Podcast appearances and mentions of Alan Ayckbourn

In this episode, hosts Bobby and Steffan sit down with the exceptionally talented Joshua Manning, a professionally trained actor from Edinburgh with a remarkable career spanning stage, audio drama, and gaming.

Episode 86 - Alan Ayckbourn's Show & Tell - We saw this production at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough  Here is more detail about the production...  https://www.whatsonstage.com/shows/scarborough-theatre/show-tell_1462064531/ https://www.newvictheatre.org.uk/alan-ayckbourn-marks-85th-year-with-90th-play-show-and-tell/ and you can watch the trailer here... https://youtu.be/4wVaSqScw84 This production is now no longer on but may return.  Follow us Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @upstagedownstagepod

Dans cet épisode, nous avons le privilège d'accueillir l'audacieuse et talentueuse Clotilde Courau.Clotilde Courau, une artiste inclassable, nous ouvre les portes de sa carrière riche et diverse. Passée du théâtre au cinéma, elle a su s'imposer dans des rôles aussi différents que marquants, de « Le Chanteur de Mexico » à « Crazy Horse ». Aujourd'hui, elle est à l'affiche de la pièce « Une situation délicate » au Théâtre des Nouveautés, une comédie de boulevard signée par le maître du genre, l'auteur anglais Alan Ayckbourn. Entourée d'un casting de choix, dont Gérard Darmon et Max Boublil, Clotilde incarne Marianne, une maîtresse de maison chic et accueillante, dont la personnalité cache bien des surprises. Nous découvrirons ensemble les coulisses de cette création, le rythme enlevé de la pièce et la noblesse que l'auteur apporte au théâtre de boulevard. Clotilde Courau nous confiera également les moments marquants de sa carrière, de ses débuts prometteurs à Elisa jusqu'à ses récentes aventures théâtrales.Notre équipe a utilisé un outil d'Intelligence artificielle via les technologies d'Audiomeans© pour accompagner la création de ce contenu écrit.

Send us a textIn a decades spanning career, Lia Williams has established herself as one of the most prominent actresses working today. At the start of her career, Lia was already working with the likes of David Hare, Alan Ayckbourn and Harold Pinter, with whom she would go on to share a long working relationship and friendship. On screen, some of her many highlights have included playing Wallis Simpson in The Crown and more recently Paula Vennels in Mr Bates vs The Post Office. In recent years, we've also seen her prove herself to be a terrific director, finding herself at the helm on various short films and later also directing highly acclaimed productions of Ashes to Ashes and Doubt: A Parable. Some of Lia's upcoming projects include a new TV adaptation of The Day of the Jackal and also reprising her role in the highly acclaimed BBC drama: The Capture. In this exclusive interview to mark 100 episodes of our podcast series, Lia Williams sits down to look back over her illustrious career. We hear her talk about her early career, finding her way through challenging roles like Kyra in Skylight, acting opposite Michael Gambon as well as playing Carol in Oleanna opposite David Suchet. We also get to hear her talk about her experiences of alternating roles with Juliet Stevenson and Kristin Scott-Thomas on the highly acclaimed productions of Mary Stuart and Old Times. Over the course of our conversation, Lia tells us about how the acting profession has changed during her career and talks us through her transition into becoming a well-respected director as well. In this very candid conversation, Lia reflects on the various roles that she's played and takes some time to also discuss her relationship with son and fellow actor: Joshua James, with whom she starred with in The Vortex last year. It's a fascinating insight into one of our greatest leading ladies and we look forward to seeing how her career continues to evolve in the future.Support the show

Graham and Charles discuss meeting Jim Moir (AKA Vic Reeves) at his new exhibition at RedHouse Originals in Harrogate which leads into a discussion about bird art.Graham has been listening to upcoming Irish garage-punk band, Sprints.Charles reviews Alan Ayckbourn's new play, Show & Tell at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough. It's his 90th play, Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos

TJ is back, and WAKE, the podcast of the history of the future, rolls on its unstoppable way! This week, we consider just why siblings are generally awful to one another as Shaun reads Shem to filth to round out chapter 1.7. We discuss Toby's favourite bookstore (Lane Bookshop Claremont, represent!), Latin stories of bowel evacuation, the Mighty Ducks, Moby-Dick, and Alan Ayckbourn: so, in general, a normal day at the office.This week's readers: Toby Malone, TJ YoungProgress: 195 pages complete, 433 pages to go; 31.05% read.For early drops, community and show notes, join us at our free Patreon, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/wakepod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. We welcome comments from everyone: even, nay, especially, the dreaded purists. Come and "um actually" us!

Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre, and features an amateur theatre-maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they've ‘died' on stage. This episode focuses on the Crescent's upcoming pair of productions, 'House' and 'Garden', both by Alan Ayckbourn. Luke Plimmer is borrowing our backstage pass this month to learn more. He'll be talking to the Stage Manager for 'Garden', Suzie King, and to Jordan Starks-Browning, who is working on Props for both 'House' and 'Garden'. Our studio guest is Naomi Jacobs, who is the Production  Assistant on 'Garden'.  Naomi also tells us about her life and loves in amateur theatre.

Tune in to a Broadway Spotlight edition of the STAGES podcast. A Spotlight replay brought to you by Academy Travel - a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours.In January 2024, Academy Travel will be leading a 10 day tour to sample the best of Broadway and New York - alongside a host of cultural experiences at museums and galleries populating The Big Apple.Find further information at the Academy Travel website … academytravel.com.au and search Theatre in New York - Best of Broadway tour.To whet the appetite, STAGES will be revisiting conversations with Australian artists who have conquered The Great White Way in a series of Broadway SPOTLIGHT episodes - brought to you by Academy Travel.Howard Sherman, though not Australian, is a guest we've featured on the STAGES podcast due to his extensive relationship with the theatre of Broadway and New York. Howard was executive director of the American Theatre Wing from 2003 to 2011. During that time, he served on the Tony Awards Management and Administration Committees. Howard was the first General Manager of Goodspeed Musicals, working on 24 new and classic musicals, including the U.S. Premiere of Alan Ayckbourn and Andrew Lloyd Webber's By Jeeves.  He has moderated artist conversations for public audiences for more than 30 years, and when STAGES spoke with him he had just released a book on the eternal fascination and magic of Thornton Wilder's Our Town - a classic of the American Theatre cannon. Howard Sherman was a guest on the STAGES podcast in December 2020

Graham recounts his adventures in Portugal after a trip to Lisbon: taking the temperature of the music scene in Europe's oldest and hottest city as he celebrates his 20th wedding anniversary.Charles reviews Alan Ayckbourn's latest play in Scarborough, Constant Companions, his 89th, as he foresees human-android  relationships of the near future, and John Godber's touring premiere of Do I Love You?, a hymn to Northern Soul and celebration of working-class culture refracted through the experiences of three young drive-thru workers discovering the devotional music's power to uplift.After interviewing Graham Parker of The Rumour, ahead of his Old Woollen gig in Farsley, and Five Star lead singer Denise Pearson, who now lives in Harrogate, Graham contrasts music stars of the 1970s and '80s.

Three couples. Two dining rooms. One big mess. Alan Ayckbourn's classic comedy takes us into a chaotic world of dysfunctional marriages, domestic drama, and infidelity. The lives of three couples frantically intertwine in this classic Ayckbourn comedy of confusion and chaos. When one of the women arrives home suspiciously late one night, a chain of events unfolds drawing each of the couples ever deeper into hilarious misunderstanding. Join us for one of Ayckbourn's best loved plays, set in the 1970s - his follow up to Relatively Speaking, seen at Salisbury Playhouse in 2019.

Three couples. Two dining rooms. One big mess. Alan Ayckbourn's classic comedy takes us into a chaotic world of dysfunctional marriages, domestic drama, and infidelity. The lives of three couples frantically intertwine in this classic Ayckbourn comedy of confusion and chaos. When one of the women arrives home suspiciously late one night, a chain of events unfolds drawing each of the couples ever deeper into hilarious misunderstanding. Join us for one of Ayckbourn's best loved plays, set in the 1970s - his follow up to Relatively Speaking, seen at Salisbury Playhouse in 2019.

Three couples. Two dining rooms. One big mess. Alan Ayckbourn's classic comedy takes us into a chaotic world of dysfunctional marriages, domestic drama, and infidelity. The lives of three couples frantically intertwine in this classic Ayckbourn comedy of confusion and chaos. When one of the women arrives home suspiciously late one night, a chain of events unfolds drawing each of the couples ever deeper into hilarious misunderstanding. Join us for one of Ayckbourn's best loved plays, set in the 1970s - his follow up to Relatively Speaking, seen at Salisbury Playhouse in 2019.

