Podcasts about birmingham rep

RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjardeng MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands for the next of his regular audio described theatre reviews. This week we have the return of a much-missed detective icon from the small screen to the theatre stage with ‘Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts' with some twists and turns, red a few red herrings and some rye humour too at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by Professional Audio describer Carolyn Smith. About ‘Inspector Morse:  House of Ghosts' A chilling mystery unfolds when a young actress suddenly dies on stage during a performance, and Detective Chief Inspector Morse embarks on a gripping investigation. What begins as a suspicious death inquiry takes a darker turn when the legendary inspector, together with DS Lewis, uncovers a connection to sinister events in his own past, twenty-five years earlier. Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts marks the first-ever major stage adaptation of the iconic detective. ITV's long-running Inspector Morse, hailed by Radio Times as ‘The greatest British crime series of all time', has inspired equally beloved spin-offs, Lewis and Endeavour. Starring Tom Chambers (Father Brown, Strictly Come Dancing) as Inspector Morse, this original story written for the stage is a must-see for fans of compelling detective stories and thrilling mysteries. Presented by Birmingham Rep & Melting Pot. Based on characters by Colin Dexter. Written by Alma Cullen For more about the tour of ‘Inspector Morse:  House of Ghosts' including dates and times of performances do visit - https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/inspector-morse-house-of-ghosts/ (Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB' written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio' is written in black in a smaller font)

Recorded for release W/C 4th Aug 2025 This week we chat with Alicia Barnes who plays Monica in Friends the musical Parody at The Wolverhampton Grand, Ian and James let us know Big Three productions Everybody's talking about Jamie, we meet two of of the cast of The Boy with Wings that is at the Birmingham Rep this month, we meet life size Dinosaurs at the Lightroom in Kings Cross and chat with Martin Law about his film Reputation.

Recorded for release W/C 23rd June 2025 This week Chicago's Roxy Hart, Strictly's Janette Manrara, tells us all about the show at the Wolverhampton Grand, Omar Malik lets us know about Marriage Material, a show set in Wolverhampton but being staged at the Birmingham Rep, Jack Marriner-Brown from The Traitors talks train travel, we find out about the work of the MND Association and have music from Angus Crowne.  

RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjardeng MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands for the next of his regular audio described theatre reviews for 2025. This week we celebrate movie history and the choppy waters behind the filming of Jaws as ‘The Shark is Broken' visited the Birmingham repertory Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describer Julia Grundy. About ‘The Shark is Broken' Dive into the drama behind the scenes of Hollywood's first blockbuster… Fade in: The open ocean, 1974. Filming is delayed…again. The lead actors – theatre veteran Robert Shaw and young Hollywood hotshots Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider – are crammed into a too-small boat, entirely at the mercy of foul weather and a faulty mechanical co-star. Alcohol flows, egos collide, and tempers flare on a chaotic voyage that just might lead to cinematic magic…if it doesn't sink them all. Ian Shaw gives one  of the most exhilarating theatrical performances of the year” - Evening Standard A smash hit in the West End and on Broadway, THE SHARK IS BROKEN celebrates movie history and peeks at the choppy waters behind Hollywood's first blockbuster. For more about ‘The Shark is Broken' along with details of dates and times of performances - https://thesharkisbroken.com And for more about access at the Birmingham REP do visit - https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/your-visit/accessibility/ (Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'See differently' underneath)

Recorded for release W/C 19th May 2025 This week we find out about 2 shows at The Birmingham Rep, Little Women (with Catherine Chalk) and Spitfire Girls (with Kirsty Cox). Robert Llewelyn (Kryten) Talks EVs and Red Dwarf, we have music from Alt Blk Era and hear about a new campaign from DrinkAware and Andy's Man Club.

It's the 300th episode and Tony winner Jerry Mitchell is back In The Frame!Jerry has worked extensively as a director and choreographer in both the West End and on Broadway.He is currently nominated for Best Choreography at this year's Tony Awards for his production of BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical - with music by David Foster - which is running to acclaim on Broadway. Meanwhile in London Jerry's production of The Devil Wears Prada - with music by Elton John - is playing the Dominion Theatre and last year his production of Becoming Nancy had a regional run at the Birmingham Rep.Jerry is one of the producers for the upcoming off-West End run of the brand-new musical King of Pangea which opens at the King's Head Theatre in June. Written by Martin Storrow and directed by Richard Israel, King of Pangea follows Sam Crow following the loss of his relentlessly hopeful mother as he escapes to the imaginary island of his childhood. As a director and choreographer, some more of Jerry's shows have included Legally Blonde, Kinky Boots, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Pretty Woman. He directed On Your Feet and choreographed Hairspray.Jerry has won the Tony Award for Best Choreography twice for his work on La Cage aux Folles and Kinky Boots. Additionally he received the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award in 2023 in recognition of his support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (largely through creating Broadway Bares).Jerry was last In The Frame five years ago and is back for our special 300th episode!Jerry kicks off the episode with a discussion about why he's producing King Of Pangea and the challenges of bringing new musicals to the stage in 2025.Jerry also talks all-things BOOP!, including the development of the show and casting Jasmine Amy Rogers. He reflects on how he approached The Devil Wears Prada, after he took the helm following the show's original staging in the US. Jerry also chats about Becoming Nancy's journey and whether we can expect future life for the show. Plus lots more pops up along the way!King Of Pangea runs at the King's Head Theatre 7th June - 6th July. BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical runs on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre whilst The Devil Wears Prada runs in the West End at the Dominion Theatre. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening to 300 episodes of In The Frame!Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded for release W/C 28th April 2025 This week Traitor Charlotte talks Tea, Curtis Long lets us know about Rhyth ofd the Dance at the Wolverhampton Grand, we find out about a photography exhibition from Graham Stubbs, we chat with the Director and Writer of 'All My Pretty Ones' that debuts at the Birmingham Rep in May and we have music from Jules Knight.

Welcome Back to TBOTA!Dan Milne trained as a theatre practitioner after studying English at Cambridge and training at the Drama Studio, London. He has acted with leading UK theatre companies including the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, Young Vic, and Complicité, as well as regionally with the Royal Exchange Manchester, Birmingham Rep, and Liverpool Everyman. His international tours have taken him to Broadway and festivals in the US, Mexico, India, Australia, and New Zealand. Screen credits include Eastenders, The Nevers, and Star Wars: The Acolyte.As a director, Dan has worked with the RSC and Young Vic and presented work at BAC, Trafalgar Studios, and off-Broadway. He produced the documentary The Longest Game and two features, Never Here and Widow's Walk, and is currently developing The Gate with Camille Thoman and Tobias Menzies. He also co-founded Narativ, a storytelling company born from his acclaimed New York theatre piece Two Men Talking. The company's mission is ‘a world connected by listening and sharing personal stories' - a mission to support people to explore, tell and reflect on the stories of their personal experience.Jane Nash is Director and Lead Trainer of Narativ in London. She believes passionately in the transformative power of Listening & Storytelling and brings a rigorous, compassionate ability to listen in all situations, creating trainings that her clients say are practical, inspiring and always human. Jane developed her love of story and her expertise in the behaviours of personal impact in a career spanning many decades, working internationally as an actor, writer, director and theatre maker. She has appeared in film and on television, and in theatre spaces as diverse as Greenwich Park, St Pancras Station and the Olivier Theatre. She has created many pieces of theatre drawing on elements of personal storytelling - such work includes ‘Big Space', ‘Small Space', and a piece about family currently being developed with Dan and her daughter, entitled ‘All Those Things'.Support this show:Become a patron and help me make this show. Bonus episodes every week: >> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Robert Neumark Jones | creating podcasts and extra content | Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy me a coffee ☕⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/robertneumark⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Or support me through other ways:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bliss of the Abyss⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give us a rating & review:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write a review for Bliss of the Abyss ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Like and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Webpage:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Robert Neumark Jones | Actor | Voice Artist (robertnj.com)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠© Robert Neumark Jones

In the wake of multiple troubling allegations made against author Neil Gaiman, an upcoming production of CORALINE has been cancelled. The show, a musical adaptation of the novel, was scheduled to play at multiple co-producing theatres including Leeds Playhouse, HOME Manchester, Birmingham Rep and the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. Today Mickey-Jo is talking through the news, why exactly this decision was made and his thoughts on cancelling productions based on the work of problematic authors... • About Mickey-Jo: As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MickeyJoTheatre⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 70,000 subscribers. Since establishing himself as a theatre critic he has been able to work internationally. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. He has also twice received accreditation from the world renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. He has been invited to speak to private tour groups, at the BEAM 2023 new musical theatre conference at Oxford Playhouse, and on a panel of critics at an event for young people considering a career in the arts courtesy of Go Live Theatre Projects. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre

Recorded for Release W/C 4th Oct 2024 This week Sherrie Hewson has a Grand Day Out, Geoffrey Beevers talks about A Christmas Carol at the Birmingham Rep, we find out about the clothes collection for the Good Shepherd at the Wolverhampton Grand alongside Come from Away this week, we talk home security with Yale, we discuss Movember & Care Leavers week, find out about FessHole Live and hear about The Dubliners Encore from original Dubliner John Sheahan.

