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Mary Wollstonecraft, famous for her work A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, was born in London in 1759 but spent some of her early life in Beverley near Hull in Yorkshire. Playwright Maureen Lennon and actor Laura Elsworthy will together bring her back to the region in Maureen's play Mary and The Hyenas, in which Laura will play Mary. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Maureen and Laura while the play was in rehearsal in Hull about Mary's life and legacy, the continuing relevance of her message, bringing her story to life on stage and the flourishing arts scene in Yorkshire. Laura Elsworthy stars in the title role of Mary and The Hyenas by Maureen Lennon for Hull Truck Theatre and Pilot Theatre, directed by Esther Richardson with music by Billy Nomates, which runs at Hull Truck Theatre from 7 February to 1 March 2025 before transferring to Wilton's Music Hall in London from 18 to 29 March.
In this special keynote edition of The People Performance Podcast, T2 CEO Martin Johnson unpacks a transformative approach to leadership. Drawing on insights from neuroscience and his experience in elite performance environments, Martin discusses how our brain's decision-making impacts responses to challenge, threat, and reward. He highlights the power of embracing “drudgery” and mastering four key attributes—courage, durability, resilience, and persistence—as essential to optimal performance. From dopamine's role in motivation to strategies for leading in resource-limited settings, Martin offers actionable advice for fostering true growth and resilience in yourself and your team. Recorded at Hull Truck Theatre at the HEY Confident Futures Conference, 'IGNITE' hosted by Two Riding's Community Foundation. **Highlights** - **[00:00:09 - 00:02:02] Opening and Introduction** - **[00:02:02 - 00:03:26] Shaping Leadership in High-Performance Environments** - **[00:03:26 - 00:07:17] Pain-Pleasure Balance and Resilience** - **[00:07:17 - 00:15:25] Understanding Brain Dynamics with the Chimp Paradox** - **[00:15:25 - 00:21:58] States of Neutral, Challenge, and Threat** - **[00:21:58 - 00:24:23] The Role of Dopamine in Motivation** - **[00:24:23 - 00:25:05] Choosing the High Road vs. Low Road** - **[00:25:05 - 00:27:05] Overcoming the Comfort Crisis** - **[00:27:05 - 00:32:41] Optimal Performance vs. Peak Performance** - **[00:32:41 - 00:41:04] Four Attributes for Leading in Drudgery** - **[00:41:04 - 00:44:01] Finding Purpose in Service** - **[00:44:01 - 00:47:08] Audience Q&A and Closing Remarks** Intrigued about what we do at T2? Visit: www.trans2performance.com Email: help@trans2performance.com Follow our socials: linktr.ee/trans2performance
Pitlochry Festival Theatre in Scotland and The New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich are co-producing a new production of the stage musical Footloose, based on the ‘80s film of the same name that starred Kevin Bacon. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to New Wolsey Artistic Director Douglas Rintoul, who will direct the production, and Pitlochry's Artistic Director, Elizabeth Newman, about the production, other musicals that both their theatres are producting this year (Little Shop of Horrors, Beautiful: The Carol King Musical, The Sound of Music). They also spoke about the advantages of co-productions—and when they may not be appropriate—as well as programming and casting a rep season and panto. Little Shop of Horrors closes at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton on 18 May and then moves to Hull Truck Theatre from 22 May to 8 June 2024. Footloose will run at various times and dates in Pitlochry Festival Theatre's season between 31 May and 26 September before transferring to The New Wolsey Theatre from 3 to 26 October. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical will run at Pitlochry between 7 June and 28 September, and The Sound of Music will be there between 15 November and 22 December. Sleeping Beauty, the New Wolsey panto written by Vikki Stone, will run from 22 November 2024 to 18 January 2025.
