Podcasts about Birmingham Repertory Theatre

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 have the return of the stage adaptation of Khaled Hosseini's best-selling novel ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns' to the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describer Carolyn Smith. About A Thousand Splendid Suns The Rep presents a powerful new production of A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini's spiritual sequel to The Kite Runner. In 1992 in an Afghanistan ravaged by war, an orphaned Laila is left alone in an increasingly threatening world. Her older neighbour Rasheed is quick to open his home and takes Laila as his second wife. Rasheed's first wife Mariam has no choice but to accept her younger, and now pregnant, rival. As the Taliban take over, life for all of them becomes a desperate struggle against starvation, brutality and fear, and the two women find themselves unlikely allies. Former Rep and Hampstead Theatre Artistic Director Roxana Silbert returns to Birmingham to direct this unflinching, life affirming drama, in which love grows and sustains the human spirit even during the hardest of times. Musical inspiration drawn from Afghanistan's 1970s musical heritage, including works by Ahmad Zahir and Abdul Rahim Sarban There are further audio described performances of A Thousand Splendid Suns - Nottingham Theatre Royal - Thursday 22 May, 6.30pm and Saturday 24 May, 2.30pm.  Leeds Playhouse - Friday 13 June, 7.30pm and Saturday 14 June, 2pm. For more about access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre 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)

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 are taken back to Liverpool in the 1980s with James Graham's powerful new stage adaptation of Alan Bleasdale's BAFTA award-winning TV series Boys from the Blackstuff direct from the National Theatre and London's West End as the touring production visited the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describer Carolyn Smith. About Boys from the Blackstuff Gizza job. Go on, gizzit. 80s Liverpool. Chrissie, Loggo, George, Dixie and Yosser are used to hard work and providing for their families. But there is no work and there is no money. What are they supposed to do? Work harder, work longer, buy cheaper, spend less? They just need a chance. Life is tough but the lads can play the game. Find jobs, avoid the ‘sniffers' and see if you can have a laugh along the way.  James Graham's powerful new adaptation of Alan Bleasdale's BAFTA award-winning TV series is directed by Kate Wasserberg and comes to The Rep direct from the National Theatre and the West End. Boys from the Blackstuff continues on it's tour of the UK and more details about the show including venues, dates and times of performances can be found by visiting - https://boysfromtheblackstuff.com For more about access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre 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)

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 have a fresh new production of Arthur Miller's ‘Death of a Salesman' as the Trafalgar Theatre's touring production visited the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describer Carolyn Smith. About ‘Death of A Salesman' One of the greatest plays of the twentieth century, Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman explodes onto the stage in this fresh new production led by acclaimed actor David Hayman (Sid and Nancy, Dad's Army). This timeless, powerful story takes you on a thrilling journey through the final 24 hours of Willy Loman's life, filled with his memories, dreams, struggles and pitting a Father's expectations against his sons realities. "Powerful and poignant.”   For more about the Trafalgar Theatre's touring production of ‘Death of A Salesman' do visit the production's website - https://www.deathofasalesmantour.co.uk And for more about access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre including details of audio described performances 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)

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 have a fresh new production of Arthur Miller's ‘Death of a Salesman' as the Trafalgar Theatre's touring production visited the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describer Carolyn Smith. About ‘Death of A Salesman' One of the greatest plays of the twentieth century, Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman explodes onto the stage in this fresh new production led by acclaimed actor David Hayman (Sid and Nancy, Dad's Army). This timeless, powerful story takes you on a thrilling journey through the final 24 hours of Willy Loman's life, filled with his memories, dreams, struggles and pitting a Father's expectations against his sons realities. "Powerful and poignant.”   For more about the Trafalgar Theatre's touring production of ‘Death of A Salesman' do visit the production's website - https://www.deathofasalesmantour.co.uk And for more about access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre including details of audio described performances 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)

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 Vidar was reviewing a new stage production of Sebastian Faulks's ‘Bird Song' at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describer Carolyn Smith. About “Bird Song' Sebastian Faulks's epic story of love and loss returned to the stage marking the 30th anniversary of the international best-selling novel. ‘Bird Song' tells the story of one man's journey through an all-consuming love affair and into the horror of the First World War. In pre-war France, a young Englishman, Stephen Wraysford, embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their world upside down. As the war breaks out over the idyll of his former life, Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme and through the sprawling tunnels that lie deep underground. Faced with the unprecedented horror of the war Stephen clings to the memory of Isabelle as his world explodes around him. A mesmerising story of love and courage. Set both before and during the Great War. Starring award-winning actor Max Bowden, best known for the role of Ben Mitchell in Eastenders, and produced by the award-winning Original Theatre, who brought you the smash hit productions of The Mirror Crack'd by Agatha Christie, Murder in the Dark and The Habit of Art. Alastair Whatley has directed an excellent cast in a piece that will live on in the memories in the same way as Faulks' novel that inspired it. For more about access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre including details of audio described performances 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)

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 continuing the theme of winter tales Vidar was reviewing The Snowman as the production returned home to the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by professional Audio Describer Carolyn Smith. About The Snowman The Birmingham Repertory Theatre's enchanting production of The Snowman has been delighting audiences for over 30 years and is the West End's longest running Christmas Show. It returned home over the festive season to give Birmingham audiences the chance to be part of the magic again. 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? 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.  For more about access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre along with details of audio described performances of their productions 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)

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 first of his regular audio described theatre reviews for 2025. Vidar was reviewing mark Gatiss' retelling of Dickens' classic winter tale with ‘A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story' at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by professional Audio Describer Carolyn Smith for his first review of 2025. About A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story Birmingham Rep presents a Nottingham Playhouse Production in association with Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Eilene Davidson Productions with A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story. It's a cold Christmas Eve and mean-spirited miser Ebenezer Scrooge has an unexpected visit from the spirit of his former business partner Jacob Marley. Bound in chains as punishment for a lifetime of greed, the unearthly figure explains it isn't too late for Scrooge to change his miserly ways in order to escape the same fate, but first he'll have to face three more eerie encounters. Filled with Dickensian, spine-tingling special effects, prepare to be frightened and delighted in equal measure as you enter the supernatural Victorian world of A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story. Mark Gatiss‘ acclaimed retelling of Dickens' winter ghost story stars Matthew Cottle as Scrooge. “In the hands of Gatiss, Dickens' festive tale banishes all thoughts of ‘bah, humbug'.” - Evening Standard For more about access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre along with details of audio described performances of their productions 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)

