Two Lines In Doctors Podcast

In this episode we welcome Ann Brown of Made It Theatre and welcome back Daniel Brennan who we had on last year when he talked about Off Cut. Daniel is directing Ann in Green Door, her self penned piece about domestic abuse. We talk about her writing the piece and the reasons behind it, how it has progressed from bits of paper to a full length piece. Also her love of Burnley F.C. Because we all have our faults. We then discuss the current hot topic, at least in my house, of castings for Generation X and Baby Boomers. And if you don't know what they are, then you aren't one. Daniel has an opinion. Oh boy, does he. Tickets for the King's Arms here: http://www.kingsarmssalford.com/mc-events/green-door/ Tickets for Square Chapel here: https://www.squarechapel.co.uk/whats-on/green-door/

2020. Blimey. You know that means we're as far away from 2000 as 1980 is. Steve hadn't left primary school by then. Some say he never has. Anyway, Happy New Year. And in this first episode of 2020 we have actor, writer, director, producer Joe Walsh. Joe talks about his theatre company, Two In A Bed and their forthcoming productions, the sold out Manchester Minutes and Fossils which will be on during the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival. He also talks about what it was like to play Joy Division's Ian Curtis in the play New Dawn Fades. And then we get down to the hot topic of the moment. No, not Brexit. No, not Harry and Meghan. No, not Liverpool's relentless pursuit of the Premier League. No, the hot topic is at what age do you become an "older" actor and the pitfalls of setting up a casting page on Facebook. Tickets for Fossils, which is on at the Salford Arts Theatre on July 19th can be found here.... https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/salfordartstheatre/fossils-by-joe-walsh-part-of-the-greater-manchester-fringe-festival/2020-07-19/19:30/t-xormvn?fbclid=IwAR2I0sk9q7v8sJHbyEgdKF7bOGPZaqhrSZs5aXJIQ2qv47Xih9miPL0oaqg

In our last episode before the Christmas break we sit down with (very) Mancunian actor Steven Gidwaney. Now, there is a button that you have to tick if there is too much swearing in an episode and we were fully prepared for this to be the first time we had to do that as Steve does have a liking for the colour blue, both his football team and the words that come out of his mouth. But what we got was probably the most honest episode that we have put out. We talk mental health, finances, family, his deep love for Corrie's Pat Phelan and, of course, if he has ever had two lines in Doctors.

On this episode we have Burnley actor Caroline O'Hara. You may not know the name Caroline O'Hara, although you bloody should. But even if you don't know the name, you'll know the face. She has performed alongside some of the biggest names in acting, like Fozzie Bear. She was the most watched person on television last Christmas, no mean feat. And she regularly appears on television in the UK. But has she ever appeared in Doctors? That's the question.  We sat down with Caroline in late Autumn at 53Two in Manchester and chewed the fat. We had a lot of laughs and delved deep into her career. Listen and enjoy.

New season. Autumn. New day. Monday. Same old, same old. And we kick off Autumn Mondays with actor/musician John Mackie as he talks about having two accents (handy as an actor), the difference between acting in an international TV series and continuing drama, what it's like being on stage in a public square in Europe and how a career as an estate agent is perfect training as an actor. John will be appearing in EXAM at the King's Arms, Salford between October 29 and November 3. It's sold out. So you've missed out. Unless you're in the future when he will be appearing in it again in London in August 2020. Unless he's been fired.