For the last 30 years, Janie Dee has cemented herself as one of the greatest leading ladies to ever grace the stage. From musicals to plays to cabarets and concerts, Janie has done it all.  In this special interview, she looks back on her career and how her early struggles have led her to see each new job opportunity as a "big present". The conversation starts with her talking about her relationship with Theatre Royal, Bath where she worked with the Peter Hall Company on a number of productions and most recently returned to the Somerset theatre for An Hour and a Half Late. We also hear Janie look back on some recent musical theatre highlights such as A Little Night Music,  The Boy Friend and Follies where she earned her most recent Olivier award nomination. Janie Dee is herself a two time Olivier Award winner, winning for the National Theatre's legendary production of Carousel and also for originating the role of Jacie in Alan Ayckbourn's Comic Potential.Today, Janie's passion seems to lie mostly with sustainability and climate action. In 2020, she organised the London Climate Change Festival which saw scientists and artists come together to discuss solutions to ongoing climate crisis. The festival led to the Song for Nature concert that was broadcast around the world, bringing together world class performers onto the London Coliseum stage with the English National Opera orchestra and chorus. In our interview, Janie voices her concerns at how slowly theatres are adapting to achieve carbon neutrality and even suggests she might stop performing in a bid further reduce her own carbon footprint. We hear her talk about the ongoing impact humans are having on the planet with landfill sites forming lakes and the impact cruise ships are having on marine life.Ultimately, we're treated to a fascinating interview with Janie reflecting on her rich career as well as on the real-life climate crisis. Recently turning 60, we can expect Janie to continue working in some capacity and we look forward to seeing what she does next. 

Julian is joined by David Wilson and Barbara Oxley to talk about St John’s Players production of Alan Ayckbourn’s Garden at The Fulbourn Centre this week.

Nicholas Hammond first appeared on Broadway as the ten-year-old son of Sir Michael Redgrave and Googie Withers in Graham Greene's The Complaisant Lover, winning enthusiastic praise from the New York critics. From that first footstep onto the stage of the Barrymore Theatre, Nicholas has had a lifelong love of acting, whether on stage, film or television. He has had the good fortune to work all over the world, and with many of the greatest artists of the time. He has been featured in over 40 films, some 250 television shows and countless plays in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Theatre Company, and national tours all over the United States, Great Britain and Australia, performing the works of Graham Greene, Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, Noel Coward, Alan Ayckbourn, Sean O'Casey and Neil Simon among many others. His global film career includes films from Lord of the Flies to Ladies in Black and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and starring in his own American prime time series The Amazing Spiderman. But, as he and his film “siblings” always say, no matter how many wonderful roles he plays, most people will always think of him as Friedrich Von Trapp in the most successful film musical of all time, Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music. Nicholas' connection with Rodgers and Hammerstein has continued since making that film, and in 2019 he won first prize at the British Television Awards for a BBC documentary he wrote and presented, Climb'd Every Mountain with Nicholas Hammond, comparing the fictional story of the film to the factual story of the real Von Trapps, many of whom are his close friends to this day. For the Gordon Frost Organisation (now Crossroads Live Australia), he toured Australia and New Zealand with Dame Julie Andrews in a hugely successful two-person show, a wonderful reunion 50 years after they made the film. Nicholas Hammond returns to the stage in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. The fact that Julie Andrews played Ella in the first production of the show makes the connection even stronger, and for Nicholas to play Sebastian now, is a joy. Cinderella plays Sydney's Lyric Theatre from October 23rd. The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Recipient of Best New Podcast at 2019 Australian Podcast Awards. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages). www.stagespodcast.com.au

Denis' career encompasses almost every aspect of show business from singing and performing to recording and composing. His musical career began at the age of six as a banjolele-playing singer at children's matinees. By the 1950s and early 60s, he was a member of Britain's first ever boy band The King Brothers, one of the most successful pop groups of that era and the youngest Variety act to play the London Palladium. From pop star to award-winning TV composer (including the Black Beauty theme and Lovejoy), to award-winning theatre composer (Privates On Parade) and songwriter, and collaborating along the way with such legends as Alan Ayckbourn, Sammy Cahn and Don Black, the artists with whom Denis has worked (and played) read like a who's who of British and American stage and screen--Tony Bennett, Nina Simone, Peter Sellers, Howard Keel, Sophie Tucker, Lena Horne, Alma Cogan, Albert Finney, Dame Edna Everage, Maureen Lipman, Elaine Stritch, Dudley Moore, Bruce Forsyth, Ronnie Corbett, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and even Jimi Hendrix. His highly acclaimed and entertaining memoir KEY CHANGES revised and updated 2020 edition can be purchased from our SHOP.​For more career information and a full archive see deniskingmusiclibrary.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jenny Seagrove is an actress of stage and screen. She starred alongside Rupert Everett in the Academy Award-winning short film A Shocking Accident and other film roles include Nate and Hayes opposite Tommy Lee Jones, Bullseye! with Michael Caine and Roger Moore, A Chorus of Disapproval with Anthony Hopkins and Jeremy Irons and Appointment with Death With Peter Ustinov, Lauren Bacall, Carrie Fisher and John Gielgud. She played Jo Mills in the BBC drama series Judge John Deed and her stage work includes multiple runs in the West End including The Exorcist, Noël Coward's Fallen Angels, Alan Ayckbourn's Absurd Person Singular, Present Laughter at the Globe Theatre with Tom Conti and Hamlet with Ian McKellen. She was the subject of This Is Your Life in 2003 and her partner is the theatrical producer and chairman of Everton F.C., Bill Kenwright. Jenny founded and helps to run Mane Chance Sanctuary, a charity that aims to "provide sanctuary and relief from suffering for horses, while promoting humane behaviour to all animals and mutually beneficial relationships with people who need them". Jenny Seagrove is guest number 190 on My Time Capsule and chats to Michael Fenton Stevens about the five things she'd like to put in a time capsule; four she'd like to preserve and one she'd like to bury and never have to think about again .For more information on Jenny's charity Mane Chance, visit: manechancesanctuary.orgFollow Jenny Seagrove on Twitter: @springmeisterFollow My Time Capsule on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook: @MyTCpod .Follow Michael Fenton Stevens on Twitter: @fentonstevens and Instagram @mikefentonstevens .Produced and edited by John Fenton-Stevens for Cast Off Productions .Music by Pass The Peas Music .Artwork by matthewboxall.com .This podcast is proud to be associated with the charity Viva! Providing theatrical opportunities for hundreds of young people. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sara Crowe is probably still best known as the “Philadelphia girl” for her part in the Philadelphia cream cheese adverts in the 90's playing a ditsy blonde secretary. Sara was the first bride in the film Four Wedding and a Funeral, was in Carry On Columbus and the film version of Tony Hawks's best selling book, Round Ireland with a Fridge. On TV she's the voice of Queen Thistle in the hugely popular children's animation Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom, has been in Smith & Jones, Harry Enfield's Television Programme, The Rory Bremner Show, Born and Bred, Casualty and Skins. On stage she won an Olivier Award for her role in Private Lives and other West End roles include in Twelfth Night, Hay Fever and The Constant Wife, Acorn Antiques the Musical and Alan Ayckbourn's Absurd Person Singular. Sara has written two novels, Campari for Breakfast, published in 2014 and Martini Henry in 2016. Sara Crowe is guest number 189 on My Time Capsule and chats to Michael Fenton Stevens about the five things she'd like to put in a time capsule; four she'd like to preserve and one she'd like to bury and never have to think about again .Follow Sara Crowe on Twitter: @sarakcroweFollow My Time Capsule on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook: @MyTCpod .Follow Michael Fenton Stevens on Twitter: @fentonstevens and Instagram @mikefentonstevens .Produced and edited by John Fenton-Stevens for Cast Off Productions .Music by Pass The Peas Music .Artwork by matthewboxall.com .This podcast is proud to be associated with the charity Viva! Providing theatrical opportunities for hundreds of young people. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

About the Guest Randy Redd made his Broadway debut in PARADE at Lincoln Center directed by Harold Prince. Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include MAY WE ALL, Max Vernon's THE VIEW UPSTAIRS, ALLEGRO at Classic Stage Company directed by John Doyle, Alain Boublil's MANHATTAN PARISIENNE directed by Graciela Daniele, and PUMP BOYS & DINETTES at City Center Encores. Other credits include MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, RING OF FIRE directed by Richard Maltby, Jr., Randy Newman's FAUST, THE BURNT PART BOYS, Terrence McNally's SOME MEN, the American premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's BY JEEVES directed by Alan Ayckbourn, David Greig's MIDSUMMER, LUCKY STIFF, ONE MAN BAND with James Lecesne, and SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN. Film and TV credits include https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1HQ5OP9E8c (“Beautiful Creatures”) and “The Last 5 Years” directed by Richard LaGravenese, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJjmpO8k9m0 (“After The Storm”) directed by Hilla Medalia, "Kinsey" directed by Bill Condon, “From Broadway With Love” (PBS), “All-American New Years” (FOX), "The Wright Verdicts", Good Morning America, the Today Show, the Tony Awards, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with Wynonna Judd, and Show Biz After Hours with Frank DiLella, a monthly variety show at Birdland. He has worked as an actor, writer, musician, and director at Manhattan Theater Club, Lincoln Center Theater, Classic Stage Company, Tectonic Theater, Atlantic Theater Company, Naked Angels, Second Stage, New York Musical Theater Festival, The Kennedy Center, Goodspeed, Geffen Playhouse, Primary Stages, York Theater, Emelin Theater, City Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse In The Park, New Stage Theatre, Pittsburgh CLO, Charlotte Repertory Theater, the Flat Rock Playhouse, the Coconut Grove Playhouse, Stamford Center For The Arts, the Arden Theater, New World Stages, the Cape Playhouse, the Actor's Playhouse, and more. Recordings: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/showfolk/id305047066 (SHOWFOLK) with Tony Award-winner Rachel Bay Jones, Robin Skye's https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/robin-skye/id383949971 (HOUSE OF LOVE), LUCKY STIFF, NEO, Jason Robert Brown's WEARING SOMEONE ELSE'S CLOTHES and the Original Cast Recordings of PARADE, RING OF FIRE, THE BURNT PART BOYS and THE VIEW UPSTAIRS. In concert: Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Town Hall, Symphony Space, Cooper Union, St. John the Divine, Feinstein's, Ars Nova, Birdland and Joe's Pub. Links North Carolina Theatre http://www.randy-redd.com/ (Randy Redd's Website) Connect with Us Facebook @beltlinetbroadway Twitter @beltlinetobway Instagram @beltlinetobroadway

