Podcasts about National Theatre

Lindsey Ferrentino is a playwright who was named Variety's 2025 "Broadway Stars to Watch" as she premiered two shows on Broadway this season with The Fear of 13 and The Queen of Versailles. Her work includes the Olivier Award-nominated play The Fear of 13 (Donmar Warehouse, London); Ugly Lies the Bone (Roundabout Theatre, New York; National Theatre, London, over 100 productions worldwide);  Amy and the Orphans (Roundabout, The Arc Prize for Entertainment Excellence), This Flat Earth (Playwrights Horizons) and The Year to Come  (La Jolla Playhouse).  As a screenwriter, Lindsey has various projects in development with Netflix and Sony Pictures and was named "Hollywood's Hottest Ticket" by The Hollywood Reporter.  https://www.instagram.com/lindseyferrentino/ https://www.instagram.com/fearof13broadway/ https://lindseyferrentino.com/?utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnNhH6iPguq4U6pKcmPPUSAS8ob2PAXijA3LiJfk2T6oUVfr8BIiASAtKhi7g_aem_VRUhwyy017XnErtb02lWDQ  

YA masters Krystal Sutherland (The Invocations), Joanna Nadin (author of 90+ books for children and adults) and Moira Buffini (Songlight) on hooking teen readers from the very first page, plotting methods that tame a whole novel, and why stories matter so much to young people. You'll learn What sparks the magic system of a supernatural thriller. What it means to find your writing home, and how to know when you've arrived. Why readers decide within the first ten pages, and how visceral detail keeps them hooked. A pantser's case for careful plotting when you're juggling multiple points of view. The most common mistake adults make when writing for young readers. What screenwriters know about tight writing, and what teen TV can teach you about voice. Why treating writing as a job, not a calling, makes rejection survivable. Whether writers should think about their audience. How writing toward a feeling, not a plan, creates cliffhangers you don't see coming. Episode Links #105: Krystal Sutherland #61: Joanna Nadin #179: Moira Buffini About the Guests Krystal Sutherland is the New York Times and indie bestselling author of House of Hollow, A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares and Our Chemical Hearts, which was adapted into a film by Amazon Studios. Her books have been published in more than twenty countries and nominated for the Carnegie Medal and YA Book Prize, among others. Her latest YA novel, The Invocations — the centerpiece of this conversation — won the 2025 Prime Minister's Literary Award for young adult literature. Originally from Australia, she has lived on four continents and currently calls London home. Joanna Nadin has written more than 90 books for children and adults, including the Rachel Riley series, the Penny Dreadful series, and the Sunday Times bestselling Worst Class in the World series. She holds a doctorate in adolescent identity and YA literature and is an Associate Professor in Creative Writing at the University of Bristol. Her books have garnered a number of prizes including the Fantastic Book Award and the Surrey Book Award, and she has been shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, the Booktrust Best Book Award, the Telegraph Sports Book of the Year, the Hearst Big Book Awards, and Queen of Teen. She has been nominated six times for the CILIP Carnegie Medal, including for Everybody Hurts and for Joe All Alone, which was made into a BAFTA-winning and Emmy-nominated BBC drama series. Moira Buffini is an Olivier Award–winning UK playwright and BAFTA-nominated screenwriter, writing many plays for the National Theatre and the West End. Films include Tamara Drewe, Jane Eyre, Byzantium, and The Dig. She cocreated and was showrunner of Hulu's Harlots. Her YA debut Songlight — the first in The Torch Trilogy — won the 2025 YA Book Prize, and its sequel Torchfire is out now. She lives in London. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers' Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS' SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you're enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Now for the next in our regular slots here on RNIB Connect Radio highlighting what is on offer at the National Theatre in London for blind and partially sighted people with audio description.RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey was joined again by David Bellwood, Head of Access at the National Theatre to chat about a few up-coming audio described shows at the NT and a couple that are available online with audio description via NT at home.Audio described performances included: ‘Pride' - Saturday 18 July, 2pm, touch tour 12noon and Friday 7 August, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre's Dorfman Theatre‘Electra/Persona' - Saturday 12 September 1pm, touch tour 11am and Thursday 8 October 7pm, touch tour 5pm, National Theatre's Lyttelton Theatre‘The Story' - Saturday 19 September 2.30pm, touch tour 12.30pm and Friday 2 October 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre's Olivier TheatreFrom NT at home with audio description David recommended ‘Oklahoma' and ‘The Audience'.To find out more about the National Theatre's audio description offer and services for blind and partially sighted people do either call the NT on 020 7452 3961 or visit the NT website - https://www.nationaltheatre.org.ukAnd for more about NT at home and to view many theatre productions online with audio description do visit - https://www.ntathome.com(Image shows National Theatre logo, a capital N and T in black against a white background)

Grace trained at East 15 Acting School and has been a Boris Karloff Trainee Assistant Director at the Young Vic, a Catalyst Director at the North Wall, and participated in TalentLAB at Théâtre National du Luxembourg.She is a Theatre Director and Community Artist from East London and her work is rooted in collaboration, bold storytelling, and amplifying voices. She has worked with theatres and communities across the UK. Previously, Grace was the Resident Assistant Director at the Donmar Warehouse. Theatre includes: as director: Holy Show, UK tour; Weeping Woman at Theatre503; Wild Actually at Islington Pleasance; after birth at Omnibus and Northwall on UK tour; Lysistrata at the Arcola; and WOOD at VAULT Festival. As associate director: Inter Alia at National Theatre; and Otherland at Almeida Theatre. As assistant director: Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, The Fear of 13, Skeleton Crew and The Human Body at the Donmar Warehouse, What If If Only at the Royal Court; and Ivan and the Dogs at the Young Vic Theatre. We discuss her role as associate director on the hit show Inter Alia at the National Theatre, the conversations it sparks and the process of putting the whole show together. The production is set to make its Broadway debut later this year. All this and much more, thank you Grace!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.comPlease Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning 

Time for WKXL's NH Unscripted to finish my interview with Brendon Fox, AD for the Peterborough Players. We've gotten through the first half hour and it's time to get to the last half hour. Peterborough is a quintessential NH theater and their summer slate is packed. Sherlock Holmes, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jane Austen and the Pulitzer Prize winning “Proof” are all on the schedule! And that's just the main stage! They have a whole “Arts on Screen” involving The Metropolitan Opera and the National Theatre that has whole life of its own. Toss in a quick look at what else is happening around the state and you've got a full episode.(NH Unscripted airs M/W/F at 9am 1450AM, 103.9FM, 101.9FM as well as can be found: Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, etc)

Earlier this week Mickey-Jo was invited to attend the opening night of WAR HORSE, on its return to the National Theatre.The hugely succesful play has been entertaining audiences for almost 20 years, and having seen it for the second time, Mickey-Jo's own feelings about it have evolved.Check out his full review to find out more about the stage adaptation, its creative choices, and its current cast...check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction03:07 | the play10:07 | the creative choices18:56 | the performances23:32 | conclusionAbout Mickey-Jo:As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MickeyJoTheatre⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 95,000 subscribers. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Time to finish my interview with Brendon Fox, AD for the Peterborough Players. We've gotten through the first half hour and it's time to get to the last half hour. Peterborough is a quintessential NH theater and their summer slate is packed. Sherlock Holmes, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jane Austen and the Pulitzer Prize winning “Proof” are all on the schedule! And that's just the main stage! They have a whole “Arts on Screen” involving The Metropolitan Opera and the National Theatre that has whole life of its own. Toss in a quick look at what else is happening around the state and you've got a full episode.

How to move abroad, get robbed, and end up in a big movie wearing oversized men's shoes? Discover how to hire a secret private room with a massive karaoke screen for FREE in an iconic music venue, the Michelin-starred dessert you have to try, and the insider hack to scoring front-row London theatre tickets for just £10. Please FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to  BEST OF LONDON as we have great shows coming up. For links on all the platforms and social media, just click here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You'll hear:* The Blockbuster: How volunteering at a women's health NGO led to Megan getting her purse stolen on night one, before accidentally getting cast as a journalist in a big budget film.* PhD Shortcut: How she managed to earn a doctorate while keeping her full-time job, and why her approach meant she could afford to do it.* Risky Business: Why taking a massive risk to work abroad might just allow you to get your dream job* The culture shock: Of moving from a tiny village to the big city. * The Free Birthday Hack: How to score a secret, private playroom with a massive karaoke screen and your own personal bar for absolutely nothing in one of London's most iconic music venues.Megan's Best of London Secrets:* The Venue: The legendary Camden spot where you can catch up-and-coming stars up close, and the Nunhead vermouth bar that will instantly transport you to Madrid.* The Food: The secret Italian restaurant disguised as a tiny deli, and the Michelin-starred vegan dessert in Shoreditch that will blow your mind.* The Shopping: Forget the high street. Megan reveals the Peckham charity shop that comes with its own DJ.* Comedians in Bookshops: The tiny Bermondsey bookshop where you can catch big-name comedians like Nish Kumar and John Kearns performing up close — plus book clubs, life drawing, and craft beers.* The Area: The iconic golden Thames route from Tower Bridge to Waterloo that makes you realise how lucky you are to live in London.* The Hack: How to completely game the system and score £10 Friday rush and lottery tickets to National Theatre and Young Vic.Global health researcher Dr Megan Devonald joins Ben to share one of the wildest travel stories we've ever heard and some amazing tips.Plus Ben chats about surviving the hottest London May on record, mingling with Rose Ayling-Ellis, and Rosie Jones at the Scope Disability Awards.People Mentioned in this Episode:* Laura Willoughby* Amy Winehouse* Joy Crookes* Eddie Redmayne* Nish Kumar* John Kearns* Harriet Kemsley* Stuart Laws* Idi Amin* Hans Zimmer* Christopher Nolan* Elton John* Charlie Chaplin* Kalliopi Fouseki* Sara Al Maliki* Maria Manona* Rosie Jones* Rose Ayling-Ellis* Sir Robin MillarPlease FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to  BEST OF LONDON as we have great shows coming up. For links on all the platforms and social media, just click here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ E-mail:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ben@lifemac.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ I read and reply to all your e-mails.Each week I ask a guest 7 questions including what's your best London venue, event, place to eat, area and London Lifehack. You'll find out the best things to do and places to go.Intro and Outro music by Ben HollandBest of London is presented and produced by Ben Holland and Ben Afleck.Ben's instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/benpodz/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ben's TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@benpodz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's X:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://x.com/benpodz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BEST OF LONDON logo by the brilliant bob@recolodesign.com for all your logo, artwork and design needs.Follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on ALL the platforms including Apple, Amazon music, Audible, Instagram, Twitter / X / Facebook. Click here for links to all of those :⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