Today Elaine chats with playwright Maureen Lennon about her new show Dead Girls Rising, the importance of regional theatre, the power to art and artist have to ask the difficult questions and much more. Ticket details for Dead Girls Raising: https://www.silentuproarproductions.co.uk/coming-soon Maureen Lennon Maureen is a Hull based writer, a graduate from the English and Theatre Studies BA from The University of Bristol and the Writing for Performance and Publication MA from The University of Leeds. She is an Associate Artist of Middle Child Theatre, a Leeds Playhouse FUSE writer 2019, a BoxFresh Writer 2023 and Sphinx30 playwright. In 2020 her play Helen was shortlisted for the Theatre 503 International Playwriting prize. In 2018/19 she was longlisted for the Alfred Bradley Bursary for Radio Drama. Her credits include Baby He Loves You (Middle Child Theatre 2024), Helen (Theatre 503/ Terrain Theatre 2023), The Coppergate Woman (York Theatre Royal 2022), Us Against Whatever (Middle Child Theatre 2019), and Bare Skin On Briny Waters (Bellow Theatre 2017/18). She has also written work for Paines Plough, Hull Truck Theatre, Sheffield Theatres, and Pilot Theatre. Dead Girls Rising A brand-new production from Hull-based Silent Uproar, Dead Girls Rising is an angry, joyous, punk protest that doesn't pull any punches. Written by Maureen Lennon, with music and lyrics from Anya Pearson (international punk artist featured on BBC Radio 6 Introducing ), Dead Girls Rising is an explosive exploration of what it takes to live and survive within a violent patriarchy. Katie and Hannah love murder. They go to bed listening to podcasts about serial killers; they clutch blankets watching gruesome documentaries. They're in deep. They're not sure if they can stop, and they're not sure if they want to. Dead Girls Rising interrogates themes of true crime, Greek mythology, patriarchy and women's safety, with a furious soundtrack and moments of horror and magic on stage. Co-directed by Silent Uproar's Ruby Clarke and Alex Mitchell, it stars Helen Reuben, Angelina Chudi, Izzy Neish, Zoe West and Rebecca Levy. HIPA GUIDES: HIPA GUIDES OUR WEBSITE - www.persistentandnasty.co.uk Persistent Pal & Nasty Hero - Pals and Hero Membership Support In The Room - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/in-the-room Email – persistentandnasty@gmail.com Instagram - @persistentandnasty Twitter - @PersistentNasty Coffee Morning Eventbrite - Coffee Morning Tickets LINKTREE - LINKTR.EE Resources Samaritans - Rape Crisis Scotland - Rape Crisis UK ArtsMinds - BAPAM Freelancers Make Theatre Work Stonewall UK - Trevor Project - Mermaids UK Switchboard LGBT+ - GATE PLANNED PARENTHOOD DONATE - DONATE ABORTION SUPPORT NETWORK UK - ASN.COM- DONATE WeAudition offer: For 25% off your monthly subscription quote: NASTY25 Backstage Offers: Get a free 12 months Actor Subscription: https://join.backstage.com/persistentnasty-uk-12m-free/
Pilot Theatre, a York-based touring company that creates theatre for young people is to tour England in February and March 2024 with an adaptation of David Almond's book A Song for Ella Grey, written by Zoe Cooper and directed by Pilot's Artistic Director, Esther Richardson. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Esther while the production was still in rehearsal about the play, its North East setting, having a TikTok star in the title role, the process of adapting a challenging novel for the stage and the current state of theatre for young people in the UK. A Song for Ella Grey will open at Northern Stage in Newcastle 1–15 February 2024, before moving to York Theatre Royal 20–24 February, Theatre Peckham 27 February to 2 March, Hull Truck Theatre 5–9 March, Liverpool Playhouse 13–16 March and Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford 19–23 March.