„Denken Sie daran, dass Ihre Figuren letztendlich von Schauspielern dargestellt werden.“ lautet eine der „selbstverständlichen Regeln“ von Alan Ayckbourn. In dieser Folge begrüßen Heide und Constantin Steffi Kühnert bei Filmskript. Sie ist Theater- und Filmschauspielerin, Regisseurin und Professorin an der Hochschule für Schauspielkunst „Ernst Busch“. Ein Gespräch über das Aneignen von Rollen, über angstfreie Räume und die großen W-Fragen bei der Verkörperung einer Figur. Steffi Kühnert spricht auch von Ihren Erfahrungen mit den sehr unterschiedlichen Arbeitsmethoden von Michael Haneke und Andreas Dresen, von Genauigkeit und Improvisation, sowie über mangende Sichtbarkeit von Frauen ab 50 im Film.Präsentiert von der Deutschen FilmakademiePodcast Homepage · Facebook · InstagramMehr zu den Hosts:Heide Schwochow AgenturseiteConstantin Lieb Agenturseite und InstagramFoto: Stefan KlüterTonaufzeichnung und Schnitt: Rainer SchwochowMusik: Christopher Colaço (Instagram)Technische Umsetzung: Sophie Niethe, Mattia TezzeleProduktion: Deutsche Filmakademie e.V.LinksPodcast Empfehlung: „Europudding“ von SEAN - Serial Eyes Alumni NetworkSteffi Kühnert, Hochschule für Schauspielkunst Ernst BuschAlan Ayckbourn: „Theaterhandwerk - 101 selbstverständliche Regeln zum Schreiben und Inszenieren“Studie der Universität Rostock „Sichtbarkeit und Vielfalt: Fortschrittsstudie zur audiovisuellen Diversität. Gender & Kino“„Frauenbild im Film - Zu alt mit 35“

We've given this podcast, our fourth Amateur of Life and Death episode, the title of‘Life in the Farce Lane.'We talk to Geoff Poole, one of the longest standing members of The Crescent Theatre in Birmingham about his theatrical life, loves and the times that he's died on stage.  We also catch up with some of the cast of The Crescent Theatre's upcoming production of Alan Ayckbourn's Table Manners as well as giving you some top facts about farce.Table Manners plays at The Crescent Theatre from 13th to 20th November 2021.  Tickets are available from www.crescent-theatre.co.uk

Our original co-host Jenny Gayner (Lina Lamont in Singin' in the Rain) returns for the 100th episode of The West End Frame Show!Andrew & Jenny discuss & Juliet (Shaftesbury Theatre) and The Normal Heart (National Theatre) as well as the latest news about the Black British Theatre Awards, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Tim Minchin, Chelsea Halfpenny and lots more!Jenny recently played Lina Lamont in Singin' in the Rain at Sadler's Wells ahead of playing the role on the 2022 touring production. Jenny's credits include Lily in Annie (UK tour), Gangsta Granny (West End/UK tour), Miss Wilson in Gary Barlow & Tim Firth's musical The Girls (West End), Lina Lamont in Singin' in The Rain & Brooke Windham in Legally Blonde (both Kilworth House Theatre), Hunyak/cover Roxie Hart in Chicago (West End), Kristine Urich in A Chorus Line (Lowry Theatre), Laker Girl in Spamalot (West End), Ginny in Alan Ayckbourn's Relatively Speaking (International tour), Janet in The Rocky Horror Show (European tour), Chloe in Sophie Kinsella's Sleeping Arrangements (Landor), Lorraine Flemming in 42nd Street (Octagon Theatre) and her sell out one woman show All About The Girl (The Pheasantry). Follow Jenny on Instagram/Twitter: @jennygayner Hosted by Andrew Tomlins @Andrew_Tomlins  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit www.westendframe.co.uk to stay up-to-date with our podcasting adventures.   

William Roth, Founder and Artistic Director of the St. Louis Actors Studio, stopped by to talk with Nancy about the upcoming season of St. Louis Actors Studio, which is housed in the Gaslight Theater.  William Roth William Roth's acting career began in 1972 at the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves—where his dad had acted in the mid-60s—in a performance of South Pacific, in which he had a horrible case of stage fright, refused to sing and choose instead to dance behind the curtain. Twenty years later, after a six-year stint in the Marines and other distractions, he moved back to St. Louis from California and performed in a student-directed one-act festival at the University of Missouri-St Louis. He then returned to the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves to get his picture on the wall with his father, playing Clive in Alan Ayckbourn's Season's Greetings. Over the past 20 years he has appeared in countless Shakespeare productions, including: Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, Comedy of Errors, Titus Andronicus, Cymbeline, As You Like It, Romeo and Juliet, Richard III, The Winter's Tale, King Lear, Troilus and Cressida and Antony and Cleopatra. St. Louis Actors' Studio was founded to bring a fresh vision to theatre in St. Louis. Housed in The Gaslight Theater in historic Gaslight Square, STLAS is committed to bringing engaging theatrical experiences to our community of actors, writers, producers, filmmakers and all patrons of the arts; and to provide a strong ensemble environment to foster learning and artistic expression. Upcoming Productions by St. Louis Actors Studio: The Zoo Story, The Dumb Waiter by Albee, Pinter, Directed by Wayne Salomon September 17 – October 03 2021 Comfort by Neil LaBute, Directed by Assoc. Artistic Director Annamaria Pileggi December 03 – December 19, 2021 Hand To God By Robert Askins, Directed by Assoc. Artistic Director John Pierson February 18 –March 6, 2022 8th Annual LaBute New Theater Festival July 08 – July 31, 2022        

Episode 47 : A Clockwork Orange with Shirley and Tony Jaffe Shirley Jaffe is a British actress who trained at the Central School of Speech & Drama in 1954. Among other early jobs, she was in the first British Theatre in the Round Company at Scarborough, with Stephen Joseph and later Alan Ayckbourn. Her film career began in the mid-'50s with Crime/Dramas The Passing Stranger in 1954, and The Secret Tent in 1956. Shirley was also a regular cast member of the long-running TV serial Emergency Ward 10 as Nurse Angela Foster in the late '60s, and in 1970 she appeared in Hammer's Taste the Blood of Dracula with the late great Christopher Lee. She appeared on television in the infamous Michael Jackson's Earth Song live performance at The Brits in 1996, and as a Greek nun in Little Britain Abroad. She's directed and acted in plays in Brighton, Edinburgh, The West End, and Helsinki festivals and recently played Irene in the award-winning British feature Ambleton Delight. She was nominated for a Star Award in the Brighton Fringe for her performance as "Nana" in the musical, Here Comes the Bride. More recently she appeared with her husband Tony in the music video to Spankox's “To The Club”. Her latest film is called Nurse Shirley Foster.  This is Kubrick's Universe and so…… in 1971 Shirley made an appearance in Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange, when she played a nurse who helps administer the first round of Ludovico's treatment to Alex DeLarge, of course played inimitably by Malcolm McDowell. Skybreak, the home she shared with her husband Tony, was also featured in the film, as the interior location for the scene in which Alex and his Droogs attack a writer and his wife (played by Patrick Magee and Adrienne Corri). Production Credits : Hosted by Jason Furlong / Researched and written by Stephen Rigg and Jason Furlong  / Theme written and performed by Jason Furlong / Produced and edited by Stephen Rigg / Contributions by Mark Lentz & James Marinaccio

: The Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough has been central to the work of one of our greatest living playwrights. Alan Ayckbourn came to Scarborough in the 1950s and was employed as an acting stage manager - that is both on stage and backstage - before discovering that writing was his true calling. Six decades and 85 plays later - his latest is The Girl Next Door which marries a time of Covid with the Second World War and which will return to the theatre here in September. Sir Alan is now 82 and has been speaking to Today's Mishal Husain about his work, the full reopening of theatres and how difficult a period ahead they will still have

Tamzin Outhwaite is a stage and screen actress, presenter and narrator. Best known for her role as Mel Owen in Eastenders, Tamzin has been starred in many theatrical productions including Alan Ayckbourn's How the Other Half Loves and most recently The Seagull alongside Emilia Clarke and Robert Glenister. We talked to Tamzin about superstitions, her love of theatre and finding a process to calm performance nerves.