朋友们好久不见！欢迎收听新一期的 Funtastalk ！先说一个好消息，我的专场《算你厉害》，要去南半球啦！具体的购票信息在结尾。这期我请来了新婚之后播客首秀的新郎官——鑫博！有在鑫博婚礼上的捧场王、婚礼重度参与者——嘻哈！婚礼爱好者、婚礼评测博主，也是本场婚礼的司仪——我本人！一起聊了聊鑫博的这场婚礼。我们从鑫博婚礼的策划开始，回顾了这场婚礼的背后的小故事，如果你想更身临其境一些，听这期节目之前，可以先在小红书上看看鑫博发的婚礼回顾视频、嘻哈发的照片，和我发的鑫博婚礼vlog。祝大家好事多多，喜事多多。收听愉快。06:15 嘻哈婚礼上的五湖四海酒局08:18 鑫博：婚礼这顿饭必须让大家吃好！10:02 婚礼策划，猫总是总设计师19:19 为什么选豆豆当司仪？22:13 韩大狗盛装出席鑫博婚礼30:11 誓言环节，默契拉满33:37 嘻哈的婚礼誓言上过热搜38:03 疯狂的拍卖游戏环节42:46 婚礼对新人的意义是什么？51:34 婚礼上留下了什么遗憾？58:36 策划一场理想婚礼《算你厉害》

Hi! My name is Terry J. Aman, marking my 109th episode of VideoFuzzy titled "Luther, Earnest and The Doctor," reporting the progress I've made in cataloging thousands of VHS transfers and digital recordings, and as of this coming month, June of 2026, I'm marking nine years of VideoFuzzy! [2:20] I celebrate that milestone in part with Part 2 of my conversation with musician, media critic and longtime friend Mikey Heinrich from Minneapolis. Part 1 posted as part of sister podcast effort VideoFuzzy the Soundtrack "Ep. 17: Long Way Down" at https://bit.ly/3MJkPkK  In part 2, we chatted primarily about "Knives Out 3: Wake Up, Dead Man" and "Doctor Who." [IG] Mikey Heinrich can be found at his YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeyHeinrich and blogs Doux Reviews: https://www.douxreviews.com/ and 42nd Vizsla: https://the42ndvizsla.blogspot.com/ [31:06] My Fuzzy Feature talked in some detail about the series premiere of BBC's "Luther," [IG] starring Idris Elba in the title role, Detective Inspector John Luther. CONTENT WARNING: Some discussion of animal cruelty was critical to the investigation and therefore unavoidable. I talked about the child abduction case he took on at the top of the episode, and the parents of astrophysicist Alice Morgan, played by Ruth Wilson. They were found shot dead in their home along with the family's dog. Luther's investigation loops in his supervisor, DSU Rose Teller, and his new partner, DS Justin Ripley, and coincides with developments in his separation from Zoe, his wife, played by Indira Varma, namely her lover Mark North, played by Paul McGann. [1:01:30] In Cross Connections, I trace connections for Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson through my media collection. I identify Stephen Root, Jon Curry and Ben Schwartz as Golden Threads. Also Colin Salmon, David Allan Grier, Robert Englund, Ken Jenkins, Rob Morrow, Maura Tierney, Tzi Ma, Patrick Fischler, Todd Stashwick, Caterina Scorsone, Frances Conroy, Diane Farr and Christian Clementsen. Fond Reflection to Eric Dane and his many years on "Grey's Anatomy." [1:14:14] In my Classic Collection [VHS-to-DVD transfers], I cataloged discs 2001 through 2025. Comments on "Grey's Anatomy," Chelsea Handler's appearance as host of the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards and comments at the recent roast of Kevin Hart on Netflix. Also, "The Simpsons," [IG] "Glee," [IG] "Mike & Molly," "Undercovers," "Castle," "Rubicon," "The Office" and "Community." [1:29:38] In my Current Collection [direct to digital], I archived the National Theatre presentation of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" [IG] starring Ncuti Gatwa, Hugh Skinner, Sharon D. Clark, Ronke Adoluejo, Eliza Scanlen and Amanda Lawrence. [1:31:28] In Book Reports, I chat about Charlotte Brontë's "Jane Eyre," Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights," Daphne du Maurier's "Rebecca" and Margot Douaihy's "Scorched Grace," all of which I can trace as recommendations at one time or another by the "All About Agatha" podcast. Quite enjoyable! SPREADING THE WORD! "VideoFuzzy: The Video - Celebrating 100 Episodes!" is posted at https://youtu.be/eWfcCDiOZ2I. Please share as you're able to with anyone you feel might enjoy this production. For PROMOS, scroll all the way down at https://videofuzzy.libsyn.com. Also, there's a "Top Fifteen" episode guide for people looking for a quick read-in on this blog and podcast effort at: https://videofuzzy.libsyn.com/about. Enjoy! [IG]  Reference featured in VideoFuzzy's Instagram page.

What was life like in Camden in the 2000s? What sexy shenanigans are happening at the National Theatre? And how did we manage to marry such attractive women? We're joined by the wonderful Amy Annette to talk sleepover kisses, the antidote to period pains and her Dad's amazing life as the Zelig of New York City. Amy Annette on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theamyannette/ Amy Annette on tour - https://www.amyannette.net/ Pappy's - https://www.instagram.com/pappyscomedy and https://www.tiktok.com/@pappysflatshare Support us on Patreon - patreon.com/pappysflatshare Tickets to all our live shows - https://pappyscomedy.com/live Produced by Olivia Swash with tech help from Max Brill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week the boys discuss The Importance of Being Earnest, The National Theatre at Home app, Attack the Block. Harry Brown, The Watchman, they take a small walk around the Trailer Park, and they give their final score on Season 2 of Daredevil Born Again. Sit back and enjoy!!

We're lucky to have the talented actress Anne-Marie Duff (St.Joan, The Magdalene Sisters, Shameless, Bad Sisters, The Virgin Queen) as our guest today, taking Gyles back to her happy childhood in a tight-knit community in West London, where she lay in bed hearing the sounds of piano from the local pub wafting in through the windows, and heard her father singing love songs to her mother. She talks about being a shy and bookish child, sometimes feeling as if she was "on the wrong planet" and finding confidence at a drama group. She talks about her early fascination with theatre, training at the Drama Centre London, her experience playing St Joan at the National Theatre and stage fright. She talks about love, grief, and caring for her brother, Eddie, who had early onset Alzheimer's and sadly died earlier this year.This is a fascinating, heartfelt and moving interview, full of wisdom and insight. Enjoy this - we know you will. Our thanks to Anne-Marie Duff for her time, energy and for telling her story so beautifully.Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube here. Join The Rosebud Family here. And visit our website here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

And who gives a Krapp about Beckett? Sarah and Alex have been ranging across the country, seeing shows in Bowness-on-Windermere and Brighton recently, but still find time to mull over the biggest news stories of the week – from the plans for Ian McKellen to return to the stage in a new version of King Lear at the Yard, and the National Theatre's report into the impact of streamed theatre. Plus, Sarah reminisces about her favourite performers who have tackled the title role in Krapp's Last Tape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an episode recorded live in Bristol, Simon and Rachel speak with the children's author Michael Morpurgo. A former primary-school teacher, Michael has written over 150 books, including "Private Peaceful", "Kensuke's Kingdom" and "The Butterfly Lion". "War Horse", first published in 1982, later became a hugely successful production from the National Theatre and then, in 2011, a film directed by Steven Spielberg. Michael was appointed Children's Laureate in 2003, a post he previously helped to set up with Ted Hughes in 1999. With his wife Clare, he also set up the charity Farms for City Children in 1976, which offers children and teachers from inner-city primary schools the chance to live and work in the countryside for a week on one of the charity's three farms in Devon, Gloucestershire and Wales. We spoke to Michael about moving from teaching children to writing for them, the origin of the "War Horse" phenomenon, and his new book, "Funny Thing, Getting Older".  In addition to the standard audio format, the podcast is now available in video. You can check us out on YouTube under Always Take Notes.  We've also made (yet) another update for those ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠who support the podcast on the crowdfunding site Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. We've added a further 70 pages of new material to the package of successful article pitches that goes to anyone who supports the show with $5 per month or more, including new pitches to the New Yorker, Bloomberg Businessweek, and the Guardian Long Read. The whole compendium now runs to a magisterial 230 pages. For Patreons who contribute $10/month we're now also releasing bonus mini-episodes. Thanks to our sponsor, Scrivener, the first ten new signs-ups at $10/month will receive a lifelong license to Scrivener worth £55/$59.99 (two are left). This specialist word-processing software helps you organise long writing projects such as novels, academic papers and even scripts. Other Patreon rewards include signed copies of the podcast book and the opportunity to take part in a call with Simon and Rachel.A new edition of “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World's Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is available now. The updated version now includes insights from over 100 past guests on the podcast, with new contributions from Harlan Coben, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, Megan Nolan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Philippa Gregory, Jo Nesbø, Paul Theroux, Hisham Matar and Bettany Hughes. You can order it via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waterstones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Acclaimed author Siri Hustvedt on Ghost Stories, her memoir of her marriage to novelist, poet and filmmaker Paul Auster and her grief following his death in 2024. Following last night's live report on the controversies surrounding this year's Venice Biennale, we are joined by one of the curators of the Ukrainian Pavillion, to hear how a concrete sculpture of a deer rescued from the frontline of the conflict in Ukraine forms the centrepiece of their exhibit. As a new documentary - Salm Nan Daoine (Psalms of the People) explores how the Gaelic Psalm singing tradition is being kept alive in communities across Scotland and Ireland, singer and musician Rob MacNeacail talks about the history of the tradition and gives us a live demonstration in the studio. And as a major new project is launched by the National Theatre of Scotland to enable care-experienced people to tell authentic stories about their lives,, playwright Nicola McCartney is joined by the artistic director of The Big House, a London-based charity which empowers young care-experienced people through theatre to fulfil their potential through impactful stage productions. Presenter: Kate Molleson Producer: Mark Crossan