Based on the novel by Terry Ronald, the musical BECOMING NANCY has recently opened at Birmingham Rep in the UK and features a book by Elliot Davis and a score from Stiles and Drewe. The show stars Joseph Peacock as David Starr, a boy cast unexpectedly in the role of Nancy in his school production of OLIVER! He is supported by a talented cast including Rebecca Trehearn, Genevieve Nicole, Paige Peddie, Joseph Vella, Stephen Ashfield, Richard Meek, and more. Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts about this brand new production, currently receiving its UK premiere in this brand new review. • 00:00 | introduction 01:50 | synopsis 05:52 | the material 16:01 | the production 24:29 | the performances • get in person / live stream tickets to see MickeyJoTheatre LIVE at the Phoenix Arts Club: https://phoenixartsclub.com/events/mickeyjotheatre-live/ • About Mickey-Jo: As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MickeyJoTheatre⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 60,000 subscribers. Since establishing himself as a theatre critic he has been able to work internationally. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. He has also twice received accreditation from the world renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. He has been invited to speak to private tour groups, at the BEAM 2023 new musical theatre conference at Oxford Playhouse, and on a panel of critics at an event for young people considering a career in the arts courtesy of Go Live Theatre Projects. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre

Who got a cheeky kiss from a 90's boyband member? Is mates with the Minogues? AND worked on the X Factor? Author and songwriter Terry Ronald that's who! We chat on The Phonebox Podcast about his wonderful new musical Becoming Nancy, his love of Beverly Hills 90210 and how we both miss Top of the Pops.Be sure to listen to the Becoming Nancy soundtrack on Spotify here and grab tickets to Becoming Nancy at The Birmingham Rep from October 2nd to November 2nd here.For more of me follow @brummymummyof2 on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and TikTok and follow the @phoneboxpodcast account on Instagram for polls and nostalgic fun.If you have any guest suggestions, topics you would like me to cover email admin@brummymummyof2.co.uk and be sure to tag so I can see where you are listening!#90s #90smusic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fresh off his successful run at the Edinburgh Festival and gearing up for his UK tour, Rob and Jack welcome Alex Hill, the writer and star of Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England, to the Clubhouse. Alex shares insights into the creative journey behind his one-man show.A die-hard Brentford fan, Alex was inspired to write the show following the chaotic events of the Euro 2020 Final between England and Italy, most famously marked by the viral image of an England fan in Trafalgar Square with a flare in a rather... unconventional place!Rob and Jack dive into the origins of Alex's idea, the themes woven throughout the show, and the colourful characters who helped shape the story. They also explore Alex's personal journey in balancing his love for both sport and theatre.Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England is touring the UK this autumn 2024. Follow @bumflareplay on Instagram to book tickets and stay updated. Plus, they announce a special ticket GIVEAWAY for performances at The Wilton's Music Hall in London, Somerset, Corby, Hull, and The Birmingham REP. Visit @stagedoortheltic on Instagram for details on how to enter!Hosts: Jack Loxton & Rob Shaw CameronGuest: Alex HillProducer: James CourtEdited by: Rob Shaw Cameron@jackloxton1 @robshawcameron@thecourtofjames@alex29hill Stage Door Athletic is a [NON]FICTION PEOPLE Podcast© [NON]FICTION PEOPLE LtdPRS Licence Reference: LE-0031956All Together Now - The Farm ℗ 2024 Farmsongs Ltd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order the hot dogs and get yourself a pint of American Pale Ale, The NFL is back!!!Jack and Rob preview the next regular season kicking off for American Football across the pond. Jack tries his best to educate Rob in the comings and goings of the Draft, Rob locks in his NFL team to support and we make our predictions for the coming season.The boys have a little catch up, with Rob imparting some acting and life wisdom to Jack and they even give an update on the Stage Door Athletic Premier League Fantasy Football team!!!GIVEAWAY - Next week we meet Alex Hill, author and star ‘Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Ass for England' and to celebrate Alex is giving away two tickets to see the show at The Wiltons Music Hall in London or at The Birmingham REP. Visit @stagedoortheltic on Instgram for details of how to enter. Hosts: Jack Loxton & Rob Shaw CameronProducer: James CourtEdited by: Rob Shaw Cameron@jackloxton1 @robshawcameron@thecourtofjames Stage Door Athletic is a [NON]FICTION PEOPLE Podcast© [NON]FICTION PEOPLE LtdPRS Licence Reference: LE-0031956Fifteen - Taylor Swift ℗ 2009 Apollo A-1 LLCNFL on FOX Theme (Extended Workout Mix) - Power Music Workout ℗ 2016 Power Music, Inc. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, the Pop Gays of a Certain Age talk to Terry Ronald and Steve Anderson, about the fab new musical, "Becoming Nancy", which opens at the Birmingham Rep in October 2024. You'll find out everything about the musical, which is an adaption of Terry Ronald's brilliant novel of the same name. Discover how the UK version of the show differs from its first staging in Atlanta, the process of creating the music for the show, the casting and more. We also talk about Terry's career in pop. Both Steve and Terry tell us their favourite stage musicals, and we even manage to shoe-horn some conversation about those sisters whose surname is Minogue. This is a first-time trip to Pop Gay towers for Terry and we are excited to welcome back Steve for his second visit. A must-listen to episode!

Nick Hennegan presents the second instalment of his Resonance 104.4fm radio show, Literary London, featuring the music from the cult film Withnail and I, now a theatre show at Birmingham Rep in Brum - he was spotted in Soho with the Mom of Madness lead singer, Suggs - and a request for a moody version of an Australian classic! www.BohemianBritain.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bohemianbritain/message

Bruce Robinson has written a stage adaptation of his cult 1987 film Withnail And I - a tragicomedy that evokes the end of an era as the 60s give way to 70s and dreams collide with reality in the lives of the two main characters. The play has just opened at the Birmingham Rep, directed by Sean Foley. Both of them talk about the challenges of adapting and staging a much loved classic and the degree to which it needed to remain true to the original.Now You See Us - an exhibition spanning 400 years of women in art - opens at Tate Britain this week. Art critic Charlotte Mullins and art historian and biographer Frances Spalding give their verdict on how the collection represents the pioneers from Angelica Kauffman to Laura Knight.

Chloe is an actor, writer and theatre maker who trained at the International School of Acting and Central School of Speech and Drama.  With over 10 years of working in film, TV and theatre she is best known for playing Joanne Grantham in BBC's Doctors and the lead role in independent film Honeycomb Lodge that won the Best Film at the Delhi International Film Festival. Over lockdown she starred alongside Helen Mirren in The Secret Life of Ophelia.  She is also the alumna of the Actor-Writer course and is a supported writer of the Sheffield Theatre's Bank Cohort. Chloe is currently reigning champion of the Birmingham Rep's Monologue Slam competition with her piece “May I Take Your Order Please”, based on her time working in hospitality.  In this episode we discuss Chloe's brand new play that's currently on tour across the UK, As SHE Likes It, a play bringing to light the sexual harassment that has/is going on in Hollywood and how it dates back back to the 1920s, not just to Harvey Weinstein.  The play is based on the story of actress Patricia Douglas who was abused at an MGM party in 1937. Despite her efforts to bring her perpetrators to justice the case was thrown out and nothing came of it. I had the privilege to see and review the show with @uppercircle_theatre (review group that Chloe and I are part of) you can find it on my profile. It's a fantastic piece packed with harsh truths that everyone needs to hear and see to stop this harassment from continuing.  Check out Chloe's website and Instagram for more information on her, the tour and how to get in touch.  Website: chloe-wade.com Instagram: @chloewadprod @yorkshirewade Oliver Gower Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261 Instagram: @goweroliver For enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/uncensored-critic/message