This episode features a writer who would be familiar not only to Hull residents but also to keen telly watchers, radio listeners and theatre goers across the country. Alan Plater was born in Jarrow in 1935 but having moved to Hull when he was just three years old, the city was pleased to adopt him and he lived there for much of his life. His most famous writing credit was probably Z Cars. Alan Plater was also a huge fan of jazz music and his ITV comedy drama The Beiderbecke Affair staring James Bolam and Barbara Flynn in the mid 1980s was a massive success. He went on to win countless awards and accolades for his wonderful writing. Alan Plater was enormously generous with his time, and made a huge contribution to the Hull arts scene of the 1960s and 70s, developing a gentle friendship with Philip Larkin along the way. This speech was recorded on 28th November 1998, and was given at that year's PLS AGM. Thank you so much to Alexandra Cann who is the agent for the Alan Plater Literary Estate Ltd for giving us the initial approval to use this recording, and to Steve Plater and John Rubinstein who are the joint Directors of the Lit Estate. If you are interested in seeing an Alan Plater play this summer, then the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough is putting on a production of the Blonde Bombshells of 1943 which is full of swing and jazz, from 2-26th August 2023. https://sjt.uk.com/events/blonde-bombshells-of-1943 References: Alfred Bradley https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/about/successes/alfred-bradley-award/ · The Occasional Smell of Fish (poem) · Waiting for Gladys (Becket parody) · Bete Noire (Hull poetry journal) · Z Cars One Day In Spring Street · Jazz Notes- BBC radio programme · On Sunday January 4th I had Mild Constipation · Names (poem written for Three Trawlers fundraising) ‘my only grown up poem' · Swallows on the Water (play) · The Fosdyke Saga sonnet ( BBC radio tripe themed -parody of The Forsyth Saga,)- sent a copy to Larkin who responded with a signed copy of the High Windows calling him ‘sonnetteer extraordinaire' · Sweet Sorrow (1990) Plater's play about Larkin Matthew Arnold, Ogden Nash, Dylan Thomas, Alan Bleasdale, Ted Hughes, Barry Hines, Vera Wise, Henry Livings, Alex Glasgow, Carla Lane, Adrian Mitchell, Allan Ginsburg, Carole Mills (rude songs and low down blues), Robin Kay (flamenco guitarist), Max Boylett (jazz pianist), Ian Clarke and Chris Rowe, Sid and Norm (artists without category), Joe Orton, The Beatles, John Ford (director of westerns), Roger McGough, Jimmy James (music hall performer),Ken Wagstaff- (footballing hero), Fleur Adcock, Jeff Nuttall (had a pee in a bucket on stage), Roni Scott, Suzi Quatro, Mike Bradwell (theatre director), Jess Stacy (jazz pianist), Shakespeare, Max Wall, Peter Brooke (director), and many more Hull poets listed by Plater. Pubs mentioned – (in Leeds and Hull) The Bluebell, The Bull, The Fenton, the Hayworth Arms, Philip Larkin judging poetry competition for the Hull Arts Centre at Spring Street in 1970 which eventually became Hull Truck Theatre. The loss of the three Hull trawlers in winter of 1967, 59 trawlerman died- the poets organised a reading and Plater wrote ‘Names'. Produced by Lyn Lockwood and Gavin Hogg PLS Membership and information: The Philip Larkin Society – Philip Larkin Theme music: 'The Horns Of The Morning' by The Mechanicals Band. Buy 'The Righteous Jazz' at their Bandcamp page: https://themechanicalsband.bandcamp.com/album/the-righteous-jazz
As sanctions against Russia take hold, Charles and Graham discuss the implications for Russian culture in the UK. Graham feeds back on his revealing interview with Barenaked Ladies frontman Ed Robertson and updates us on his progress through Harry Sword's book on drone-based music, Monolithic Undertow. Charles reviews Richard Bean's new play, 71 Coltman Street, which celebrates the founding of Hull Truck Theatre in 1971. Graham entreats us to imagine Harrogate street names as the basis for Hollywood films.