This week on Two Lines in Doctors it's Norn Iron actor Marcy Hazell. Listen to find out how she nearly dropped Michelle Keegan's baby, how she sold her business in much the same way that Mick Carter bought the Queen Vic from Phil Mitchell and how she vandalised a mascots outfit.  She also reveals why she is such a massive Elvis fan, even naming her bike after him and she is the first recipient of the limited edition Two Lines in Doctors mug. Marcy can be found at website: https://www.marcellahazell.com/ Twitter: @marcyhazell Insta: @marcellahazell Facebook: Marcella Hazell - Actor Parched Tea can be found at website: https://www.parchedteabar.co.uk/ Twitter: @parchedteabar Insta: @parchedteabar Facebook: Parched Tea Bar Marcy's photo by Callum Arnott

In this very Urmston centric episode of TLID, we speak to Urmston actor Ross Grant.  We discuss what is the best chippy in Urmston, what is the best coffee house in Urmston and which is the best superstore to see Urmston born Hollywood actors when they come back to see their mum and do the shopping. But it's not just Urmston talk. We discuss his career, from his earliest appearances in the likes of 'Children's Ward' to the present, his Act on This - The TV Actor's Network and its genesis, his time at drama school and why he focuses more on TV work and, of course, if he has ever had two lines in 'Doctors'. The network can be found at actonthis.tv and can be found on social media @actonthistv. Ross himself can be found @rossagrant We can be found on Twitter @twolinesdoctors and on Insta and Faccebook @twolinesindoctors. Steve can be found on Twitter @stevejconnolly and on Insta @steveconnollyactor And please like and rate us on itunes. That'll be lovely.

It's season three, episode four. We've stopped caring now about calling it a season. After all, we'll all be owned by Donald Trump this time next year so we'd better get used to it. In this episode, Steve sits down with Harrogate actor Gill McVey to talk about her career and her new play "A Shadow of Doubt" which she is taking to the Edinburgh Fringe this year. There is also mention of whether or not Huddersfield is the rainiest place in England (it is) and whether or not older actors can be considered to be 'emerging actors' (they can).  Gill can be found on social media @gillmcvey on Twitter and @gillmcveyactor on Instagram. Her theatre company, Time Will Tell, is on Facebook at Time Will Tell Theatre Company and on Instagram @timewilltelltheatrecompany Tickets for "A Shadow of Doubt" can be found at https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/shadow-of-doubt Got something to say about Two Lines in Doctors? Are you BBC Casting and would you like to offer the guest, but especially the host, two lines in Doctors? Then get in touch at twolinesindoctors@gmail.com. Or rate us on itunes. It's a thing, apparently. 

It's Season Three, Episode Three. Yes, we've decided to call it a season. Don't hate us. In this episode we are joined by Wirral actor Andy Connor to talk about his award winning webseries "Rebound". He talks about how he came up with the idea, the casting process and how it came to be filmed. He also talks about his family life, whether he prefers Manchester to Liverpool and, of course, whether or not he has had two lines in Doctors. Please note, that this is the first episode of TLID that has that dirty swearing in it, so we've ticked the explicit content box.  Many thanks to 53Two for giving is the space. I mean, they charged us for it. They are a business after all.  You can find the webseries at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJkxjTLU2QtkRY0RpwYQfKQ Andy can be found on Twitter @andrewdconnor, on Instagram @andyconnor1979 and on Facebook at AndrewConnorActor The webseries can be found on Twitter @ReboundSitcom, on Instagram @reboundsitcom and on Facebook at ReboundSitcom

Hi there. So, due to circumstances beyond our control, the guest we had on for this week has asked for the episode to be delayed for professional and personal reasons. Therefore we have unpacked our emergency episode and gone into the archives to bring you a mashed up episode of the interviews that we did waaaaaaaay back in 2018. First with Paul Abbott and then with John O'Farrell. We will be back with a new guest in a couple of weeks. 