In this episode of the Film Ireland podcast, Gemma Creagh sits down with Dungannon actor Fra Fee to chat about his impressive catalogue of work that spans stage, film & TV, while delving into those key moments that shaped his career.From his breakout screen role as Courfeyrac in Les Misérables to performances in local films including Animals & Boys From County Hell, Fra has built a strong presence on screen, balancing indie projects against large-scale productions like Hawkeye on Disney+ & Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon.Now, Unchosen is available to stream on Netflix, in which he plays the enigmatic & manipulative Sam. Fra discusses his approach to this complex, morally ambiguous role, the contrast in working across different mediums, & how he develops a character from script to performance.This podcast has been made possible with the support of the Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland Stakeholders Fund.Listen now to the podcast on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast & Amazon, subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts or watch the original recording back:https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-actor-fra-fee-unchosen-rebel-moon-hawkeyeAbout Fra FeeImmediately after graduating from the Royal Academy of Music, Dungannon actor Fra landed a role in the West End production of Dirty Dancing. Since then, he has worked consistently across stage & screen. Recently, Fra Fee starred in the leading role of Emcee in the Olivier Award-winning production of Cabaret in the West End. Fra also appeared in Jez Butterworth's critically acclaimed run, The Ferryman at the Royal Court Theatre, London's West End & on Broadway. Fra won the 2018 WhatsOnStage Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Play, for his role in the show. Fra's other theatre credits include Translations & As You Like It, both at the National Theatre, the World Premiere of The Wind in the Willows, & the title role in Candide at the Menier Chocolate Factory. On screen, Fra is known for his portrayal of Courfeyrac in Tom Hooper's film adaptation of Les Misérables. In 2021, he appeared as Kazi in the Disney+ series Hawkeye, which is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He worked with director Zack Snyder, starring as Balisarius in Rebel Moon Part 1 & 2. He also had roles in Animals, Boys From County Hell, Pixie & The Laureate.UnchosenAll six episodes are available to stream on Netflix now.Molly Windsor & Asa Butterfield (Sex Education) star alongside Christopher Eccleston, Siobhan Finneran, & Fra in the series from Intergalactic writer/creator Julie Gearey. This psychological thriller takes viewers behind the closed doors of a fictional conservative religious sect.Unchosen follows Rosie, who lives in a cloistered Christian community with her husband, Adam (Butterfield) & their daughter. The fateful arrival of the mysterious Sam, an escaped prisoner, throws into relief the reality & restraints of Rosie's world: Perhaps her hidden religious community doesn't have her best interests at heart. As cracks begin to appear in Rosie & Adam's marriage, Sam presents himself as Rosie's savior. But with his dark criminal past, where does the greatest danger lie - with the cult, or with Sam?Sam is an escaped convict who was arrested as a teen for a deadly crime. He quickly integrates himself into the fellowship & uses his powers of coercion to become a pillar of the community. While balancing an affair with Rosie & flirtation with Adam, Sam lives in fear of being sent back to prison. “He is fiercely intelligent, highly manipulative, & able to get what he wants by abusing other characters' insecurities or their weaknesses,” Fee tells Tudum. “A lot of the time, I don't think it's necessarily premeditated. He's just very reactionary & a real survivor.” Figuring out how to play Sam was a lesson in embracing the grey areas. Because the character's intentions were often murky & complex, Gearey encouraged Fee to never “fully dot the i's or cross the t's” in scenes. “There always had to be room for an alternative intention,” Fee explains. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd, Lenny Abrahamson, M. Night Shyamalan, John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser, Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky, and Terence Davies, alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today.So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lucy is a Movement Director, Choreographer and Intimacy Director who has worked on some of the biggest shows in the British and International theatre scene. Her work across all three professions include, for screen:Banana, E4Truthseekers, AmazonThe Nutcracker, The Snow Queen, Thumbelina and Peter Pan, BBCCriminal Record Series 2, STV Studios for Apple +For theatre:Workshop Leader for the Paralympic Opening Games, London 2012Wind in the Willows, West Yorkshire PlayhouseTwelfth Night, Sheffield Theatres The Effect, Sheffield TheatresNo's Knife, Old VicUgly Lies the Bone, National TheatreGirl from the North Country, Old Vic, Noel Coward Theatre and Public Theatre (Off-Broadway)Billy Elliot, Curve Leicester Machinal, Old VicWaiting for Godot, Theatre Royal HaymarketFear of 13, DonmarChristmas Day, AlmeidaRoad, Royal ExchangeInter Alia, National Theatre, Wyndham's and soon Broadway, directed by Justin Martin - amongst many more!Lucy and I discuss her work across all three of her professions and specifically her time on the recent West End transfer of Suzie Miller's Inter Alia. A play about the impact on the youth of today as a result of what they can access on the internet, as well as how she works with her actors choreographing intimate scenes and making them as comfortable as possible. All this and much more! Thank you Lucy!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.comPlease Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning 

A new biopic chronicles one of the 20th century's biggest and most controversial music icons, but appears not to paint the whole picture about his life. We discuss Antoine Fuqua's Michael, which stars the pop legend Michael Jackson's nephew Jaafar in the lead role. Stand and Deliver is a National Theatre of Scotland production which tells the story of a legendary industrial dispute. In 1981, workers at a Lee Jeans factory in Greenock, barricaded themselves inside for seven months in a protest against the proposed closure of the factory and the loss of 240 jobs. We hear from the play's writer, Frances Poet, and journalist Paul English, whose writing about the women's stories inspired the production. Director Mark Jenkin tells us about his unique approach to filmmaking, using a clockwork camera and recording sound months after the initial shoot, and about his latest film Rose of Nevada, a mysterious tale of a long-lost fishing boat which returns to a Cornish port decades after disappearing, which stars Callum Turner and George Mackay.Presenter: Kirsty Wark Producer: Mark Crossan

Mickey-Jo recently attended the West End opening night of INTER ALIA at the Wyndham's Theatre, a show he had already given a ★★★★★ review to.The play, written by Suzie Miller, premiered last year at the National Theatre and stars Rosamund Pike in an Olivier Award winning performance under the direction of Justin Martin.Here's what Mickey-Jo thought upon his return to the production, and the details he newly noticed in the writing, direction, and performances.check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com• 00:00 | introduction02:17 | the direction 12:33 | the writing 20:43 | the performances 27:48 | conclusionAbout Mickey-Jo:As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MickeyJoTheatre⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 95,000 subscribers. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

主持：陳斌全 英國表演藝術界正展現強大的跨界整合能量

The Linbury Prize exhibition at the national theatre in London presents the work of the 2025 prize recipients.12 emerging stage designers have been selected for their technical skill, artistic ability and creative vision as the brightest talent from across the UK.The exhibition is being made accessible to blind and partially sighted people through the use of the NaviLens codes not only to navigate around the exhibition but to hear descriptions of the prize winning Theatre Designer's work too.RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey visited the national Theatre to explore the Linbury Prize winning Theatre Designer's work through the use of the NaviLens app on his iPhone and the codes dotted around the exhibition. Before going round the exhibition he caught up with Jock Maitland, Design Skills Coordinator from the Learning Department at the National Theatre to find out more about the history of the Linbury Prize and why the National Theatre wanted to provide greater access to the exhibition to blind and partially sighted people through the use of the NaviLens codes.The Linbury Prize Exhibition continues in the Lyttelton lounge of the foyer of the Lyttelton theatre at the National Theatre in London until 6 June 2026 and more details can be found by visiting - https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/about-us/skilled-makers/linbury-prize/ (Image shows photograph of one of the costume designs by Kathy Udaondo, an off-white or cream coloured dress with long wide sleeves, a high neck, a wide skirt and long strips of the same fabric draping down the front of the dress from the shoulders. There is a blurred orange light in the foreground out of focus, perhaps a piece of furniture, and an abstract and illuminated blue wooden clad wall behind)

The award winning actress Lesley Manville has sparked debate after sharing her distaste towards being photographed or filmed during curtain calls.The actress, currently seen on stage at the National Theatre in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, recalled performing recently in Oedipus on Broadway and being insulted by the use of cameras during the show's bows.As someone who frequently films curtain calls, Mickey-Jo is sharing his thoughts and insights on this topic...check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction02:54 | the problem09:58 | the origins17:32 | the ethics25:12 | conclusionAbout Mickey-Jo:As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MickeyJoTheatre⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 95,000 subscribers. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Now for the next in our regular slots here on RNIB Connect Radio highlighting what is on offer at the National Theatre in London for blind and partially sighted people with audio description.RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey was joined again by David Bellwood, Head of Access at the National Theatre to chat about a few up-coming audio described shows at the NT and a couple that are available online with audio description via ntathome.comAudio described performances included: ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses,' - Saturday 25 April, 1.30pm, touch tour 11.30am and Thursday 14 May, 7pm, touch tour 5pm, National Theatre's Lyttelton Theatre‘War Horse', Saturday 20 June, 2.15pm, touch tour 12:15pm, Friday 24 July 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre's Olivier Theatre,‘The Misanthrope', Saturday 11 July, 2.30pm, touch tour at 12.30pm, Friday 31 July 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre's Lyttelton Theatre.From NT at home with audio description David recommended ‘The importance of being Ernest' and The Other Place' . To find out more about the National Theatre's audio description offer and services for blind and partially sighted people do either call the NT on 020 7452 3961 or visit the NT website- https://www.nationaltheatre.org.ukAnd for more about NT at home and to view many theatre productions online with audio description do visit - https://www.ntathome.com(Image shows National Theatre logo, A capital N and T in black against a white background)

Deanna H. Choi is a sound designer and composer recently relocated to London from Toronto, Canada. Her background is as a classical violinist and neuroscience researcher, and she currently works in theatre, film, dance, and installation. She has collaborated on over 150 productions across 2 continents with companies including Mirvish, the Stratford Festival, Ballet West, the Unicorn Theatre, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, RADA, Van Gogh Immersive, CBC, Universal Studios, and many others. As an associate and assistant designer she has worked on productions at the National Theatre, Jamie Lloyd Company, Punchdrunk, and Wessex Grove. She highlights strings and vocals in her work, and thrives by playing, recording, and manipulating live instruments in a world saturated by digital creation. She co-created and performed an award-winning cabaret show about Asian fetishism called Love You Wrong Time, now published by Playwrights Canada Press. And yes, she may have been named after a Star Trek character. 

