Podcasts about royal exchange theatre

Kym Marsh on stepping into the iconic role of Beverly in theatre classic Abigail's Party as the play opens at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.Film critic Hannah Strong and George Pundek, co-host of the Pulp Kitchen film podcast, on why so many of the big film franchises are facing difficulties.Severance creator Dan Erickson on making a television hit with his debut project.Novelist Max Porter, who is chair of the judges for this year's International Booker Prize, on the books that have made the shortlist: On the Calculation of Volume One by Solvej Balle, translated by Barbara J Haveland Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix, translated by Helen Stevenson Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami, translated by Asa Yoneda Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico, translated by Sophie Hughes Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq, translated by Deepa Bhasthi A Leopard-Skin Hat by Anne Serre, translated by Mark HutchinsonPresenter: Nick Ahad Producer: Ekene Akalawu

Late last year, when the Royal Exchange Theatre was forced to cancel its production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, the media fallout became one long nightmare. Stef O'Driscoll, the play's director, accused the theatre of censorship, and its chief executive Stephen Freeman eventually stood down. But there are two sides to every story - over the last month, insiders at the Royal Exchange have been telling us they've been uncomfortable with the narrative that the play's director was censored for a rap about Palestine, and that they feel the theatre was the victim of a "witch hunt". In this week's episode, Mollie and Jack take you inside our reporting and reveal what really caused the theatre to cancel the entire run of its long-anticipated autumn production.Recommendations:A midsummer's nightmare: What really caused the Royal Exchange's cancelled show? The Mill Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The programme for the tenth biennial Manchester International Festival for 2025 was announced on 11 March at Aviva Studios. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to John McGrath, Factory International's Chief Executive and Artistic Director, and Creative Director Low Kee Hong, as well as Jonathan Watkins, director and choreographer of A Single Man, and the writer, Ntombizodwa Nyoni, and director, Monique Touko, of Liberation. The 2025 Manchester International Festival runs from Thursday 3 to Sunday 20 July. A Single Man, produced with The Royal Ballet and created by Jonathan Watkins from Christopher Isherwood's 1964 novel with new music by Jasmin Kent Rodgman and John Grant, will be at Aviva Studios from 2 to 6 July. Liberation, written by Ntombizodwa Nyoni and directed by Monique Touko, will be at the Royal Exchange Theatre from 27 June to 26 July. For more information about all of the events in the festival, see the Factory International web site.

Send us your thoughts! Tom is based in Manchester, UK. He studied Saxophone and composition at the Royal Northern College of Music and the University of Manchester. His classical training from Rob Buckland (saxophone), Camden Reeves and Gary Carpenter (composition) continues to inform all of his original work, which blends his distinctive voice as an improviser, with a characteristically genre bending compositional flare that absorbs the language of contemporary classical, popular and jazz styles.He studied Jazz with Steve Berry and Tim Garland under a scholarship kindly granted by The Kinder Family Trust and with sponsorship from The Royal Society of Musicians.Tom now works internationally as a performer and composer of Jazz, Classical and Commercial Music. Tom has performed at venues which have included The Royal Albert Hall, Royal Exchange Theatre, Colston Hall, Glastonbury Festival, King's Place London, Band on the Wall, The Royal Philharmonic Hall and the world famous 100 Club as well as for various TV/Radio platforms. His professional life involves work in a variety of disciplines such as session touring and studio work, theatre pit work, multi-instrumental positions and original jazz projects. He accepts commissions from Classical performers for new works, as well as composing for commercial briefs including Film/TV and arranging.Support the show

David Peace on his new novel, Munichs, about the plane crash that transformed Manchester United. Katie Posner, Co-Artistic Director of Paines Plough theatre company and Daniel Evans, Co-Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company discuss the new plays crisis in theatre. Matt Hemley, Deputy Editor of The Stage, reports on the cancellation of a new production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. Artist and author Edmund De Waal, chair of judges for the Booker Prize 2024, reflects on this year's shortlist. Manish Chauhan on his shortlisted story, Pieces, for this year's National Short Story Award.Presenter: Nick Ahad Producer: Ekene Akalawu

For many people, Thomas Coombes will be best known for playing Officer Daniel in the hit Netflix series: Baby Reindeer but Thomas Coombes has had a truly remarkable career prior to the show. During his career, he has tacked Shakespeare at the Globe, playing Gratiano/Prince of Arragon in The Merchant of Venice and has also played Oswald in King Lear at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre. On screen Thomas has also taken on roles in Eastenders as well as Star Wars spin-off The Acolyte. Now, he is returning to the stage for the first time since lockdown began in the West End transfer of the Death of England plays, playing Michael, a role that was originated by Rafe Spall at the National Theatre. This also marks the first time he's performed in a one-person show and he talks to us about the challenges of playing in the round in Clint Dyer and Roy Williams' fast-paced thriller on Modern Britain.In a remarkable new interview, Thomas Coombes reflects over the last few years which has seen him take on roles in Baby Reindeer, Slow Horses and The Acolyte. Now as he continues his run as Michael, he sits down with us to talk about the importance of representation of working class people and their stories. Early on in his career, he won an Offie for his performance as Paul in 'Barbarians', a revival of Barry Keefe's play about youth unemployment and the consequences of that. As Michael now, Thomas Coombes is once again exploring how society influences a man's beliefs and how one's ideology can manifest itself into violence and prejudice. The plays very much reinforce some of the harsher realities of Modern Britain and the divisions that exist, but Thomas also tells us about the humour the show carries and how he hopes that audiences will be able to have a laugh as well as a think about the state of the nation today. Death of England: Michael is currently running at @SohoPlace and will run in rep with Death of England: Delroy and Death of England: Closing Time this Summer.