Drew McOnie is a British choreographer and theatre director, and one of the busiest people in show business. He danced with Matthew Bourne's New Adventures company, but soon wanted to run the show. His work hits a sweet spot between warm and witty, always with a kinetic fizz: whether in the West End, on Broadway or in ballet. His new version of the Nutcracker gives the festive favourite a sweetly queer twist, and next year sees his stage version of the Oscar winning movie The Artist. Drew became a father just a week before this recording – no wonder that we speak about making families in and out of dance.Drew McOnie is Artistic Director of the McOnie Company and an Associate Artist at the Old Vic and Birmingham Rep theatres. He won an Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreography for In the Heights and was nominated for the same award the following year for Jesus Christ Superstar. His credits as director/choreographer include: On the Town (Olivier Award Nomination for Best Musical Revival), The Wild Party and Strictly Ballroom in the UK and King Kong on Broadway. Ballets include Merlin (Northern Ballet). The McOnie Company's latest works are Nutcracker (Tuff Nutt Jazz Club), which runs until 6 January 2024, and The Artist, which opens in May 2024.Find out more about the work of the RADFollow the RAD on social media and join the conversation with host David Jays:Instagram @royalacademyofdanceFacebook @RoyalAcademyofDanceTwitter @RADheadquartersYouTube / royalacademydanceDavid Jays @mrdavidjaysSign up to our mailing list to keep in touch!RAD is an independent educational charity and does not receive regular government funding. Every penny we make goes back into the work we do. You can support us by either naming a seat as part of our Name A Seat Campaign or making a donation.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first chat from the Stage Door Athletic Clubhouse, Jack, Rob and Producer James, crack open the retro drinks and snacks and recall their first meeting at The Birmingham REP, working together on subsequent shows, Rob's directing style, and fantasy future projects.Share your best and worst experiences on TikTok, Instagram, and Threads @StageDoorAthletic.© Robert Shaw Cameron, Jack Loxton and James Court@robshawcameron@jackloxton1@thecourtofjames Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjardeng MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands for the next in his regular Connect Radio theatre reviews. This week Vidar was reviewing the stage adaptation of Ken Loach's 2016 award-winning film, ‘I DANIEL BLAKE' by Comedian, Playwright and Actor Dave Johns who also played the lead role of Daniel in Ken Loach's film as the production visited the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Professional Audio Describer Jonathan Nash provided the live description for both the dry run and the audio described performance at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. ‘I, Daniel Blake' is adapted by Dave Johns from the film directed by Ken Loach, written by Paul Laverty, and produced by Rebecca O'Brien for Sixteen Films. Dan is a carpenter. A Geordie through and through. Just on the mend after a heart attack. Katie has just arrived from London. Finally got a council house for her and the kids.  A fresh start. ‘I, Daniel Blake' is one of the most important stories of a generation. A glimpse behind the headlines and the stark reality of what happens when the political system is stacked against you. With 14.5 million people living in poverty in the UK, this is not fiction. It is reality. A touching and vital story of how people come together in the face of adversity and how sometimes creating a family to support you just isn't enough. The show is adapted for stage by Dave Johns who played Daniel Blake in the award winning 2016 film. Presented by Northern Stage, Birmingham Rep, ETT, Oldham Coliseum and tiny dragon Productions, in association with Cardboard Citizens. Age Guideline 12+ More about the tour of ‘I DANIEL BLAKE' can be found on either the northern Stage website - https://northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/i-daniel-blake-2/ Or the English Touring Theatre Company's website - https://ett.org.uk/our-work/i-daniel-blake/ Image: RNIB Connect Radio Bright Green 20th Anniversary Logo

They're dear friends, so they said: We love your plays. The evening wore on. Wine was taken. They said: But your stuff is very dark, very sad. Why don ‘t you write something happy? A love story? And because they're dear friends, I decided I would.  written and produced by Jill Korn Author Jill Korn Director Jill Korn Sound design David Bannerman Fergus Robert Donaldson Paul Ingram Noble Dobhran Rachel Macpherson-Graham Martha Kirsten Maguire Ferry announcer David Bannerman Waitress Jill Korn   ABOUT THE AUTHOR As a child, Jill was thrilled by the annual pantomime at the Birmingham Rep, and would make up conversations in her head between imagined, magical characters. Nothing really changes. In 2019, Jill gained her Master's degree in Creative Writing in Glasgow, Scotland (another panto city!) and began to realise her imagined conversations as audio drama.   Her darker plays draw from history, examining its parallels with the present. In lighter mode, she returns as often as possible to the beautiful Western Isles for her inspiration. Jill's most recent work is a trilogy of radio plays called An Ayrshire Trilogy, which celebrates the rich history and culture of the county she has chosen as her home.   Jill lives in an Ayrshire village with her patient husband, an indolent cat and the voices in her head.   

RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjardeng MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the channel Islands for the next in his regular Connect Radio theatre reviews. This week Vidar was reviewing a new comedy about devotion, desire and dancing queens with The Way Old Friends Do at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Tuesday 28 February at 7.45pm with description by professional Audio Describers Julia Grundy and Carolyn Smith. In the late 1980s, two Birmingham school friends tentatively come out: one as gay, the other — more shockingly — as an ABBA fan. Thirty years later, they reunite to form the world's first ABBA tribute band — in drag. Can their friendship survive the tribulations of a life on the road; one full of platform boots, fake beards and a distractingly attractive stranger? Simultaneously tender and laugh-out loud funny, this heartfelt story will appeal to anyone who understands how it feels to be a fan: of ABBA or of anyone. Written by and starring Ian Hallard (The Boys In The Band), this world premiere is directed by Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Dracula, Doctor Who, The League of Gentlemen). Cast includes Donna Berlin (Doctors) James Bradshaw (Endeavour), Sara Crowe (Olivier Award winner for Private Lives), Andrew Horton (Jupiter's Legacy) and Rose Shalloo (Malory Towers). Also featuring the voices of Miriam Margolyes and Paul O'Grady. Presented by Birmingham Rep and James Seabright in association with Jason Haigh-Ellery and Park Theatre For more about the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and their access provision including audio described performances do visit the access pages of their website-  https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/your-visit/accessibility/ (Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'See differently' underneath)

Delighted to welcome the playful, warm & wonderful natural Storyteller Saikat Ahamed to The Good Listening To Show: Stories of Distinction & Genius, recorded as Facebook LIVE (click on the Group link above to watch)The Good Listening To Show: Stories of Distinction & Genius The adventure continues!Saikat Ahamed is a UK based Actor, writer & poet of Bangladeshi descent based in Bristol. He has just finished a 6 month stint in the London West End Production of "Life of Pi" and locally, here in Bristol, he is most famous for having played Tinkerbell (in  a pink Tu-Tu!) in the Bristol Old Vic Production of "Peter Pan", directed by renowned theatre director Sally Cookson.He was born in Surrey to Bangladeshi parents Hashi and Masud, and grew up in Birmingham, where he attended King Edwards School.After studying a degree in Journalism at Cardiff University, he went on to train at The Actors Company under David Harris and John Jones.​ In 2006, having won the BBC Norman Beaton Fellowship, Saikat moved to Bristol with his family. ​Since then, Saikat has starred in theatre, film, TV and radio as well as working as a writer for stage and radio too.Saikat developed his first play, Corala, with Birmingham Rep and his first radio drama, Telling Tales, was commissioned by the BBC in 2011 and aired on the BBC Asian Network. Initially conceived as a piece of ‘Asian storytelling', Saikat subsequently wrote a play concerned with young people in a pupil referral unit and a teacher who uses the power of stories he grew up with to connect with them.His first theatre pieces were solo shows; The Tiger and The Moustache completed a successful national tour in 2014 and Strictly Balti, commissioned by Travelling Light Theatre Company, played the Edinburgh Festival Fringe followed byTune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website. Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com You can email me about the Show: chris@secondcurve.uk Twitter thatchrisgrimes LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/ FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/842056403204860 Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW wherever you get your Podcasts :) Thanks for listening!