Graham and Charles discuss the financial viability of artists who rely on streaming, reflecting on the news that Nadine Shah, one of the UK's most celebrated indie artists has had to move back in with her parents. Charles wonders whether the arts can learn anything from the recent Euro 2020 final and reminds Graham it is not too late to see Sir Alan Ayckbourn's eighty fifth play in Scarborough and Graham wonders whether British fiction has any truly celebrated experimentalists. Charles looks at the fate of artists who rely on support from local councils in order to exhibit their work as York welcomes Pop Up Piccadilly.

Rob Shearman was given the task of bringing the Daleks back to Doctor Who in 2005. But, because this was such a daunting proposition, he decided to make it just about one Dalek. Much easier. Rob has awards coming out of his ears for his fantasy and horror writing, he wrote plays under the auspices of Alan Ayckbourn, works in TV, Radio and comics. In "We All Hear Stories in the Dark" his most recent non-doctor Who publication he has written one of the most unique and ambitious collections of short stories of all time. On #SLEDGEHAMMER we talk about all of this, plus "THE GREATEST SHOW IN THE GALAXY" his process, his tricks and tips, and about the creation of his blindingly good Target novel adaptation of Dalek. It was a cracking conversation. Rob Shearman. All hail.

This week Joe Murphy is joined by actor Steffan Rhodri (Woyzeck, The Old Vic; Gavin and Stacey) to talk about the beauty of Welsh weather, career successes later in life, and how a last minute performance in The Norman Conquests by Alan Ayckbourn turned it into his PlayCrush. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gary's first West End role was that of Bill Snibson in the award winning Musical ‘Me And My Girl' in 1989 (Adelphi Theatre).  A successful No.1 theatre tour of a new comedy, ‘Teething Troubles' followed, both productions to critical acclaim. With direction by Simon Callow, Gary's next role was that of Joe in the award winning ‘Carmen Jones' (Old Vic). Gary then starred in the first sell out national tour of ‘Me And My Girl' which earned him a best actor nomination.He then went on to star in the world premier of the Barry Manilow musical ‘Copacabana' at London's Prince of Wales Theatre after which, he received a special invitation to recreate his role in ‘Me And My Girl' for the final tour of this great show.That same year he recorded a one-hour TV special for the BBC – ‘Showstoppers' and was invited to record a further series of six TV spectaculars with the BBC Concert Orchestra and many national and international guest stars. He also starred in and directed a 160 date tour of ‘Showstoppers'.In 1997 he created the role of Elliot Garfield in ‘The Goodbye Girl' and in 1998 another successful characterisation of Fagin in the Cameron Mackintosh production of ‘Oliver', touring through spring and summer 1999.Gary spent a highly successful period at the Bristol Old Vic (and touring) in Willy Russell's play ‘One For The Road' and starred in the concert tour of ‘Music To Watch Girls By' singing, in his own inimitable style. A No 1 tour of Alan Ayckbourn's ‘Confusions', Bottom in The New Shakespeare Company to play  ‘A_Midsummer_Night's_Dream' (Open Air Theatre Regent's Park) and the Pirate King in ‘Pirates of Penzance' and a performance in the national tour of Giles Havergal's brilliant adaptation of the Graham Greene novel ‘Travels With My Aunt'.Gary spent most of 2003/4 at The London Palladium, starring in the record breaking ‘Chitty_Chitty_Bang_Bang' and ending the year with his own national concert tour ‘My-Kind_Of_Music'. In the summer, he was invited back to The Open Air Theatre to play Dauntless Dick Deadeye in ‘H.M.S_Pinafore' and then starring in ‘Santa Claus the Musical' at The Mayflower, Southampton in 2005. He was invited back to ‘Chitty_Chitty_Bang_Bang' and the 2006 Christmas season saw him starring in ‘Peter Pan' as Captain Hook.A successful national tour of ‘Half_a Sixpence' and the 2007 Christmas as the Scarecrow in ‘The Wizard of Oz' and then the Lion in The Festival Theatre's The Wizard of Oz in 2008, finally ending the year in Manchester as Smee in Peter Pan.In 2009 Gary starred in the national tour of ‘Chicago' in the role of Billy Flynn, the lawyer, ‘The Invisible Man', at Chocolate Factory, the national tour of Lord Arthur Saville's Crime as Septimus Podgers and as the lead comic role in the national tour of  ‘Radio Times'. In 2013, he played Dame for the first time at the Birmingham Hippodrome and then a run of westend shows including, The Pajama Game, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Wind in the Willows followed by another panto at the Palladium and a run of M

Charles and Graham open with a look-back at the best albums of the year so far and what's coming next. Graham goes further with his report on Stuart Cosgrove's book, Harlem 69: The Future Of Soul, and then compares Lindsay Anderson's classic 1968 film, If, with The Rolling Stones' track Jig-saw Puzzle from that year's album,  Beggars Banquet. Charles reflects on the monarchy, the Beeb and the media after the passing of HRH Prince Philip and then looks forward to Sir Alan Ayckbourn's 85th play premiere and CH's 60th birthday.

Get ready to spare "half a moment" as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 2001's By Jeeves on episode eight of My Favorite Flop.   ABOUT BY JEEVES Based on the beloved series of novels and short stories by P. G. Wodehouse, By Jeeves tells the story Bertie Wooster, a young gentleman about town with a penchant for getting himself into personal difficulties (particularly with women), and his unflappable manservant Jeeves, who is inevitably left to elegantly rescue him. The musical features a book and lyrics by Alan Ayckbourn and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The musical originally premiered in London in 1975 under the title Jeeves and was conceived by lyricist Tim Rice. Rice, however, did not stay with the project and was eventually replaced by playwright Alan Ayckbourn, who would also provide the musical's book and direction. After a troubled tryout in Bristol, the show finally opened in London's West End, but after receiving poor reviews, it closed after only a month. An original cast album was recorded and released, but it is extremely hard to find due to the fact that composer Andrew Lloyd Webber took the advice of producer Hal Prince to withdraw the album and use his compositions in future works. Music from the original production of Jeeves can be heard in Evita, Song & Dance, Sunset Boulevard, and more. Due to the fact that much of the original material had already been repurposed, the musical had to be completely reconstructed from the ground up for its revival. Now titled By Jeeves (to differentiate the "new" work), the show re-opened on May 1, 1996 in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, and was transferred to London due to positive audience response. The American premiere took place at The Goodspeed Opera House the same year and had several regional productions before finally making it to Broadway in October of 2001. The Broadway production, which began performances just a month after the events of 9/11, closed after just 73 performances. A film recording of the musical, featuring Martin Jarvis as Jeeves and John Scherer as Bertie Wooster, was released in October 2001. It was filmed in a studio in Toronto after the pre-Broadway tryout in Pittsburgh.   Original Broadway Cast John Scherer as Bertie Wooster Martin Jarvis as Jeeves Donna Lynne Champlin as Honoria Glossop James Kall as Gussie Fink-Nottle Ian Knauer as Harold "Stinker" Pinker Emily Loesser as Stiffy Byng Heath Lamberts as Sir Watkin Bassett Don Stephenson as Bingo Little Becky Watson as Madeline Bassett Steve Wilson as Cyrus Budge III (Junior)