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 his audio described theatre review of the year plus a couple of highlights of shows he is looking forward to seeing in 2025.  Audio described theatre highlights of 2024 included - The reimagining for the stage at the RSC of Mark Ravenhill's 2013 radio play' Ben and Imo', which told the true story of the passionate partnership between Benjamin Britten and Imogen Holst. The touring production of the Lawrence Olivier award winning comedy musical retelling of Jane Austen's ‘Pride and Prejudice (Sort Of)' with only a cast of five women on stage playing all the characters of Pride and Prejudice.  Welsh National Opera's production of Verdi's Rigoletto at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff which had a bit of a Jacobean feel to the costumes and maybe some influences of Shakespeare coming through too. At the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and a musical that is all about first love and finding your voice with ‘Becoming Nancy' based on the novel of the same name by author songwriter, music producer and singer Terry Ronald. Staying with Musicals at the Birmingham Hippodrome with Lin-Manuel Miranda's multi award-winning cultural phenomenon that is Hamilton.  Vidar also mentions a few highlights of shows that he is looking forward to seeing in 2025 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 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 critically acclaimed new musical ‘Becoming Nancy' at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by Professional audio describer Carolyn Smith. About Becoming Nancy  A new musical about first love and finding your voice! Adapted from Terry Ronald's best-selling novel – this critically and audience acclaimed new musical! It's 1979 and David Starr is unquestionably one of the smartest, most talented sixth-formers in East Dulwich – he's got a wild imagination, a vocal range to die for, and a bedroom plastered with posters of his beloved pop idols: Blondie, Sting, and Kate Bush. But being clever, with a great taste in music may not be enough to get him through secondary school, where, to his great surprise, he's just been given the female lead in the school play, Oliver… The unconventional casting sends shockwaves through David's small town, first with David, and then with his parents, his aunt, and his classmates. Before long, it seems like everybody has an opinion on whether David should go on with the show, inspiring him to turn to his no-nonsense best friend Frances and his unlikely co-star Maxie, the enigmatic captain of the football team. With smash-hit songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, Becoming Nancy is the feel good, joyous, new musical that weaves a story of family and first loves, with the courage it takes to finFor more about ‘Becoming Nancy' do visit the production website - https://www.becomingnancymusical.com To find out about audio described performances and general access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre 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)

Sacked from her job by voicemail the day after she informed her employer she was pregnant Joeli Brearley set up Pregnant Then Screwed to end pregnancy and maternity discrimination. The charity has helped to influence new flexible working and redundancy protection laws, providing advice to hundreds of thousands of women when they face discrimination and challenging employers and government in high profile cases. After ten years Joeli is stepping down as CEO. She joins Nuala McGovern in the Woman's Hour studio.The United States goes to the polls one week today and presidential candidates are campaigning furiously, with the two frontrunners being the Democratic nominee and current Vice President, Kamala Harris and the Republican nominee and former President, Donald Trump. As a programme, we're taking a look at whether there's such a thing as the ‘the woman's vote'. How are different groups of women likely to vote and why? Nuala speaks to Kathy Frankovic, Consultant to YouGov America and former director of surveys for CBS News and Debbie Walsh, Director of the Centre for Women and American Politics at Rutgers University.Last night's 2024 Ballon d'Or Awards in Paris saw the Ballon d'Or Feminin award go to Aitana Bonmati for the second year in a row, and former Chelsea coach Emma Hayes win Women's Coach of the Year. We hear from BBC Women's Football reporter Emma Sanders for a round-up. Rae Mainwaring was only 23 when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Since then she's gone on to be a successful writer and theatre maker, and a mother of two children, and now her play Bright Places, about growing up in the shadow of a chronic illness is being staged at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. She joins us in the Woman's Hour studio. Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Kirsty Starkey

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 Emma Rice's up-to-date version of the French folk tale Blue Beard which certainly has a powerful political punch at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. About Blue Beard: Blue Beard the Magician makes hearts flutter and pupils dilate. With a wink, a stroke and a flick – things just seem to vanish. Cards, coins, scarves… and women. Puff! Gone. Without a trace. He meets his match when his young bride discovers his dark and murderous secret. She summons all her rage, all her smarts and all her sisters to bring the curtain down on his tyrannous reign. This celebration of female power – revelling in all kinds of naughtiness, sensuality, rage and joy – is a music-fuelled feminist revenge plot infused with high comedy, tragedy, romance, and just a sprinkle of spine-tingling horror. Narrated by a chorus of nuns, don't miss the live score, incredible performers, and breath-taking set design – it's the ultimate night out with a powerful political punch. Emma Rice brings her own brand of theatrical wonder to this most beguiling and disturbing of tales. With her signature sleight of hand, Blue Beard explores curiosity and consent, violence and vengeance – all through an intoxicating lens of music, wit and tender truth. For more about access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre including details of audio described performances of their productions do visit the access pages of the REP 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)

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 an action packed theatrical experience with David Haig's stage adaptation of that iconic sci-fi thriller, Minority Report at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. About Minority Report: In 2050, neuroscientist Dame Julia Anderton is about to launch the next phase of her pioneering Pre-Crime programme, monitoring people's thoughts and detaining them before crimes are committed. But when Julia is accused of pre-murder, she's in a race against time to save herself from her own system. David Haig's electrifying adaptation of Phillip K. Dick's iconic sci-fi thriller challenges our beliefs about justice and freewill in a real-time chase through London of the future. Minority Report sees award-winning director Max Webster re-united with the producers of the globally successful stage version of Life of Pi. This action packed theatrical experience will take you on an electrifying ride into the future, as it creates a world bordering science fiction and reality. For more about access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre including details of audio described performances of their productions do visit the access pages of the REP 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)