Comedy writer Sara Gibbs and actor and writer JJ Green discuss the portrayal of autistic characters on TV and film and call for change. Half a century ago director Mike Bradwell rented a run-down house in Coltman Street, Hull, gathered a few actor-musicians and started work. Hull Truck Theatre was born. It went on to become one of the most successful and influential companies in the country and is now housed in a beautiful purpose-built theatre. Bradwell had strong views about theatre: plays should be about the kind of people you might meet in Hull, not dead kings. He wasn't keen on jokes, and even less on scripts. So it's a bit of an irony that to celebrate their 50 years Hull Truck has commissioned the playwright Richard Bean, who can't resist a gag - he wrote One Man Two Guvnors - and whose work is carefully wrought and written. Bean, who is from Hull, talks about his new play 71 Coltman Street which recreates the genesis of Hull Truck Theatre. Sheila Heti, acclaimed author of Motherhood, talks about the ideas behind her new novel Pure Colour, an experimental story following a woman's life through college, a love affair, and coming to terms with her father's death – whilst God considers creating a second draft of the world. Presenter: Samira Ahmed Producer: Julian May Main image: Joanna Holden in 71 Coltman Street Photo credit: Ian Hodgson
We caught up with star of stage and screen, Julie Hesmondhalgh, as she embarks on her one-woman tour in The Greatest Play in the History of the World … calling at Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre, York Theatre Royal and Hull Truck Theatre. There's also the difficult decision to deal with … of choosing her favourite places to visit in the county “that's really, really hard because it's all so beautiful and so vast!”. Think North York Moors, train trips to Sheffield and visiting family and friends in West Yorkshire. It's fun … she's fantastic … it's the new Welcome to Yorkshire ‘Talkshire' podcast.
In this third episode of The Acting for Stage and Screen Podcast, James talks to the actor, writer and director Duncan Macinnes. They discuss Duncan's affection for his hometown of Hull and how this has lead him back recently to perform as Laurence Moss in an innovative new production of Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party, directed by Amanda Huxtable at Hull Truck Theatre. We talk about the importance Duncan places on choosing work which explores and encourages diversity such as his role in The Life and Death of Martin Luther King and we also hear about Duncan's latest project as a playwright; Dagger Lane, a genre bending new work exploring dementia and detective work! We chat about Duncan's creative approach as a writer and also his recent guest lead appearance in the BBC's Doctors and we consider some of the different approaches actors use in performing for both stage and screen.
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 Chinonyerem Odimba about her passionate and affecting play Princess & The Hustler, which premiered at the Bristol Old Vic in 2019, followed by a UK tour, in a co-production between Eclipse Theatre Company, Bristol Old Vic and Hull Truck Theatre, directed by Dawn Walton. 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
The latest production from Manchester-based new writing theatre company Box of Tricks is Under Three Moons by Daniel Kanaber, a play about a close male friendship across three decades, described to us by the director as a “platonic love story”. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Danny and director Adam Quayle during the early stages of rehearsals about the play, the development process and how this relationship fits into the current debate about masculinity. Under Three Moons will open at The Lowry in Salford from 24 to 28 September 2019 before touring to Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield, Unity Theatre in Liverpool, Crewe Lyceum Theatre, Hull Truck Theatre, Carriageworks Theatre in Leeds, The Arts Centre at Edge Hill University in Ormskirk, York Theatre Royal, Live Theatre in Newcastle, Theatr Clwyd in Mold, finishing at Rosehill Theatre in Whitehaven on 2 November.
We had an absolute ball chatting with Rachael Abbey, Jess Morley and Sarah Penney - the Roaring Girls and hilarious cast of Beach Body Ready. ABOUT BEACH BODY READY t's the season of cutting carbs, hitting it hard at the gym, and shaving everything from the chin down. Summer has rocked up and the media has us thinking about how our bodies aren't up to scratch and there are companies ready to capitalise on that. We've been shamed, dehumanised, and humiliated for how we look and we've had enough. Join The Roaring Girls for a defiantly feel-good show which sticks two fingers up at how the media says you should look. The Roaring Girls are getting Beach Body Ready. Are you? Catch the show until 25-Aug (ex 12th) at 1.10pm in Pleasance Above at the Pleasance Courtyard. Book your tickets here - https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/beach-body-ready Beach Body Ready is supported by Pleasance Futures as part of the Regional Theatre Partnership Programme with York Theatre Royal and in association with Hull Truck Theatre. Developed with support from ARC, CAST, Sheffield Theatres, and Square Chapel. Beach