Guest artist MILLY PECK joins me to chat about her work via Alan Ayckbourn's play 'Taking Steps - A Farce'. Published in 1981 by Haydonning Ltd and first performed at Stephen Joseph Theatre in 1979, the story revolves around a Victorian manor house in faltering disrepair. While the characters upstairs and downstairs their way around three storeys, the play is actually performed on only one floor so that various scenes interact simultaneously. It's then a cacophony of mishaps, misunderstandings and misdirections. Elizabeth wants to leave Roland. Roland wants to buy this tremendous house from Leslie for Elizabeth. Mark wants to marry Kitty. Kitty wants to leave Mark. Tristram, the junior solicitor, is just utterly confused about what's happening and where and by whom, and if all those strange noises are thanks to a resident ghost.    Milly and I go on to discuss her solo exhibitions, most recently at Vitrine Gallery in Basel, her upcoming residency at British School at Rome and all the work inbetween. Mentions go to foley sound production, the physicality of the stage, playing with dimensions, scale, collage, flattening, inflating, puppeteers, backstage antics, confusing performance with reality, implicating the audience, dark elements shrouded in comedy, hands in gloves, hand in black and hands holding celery.    (This episode is co-produced by Jillian Knipe and Elizabeth Fullerton with music by Griffin Knipe and image by Joanna Quinn of Beryl Productions)   MILLY PECK millypeck.com instagram millypeck 'A Matter of Routine' Vitrine Gallery Basel solo exhibition  'Loud Knock' Matts Gallery solo exhibition 'Pressure Head' Assembly Point solo exhibition Works mentioned: 'Alight', 'Moquette', 'The Unforgiving Hour', 'Straphangers'   ARTISTS Amelia Barrett (performer at Milly's solo exhibition at Assembly Point) Andrea Montagne Art Green Edward Hopper Emma Cousin ('Chats in Lockdown' podcast host) Jordan Baseman (Royal College tutor and Art Fictions Episode 10) Konrad Klapheck Nick Mauss Steve McQueen ('Deadpan' 1997) William Hogarth ('A Rake's Progress' 1732-1734)   ACTORS & DIRECTORS Bong Joon-ho (South Korean director, screenwriter, producer) Buster Keaton (silent movies) Charlie Kaufman (American screenwriter, producer, director, novelist) David Thewlis Imelda Staunton  Mark Ruffalo Robin Herford (British Theatre Director) Sir Matthew Bourne OBE (choreographer) Toby Jones    GALLERIES & THEATRES Assembly Point, London  Goldsmiths CCA, London ('Solos' 2020, 'How! Chicago Imagists' 2019) Kunsthalle, Basel Switzerland Little Angel Theatre, Islington London Matt's Gallery, London National Theatre Archives Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford UK Sir John Soane's Museum, London Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Round, Scarborough UK Vitrine Gallery, London and Basel Switzerland   PLAYS 'A Chorus of Disapproval' 'Fantastic Mr Fox' 'House and Garden' (Alan Ayckbourn dyptich) 'Mr What Not' (Alan Ayckbourn, where the central character does not speak and, otherwise, there is speech and sound) 'Noises Off' 'Relatively Speaking' (Alan Ayckbourn) 'The Red Shoes'   BOOKS & MAGAZINES 'American Zoo: A Sociological Safari' 2015 David Grazien 'Frieze' magazine (review by Kito Nedo 2 Dec 2020) 'Feel Free' 2018 Zadie Smith   FILMS 'Anomalisa' 2015 'Berbarian Sound Studio' 2012 (also performed at Donmar Warehouse) 'Birdman: The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance' 2014  'Dark Waters' 2019 'Snowpiercer' 2013 (based on French graphic novel 'Le Transperceneige' by Jacques Lob, Benjamin Legrand and Jean-Marc Rochette) 'Steamboat Bill Junior' 1928  

A work of startling originality when it debuted in 1938, Thornton Wilder's Our Town evolved to be seen by some as a vintage slice of early 20th Century Americana, rather than being fully appreciated for its complex and eternal themes and its deceptively simple form. Another day’s Begun: Thornton Wilder’s Our Town in the Twentieth Century is a new book that shines a light on the play's continued impact in the 21st century and makes a case for the healing powers of Wilder's text to a world confronting multiple crises. In this episode I am joined by the author, Howard Sherman.Howard is an arts administrator, advocate and writer based in New York City. He was executive director of the American Theatre Wing from 2003 to 2011 and during that time, his varied responsibilities included incorporating SpringboardNYC, the Theatre Intern Group and The Jonathan Larson Grants into ATW’s programming. Howard also conceived the book The Play That Changed My Life; and served on the Tony Awards Management and Administration Committees.During his tenure at the American Theatre Wing, he was executive producer of the company’s long running television program Working in the Theatre, hosting 30 panel conversations among the more than 80 shows he produced, and as creator of the audio program Downstage Centre, he interviewed 325 theatre luminaries in a seven-year span.Howard was the first General Manager of Goodspeed Musicals, working on 24 new and classic musicals, including the U.S. premieres of Alan Ayckbourn's work and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s By Jeeves. He has moderated artist conversations for public audiences for more than 30 years, having begun by leading post-performance discussions with such noted figures as Athol Fugard and JoAnne Akalaitis at the Annenberg Center in Philadelphia.He currently writes a weekly column on U.S. theatre for The Stage in London and writes monthly for Stage Directions magazine. In January 2021 he releases the book in which he appraises and celebrates Thornton Wilder’s classic of American drama; Our Town, through the eyes of the folk 'who have spent time in Grover's Corners'.Howard joined Stages from Manhattan in a fascinating conversation about this classic play, and to ponder the future challenge for the Broadway theatre and stages beyond.The Stages podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify, Whooshkaa and where all good podcasts are found.

Graham and Charles remember Darth Vader and the Green Cross Code actor, Dave Prowse, take a look at the almost universal love for Argentinian footballer, Diego Maradona as his death is announced and look at the implications for Harrogate and York's cultural events as they enter Tier Two restrictions. Graham reports on new releases from Harrogate musical artists and Charles reflects on the future of Sir Alan Ayckbourn after his latest interview with the playwright.

Ironically, a masking wearing two person play with hand sanitizers on set didn't take away from the performance. I broke a rule this week and brought my mom on my date—because we don't spend much quality time together. Plus, she always has an optimistic attitude—as in, the bad restaurant food we ate beforehand didn't ruin her mood! Resources: madonna.edu/Reptheatre In the spring, they'll be performing It Could Be Any One of Us by Alan Ayckbourn. The Book That Inspired These Dates About Lena Instagram: @lenaporter  Personal Styling    

No “Boca a Boca” desta semana, Patrícia Portela reflete sobre ultrapassar barreiras e sobre como os resultados podem ser diferentes na vida de cada um quando estamos verdadeiramente em pé de igualdade. No segmento “Na Boca do Mundo”, ouvimos uma entrevista aos encenadores João Cardoso e Nuno Carinhas, pela equipa do Teatro Nacional São João, a propósito da estreia de “Comédia de Bastidores". Em “À Boca da Bilheteira” convidamo-vos a vir ao Teatro, para assistir a “Comédia de Bastidores”, de Alan Ayckbourn com encenação de João Cardoso e Nuno Carinhas, mas também a visitar o Museu Nacional Grão Vasco, com a visita guiada “Às Cegas”, de Leonor Barata, e ainda a passar todas as segundas-feiras pelo nosso blogue – www.saladeensaiosteatroviriato.blog – para conhecer os “Gráficos da Cidade e das Coisas” de Gonçalo M. Tavares. “Boca a Boca” é o magazine radiofónico semanal do Teatro Viriato para ouvir em todo o lado, na Rádio Jornal do Centro (à quarta-feira, às 08h50 e às 20h50) e desde 27 de maio para ler também no site do Jornal do Centro e no Blog do Teatro Viriato. A voz de um Teatro que vai à montanha porque não pode esquecer a mais elementar premissa de uma casa de espetáculos: a partilha. Fique à escuta. Boca a Boca | episódio 22 podcast do Teatro Viriato Crónica "Boca a Boca": Patrícia Portela "Na Boca do Mundo": João Cardoso e Nuno Carinhas entrevistados pela equipa do Teatro Nacional São João "À Boca da Bilheteira": Liliana Rodrigues Genéricos: Pedro Pires Jingles: Nuno Veiga e Virgílio Oliveira Edição: Zito Marques Parceria: Rádio Jornal do Centro Apoio: Fundação La Caixa - BPI Produção: Teatro Viriato O Teatro Viriato é uma estrutura financiada pela República Portuguesa - Cultura/Direção Geral das Artes e pelo Município de Viseu

What was the first show you ever saw? Your biggest theatre regret? And which production would you choose to watch on a loop for eternity? These questions and more make up Seven Stages, the new podcast from The Stage, sponsored by Audible. Our eight episode features designer Es Devlin and was released on Friday, July 10, 2020. From fringe theatres to worldwide stadium tours for the likes of Beyoncé and Adele, there are few worlds and scales untouched by designer Es Devlin. Starting as a designer for theatres like the Bush in west London, she quickly became a renowned stage designer, winning three Olivier Awards along the way. Recent stage work includes Hamlet starring Benedict Cumberbatch, The Lehman Trilogy, Chimerica and The Nether. But in parallel to her stage career, she has become the go-to designer for the world's biggest musicians. Kanye West and U2, Lady Gaga and Take That, The Weeknd and Dua Lipa have all called on Devlin to conjure the engrossing, kinetic designs - mixtures of sculpture, language and light - that are her signature. Here she talks about early inspirations from her childhood on the south coast, through to all-night listening sessions with Kanye West.  Every fortnight, you can join Tim Bano for illuminating, intimate conversations with influential performers and creatives who have lived their lives in theatre. The Seven Stages podcast, sponsored by Audible, is available anywhere you find your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and the link below. Devlin's interview is available to listen to now and follows episodes with actor Paul Chahidi, playwright Alan Ayckbourn, actor Noma Dumezweni, choreographer Arlene Phillips, former Young Vic artistic director David Lan, Olivier award-winning lighting designer Paule Constable and Ian McKellen.

