Podcasts about National Theatre

What happens when the Fires in our Hearts become tsunamis of feeling that take us beyond the narrow imaginal cul de sacs our culture has created, and throw our doors wide open to the wonder of the past and the absolutely unknowable, glorious, constantly surprising possibilities of the future we haven't built yet? This week's guest, Clare Murphy, is an Irish Storyweaver, a storyteller who consults with people like NASA, the National Theatre, Climate activists, water protectors, first responders and limbless veterans. She's a Gatherer of world mythologies who seeks out the untold tales, the ones that were covered up by the hierarchies of blandness that came after them. She finds them and blows off the dust and breathes new life into them so the rest of us can step off the beaten track with her, and find new ways of being that could take us forward. Clare's a magician with the spoken word, a fire-spinner who understands the age-old magic of our voices, and the ways a few words can shift us into new, expansive ways of seeing and being. At the time we spoke, Clare had just completed the third edit of her book (Edit-envy? Me?!) and was gearing up for her outstanding one-woman show, 'We All Came By Boat' in Bristol later in September. As you'll hear, she's one of those people who lights up any room and helps people find—and then ignite—the fire in their own heads. So prepare to be ignited - Enjoy!.Linkshttps://claremurphy.org/Clare at The Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol 15th - 19th September - Book Now! Clare's TEDx Galway talk —About Accidental Gods—We offer three strands all rooted in the same soil, drawing from the same river: Accidental Gods, Dreaming Awake and the Thrutopia Writing Masterclass Our next Open Gathering offered as part of our Accidental Gods Programme is 'BECOMING A GOOD ANCESTOR' which will run on Sunday 13th September 2026 from 16:00 - 20:00 BST - details are here. You don't have to be a member of Accidental Gods to come along, but if you are, all Gatherings are half price.If you'd like to join us at Accidental Gods, this is the membership where we endeavour to help you to connect fully with the living web of life. If you'd like to train more deeply in the contemporary shamanic work at Dreaming Awake, you'll find us here. If you'd like to explore the recordings from our last Thrutopia Writing Masterclass, the details are hereManda and Louise both offer one-to-one Mentoring Calls.  Manda is writing a book just now, but if you'd like to contact Louise, details are here.