Body Ready is part of the Hull Takeover 2019, produced by Absolutely Cultured through their Hull Independent Producer Initiative, in partnership with Middle Child, supported by Hull Truck Theatre, and Back To Ours. CAST Rachael Abbey Jess Morley Sarah Penney Written and devised by the cast, with DRAMATURG Lydia Marchant DIRECTOR Lizi Perry PRODUCER Shaunagh McClean CHOREOGRAPHER Jo Ashbridge VIDEOGRAPHER Fly Girl Films COSTUME & SET DESIGN Nat Young LIGHTING DESIGN Jess Addinall STAGE MANAGER - EDINBURGH Jay Hirst WHO ARE THE ROARING GIRLS? The Roaring Girls are a Hull-based theatre company creating work that is fierce, feminist, and fun. They use autobiographical narratives to create their work - they want to talk about things they can relate to, that their audience can relate to. They believe that approaching big, sometimes taboo, subjects on a personal level, allows them to talk about these topics with their audiences. Their work is the first part of a conversation- their audiences leave laughing, crying, and most importantly , talking. Their work is often devised, but even when working with writers, collaboration is at the core of their practice - the voices and experiences of the people in the room shape the work. They aim to foster a supportive, creative environment where everyone is heard and valued equally. Follow them... on Twitter @TheRoaringGirls on IG @TheRoaringGirls W: https://www.theroaringgirls.co.uk
**Producer at Hull Truck, Adam Pownall visited the HULLISTHIS podcasting studio to tell us about the GROW Festival, 7-11 May 2019.** "Grow is Hull Truck Theatre’s artist development programme for artists at any age or stage in their career, it exists to provide branches of opportunities and strong roots to support exciting new performances. Our new Grow Season, for artists and audiences, presents new work from local, regional and national artists. Audiences are invited to see new work either in development, tour-ready or just a sapling of an idea." More at: https://www.hulltruck.co.uk/grow/
The latest production from Manchester-based new writing theatre company Box of Tricks is SparkPlug, written and performed by David Judge based on his own experiences being brought up as a mixed race child by a white stepfather in 1980s Manchester. The production is directed by Box of Tricks Joint Artistic Director and co-founder Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder and begins its 9-week tour at HOME in Manchester, where BTG editor David Chadderton spoke to David and Hannah in a dressing room during a break from technical rehearsals. SparkPlug runs at HOME in Manchester from 13 to 23 February 2019 before touring to Unity Theatre in Liverpool, Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury, Cheltenham Everyman Studio, Harrogate Theatre Studio, Live Theatre in Newcastle, York Theatre Royal, Hull Truck Theatre, Theatr Clwyd in Mold, Crewe Lyceum Studio, Spring Arts Centre in Havant, The Lighthouse in Poole, Marlowe Studio in Canterbury, Old Town Hall in Hemel Hempstead, The North Wall Arts Centre in Oxford, Square Chapel in Halifax, The Met in Bury and Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, before finishing at Birmingham Rep from 10 to 13 April.
Benny Andersson, the musical mastermind behind all those Abba hits and the musical Chess, talks to Kirsty about his new album on which he presents solo piano versions of many of his best loved tunes.Sophie Wu is known as an actor for her roles in series such as 'Fresh Meat' and the film 'Kick Ass'. Now she has written a play. Ramona Tells Jim is about two teenage outsiders who fall for one another, before Ramona tells Jim something that changes everything. Sophie talks to Kirsty Lang about exploring how a single decision can have life-changing consequences.A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian is the best-selling 2005 novel by Marina Lewycka which has now been adapted for the stage and is playing at the Hull Truck Theatre. Sam Marlowe reviews.To mark National Poetry Day, William Sieghart discusses the healing power of poetry. Presenter: Kirsty Lang Producer: Helen Fitzhenry.
In 1992, Barrie Rutter directed and played the title role in Shakespeare’s Richard III for what became the inaugural production of Northern Broadsides. Twenty-five years later, he is directing Mat Fraser as Richard for Hull’s 2017 City of Culture. In this episode, David Chadderton speaks to Barrie about a quarter of a century of Broadsides, his own forthright views on how to direct and perform Shakespeare and on returning to the city where he grew up for this anniversary production. Richard III will run at Hull Truck Theatre from 4 to 27 May 2017. It will then have a short run at the Viaduct Theatre in Halifax from 30 May to 3 June. (Photo of Barrie Rutter at Dean Clough, Halifax by Kay Burnett)
Island city mentality or gateway to the world? Hull-based crime writer and former journalist David Mark, poet Adelle Stripe and Slung Low artistic director Alan Lane join Matthew Sweet to debate Hull's links with the wider world, while playwright Esther Wilson suggest what residents can learn from another port city which has been City of Culture - Liverpool. Recorded with an audience at Hull Truck Theatre as part of Radio 3's Uproot festival for Hull 2017. Producer: Torquil MacLeod.