Send your questions or provocations to Adam or Budi here!In this episode, join Adam and Budi as they review our third book for the 2024 TOO Book Club, 'The Empty Space' by Peter Brook.Peter Brook is one of the most innovative British directors of the post 1950 period. His industrious and celebrated career began in London's wartime club theatres and he joined the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 1945. His career flourished after the war and he increasingly staged plays in London, Stratford-upon-Avon, Brussels, Paris and New York. In 1961, he became one of a triumvirate of directors at Stratford's Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). While he is often recognised for the experimental workshops and productions he staged while working there, he has also directed classical and contemporary texts, musical comedies, opera, and films including Lord of the Flies (1962) and Meeting with Remarkable Men (1979). 'A number of his stage productions have also been filmed, including The Mahabharata (1985) a nine-hour epic that was developed over a period of ten years and adapted from the sacred Vedic text of the same name. This final work was one of the productions that developed from the collaborative and multi-cultural work done at a centre Brook founded in Paris in 1970 called the International Centre for Theatre Research (ICTR). At this centre, Brook continues to research, direct and produce work in collaboration with an internationally mixed company of performing artists who share his desire to create and perform a universal theatre language. Support the Show.If you enjoyed this week´s podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. To submit a question: Voice- http://www.speakpipe.com/theatreofothers Email- podcast@theatreofothers.com Show Credits Co-Hosts: Adam Marple & Budi MillerProducer: Jack BurmeisterMusic: https://www.purple-planet.comAdditional compositions by @jack_burmeister

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 fresh and funny, new musical Bhangra nation that fuses college-campus angst with the colourful, high octane world of competitive bhangra dance competitions at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describers Carolyn Smith and Julia Grundy. About Bhangra Nation: Are you ready to Bhangra? As the Uni Bhangra dance team wait nervously backstage to find out if they've made it to Nationals, the real showdown has already begun as team mates Preeti and Mary clash over what Bhangra really means to them. Whilst Preeti believes that the team needs to stick to tradition, Mary is passionate about shaking things up to belong to today. When a huge row changes the team forever, Mary and Preeti start on journeys of discovery into what they stand for and who they want to be. A moving and funny new musical about friendship, family and identity, brought to life with boundless energy and joy, incredible dance moves and a truly bhangin' soundtrack. To find out more about access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre along with details about audio described performances do visit the access pages of the REP's 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)

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 we stepped through the wardrobe into the kingdom of Narnia with a real magical production of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Saturday 2 December at 7pm with description by Professional Audio Describer Carolyn Smith. About The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe: Direct from the West End comes the most magical of shows for Christmas… Step through the wardrobe into the kingdom of Narnia for the most mystical of adventures in a faraway land. Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they wave goodbye to wartime Britain and say hello to Mr Tumnus, the talking Faun, Aslan the unforgettable Lion, and battle the cold and cruel White Witch! Based on the novel by C.S. Lewis, directed by Michael Fentiman, and based on the original production by Sally Cookson. Age Guideline For everyone 6+ and their families Further audio described performances: Friday 22 December at 7pm, touch tour at 5pm,  Wednesday 5 January 2pm, touch tour at 12noon,  Friday 19 January 7pm, touch tour 5pm  For more about access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre do visit their website access pages - https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/your-visit/accessibility/

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 straight from a triumphant season in London's West End, Michael Frayn's celebrated comedy Noises Off at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre starring Lisa Goddard and Matthew Kelly on Saturday 2 September at 2.30pm with description by Professional Audio Describer Julia Grundy.  Toby began by asking Vidar whether Noises Off is the ultimate comedy of theatrical chaos and confusion as some critics have been saying. About Noises Off: One of the greatest British comedies ever written is currently touring the country direct from a triumphant West End season. Michael Frayn's celebrated play serves up a riotous double bill, a play within a play. Starring Liza Goddard, Matthew Kelley and Simon Shepherd, Hurtling along at breakneck speed, Noises Off follows the on and offstage antics of a touring theatre company as they stumble their way through the fictional farce, Nothing On. From the shambolic final rehearsals before opening night in Weston-super-Mare, to a disastrous matinee in Ashton-under-Lyne seen entirely, and hilariously silently, from backstage, before we share their final, brilliantly catastrophic performance in Stockton-on-Tees. ‘Lindsay Posner's miraculously choreographed revival is proof that Noises Off has lost none of its power to reduce adults to hysterical, helpless wrecks.' For more about access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and details about audio described performances do visit the access pages of their website - https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/your-visit/accessibility/ Image: RNIB Connect Radio Bright Green 20th Anniversary Logo

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

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 we have a story of connection between friends, families, and strangers with the Nottingham Playhouse adaptation of The BeeKeeper of Aleppo as the touring production visited the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by Professional ‘audio Describer Julia Grundy. “I was scared of the bees at first, but now, they make me feel alive. They are like a society in complete harmony with itself. Not like people at all, but maybe what people have the potential to be”  Nuri is a beekeeper, his wife, Afra, an artist. They live a simple life, rich in family and friends, in the beautiful Syrian city of Aleppo – until the unthinkable happens. When all they care for is destroyed by war, they are forced to escape. On their terrifying journey, they must face the pain of their own unbearable loss alongside incredible danger. Above all, they must journey to find each other again. This compassionate and beautiful play is a story of connection — between friends, families, and strangers. Winner of the Aspen Words Award, Runner up for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and one of The Times top three bestselling books of 2020, Christy Lefteri's best-selling novel has its world premiere in a brand new adaptation by Nesrin Alrefaai, and Matthew Spangler who adapted The Kite Runner. The production is directed by Olivier Award winning Miranda Cromwell (Death of a Salesman – Young Vic, Piccadilly Theatre, and Broadway). From the producers behind the hugely successful West End and Broadway stage adaptation of The Kite Runner.  Age guideline 13+ Image Shows A Blurred Back Ground with a Pair of Hands, Palms up, Reaching Out to a Few Faded Bees