Actor Forbes Masson on the National Theatre of Scotland's stage musical revival of cult sitcom The High Life in which he starred alongside Alan Cumming as air stewards working the commuter route between London and Scotland. The writers behind the hotly anticipated whodunnit novel The Ending Writes Itself - billed as being by Evelyn Clarke but in fact written by Cat Clarke and VE Schwab - talk about satirising the publishing industry and about the challenges and pleasures of writing collaboratively. And as The Coming of Age - a new exhibition at the Wellcome Collection in London - explores experiences and perceptions of ageing, art historian Richard Cork and artist Clare Shenstone reflect on how older people have been represented in art and culture. Plus why is the V&A Dundee seeking a design team to makeover its galleries less than ten years since it opened? Architect and former editor of The Architects Journal Rory Olcayto explains. Presenter: Kirsty Wark Producer: Mark Crossan

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 another audio described theatre review.This week we have a gripping examination of nation and the beautiful game, football as the current tour of the National Theatre's Olivier Award-winning smash hit ‘Dear England' visited the Birmingham Hippodrome with description by Professional Audio Describer Caroline Burn. About ‘Dear England'The National Theatre's Olivier Award-winning smash hit ‘Dear England is on a highly anticipated tour.It's time to change the game. The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. The England men's team has the worst track record for penalties in the world, and manager Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take team and country back to the promised land.Football and non-football fans alike will be brought to their feet in this joyous, five-star ‘new stage epic' (Telegraph). From multi award-winning writer James Graham (Sherwood, BBC) and director Rupert Goold (Patriots, Cold War), Dear England tells the inspiring, at times heart-breaking, and ultimately uplifting story of Gareth Southgate's revolutionary tenure as England manager.David Sturzaker (Doctors, BBC) plays former England manager Gareth Southgate in this gripping examination of nation and game. He is joined by stage and screen actress Samantha Womack (Eastenders, BBC; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) as team psychologist Pippa Grange.For more about the current tour of ‘Dear England' do visit - https://dearenglandonstage.com(Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB' written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio' is written in black in a smaller font)

Writer Alexander Larman and journalist Zoe Williams join Tom Sutcliffe to discuss the film La Grazia - which was written and directed by The Great Beauty's Paolo Sorrentino, and stars Toni Servillo as a fictional Italian President. They also review Summerfolk at the National Theatre in London. Brother and sister writers Moses and Nina Raine have adapted this version of Maxim Gorky's play which centres around a privileged group of friends at a country retreat. Will Page, industry analyst and former Chief Economist for Spotify, discusses the impact of AI generated fake music as Sony Music requests the removal of more than 135,000 songs impersonating its artists on streaming services.Finally, Tom reviews The Tribe by Michael Arditti, an epic family drama which spans five decades and three continents.Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe Producer: Claire Bartleet

Nights' resident screen critic, Dan Slevin, reviews Cold Storage, a fun splatter movie about a space fungus; Secret Mall Apartment, about a group of artists who live in a mall undetected for years and the acclaimed 2024 National Theatre production of The Importance of Being Earnest.Nights' resident screen critic, Dan Slevin, reviews Cold Storage, a fun splatter movie about a space fungus that escapes from containment due to global warming. Only veteran bioterror expert Liam Neeson can save the world - with the help of the minimum wage night security at the storage facility, Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell. In cinemas now.On paid streaming, DocPlay has Secret Mall Apartment, about a group of Rhode Island artists who discovered a vacant space in their grand new local mall and decided to live in it, managing to go undetected for four years.Dan's free streaming option is on YouTube: The acclaimed 2024 National Theatre production of Oscar Wilde's timeless comedy The Importance of Being Earnest is available for free on YouTube for five days only. Stars former Doctor Who, Ncuti Gatwa, and Olivier Award-winner Sharon D. Clarke.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Nights' resident screen critic, Dan Slevin, reviews Cold Storage, a fun splatter movie about a space fungus; Secret Mall Apartment, about a group of artists who live in a mall undetected for years and the acclaimed 2024 National Theatre production of The Importance of Being Earnest.

Rosamund Pike! What a woman. Famed for her portrayals of razor-sharp, morally complex and deliciously unpredictable characters, she brings that same intriguing duality to this conversation. Thoughtful and quietly rebellious, she reflects on a career that has defied neat narratives from the very beginning. After taking a year out from studying English at University of Oxford to pursue acting, she graduated and stepped straight into the global spotlight as Bond girl Miranda Frost in Die Another Day. From there came a string of unforgettable movies: Pride & Prejudice, Jack Reacher, A Private War and Saltburn. Her chilling performance in Gone Girl earned her an Oscar nomination and she took home a Golden Globe for I Care a Lot. In 2025, she returned to the stage for the first time in 15 years in the National Theatre's production of Inter Alia. In this episode, she talks about her ‘failure' to get married, the realities of raising two sons and her decision not to read a single review of her work for the past 25 years. Plus why she's ‘constantly in battle' with her own fear, her failure to be an action movie hero, her miserable attempt to cook a rabbit and whether or not she's ‘cool'. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Intro 03:18 No reviews rule 06:57 Early perfectionism and stage craft 07:58 Inter Alia and modern womanhood 10:09 Luminate meditation mask 12:42 Failure to learn Chinese 19:09 Onstage mishaps and acting roles 28:59 What Cool Really Means 29:26 Cool Girl vs Amy 32:21 Failing at Being An Action Star 36:52 Failure to Get Married 45:17 Mothering Two Boys 47:28 Smells and Teen Hygiene 48:44 Rabbit Dinner and Being Enough

Art critic Louisa Buck and writer Chris Power giving their verdicts on Tracey Emin: a second life at Tate Modern. This landmark exhibition spans 40 years and includes famous works such as My Bed to recent paintings and bronzes which are on display for the first time.They will also be reviewing the Oscar nominated film Sirât - which tells the story of a father travelling the Moroccan desert with ravers in the hope of finding his missing daughter.And they discuss Bird Grove, a play which tells the story of Mary Ann Evans before she became George Eliot.Plus Tom interviews Linda Tolhurst, the National Theatre's Stage Door Keeper who is receiving the Industry Recognition Award at the Olivier Awards this year.Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe Producer: Claire Bartleet

Rosamund Pike, the Emmy and Golden Globe winner, is known for standout roles in Saltburn, her Oscar nominated lead in Gone Girl, and Made in Dagenham. Next month she stars on the West End stage, coming back to the role of Jessica Parks, the maverick judge at the heart of the National Theatre's hit play Inter Alia, also filmed for NT Live screenings. She joined Anita Rani to discuss her role that explores motherhood, masculinity and the complexities of justice.It's more than a decade since Nadiya Hussain became a household name after winning the Great British Bake Off. Since then, she's fronted her own cookery shows, written more than a dozen cookbooks and a series of children's books. Her latest collection of recipes is called Quick Comforts, and Nadiya joined presenter Clare McDonnell to talk about finding comfort in food, her career so far and lots more.In December 2024, Dominque Pelicot and 46 other men were found guilty of the aggravated rape of his wife Gisèle. Another two were found guilty of attempted rape and a further two were found guilty of sexual assault. Dominque had drugged Gisèle with medication without her knowledge, raped her and invited other men to rape her, filming as they did so. At least another 20 men who took part in these rapes could not be identified. Waving her right to anonymity, Gisèle Pelicot declared that shame has to change sides. Despite her becoming a household name, not only in her native France but around the world, very little was known about Gisèle herself. She has written her memoir, A Hymn to Life, with writer Judith Perrignon and Judith joins Nuala McGovern to discuss.Dr Punam Krishan is a Glasgow based NHS GP and the resident doctor on the BBC's Morning Live programme. Back in 2024 she was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing where she was the first dancer to perform a Bollywood routine. But six months ago, at the age of 42, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and has since gone through treatment. She has recently written about how being a doctor didn't prepare her for the experience of being a patient. Dr Punam joined Anita to discuss.Ketamine has become a worryingly popular recreational drug among young people, and the consequences can be devastating. That's according to a specialist NHS clinic which reports that some teenagers suffer such severe bladder damage from taking it, that some rely on incontinence pads. To discuss the implications, Anita was joined by Dr Alison Downey, Consultant Urologist at Mid Staffs NHS Foundation Trust, who is treating young people with ketamine related bladder problems. Also joining them is Eva, who has stopped using ketamine and is receiving support from the hub.The award-winning internationally renowned Welsh harpist and composer Catrin Finch first came to prominence in her early 20s as the official Royal Harpist to King Charles, the-then Prince of Wales. She achieved chart success with her No. 1 recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations and has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras. Catrin, who began playing the harp at just six years old, has a new album, Notes to Self, a series of reflective and deeply personal new tracks she has composed for Katy, her 13-year-old-self. She joined Nuala and performed live in the studio. Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Annette Wells

Rosamund Pike, the Emmy and Golden Globe winner, is known for standout roles in Saltburn, her Oscar nominated lead in Gone Girl, and Made in Dagenham. Next month she stars on the West End stage, coming back to the role of Jessica Parks, the maverick judge at the heart of the National Theatre's hit play Inter Alia, also filmed for NT Live screenings. She joins Anita Rani to discuss her role that explores motherhood, masculinity and the complexities of justice. Ketamine has become a worryingly popular recreational drug among young people, and the consequences can be devastating. That's according to a specialist NHS clinic which reports that some teenagers suffer such severe bladder damage from taking it, that some rely on incontinence pads. To discuss the implications, Anita is joined by Dr Alison Downey, Consultant Urologist at Mid Staffs NHS Foundation Trust, who is treating young people with ketamine related bladder problems. They are also joined by Faye Maloney, Director of The Lifeboat Recovery Community Hub, along with Eva, who has stopped using ketamine and is receiving support from the hub. The American writer Madeline Cash has just published her debut novel Lost Lambs — already an instant bestseller — and she's only 29. She won high praise from Lena Dunham, who has called her ‘a voice like no other'. Lost Lambs follows the Flynn family — parents Bud and Catherine and their three teenage daughters — whose decision to open their marriage plunges the household into chaos. As the Winter Olympics comes to a close, BBC sports reporter Katie Falkingham joins Anita to discuss the standout female athletes and record breaking performances.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Dianne McGregor

Catherine Dyson's latest play, The Last Picture, focuses on an emotional support dog, Sam, who is taking a group of school children on a trip around an exhibit focusing on Europe in 1939. She chats to Hannah about empathy, dogs, antisemitism, audiobooks and the National Theatre. You can see The Last Picture in Manchester, Bristol and Guildford. More details and tickets here: https://ett.org.uk/our-work/the-last-picture/ Become a Standard Issue supporter here: Standard Issue Podcast | creating a magazine for ears, by women for women | Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Media planners and buyers, like many in adland, have been tackling a period of immense change. AI, media fragmentation and budget restraints are all impacting the roles within media. At the end of January Campaign hosted Media Week Live, a conference for media planners and buyers, discussing how their roles are changing and what the future of the media agency looks like. Leaders from X, Pinterest, Omnicom, WPP, Publicis and the National Theatre joined to share their perspectives from the top.Campaign's media journalists hosted the event: media editor Beau Jackson and deputy media editor Shauna Lewis. The pair join tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley to discuss the future of the media planner and buyer, what part creativity plays in the media plan, how media planners work alongside AI and what challenges media agency leaders are facing this year.Further reading:What does it take to be a media agency chief investment officer?'Frustrating' and 'disappointing': media buyers on Google's action against Kantar Media and BarbThe Lists 2025: Top 10 media buyers‘The weather is changing': How much should publishers fret about Google AI Overviews?Will media buyers be the first victims of AI?Media buying among 'first areas to go' with rise of AI, says MediaMonks co-founder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest this episode is the globally-renowned, multi-award-winning playwright, poet, and performer, Inua Ellams MBE FRSL, whose work has been produced by the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company and BBC / Disney+'s Doctor Who, to name just three. Research Producer: Eileen Gbagbo