Martha Loader is simply an awesome person! We talk to her about her love of writing and the steps she has taken to get to an award-winning playwright. Martha also talks about her brilliant play, Bindweed  - soon to be on the stage at the New Wolsey Theatre and the Colchester Mercury.Bindweed is written by Martha Loader, as part of the Mercury Playwrights scheme, and won the Judges' Award at the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting 2022.A Mercury Original co-produced with HighTide and New Wolsey Theatre in association with The Royal Exchange Theatre.Show content advice: This show is recommended to those aged 18+, those aged between 16-18 may attend but will need to be accompanied by an adult. This performance contains swearing, violence, misogynistic conversation, reference to coercive control, rape and sexual assault, reference to murder and suicide, and references to children obtaining and sharing pornography.Thank you for listening to the New Wolsey Theatre Podcast.You're all welcome to get involved and if you'd like to be a guest or like to ask a question to the theatre team, please just get in touch.Email: jparker@wolseytheatre.co.uk (Podcast host and Marketing Officer)All show tickets are on sale HERE.Visit the New Wolsey Theatre website HERE.Thanks to our good friends at podtalk.co.uk for managing and producing our podcast. The New Wolsey Theatre is supported by Arts Council England, Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council.

APRIL  2024Embark on a scenic journey from Manchester to Pool-in-Wharfedale for a captivating acting workshop. Experience the tranquility of the countryside as you travel through rolling hills and lush green landscapes. In Manchester, immerse yourself in the cultural richness of the Royal Exchange Theatre, renowned for its unique circular design and diverse productions. Explore the awe-inspiring Manchester Cathedral, a symbol of history and spirituality, and discover the striking Gandhi statue nearby. Join me as I await the outcome of two short films and anticipate future acting opportunities in Manchester and Leeds. Tune in for tales of night shoots in the woods and studio confessions, along with exciting train excursions and local discoveries.In this episode:Pool-in-WharfedaleRoyal Exchange TheatreManchester CathedralGandhi statueShort film(s) updateWebsite  I  Instagram  I  Twitter  I  LinkedIn  I  YouTubeEmail: actorbobtapper@gmail.comAirbnbBook your stay now!Pool-in-WharfedalePool-in-Wharfedale, located in the Wharfe Valley of West Yorkshire, UK, is a quaint village known for its rural charm and scenic beauty. With traditional stone buildings and rolling hills dotted with sheep, it offers a peaceful retreat from city life. Surrounded by the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park, it's a haven for nature lovers seeking tranquility in the heart of the English countryside.Royal Exchange TheaterThe Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, UK, has been captivating audiences since 1976 with its unique "in the round" design. With its iconic domed ceiling, the theatre is a cultural gem, fostering creativity and community engagement in the heart of Manchester.Manchester Cathedral/Ghandi StatueManchester Cathedral, a historic marvel nestled in the heart of the city, boasts intricate Gothic architecture that mesmerizes visitors with its timeless beauty. Inside, stunning stained glass windows and ornate ceilings evoke a sense of tranquility and reverence. Adjacent to this architectural wonder stands the striking Gandhi statue, a symbol of peace and resilience.  Support the Show.

Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre and Tamasha will present Tanika Gupta's adaptation of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens set during the Indian partition in Bengal, directed by Pooja Ghai, Artistic Director of Tamasha BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Pooja during rehearsals about the production, the history and concept behind Tamasha and a recently announced programme to “diversify dramaturgy” funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Great Expectations will run at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester from 8 September to 7 October 2023. Photo of Pooja Ghai in rehearsals for Great Expectations by Abey Lam

Kimber Lee's provocatively titled winner of the first International Award from the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting in 2019, untitled f*ck m*ss s**gon play, opened in June 2023 at the Royal Exchange Theatre as part of the Manchester International Festival and will transfer to the Young Vic in London later in the year. In the lead role of Kim is Mei Mac, who was nominated for a Best Actress Olivier Award earlier this year for playing 4-year-old Mei Kusakabe in the Royal Shakespeare Company production of My Neighbour Totoro at the Barbican in London. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Mei in the middle of the Manchester run and asked her about performing in this often physical and funny production and the serious questions it raises, as well as her experiences in Totoro with the RSC and director Phelim McDermott. untitled f*ck m*ss s**gon play is at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester until 22 July 2023, then at the Young Vic in London from 18 September to 4 November 2023. (Photo of Mei Mac as Kim by Other Richard - Richard Davenport)