I welcomed one of my hero authors, Michael Morpurgo, and his wife Clare, to Highclere Castle to talk about storytelling, history, the magic of reading, and the extraordinary charity they founded together — Farms for City Children.Michael shared how War Horse came to life and why understanding the First World War matters more than ever today. We recalled the unforgettable day Joey, the National Theatre's War Horse puppet, came to Highclere in 2014 — walking through the very library where Almina, my predecessor, had nursed soldiers back from the trenches a century before.Michael told the wonderful story behind Farms for City Children — how Clare, a childhood afternoon let loose near a Devon farm, courtesy of her father Allen Lane, founder of Penguin Books, sparked a lifetime's passion for the countryside, and how that passion became a charity that has given over 120,000 inner-city children a week of real farm life.We explored the importance of books and reading, handwriting, the friendship with Ted Hughes, the honest editorial partnership between Michael and Clare, and my own plans for a Highclere Literary Festival this October.We ended with Michael's dream summer evening guest: the radiant Audrey Hepburn.00:00 Welcome & Introduction02:10 War Horse & Joey Comes to Highclere06:30 History, World War I & Why It Still Matters13:15 The Origins of Farms for City Children21:45 A Real Farm — Not a Pretend Farm28:00 Highclere: Farm, History & the Fifth Earl33:20 The Power of Reading & the Literary Festival38:10 Writing by Hand, Ted Hughes & the iPad44:00 Editing, Marriage & Telling the Truth49:30 Dream Party Guest: Audrey HepburnTopics CoveredWar Horse & HighclereThe origins of War Horse and why Michael believes we must understand history to navigate the presentLady Carnarvon recalls the day Joey, the War Horse puppet from the National Theatre, came to Highclere in 2014 to mark the centenary of World War IHighclere Castle served as a real military hospital during World War I — Lady Carnarvon's predecessor, Almina, nursed soldiers back from the trenchesThe contrast with the fictional Downton Abbey and the very real human stories preserved in letters at HighclereHistory, War & ResponsibilityMichael reflects on why the First World War is so important — and how it directly caused the SecondThe role of individuals and political movements in triggering conflict, from Sarajevo to the rise of HitlerWhy Michael feels it is "timely" to revisit these lessons today, given the state of the worldSeeing War Horse in the theatre the night before recording — and what it still means to himFarms for City ChildrenClare's childhood inspiration: sent outside to explore as a young girl near a Devon farm, she fell in love with the countryside, animals, and the rhythm of rural lifeHer father, Allen Lane, founder of Penguin Books, instilled a love of the natural worldWhy Clare and Michael left teaching after realising they weren't reaching the children who needed them mostHow the charity started with one Victorian farmhouse in Devon and has since grown to multiple working farmsOver 120,000 children have now spent a week on a real farm — milking cows, feeding lambs, grooming horses, doing genuine workMeeting former "farm children" now aged 45 with families of their own, who say the experience never left themHighclere Today — A Living EstateFarming records at Highclere dating back to the 16th century; earliest written records from 749 ADLady Carnarvon's rare breed Cornish pigs, Belted Galloway cattle, 1,400 ewes, and 2,500 lambsThe Iron Age Fort and Bronze Age Tumuli on the estateWilliam of Wykeham (1324–1404) — bishop and founder of Winchester College and New College, Oxford — lived at Highclere; it was his palaceThe fifth Earl of Carnarvon, who discovered the Tomb of Tutankhamun, was a voracious reader; his will, written at 21, listed his books as among his most prized possessionsThe Power of Reading & WritingWhy books matter: they let children ask questions, explore mortality, understand the world, and feel less aloneMichael's beach anecdote — watching his granddaughter's husband read to their one-year-old, with the baby turning the pages back — as a perfect image of how the love of books is passed onThe importance of parents reading aloud, good libraries, and physical booksLady Carnarvon's Highclere Literary Festival — launching this October, with:A children's trail through the gardens (including a wardrobe inspired by Narnia and an entrance to fairyland)The Curious Tent and Speaker's CornerWriting and reading competitions with cash prizesFree entry for under-16s who have read a book or written somethingLady Carnarvon's campaign for handwriting — the link between brain, hand, and penTed Hughes, Writing by Hand & TechnologyMichael's lifelong habit of writing by hand — and how arthritis in his finger has forced a reluctant move to an iPadNeighbour and friend Ted Hughes on why handwriting matters: it keeps the mind and the process in syncMichael's delight at discovering he can dictate to his iPad ("It prints it out magically")Editing, Marriage & HonestyClare as Michael's first editor — "quite unfairly truthful" — and why he always takes her notes even when he doesn't want toThe ongoing verdict: nothing he's written in the 65 books since War Horse has matched itLady Carnarvon's husband editing her first book and his well-meaning but devastating comment: "Don't worry if nobody reads it — you've still tried very hard"A Summer Evening QuestionIf you could take anyone to Lady Carnarvon's summer jazz evening, who would it be?Clare: Gregory PeckMichael: Audrey Hepburn (Roman Holiday)A discussion of Audrey Hepburn's extraordinary grace — and how grace itself is something both Michael and Lady Carnarvon seek in their work and livesMentioned in This EpisodeWar Horse — Michael Morpurgo (novel, stage production, Steven Spielberg film)Waiting for Anya — Michael MorpurgoThe History Boys — Alan BennettFarms for City Children — farmsforcitvchildren.orgHighclere Literary Festival — October 2025, Highclere CastleAllen Lane — founder of Penguin BooksAlmina, Countess of Carnarvon — WWI hospital at HighclereWilliam of Wykeham — founder of Winchester College and New College, OxfordThe fifth Earl of Carnarvon — discoverer of Tutankhamun's tombTed Hughes — poet, neighbour of the MorpurgosRoman Holiday (1953) — dir. William Wyler, starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory PeckAbout Lady Carnarvon's PodcastLady Carnarvon records her podcast from Highclere Castle, home of the real family whose story inspired Downton Abbey. Episodes explore history, heritage, literature, and the people and ideas that have shaped Highclere and the wider world.You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/New episodes are published on the first day of every month. 

Pride is moving down the Thames after its National Theatre run! We talk to director Matthew Warchus and writer Stephen Beresford about the musical's sell-out success and what the future holds as the production continues its life. Based on the true story depicted in the 2014 film Pride, the musical is set during the 1984 miners' strike. The story follows a group of lesbian and gay activists who form Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM), an alliance which sees them support a small mining community in South Wales. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 112: Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet Host: Douglas Schatz Guest: Mark Lawson 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 Mamet's modern American classic, Glengarry Glen Ross, is a blistering commentary on the cut-throat reality of the American dream, and its poisonous impact on those who have bought into the myth and machismo of that dream. The play had its world premiere in the small Cottesloe theatre at the National Theatre in London in September 1983, and was first performed in New York the following year, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Mamet also wrote the extended screenplay for the star-studded 1992 film version. As we recorded this episode a new production of the play was playing at the Old Vic theatre in London., with an all-female cast. This is a particularly provocative idea, because one of the primary themes of this play is masculine identity, and the salesmen in this Chicago office do not hold back in their display of machismo. To explore Mamet's unflinching slice of 1980s dog-eat-dog capitalism, I am joined by arts journalist Mark Lawson.