National Theatre reconstruction of New Scene, Roma music genre halgató, Eccentric Czech adventurer: Jan “Eskimo” Welzl  

Sledges, Corkscrews, and other fears.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Once at the starting point, we both sat down on our sledges. I was grateful only a few others were preparing to ride, but gasped again when I saw how youthful their faces were. I doubted anyone here was over thirty years old. I wondered whether Jorunn was punishing me, or perhaps was hoping I would voluntarily quit the tour.“I don’t know if I can do this, Jorunn. I’m afraid.”Jorunn looked me in the eye with a grim look on her face.“Afraid is coming home with my mother, and finding my father sleeping with another woman. Afraid is watching how he broke apart my family and wondering how my mom and I would go on. Afraid is me cutting off my father and not wanting to ever see him again.”“Afraid is quitting a dead-end job and trying to earn a living as a vlogger in one of the most expensive countries on earth. Afraid is checking every morning for clicks, likes, and followers, and finding out the numbers did not change.”“Afraid is starting a private small-group tour company, all by myself, and weaving my way through the many regulations, laws, and insurance requirements. Afraid is knowing I have to book at least one trip a month just to cover those costs.”“Afraid is taking a group of six to Svalbard for a glacier hike in early summer, and spotting a polar bear less than 200 meters away lumbering towards us. Afraid is watching our guide fire off the last of her flares, but seeing the bear still coming. Afraid is the look in our guide’s eyes as she reached for her rifle.”“You don’t need to be afraid of sledging, Gunnar. What you need to be afraid of is being too afraid to try sledging. Meet me at the bottom of the hill. Either make the run or turn in your sledge and take the Metro down the hill.”I watched Jorunn push off and head down the run, then thought about her words. I lived a good life in Minnesota, meeting Solveig in college and then stepping right into a lifetime job with the 3M company. Adventure was going to our lake cabin where the only challenges were fighting off mosquitos, and figuring out how to remove burnt marshmallows off the end of a stick. After our first child, Solveig and I stopped doing anything like sledding, and instead sat and watched our kids having all the fun.What am I doing here in Norway? Why am I here? Jorunn answered that question for me. I pushed off and started my run.I fought my way down the mountain, and as I approached the end of the run, I was happy to see it level off. I saw Jorunn standing next to her sledge, her small camera pointed at me. I raised both hands over my head, waved, then yelled, “I did it!” I coasted to a stop three meters past her.Jorunn ran up to me, and as I stood, she hugged me. “I’m proud of you Gunnar.” As we hugged, under the clear blue skies and chilly temperatures, I closed my eyes and went back 35 years to a small hill in Minneapolis, where I hugged Solvieg after sledding. Jorunn released me and stepped back.I yelped, “It was wonderful! I kept to the side as other people whizzed past me. A few sections were bumpy, and my teeth rattled. The only time I was scared was when there was a steep drop-off on one side. Don’t you use guardrails in Norway?”“You may have seen a few small concrete walls, but we believe in personal responsibility here in Norway. If you cannot manage a sledge, you should not make the run. The authorities do monitor the conditions and sometimes close the run when it is too icy.”“Does that mean you believed in me? Believed I could make it down the hill?”“There is nothing wrong with you, Gunnar. While I was waiting here at the bottom of the hill, I read about your Iron Range in Minnesota. You are rusty. There is a Wizard of Oz Museum there. You are the Tin Man. This tour is the Oil Can. Figure it out. The Oil Can only works if you pick it up and use it. Stand tall and walk proudly for as long as you can. If you fall, get up and keep going.”It was an interesting way to look at life. I was only 56 years old, but for the last few years, I acted like I was 80. I still have many years to go sledging, if only I was not afraid to try.I turned to Jorunn. “Let’s go again!”Pea SoupDecember 16 - Mid-DayAfter three more runs, Jorunn and I turned in our sledges and ate lunch at the beautiful Frognersteren Restaurant on top of the hill. I followed her suggestion of a thick pea soup with meatballs and potatoes. It was delicious. As we sipped hot chocolate, it felt good to be alive again.“A week ago, I was in a nursing home in Minnesota. After my wife died, no one visited me, not even my adult children. I was alone. It was a terrible place, run by a terrible nurse. I had to get out. I made plans with my lawyer, then walked out the front door and got on a plane to come to Norway. What’s the worst place you have ever been?”“Dublin, Ireland. After the divorce, my mother and I were struggling financially. We had gone from living a comfortable life to living paycheck to paycheck. I saw a post on the Internet for a job as a body double for a Vikings television program. I wasn’t sure what a body double did, but it paid well for a short gig. I took all my clothes off while a dozen people stared at me and took photos and videos. I hadn’t been naked in front of any man in over a year, since before the divorce. They must have liked me because I got the part, and they flew me to Dublin. The next morning, I went to the studios. I sat there in a robe while they cut and styled my hair to match the actress I was portraying. Then off to the makeup department, where I removed my robe while they applied fake tattoos and full body makeup so I would look dirty in all the right places.”“After lunch in the studio, the costume department placed me in a white linen tunic. When it was time to film, they told me to stand in front of the lead actor while he lifted the tunic off me and tossed it aside. He was much older than me, and with his beard, he reminded me of my father. He exuded the same swagger as if the world revolved only around him. I would be fully exposed to him, and to the camera crew, who were filming me from behind. They told me to act submissive and let the lead actor hug me. It took several takes and a few tweaks before the director was happy.”“Next, I was ordered to lay down on a stylized Viking bed covered with furs. The sex scene was to be filmed twice. Once for television, then for an unrated video release. The make-up people gave me a once over, then thankfully positioned a flesh-covered patch over my vagina. In the first shot, I was naked, but the lead actor remained fully clothed. He stood and positioned himself between my legs, and they told me to keep my vagina pressed tight against his crotch as he bucked against me. We needed to make the audience believe we were having sex while showing them nothing. I remained in this position while they adjusted the lighting and camera angles, and beneath his trousers, I felt the lead actor’s erect cock pressed against me.”“The director yelled, ‘Action’. Once again, they told me to be submissive, and let the lead actor take charge. He started humping against me. Looking up at him, he was still a handsome man, and I wondered how many women around the world dreamed or fantasized about being in the same place I was. I wasn’t one of them, but I understood this was why they hired me, so I accepted it. Like earlier, it took several takes. The director would review the shot and make small adjustments each time. After the last take, I saw a large wet spot on the front of the lead actor’s trousers.”“Then it was time for the unrated scene. A host of costume and make-up people swarmed around the actor while I lay there naked. This time, he was to be naked as he approached the bed. The camera angle was off to the side to avoid full frontal and he used his left hand to shield his erection, thankfully contained in a flesh-covered sock. The scene began with the lead actor approaching me, and once in position, he began humping against me. His covered cock slid against the covering over my vagina, but the sensations passed right through. My nipples became erect, and I felt my wetness building.”“After several takes, the director was happy, and we moved on to the last scene for which I was needed. In this one, the lead actor would be laying on top of me, his arms extended and propping himself up with his hands placed on either side of my body. This scene was more challenging because it needed to be mixed with prior facial cuts shot separately with the lead male actor and lead female actress. The scene would be filmed from several angles including above and below. As the director reviewed the earlier footage, the makeup people worked on my face and hair.”“The next thing I felt was the lead actor lying on top of me, his body pressing his erect cock against the patch covering my vagina. I wanted to turn away, but he told me to look at him because it would help him release his creative juices. I feared the possible double entendre. Here I was, face-to-face with the avatar of the man I hated more than anyone, the man who destroyed our family. When the director was ready, he said to go at it and try to simulate real sex. He yelled 'Action’. I was sweating under the lights, and the patch covering my vagina began to slip, aided by the movement of the lead actor’s covered cock. As my pussy became more exposed, I was afraid his cock might slide into me, so I yelled 'Cut!’. Everything stopped, and I pushed him off.”“That was enough. I yelled I was through, gathered my things, and headed for the front door. I paid my own way back to Oslo, and thought about filing a protest, but later learned what they did was mostly proper. Most sex scenes are between two body doubles. It is rare, but sometimes a lead actor will film such scenes if they have it in their nudity clause. I had a new appreciation for body doubles, but my own acting career lasted one day, and looking at the final scenes after release, I was on screen for eight seconds, and no one knew it was me!”I said, “Wow. We have something in common. The nursing home did everything properly, but like you, I couldn’t stand it any longer, so I headed for the front door. I’m sorry for your terrible experience.”Jorunn shook her head, “Don’t be sorry. The experience ended up changing my life for the better. After I got back to Oslo, I swore to never work for anyone else again. I wanted to direct my own scenes, so I started doing vlogs. That led to the creation of my tour company. As things turned out, I walked out one door and right into something I loved. Plus, I walked out wearing this really cool, braided leather Viking headband I have on now. You are halfway there. You have walked out the front door. Now you must find something, or someone, to love.”A profound statement from someone so young.SpikersuppaDecember 16 - AfternoonI noticed the sun getting low on the horizon. Jorunn caught my glance and said, “The sun sets early here in Oslo, around 3:30 in the afternoon. In some of the northern cities, it set last month and will not rise again until spring.”I didn’t want to spend the rest of the day looking at museums, and flushed with my success on the hill, I took a chance. “Do you ice skate?”Jorunn replied, “I do, but not very well.”I said, “If you know of a skating rink with lights, maybe we can go there and skate.”“There is a nice lighted one in downtown Oslo called Spikersuppa,” said Jorunn. “When the sun goes down in Oslo, the twinkling lights are turned on, bringing with them their magic. The ice-skating rink is close to the Christmas market, which is our agenda for tonight.”“That sounds great to me,” I replied.We took the T-bane back to downtown Oslo and arrived as the sun was setting. There weren’t any clouds, but the multi-layered horizon was still beautiful. Orange along the bottom, and above it, increasingly darker hues of blue and purple, before turning to black in the night sky. After leaving the train station Jorunn and I walked along a pedestrian-only street named 'Karl Johns gate’ passing high-end stores and restaurants. Jorunn either pointed to, or mentioned, notable downtown buildings such as the Royal Palace, Parliament, the National Theatre, the Grand Hotel, and the original University of Oslo buildings. We also passed the brilliantly lit Freia clock, associated with the long-time Norwegian chocolate maker, and the unofficial symbol of Oslo.We rented skates and then stepped tentatively onto the ice. It wasn’t a big rink, and fortunately, not crowded. In the middle was a frozen water fountain. Christmas music was playing and twinkling lights glowed all around us.“I played ice hockey in Minnesota when I was in high school, but haven’t skated since.”“My father used to take me to figure skating lessons when I was young, but I stopped. I kept falling when trying to do spins.”“Maybe we can help each other out. Have you ever tried ice dancing?”Jorunn laughed. “No! Never!”“Neither have I. But a wise woman once told me that I should not be afraid of ice dancing. What I should be afraid of is being too afraid to try ice dancing.”Jorunn smiled, “A very wise woman, indeed! Let’s try it and see what happens.”I remember watching the wonderful British duo of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean ice dancing in their last Olympics in 1994. The Olympics were here in Norway, in Lillehammer. I was not about to try any lifts or spins, but I reached my right arm behind Jorunn and placed my hand on her right hip. Taking her left hand in mine, I held her left arm across my body.“Ready?” I asked.Jorunn nodded, and together we pushed off. Right. Left. Right. Left. We moved slowly, side-by-side, in a steady rhythm, and made it around the rink making only a few wobbles. After three more passes, my ancient muscle memory awoke, and I wanted to do more. We separated and I joined my right hand to her left. “We can take longer strides and skate a little faster this way.”After another trip around the rink, we added a slow weaving pattern. Coming out of the last turn, I told Jorunn, “Here is your chance to be a figure skater. I’ll hold your hand. Try a spin.”I skated slightly just ahead of Jorunn, then pulled her forward so she would have enough speed. I raised her hand into the air as she went past, and she started spinning. She yelled, “I’m doing it.” And she was, at least until her speed slowed and she fell into me. “Dam toe pick!” she yelled. With her arms around me, our eyes met. Then she wrinkled her nose, her signature facial expression on the vlogs indicating she didn’t like something. Just as quickly, her face lit up and her big smile glowed. “I’m laughing too hard inside. That was such fun!” She burst out laughing and I joined her. We finally broke the ice, here on the ice.Jorunn separated from me and said, “It is time for Christmas Market.” I helped her up and we turned in our skates. The nearby lights and sounds beckoned.The Christmas MarketDecember 16 - EveningThe sun set long ago and was now just a memory. It was completely dark, but downtown Oslo turned into a Christmas wonderland. There were twinkling lights on almost every tree, with the large and stately buildings surrounding us outlined in white lights to accompany their dramatic uplighting. Oslo was so different than Minneapolis. In downtown Minneapolis, 30-year-old buildings were being torn down to build taller ones in the same location. Here, the buildings were massive, centuries-old, covering an entire block, and they were still in use, letting everyone appreciate the history and architecture. Jorunn and I saw glass-covered buildings in Oslo, with their clean modern architecture, but this was the heart of the city. The life, the pulse, and vitality of Oslo all sprang from here.Towering above everything at the Christmas Market was a brilliantly lit Ferris wheel, each spoke outlined in white lights. I looked at Jorunn and she nodded. She took my hand, and we ran for the Ferris wheel, artfully dodging between the growing number of people.When we boarded, we found each of the seats enclosed in a glass bubble, possibly as a safety measure, or just as likely, protection from the cold. One of the benefits of this was being able to move around a bit, which afforded us a 360-degree aerial view of downtown Oslo. We paused near the top, where Jorunn pulled out her camera.Jorunn said, “It’s rather romantic up here. We should do a selfie.” She sat down right me. “Kiss me. On the lips. Just a quick one. I have the timer set for three seconds. We’ll put our lips together and hold them for a few seconds until the flash goes off.”“Jorunn, I am much older than you. I don’t think it will look very romantic.”“Gunnar, you’re not too old to kiss someone. And if I need to, I can do a little digital touchup, or just flash a quick cut. It will be perfect.”“How do want me to kiss you? Do you want my eyes open or closed? Should I look at the camera or…”Jorunn quickly reached behind my head and pulled me to her. As our lips met, I closed my eyes, and my mouth responded. I felt her softness and a quick tease as Jorunn’s tongue glazed over my lips. A flash went off. But Jorunn did not separate, nor did I. I opened my eyes, and saw that Jorunn’s eyes closed. As our lips pressed together, it felt so warm and comfortable.We separated, and Jorunn said, “Perfect!” Then she looked at the photo just taken. I thought about the sequence of her words and her actions. Jorunn switched over to video and began doing her vlog. She was speaking in English. Immersed in Norwegian for three days, it almost sounded like a foreign language to me. When Jorunn finished, I asked her why she didn’t record her vlogs in Norwegian.She surprised me by continuing in English. “Norwegians already live here. Who would watch my videos if I recorded them in Norwegian? If someone in Norway wants to see the view from the top of this Ferris wheel, they will come here and ride it. People from every continent watch my videos and speak at least some English. It used to bother me when I would get comments on my videos complaining I spoke with a Norwegian accent. Now I just laugh.”I asked her, “Every continent? Including Antarctica?”“Yes. The Norwegian Polar Institute has a year-round research station in Antarctica named 'Troll’. Their mission is to study the polar regions and the effects of global warming and pollution. It’s not a tourist destination, but they have talked to me about possibly going there. They want to do more outreach, to spread the word to younger audiences on social media. I have followers there, but we haven’t been able to work out the permissions and details. The