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 tale about the crumbling American dream with the audio described performance of Birmingham Repertory Theatre's production of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men on Thursday 6 April at 7.30pm with description by professional Audio Describers Julia Grundy and Carolyn Smith. “I got you, and we got each other”. George and Lennie are migrants with a dream; a dream of a better life, a place where they can belong, where Lennie feels safe and George can be somebody. But this is the Great Depression, not many dreams come true in a time where a few have plenty but most have nothing. When the friends take a job on Curley's farm, tragedy unfolds leading to a heart-breaking decision. John Steinbeck's classic novel is more than 80 years old, but with themes of economic migration, racism and prejudice, it remains a parable for our times. A story of enduring friendship, this new production from Rep Associate Director and Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony Director, Iqbal Khan, focuses a 2023 lens on Steinbeck's affecting tale of the crumbling American dream. His recent Rep productions include East is East and Tartuffe. The set is sublime, the choral singing is spine-tingling and when the action comes, you are fully immersed in the story” ★★★★ (four star)West End For more about access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre along with dates and times of their audio described performances do visit 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)

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 world premiere  of the stage production of Spitting Image Live at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Tuesday 7 March at 7.30pm with description by professional Audio Describer Carolyn Smith. With a plot more improbable than the last year of British politics! Join the iconic Spitting Image puppets in this world premiere as they grace the stage for the very first time. World famous celebrities are thrown together as Tom Cruise is tasked by King Charles with saving Great Britain. Greta Thunberg duets with Stormzy as Putin and Xi watch on from their premium seats in the stalls. Have they just come out for a night on the town? Or will they wipe out all of civilisation? A show simultaneously inspired and appalled by real events… 40 years after Spitting Image was first filmed here in Birmingham, the iconic puppets return to the city for this world premiere, directed by The Rep's own Artistic Director double Olivier Award winner, Sean Foley. With a creative team that includes original Spitting Image co-creator, Roger Law, alongside a comedy tour de force writing team of Al Murray, Matt Forde and Sean Foley, Idiots Assemble – Spitting Image Saves the World: Live on Stage promises to be an unmissable, laugh-out-loud show. For more details about access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and details about their 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)

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)

On today's Front Row, Samira Ahmed talks to stand-up comedian Al Murray about putting the puppets of the political satire TV show Spitting Image on stage for the first time, in a new production, Spitting Image - Idiots Assemble, at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. And she discusses the Oscar and Bafta-nominated animation Marcel The Shell With Shoes On, and a new exhibition of work by the American visual artist, Alice Neel, which opens at the Barbican in London today, with arts critics Hanna Flint and Louisa Buck. Producer: Kirsty McQuire

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)

From talking about feminist sons to digitising theatre to the structure of the world that needs to be broken. This cuppa filled episode with Natasha Kathi- Chandra spills it all!  In the episode we discuss:  Highlights and challenges of projects and experiences such as: Om Shanti Fuck, Ingenium/ Namashkar, Tara Theatre, In a nutshell, Lion King and East is East. Feminism and culture.  Thoughts on South Asian Theatre and theatre in large in the UK.  Digitising, playing with form and experimenting with programming in theatres. Things the industry could do with and without.  Mental health and confidence. Directing and thoughts on being a female POC creative. A bit about Natasha: Natasha is an international theatre director, writer, dramaturg and facilitator based in London, UK and Hyderabad, India. She most recently worked as the Associate Director on East is East at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, National and Chichester Festival Theatre. In 2008 she founded a youth theatre company Ingenium Dramatics in Hyderabad to encourage young people to explore West End style theatre leading the company as Artistic Director for five years. In London, she founded an arts company Namashkar with the aim of challenging and changing roles for South Asian women both on and off stage and with her company wrote and directed The Infinite Line between Dating & Dying (White Bear & Etcetera Theatre) and Om Shanti F*ck ( Arcola, Battersea Arts Center, Camden People's Theatre). She has also had her writing feature in Titola Dawudu x Tamasha Theatre's Hear Me Now Monologues. Alongside this, Natasha loves engaging with emerging artists, young people and the community. She has facilitated the Creative Learning Program at Park Theatre (2014-2021) and has worked with London College of Music, UAL and Fourth Monkey drama schools. She is an Associate Director for Kali Theatre and has assistant directing credits from Stratford East, Royal Court and National.   Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://twitter.com/KNatashaChandra  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://creatorsprogram.youngvic.org/member/3756  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.  

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 Counting and Cracking at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Friday 26 August 7pm with audio description by professional Describer Julia Grundy. Counting and Cracking follows the journey of one Sri Lankan-Australian family in a story of break up and reunion across two nations. Winner of 14 major awards including Helpmann Awards for Best Production and Best Direction, Counting and Cracking is written by Sri Lankan Australian S. Shakthidharan and directed by Eamon Flack, Artistic Director of Belvoir, one of Australia's most celebrated theatre companies. Toby began by asking Vidar whether Counting and cracking is a vital tale for our times as Critics have been saying. You can find out more about Counting and cracking by visiting the following pages of Belvoir's website -   https://belvoir.com.au/productions/counting-and-cracking-3/ (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)