Macca and Kenny talk to Cr Alex Makin Mayor, City of Port Phillip Port Phillip’s 2026–27 Budget: investing in neighbourhoods while balancing rising costs The City of Port Phillip has adopted its 2026–27 Budget, promising continued investment in parks, streets, libraries, community facilities and services while navigating the financial pressures facing councils across Victoria. Mayor Alex Makin joins us to discuss the budget and the priorities shaping the year ahead. The City of Port Phillip includes St Kilda, South Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Balaclava and Elwood. It is also home to the Victorian Pride Centre, JOY Media and many LGBTQIA+ organisations, making inclusion and community wellbeing important considerations in council planning. The 2026/27 Budget is the second of Council's 4-year plan for Port Phillip, which includes a “significant capital works program to maintain, grow and improve services and facilities – despite rising costs and continuing high inflation, on-going rate capping challenges and government cost-shifting.” Council says “Due to financial pressures such as rising costs significantly outstripping rates growth and the continuing uncertain economic climate, additional revenue is needed to supplement rates income. This includes a general 3 per cent increase in fees and charges, unless it makes sense to vary.” Makin claims the budget will embed $2.4 million in efficiency savings. Budget 2026/27 includes an average rate rise of 2.75 per cent in line with the Victorian Government's rate cap, which Council says is lower than forecast inflation of 4.9 per cent. The budget is debt-free apart from existing leases which are part of the financing strategy. The default waste charge will rise $47.70 to $278, with $25.20 of this reflecting the inclusion of dumped rubbish and public litter bins (which have been removed from general rates). The other $22.50 has been driven by the renewal of the waste collection contract, a six per cent increase in the Victorian Government's landfill levy and inflation driving up waste expenditure. A planned $123.1 million in capital works and initiatives include: $26 million on parks, open space and streetscapes, including $530,000 towards the Sandridge Recreation Precinct in Fishermans Bend and new open space in Lakeside ($450,000) fencing for the off-leash dog park at Fennell Reserve in Port Melbourne ($440,000) and planning for further off-leash dog parks in Fishermans Bend footpath constructions in Fishermans Bend to improve walkability and sustainable transport further planning and development for places and precincts including precinct planning for Balaclava, Ripponlea and Lakeside/Domain areas with streetscape and open space works, additional greening at Acland Street Plaza, and place planning for Bay Street ($360,000) $20 million investment in essential infrastructure including road renewals and upgrades ($3.6 million) and footpath renewals and expansion ($1.6 million) drainage, flood and water management ($1.6 million) including Water Urban Sensitive Design building improvements totalling $50 million for projects such as the South Melbourne Town Hall restoration and redevelopment of six Children's Centres ($8.3 million). These items were included after the draft Budget was released: $70,000 for the National Theatre to unlock an additional $50,000 in funding from other sources to support the façade restoration and restroom upgrade $60,000 for the St Kilda Police and Citizens Youth Club's youth program Up to $15,000 to trial expanding our Accessible Beaches program to operate year-round in 2026/27 at Port Melbourne Beach and a report on the cost and further work that may be required to extend the program to South Melbourne and Sandridge Beaches. Council will also continue funding for: addressing loneliness and isolation and promoting social connection combatting discrimination, racism and antisemitism additional funding for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design ($75,000) more local laws patrols and $450,000 for additional public place CCTV greater investment in local arts and events (funded through a reprioritisation of St Kilda Festival funds). Targeted support includes: Continuing the council-funded pensioner rates rebate up to $242, or a maximum of 50 per cent, when combined with the Victorian Government rebate. There's continued funding to support both affordable housing and local organisations assisting vulnerable members of our diverse community. This includes up to $60,000 to support local food security responses, with a focus on strengthening food coordination and improved integration between local food relief providers. The post Sat, July 25th, 2026: Cr Alex Makin Mayor, City of Port Phillip Port Phillip’s 2026–27 Budget: investing in neighbourhoods while balancing rising costs appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Anna Maxwell Martin is an award-winning actor whose versatility is evident from the breadth of parts she has played in popular television programmes including Motherland, Ludwig and Line of Duty. Anna was born and brought up in Yorkshire and loved acting and performing from a young age putting on shows with her friends in the cul-de-sac where they all lived. She read history at Liverpool University and then won a place at LAMDA.She made her professional debut in the Little Foxes at the Donmar Warehouse directed by Marianne Elliott. Her breakthrough came in 2003 playing Lyra Belacqua in the National Theatre's landmark production of His Dark Materials. In recent years she has become an advocate for vulnerable children and their families – especially those navigating the SEND – special educational needs and/or disabilities – system in schools. She was motivated to take on this role after struggling to get help for her daughters who were struggling with profound grief following the death of their father.Anna lives in London with her daughters.DISC ONE: I Love To Boogie – T. Rex DISC TWO: The Greatest Love of All - Whitney Houston DISC THREE: Together In Electric Dreams - Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder DISC FOUR: Gianni Schicchi: "O mio babbino caro" (Lauretta) Composed by Giacomo Puccini and performed by Maria Callas (soprano) and Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Tullio Serafin DISC FIVE: When A Knight Won His Spurs – The Choir of Salisbury Cathedral, directed by David Halls DISC SIX: Dry Your Eyes - The Streets DISC SEVEN: Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell DISC EIGHT: Tell Him - Lauryn Hill BOOK CHOICE: Jackson Brodie Series by Kate Atkinson LUXURY ITEM: Anna's lucky conker CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: The Greatest Love of All - Whitney Houston Presenter: Lauren Laverne Producer: Paula McGinleyDesert Island Discs has cast away many actors to the island over the years including Julie Walters, Jessie Buckley and Adeel Aktar. You can hear their programmes if you search through BBC Sounds or our own Desert Island Discs website.