Sledges, Corkscrews, and other fears.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Once at the starting point, we both sat down on our sledges. I was grateful only a few others were preparing to ride, but gasped again when I saw how youthful their faces were. I doubted anyone here was over thirty years old. I wondered whether Jorunn was punishing me, or perhaps was hoping I would voluntarily quit the tour.“I don’t know if I can do this, Jorunn. I’m afraid.”Jorunn looked me in the eye with a grim look on her face.“Afraid is coming home with my mother, and finding my father sleeping with another woman. Afraid is watching how he broke apart my family and wondering how my mom and I would go on. Afraid is me cutting off my father and not wanting to ever see him again.”“Afraid is quitting a dead-end job and trying to earn a living as a vlogger in one of the most expensive countries on earth. Afraid is checking every morning for clicks, likes, and followers, and finding out the numbers did not change.”“Afraid is starting a private small-group tour company, all by myself, and weaving my way through the many regulations, laws, and insurance requirements. Afraid is knowing I have to book at least one trip a month just to cover those costs.”“Afraid is taking a group of six to Svalbard for a glacier hike in early summer, and spotting a polar bear less than 200 meters away lumbering towards us. Afraid is watching our guide fire off the last of her flares, but seeing the bear still coming. Afraid is the look in our guide’s eyes as she reached for her rifle.”“You don’t need to be afraid of sledging, Gunnar. What you need to be afraid of is being too afraid to try sledging. Meet me at the bottom of the hill. Either make the run or turn in your sledge and take the Metro down the hill.”I watched Jorunn push off and head down the run, then thought about her words. I lived a good life in Minnesota, meeting Solveig in college and then stepping right into a lifetime job with the 3M company. Adventure was going to our lake cabin where the only challenges were fighting off mosquitos, and figuring out how to remove burnt marshmallows off the end of a stick. After our first child, Solveig and I stopped doing anything like sledding, and instead sat and watched our kids having all the fun.What am I doing here in Norway? Why am I here? Jorunn answered that question for me. I pushed off and started my run.I fought my way down the mountain, and as I approached the end of the run, I was happy to see it level off. I saw Jorunn standing next to her sledge, her small camera pointed at me. I raised both hands over my head, waved, then yelled, “I did it!” I coasted to a stop three meters past her.Jorunn ran up to me, and as I stood, she hugged me. “I’m proud of you Gunnar.” As we hugged, under the clear blue skies and chilly temperatures, I closed my eyes and went back 35 years to a small hill in Minneapolis, where I hugged Solvieg after sledding. Jorunn released me and stepped back.I yelped, “It was wonderful! I kept to the side as other people whizzed past me. A few sections were bumpy, and my teeth rattled. The only time I was scared was when there was a steep drop-off on one side. Don’t you use guardrails in Norway?”“You may have seen a few small concrete walls, but we believe in personal responsibility here in Norway. If you cannot manage a sledge, you should not make the run. The authorities do monitor the conditions and sometimes close the run when it is too icy.”“Does that mean you believed in me? Believed I could make it down the hill?”“There is nothing wrong with you, Gunnar. While I was waiting here at the bottom of the hill, I read about your Iron Range in Minnesota. You are rusty. There is a Wizard of Oz Museum there. You are the Tin Man. This tour is the Oil Can. Figure it out. The Oil Can only works if you pick it up and use it. Stand tall and walk proudly for as long as you can. If you fall, get up and keep going.”It was an interesting way to look at life. I was only 56 years old, but for the last few years, I acted like I was 80. I still have many years to go sledging, if only I was not afraid to try.I turned to Jorunn. “Let’s go again!”Pea SoupDecember 16 - Mid-DayAfter three more runs, Jorunn and I turned in our sledges and ate lunch at the beautiful Frognersteren Restaurant on top of the hill. I followed her suggestion of a thick pea soup with meatballs and potatoes. It was delicious. As we sipped hot chocolate, it felt good to be alive again.“A week ago, I was in a nursing home in Minnesota. After my wife died, no one visited me, not even my adult children. I was alone. It was a terrible place, run by a terrible nurse. I had to get out. I made plans with my lawyer, then walked out the front door and got on a plane to come to Norway. What’s the worst place you have ever been?”“Dublin, Ireland. After the divorce, my mother and I were struggling financially. We had gone from living a comfortable life to living paycheck to paycheck. I saw a post on the Internet for a job as a body double for a Vikings television program. I wasn’t sure what a body double did, but it paid well for a short gig. I took all my clothes off while a dozen people stared at me and took photos and videos. I hadn’t been naked in front of any man in over a year, since before the divorce. They must have liked me because I got the part, and they flew me to Dublin. The next morning, I went to the studios. I sat there in a robe while they cut and styled my hair to match the actress I was portraying. Then off to the makeup department, where I removed my robe while they applied fake tattoos and full body makeup so I would look dirty in all the right places.”“After lunch in the studio, the costume department placed me in a white linen tunic. When it was time to film, they told me to stand in front of the lead actor while he lifted the tunic off me and tossed it aside. He was much older than me, and with his beard, he reminded me of my father. He exuded the same swagger as if the world revolved only around him. I would be fully exposed to him, and to the camera crew, who were filming me from behind. They told me to act submissive and let the lead actor hug me. It took several takes and a few tweaks before the director was happy.”“Next, I was ordered to lay down on a stylized Viking bed covered with furs. The sex scene was to be filmed twice. Once for television, then for an unrated video release. The make-up people gave me a once over, then thankfully positioned a flesh-covered patch over my vagina. In the first shot, I was naked, but the lead actor remained fully clothed. He stood and positioned himself between my legs, and they told me to keep my vagina pressed tight against his crotch as he bucked against me. We needed to make the audience believe we were having sex while showing them nothing. I remained in this position while they adjusted the lighting and camera angles, and beneath his trousers, I felt the lead actor’s erect cock pressed against me.”“The director yelled, ‘Action’. Once again, they told me to be submissive, and let the lead actor take charge. He started humping against me. Looking up at him, he was still a handsome man, and I wondered how many women around the world dreamed or fantasized about being in the same place I was. I wasn’t one of them, but I understood this was why they hired me, so I accepted it. Like earlier, it took several takes. The director would review the shot and make small adjustments each time. After the last take, I saw a large wet spot on the front of the lead actor’s trousers.”“Then it was time for the unrated scene. A host of costume and make-up people swarmed around the actor while I lay there naked. This time, he was to be naked as he approached the bed. The camera angle was off to the side to avoid full frontal and he used his left hand to shield his erection, thankfully contained in a flesh-covered sock. The scene began with the lead actor approaching me, and once in position, he began humping against me. His covered cock slid against the covering over my vagina, but the sensations passed right through. My nipples became erect, and I felt my wetness building.”“After several takes, the director was happy, and we moved on to the last scene for which I was needed. In this one, the lead actor would be laying on top of me, his arms extended and propping himself up with his hands placed on either side of my body. This scene was more challenging because it needed to be mixed with prior facial cuts shot separately with the lead male actor and lead female actress. The scene would be filmed from several angles including above and below. As the director reviewed the earlier footage, the makeup people worked on my face and hair.”“The next thing I felt was the lead actor lying on top of me, his body pressing his erect cock against the patch covering my vagina. I wanted to turn away, but he told me to look at him because it would help him release his creative juices. I feared the possible double entendre. Here I was, face-to-face with the avatar of the man I hated more than anyone, the man who destroyed our family. When the director was ready, he said to go at it and try to simulate real sex. He yelled 'Action’. I was sweating under the lights, and the patch covering my vagina began to slip, aided by the movement of the lead actor’s covered cock. As my pussy became more exposed, I was afraid his cock might slide into me, so I yelled 'Cut!’. Everything stopped, and I pushed him off.”“That was enough. I yelled I was through, gathered my things, and headed for the front door. I paid my own way back to Oslo, and thought about filing a protest, but later learned what they did was mostly proper. Most sex scenes are between two body doubles. It is rare, but sometimes a lead actor will film such scenes if they have it in their nudity clause. I had a new appreciation for body doubles, but my own acting career lasted one day, and looking at the final scenes after release, I was on screen for eight seconds, and no one knew it was me!”I said, “Wow. We have something in common. The nursing home did everything properly, but like you, I couldn’t stand it any longer, so I headed for the front door. I’m sorry for your terrible experience.”Jorunn shook her head, “Don’t be sorry. The experience ended up changing my life for the better. After I got back to Oslo, I swore to never work for anyone else again. I wanted to direct my own scenes, so I started doing vlogs. That led to the creation of my tour company. As things turned out, I walked out one door and right into something I loved. Plus, I walked out wearing this really cool, braided leather Viking headband I have on now. You are halfway there. You have walked out the front door. Now you must find something, or someone, to love.”A profound statement from someone so young.SpikersuppaDecember 16 - AfternoonI noticed the sun getting low on the horizon. Jorunn caught my glance and said, “The sun sets early here in Oslo, around 3:30 in the afternoon. In some of the northern cities, it set last month and will not rise again until spring.”I didn’t want to spend the rest of the day looking at museums, and flushed with my success on the hill, I took a chance. “Do you ice skate?”Jorunn replied, “I do, but not very well.”I said, “If you know of a skating rink with lights, maybe we can go there and skate.”“There is a nice lighted one in downtown Oslo called Spikersuppa,” said Jorunn. “When the sun goes down in Oslo, the twinkling lights are turned on, bringing with them their magic. The ice-skating rink is close to the Christmas market, which is our agenda for tonight.”“That sounds great to me,” I replied.We took the T-bane back to downtown Oslo and arrived as the sun was setting. There weren’t any clouds, but the multi-layered horizon was still beautiful. Orange along the bottom, and above it, increasingly darker hues of blue and purple, before turning to black in the night sky. After leaving the train station Jorunn and I walked along a pedestrian-only street named 'Karl Johns gate’ passing high-end stores and restaurants. Jorunn either pointed to, or mentioned, notable downtown buildings such as the Royal Palace, Parliament, the National Theatre, the Grand Hotel, and the original University of Oslo buildings. We also passed the brilliantly lit Freia clock, associated with the long-time Norwegian chocolate maker, and the unofficial symbol of Oslo.We rented skates and then stepped tentatively onto the ice. It wasn’t a big rink, and fortunately, not crowded. In the middle was a frozen water fountain. Christmas music was playing and twinkling lights glowed all around us.“I played ice hockey in Minnesota when I was in high school, but haven’t skated since.”“My father used to take me to figure skating lessons when I was young, but I stopped. I kept falling when trying to do spins.”“Maybe we can help each other out. Have you ever tried ice dancing?”Jorunn laughed. “No! Never!”“Neither have I. But a wise woman once told me that I should not be afraid of ice dancing. What I should be afraid of is being too afraid to try ice dancing.”Jorunn smiled, “A very wise woman, indeed! Let’s try it and see what happens.”I remember watching the wonderful British duo of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean ice dancing in their last Olympics in 1994. The Olympics were here in Norway, in Lillehammer. I was not about to try any lifts or spins, but I reached my right arm behind Jorunn and placed my hand on her right hip. Taking her left hand in mine, I held her left arm across my body.“Ready?” I asked.Jorunn nodded, and together we pushed off. Right. Left. Right. Left. We moved slowly, side-by-side, in a steady rhythm, and made it around the rink making only a few wobbles. After three more passes, my ancient muscle memory awoke, and I wanted to do more. We separated and I joined my right hand to her left. “We can take longer strides and skate a little faster this way.”After another trip around the rink, we added a slow weaving pattern. Coming out of the last turn, I told Jorunn, “Here is your chance to be a figure skater. I’ll hold your hand. Try a spin.”I skated slightly just ahead of Jorunn, then pulled her forward so she would have enough speed. I raised her hand into the air as she went past, and she started spinning. She yelled, “I’m doing it.” And she was, at least until her speed slowed and she fell into me. “Dam toe pick!” she yelled. With her arms around me, our eyes met. Then she wrinkled her nose, her signature facial expression on the vlogs indicating she didn’t like something. Just as quickly, her face lit up and her big smile glowed. “I’m laughing too hard inside. That was such fun!” She burst out laughing and I joined her. We finally broke the ice, here on the ice.Jorunn separated from me and said, “It is time for Christmas Market.” I helped her up and we turned in our skates. The nearby lights and sounds beckoned.The Christmas MarketDecember 16 - EveningThe sun set long ago and was now just a memory. It was completely dark, but downtown Oslo turned into a Christmas wonderland. There were twinkling lights on almost every tree, with the large and stately buildings surrounding us outlined in white lights to accompany their dramatic uplighting. Oslo was so different than Minneapolis. In downtown Minneapolis, 30-year-old buildings were being torn down to build taller ones in the same location. Here, the buildings were massive, centuries-old, covering an entire block, and they were still in use, letting everyone appreciate the history and architecture. Jorunn and I saw glass-covered buildings in Oslo, with their clean modern architecture, but this was the heart of the city. The life, the pulse, and vitality of Oslo all sprang from here.Towering above everything at the Christmas Market was a brilliantly lit Ferris wheel, each spoke outlined in white lights. I looked at Jorunn and she nodded. She took my hand, and we ran for the Ferris wheel, artfully dodging between the growing number of people.When we boarded, we found each of the seats enclosed in a glass bubble, possibly as a safety measure, or just as likely, protection from the cold. One of the benefits of this was being able to move around a bit, which afforded us a 360-degree aerial view of downtown Oslo. We paused near the top, where Jorunn pulled out her camera.Jorunn said, “It’s rather romantic up here. We should do a selfie.” She sat down right me. “Kiss me. On the lips. Just a quick one. I have the timer set for three seconds. We’ll put our lips together and hold them for a few seconds until the flash goes off.”“Jorunn, I am much older than you. I don’t think it will look very romantic.”“Gunnar, you’re not too old to kiss someone. And if I need to, I can do a little digital touchup, or just flash a quick cut. It will be perfect.”“How do want me to kiss you? Do you want my eyes open or closed? Should I look at the camera or…”Jorunn quickly reached behind my head and pulled me to her. As our lips met, I closed my eyes, and my mouth responded. I felt her softness and a quick tease as Jorunn’s tongue glazed over my lips. A flash went off. But Jorunn did not separate, nor did I. I opened my eyes, and saw that Jorunn’s eyes closed. As our lips pressed together, it felt so warm and comfortable.We separated, and Jorunn said, “Perfect!” Then she looked at the photo just taken. I thought about the sequence of her words and her actions. Jorunn switched over to video and began doing her vlog. She was speaking in English. Immersed in Norwegian for three days, it almost sounded like a foreign language to me. When Jorunn finished, I asked her why she didn’t record her vlogs in Norwegian.She surprised me by continuing in English. “Norwegians already live here. Who would watch my videos if I recorded them in Norwegian? If someone in Norway wants to see the view from the top of this Ferris wheel, they will come here and ride it. People from every continent watch my videos and speak at least some English. It used to bother me when I would get comments on my videos complaining I spoke with a Norwegian accent. Now I just laugh.”I asked her, “Every continent? Including Antarctica?”“Yes. The Norwegian Polar Institute has a year-round research station in Antarctica named 'Troll’. Their mission is to study the polar regions and the effects of global warming and pollution. It’s not a tourist destination, but they have talked to me about possibly going there. They want to do more outreach, to spread the word to younger audiences on social media. I have followers there, but we haven’t been able to work out the permissions and details. The