Yorkshire born actor, Samuel Edward-Cook made his screen debut in the BBC One series LAND GIRLS, before landing the role of Danny Whizz-Bang in the highly acclaimed and BAFTA award-winning crime drama PEAKY BLINDERS alongside Cillian Murphy, Joe Cole and Helen McCrory. Other television credits include the ITV miniseries BRIEF ENCOUNTERS, the ITV anthology series INNOCENT, the long-running BBC series SILENT WITNESS, and the Channel 4 comedy-drama PURE. Samuel will soon appear playing Ceri Davies in BETTER, a BBC series by Sister Pictures, the production company behind THIS IS GOING TO HURT, CHERNOBYL and GANGS OF LONDON, among many others. The crime drama follows a corrupt police detective who undergoes a major moral awakening and makes amends of her wrongdoings of the past. The series will also star Leila Farzad (I HATE SUZIE), Andrew Buchan and Anton lesser. Also in 2023, Samuel will play Isaac Hartley in Shane Meadows' highly anticipated BBC drama THE GALLOWS POLE, based on the novel of the same name by Benjamin Myers. Loosely based on true events, the six-part series set in 18th century Yorkshire will recount the rise and fall of David Hartley and the Crag Vale Coiners. The series will also star Michael Socha (PAPILLON), George Mackay (1917), Thomas Turgoose (THIS IS ENGLAND), Tom Burke (THE SOUVENIR) and Sophie McShera (DOWNTON ABBEY). As well as his screen credits, Samuel has numerous theatre credits, including BOYS for Headlong, directed by Robert Icke, Matthew Quintal in Richard Bean's PITCAIRN directed by Max Stafford-Clark, TITUS ANDRONICUS at Shakespeare's Globe, Edmund in Lucy Bailey's contemporary adaptation of KING LEAR, staring David Haigh and portraying Captain Wentworth in the Royal Exchange Theatre production of PERSUASION. His performance as Haimon in Ivo van Hove's production of ANTIGONE alongside Juliette Binoche attracted rave reviews, with theatre critic Stephen Collins praising his “passion” and "extraordinary range of emotions”. The play itself was described as “undeniably impressive” by The Independent and as a "production that combines a sombre aesthetic beauty with a sense of the ambivalence at the heart of Sophocles's play” by The Guardian.

SAMMY SHELDON (Costume Designer) was born in Manchester and started her career at the Royal Exchange Theatre as a costume maker, then studied Costume Design at Wimbledon School of Art 1990 to 1993. After graduating with a degree, she moved into designing costumes for pop promos and advertising, before becoming an assistant designer on films including Ridley Scott's & and Jake Scott's. She went on to design costumes for Ridley Scott's Hawk and the mockumentary & starring Orlando Bloom. Sammy has received BAFTA Film nominations for her work on Morten Tyldum's “The Imitation Game”, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley. “The Merchant of starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons, and a BAFTA TV nomination for the BBC's modern adaptation of The Canterbury Tales: The wife of Bath”. Costume Designers Guild Award nominations for Excellence in Period Film “The Imitation Game”, and Excellence in Fantasy Film “Ex Machina”, “X-Men: First Class” and “V for Vendetta”. Other film credits include “Kick-Ass Hellboy 2: The Golden Army. Differs more recent film credits include “Assassin's Creed” directed by Justin Kurzel, Marvels “ Ant- Man” directed by Peyton Reed, “Annihilation” directed by Alex Garland and “Jurassic World, Fallen Kingdom” directed by J A Bayon. Her most recent films are “Eternals“ directed by Chloe Zhao, and "Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania."

Maxine Peake discusses playing Betty Boothroyd, former Speaker of the House of Commons in Betty! A Sort of Musical, which is about to open at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre. Turner Prize nominated artist Heather Phillipson, best known for her sculpture of a giant cherry topped ice cream on Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth, discusses her exhibition 'RUPTURE NO 1: blowtorching the bitten peach', using recycled materials, video, sculpture, music and poetry, currently on display at Tate Liverpool. Laura Robertson visits Signal Film and Media in Barrow in Furness to hear about how the charity has benefited from the latest Arts Council funding announcement and to find out what they have planned for the future. The artist Tom Phillips has died at the age of 85. In a Front Row interview from 2012, he discusses his long running artistic projects as a painter, printmaker and collagist. Presenter: Shahidha Bari Producer: Olivia Skinner Image: Maxine Peake as Betty Boothroyd, former Speaker of the House of Commons in Betty! A Sort of Musical at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.

Since 2005, Manchester-based property company Bruntwood has worked with the Royal Exchange Theatre to present the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting. The 2022 ceremony was held at the Royal Exchange on 14 November. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to the three of the winners—International Award winner Rochelle Fong, North West Original New Voice winner Patrick Hughes and Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting winner Nathan Queeley-Dennis—immediately after the ceremony about their work and how they felt about their awards.