Now for a round up of accessible arts events as RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey catches up with Jess Beal from VocalEyes, the national audio description charity providing access to the arts for blind and partially sighted people to share some of the accessible events that are featured in their weekly email newsletter. Audio described shows and events included: Billy Elliott - The Musical, Saturday 13 August, 2.15pm, touch tour 12.45pm, Curve Theatre, Leicester Object handling session at Colchester Castle - Sunday 14 August, 11.30am, Colchester   Fashion Freak Show by Jean Paul Gaultier -Tuesday 16 August, 7.30pm, touch tour 6pm and Saturday 20 August, 2.30pm, touch tour 1pm, Roundhouse, London   Julius Caesar - Saturday 20 August, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, London Counting and Cracking - Friday 26 august, 7pm, Birmingham Repertory Theatre,  101 Dalmatians, Saturday 27 August, 2.15pm, Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park, London. To find out more about these and other up-coming audio-described arts events as well as details about how to sign up to the VocalEyes weekly email newsletter do visit the VocalEyes website - https://vocaleyes.co.uk (Image shows the VocalEyes logo. A speech bubble with 'VOCALEYES' written in bold black letters next to it)

Now for a round-up of accessible arts events as RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey catches up with Jess Beal from VocalEyes, the national audio description charity providing access to the arts for blind and partially sighted people to share some of the accessible events that are featured in their weekly email newsletter. Audio described shows and events included: The Darkest Part of the Night - Thursday 4 August, 7.30pm, Kiln Theatre, London, The Coppergate Woman, Saturday 6 August, 2.30pm, touch tour 1.30pm and 7.30pm, touch tour 6.30pm York Theatre Royal Bugsy Malone - Tuesday 9 august, 7.30pm,Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Tasting Notes, Friday 12 August, 8pm and Saturday 13 August 3pm, Southwark Playhouse, London Visual description talk: Flood in the Highlands - Saturday 13 August, 3pm, Aberdeen Art Gallery The Trials - Friday 26 August, 7.30pm, Donmar Warehouse, London. To find out more about these and other up-coming audio-described arts events as well as details about how to sign up to the VocalEyes weekly email newsletter do visit the VocalEyes website - https://vocaleyes.co.uk (Image shows the VocalEyes logo. A speech bubble with 'VOCALEYES' written in bold black letters next to it)

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 ‘Playboy of the West Indies' at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Tuesday 21 June 20222 with audio description by professional describers Carolyn Smith and Jonathan Nash. Based on the Irish Classic The Playboy Of The Western World, Mustapha Matura's hilarious reinvention Playboy Of The West Indies has been delighting audiences and critics alike world-wide for over 35 years Now in this world premiere production the classic play has been transformed into a glorious new musical with a toe-tapping, finger-snapping score firmly rooted in the Caribbean.  In Peggy's rum bar in sleepy Mayaro village, a mysterious stranger stumbles in out of the darkness. With a voice like honey he tantalises the women and unnerves the men with a terrible story. As he weaves his magic spell on Peggy, her forthcoming nuptials to Stanley are thrown into doubt, and the village is plunged into uproar. While the women vie for this stranger's attention, the men plot his downfall. Will events conspire to unmask his wild tales of derring-do? This bright calypso musical, a feel-good reboot of Mustapha Matura's play, features a tremendous cast and sweet duets” The Guardian With an infectious score by Clement Ishmael (Five Guys Named Moe, The Lion King) and Dominique Le Gendre (Royal Opera House, Talawa Theatre) and co-direction from Nicolas Kent (Grenfell: Value Engineering, Ain't Misbehaving)  Toby began by asking Vidar whether it felt like the Caribbean at the Rep in this witty, vibrant and colourful musical production of the ‘Playboy of the West Indies'. Vidar praised the very professional and engaging audio description by Carolyn and Jonathan and due to the cancellation of the performance the previous night Carolyn and Jonathan did not have the chance to do a dry run of their audio description prior to the actual described performance and Vidar commented that he would have not known if Carolyn and Jonathan had not told him so as their description was top notch as always.    To find out more about the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and their access offer for blind and partially sighted people do visit- https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/your-visit/accessibility/audio-described-performances/  (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 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 Paul Hunter's play ‘Would You Bet Against Us?' at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Tuesday 31 May 2022 with audio description by professional Describer and football fan Julia Grundy. ‘Would You Bet Against Us?' takes us back to 1982 and the 40th anniversary of an iconic event for Aston Villa Football Club, for Birmingham and for Paul, the main character in life-time Aston Villa fan Paul Hunter's funny, poignant and uplifting show about challenging expectations and proving people wrong. Vidar began by saying to Toby that you don't necessarily need to be an Aston Villa or football fan to have enjoyed ‘Would You Bet Against Us?', with Vidar also stating that he is more of an armchair football fan too but he really enjoyed the show. Vidar mentioned how much Julia Grundy's pre show introductory notes really helped to set the scene for ‘Would You Bet Against Us?' and how much Julia's live audio description benefitted Vidar's enjoyment of the show again reinforcing how much description adds to his theatre experience as a visually impaired person.  Toby and Vidar ended by discussing how a show like ‘Would You Bet Against Us?' is a bit of an underdog story with both Aston Villa winning the European Cup back in 1982 and the life of Paul the main character, and how theatre with that live experience is able to make the story more real and engaging which you may not necessarily gain from, say, a film or TV show.  To find out more about the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and their access offer for blind and partially sighted people do visit - https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/your-visit/accessibility/audio-described-performances/  (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)