Nigel Farage wanted a “people vs. the establishment” by-election but it quickly turned into “man vs. bin”. Every major rival has refused to run against him in Clacton, leaving the Reform leader's only real opponent as the man with a trash can on his head, Count Binface. Is this one humiliation too many for the frog-faced fraud? Plus, Farage may be the front-man but the loudest and most extreme voice behind him is Zia Yusuf. How did the one-time left-winger become Reform's self-styled “Shadow Home Secretary”? Expert on the far-right Daniel Trilling explains all. And in the Extra Bit: If you threw a sickie last Monday to watch England beat Mexico, you're not alone. We look at the culture of the sick day around the world. • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk.  ESCAPE ROUTES • Ros has been letting off some steam reading Christian Wolmar's Fastrack: The Extraordinary Global History of The Race for High Speed Rail • Rachel went to watch Pride at the National Theatre, as Stephen Beresford's hit moves from screen to stage • Daniel has been reading Keza MacDonald's Super Nintendo: How One Japanese Company Helped the World Have Fun • Andrew went to see Robyn at the O2 and What the World Needs Now: The Songs of Burt Bacharach with Rumer, Ed Harcourt and Dionne Warwick  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison with Rachel Cunliffe, Ros Taylor and Daniel Trilling. Produced by James Liddell. Audio Production by Tom Taylor. Art direction by James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's the buzz? Our main episode has landed a few days early to coincide with the opening night of Jesus Christ Superstar at The London Palladium! Sarah and Alex discuss Sam Ryder's performance and the show's ability to awe on the largest stages. Elsewhere, it was a big, bold, exciting opening for Pride at the National Theatre, while Sarah and Alex mull over big news stories from the NT, RSC and Bridge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's 1977, and Gyles is welcoming his first daughter, Saethryd, into the world - and explaining the origins of her name to all his friends. "Why such an extraordinary name?" "Because she's an extraordinary girl!" He's also fighting on several fronts: with the noisy neighbours next-door, with the theatre company which is refusing to pay up, and with the National Theatre. Gyles and Harriet chat about diary-writing, self-loathing, and whether Gyles has mellowed over the years... Plus a bit of astrology. It's a good one, diary fans! Enjoy this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, we speak with Maria Aberg, a Swedish theatre director with a prestigious career in the UK and abroad, directing shows at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, the Royal Exchange, Donmar Warehouse and the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm, to name a few. She is also the founder and Artistic Director of Projekt Utopia, formerly Projekt Europa - an international theatre company based in the UK, making bold, experimental work by migrant theatre makers for local and global audiences.Maria spoke with us about how central the idea of friction is to her artistic practice, the reasons behind her company's new name, and what she understands ‘migrant imagination' to be - as well as the crucial role it plays in our theatre industry and society at large. Find out more about Maria and Projekt Utopia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins, hosts a solo Show Talk episode of The West End Frame Show!Andrew discusses Sinatra The Musical (Aldwych Theatre) and Pride The Musical (Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre). This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening!Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate is now one of three women on the Equity Register of Fight Directors since 2001, and has enjoyed working as a fight director for more than twenty years. Being a retired competitive boxer and qualified coach, she knows how to choreograph a physical fight, be it a bar brawl to battle scenes to make it look as effective as possible. While making sure the actors do it as safely as possible. She is the one that creates those fight scenes that make you move in your seat, grip your arm rest a little tighter and make you gasp with shock. For all the right reasons!Her work spans across screen and SO MUCH theatre!For screen she has worked on: Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, Sky Pilot including adverts for Toyota. Her stage and screen crossovers include, Death of England (2022) starring Rafe Spall, and Romeo and Juliet (2021) starring Jessie Buckley and Josh O'Connor for the National Theatre. For theatre, she has worked at The National, RSC, The Globe, West End, Donmar, Royal Court, Royal Opera House New York and Regents Open Air Theatre to name a few. Some honourable mentions of her fight work were found on:King Lear, 2018, with Ian McKellenCyrano de Bergerac, with James McAvoyMidsummer Nights Dream at the Bridge TheatreFrankenstein, National, with Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee MillerOthello, National, with Adrian Lester and Rory Kinnear Curious Incident, National and West EndSalomé, NT, and King Lear at the Almeida, with Yaël FarberIn her words:“I love telling the physical story of the play through my fights - exploring what motivates the characters to commit such hideous acts of violence. I always work closely with the actors and I see my job as guiding them to a place of choreography that becomes an integral part of their roles. Obstacles are always opportunities, and I do my best to embrace everything that is thrown my way”. We discuss her process of directing fights, getting assured and comfortable with her actors beforehand and executing a stage combat scene that's both believable and safely conducted. We look specifically at her work on Othello and getting a great reaction from a scene in a play called “Sweat”. Thank you Kate!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 