Five writers and artists not normally associated with classical music, discuss a specific example of Vaughan Williams's work to which they have a personal connection, and why it speaks to them. Following on from the successful Five Kinds of Beethoven Radio 3 essay series in 2020, where a wide range of Beethoven fans shared their personal relationship to the composer and his work, this new series gives similar treatment to Vaughan Williams. Our essayists share their unexpected perspective on Vaughan Williams's work, taking it outside the standard ‘English pastoral' box, in a series of accessible essays, part of the Vaughan Williams season on Radio 3. Essay 5: Amanda Dalton – poet/dramatist As a teenager in a 1970s working-class Coventry family, Amanda Dalton had a flamboyant favourite Uncle Gordon. He introduced Amanda to Vaughan Williams through embarrassing trips to the record shop after school. Amanda remembers the utter mortification of walking through Coventry city centre in her school uniform, Uncle Gordon sweeping along in a dramatically, her schoolmates giggling behind them. Once at the shop, Uncle Gordon waxed lyrical about his favourite composers. He bought Amanda a record of the Sea Symphony. She took it home, played it and was transported. It has remained significant to her ever since, summoning up her childhood, culture and class and what it is to be an outsider. Amanda Dalton is a poet and playwright, tutor, theatre artist and consultant. She is currently a Fellow of the Royal Literary Fund, Associate Artist at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre and a Visiting Teaching Fellow (Script and Poetry) at MMU's Writing School. Amanda has two poetry collections with Bloodaxe, How To Disappear and Stray, and Notes on Water came out in 2022. Her poetry has won awards and prizes in major competitions including the National Poetry Competition and she has been selected as one of the UK's top 20 “Next Generation Poets”. Amanda writes regularly for BBC Radio 3 and 4 – original writing includes a number of original dramas and adaptations. For most of her career, she also worked in the worlds of Education and Creative Engagement. After 13 years as an English and Drama teacher and Deputy Head in comprehensive schools in Leicestershire, she left the formal education sector to be a Centre Director for the Arvon Foundation before becoming a senior leader at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre, working for 18 years in the field of creative learning. Writer and reader Amanda Dalton Sound designer Paul Cargill Producers Polly Thomas and Yusra Warsama Exec producer Eloise Whitmore A Naked Production for BBC Radio 3

The Braw and The Brave is a podcast about people and their passions. N.B. This episode references sexual assault. Please see helpful links below. Episode 188 is in conversation with actor, writer and director Joanne Thomson who from a young age pursued a passion for the performing arts, before going on to graduate with a BA in Acting from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Working extensively in theatre, TV and film, her theatre credits as an actor include work with the National Theatre of Scotland, Bristol Old Vic and the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. Joining the cast of OUTLANDER in Season 6 as new recurring character Amy McCallum, Joanne has also appeared in BBC dramas The Victim and The Suffragettes. A BAFTA Los Angeles Newcomer, she also co-founded the first online BAFTA New Talent Writer's Group. In her writing, Joanne is passionate about amplifying and championing underrepresented voices and navigates the industry and her life with humility and honesty. She recounts the dedication, hard work and tenacity she has ploughed into her craft and how her experiences have shaped her both as an artist and a human being in this ever challenging world. Enjoy! Joanne's links https://www.joannethomson.co.uk https://instagram.com/joannethomson22?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= https://twitter.com/joannethomson22?s=21&t=UZAQ96FQhiBeyxYQswMmmA Helpful links Rape Crisis national freephone helpline 0808 802 9999 (12 to 2.30pm and 7 to 9.30pm every day of the year) https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/ https://www.victimsupport.org.uk Free counselling services for Equity members: https://www.equity.org.uk/at-work/bullying-harassment/mental-health-resources/ If you've enjoyed this episode you can help support the production of future episodes by clicking on the Ko-Fi link below. Many thanks. https://ko-fi.com/thebrawandthebrave Follow The Braw and The Brave https://www.instagram.com/thebrawandthebravepodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/TheBrawandTheBrave https://twitter.com/BrawBrave See https://soundcloud.com/ for privacy and terms of use

Welcome to the bluedot podcast.This is the third instalment of our In Conversation miniseries of talks and panels in Manchester, powered by our friends at bruntwood. In this live discussion, we pose the question 'how does culture build community?'. Hosted by bruntwood's and The Oglesby Charitable Trust's Kate Vokes, and featuring Band On The Wall's Gavin Sharp, Inga Hirst from the Royal Exchange Theatre and actor and spoken word artist Boshra Ghgam, this panel discusses Manchester's cultural milestones, and wider implications of what culture can do for a city, and vice-versa. Explore the rest of our bruntwood In Conversation miniseries on the bluedot YouTube channel or on the bluedot podcast, wherever you get your podcasts! Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

The Mill has spent the week reporting on the situation at the Royal Exchange Theatre, which has cancelled its summer show and has been hit very hard by the pandemic. Joshi was given an interview with the theatre's top leaders on Tuesday, and talks to Darryl about what the problems are at the Exchange, and who is to blame. The story includes moving quotes from former staff members who were laid off by the Royal Exchange in 2020, and who say the company's treatment of them doesn't fit with its public ethos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emerging playwright Tim Foley is in the distinctive position of having won a prize for every play of his that has been staged. He joins Front Row to discuss his third play, Electric Rosary – a sci-fi exploration of religion and science in the company of a group of nuns and a robot - which has just opened at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. Based on the graphic novel by Alice Oseman, Heartstopper is the new Netflix LGBTQ+ drama set in a British high school about teen friendship and young romance. Jack Remmington is in the studio to review. Music critic and author Jessica Duchen picks out some of the highlights in the Proms 2022 season and gives us her thoughts on the programme. Viola player Lawrence Power performs live.