So, here we are. Flying solo, albeit hopefully temporarily. In this first episode of series 3 we welcome actor, writer, producer and director Lucinda Sinclair to Two Lines. We talk about her short film "Pretty" and the questions it raises about body image. We also talk about her new web series "Tea One Sugar". Lucy, as we call her because we're familiar, also talks about the time she took out of acting when she started a family and the struggles that she faced to get back in, why she specialises in film and television, her role in a pivotal episode of Coronation Street and she answers the all important question as to whether she has ever had Two Lines in Doctors. Lucy can be found on Twitter @LucindaSinclai1 and on Instagram @Lucinda.Sinclair. Her production company can be found on Twitter @FilmPretty Two Lines in Doctors can be found on Twitter @twolinesdoctors, on Instagram @twolinesindoctors and on Facebook at Two Lines in Doctors

We're back after a small layoff and Prue has an announcement to make. After which, we interview Julie Root and Prue Griffiths.....? Hang on...... Yes, we interview Julie and Prue about Root & Branch Productions next play, In The Bones, as well as the genesis of the theatre company and theatre in Huddersfield in general. We also discuss whether we will ever get a listener in Stratford-upon-Avon. And there is a mention about the closing of 53Two. We can be found on social media on: Facebook: Two Lines in Doctors Instagram: twolinesindoctors Twitter: @twolinesdoctors Root & Branch can be found at: Facebook: Root & Branch Productions Instagram: rootandbranchproductions Twitter: @root_branchprod

DON'T PANIC!!!! We're not going anywhere. However, we are scaling back Two Lines in Doctors a little. To learn why, give us a quick listen.

This week we are delighted to be joined by Jen Banks who has founded Monologue Mondays in Salford. You can go and join in Monologue Mondays at The Eagle Inn in Salford on the first Monday of each month. Details here: https://twitter.com/MonMonManc Jen also discusses her acting and writing career, her earlier career as a stand up and journalist in that there London, performing two multi character roles AT THE SAME TIME and what she is planning to do in the future. Clue: If you internet date, this may be for you. Steve and Prue did discuss what they have been up to but for reasons that will become quickly apparent, you won't get to here any of this. And we've beeped out our first swear word. Potty mouthed Steve.

This week we travel to Huddersfield (well, technically Steve travelled to Huddersfield. Prue already lives there) to interview Emily Brown of Make, DO and Lee Martyn and Jake Pratt of Off The Cuff Theatre Company, two Huddersfield based theatre companies committed to putting on their own shows and championing new work. They discuss the pitfalls of aiming too high too soon, of the work that they are creating and if there is any difficulty in getting your name out there when you are based in a provincial city. Although there is nothing wrong with provincial cities. Prue and Steve also moan about being fifty or over, as they usually do, and discuss what they have been up to over the past fortnight.

We've talked about him a lot on the podcast and this week we are delighted to say that we are joined by Daniel Bradford. He talks about his career, the classes that he runs and their ethos, the physical journey that led him to Manchester and what the future holds for Play With Fire Productions now that Hope Studios is closing. And he also confirms whether he has ever had 'Two Lines in Doctors'. Prue and Steve also talk about Prue's involvement in Off Cut - The Short Play Festival and Steve's almost involvement in it as well as Steve's leaky toilet. It's not all glamour you know. Play With Fire Productions can be found at: https://www.playwithfireproductions.com/ Twitter: @playwithfiremcr  Instagram: playwithfireproductions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playwithfiremanchester/

We are back, back, back with our first episode of the year. Our guest is Daniel Brennan who talks to us about his Off Cut Festival which will be at 53Two next week. He also talks about his time living in London where he originated the festival, about his move to Manchester and whether he has ever had Two Lines in Doctors. He also name drops Sandi Toksvig. Prue and Steve also talk about what they have been up to since the last episode, including how Steve got over a pre Christmas crisis in confidence. Tickets for Off Cut can be found here…. http://53two.com/offcut/4593511979

In this episode, our Christmas episode, Prue and Steve are joined by a number of creatives behind 'Fight Like A Girl' which will be performed at The Kings Arms in Salford between December 20th and 22nd. Inspired by the fights of two brave women these are three nights of new writing, old writing, short plays and poetry to raise dosh for cancer research. They also discuss how some of their guests will be making some money for themselves creatively over the festive period. Your hosts also talk about what they've been up to over the past two weeks. Steve has mostly been sat in theatres, which explains his sallow complexion, whilst Prue has been completing another scene study course with 'Lovely' Daniel Bradford. They also discuss their hopes for the next season of Two Lines. Hopefully to make the title of the podcast come true. Both of us wish you Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year and we will see you in January!