Oliver Robert Ford Davies (born 12 August 1939) is an English actor and writer, best known for his extensive theatre work, and to a broader audience for his role as Sio Bibble in Star Wars Episodes I to III. He is also known for his role as Maester Cressen in HBO series Game of Thrones.In 1959, as a member of the Oxford University Experimental Theatre Club, he appeared in his first Stratford performance in the Memorial Theatre's open-air production of Bartholomew Fair. His first professional appearances were, at the age of 27, in the 1967 season at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.[5] Short Seasons at the Mermaid, London, the Oxford Playhouse and the Cambridge Arts Theatre followed. His long and prolific association with the Royal Shakespeare Company started in 1975, when director Terry Hands cast him as Mountjoy in Henry V. He is an Honorary Associate Artist of the company. From 1990 until 2019 He appeared more frequently at the National Theatre, London, until at the age of 80 he lent his "sublime presence" to the part of the appraising button moulder in Henryk Ibsen's Peter Gynt at the Olivier Theatre.On television, Davies had a regular role as Peter Foxcott QC in Kavanagh QC and was schoolmaster Le Bas in the serialization of A Dance to the Music of Time (1997). He also appeared with John Thaw in an episode of Inspector Morse and also appeared in the ITV television drama The Uninvited, and in a 2002 episode of the popular drama Foyle's War.On film, his most prominent role was probably Sio Bibble in the Star Wars "prequel trilogy" films, released in 1999, 2002 and 2005. In 2003, Davies appeared in the film Johnny English, where he portrayed the Archbishop of Canterbury.He appeared on stage as Polonius in Hamlet with the Royal Shakespeare Company, alongside David Tennant and Patrick Stewart, and in 2009 appeared in All's Well That Ends Well at the Royal National Theatre as the King of France. In 2010, he appeared as Balfour in the premiere of Ben Brown's play The Promise, about the Balfour Declaration.In 2011, he appeared in a stage adaptation of Michelle Magorian's book Goodnight Mister Tom, in which he played the central character, Thomas Oakley. He was back with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2014 as Justice Shallow in Henry IV, Part 2. Davies again appeared with David Tennant in Richard II in 2013. In February 2019 Davies discussed his career in the BBC Radio Three series Private Passions.Support the show (https://www.interactstrokesupport.org)

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)

In this podcast, Dr. Reem Doukmak, Honorary Research Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Study at Warwick University and Paul O'Donnell, Associate Artist at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Theatre Absolute discuss their Coventry Creates project – Reintegrate. Reem and Paul are collaborating on using art to explore the re-integration experiences of refugees and their host community into the social ‘normalities' under Covid-19. They will be keynote speakers at the upcoming NVivo Virtual Conference on September 22, 2021, link to conference registration  

Time to catch up with Tim Calvert for A View on Access. This week, we're focussing on ballet, and an audio described performance of ‘The Nutcracker', live streamed from the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.  After a hugely successful live stream and on demand broadcast of The Nutcracker at The REP in December which saw nearly 9,000 households across the globe enjoy the magic of the classic Christmas ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet announced a second film of The Nutcracker at the REP, featuring an alternative cast, would go on sale. A View on Access is written, presented and produced by Calvert Creative Concepts for the audio description association - visit audiodescrisption.co.uk and RNIB Connect Radio. For more info on the project or to feedback email aviewonaccess@gmail.com

On the days before Christmas, #EFTV brings to you, many thoughts, wanted and un, we've got them. Such as Nicola Sturgeon breaching her Lockdown rules, but not giving herself the same punishment she doled out to others. The Talawa Theatre Company pulled out of their 'Black Joy' season, which was to be held at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 2021. They say it is due to the theatre becoming a 'Nightingale Court' during the day. Gal Gadot is out trying to justify her upcoming role as Cleopatra And it all feels odd after she forced that 'Imagine' video on us All this and more!!! PLUS, season two of 'Home for Christmas' (Hjemtiljul just hit Netflix, so we checked that out, to see who knocked on the door! AND, our Audible of the week, is Lisa Bent debut called 'Symona's Still Single'. About a single girl, nearing her 40's and deciding to look at what's right and wrong about her dating life. As well as, what does it mean to be a Black woman trying to exist, date and find love? This week: - Sturgeon caught with mask off! - Bottomless PJs causing a stir - A Nightingale Court comes between a theatre and a company! - Gadot tries to justify her casting as Cleopatra! - France give immigrants citizenship for helping with COVID! - Chin check REVIEWS & RECOMMENDATIONS - TV: Home for Christmas (Hjem Til Jul) - S2 - thoughts AUDIBLE - Symona's Still Single by Lisa Bent *(Music) 'Speaking Real Words' (feat. Inspectah Deck) by 7L & Esoteric - 2001

L'Inghilterra prova a ripartire con lo spettacolo, una borsa di studio in nome di Gigi Proietti e la "Rivoluzione Gentile" di Francesco Delvecchio. Ecco di cosa si parla oggi a “Palcoscenico”, la trasmissione di Teatri di Bari, condotta da Michela Ventrella, con Paola Pagone in regia. Tra gli ospiti di oggi Paolo Imperitura responsabile della redazione di Notizie di Spettacolo e Stuart Rogers, per 17 anni direttore del Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

Nicole Kidman talks about starring in new thriller The Undoing. A therapist's life unravels after she learns that her husband might be responsible for a horrific murder. Left behind in the wake of a spreading and very public disaster and horrified by the ways in which she has failed to heed her own advice, Grace must dismantle one life and create another for her child and herself. The Undoing will be available from October 26 on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV. Abracadabra! We find out how professional magicians have been especially badly hit by Covid 19 restrictions and social distancing. Plus, social distancing has inspired the latest piece by the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Choreographer Will Tuckett explains how they’re using architectural costumes, projection and augmented reality to bring the ballet to life, and how they’ve achieved a live performance bringing dancers, musicians and an audience together in the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Presenter: Kirsty Lang Producer: Julian May

Fred Jeffs: The Sweetshop Murder A ‘true-crime’ mystery set in Birmingham and the Black Country, in the English Midlands. Graeme Rose investigates the real unsolved murder of his great uncle, sweetshop-owner Fred Jeffs, on Good Friday 1957, by talking to people who remember the case. Rose attempts to find answers and understand what really happened on that fateful night. Conceived, written, produced and presented by Graeme Rose. Music Composition & Sound Design by Fox & Rocha (guest musician Martin Cox) Directed by Steve Johnstone. This seven-part podcast series is supported by Black Country Touring (with support from Arts Council England and funding support from Creative Black Country). Episodes 1-4 produced with support from Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Arts Council England. Episodes 5-7 commissioned by Black Country Touring.