In this episode of The Ugandan Boy Talk Show, Bonny sits down with Logose Patience — a 22-year-old filmmaker, writer, poet, former NRG radio presenter, and now Director & Producer at Play It Loud.Logose takes us through her unbelievable journey:• Writing for 10 years and staging her first National Theatre production at 19• Her poetry journey and performing on stage• Running businesses in high school and making her first 1M• Starting content creation and working at Livara• Getting hospitalized and bouncing back to win the Beast MVPs• How she landed a job at NRG and transitioned to Play It Loud• Balancing school, work, mental health, and the entertainment industry00:00 - Host Introduces Logose Patience and Episode Highlights03:53 - Logose's Experience During Internet Lockdown and Drive11:14 - Logose's Philosophy on Film, Creation, Teamwork, and Recognition24:09 - From Childhood Diaries to National Theatre at 1940:20 - Logose's Business Ventures and Making Her First Million48:09 - Overcoming Hospitalization to Win NRG MVPs58:11 - Emotional Shift from Radio to Film and Cultural Storytelling01:05:45 - Behind the Scenes of 'Aziza Finds Love' and Play It Loud's Vision01:11:06 - Balancing School, Work, and the 'Matrix' of Expectations01:22:29 - Logose Shares a Personal Story About Telling Her Crush01:24:40 - Quick Answers on Insecurities, Achievements, and Collaborations01:32:56 - Host and Guest Share Outro and Inspiring MessagesThis is a raw, inspiring, and eye-opening conversation for creatives, students, and anyone trying to find their identity in the real world.Subscribe for more powerful conversations every week.#UgandanBoyTalkShow#UgandaPodcast#BonnyKibuuka#NRGRadio#PlayItLoud#MakerereUniversity#UgandaCreatives#WomenInMedia#UgandanFilm