It's Series One, Episode Four this week (we don't say Season...we're not American). We sat down on actual chairs in our favourite room at Hope Studios (still near the toilet door) and spoke to Andy Pilkington and John Tueart about leaving their professional positions and becoming actors, writers and directors. Both Andy and John worked in the legal profession and Steve also has a law degree (actually he has two, but he doesn't speak about it much) so there was a common frame of reference around the table. Prue was there as well...... Prue and Steve have been busy over the past fortnight doing personal stuff (slackers) so haven't had time to get together to record their usual banter (or 'bantz' as we believe the kids say) so you've been spared that. They have recorded a separate intro and outro though, so you're not deprived.

Episode Three. Steve has hit an age milestone. He doesn't want to talk about it. It's 50. Don't let on you know. But this episode is not about that. It's about the one hundredth anniversary of the end of the First World War. In this episode, Steve and Prue remember their fathers, who both fought in World War II, both as fathers and as ones who served. They also talk to Parissa Zamanpour whose play Somme Men has its premiere at the King's Arms in Salford this coming weekend. It is a story based on the experiences of Parissa's great, great grandfather Harry Hayes, who fought and died in the Great War. It's a long episode, but we think it's worth it. Lest we forget.

We're back. Episode two has followed on from episode one as if we planned it like that. In this episode, Prue and Steve talk about what they have been up to over the past fortnight (Steve saw one of his plays produced, Prue has been hanging out with Jane Horrocks and Jim Cartwright).  They are then joined by writer, broadcaster, playwright, author and former child actor John O'Farrell to discuss his career, how he came up with the idea of turning John Major grey in "Spitting Image", his upcoming work and how he ended up being involved in a musical on Broadway. Steve then gets to review an actual play as he went to see "Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons" at the King's Arms Theatre in Salford. Prue went on a separate night to save them agreeing on everything before the recording and they are joined by actor Julie Root to discuss what they thought. Julie once taught Doctor Who and Queen Cersei drama at school. We hardly mention it. We then finish with a load of thank yous and how you can get in touch. Which is Twitter: @twolinesdoctors Instagram: @twolinesindoctors Facebook: Two Lines in Doctors email: twolinesindoctors@gmail.com A particular thank you to the toilet door at Hope Studios in Manchester that makes a number of guest appearances.

Welcome to the first full episode of the Two Lines in Doctors Podcast. This episode, Steve and Prue give you an idea of what to fully expect from the series (mostly inane waffle, followed by apologising for the waffling which ends up being another waffle), Prue reviews "The Effect" which was on at the Oldham Coliseum at the end of September with guest reviewer Manchester actor Lynda Arron, and explains why Steve had to drop out of reviewing it. And Prue then interviews the writer of Cracker, Shameless and No Offence Paul Abbott and asks him about his career and how he got started and which character he preferred to write for in Coronation Street. She also asks about how No Offence came to be and asks Paul's producing partner Henry Swindell about his role in season three.  Henry, if you read this, we forgot to mention you in the podcast. But it is our first one. I'm sure you'll forgive us.  Basically, it's a whole load of Prue and not much of Steve. And many say that can only be a good thing. It ends with a trip to the pub. As usual.

Based somewhere between Manchester and Huddersfield (Todmorden? Hebden Bridge?) your hosts Steve Connolly and Prue Griffiths give you an idea what the Two Lines in Doctors podcast is all about. New episodes coming from October.  Subscribe to this feed. The first episode will be coming very soon, because October is just around the corner. Follow us on Twitter @twolinesdoctors, Instagram @twolinesindoctors and Facebook "Two Lines in Doctors'. Neither Steve nor Prue have ever had two lines in Doctors.