Hugh Jackman talks to Kirsty Lang about his final portrayal of the super-hero Wolverine in the film Logan. Ifor ap Glyn, the National Poet of Wales, writes a new poem for Front Row to mark St David's Day, called Cymraeg Ambarel (Umbrella Welsh). One Man, Two Guvors playwright Richard Bean on The Hypocrite, set in Hull during the English Civil War, which opens tonight at the Hull Truck Theatre. Katharine Quarmby reviews the film Trespass Against Us, which stars Michael Fassbender and Brendan Gleeson as travellers in the West Country. Cymraeg Ambarel 1.3.17Mae'n bwrw mor aml mewn byd drycinog, ond mae dy ffyn bob tro yn cloi'n gromen berffaith, uwch fy mhen; a than dy adain, caf hedfan yn unfraich, drwy ddychymyg yr hil.I rai, rwyt ti'n 'cau'n deg ag agor, ond o'th rolio'n dynn, mi roddi sbonc i'n cerddediad fel Cymry; ac mi'th godwn yn lluman main i dywys ymwelwyr at ein hanes, a thua'r byd amgen sydd yno i bawb...Tydi yw'r ambarel sydd o hyd yn ein cyfannu, boed yn 'gored, neu ynghau - dim ond i ni dy rannu.... Ifor ap Glyn Bardd Cenedlaethol CymruUmbrella Welsh 1.3.17It rains so often in our stormy world, but your spokes always lock in a hemisphere above my head; and I can float through our people's wit, hanging by one arm beneath your wing. For some, you simply can't be opened, but rolling you tight lends a Welsh spring to our step; and we lift you, like a narrow flag, to guide visitors to our history, to an alternate reality, that's open to all...You are that brolly, that melds our world, as long as you're jointly held, - whether open or furled...Ifor ap Glyn National Poet of WalesPresenter: Kirsty Lang Producer: Timothy Prosser.
Matthew Sweet visits Hull - the city where he grew up - and seeks out Basil Kirchin's sound world, Richard Bean's version of Hull during the Civil War and the re-opened Ferens Art Gallery where he used to spend Saturday mornings.You can hear more of Basil Kirchin's music for films in tonight's Late Junction which follows at 11pm and Radio3 is recording Mind on the Run featuring Goldfrapp's Will Gregory with members of the BBC Concert Orchestra - the event takes place 17th - 19th Feb at Hull City Hall and will be broadcast on Hear and Now on March 4th. The Ferens Art Gallery is displaying Francis Bacon's Screaming Popes until May 1st; Pietro Lorenzetti's panel painting Christ Between Saints Paul and Peter until April. Exhibitions by Ron Mueck, Spencer Tunick's Sea of Hull commission and the Turner prize follow later in 2017.Richard Bean's play The Hypocrite - dramatising what happened in the Civil War when parliament charged Sir John Hotham with denying King Charles entry to Hull - runs from Friday 24th of February – Saturday 25th of March at Hull Truck Theatre, and Friday 31th of March – Saturday 29th of April at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-AvonProducer: Craig Templeton Smith.
Director Mira Nair and Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o discuss their new film Queen of Katwe, which is based on the true story of Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi.Newcastle Gateshead has beaten Sheffield, Blackpool and Bradford and been selected by the government to host a £5m Great Exhibition of the North in 2018. Carol Bell, Culture & Major Events Director, Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, talks about their plans for the major exhibition, which will showcase art, design and innovation from the north of England. 12 years after the last episode of Sex and the City, Sarah Jessica Parker is back on the small screen in Divorce, a comedy drama about the end of a marriage written by Catastrophe's Sharon Horgan. Stephen Armstrong reviews. In 1974 the Gaul trawler set off from Hull never to return, disappearing off the northern coast of Norway with all hands lost. Playwright Janet Plater talks about her new drama The Gaul at Hull Truck Theatre, which charts the experience of the wives and relatives left behind. Shahidha Bari reviews The Vulgar: Fashion Redefined, a new exhibition at the Barbican Art Gallery in London which explores the aesthetics of taste through the prism of fashion.Presenter: Samira Ahmed Producer: Rachel Simpson.