This month marks the fifth anniversary of Unsound Methods - thank you to everyone who's joined us along the way, and hello to any new arrivals... In this episode we speak to Ewan Fernie and Simon Palfrey about the writing of their collaboratively composed novel 'Macbeth, Macbeth' (available from Boiler House Press, here: https://www.boilerhouse.press/product-page/macbeth-macbeth-by-ewan-fernie-simon-palfrey)  'Macbeth, Macbeth' is described by its authors as a critical fiction. A sequel, critique, and repetition of Shakespeare's play. Slavoj Žižek has described it as: ‘a miracle, an instant classic… as close as one can come to a quantum physics literary criticism'. A video trailer for the book is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru-seZCr3Ho Ewan Fernie is Director of the 2-million-pound lottery-funded ‘Everything to Everybody' Project (everythingtoeverybody.bham.ac.uk), which is reviving the world's first great Shakespeare library and Birmingham's broader reputation as a pioneering modern city. It was a major influence on the Cultural Programme and the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. His day-job is as Chair, Professor and Fellow at the Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-upon-Avon and Culture Lead for the College of Arts and Law, University of Birmingham. Ewan's books include: Shame in Shakespeare, The Demonic: Literature and Experience, Shakespeare for Freedom, Spiritual Shakespeares, Redcrosse: Remaking Religious Poetry for Today's World, Thomas Mann and Shakespeare: Something Rich and Strange, and New Places: Shakespeare and Civic Creativity. For many years, he co-edited the groundbreaking ‘Shakespeare Now!' series with Simon Palfrey. In 2018, he hosted Radical Mischief: Inviting Experiment in Theatre, Thought and Politics with the Royal Shakespeare Company's Deputy Director, Erica Whyman at The Other Place. He is now leading a new project, Serious About Comedy, with Sean Foley, Artistic Director of Birmingham REP, as well as an ambitious cross-cultural initiative with the Birmingham-based artist and curator, Mohammed Ali of Soul City Arts.  He is writing a book about the Scottish writer and philosopher, Thomas Carlyle, provisionally entitled The Dirty History of Hope. Simon Palfrey is Professor of English at Brasenose College Oxford University. His recent work explores the unique kinds of life generated by dramatic, poetic, and fictional forms, and the opportunities this opens up for more imaginative, philosophically adventurous, and politically engaged critical work. His books include Doing Shakespeare (Arden, 2004; 2nd ed. 2011), a TLS International Book of the Year; Shakespeare in Parts (Oxford, 2007, with Tiffany Stern), the MRDS Book of the Year; Poor Tom: living King Lear (Chicago, 2014); Shakespeare's Possible Worlds (Cambridge, 2014) Simon's current projects are inspired by Spenser's Faerie Queene, including a new bestiary, A Poem Come True, and the twice AHRC-award winning Demons Land, a mixed media event (film, drama, dance, paintings, sculptures, soundscapes, text) that imagines an island built in the image of Spenser's epic poem (demonsland.com). Find us on Twitter: @UnsoundMethods - @JaimieBatchan - @LochlanBloom Jaimie's Instagram is: @jaimie_batchan Or at jaimiebatchan.com and lochlanbloom.com We have a store page on Bookshop, where you can find our books, as well as those of previous guests: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/unsoundmethods Thanks for listening, please like, subscribe and rate Unsound Methods wherever you get your podcasts. Our website is: https://unsoundmethods.co.uk/

In the run up to Christmas I'll be dropping two special live episodes recorded live at the Birmingham Literature Festival earlier this autumn. The second conversation is with one of the funniest, warmest women you're ever likely to encounter: Ruth Jones. TBH Ruth needs little introduction. The co-writer and star of Stella and the BAFTA award winning Gavin and Stacey, she is also the bestselling author of three Sunday Times bestsellers: Never Greener (which was also WHSmith Fiction book of the year), Us Three and now, Love Untold. Warm, open-hearted and generous, Love Untold sees Ruth turn her attention to motherhood and daughterhood as we meet four generations of the women of the Meredith family: Grace, Alys, Elin and Beca and encounter the minefield of complications that form the mother-daughter bond - love, hate and everything in between. You will laugh, you will cry, you will wince and above all you will recognise the feelings that Ruth evokes in the four women.Ruth joined me in front of a live audience at the Birmingham Rep to talk about the complex mother-daughter relationship, why so few people talk about daughterhood, the power and importance of cross-generational understanding and the impossibility of living up to a fantasy life. She also opened up about menopause, HRT, her irrational fear of turning 40 and her favourite new role.... that of Nanny Ruth!This episode includes an exclusive reading from Love Untold by Ruth. And Ruth's book recommendations for Christmas reading.* You can buy all the books mentioned in this podcast at Bookshop.org, including Love Untold by Ruth Jones and the book that inspired this podcast, The Shift: how I lost and found myself after 40 - and you can too, by me.* And if you'd like to support the work that goes into making this podcast and get a weekly newsletter plus loads more content including transcripts of the podcast, please consider joining The Shift community. Find out more at https://steadyhq.com/en/theshift/And if you already subscribe - did you know you can buy a Gift Membership of The Shift for a friend at https://steadyhq.com/en/theshift/gift_plans• The Shift (on life after 40) with Sam Baker is created and hosted by Sam Baker and edited by Emily Sandford. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate/review/follow as it really does help other people find us. And let me know what you think on twitter @sambaker or instagram @theothersambaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the run up to Christmas I'll be dropping two special live episodes recorded live at the Birmingham Literature Festival earlier this autumn. The first conversation is with one of the most thoughtful people I've ever interviewed: the activist, author and academic, Elif Shafak.The author of 19 books, including the novels Ten minutes 38 seconds in this strange world which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and her latest, The Island Of Missing Trees which was shortlisted for the Women's Prize, amongst many others. Elif is an advocate for women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights and freedom of expression.The bestselling female novelist in Turkey, Elif has been unable to return to her homeland for several years, since she was charged with insulting Turkishness based on the behaviour of her characters in her bestselling The Bastard of Istanbul.Elif joined me in front of a live audience at the Birmingham Rep to talk about the changing face of protest and the inspirational young women on the frontline, why we need to be aware not just of the glass ceiling but the glass walls that keep us apart, intersectionality and the alarming backlash against women's and LGBTQ+ rights. She also talked about feeling like an outsider, getting the courage to come out in her 40s, learning self-compassion and how she's evolved as she's aged.This is Elif's second time on The Shift with Sam Baker. You can hear the first here.* You can buy all the books mentioned in this podcast at Bookshop.org, including The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak and the book that inspired this podcast, The Shift: how I lost and found myself after 40 - and you can too, by me. Elif's recommendation, Poetry Unbound by Padraig O'Tauma is available from amazon.* And if you'd like to support the work that goes into making this podcast and get a weekly newsletter plus loads more content including transcripts of the podcast, please consider joining The Shift community. Find out more at https://steadyhq.com/en/theshift/And if you already subscribe - did you know you can buy a Gift Membership of The Shift for a friend at https://steadyhq.com/en/theshift/gift_plans• The Shift (on life after 40) with Sam Baker is created and hosted by Sam Baker and edited by Emily Sandford. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate/review/follow as it really does help other people find us. And let me know what you think on twitter @sambaker or instagram @theothersambaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjardeng MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands for the next in his regular Connect Radio audio described theatre reviews. This week Vidar was reviewing the audio described performance of Nativity! The Musical at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Friday 2 December at 7pm with description by professional Audio Describers Julia Grundy and Carolyn Smith. Nativity! The Musical is a feel-good and funny cracker of a musical, adapted for the stage by Debbie Isitt, the creator of the much-loved films. ‘a Christmas gift of a musical which will delight adults and children alike' - What's OnStage Every child in every school has one Christmas wish, to star in a Nativity, and at St Bernadette's School they're attempting to mount a musical version! Only trouble is teacher Mr Maddens has promised that a Hollywood producer is coming to see the show to turn it into a film. Join him, his teaching assistant the crazy Mr Poppy, hilarious children and a whole lot of sparkle and shine as they struggle to make everyone's Christmas wish come true. Featuring all of your favourite sing-a-long hits from the movies including Sparkle and Shine, Nazareth, One Night One Moment, She's the Brightest Star and a whole host of new songs, this musical really ‘is a heartfelt hit' (The Times). "It's fun, it's festive and should be on everyone's Christmas list”  - CultureBab Since its world premiere at The Rep in 2017, Nativity! The Musical has been seen by over one million people during an acclaimed UK tour and three successful London runs.  There will be further audio described performances  of Nativity! The Musical on Wednesday 28 December at 7pm and Thursday 5 January at 2pm with more details on the Birmingham Rep website - https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/nativity-the-musical/ (Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'See differently' underneath)