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Mickey-Jo saw his most anticipated new show of the year - a musical adaptation of the film PRIDE.The show, which is set in the 1980s, tells the true story of LGSM, a group of Lesbians and Gay men from London who supported a community of miners during Thatcher era strikes.Check out what Mickey-Jo thought of the show, its material, and the extent to which it measured up to the extraordinary film upon which it is based...check out Mickey-Jo's free substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction02:08 | synopsis / themes07:21 | the material19:20 | creative choices29:36 | performances37:14 | 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.

Simon Wallace is a pianist, composer and record producer. As a performer he collaborates with many other jazz musicians, including the singer Sarah Moule. He is a prolific composer and for  nearly twenty years wrote songs with the late American lyricist Fran Landesman.  He has also written for a wide range of TV shows in collaboration with Simon Brint, and for the National Theatre, Young Vic and Edinburgh Festival. I first met Simon several years ago, when he appeared at the Pheasantry in London with the singer Pete Atkin (a previous guest on Countercurrent), performing songs written by Atkin during his decades-long collaboration with the late Clive James. https://www.simonwallace.org

James Fritz's award-winning drama about the UK prison system returns with two contrasting stories of release, told from the perspective of prisoners and staff alike.In this first episode, a prisoner (who listeners met in Series 1) leaves with his paperwork signed and a discharge grant in his pocket, convinced his prayers have been answered. What he doesn't know is that a single clerical error, buried for years in a box of court paperwork, means he should never have been let out at all. As an overstretched prison scrambles to find him, the press whips up a manhunt and ministers demand a name, one question echoes from the courtroom to Whitehall: how could something like this happen?Written by James FritzLee ..... Carl Prekopp Yas ..... Yasmin Mwanza Clare ..... Maddy Lenny Jenny ..... Emma Handy Carly ..... Laura Dos Santos Rihanna ..... Rebekah Murrell Prison Director ..... Ben Crowe The Box Officer ..... Harry Myers Toby/Reverend ..... Joe Jameson Minister ..... Ian Dunnett JnrProduction Team: Producer and Director, Tracey Neale Sound Design, Keith Graham, Sam Dickinson and Andrew Garrett Production Co-Ordinator, Ben HollandsA BBC Studios production.James Fritz has won the Imison and Tinniswood Awards, Best Single and Best Series at the Audio Drama Awards, and Gold and Bronze at the ARIAs. For his theatre work he has won the Critics' Circle Award and the Bruntwood Prize, and was nominated for an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre. He is under commission to the RSC, on attachment to the National Theatre, and is currently writing a TV drama and adapting his play The Flea into a feature film.

James Fritz's award-winning drama about the UK prison system returns with two contrasting stories of release, told from the perspective of prisoners and staff alike.In this first episode, a prisoner (who listeners met in Series 1) leaves with his paperwork signed and a discharge grant in his pocket, convinced his prayers have been answered. What he doesn't know is that a single clerical error, buried for years in a box of court paperwork, means he should never have been let out at all. As an overstretched prison scrambles to find him, the press whips up a manhunt and ministers demand a name, one question echoes from the courtroom to Whitehall: how could something like this happen?Written by James FritzLee ..... Carl Prekopp Yas ..... Yasmin Mwanza Clare ..... Maddy Lenny Jenny ..... Emma Handy Carly ..... Laura Dos Santos Rihanna ..... Rebekah Murrell Prison Director ..... Ben Crowe The Box Officer ..... Harry Myers Toby/Reverend ..... Joe Jameson Minister ..... Ian Dunnett JnrProducer and Director, Tracey Neale Sound Design, Keith Graham, Sam Dickinson and Andrew Garrett Production Co-Ordinator, Ben HollandsA BBC Studios production.James Fritz has won the Imison and Tinniswood Awards, Best Single and Best Series at the Audio Drama Awards, and Gold and Bronze at the ARIAs. For his theatre work he has won the Critics' Circle Award and the Bruntwood Prize, and was nominated for an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre. He is under commission to the RSC, on attachment to the National Theatre, and is currently writing a TV drama and adapting his play The Flea into a feature film.