To celebrate one year of The West End Frame Show, original co-host Jenny Gayner returns for another stagey catchup! In this episode, Andrew & Jenny discuss The Last Five Years (Lambert Jackson Productions) & Falsettos (BroadwayHD) as well as the latest news about Oliver Dowden's roadmap to reopen theatres, the return of SIX, The Phantom of the Opera, Hamlet at the Theatre Royal Windsor starring Ian McKellen, Sleepless at Troubadour Wembley Park and Lin-Manuel Miranda's new Disney movie. Last year Jenny toured the UK as Lily in the UK touring production of Annie.  Her theatre credits also include Gangsta Granny (West End/UK tour), Miss Wilson in Gary Barlow & Tim Firth's musical The Girls (West End), Lina Lamont in Singin' in The Rain & Brooke Windham in Legally Blonde (Kilworth House Theatre), Hunyak/cover Roxie Hart in Chicago (West End), Kristine Urich in A Chorus Line (Lowry Theatre), Laker Girl in Spamalot (West End), Ginny in Alan Ayckbourn's Relatively Speaking (International tour), Janet in The Rocky Horror Show (European tour), Chloe in Sophie Kinsella's Sleeping Arrangements (Landor), Lorraine Flemming in 42nd Street (Octagon Theatre) and she performed in her sell out one woman show All About The Girl at (The Pheasantry). Jenny discusses how she has adapted into lockdown life, how she got into the industry, saying goodbye to Annie and lots more. Follow Jenny on Instagram/Twitter: @jennygayner Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. Thanks for listening! Visit www.westendframe.co.uk to stay up-to-date with our podcasting adventures. 

What was the first show you ever saw? Your biggest theatre regret? And which production would you choose to watch on a loop for eternity? These questions and more make up Seven Stages, the new podcast from The Stage, sponsored by Audible. Our seventh episode features actor Paul Chahidi and was released Friday, June 26, 2020. Actor Paul Chahidi has had an extensive career on stage, highly regarded for his Shakespearean performances at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and Shakespeare's Globe. In 2002, he played Maria in an all-male production of Twelfth Night alongside Mark Rylance, to commemorate the play's 400th anniversary. That production subsequently went to the West End and then to Broadway, and brought Chahidi an Olivier and a Tony nomination. But more recently, Chahidi has become a familiar face on TV and film, particularly for his role as the kind and patient Reverend Francis Seaton in the phenomenally successful BBC Three mockumentary This Country. In this episode of Seven Stages, Chahidi talks about his early life from his birth in Tehran, to the difficult moment his father was caught up in the Iranian Revolution. He tells stories of getting his chest waxed with Eddie Redmayne and his abiding passion for a certain Andrew Lloyd Webber musical… Every fortnight, you can join Tim Bano for illuminating, intimate conversations with influential performers and creatives who have lived their lives in theatre. The Seven Stages podcast, sponsored by Audible, is available anywhere you find your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and the link below. Chahidi's interview is available to listen to now and follows episodes with playwright Alan Ayckbourn, actor Noma Dumezweni, choreographer Arlene Phillips, former Young Vic artistic director David Lan, Olivier award-winning lighting designer Paule Constable and legendary actor Ian McKellen.

Dawn French has been one of Britain’s best-loved comedians since the mid-1980’s when her double act with Jennifer Saunders became a prime time television hit. She became even more famous as the star of The Vicar of Dibley and has gone on to write books, tour solo and write, produce and perform in television comedy and drama. William Sitwell is a restaurant critic and food writer whose appearances on MasterChef and controversial comments about veganism have propelled him into the spotlight. His new book The Restaurant: A History of Eating Out allows us to dine out vicariously whilst the chefs’ kitchens remain closed. Isobel Midnight was working in a care home when her sister booked her onto a beginners fire eating course. A few years later Isobel became a professional performer and last year she won two Guinness World Records for fire eating. Saturday Live listener Jolene Jessiman shares the story of her great-grandmother Carrie Baliol who played for the first ever Scottish women’s football team in 1881. And playwright and director Alan Ayckbourn shares his Inheritance Tracks. Producer: Laura Northedge Editor: Eleanor Garland

Schubert's Unfinished and Handel's organ concerto No.12 in B flat, op 7 no.6 Lentement

What was the first show you ever saw? Your biggest theatre regret? And which production would you choose to watch on a loop for eternity? These questions and more make up Seven Stages, the new podcast from The Stage, sponsored by Audible. Our sixth episode features playwright Alan Ayckbourn and was released this Friday, June 12, 2020. Alan Ayckbourn has written more than 80 full-length plays, with more than half of them having been produced in the West End.  These include huge hits such as The Norman Conquests, Absurd Person Singular and A Chorus of Disapproval, for which he won Olivier and Evening Standard awards. Seven Stages explores Ayckbourn's extensive and hugely successful stage career – from his first appearance as an actor in a non-speaking part in Donald Wolfit's West End company in 1956, right up to his most recent play Anno Domino, which was released for radio last month. Meanwhile, he talks about his time running Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre – named after his great mentor – and reveals that he has just finished writing yet another play, his 84th. Every fortnight, you can join Tim Bano for illuminating, intimate conversations with influential performers and creatives who have lived their lives in theatre. The Seven Stages podcast, sponsored by Audible, is available anywhere you find your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and the link below. Ayckbourn's interview is available to listen to now and follows episodes with actor Noma Dumezweni, choreographer Arlene Phillips, former Young Vic artistic director David Lan, Olivier award-winning lighting designer Paule Constable and legendary actor Ian McKellen.

The Amplify Podcast is a new strand in our Playcast series. Our Amplify Producer, Craig Gilbert, has been holed up in his makeshift bedroom studio talking to a host of exciting artists of national and international renown. These conversations cover career and process as well as offering a few exciting ideas to explore from home during this time of Social Distancing. In the first episode of the Amplify Podcast Craig talks with writer and actor David Haig.David’s stage plays include My Boy Jack and The Good Samaritan (both for Hampstead Theatre, London) and Pressure (Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh, and Minerva Theatre, Chichester). My Boy Jack was filmed for ITV, starring David, Daniel Radcliffe and Kim Cattrall, and broadcast in November 2007.His distinguished acting career includes West End appearances in Yes, Prime Minister (a transfer from Chichester); Art, Dead Funny (a transfer from Hampstead), Journey’s End, The Country Wife and The Sea. At the National Theatre he appeared in Alan Ayckbourn’s House/Garden, and at the Royal Court in Hitchcock Blonde and The Recruiting Officer. He has worked extensively for the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing, amongst others, Angelo in Trevor Nunn’s production of Measure for Measure. He won the Olivier Award for Best Actor for Our Country’s Good at the Royal Court, and received nominations for Mary Poppins and Donkeys’ Years, both in the West End.His television and film appearances include Yes, Prime Minister, Mo, The Wright Way, Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Thin Blue Line, Talking Heads and Crime and Punishment.

A special programme recorded in August 2019 with Estelle Briers, Silver-Gilt award-winning show gardener. We will be talking about the Chorley and Southport Flower shows where Estelle’s show gardens were awarded Silver-Gilt, the local community groups which helped with the gardens & how the garden design was inspired by the Alan Ayckbourn comedy ‘Woman in Mind’. We will also be taking a stroll through Estelle’s allotment in Chorley.

Adrian is here again this week. Adam talks about the process of writing his new book, Absolution which came out this week. It’s a political thriller which echoes real events, perhaps more closely than he was happy with. This segues nicely into a news story about whether politicians have been watching true crime - or reading crime fiction. They also talk about whether or not crime writers approve of murder and answer – in great detail – their least favourite question: where do you get your ideas from? Bob may be away, but his presence is felt when his star turn in Alan Ayckbourn’s Ten Times Table is discussed. Stay tuned until the end of the episode where Adrian opens the door on the shocking goings on behind the scenes in the radio industry.~ Moriarty ~"Adrian’s" recommendation Absolution by Adam Croft and Steven Moore https://www.kobo.com/ebook/absolution-95 Don't forget your exclusive Partners in Crime discounts through Kobo. Get 90% off your first purchase using the code CRIME at checkout. And you can also get 40% off all books using the code PARTNERS when you shop using this link: http://bit.ly/PartnersKoboCONTACT USEmail: hello@partnersincrime.onlineFacebook: facebook.com/groups/crimefictionpodcast/Twitter: twitter.com/crimeficpodcastWebsite: partnersincrime.onlineiTunes: croft.link/PIC-podcastStitcher: bit.ly/PIC-StitcherGoogle Play: bit.ly/PIC-GooglePlayYouTube: bit.ly/PIC-YouTubeSpotify: bit.ly/Partners-in-crime