Abbi Greenland is a performer and theatre maker. She is ⅓ of the physical theatre company RashDash, an associate company of the Royal Exchange Theatre. She has performed up and down the country from London to Edinburgh to Manchester.  Her word of the day in March 2020 was Uncertainty.  CW: This episode contains discussion of abortion.  CONNECT WITH ABBI:  I: @abbigreenland #AnthemsWomen2022 is a collection of 7 original manifestos, speeches, stories, poems and rallying cries written and voiced by exceptional women brought out of the Anthems vault. This is a Broccoli Production. RESOURCES British Pregnancy Advisory Service The UK's leading abortion care service  Website: https://www.bpas.org/ Marie Stopes UK Marie Stopes International is an international non-governmental organisation providing contraception and safe abortion services  Website: https://www.mariestopes.org.uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest Costume Designer Sammy Sheldon Differ and Host Robert Meyer Burnett special interview dedicated to Marvel's The Eternals   SAMMY SHELDON DIFFER (Costume Designer) was born in Manchester and started her career at the Royal Exchange Theatre as a costume maker, then studied Costume Design at Wimbledon School of Art from 1990 to 1993. After graduating with a degree, she moved into designing costumes for pop promos and advertising, before becoming an assistant designer on films including Ridley Scott's & and Jake Scott's. She went on to design costumes for Ridley Scott's Hawk and the mockumentary & starring Orlando Bloom. Sammy has received BAFTA Film nominations for her work on Morten Tyldum's “The Imitation Game”, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley. “The Merchant of starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons, and a BAFTA TV nomination for the BBC's modern adaptation of The Canterbury Tales: The Wife of Bath”. Costume Designers Guild Award nominations for Excellence in Period Film “The Imitation Game”, and Excellence in Fantasy Film “Ex Machina”, “X-Men: First Class” and “V for Vendetta”. Other film credits include “Kick-Ass Hellboy 2: The Golden Army. Differs more recent film credits include “Assassin's Creed” directed by Justin Kurzel, Marvel's “ Ant-Man” directed by Peyton Reed, “Annihilation” directed by Alex Garland, and “Jurassic World, Fallen Kingdom” directed by J A Bayon. Her latest film, just to be released is Marvels “Eternals“ directed by Chloe Zhao, and She is currently working on Marvels “Ant-man and the Wasp, Quantumania”   Produced by Martika Ibarra   Sponsored by Fox Studios Costumes! @fox studios Costumes! With an extensive array of costumes and textiles from all eras, the Fox on-lot warehouse provides customers an opportunity to turn their ideas into works of art.​ Contemporary clothing & accessories, Alterations & made-to-order pieces, Offices & Prep Cages, Fitting Rooms, Wash & Dye Facilities, Jewelry Room, Walkabouts, Specialty Items We are so proud to be collaborating with Fox Studios and look forward to bringing you some great new episodes with high profile talented movie professionals!   Check out https://www.foxcostumes.com/ Follow & subscribe to our podcast show on Itunes, Spotify, Youtube, Deezer, Alexa & Siri voice search!  

In this episode, I talk to one of my favourite comedians, JUSTIN MOORHOUSE about his comedy career. Moorhouse began his career at the famous Frog and Bucket Comedy Club in Manchester and in 2002, he won a local comedy competition appearing at The Comedy Store in the city.  This led to touring and appearing as Young Kenny in the Channel 4 classic comedy series Phoenix Nights alongside Peter Kay and a wonderful cast.  He has also been a radio DJ, and actor appearing on stage at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, in the film Looking For Eric released in 2009 and on TV in Coronation Street in 2014.  Moorhouse is a popular MC at The Comedy Store both in Manchester and London and he regularly performs stand-up comedy across Britain. I have seen Moorhouse perform many times to great acclaim with his solo Edinburgh Fringe shows from 2007 to 2010 and 2014 to 2018 as well as for The Comedy Store, Always Be Comedy, Return of The Craic and Headliners Comedy Club from 2019 to 2021.  I always look forward to seeing his name on a bill and whenever I have watched him, he has made me consistently laugh out loud until my sides ache. Thank you so much for listening to my podcast, if you like what you hear, please subscribe and I hope you enjoy the interview. Please read Justin Moorhouse's blog at: www.arichcomiclife.blog/2020/07/28/justin-moorhouse/ Justin Moorhouse's Links: Facebook: www.facebook.com/justinmoorhouse Twitter: www.twitter.com/justinmoorhouse Instagram: www.instagram.com/justinmoorhouse/ Website: www.justinmoorhouse.com  

Producer-director Sarah Smith made her animation debut with the festive favourite, Arthur Christmas. Ten years on she's back with Ron's Gone Wrong, a warm-hearted romp with a robot and a critique of social media's impact on young minds. For this week's audio postcard, presenter and local boy Nick Ahad is in Bradford. He dons his hard hat to check out what's happening at the famous art deco building, known as the Bradford Odeon, as it's turned into a new cultural centre for live music. He also visits Kala Sangam, an intercultural arts centre established by two consultant doctors that provides a place for locals to try new arts and crafts and which supports local artists and arts organisations. And he meets one of those emerging local artists, playwright and actor Kamal Kaan. And how can theatre respond to a seismic event like the coronavirus pandemic, or the murder of George Floyd? Erica Whyman, Acting Artistic Director of The RSC and Roy Alexander Weise, joint Artistic Director of the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, discuss the experience of returning to their respective productions of The Winter's Tale and The Mountaintop with fresh eyes and renewed urgency. Presenter: Nick Ahad Producer: Ekene Akalawu Photo: Nick Ahad at The Bradford Odeon building site Photo credit: Mark Nicholson