Rosie Kay -- (BA Hons) FRSA, MCR St Cross College, Oxford, born in Scotland -- danced from a very early age, then trained at London Contemporary Dance School, graduating in 1998, before a career as a dancer in Poland, France, Germany and the USA. Kay returned to the UK in 2003, founded Rosie Kay Dance Company 2004-21 and is now setting up a new venture for her future works.Kay's works up to date include a contemporary set adaptation of "Romeo + Juliet" (2021), and returned to performing on stage with the Absolute Solo II' tour in 2021. There, her solo work "Adult Female Dancer"' was celebrated as one of the ‘Top 5 Dance Works of 2021' by 'The Observer ', and Kay was nominated for a National Dance Award for Outstanding Female Performance (Modern) for Absolute Solo II. Kay is well known for the multi- award-winning work "5 SOLDIERS" (2010- present) based on intense research with the British Army.Kay's works tour to Sadlers Wells, Birmingham REP, Norwich Theatre Royal, Salisbury Playhouse and regularly tour Europe and the USA.FOLLOW ROSIE ON TWITTER:https://www.twitter.com/RosieKayK2COREVIEW for ""ABSOLUTE SOLO II": https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/may/22/rosie-kay-absolute-solo-ii-review-birmingham-repertory-theatreBBC BROADCAST OF "5 SOLDIERS":https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku1tVoBUyw8"THIS IS MK ULTRA":https://vimeo.com/676322446FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/cliftonaduncan SUBSCRIBE TO MY SUBSTACK: https://cliftonduncan.substack.com MY IMDB PAGE:https://www.imdb.me/cliftonduncan(MOST OF) MY THEATRICAL CREDITS:https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/265366-clifton-alphonzo-duncanIntro/Outro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/stJzyKNNgz/SUPPORT THIS PODCAST BY BUYING SOME DELICIOUS COFFEE FROM OUR FIRST SPONSOR, TWIN ENGINE COFFEE:https://www.twinenginecoffee.com/CliftonDuncanI NARRATED THIS AUDIOBOOK:https://www.berlinersbook.com/CHAPTERS:0:00:00 -- A Word for Our Sponsor.0:01:15 -- Teaser/Intros.0:04:40 -- Rosie's Origin, and the Makings of a Dancer.0:09:03 -- Art vs. Religion (Again).0:17:11 -- How Rosie Got Cancelled.0:26:28 -- Conspiracy Theories and Transhumanism??0:30:37 -- "5 Soldiers" and Sexual Dimorphism.0:38:05 -- Artistry vs. Activism.0:52:32 -- "Adult Female Dancer", and Womanhood.0:59:57 -- Tackling the Crisis in the Arts.1:14:40 -- Artists' Authoritarian Blindspot.1:26:20 -- Deprogramming a "True Believer".

Joanne Thomson sat down with Silence on Set podcast to talk about filming Outlander season six, why charity is so important, graduating from RCS, and some of her upcoming projects. Thomson also gave us some exciting details about the filming process and what went into her preparation for Outlander. Host: Monica Gleberman Editor: Corinna Caimi Social Media Graphic: Jojo -- Bio: Joanne Thomson is an Actor, Writer, and Director from Glasgow, Scotland. Since graduating with a BA in Acting from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland she also trained with the Groundlings Improv School in Los Angeles. She has worked extensively across the UK as an actor and has directed internationally award-winning theatre. Her theatre credits as an actor include work with the National Theatre of Scotland, Bristol Old Vic, Citizens Theatre, Birmingham Rep, Royal Lyceum, Traverse, and the legendary Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. In 2022 it was announced that Joanne had been cast as the new recurring character Amy McCallum in Season 6 of OUTLANDER with Sony/Starz. She also recently played DS Lisa Harvey in BBC One drama THE VICTIM which was nominated for a BAFTA and her performance in ITV's BAFTA-nominated In Plain Sight won her 2 Best Actress nominations at the IARA awards. In 2019, she starred in BBC's prime-time drama THE SUFFRAGETTES which won a BAFTA that same year.

Will Young joins Nikki Bedi and Richard Coles. The singer, writer and podcaster shot to fame 20 years ago after winning the first series of Pop Idol. Seven albums, four Number One's, 10 million record sales and two Brit Awards later, he is now a leading voice in mental health awareness, particularly in the LGBTQ community. Steve Thompson MBE is a 2003 World Cup winner and has been England's most capped hooker in the sport of rugby union. He was recently diagnosed with early-onset dementia. Harriet Atkinson received an email out of the blue from a stranger, Bridget Mckenzie, to say that she owned a photograph album that she thought belonged to Harriet's family. Jess Gillam shares her Inheritance Tracks: Whole of the Moon by The Waterboys and Stars by Nina Simone Live at Montreux 1976. Paul Hunter is a life-long Aston Villa fan. Back in 1982, Aston Villa beat Bayern Munich to win the European Cup. Around the same time, 16 year old Paul was told he wouldn't amount to anything by one of his teachers. It's the tale of two underdogs triumphing when they'd be written off. Will's book Be Yourself and Happier – The A-Z of Wellbeing – is published by Ebury Spotlight. His album of Greatest Hits is out in May and a UK tour in the autumn.  Steve's book, Unforgettable: Rugby, dementia and the fight of my life is published by Blink Publishing. Would You Bet Against Us? – written and performed by Paul and Told By An Idiot theatre company is at The Birmingham Rep from 19th May until 4th June 2022.

The Big Jubilee Read is a reading for pleasure campaign by the Reading Agency and the BBC highlighting 70 books from across the Commonwealth published during the decades of the Queen's reign. To mark the launch, Front Row comes from the Studio Theatre at the Library of Birmingham with an audience. Nobel Laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah talks to Samira about his novel Paradise from 1994 which has been chosen as a Big Jubilee Read. Emma d'Costa from the Commonwealth Foundation explains how the books were chosen. Local author Kit de Waal comments and we hear from Birmingham's Poet Laureate, Casey Bailey, whose play GrimeBoy has just opened at the Birmingham Rep. He performs poems celebrating his city. And how are libraries faring ten years on from the first austerity cuts and two years after the pandemic? Briony Birdi of the University of Sheffield explains. The full list of books is available from Monday 18 April at BBC Arts https://www.bbc.co.uk/arts Photo credit: Tricia Yourkevich for the BBC Presenter: Samira Ahmed Producer: Sarah Johnson

Comic actor Thom Tuck discovered Bob Dylan when, growing up in Bangladesh, he caught the promo for Subterranean Homesick Blues on MTV Rewind. His family eventually returned to Leeds, where his outsider status was made even worse/better by his obsession with all things Bob. At university, he didn't improve his lot by writing a play called “One More Layer of Skin”. Despite it all, Thom maintains that Dylan remains his “prism by which to understand the world”.Opinions: Thom reserves a special place in hell for songs like Make You Feel My Love (“Adele heard the Billy Joel version and now every idiot does it”), whilst continuing to rate Under The Red Sky (“as an album to go to sleep to”). Along the way, we swap dozens of the best Dylan cover versions, from bluegrass to hard rock to the “deep thunder” of Tom Jones.Thom Tuck is an actor, writer and comedian. He is currently on tour in the acclaimed Birmingham Rep production of The Play What I Wrote. His theatre work includes Death Of A Salesman (Royal & Derngate), Three Sisters (Southwark Playhouse), Brexit (Spontaneity Shop), A Slight Ache (Pleasance) and Gutted!: A Revenger's Musical (Assembly Theatre). Thom's television work includes The Crown, Fresh Meat, Horrible Histories, Babylon and Drifters. As a comedian, Thom was nominated Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe for his show Thom Tuck Goes Straight-To-DVD, which was adapted for BBC Radio and is now out on DVD. His other solo shows are Thom Tuck Flips Out, The Square Root Of Minus One and An August Institution. Thom is one third of the acclaimed sketch troupe The Penny Dreadfuls.https://britishtheatre.com/the-play-what-i-wrote-tour/TwitterTrailerEpisode playlist on AppleEpisode playlist on SpotifyListeners: please subscribe and/or leave a review and a rating.Twitter @isitrollingpodRecorded 14th December 2021This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts

Comic actor Thom Tuck discovered Bob Dylan when, growing up in Bangladesh, he caught the promo for Subterranean Homesick Blues on MTV Rewind. His family eventually returned to Leeds, where his outsider status was made even worse/better by his obsession with all things Bob. At university, he didn't improve his lot by writing a play called “One More Layer of Skin”. Despite it all, Thom maintains that Dylan remains his “prism by which to understand the world”. Opinions: Thom reserves a special place in hell for songs like Make You Feel My Love (“Adele heard the Billy Joel version and now every idiot does it”), whilst continuing to rate Under The Red Sky (“as an album to go to sleep to”). Along the way, we swap dozens of the best Dylan cover versions, from bluegrass to hard rock to the “deep thunder” of Tom Jones. Thom Tuck is an actor, writer and comedian. He is currently on tour in the acclaimed Birmingham Rep production of The Play What I Wrote. His theatre work includes Death Of A Salesman (Royal & Derngate), Three Sisters (Southwark Playhouse), Brexit (Spontaneity Shop), A Slight Ache (Pleasance) and Gutted!: A Revenger's Musical (Assembly Theatre). Thom's television work includes The Crown, Fresh Meat, Horrible Histories, Babylon and Drifters. As a comedian, Thom was nominated Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe for his show Thom Tuck Goes Straight-To-DVD, which was adapted for BBC Radio and is now out on DVD. His other solo shows are Thom Tuck Flips Out, The Square Root Of Minus One and An August Institution. Thom is one third of the acclaimed sketch troupe The Penny Dreadfuls. https://britishtheatre.com/the-play-what-i-wrote-tour/ Twitter Trailer Episode playlist on Apple Episode playlist on Spotify Listeners: please subscribe and/or leave a review and a rating. Twitter @isitrollingpod Recorded 14th December 2021 This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, poet Casey Bailey talks with us about the poem that has been a friend to him – 'The Way Home' by Liz Berry. ​ Casey joined The Poetry Exchange at the Birmingham & Midland Institute and is in conversation with Poetry Exchange team members, Fiona Bennett and Roy McFarlane. Casey Bailey is a writer, performer and educator, born and raised in Nechells, Birmingham, UK. Casey is the Birmingham Poet Laureate 2020 - 2022 and the Greater Birmingham Future Face of Arts and Culture 2020. Casey's second full poetry collection Please Do Not Touch was published by Burning Eye in 2021. Casey's debut play ‘GrimeBoy' was commissioned by the Birmingham Rep in 2020. He was commissioned by the BBC to write ‘The Ballad of The Peaky Blinders' in 2019. In 2020 the poem was internationally recognised, winning a Webby Award. Casey has performed his poetry nationally, and internationally. Casey was named as one of ‘Birmingham Live's', Birmingham '30 under 30' of 2018, Casey is a Fellow of the University of Worcester and in 2021 was awarded an honorary doctorate by Newman University. www.caseybailey.co.uk 'The Way Home' is read by Casey Bailey and Roy McFarlane.

Comic actor Thom Tuck discovered Bob Dylan when, growing up in Bangladesh, he caught the promo for Subterranean Homesick Blues on MTV Rewind. His family eventually returned to Leeds, where his outsider status was made even worse/better by his obsession with all things Bob. At university, he didn't improve his lot by writing a play called “One More Layer of Skin”. Despite it all, Thom maintains that Dylan remains his “prism by which to understand the world”.Opinions: Thom reserves a special place in hell for songs like Make You Feel My Love (“Adele heard the Billy Joel version and now every idiot does it”), whilst continuing to rate Under The Red Sky (“as an album to go to sleep to”). Along the way, we swap dozens of the best Dylan cover versions, from bluegrass to hard rock to the “deep thunder” of Tom Jones.Thom Tuck is an actor, writer and comedian. He is currently on tour in the acclaimed Birmingham Rep production of The Play What I Wrote. His theatre work includes Death Of A Salesman (Royal & Derngate), Three Sisters (Southwark Playhouse), Brexit (Spontaneity Shop), A Slight Ache (Pleasance) and Gutted!: A Revenger's Musical (Assembly Theatre). Thom's television work includes The Crown, Fresh Meat, Horrible Histories, Babylon and Drifters. As a comedian, Thom was nominated Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe for his show Thom Tuck Goes Straight-To-DVD, which was adapted for BBC Radio and is now out on DVD. His other solo shows are Thom Tuck Flips Out, The Square Root Of Minus One and An August Institution. Thom is one third of the acclaimed sketch troupe The Penny Dreadfuls.https://britishtheatre.com/the-play-what-i-wrote-tour/TwitterTrailerEpisode playlist on AppleEpisode playlist on SpotifyListeners: please subscribe and/or leave a review and a rating.Twitter @isitrollingpodRecorded 14th December 2021This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts

RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjarding MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the channel Islands for the next in his regular Connect Radio audio described theatre reviews. This time Vidar was reviewing the longest running Christmas show in English Theatre history, ‘The Snowman' at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with live audio description by Julia Grundy and Caroline Smith. This is the theatre production of the classic film directed by Dianne Jackson and produced by John Coates which was first shown on Channel 4 on Boxing Day 1982. Based on Raymond Brigg's much-loved book and featuring Howard Blake's classic song Walking In The Air, this enchanting live show has thrilled audiences throughout the world since first appearing on stage over twenty-five years ago, going on to become the West End's longest running Christmas show. When a young boy's snowman comes to life on Christmas Eve, the two set off on a night-time quest for adventure. They meet Father Christmas, dancing penguins, reindeer and crowds of The Snowman's friends, but will they escape evil Jack Frost and get back home for Christmas morning? Vidar began by metaphorically taking Toby ‘Walking in the Air' as the famous song by Harold Blake goes and he explained to Toby how a show like The Snowman, which is purely a magical Christmas dance production with no dialogue at all apart from Farther Christmas going ‘Ho, Ho, Ho' was brought to life to him through the well crafted audio description by Julia Grundy and Caroline Smith.   Sadly due to Covid restrictions there was not the opportunity of a touch tour to explore some of the 60 costumes that are used in the production including 11 alone for The Snowman.  As Vidar is a real fan of anything to do with Christmas ‘The Snowman' always features on his Christmas theatre wish list and hopefully next year when the longest running Christmas show in English Theatre returns to the Birmingham Rep there will be the opportunity for blind and partially sighted patrons to go on a touch tour to explore the costumes, props and the set of this magical production too.  (Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'See differently' underneath)

RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey welcomes back Vidar Hjarding MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands to re-start his regular Connect Radio audio described theatre reviews with his first visit back to a live theatre performance in almost 2 years. Vidar's first trip back to the theatre was to see the audio described performance of ‘What's New Pussycat' at the Birmingham Repertory   Theatre on Wednesday 10 November at 7.30pm with live audio description by Julia Grundy and Caroline Smith.  What's New Pussycat  is a musical, comedy theatre production Written by Tony Award winning, Joe Di Pietro which marries  the classic Henry Fielding novel The History of Tom Jones.  and the iconic songs of Sir Tom Jones, to relive the delicious excess of London's in the swinging sixties. Set in 1965, ladies' man Tom Jones arrives in London with a broken heart, but he also has big dreams and a big voice. He quickly discovers an exciting world of mods and miniskirts, dancing and decadence, but most of all…incredible music. Romance and adventure await, but will Tom ever be reunited with his one true love, who seems more interested in designing for Carnaby Street than in being Mrs. Tom Jones?  Vidar began by explaining to Toby what it was like for him going back to the Birmingham Rep in almost 2 years and the joy of being back in the theatre seeing a live audio described show. If the rumours are true that What's New Pussycat will be hitting the London West End stage in 2022, then Vidar would certainly recommend going to see an audio described performance of the production for a trip to London's West End. (Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'See differently' underneath)

Paradox House presents… Episode 9 of Scripted hosted by Daisy Lewis. Episode 9 is here and Daisy sat down with the unstoppable Clint Dyer to chat all things theatre, process and how positive representation at the National Theatre can pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive industry. We also are joined by the brilliant Rachel De-Lahay. It's not double trouble this week, listeners. It's double value and we can't wait for you to tune in. Clint Dyer is the Deputy Artistic Director of The Royal National Theatre. Clint is one of only a very small number of people, and the only Black British artist, to have worked at the National Theatre as an actor, writer and director on full-scale productions. His breadth of experience and creative work will be invaluable as the NT adapts following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and focus on the future. Clint continues to act, write and direct his own work away from the National Theatre. His most recent project saw him directing Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical which opened at the Lyric Theatre in the West End this year. Additionally, he reopened the National Theatre with Death of England: Delroy, which he directed and co-wrote with Roy Williams. Directing credits include: The Big Life (Theatre Royal Stratford East/Apollo, West end), The Westbridge (Royal Court), Kingston 14 (Theatre Royal Stratford East). Writing & Directing credits include: Death of England (National Theatre), Sylvia Plath (Royal Court), The Happy Tragedy of Being Woke (Complicité) – co-directed with Simon McBurney. Writing credits include: The Big Idea – The New Order (Royal Court), Starter Motor – part of Soon Gone Windrush Monologues (BBC), Redacted – The Lock Down Plays Podcast, 846 – Stratford East, My White Best friend/3.3 - Royal Court Theatre. Acting credits include: For Stage – Clint has worked with the likes of Mike Leigh, Simon McBurney, Dominic Cooke, Michael Attenborough, Ian Brown, Mike Bradwell, Madani Younis, Gbolahan Obisesan, Dawn Walton and Philip Hedley. He starred in the Oliver Award-winning Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (National Theatre). For Film – Mine, Sus, The Trail, Cherps, Mr Inbetween, Everybody Love Sunshine, Love Me Still, Act of Vengeance, The Club, Montana, Unknown, Sahara, Agora, Mr Bean 2 and Shopping. Awards include: Best Actor – I.A.R Awards (for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom), British Urban Film Awards, Screen Nation Film and Television Awards, Liege International Film Festival and The Texas Black Film Festival (for SUS). Rachel De-Lahay is an award winning playwright and screenwriter. Rachel's debut THE WESTBRIDGE premiered at the Royal Court in 2011 and went on to win the 2012 Writers Guild Award for Best Play as well as the 2011 Alfred Fagon Award. Rachel followed this up with ROUTES, which opened Vicky Featherstone's first season at the Royal Court in 2013. The play went on to earn Rachel the Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright at the Evening Standard Awards 2013. Rachel's third full-length play CIRLCES debuted at Birmingham Rep and transferred to the Tricycle Theatre. In 2015, the Bush commissioned Rachel to write a monologue for Black Lives, Black Words. The monologue became MY WHITE BEST FRIEND, which became the template for Rachel to collaborate with and commission a number of established and emerging voices in theatre under the Bunker and the Royal Court. In television, Rachel has collaborated with Jack Thorne on Channel 4's KIRI and Netflix's THE EDDY. She has written on episodes of THE FEED and NOUGHTS AND CROSSES, as well as developing and adapting material of her own with various production companies in the UK and the US. Enjoy!

LaDonna Raeh finally meets the actor that plays the character she loves to hate on the all new Starz series BMF, Eric Kofi-Abrefa. Man, simply put would you believe that Eric called his own self boring? Watch while he sort of goes into what the deal is with he and Kato. Not to mention his obsession with the 50 Boyz especially now that he's been shut out from Monique and Zoey. Eric can currently be seen in the critically acclaimed Paramount film Blue Story, from music artist Rapman, which is now available on VOD. He recently filmed a series regular role in “The One” for Netflix, based on John Marr's critically acclaimed novel, a recurring role on the USA Network series “Treadstone,” and worked on the Sundance Lab film Pretty Red Dress, from writer/director Dionne Edwards. Prior, Eric played the role of ‘Noah Webster' in the second season of the Hulu series “Harlots,” recurred on “Deep State” for Fox International/Epix as well as the Amazon series “Jack Ryan.” Eric was also on the Sky 1 series “Stan Lee's Lucky Man” AMC's “Humans” and Ridley Scott's “Halo: Nightfall.” Eric's feature credits include Fury opposite Brad Pitt, Oliver Stone's Snowden film and I.T. opposite Pierce Brosnan. Eric has extensive theatre experience. He starred in the National stage production of “Julie,” where he played the co-lead role of “Jean” opposite Vanessa Kirby; as well as “Ear For Eye” at the Royal Court Theatre; “Labyrinth” at the Hampstead Theatre Main House; “The Glass Menagerie” at the Headlong Theatre and “One Love: Bob Marley Musical” at the Birmingham Rep, with Kwame Kwei Armah. Eric is based in London, but is currently in Atlanta shooting a series regular role on the upcoming Starz series “BMF” which airs every Sunday at 8PM ET. BMF, which debuted September 26th, is based off of the real-life story of Demetrius “Big Meech” and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory, two brothers from southwest Detroit who built a cocaine-trafficking empire and ventured into the music industry before being sentenced to 30 years in prison. Did you know that Terry “Southwest T” Flenory was released from prison in May of 2020 for fear of COVID-19. Leave a comment to tell me if you knew or not. This is only part 1 of the entire interview. So make sure that you subscribe, like and comment so that we can keep spreading the word about these extraordinary content creators! #ladonnaraehshow #ladonnaraeh #starz #bmf #starzbmf #randyhuggins #50cent #lilmeech #lamar #lamarsilas #laytonsimon 50boyz #erickofiabrefa #flenorybros #kingsofdetroit #bleudivinci --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ladonnaraehshow/message

Ian McMillan is joined by an audience at the Belgrade Theatre as he explores Coventry's green places and the river that ghosts through the city with poets David Morley, John Bernard, Sujana Crawford and Olga Dermott-Bond. He is also joined by musicians from the City of Coventry Brass Band. Poet David Morley unpacks the meaning of the River Sherbourne, which flows through and under Coventry. David is Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Warwick and his latest collection is 'Fury' (Carcanet). He is also a freshwater ecologist and brings an ecologist's attention and ear for language to his Sherbourne poem. John Bernard also explores the River Sherbourne with a poem called 'Revered River'. John is a spoken word artist and rapper – and a finalist on Radio 1 Extra and Asian Network's ‘Words First' programme. He explores the idea that he has become 'acquainted' with the river. Sujana Crawford reads a poem called 'Marshland Whispers' - inspired by Brandon Marsh, a nature reserve and former quarry. She was commissioned to write the poem as part of Contains Strong Language's 'Green City' project. Sujana's work has featured in many anthologies; her plays have been staged at venues including the Birmingham Rep, and the Belgrade Theatre. Poet Olga Dermott-Bond has been spending time with the City of Coventry Brass Band learning about their history, and experiencing rehearsals. She performs two poems with Stephen McDonald and Christopher Moore from the City of Coventry Brass Band - inspired by listening to the band warm up and by their performance of the hymn 'Nicaea'. Olga is a former Warwick Poet Laureate, and was one of the winners of the 2018 BBC Proms poetry competition. 'Apple, fallen' is her debut poetry pamphlet.

LegalAliens' Lara Parmiani,  Becka McFadden and Emmanuela Lia, creator of Things I Am Not, sit for a chat with Roxana Silbert, Artistic Director of Hampstead Theatre.Roxana is one of very few women born outside the UK who currently hold leadership roles at producing theatres with their own buildings. We discuss how her childhood journey from Argentina to England led her to a career in theatre, why international accents are still taboo on British stages, Brexit, and the challenges of producing innovative, ‘outsider' theatre. Roxana Silbert is the Artistic Director of Hampstead Theatre. She has previously served as Artistic Director of Birmingham REP and Artistic Director of Paines Plough. She has been Associate Director at the RSC, Literary Director of the Traverse Theatre, and Associate Director at the Royal Court Theatre.https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/Producing Artistic Director: Lara ParmianiConcept: Emmanuela LiaDirector: Becka McFadden & Lara ParmianiWebsite design: Daiva DominykaSocial media: Catharina ConteOriginal Music: Angelina Rud & Martin BakeroHas this conversation resonated with you? Please send us your responses via www.thingsiamnot.com/responses Over the coming weeks and months, our interactive website will gradually morph into a digital gallery featuring audience responses. You can also reach us via email info@legalaliens.org, on Instagram at @legalalienstheatre or on Twitter and Facebook at @LegalAliensITC 