‘Fiona F' is a Hogwarts Professor subscriber in Adelaide, Australia, the truly down under capitol of the South Pacific island-continent. She works as an environmental scientist on the days she isn't combing through the Cormoran Strike novels of Rowling-Galbraith in search of answers to the over-arching mysteries of that series.The Hogwarts Professor Talking Heads duo invited her to a discussion of her potential solutions to two of the unresolved questions that have to be answered before the epilogue of Strike 10, namely, ‘What really happened in the ruled-a-suicide deaths of Leda Strike and Charlotte Campbell?' Fiona seems to have broken both cases using information dropped as asides in Hallmarked Man.The Ten Questions that guided their conversation are below with the promised links and Fiona's time-lines and comments on the Moderator Backchannel they discuss.In brief, about Leda's death Fiona notes that we learn in Strike 8 that Shanker is familiar with ‘Barnaby's, the preferred body-disposal business used by the London under-world, to include the Ricci Crime Syndicate. She connects that dot with (1) Strike's memory of making a drug delivery for Shanker to the Ricci Godfather way back in the day when the two shared a flat and (2) Shanker's near panicked warnings to Strike not to investigate the Riccis in Troubled Blood. Fiona's theory? Means, motive, and opportunity point to the possibility that Leda's heroin overdose was a Ricci ‘message' to Shanker that he had better not cross them in a drug deal. Readers have missed this possibility because Shanker loved Leda like a mother, which love unfortunately made her a perfect target for the gangsters to ‘get at' Strike's adopted brother.And Charlotte's death? Fiona, unlike much of Strike fandom, accepts the Jeffery hypothesis (see here, here, and here) that Ms Campbell-Ross did not kill herself but was murdered in a staged-suicide (a la Leda Strike, Lula Landry, Jasper Chiswell, and Kevin Pirbright). After a close reading of Hallmarked Man, Fiona realized that Dino Longcaster, whom Tara Campbell married after she had divorced Charlotte's supposed biological father, may have been, based on his fathering Rupert Fleetwood in an adulterous relationship, Milady Bezerko's real sperm-donor daddy (and at home molester). Which possible parentage would have made Charlotte and Valentine Longcaster half-siblings. Fiona theorizes from there that the baby Charlotte says was Strike's was Valentine's (a la Rupert and Decima's Lion), that Jago Ross' children might have been Valentine's, or both. Valentine, Jago, and Tara shoot to the top of the ‘Charlotte Murder' suspect list, with Sasha, Rupert, and Amelia as Tara's agents all possibilities.Fiona, Nick, and John discuss the various Rowling Golden Threads in play with each of these theories — incest, pregnancy traps, staged suicides — and how both Fiona's Ricci-Shanker and Secret Charlotte theories are textbook illustrations of Rowling misdirection while planting clues in plain sight.John and Nick are grateful to Fiona for getting up as early as she did to chat with them and for sharing her theories here with the Serious Strikers at Hogwarts Professor. Hats doffed with a bow from the waist in admiration and gratitude! The Ten Questions With Links and Notes1. Fiona, you, Nick, and I have been chatting on the moderator back channels since May and we've shared your Daddy Dino theory in which Charlotte was another Longcaster child conceived in adultery and Valentine was her incestuous lover and abuser. Nick and I discussed that idea on our ‘Incest Golden Thread' program. But none of us know who you are really and I just learned you're living in Central Australia. Tell us about Fiona, a Welsh name?, and what brought you to Serious Striker land?12 April Fiona Comments on Moderator Backchannel:In response to a post by Cheryl Rose Orrocks on 17 Feb 2026, my current theory is that Dino Longcaster is Charlotte's father and that his son, Valentine Longcaster, will be revealed as her abuser and the possible biological father of Charlotte's children. Hence the 2nd incest storyline will also involve the Langcaster family. This could be why Charlotte's mother, Tara, despised Charlotte so much.If Jago Ross is somehow linked to the matter of the DNA test involving Bijou and Strike, it may be because he had Charlotte's birth children DNA tested to confirm parentage. Maybe Jago discovers he is not the biological father and assumes Strike is, hence the reason he wants to obtain Strike's DNA results.2. Nick was telling me the other day that he has been re-reading the series and it's changed his thinking about how he would rank the books, especially in light of Hallmarked Man. I hope he'll clarify what he means by that – and that you'll share, Fiona, where Strike 8 is on your list of best to worst Strike novels and if or how it changed your thoughts about the first seven.3. By the time this conversation is posted, I hope to have put up a short summary of your Birthday Party Theory, Fiona, or else it will be the text beneath this conversation. In brief, you lay out the calendar dates after Sacha Legard's birthday party with respect to Charlotte's death. Can you tell us why you thought that party had something to do with her death and how you went about setting up the time-line?May 6 Fiona note on Moderator Backchannels:In this video, your comments regarding Rupert Fleetwood and Charlotte's murder (1:00:17) got me thinking. If Charlotte was murdered, her murderer was likely present at Sacha Legard's birthday party.After checking out several sources (books (physical copies) 7 TRG and 8 THM, Strike Fans, the Farting Faculty Lounge and Hogwarts Professor) I put together a rough timeline to assemble my thoughts.