Our Amplify Producer, Craig, 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. Today’s guest is Amit Sharma, Deputy Artistic Director of Birmingham Rep.Amit Sharma is Deputy Artistic Director at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and was formerly Associate Director at Graeae and Associate Artistic Director at Royal Exchange, Manchester. His production for Graeae and Theatre Royal Plymouth, The Solid Life of Sugar Water, received unanimous four and five star reviews, won the Euan’s Guide Most Accessible Show of the Fringe Award in 2015 and transferred to the National Theatre’s Temporary Space in spring 2016. Other directing credits for Graeae include One Under (national tour) Cosmic Scallies (co-production with Royal Exchange, Manchester). Outdoor productions include Aruna and the Raging Sun (part of the UK/INDIA Year of Culture in Chennai) Prometheus Awakes (London 2012 Festival) and The Iron Man (UK Tour).If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider donating to our Curtain Up Appeal, to ensure we can keep creating new work for audiences to enjoy: https://www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/support/curtain-up-appeal/​​

Arts organisations in the West Midlands say the region is one of the worst hit by the Coronavirus pandemic. In Birmingham, despite emergency relief funding from the Arts Council, the Town Hall and Symphony Hall face cutting half of their workforce, while both the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the Hippodrome have announced substantial job losses. What impact does it have on a city when its cultural centres are forced to close their doors? Over 20 British playwrights and poets have been commissioned by Pitlochry Festival Theatre to write A Love Letter to Scotland, inspired by the River Tay. The works written as part of its three-year Shades of Tay project, will be shown online as audio dramas, podcasts and short films. Douglas Maxwell and Chinonyerem Odimba are two of the playwrights taking part in the project. All this week on Front Row, individuals from the arts are choosing one Lockdown Discovery, a cultural find that has given them pleasure during the dark months of being stuck at home due to Covid-19. Today alto-saxophonist and MC Soweto Kinch explains how running and cycling along the canals of Birmingham has sparked a creative love affair with the canals and decaying backwaters of his home city. The emergence of quarantine or quara-horror, with a frankly terrifying new film set on a Zoom call. Host was filmed over twelve weeks in quarantine entirely on Zoom. Presenter: Katie Popperwell Producer: Cecile Wright Main image: The River Tay

The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one free play to read and discuss each week, followed by a Q&A with the writer. In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Chris Bush about Faustus: That Damned Woman, her radical take on the classic cautionary tale. It was co-produced by Headlong and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, in association with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and first performed at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre in January 2020 before embarking on a UK tour, which was sadly cut short by the theatre shutdown. See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis Producer: Jon Barton Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite 

Amy Leach is a theatre director and Associate Director at Leeds Playhouse, currently working on a new version of Oliver Twist. This new adaption is by Bryony Lavery, and it’s being staged by Leeds Playhouse in collaboration with the Ramps on the Moon consortium, a partnership between six National Portfolio Organisation theatres and Graeae Theatre. Ramps on the Moon aims to create change within the UK theatre industry in terms of the inclusion and integration of deaf and disabled audiences and theatre-makers. Benjamin Wilson is one of Ramps on the Moon’s Agents for Change. He’s a cast member in this latest production, and has had a key role in developing creative approaches to audio description for this and a number of other shows he’s worked on at Leeds Playhouse and Sheffield Theatres. Amy and Ben joined Mark Smith towards the end of their rehearsal period to discuss the Ramps on the Moon initiative, the opportunities opened up by creative approaches to access for D/deaf and visually impaired audiences and performers, and the reasons behind Amy’s choice of Dickens’s work for her latest project. Oliver Twist plays Leeds Playhouse’s Quarry Theatre from 28 February to 21 March 2020, ahead of a UK tour to Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Nottingham Playhouse, Sheffield Theatres, New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich and Theatre Royal Stratford East, which are all part of the Ramps on the Moon consortium alongside Graeae, the UK’s leading disabled-led theatre company. (Oliver Twist rehearsal images of director Amy Leach and of Brooklyn Melvin and Benjamin Wilson, credit Anthony Robling.)

ITV’s Vidar Hjardeng reviews an audio described performance of ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’ which he saw at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.    Louis de Bernières' novel is brought to live in a captivating performance about love, war, and music.    Vidar spoke with RNIB Connect Radio’s Simon Pauley.    (Photo shows a mandolin laying on its side and half-submerged in sunlight water. Atop the neck of the mandolin a silhouette of two lovers in embrace) 

Writer, actor, campaigner and Graeae Patron Mat Fraser, talks to former Associate Director of Graeae (recently appointed Deputy Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre) about the visibility and representation of disability within film, television and theatre. How have things changed over the last 40 years? And how much further do we have to go? This podcast contains some strong language. A transcript of this podcast (in word format) is available to read or download at: https://graeae.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mat-Fraser-Transcript-FINAL.docx www.disabilityarts.online www.graeae.org Podcast edited by Ian Rattray for Clear Voice Enterprises. www.clearvoiceenterprises.org

ITV’s Vidar Hjardeng reviews the audio described performance of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ which he recently saw at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre‎.  The family favourite, tells the story of a young farm girl who gets lost in a strange new world full of munchkins and magic. Accompanied by a talking Tin Man, a brainless Scarecrow, a big “Scaredy-Cat”, and her most faithful dog Toto, Dorothy embarks on a journey to meet the Wizard of Oz. Vidar is talking to RNIB Connect Radio’s Simon Pauley. [photo show Dorothy, standing centre-stage, with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion behind her; everyone's arms are raised as if dancing]

The OECD goes to the theatre. Writer/director Alexander Zeldin’s play, “Love”, tells the story of lives lived under the poverty line. What happens when a system of social care falls short and austerity takes over? “Love” is co-produced by the National Theatre of Great Britain and Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and adapted for BBC Two. Host: Clara Young Producer: Robin Allison Davis

ITV's Vidar Hjardeng reviews the audio described performance of ‘Lovely Bones’ at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Based on a best-selling novel, ‘Lovely Bones’ follows the story of young Susie Salmon, who passed away in tragic circumstances. Unable to move on and watching her family break apart; Susie decides to help them through their grief. Vidar is chatting to RNIB Connect Radio's Simon Pauley.