Ragged Scratch Podcast S1E4: An Ordinary VeinCW: Death of a family member, one short incident of swearingHosted by Natalie WinterSound Design, Recording Engineer: Kirsty GillmoreAn Ordinary House, by Clare FinnimoreWhen 28 year old Sarah goes off to Raqqa to fight with the Kurds, what happens to those she leaves behind. This fictional drama is adapted from a recent TV documentary about real events that happened in 2017Directed and edited by Natalie WinterDiana - Florence OliveaSarah - Amber MuldoonRachael - Sharita OomeerMark - Jamie NewalLike the Blood in Your Veins, by Victoria Taylor RobertsA lonely woman finds love (of sorts) on the treadmill.Directed by Victoria Taylor RobertsEdited by Kirsty GillmoreMaggie - Natalie ChisolmTheme music by Alyx JonesSound file attributions: Room tone: JGarc on Freesound: https://freesound.org/s/342863/ShoutoutsMedecins Sans Frontieres - https://www.msf.org.uk/Help Refugees - https://helprefugees.orgAmnesty International - https://www.amnesty.org.ukSomewhere Else Writer’s Group, Cirencester: https://somewhere-else-writers.org.Sharita Oomeer co-directing The Norman Conquests by Alan Ayckbourn for Tower Theatre in Stoke Newington, March 2020: towertheatre.org.ukVictoria Taylor Roberts on SpotifyFind us on:Twitter | Facebook | InstagramPlease consider supporting us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/raggedfoils

Lucy Prebble’s play A Very Expensive Poison opened last week at the Old Vic in London. It tells the story of the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in 2006 with a treatment ranging from the high theatricality of song, dance and puppetry to simple direct address to the audience - and has a love story at its core. Lucy Prebble joins Front Row to talk about putting truth on stage. Mark Strong and Daniel Mays star in new Sky One drama Temple, set in a disused underground station being used as a covert hospital to treat criminals and CEOs of massive companies who need to keep their health a secret. David Butcher of the Radio Times reviews. Lynda Clarke has been shortlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award with Ghillie’s Mum. The writer discusses her story which is about a shape shifting mother whose animal forms delight her son but horrify the wider world . The story is broadcast on Radio 4 at 1530 on Friday 13 September and the winner of the BBC NSSA is announced on Front Row on 1 October. Lope de Vega wrote about 500 plays but there can’t be many writers with more plays to their name than years to their age. Alan Ayckbourn can claim that honour: he’s 80 and last night his 83rd play opened, like so many of his previous dramas, in Scarborough. Birthdays Past, Birthdays Present has all the deft stagecraft we expect from the playwright; it opens on the day of Micky’s 80th birthday party and works backwards to the birthdays of his wife, his son and daughter. What happens offstage is as important as what the audience sees. This is a family drama about rumour, reputation and what really happened. So, a play for our times. Nick Ahad, drama critic for the Yorkshire Post, reviews the production. Presenter: Samira Ahmed Producer: Hilary Dunn

Director Jo Newman talks to set and costume designer James Button about the hilarious Alan Ayckbourn comedy Relatively Speaking which opens at Salisbury Playhouse on 4 September 2019

Neil Callin talks to Actor Helen Mckenna and Director Cliff Chapman about the Service Players Production of “Communicating Doors” by Alan Ayckbourn.

Join Nick Ben and Coop on the couch this week with the latest and greatest movie news in Hollywood.    This week, Ben is BACK!   The boys discuss their thoughts on the latest season of Stranger Things and where they think the future of the show is going. SPOILER ALERT! BEWARE   Next they breakdown Spider Man Far From Home and Midsommar and their reviews on those.    Has digital cinema destroyed realism?    Cooper tries out a couple voices he’s been working out and talks about his experience on Absurd Person Singular by Alan Ayckbourn!    And as always, a bit of music and movie news going on in Hollywood right now!

In our annual event at Simpson's in the Strand, awards were presented by Gyles Brandreth, and given to Basil Brush, Geoffrey Palmer, Alan Ayckbourn, Henry Blofeld, April Ashley, Baroness Williams of Crosby and the great Dame Vera Lynn.

Rob's guest this week is the playwright and director, Alan Ayckbourn

Samira Ahmed talks to Alan Ayckbourn about his experimental new work for the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, The Karaoke Theatre Company, which involves audience participation. Briony Hanson reviews Men and Chicken, a Danish comedy film starring Mads Mikkelsen.Crime writer Peter Robinson discusses his 23rd DCI Banks novel When the Music's Over, which features a celebrity at the centre of a historical abuse investigation.

Richard Coles and Aasmar Mir are joined by Caroline Quentin. She became a national treasure as the long suffering Dorothy on Men Behaving Badly, followed by lead roles in Jonathan Creek, Blue Murder and Life of Riley. She has presented documentary series on Cornwall and India, and Restoration Home. More recently she's performed at Bristol Old Vic and in the West End. She joins us ahead of a new BBC one drama Dickensian in which she stars as Mrs Bumble, where an assortment of Dickens' characters meet in a seasonal tale. Now the colder weather has finally come it seems a good time to talk about wood, more precisely, firewood. Lars Mytting has created a best seller with his book Norwegian Wood which details the art of chopping, stacking, drying and burning this ancient source of heat. He joins us to share his technical know how and cultural folklore. Listener Alistair Kean wrote to us about his experience of almost becoming a cosmonaught. He tell us how he has no regrets... Caroline Taggart is a word obsessive who has produced 20 books on the origin and meaning of words. She joins us to talk about her latest which focuses on the evolution of words and the phenomenon of the portmanteau. Cuban ballet dancer Carlos Acosta CBE tells us about his inheritance tracks. He chooses Ng la Banda's Echale Limon and Polo Montanez's Un Millon de Estrellas. We have your Thank you's and our reporter Anna Bailey meets Alan Ayckbourn. Dickensian, a drama in 20 parts for BBC1, begins over Christmas. Norwegian Wood by Lars Mytting is out now. New Words for Old by Caroline Taggart is out now. Carlos Acosta returns to the London Coliseum for a limited run from 8 - 13 December 2015, with A Classical Selection, presenting highlights from Carlos' career in celebration of his 26 years as a dancer on the international stage. Alan Ayckbourn has two plays touring the UK currently: Confusions and Hero's Welcome, until 5th March 2016. Producer: Corinna Jones Editor: Karen Dalziel.

Michael Billington has been theatre critic of The Guardian since 1971 and of Country Life since 1986, but began reviewing for The Times in 1965. He is the author of biographies of Harold Pinter and Peggy Ashcroft, critical studies of Tom Stoppard and Alan Ayckbourn, a celebration of Ken Dodd and a collection of reviews, One Night Stands. At his home in West London, Michael talks to BTG's Philip Fisher about his new book, The 101 Greatest Plays from Antiquity to the Present, and about his 50-year career as a theatre critic. Photo credit: Natasha Billington

Kirsty Lang investigates the flourishing phenomenon of so-called event cinema. Plays, musicals and operas in major cities have become available throughout the country on the big - and sometimes small - screen in local cinemas. Eric Felner, the producer of Billy Elliot the Musical tells of his delight at the performance in September that topped the cinema box office, beating Denzel Washington's The Equalizer into second place. David Sabel, the Head of Digital at the National Theatre responsible for NT Live, analyses the success of Frankenstein, War Horse and many other shows. Helen McCrory talks about what the live screening of Medea felt like and Lesley Manville and Richard Eyre describe having their theatre production of Ibsen's Ghosts filmed. Front Row hears from some who fear the impact of event cinema on local theatre and on touring; Lorne Campbell of Northern Stage and the playwright Alan Ayckbourn voice their concerns. And what is the future of event screening? Presenter: Kirsty Lang Producer: Sarah Johnson.

Kirsty Lang talks to Olivier and Tony Award winning playwright Alan Ayckbourn about Roundelay, his 78th play. Comedian Omid Djalili discusses his memoir Hopeful: An Autobiography which is about his unconventional childhood and adolescence. Two developers of "video games" that have no visuals but are just audio explain how to play these imaginative games and Catherine Bray joins Kirsty from the Venice Film Festival with news of the films that are making waves and the up and coming directing talent to look out for. Presenter: Kirsty Lang Producer: Olivia Skinner.

Alan Ayckbourn talks to Angus MacKechnie about his career, focusing on his work at the National Theatre whilst Peter Hall was Artistic Director and his recently revived play A Small Family Business.

Adam Penford talks to Mark Shenton about his revival of Alan Ayckbourn's A Small Family Business, working with Nicholas Hytner on One Man, Two Guvnors and his ambitions for the future. This is a recording of a live Platform event from April 2014.

Alan Ayckbourn talks to Angus MacKechnie about his career, focusing on his work at the National Theatre whilst Peter Hall was Artistic Director and his recently revived play A Small Family Business.

With Samira Ahmed. The Grand Budapest Hotel is the latest film from Wes Anderson, the director of Moonrise Kingdom and The Royal Tenenbaums. It follows the adventures of a flamboyant hotel concierge Gustave H, played by Ralph Fiennes, and his trainee Lobby Boy, Zero, played by Tony Revolori. Larushka Ivan-Zedeh reviews. The French film director Alain Resnais has died at the age of 91. His last film, The Life of Riley, was based on a play by Alan Ayckbourn and will be released this month. Alan Ayckbourn discusses his relationship with Resnais, who adapted three of his plays for the screen. A new exhibition at Tate Britain explores the lure of ruins for artists ranging from John Constable to Rachel Whiteread. Ruin Lust includes paintings of picturesque ruins from the 18th Century and 20th century photographs of inner city decay. Author Iain Sinclair discusses why so many artists have found ruins compelling. French author Marie Darrieussecq's latest novel, All The Way, charts the sexual awakening of Solange, a young French girl who's obsessed with sex and with losing her virginity. Marie Darrieussecq became a French literary sensation with her first novel, Pig Tales, about a woman turning into a pig. She discusses writing about adolescence, desire and the feminine experience.