* Saturday 21 May 2016: Sacha Legard's birthday. Valentine and Cosima Longcaster are at the party. Rupert Fleetwood gatecrashes and he and Valentine have some kind of confrontation (refer THM Chapter. 36, pages 291 and 292). I presume Charlotte and Amelia would have been at the party as they are Sacha's half siblings, however I have no evidence to support this.* Friday, 27 May 2016: Strike listens to Charlotte's voicemail messages. (TRG, Chapter 55, pages 421 and 423).* Tuesday, 14 June 2016: Charlotte is arrested for assault on Landon Dormer (TRG, Chapter 59).* Thursday, 23 June 2016: Strike deletes three voicemails from Charlotte before heading up to his attic flat (Chapter 61). Charlotte Campbell dies (commits suicide?).* Friday, 23 December 2016: When Strike goes to the National Theatre to interview Sacha Legard (THM, Chapter 36, pg. 289). Sacha says he ‘was shooting a film in Mexico (Conquest?) when all this business with him [Rupert] and Dessie happened.'I'm unsure when Sacha was in Mexico (before and/or after his birthday party on 21 May 2016). If he was filming in Mexico after his birthday then he may not have been in London when Charlotte died. If filming in Mexico finished before his birthday, he would have to be on the short-list of murder suspects.As Charlotte loved tension, conflict, and rows, she may have overheard the confrontation between Rupert and Valentine. Presuming the confrontation was about DNA testing and Dino Longcaster being Rupert's biological father, maybe the DNA results also contained information about other unknown (and related) people with a similar DNA profile to Rupert and the Longcaster's (Dino, Valentine, Decima and Cosima) and Rupert threatened Valentine with this information. Valentine is scared of his father, Dino, and wouldn't want the DNA paternity information to reach Dino.If Valentine Longcaster (as possible Charlotte abuser), finds out he is the biological father of Charlotte's children and realises that Charlotte has found this out, that could be a strong motive for murder, particularly as he was appalled by the incest between Decima and Rupert.It will be interesting to see if Rupert makes an appearance in Book 9.* See Louise Freeman Davis' Strike and Ellacott Timelines at The Farting Sofa Faculty Lounge.4. Your conclusion is a mind-blower as I've written in my notes you to invite you to wake up early down under to talk about it. To skip to the Big Reveal, you think, if Charlotte was at the birthday party or learned from Cosima or Valentine about the Dino-Decima-Rupert genetic conjunction, that Valentine Longcaster has to jump to the top of the Campbell-Ross ‘assisted suicide' list. How so?5. This is fascinating theorizing, Fiona, and it highlights what Nick has said that the complexity and crowdedness of Hallmarked is a marker of Rowling crafting a “target rich” environment for Books 9 and 10 possibilities. You wrote on 4 June that what if, instead of being molested at home by Trevik, her supposed biological father, she had been abused by a schoolteacher. Why did you think that was possible and how would it color your thinking about her life and death?4 June Fiona CommentHave you considered the possibility that Leda Strike (Peggy Nancarrow) was molested by a school teacher, rather than a victim of incest. Both scenarios are obviously awful. I have been pondering this because Leda/Peggy packed up and moved so often and Cormoran and Lucy never stayed in the same school for very long.6. On 10 June you sent your magnum opus, the Leda Strike life timeline and a ‘Means Before Motive' examination of her death. Again, why bother and how did you track down the dates?7. What did the data reveal about Leda that you hadn't seen before?10 June Fiona Timeline for Leda StrikeI have been systematically going back through the Strike books using the JKR finder in an attempt to work out who killed Leda Strike.I am relying on Rowling playing fair and that the answer to the question of Leda's death and the evidence to support this has already been given to us in the books.My attempt at Leda's timeline and my murder theory are attached. There are gaps in Leda's timeline and changing dates in the books. I mostly focused on Leda's childhood, then the last few years of her life in London. I'd be interested in your thoughts.Constructing Leda's timeline was also about reaching a conclusion on whether Cormoran Strike was the product of incest. At this stage, I don't think he was. The timeline doesn't support the incest theory and I suspect Leda was away from St Mawes from when she married at 18 and left Strike Snr two weeks later until she returned to give birth to Cormoran at Truro hospital at age 20. Too many parties and gigs to go to!I'd be interested in your thoughts.Leda Strike TimelinePeggy (Leda) born in 1954.Ted and Peggy (Leda) mother died when Ted 16 and Peggy (Leda) 2.Peggy (Leda) forcible separation from Ted at the age of two.Peggy (Leda) lived with her paternal grandmother. Ted stayed with their father, Trevik.Ted leaves home for National Service (age 18?)Ted returns from National Service after Trevik dies. (age 25?) Married Joan. Peggy (Leda) (age 11?)Peggy (Leda), at age 18, escapes her paternal grandmother, and runs away with a youth who'd come to Truro with the fair. Changed her name to Leda. Ted (32 years old).Leda married youth from the fair when she was 18 years old. She had run out on her husband after only two weeks and that her sole motivation in marrying Strike Snr. (who, according to Aunt Joan, had arrived in St. Mawes with the fair) had been a new dress, and a change of name.