Gyles has been an admirer of this guest since the 1960s: it's the great actor, Sir Derek Jacobi. Ever since he was recruited into Sir Laurence Olivier's bold new National Theatre at the Old Vic, Jacobi has been at the forefront of British acting talent. Gyles has seen him on stage many times - in Olivier's famous production of Othello, in Much Ado About Nothing, in Cyrano de Bergerac. You may also know Derek from his brilliant TV work - in I, Claudius and Last Tango in Halifax... he's also the voice of In The Night Garden. In this warm and rambling conversation, Derek tells Gyles about his young life in Leytonstone in East London, where his father owned a confectioners shop. He tells him about his childhood love of dressing up and his early exposure to theatre, when he was picked to go up on stage at the Palladium. He tells Gyles about his experience of stage fright and about his happy marriage. This is a wonderful episode with a great, and charming, man. Enjoy this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I'm Mandy – buy me.” Peter Mandelson's career finally collapses in a scandal more poisonous than Profumo, more serious than Partygate, and more shameful than Suez. How did Mandelson get away with his shifty behaviour for so long? Will Starmer's errors of judgment taint his government irrevocably? And how come it's on British figures like Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor who are suffering the consequences of their associations with Epstein?  ESCAPE ROUTES • Raf recommends the app DJay Pro for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android. • Ros went to see the National Theatre production of Terence Rattigan's Man And Boy.  • Jonn is watching A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms, the Game of Thrones spin-off, on Sky Atlantic.  • Andrew recommends the Marvel series Wonder Man on Disney+.  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Andrew Harrison with Jonn Elledge, Ros Taylor and Rafael Behr. Audio Production by Robin Leeburn and Tom Taylor. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Cornershop. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Uganda's comedy and entertainment industry wouldn't be the same without Uncle Mark (Mark Agaba), an economist, social worker, stand-up comedian, radio presenter, and one of the most trusted MCs in the country.In this exclusive deep-dive interview, we walk through his extraordinary journey:His childhood dreamsHis first MC gig (with his mother!)The famous flower girl storyPerforming at the National Theatre with Fun FactoryWinning Comedian of the YearHis viral moments with Ronny and SibiyaBecoming a radio presenter “by accident.”The Bald EraHis relationship with Uncle MoLife lessons, faith, legacy, and building the 360-Degree MC brandThis is one of the most inspiring stories ever told on The Ugandan Boy Talk Show.✨ If you love Ugandan comedy, radio culture, storytelling, or behind-the-scenes success journeys — this episode is for you.

Playwright and BAFTA-nominated screenwriter Moira Buffini on moving between theatre, film, and fiction, writing for yourself instead of the market, and shaping structure by rewriting toward the ending you want readers to feel.    You'll learn:Why “you are the audience” can be a practical rule for cutting through market noise and writing with conviction. A useful way to handle reviews and outside opinions without letting them steer the work. How to build story momentum when you can't fully plot ahead, and why not knowing the next move can be a strength. A structure approach based on “writing toward a feeling” at the end, then layering drafts until the story clicks. What discipline looks like when you're writing big worlds in prose, and how constraints can keep you from getting lost. How a dramatist's instincts (plot, structure, obstacles) can transfer into long-form fiction and help sustain narrative drive.   A grounded reminder about the “mundane” day-to-day of being a professional writer, and why that doesn't cancel the magic. The practical foundations she names for keeping your mind working (sleep, movement, and treating the body as part of the instrument). What it can take to keep writing alongside caring responsibilities, and why persistence is often the hardest part.   The simplest career advice she returns to: don't accept the story that you “can't,” and keep putting in the hours. Resources & Links:

Theatre and opera director Katie Mitchell talks to John Wilson about her career and formative influences. She is renowned for her experimental storytelling on stage, her feminist perspective, and for contemporary reframing of classic plays, she has directed more than 100 productions over more than 30 years. She has worked at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Opera House and the National Theatre, where - as associate director - she staged bold new versions of work by a wide range of writers including Aeschylus, Virginia Woolf, Chekhov and Sarah Kane. For many theatre goers, she is one of Britain's most important and innovative living directors.Producer: Edwina Pitman

Imagination, storytelling, and the human voice are at the heart of this conversation I shared with voice actor and coach Linda Bearman. We talked about her journey from early acting to decades in voiceover, why audio drama is finding new life, and what it really takes to build a career in a changing industry shaped by home studios and AI. Linda offered honest insight into training, discipline, and the business side of voice work, along with a clear reminder that technology cannot replace lived experience, emotional truth, or imagination. More than anything, this episode is about staying human, staying kind, and following the passion that brings stories to life, no matter how fast the world changes. Highlights: 00:10 – Hear why sounding natural and emotionally present matters more than performance tricks in voice acting. 02:52 – Learn why audio drama is resurging and what today's audiences are craving from storytelling again. 10:48 – Understand how voiceover evolved into a true craft and why it demands respect, discipline, and training. 20:17 – Get a clear look at how AI has already changed the voiceover industry and where human voices still hold the edge. 30:18 – Discover why imagination is a muscle that must be trained to bring stories to life through audio alone. 55:22 – Learn why preserving classic radio techniques is essential to developing the next generation of voice actors. About the Guest: Linda Bearman has amassed decades of experience in the performing arts beginning as a child actress and continuing into adulthood. Her career was enriched by studies and performances in the US and abroad working with legendary actors from prestigious theatre's including; The Arena Stage (Washington D.C.), The Actors Studio (NYC), The National Theatre of Great Britain and The Old Vic (UK). After obtaining her degree in Acting, Linda continued performing on stage and screen until moving to Los Angeles where she transitioned into TV production working for King World Productions on shows; The Oprah Winfrey Show, Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. Later, while working for Landmark Productions she was offered a position at the esteemed commercial talent agency, SBV,Inc (Sutton, Barth & Vennari). Becoming a VO agent was a pivotal point in Linda's career as it was there that Linda discovered her passion for voiceover, an art form that perfectly aligned with her acting background and business acumen.  Following seven years at SBV, she relocated to Utah and worked in the casting department of Leucadia Film Corp. while also voicing regional radio and TV commercials. Recognizing the need for a professional full service talent agency in Salt Lake City, she established, co-owned and operated the successful TMG,Inc. (Talent Management Group) in its first decade of business. Her enthusiasm for developing talent led her to become a full-time VO coach, mentoring actors in performance techniques, branding, marketing, and demo production of which several earned industry recognitions. She stays up to date with the latest industry developments and actively shares it with her clients. Linda is honored to serve as a judge for the annual international SOVAS Arts Awards (Society of Voice Arts and Sciences) and delights in performing live recreations of radio shows from the "Golden Age" with REPS (Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound) in Seattle, WA each year.  Ways to connect with Linda**:** LinkedIn-Linda Bearman About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes:

Actor Claire Foy on her role as a grieving academic who finds solace in falconry in the film adaptation of Helen Macdonald's award-winning memoir H Is For Hawk. As it goes on display for a period of three months, Chris Cassells of the National Library of Scotland, Ashleigh Hibbins of Perth Museum and playwright and poet Liz Lochhead discuss the cultural significance of the last letter of Mary Queen of Scots, written hours before her execution in 1587. Two of the creative team behind Trolleydarity, a National Theatre of Scotland-backed project which transports hospital patients and staff on multi-sensory micro-adventures talk about their innovative approach to taking art and theatre into NHS settings. And as the Music Venue Trust publishes a report about the fragile ecology of small music venues around the UK, we hear whether there might be hope on the horizon. Presenter: Kirsty Wark Producer: Mark Crossan

Episode 106: End by David Eldridge Host: Douglas Schatz Guest: David Eldridge Welcome to The Play Podcast where we explore the greatest new and classic plays. Each episode we choose a single play to talk about in depth with our expert guest. We'll discuss the play's origins, its themes, characters, structure and impact. For us the play is the thing.  David Eldridge's new play End is the final instalment of what David has described as a "triptych for the theatre", following Beginning in 2017, and Middle in 2022. Each of the plays in the series presents a snapshot of a couple at a particular time of life. In End we meet a couple who are facing the premature end of their life together. The play is not only an emotionally painful meditation on mortality, but also a testament to the life affirming power of love. As we record this episode End is playing at the National Theatre in London, with Saskia Reeves and Clive Owen as the couple. I was privileged to talk with David about Beginning way back in episode 11 of the podcast, and then Middle in episode 47, so I am delighted to be able complete the trilogy by welcoming David back to talk about End.

The espionage TV series, Homeland, brought David Harewood international fame but he is also known as the first Black actor to play Othello at the UK's National Theatre when he was in his early 30s. Now, aged almost 60, he is reprising the role of the Moor in Shakespeare's tragedy. The character of Othello is a skillful General, and the only person of colour in the Venetian army. He and Desdemona, the daughter of a rich and prominent citizen, fall in love and marry, against her father's wishes. This autumn's production at the Haymarket Theatre in London's West End is directed by Tom Morris, who co-created War Horse, which has been seen by more than eight million people around the world. Caitlin Fitzgerald stars as Desdemona and Toby Jones as Iago, with music by P J Harvey. Julian May follows David Harewood, Tom Morris and the cast from the beginning of rehearsal to the opening night as they work together to bring to light the dark themes of power, rage and desire in Shakespeare's great play of duplicity, jealousy and deadly masculinity.