Peter Duncan, Jonny Clarke and George Banks will be heading the cast of the 2014 national tour of Rachel Wagstaff’s stage play Birdsong, adapted from the novel by Sebastian Faulks, when it comes to the Wyvern Theatre later this year. The three cast members marched into the Town Centre to visit the cenotaph ahead of their performances in Swindon in July. Peter Duncan, though perhaps best known as a Blue Peter presenter, began his acting career in the 1970s when he joined the National Theatre. Recent theatre credits include Denry Machin in The Card (for which he received an Olivier nomination for Best Actor in a Musical), Alan Ayckbourn‘s Things We Do For Love, the twins in Corpse, Stan Laurel in Laurel and Hardy, Macduff in Macbeth and Fantastic Mr Fox, both at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park, and the title role in Charlie Peace - His Amazing Life And Outstanding Legend at Nottingham Playhouse and Coventry Belgrade's B2. Peter will be playing the role of Jack Firebrace in Birdsong. Birdsong will run at the Wyvern Theatre from Tuesday 1 to Saturday 5 July. Book tickets today at http://wyverntheatre.org.uk

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) THE FOREIGNER, by Larry Shue, at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, (2) TALLEY'S FOLLY, by Lanford Wilson, at the New Jewish Theatre, (3) SEASON'S GREETINGS, by Alan Ayckbourn, at St. Louis Actors' Studio, (4) THE DIVINE SISTER, by Charles Busch, at HotCity Theatre, (5) YOURS, ANNE, by Enid Futterman & Michael Cohen, at the Webster Univ. Conservatory, (6) FULLY COMMITTED, by Becky Mode, at Stray Dog Theatre, (7) THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, by Barbara Robinson, at KTK Productions, and (8) THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS SHOW (ABRIDGED), by Reed Martin & Austin Tichenor, at Edison Theatre Ovations.

Alan Ayckbourn is often described as the most performed playwright alive in the world. A revival of his play Absent Friends has opened in London's West End. And a new play - his 76th - premieres this summer. After more than 50 years of writing and directing, what is it about Alan Ayckbourn and his portrayal of relationships in the English suburbs that can still fill theatres around the world?

Actor Jim Norton, Tony and Olivier Award winner for "The Seafarer" and now on Broadway in the notably sunnier current revival of "Finian's Rainbow", discusses how the Irish view that Irish-inflected musical; how he wasn't entirely unprepared to appear in a musical, even though he's done extremely few in a 50 year career (despite an early appearance as Lt. Cable in "South Pacific"); and why appearing in a Broadway musical is unlike anything he's ever done before. He also takes us through his days as a child actor on radio; his emergence in the Irish theatre community in the 1960s and his subsequent decision to move to London at the decade's end, resulting in an exile from the Irish stage that would last 18 years; his quick discovery in London by noted director Lindsay Anderson; why he worked to keep the English theatre community from thinking of him as an Irish actor; why he made his American stage debut in California; how difficult he found it to perform in "The Pillowman"; what it was like to perform in "The Weir" in a variety of countries and venues; and his extensive work with a group of major playwrights over his career, including David Storey, Alan Ayckbourn, Tom Murphy, Sebastian Barry, Frank McGuinness and most notably, Conor McPherson. Original air date - December 14, 2009.

Actor Jim Norton, Tony and Olivier Award winner for The Seafarer and now on Broadway in the notably sunnier current revival of Finian's Rainbow, discusses how the Irish view that Irish-inflected musical; how he wasn't entirely unprepared to appear in a musical, even though he's done extremely few in a 50 year career (despite an early appearance as Lt. Cable in South Pacific); and why appearing in a Broadway musical is unlike anything he's ever done before. He also takes us through his days as a child actor on radio; his emergence in the Irish theatre community in the 1960s and his subsequent decision to move to London at the decade's end, resulting in an exile from the Irish stage that would last 18 years; his quick discovery in London by noted director Lindsay Anderson; why he worked to keep the English theatre community from thinking of him as an Irish actor; why he made his American stage debut in California; how difficult he found it to perform in The Pillowman; what it was like to perform in The Weir in a variety of countries and venues; and his extensive work with a group of major playwrights over his career, including David Storey, Alan Ayckbourn, Tom Murphy, Sebastian Barry, Frank McGuinness and most notably, Conor McPherson.

Actor Jim Norton, Tony and Olivier Award winner for "The Seafarer" and now on Broadway in the notably sunnier current revival of "Finian's Rainbow", discusses how the Irish view that Irish-inflected musical; how he wasn't entirely unprepared to appear in a musical, even though he's done extremely few in a 50 year career (despite an early appearance as Lt. Cable in "South Pacific"); and why appearing in a Broadway musical is unlike anything he's ever done before. He also takes us through his days as a child actor on radio; his emergence in the Irish theatre community in the 1960s and his subsequent decision to move to London at the decade's end, resulting in an exile from the Irish stage that would last 18 years; his quick discovery in London by noted director Lindsay Anderson; why he worked to keep the English theatre community from thinking of him as an Irish actor; why he made his American stage debut in California; how difficult he found it to perform in "The Pillowman"; what it was like to perform in "The Weir" in a variety of countries and venues; and his extensive work with a group of major playwrights over his career, including David Storey, Alan Ayckbourn, Tom Murphy, Sebastian Barry, Frank McGuinness and most notably, Conor McPherson. Original air date - December 14, 2009.

A few months before his death, Harold Pinter was interviewed by director Harry Burton at the British Library to commemorate the donation of his archive. In this edited version of their conversation, Pinter reminisces about his years in rep theatre, talks about his relationship with his father, discusses his poetry - and explains why not everything Alan Ayckbourn says about him is true ...

Drawing on his intimate knowledge of the theatre, Alan Ayckbourn offers an insight into the varius methods of staging, drawing a link between his own work and theatre in the round.

Transcript -- Drawing on his intimate knowledge of the theatre, Alan Ayckbourn offers an insight into the varius methods of staging, drawing a link between his own work and theatre in the round.

Transcript -- Ayckbourn's approach to redrafting and rewriting scripts, and how dramatic ideas and twists emerge.

Transcript -- Alan Ayckbourn's work as a director, and how this informs his writing. The economy of playwriting, and the writer’s awareness of the limitations of the stage.

Playwriting master Alan Ayckbourn reveals how he develops and connects ideas for his plays, and the meticulous process of structuring and ‘building’ a script.

Transcript -- Playwriting master Alan Ayckbourn reveals how he develops and connects ideas for his plays, and the meticulous process of structuring and ‘building’ a script.

Ayckbourn's approach to redrafting and rewriting scripts, and how dramatic ideas and twists emerge.

Alan Ayckbourn's work as a director, and how this informs his writing. The economy of playwriting, and the writer’s awareness of the limitations of the stage.

Alan Ayckbourn, who is back in the United States for the US premiere of his newest play, "Private Fears in Public Places", joins the hosts of "Downstage Center" to talk about how he approaches being an author and director. Original airdate - June 10, 2005

Alan Ayckbourn, who is back in the United States for the US premiere of his newest play, "Private Fears in Public Places", joins the hosts of "Downstage Center" to talk about how he approaches being an author and director. Original airdate - June 10, 2005

Alan Ayckbourn, who is back in the United States for the US premiere of his newest play, "Private Fears in Public Places", joins the hosts of "Downstage Center" to talk about how he approaches being an author and director. Original airdate - June 10, 2005

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is theatrical producer Michael Codron. During the 30 years he has been in the business, some of Britain's most eminent modern playwrights - John Mortimer, Alan Ayckbourn and Tom Stoppard for example - started their writing careers under his patronage. He's also turned his hand to popular entertainment in the form of hit plays like Crown Matrimonial and There's a Girl in my Soup. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his successes as well as his failures, and the risky but compulsive character of show business life.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Symphony No 1 in C by Georges Bizet Book: Caroline and Charlotte by Alison Plowman Luxury: Jigsaw puzzles

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is theatrical producer Michael Codron. During the 30 years he has been in the business, some of Britain's most eminent modern playwrights - John Mortimer, Alan Ayckbourn and Tom Stoppard for example - started their writing careers under his patronage. He's also turned his hand to popular entertainment in the form of hit plays like Crown Matrimonial and There's a Girl in my Soup. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his successes as well as his failures, and the risky but compulsive character of show business life. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Symphony No 1 in C by Georges Bizet Book: Caroline and Charlotte by Alison Plowman Luxury: Jigsaw puzzles