Stories that stick podcast has been on a Summer break and we're currently working on new episodes, but in the interim here's the best of Stories that Stick episode 17 - 21. We feature the following: EP 17, Gemma Cairney, Broadcaster (her work can be seen and heard on The Sound Odyssey on BBC 4 and The Leisure Society on BBC 6) and you can follow her on Twitter @GemCairn. EP 18 with Roy Alexander Weise, 1/2 Director and CEO of Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester and you can follow him on Twitter @RAWeiseArtist. EP 19 with Alim Kamara, a hip-hop artist and storyteller, and he's available for motivation and inspirational talk - visit storiestorie.com or follow him on Twitter @alimkamara for more info. EP 20 with Charlotte Williams, founder of SevenSix agency which is an inclusive and talent management agency. You can follow Charlotte on Instagram @charlottesevensix. EP21 with David Elikwu, an entrepreneur and founder of Democratic Republic (which sells coffee and wine), you can check out David on Twitter (and you'll be signposted to the rest of his amazing work) @Delikwu That's all for this week best of Stories that Stick, but please do check out the full episodes, respectively, and if you'd like to be featured on Stories that Stick then please do get in touch via email contact@blacticulate.com. Have a great week, Ade

Well hello our little hot girl summers. How are we doing? It's been SIX WEEKS since our last confession/ podcast and we have missed you and it!  But needs must when the beach calls and the devil drives. We have lots to catch up on this week from summer holiday antics, Lucy's writing success (already picked out my room in her future McMansion), Olivia's Nancy Meyer's obsession and an in-depth review of Lauryn Redding's amazing one-woman show 'Bloody Elle' at the Royal Exchange Theatre, if you like early noughties lesbian nostalgia, big lols and big cries, this is an absolute must-see theatre experience. We review our latest queer TV favourites from Feel Good S2 to the final season of Shrill, discuss to club or not to club in a less-restricted world and debate the age old question, can you date your mates?  SUMMER, 2021! Tracks of the Week: DJ Sammy Feat. Yanou & Do, 'Heaven': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbwpU2TywB8  Cascada, 'Evacuate The Dancefloor': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A68j28KQaik 

*All Talking Classical podcasts on SoundCloud have been redirected to Anchor.* In this podcast, I'm showcasing Alternative Classical's new concert video jukebox Concert Roulette and Chris Warner's new album Wonders of the Cosmos. Concert Roulette Concert Roulette is a new video jukebox created by Alternative Classical specifically for this current crisis. All live concerts have been cancelled so streaming has become the way audiences are accessing music at this time. Viewers are presented with a randomly selected YouTube video from renaissance choral music to an experimental solo piece but you can either watch that particular performance or click onto the next one just like your streaming playlist. As people around the world are staying at home and looking for content to keep them entertained, Concert Roulette is a brilliant way to introduce new audiences to classical music without prior knowledge. To start your Concert Roulette, please go to alternativeclassical.co.uk/concert-roulette. Chris Warner The album was recorded in Ely Cathedral and at Abbey Road Studios, combining the amazing tonalities of the cathedral organ with gorgeous strings. It also features British soprano Grace Davidson, set amongst the 6-second reverberation of the cathedral. I talked to Chris on Zoom about combining his passion for astronomy with storytelling, framing his album around Ely Cathedral's organ, and advice for composers in today's digital age. To learn more about the album and Chris, please go to chriswarnermusic.com. Many thanks to Robert Shone at WildKat PR and Chris for their time! Interview recorded 29th April 2020; podcast published 13th May 2020. Chris Warner is a composer, sound designer, arranger, orchestrator and an avid astronomer. Having worked as a composer for the some of the finest UK theatres, including The RSC, the Lyric Theatre Belfast and The Royal Exchange Theatre, Chris dedicates his craft to telling stories through music and sound. Recent credits include original songs and music for Much Ado About Nothing at the prestigious Shakespeare At The Tobacco Factory and the original score and sound design for Olivier Award-Winning playwright Marie Jones' new play 'Archie in Manhatten'. PlayScore 2 - The App That Sight Reads Your Sheet Music #ad PlayScore 2 is an amazing app that lets you play any music by taking a photo of your score. You can even scan in PDFs from a free sheet music site like IMSLP. If you don't read music, you can hear what it sounds like, or PlayScore 2 can accompany you in any key. If you sing in a choir, you can isolate your part on its own or with others in the background. PlayScore 2 also exports to score editors such as Dorico, MuseScore or Finale. Download PlayScore 2 from your app store! playscore.co --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/talking-classical-podcast/message

In two days' time, the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester will open its doors to an audience for the first time in over a year. And the first show to be presented will be a one-woman gig musical, a debut play from actor Lauryn Redding, she talks to Nick about penning the songs and the script and playing all the characters in Bloody Elle. Writer and director Harry MacQueen talks about his new film Supernova, starring Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci as a couple struggling with a diagnosis of early-onset dementia who take a road trip together to reconnect with friends, family and places from their past. The Venice Architecture Biennale 2021 this summer is exploring the theme ‘How Will We Live Together?' Architecture critic Oliver Wainwright tells us about the exhibitions on display at this year's festival and what architecture can do to tackle big questions. And we talk to Cardiff Singer of the World Audience Prize winner Claire Barnett-Jones. Presenter: Nick Ahad Producer: Ekene Akalawu Main image: Lauryn Redding Image Credit: Pippa Rankin