“Leda had never stayed still long enough to present a stable target. Often her children remained in a school for mere weeks before a new enthusiasm seized her, and off they went, to a new city, a new squat, crashing on her friends' floors or, occasionally, renting. The only people who knew what was going on, and who might have contacted social services, were Ted and Joan.”1990? Leda brought Shanker (age 16), who had been stabbed, home to their squat.1991 Leda Strike met Jeff Whittaker.1992 Nick Herbert and Strike had a joint eighteenth birthday party at the Bell pub in Whitechapel.1992 Leda had fallen pregnant in Strike's eighteenth year, while he was applying for university.Leda married Jeff Whittaker in 1992.Switch born in December 1992.Leda died in 1994, (age 40?), when Lucy (age 19?) and Strike (age 20?)8. Okay, now that we have Leda's life in a mental picture, walk us through your Means Before Motive breakdown of the most likely suspects.Fiona's Theory about Leda's death: Means before motive* Means: Three Suspects1. Member(s) of Ricci family or Ricci gang member.2. Jeff Whittaker.3. Shanker.All had access to drugs.* Motive1. Unpaid drug debt (Whittaker) and Ricci's killed Leda as a warning, or2. Rival gang to Shanker's cousin's takes revenge (knowing Shanker is close to Leda) and kill Leda as a warning, or3. Drug induced murder by Whittaker.Shanker's knowledge of organised crime in London is peerless. He knows what happened, blames Whittaker, but has never said anything to Strike. (Refer Troubled Blood, chapter 27, where Strike recalls helping Shanker make a ‘delivery' in ‘92 or '93 and Shanker's reaction to Strike's recall of that).Maybe Leda was suffocated while she slept (similar to Margot Bamborough's death), then injected with heroin by her killer.* Opportunity· Jeff Whittaker (lived at squat; a drug user).· Shanker (frequently visited the squat; was close to Leda).· Member(s) of Ricci family or Ricci gang member (local drug dealers) making a delivery.9. So Shanker is both a suspect and a person of knowledge; he either did it or knew who did it? How important is Strike's memory of the Ricci drug deal delivery for Shanker in all this?10. The beauty of this theory is that it's been so well set up; who has Shanker who revered Leda on their suspect list when she revered her so – and yet it was just that relationship that would have made her so vulnerable to targeting by the Riccis if Shanker stiffed them… Hence his warning Strike off the Riccis with such care in Troubled Blood and obscuring how he knows about Barnaby is Hallmarked?John Notes 10 JuneI'm intrigued by the Ricci-Shanker connection. Shanker knows about Barnaby's and that Knowles was dispatched there; Strike sees Marco Ricci later in the story making a delivery to Barnaby's. If I'm following your notes, Shanker's panic about Strike investigating the Riccis in Troubled Blood isn't out of concern for his adopted brother but from the fear that Cormoran will learn of his relationship with the family -- and, as you speculate, that Leda was killed by them as a message to young Shanker not to cross them. Shanker testified against Whittaker to scapegoat him and perhaps because he knew the Riccis would kill him if he told the truth.* Great plot twist and one that explains the whole Knowles plot line in Hallmarked Man and the police interest in Strike's source of information; Shanker is being presented as a dangerous criminal to readers who are blind (as are Strike and Robin) to the possibility that he was the natural suspect in Leda's death because of his proximity to nihilist forces. The delivery Strike made for Shanker to Ricci and Shanker's response to Strike's memory is a critical catch in all this; well spotted!I don't think your timeline precludes either Ted being Strike's father or Trevik molesting Leda as a young woman -- or another possibility. Her birth years and years after Ted's suggests that Trevik was not her father, that her mother's death wasn't natural, and that Ted may have been Leda's father via an incestuous relationship with his mum, both victims of Trevik's abuse. Leda's adoption by her grandmother after her mother died may have been to protect her from Trevik or her simply being cast out by him. Incest is a live issue, I think, in the Cornwall household. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hogwartsprofessor.substack.com/subscribe

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)

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.

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》

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.

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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: