their strong opinions on the future of the National Theatre to their (very) different approach to punctuality. And if that wasn't enough, they do it all while wrangling their demanding kitten. This was SUCH a joy to record and has laughter, lively debates, and a gorgeous insight into their relationship. Enjoy!

For this episode I had a chat with the radiant, warm and incredibly candid Rebecca Trehearn. Rebecca is an Olivier Award winning musical theatre actress, and also a regular in the long running Welsh soap 'Pobol y Cwm'.  During our conversation we covered a huge variety of topics including The Power of No, her own experience of 'Bad Cinderella', the rise of new musical theatre and the vital role stage management play when working on a difficult production.  It has been an unsettling and harrowing few days, so I really hope that this 45 minute chat offers you some respite and cheer from the outside world. 

This week I chatted to Olivier and Tony award winning sound designer, Gareth Fry. I met Gareth on a production in 2012, shortly after he had done the sound design for the opening ceremony of the Olympics, and he was the obvious choice when thinking of a soundie to chat with! Gareth has productions such as 'Harry Potter' on in the West End, but also does more devised work with companies like Complicite and Punchdrunk which require outside-the-box thinking.  We discussed how you put on a silent show, doing the sound design for a performance that is never the same twice and the staffing shortages facing the industry in general. It's an entertaining, reflective and amusing conversation and I hope you enjoy. 

For this episode I once again brought on a creative AND a backstage practitioner to chat together about all things theatre, stage management and being prompt.  Tabby is a playwright, most well known for her autobiographical piece 'Since U Been Gone' and more recently 'Happy Meal', and Amber is a phenomenal stage manager who I was lucky enough to work with twice before I hung up my headset for good. They were colleagues and now great friends, and I couldn't wait to catch up with them both at the same time. During this chat we really get under the bonnet of time keeping and what we can put in place for people who are not naturally punctual for a variety of reasons. Tabby is neurodivergent so it was great to delve into that way of thinking and what support could (and should) be offered to neurodivergent performers and creatives when staging a production.  This felt like more of  chat and a catch up with two buddies as opposed to an interview so I hope you enjoy this cosy, funny and thought provoking ep.

After my episode with Gemma Knight Jones, the overwhelming feedback I got was how much people LOVED hearing theatre parents chat about their experiences. So I started to cast around for other West End mamas to chat to, and Sophie Isaacs was an obvious choice.  She was in the original West End cast of 'Heathers' and also 'Six', 'Made In Dagenham' and 'Kinky Boots'. A true West End queen.  We cover a wide variety of topics including West End fandom, parenting, show reports and all of my usual questions including the most important. Is she prompt?! This was a joy to record and I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did recording.

Dan Buckley is an actor with a huge number of musical theatre productions under his belt including 'The Book of Mormon', 'Loserville' and 'Fisherman's Friends'. However it was his brilliant social media content which made me aware of him. Dan makes funny, well observed and painfully true videos which completely encapsulate the highs, lows and all-consuming agony of working within this industry.  This interview went to places I wasn't expecting it to so I just tried to give Dan space to talk about his own personal experience without judgement or pressure. We cover the usual sources of theatre demons such as bad digs and haunting onstage mishaps. But also discuss addiction and behavioural cycles that can be hard to break in a sometimes toxic environment. 

I couldn't quite believe that one of our most prolific living playwright's agreed to be on my podcast. But one of the most incredible things about Mark Ravenhill is how generous he is with his knowledge and expertise.  This was a lengthy chat which covered the French word for prompter, his sometimes- good-sometimes-bad relationships with stage managers, the remarkable German theatre system and his worst digs story. Which also involves me owning up to one of my biggest mistakes. Yikes.  Editing this was almost impossible as so much of what Mark says is so interesting. I think I could have chatted theatre with him all day. Make a cup of tea (or four) and enjoy this week's episode of 'Prompt'.

Gemma Knight Jones is the ultimate West End queen; A talented mama who is always grafting and endlessly optimistic.    Gemma and I were pregnant together on a fast-paced West End show, an experience that truly bonded us, and then we came together again shortly before I left stage management permanently.    I really wanted to chat to her about motherhood in the arts and how she was still managing to fully slay onstage whilst also raising her child. Something which any parent listening will agree is no easy task.    When I listened to this back I realised it was more of a chat than an interview so I hope you can get comfortable and tune into this conversation which covers pregnancy, illness, optimism and how to stay awake onstage.

I saw Rob Madge's production of 'My Son's A Queer But What Can You Do' when it was in the West End and just thought it was a fabulous, moving and beautiful piece.  On social media I saw that they and their stage manager had a really gorgeous friendship and shared the unique bond that can  click into place when working as stage manager and performer on a one person show.  This was such a fun chat and I am so excited to share with you this episode.  Enjoy!

Les Dennis is one of the country's most experienced and popular entertainers. With a career spanning several decades and a CV which boasts gameshow host, stand up comic, straight actor, reality tv star and musical theatre legend, it was not hard for Jess to find topics to chat about. In fact editing their lengthy conversation down to 45 minutes was the hardest part! Join them both as they chat time keeping, stage management and how Su Pollard managed to escape from Woking shopping centre.