Halifax-based Northern Broadsides has paired up with York Theatre Royal for a revival of J B Priestley's When We Are Married, directed by Northern Broadsides artistic director Barrie Rutter. Playing the role of Clara Soppitt, actress Kate Anthony, best-known for playing Pam Hobsworth in Coronation Street, spoke to BTG editor David Chadderton during rehearsals about the production and her part in it as well as some of the differences between acting in theatre and TV and the importance of getting on with your fellow actors while touring. When We Are Married is at York Theatre Royal until 24 September 2016 before touring to Hull Truck Theatre, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, Rose Theatre Kingston, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre, New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Liverpool Playhouse and Northern Broadsides’ own Viaduct Theatre in Halifax, where it closes on 4 December. (Rehearsal photo of Kate Anthony by Nobby Clark)
Sir Jonathan Miller has returned to Halifax-based Northern Broadsides Theatre Company to director company founder Barrie Rutter in the title role of Shakespeare’s King Lear. BTG editor David Chadderton speaks to Barrie Rutter about his new OBE, playing Lear, working with Jonathan Miller and touring large-cast productions and to Catherine Kinsella about playing Cordelia, winning a Manchester Theatre Award and making a career as an actor in the north of England. The production will open at the company’s base at the Viaduct Theatre in Halifax on 27 February 2015 before touring to Hull Truck Theatre, Theatre Royal Bath, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough, Liverpool Playhouse, The Lowry in Salford, York International Shakespeare Festival, Rose Theatre Kingston and finally New Vic Theatre in Stoke, where it will end on 13 June 2015. For more information about the company, see www.northern-broadsides.co.uk.
Mark Babych, who was artistic director of the Octagon Theatre in Bolton for ten years up to 2009, was appointed artistic director of Hull Truck Theatre in 2013. His debut production as director is a revival of Shelagh Delaney’s A Taste of Honey, which will run at Hull Truck from 27 March 2014 starring Shameless and Waterloo Road actress Rebecca Ryan as Jo before embarking on a national tour. In this episode, Mark speaks about why he chose this play, bringing one of Salford's best-known plays back to Salford's Lowry, his involvement with the successful bid for Hull to become the UK's City of Culture for 2017 and how he went from the Octagon to freelance to taking on another building-based theatre company. He also pays tribute to Chris Honer, who stepped down as artistic director of Manchester's Library Theatre Company recently and whom Mark considers to be a big influence on his own work.
Sarah Brigham talks to BTG Midlands Editor Steve Orme about taking the reigns of Derby Theatre as its first artistic director since University of Derby took over the lease of the troubled former Derby Playhouse and succeeded in obtaining Arts Council funding for it in 2012. The first homegrown production from the new Derby Theatre is Lee Hall's Cooking With Elvis, and Steve talks to director Mark Babych and actor Jack Lord about the production. Babych, who was artistic director of the Octagon Theatre in Bolton for ten years, also talks about his recently-announced appointment as artistic director of Hull Truck Theatre, a post he takes up immediately after finishing work on this production.
Playwright Tim Fountain and director Mike Bradwell talk about Queen of the Nile, a production they have worked on together for Hull Truck Theatre. Fountain is best known for his controversial plays such as Sex Addict (Royal Court), Resident Alien (Bush Theatre), Dandy in the Underworld and Julie Burchill Is Away (Soho Theatre). Bradwell founded Hull Truck in 1972, but hasn't directed for it for more than 30 years. He has also been artistic director of The Bush, one of London's leading new writing theatres. Queen of the Nile will run from 18 April to 11 May 2013 at Hull Truck Theatre. For more information, see www.hulltruck.co.uk or call the box office on 01482 323638.