Back with more new episodes for 2021, Nottingham Playhouse's Amplify Producer Craig Gilbert chats to more artists of national and international renown in our Amplify Podcast series. These conversations cover career and process, as well as offering a few ideas to explore from home during this time of social distancing. This week Craig is chatting to Nancy MedinaNancy hails from Brooklyn, New York. She received her MA in Drama Directing from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where she now returns as a visiting Acting tutor. She is based in Bristol and is co-Artistic Director of Bristol School of Acting.Nancy is one of three recipients of the 2020/2021 National Theatre Sir Peter Hall Bursary.Awards:RTST SIR PETER HALL DIRECTOR AWARDTWO TRAINS RUNNING (2019) GENESIS FUTURE DIRECTOR'S AWARDYELLOWMAN (2017)EMERGING DIRECTOR PRIZESTRAWBERRY & CHOCOLATE (2014)Credits include:The Laramie Project Bristol Old Vic Theatre School 2020, Two Trains Running Royal & Derngate/English Touring Theatre 2019, Strange Fruit Bush Theatre 2019, The Half God of Rainfall Fuel & Kiln Theatre &Birmingham Rep 2019 and Curried Goat and Fish Fingers Bristol Old Vic 2018

Graeae is a force for change in world-class theatre, boldly placing D/deaf and disabled actors centre stage and challenging preconceptions and its CEO and Artistic Director Jenny Sealey MBE is no different. She talks to us about her initial struggles, the people who helped her along the way, how she nearly didn't apply to work at Graeae and things we should all be doing to create a more inclusive society. It's an AMAZING interview with the participation of two fantastic interpreters! As Jenny is deaf the conversation was recorded on Zoom so the audio is not amazing, but Vicky and Ali, the AMAZING interpreters, agreed to stay on camera so we could share the conversation with subtitles on our channel - so check it out here Please share, leave a review and subscribe if you enjoyed it to make sure you don't miss any episodes! I LIKE NETWORKING is the mentoring and networking program for womxn and non-binary people in the creative industries. Stay in touch with us on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter with career resources About Jenny Sealey MBE Jenny's directing career began with Interplay Theatre, co-directing Sea Changes, then directing Stepping Stones and Mad Meg. Jenny has been Graeae's Artistic Director since 1997. Directing credits for Graeae include: This Is Not For You, Reasons to be Cheerful (2017, 2012, 2010 and concert versions), The House of Bernarda Alba (in a co-production with Royal Exchange Theatre), Blood Wedding (in a co-production with Dundee Rep and Derby Theatre); The Threepenny Opera (with Pete Rowe in a co-production with New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Nottingham Playhouse and Birmingham Rep); Belonging (with Vinicius Daumas and performed in Brazil & London); also Signs of a Star-Shaped Diva; Static; Blasted; Whiter than Snow; peeling; Bent; Iron Man and Rhinestone Rollers. International credits include: Blood Wedding (Setagaya Public Theatre, Tokyo); Romeo and Juliet (Saitama Arts Theatre, Tokyo); and at Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF) then touring outdoor arenas: Against the Tide; The Garden; The Limbless Knight – A Tale of Rights Reignited. Jenny co-directed the London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony alongside Bradley Hemmings (GDIF). She also won the Liberty Human Rights Arts Award and was on the h.Club 100 list of the most influential people in the creative industries.

Jake Gyllenhaal on his latest movie Life, a sci-fi thriller about a team of scientists aboard the International Space Station who find a rapidly evolving life form from Mars. He discusses the practicalities of simulating zero gravity on film and also his current role in the musical Sunday in the Park with George on Broadway.Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon talks about directing the Tony Award-winning musical An American in Paris, which has just opened in London. This year thirteen new musicals will receive a Broadway premiere, but in the UK only two new musicals are slated for West End premieres, so is the UK is being left behind by America? Jamie Hendry, producer of the forthcoming West End musical, The Wind in The Willows, and Zoë Simpson, independent producer and board member of the Musical Theatre Network discuss the business of putting on a musical.Pauline Black, lead singer of Midlands ska band The Selecter, reviews One Love: The Bob Marley Musical at The Birmingham Rep. Written and produced by director, actor and playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah, the show brings the reggae star's global hits to the stage for the first time and delves into the political turmoil of Marley's native Jamaica.Presenter: Kirsty Lang Producer Rachel Simpson.

New Generation Thinker Chris Harding presents a discussion with writer Chris Hannan and director Roxana Silbert about a new Birmingham Rep play about Enoch Powell. Also James Zirin describes what he calls the partisan nature of the Supreme Court in America and artists Jananne Al-Ani and John Keane and curator Vivienne Jabri talk about providing an alternative to the visual language of war employed by the media.What Shadows runs at Birmingham Rep Theatre from October 27th to November 12th and stars Ian McDiarmid playing Enoch Powell.James Zirin's book is called Supremely Partisan: How Raw Politics Tips the Scales in the United States Supreme CourtTraces of War, curated by Vivienne Jabri, is at King's College, London until 18th DecemberJohn Keane's exhibition - If You Knew Me, If You Knew Yourself, You Would Not Kill Me - opens at Flowers Gallery, London on 4th NovemberProducer: Torquil MacLeod.

Jonathan Coe, author of books including The Rotter's Club, What a Carve Up and his most recent novel Number 11, joins playwright Richard Cameron and presenter Matthew Sweet in a programme recorded in front of an audience at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.Jonathan Coe's 2001 novel, The Rotter's Club, depicts teenage life in Birmingham in the 1970s, against a backdrop of strikes at the local car factories. It's been adapted for the stage by Richard Cameron - whose other plays include The Glee Club and Can't Stand Up For Falling Down. They discuss the difference between page and stage, assess the sexual and racial politics of the time and consider the cultural influence of Britain's second city.Producer: Craig Templeton Smith.

Anne McElvoy and Julian Barnes discuss images of Russian cultural figures on display at the National Portrait Gallery. Director Roxana Silbert and playwright Suhayla El-Bushra discuss putting Russian satirical dramas on stage in Britain. And Soumaya Keynes from teh Institute of Fiscal Studies, journalist Ann Treneman and journalist and director of the Institute for Government Peter Riddell discuss the theatre of the budget. Russia and the Arts: The Age of Tolstoy and Tchaikovsky runs at the National Portrait Gallery from 21 April - 24 July Meanwhile Moscow's State Tretyakov Gallery hosts Elizabeth to Victoria: British Portraits from the Collection of the National Portrait Gallery. Julian Barnes' most recent novel The Noise of Time is inspired by the life of Dmitri Shostakovich. Roxana Silbert is directing a version of Gogol's The Government Inspector written by David Harrower which is on stage at Birmingham Rep in association with Ramps on the Moon. It runs from March 19th to 26th. It then tours to New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich 6-16 April West Yorkshire Playhouse 20-30 April Nottingham Playhouse 4-14 May Theatre Royal Stratford East 18-28 May The Everyman, Liverpool 1-11 June Crucible Theatre, Sheffield 17-25 June Suhayla El-Bushra has written an adaptation of Nikolai Erdman's The Suicide which is being directed by Nadia Fall at the National Theatre in London. It runs in rep from April 6th. Producer: Eliane Glaser.

The actress and author Meera Syal and playwright Tanika Gupta discuss adapting Syal's novel Anita and Me for the stage. Chosen as a GCSE set text, the novel Anita and Me depicts the friendship of a Punjabi teenager Meena and Anita, a white more rebellious girl living in the same West Midlands village in the 1970s. Filmed in 2002, the autobiographical novel has now been adapted for stage by Tanika Gupta, directed by the Artistic Director of Birmingham Rep Roxana Silbert. Rana Mitter chairs a discussion about Anita and Me, growing up in 70s Britain, the surrogacy industry in India and having a rebel in the family with questions from an audience at Birmingham Rep Theatre and as part of the Birmingham Literature Festival. Anita and Me runs at Birmingham Repertory Theatre until October 24th. It's on at Theatre Royal Stratford East from October 29th - November 21st. Meera Syal's latest novel is called The House of Hidden Mothers.

Rudy's Rare Records stars Lenny Henry as the son who works alongside his father in a record shop. The Radio 4 comedy has been adapted for stage and is being performed with live music at Birmingham Rep and the Hackney Empire. In a conversation recorded in front of an audience at The Studio at Birmingham Rep, Lenny Henry talks to Matthew Sweet about performing on radio, stage and screen and his campaign for better Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) representation.