How do you put the Bible on stage or make a modern medieval mystery play? Shahidha Bari talks to the National Theatre of Brent's Patrick Barlow as his play The Messiah starts at UK tour. New Generation Thinker Daisy Black watches a new medieval mystery play in Stoke. Plus the Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms exhibition at the British Library sees a giant Northumbrian Bible returned to Britain for the first time in 1300 years. And historian Iona Hine discusses her research into how we understand biblical stories and what difference translation makes. The Messiah by Patrick Barlow, with additional material by John Ramm, Jude Kelly and Julian Hough opens at Birmingham Repertory Theatre 18 Oct 2018 - 27 Oct 18 starring Hugh Dennis, Lesley Garrett and John Marquez. It tours to Cardiff, Sheffield and Chichester and then goes to the London West End. Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms: Art, Word, War runs at the British Library from Fri 19 Oct 2018 - Tue 19 Feb 2019 covering 600 years and featuring 180 treasures including the Codex Amiatinus, a giant Northumbrian Bible taken to Italy in 716 The Mysteries - newly created dramas by Sam Pritchard and Chris Thorpe have been performed in five different venues across the North of England exploring the impact of different landscapes on communities. All of them can be seen at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester from 25 October–11 November 2018. Iona Hine researches at the University of Sheffield. https://www.dhi.ac.uk/hine/ Her thesis was called Englishing the Bible in Early Modern Europe. Producer: Luke Mulhall

Jonathan Dimbleby presents political debate from the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

In our 30th episode we chat to George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, aka Stiles & Drewe. Stiles and Drewe are a multi award-winning musical theatre writing partnership. Writing credits include Honk! (National Theatre, UK Tour and Worldwide), Mary Poppins (West End, Broadway, International and currently on UK Tour), Cameron Mackintosh's new version of Half A Sixpence (Chicester Festival Theatre and West End), The Wind in The Willows (UK Tour and opening at The London Palladium 2017), Betty Blue Eyes (West End and UK Tour), Just So (Tricycle Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre and International), Peter Pan - A Musical Adventure (West Yorkshire Playhouse, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Royal Festival Hall and International), Soho Cinders (Soho Theatre and in concert at Queen's Theatre), The Three Little Pigs (West End, UK Tour and International Tour), Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Singapore Repertory Theatre), and The Three Billy Goats Gruff (Singapore Repertory Theatre). Future projects include a stage... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sting discusses 57th & 9th, his first rock album in 13 years, the title being a reference to New York City, his adopted home for the last 35 years. "Art was, seriously, the only thing I'd ever wanted to own." So said David Bowie, who gathered a huge and distinguished collection, particularly of post-war British painting. As an exhibition of the work opens at Sotheby's, ahead of its sale next month, Beth Greenacre, who was Bowie's curator, walks John Wilson around the collection and discusses what it reveals about him. As part of the BBC's Love to Read campaign which celebrates the pleasures of reading, author Mark Haddon - best known for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - confesses to a classic book he's never read, and reads it especially for Front Row. His choice of classic book: John Bunyan's 1678 Christian allegory, The Pilgrim's Progress. Enoch Powell's 1968 "Rivers of Blood" speech is at the heart of a new play that examines the shifting nature of identity. Playwright Chris Hannan and actor Ian McDiarmid discuss bringing Powell the man and Powell the politician to life in the premiere production of What Shadows at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Presenter: John Wilson Producer: Rebecca Armstrong.

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.

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.

Historian and broadcaster Carl Chinn visits Centennial Square at the centre of the city. Now a cultural hub bordered by the iconic Library of Birmingham, Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Symphony Hall, this is the largest urban public square built in Europe since 1945. But, as Carl explains, its history was very different. In previous centuries this was the location of many of the industries which made Birmingham famous. Criss-crossed by canals branching out from Gas Street basin, there were large glassworks and metal manufacturers who, by the middle of the 19th century, were using 60 steam engines. John Baskerville - The Beauty of Letters Here was the home of John Baskerville whose love of letters reshaped the world of printing and brought typography into the modern era. While Baskerville made Birmingham famous for the excellence of its printing he courted controversy in his personal life. Carl tells his story and reveals how Baskerville’s fame was recognised in the emerging United States of America. Finally, Carl visits another iconic building on Centenary Square - The Hall of Memory - which sadly many walk by but few visit. KEYWORDS: Library of Birmingham, Hall of Memory, John Baskerville, Bingley Hall, International Conference Centre, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Rep, Canals, Carl Chinn, Walks, Books

Imitating the Dog, a company known for its integration of video and other technology into its theatre work, has managed to secure the rights for the first ever UK stage adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s 1929 novel A Farewell to Arms for a short tour of the UK and Italy. The novel has been adapted for the stage and is directed jointly by Imitating the Dog founder members Pete Brooks and Andrew Quick. In this episode, David Chadderton speaks to Pete Brooks a week before the show’s opening about the production, acquiring the rights from the Hemingway estate, the company's style and production process and some of the challenges of touring work to Europe. The production opens at The Dukes in Lancaster on 10 October 2014, before visiting Cast in Doncaster, New Wolsey in Ipswich, The Lowry in Salford, Birmingham Repertory Theatre and The Old Market in Brighton, followed by a tour of Italy. For more information about the production and the company, see www.imitatingthedog.co.uk.

David Lodge, who has written several successful novels, including Changing Places and The British Museum is Falling Down, is Professor of Modern Literature at Birmingham University. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his work, which also includes writing revues for the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Enigma Variations - No 9: Nimrod by Edward Elgar Book: Ulysses by James Joyce Luxury: Nymph in a Landscape by Palma Vecchio

David Lodge, who has written several successful novels, including Changing Places and The British Museum is Falling Down, is Professor of Modern Literature at Birmingham University. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his work, which also includes writing revues for the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Enigma Variations - No 9: Nimrod by Edward Elgar Book: Ulysses by James Joyce Luxury: Nymph in a Landscape by Palma Vecchio