Phoebe speaks to Morayo about how her love of writing helped her pivot careers—from chemical engineering to marketing and communications in the arts. Morayo shares how she realised that she needed to change jobs, what she did to make sure she knew it was the right decision and who helped her along the way. She also talks about how her love of telling stories is at the heart of her role at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. Morayo's experience shows that you could be great at marketing and communications if you're curious about what makes people tick and enjoy telling people about the things you love. It also shows that you can transition into the creative sector, especially if you're driven by a passion for the work, the organisation or the role you're after. Arts Work is brought to you by Sadler's Wells in association with Barclays Dance Pass. You can find: transcripts and details on the full series here more information on Barclays Dance Pass here follow Sadler's Wells on Twitter @Sadlers_Wells follow Morayo on Twitter here @MoRay_13 And follow the Royal Exchange Theatre on Twitter @rxtheatre Mo's resource recommendations: The Drum Arts Marketing Association Bozoma Saint John @badassboz Campaign Skylar MarchaiDigital Culture Network Google Digital Garage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's not stepping out on stage at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester that actress Julie Hesmondhalgh misses for the most. It's the cast, characters and atmosphere of the backstage world to which she longs to return. This podcast was recorded under lockdown conditions with each podcaster remembering the sounds, sensations and feelings of their special place. Narration: Charlotte Andrew. Producer: Paul Shuttleworth, Sara Parker and Trevor Aston. Executive Producer: Kathryn Morrison.

Matthew is a self-taught theatre director, DJ, composer, broadcaster and journalist. He's worked with the Young Vic, the Royal Exchange Theatre and DJ'd at Glastonbury festival He's a founding member of Act for Change, a trustee of Artistic Directors of the Future and a trustee of Cardboard Citizens. Currently, he is the Artistic Director for the Actor's Touring Company. matthewxia.com

Back with more new episodes for 2021, Nottingham Playhouse’s Amplify Producer Craig Gilbert chats to more artists of national and international renown in our Amplify Podcast series. These conversations cover career and process, as well as offering a few ideas to explore from home during this time of social distancing. This week Craig is chatting to Matthew Xia.Matthew Xia (Director) is the Artistic Director at ATC (Actors Touring Company), a company dedicated to producing and touring new international and cross-cultural plays. Matthew was previously Associate Artistic Director at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Director in Residence at The Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, and Associate Director at Theatre Royal Stratford East.Directing credits for the ATC include: Amsterdam (Plymouth Theatre Royal / The Orange Tree).Credits for Nottingham Playhouse include: Shebeen (Nottingham Playhouse and Theatre Royal Stratford East) and One Night In Miami.Other directing credits include: Blood Knot (The Orange Tree); Blue/Orange, The Sound of Yellow and Sizwe Banzi is Dead (Young Vic & Eclipse); Dublin Carol (Sherman Theatre);Eden (Hampstead Downstairs); Suckerpunch: Boom Suite (The Barbican & NitroBEAT); Migration Music and Scrappers (Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse); Frankenstein, Wish List (also Royal Court), Into the Woods and Brink (Royal Exchange Manchester); Cinderella, The Blacks and I was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky (Co-Director, Theatre Royal Stratford East & The Barbican); Mad Blud and Aladdin (Associate Director) and Sleeping Beauty (Theatre Royal Stratford East); Soundbites: Ruth the Divorcee and Barry the Love-Sick Bee (Lyric Theatre Studio & Bestival); Soundbites: Abandonment (Rich Mix); and Wild Child (Royal Court Rough Cut).Composing/Sound Design credits include: Paralympics Opening Ceremony (DJ); The People are Singing (Royal Exchange); Free Run (Underbelly); That’s The Way To Do It(TimeWontWait); Pass The Baton and Bolero Remixed (New London Orchestra); Da Boyz, Family Man, The Snow Queen, Hansel and Gretel, Medea and Squid (Theatre Royal Stratford East).Matthew is a founding member of Act for Change and a trustee for Cardboard Citizens and Artistic Directors of the Future.

Howard Sherman's Another Day's Begun: Thornton Wilder's Our Town in the 21st Century (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2021) provides a fascinating tour of contemporary productions of Wilder's great play.  Why does this play from 1938 continue to speak to contemporary audiences, and how does it speak differently in different settings? How is it both timeless and continually timely? And how have contemporary stagings dealt with its reputation as a wholesome, dull chestnut? Whether performed in a maximum security prison, at a hospital, or at prestigious theatres like Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre, Our Town communicates a universal message about paying careful attention to the small details of life. The "our" of its title refers not just to fictional Grover's Corners, New Hampshire, but to all of us. Andy Boyd is a playwright based in Brooklyn, New York. He is a graduate of the playwriting MFA at Columbia University, Harvard University, and the Arizona School for the Arts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm

Howard Sherman's Another Day's Begun: Thornton Wilder's Our Town in the 21st Century (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2021) provides a fascinating tour of contemporary productions of Wilder's great play.  Why does this play from 1938 continue to speak to contemporary audiences, and how does it speak differently in different settings? How is it both timeless and continually timely? And how have contemporary stagings dealt with its reputation as a wholesome, dull chestnut? Whether performed in a maximum security prison, at a hospital, or at prestigious theatres like Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre, Our Town communicates a universal message about paying careful attention to the small details of life. The "our" of its title refers not just to fictional Grover's Corners, New Hampshire, but to all of us. Andy Boyd is a playwright based in Brooklyn, New York. He is a graduate of the playwriting MFA at Columbia University, Harvard University, and the Arizona School for the Arts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm

Howard Sherman's Another Day's Begun: Thornton Wilder's Our Town in the 21st Century (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2021) provides a fascinating tour of contemporary productions of Wilder's great play.  Why does this play from 1938 continue to speak to contemporary audiences, and how does it speak differently in different settings? How is it both timeless and continually timely? And how have contemporary stagings dealt with its reputation as a wholesome, dull chestnut? Whether performed in a maximum security prison, at a hospital, or at prestigious theatres like Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre, Our Town communicates a universal message about paying careful attention to the small details of life. The "our" of its title refers not just to fictional Grover's Corners, New Hampshire, but to all of us. Andy Boyd is a playwright based in Brooklyn, New York. He is a graduate of the playwriting MFA at Columbia University, Harvard University, and the Arizona School for the Arts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm

Howard Sherman's Another Day's Begun: Thornton Wilder's Our Town in the 21st Century (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2021) provides a fascinating tour of contemporary productions of Wilder's great play.  Why does this play from 1938 continue to speak to contemporary audiences, and how does it speak differently in different settings? How is it both timeless and continually timely? And how have contemporary stagings dealt with its reputation as a wholesome, dull chestnut? Whether performed in a maximum security prison, at a hospital, or at prestigious theatres like Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre, Our Town communicates a universal message about paying careful attention to the small details of life. The "our" of its title refers not just to fictional Grover's Corners, New Hampshire, but to all of us. Andy Boyd is a playwright based in Brooklyn, New York. He is a graduate of the playwriting MFA at Columbia University, Harvard University, and the Arizona School for the Arts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Howard Sherman's Another Day's Begun: Thornton Wilder's Our Town in the 21st Century (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2021) provides a fascinating tour of contemporary productions of Wilder's great play.  Why does this play from 1938 continue to speak to contemporary audiences, and how does it speak differently in different settings? How is it both timeless and continually timely? And how have contemporary stagings dealt with its reputation as a wholesome, dull chestnut? Whether performed in a maximum security prison, at a hospital, or at prestigious theatres like Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre, Our Town communicates a universal message about paying careful attention to the small details of life. The "our" of its title refers not just to fictional Grover's Corners, New Hampshire, but to all of us. Andy Boyd is a playwright based in Brooklyn, New York. He is a graduate of the playwriting MFA at Columbia University, Harvard University, and the Arizona School for the Arts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm

In today's episode we were joined by Roy Alexander Weise, joint Artistic Director of the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester and a Tutor at Open Door, with a string of renowned theatre productions to his name. We were also joined by Iyce Kariuki, a freelance stage technician and carpenter who has done work at the National Theatre and other venues around the UK. Join us as we discuss negotiating their career choices with 1st generation immigrant parents, the contrast in the role that theatre is meant to play in society and the reality, as well as navigating the creative arts as Black people in a predominantly white, affluent space.

Leading black British theatre company Talawa, which will celebrate its 35th birthday in 2021, is releasing a series of short online films titled Tales from the Frontline that examine the experiences of black frontline workers during the coronavirus pandemic through monologues compiled from the words of real people through interviews. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Talawa’s Artistic Director, Michael Buffong, who also directed the first of the films, after two of the proposed six films had been released: one from the perspective of a schoolteacher and the other from the words of an NHS recovery worker. They spoke about the reasons behind a project that Michael believes is essential to make sure that the contributions made by black workers to the essential services that keep the country functioning during the current crisis are documented so that they are not forgotten. They also spoke about plans for Talawa’s 35th birthday celebrations next year, and about the impressive list of productions that Michael has directed at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre over nearly two decades. Tales from the Frontline can be watched for free on Talawa’s web site and YouTube channel, although donations are being requested for the charity Black Minds Matter UK. (Photo of Michael Buffong, credit: The Masons)

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

Ever wandered what the creative process is behind the films, tv shows and theatre productions you watch? Well, crew chats is a podcast going behind the scenes and chatting to the crew that help make these productions. Vicky Westgarth studied 3D Crafts at the University of Brighton. After graduating Vicky did a job making books for kids with learning and physical disabilities for a year and later went travelling. Upon returning, Vicky wasn’t sure which direction she wanted to take her career in and so began by doing some work experience at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, which then led to paid work. From this Vicky began working for Costume Props Maker Ivo Coveney for a number of years on films and theatre productions across the country before moving to London as a costume props and jewellery maker in the film industry. More recently Vicky has moved to Dorset, with her young family, where she works as a freelance maker. Vicky has worked on productions such as a, ‘Exodus’, ‘Thor: The dark World’, ‘Assassin’s Creed’, ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ and ‘The King’s Man’ to name a few. Vicky's Reccomendations: -Bedknobs & Broomsticks -Honey, I Shrunk the Kids/ The Borrowers -Game of Thrones

Ever wandered what the creative process is behind the films, tv shows and theatre productions you watch? Well, crew chats is a new podcast going behind the scenes and chatting to the crew that help make these productions. Sammy Sheldon Differ knew she wanted to be a costume designer ever since she was a child and began her career at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester as a costume maker and dresser and went onto study Costume Design at the Wimbledon College of Art. After graduating, Sammy went on to designing music videos and commercials before becoming an assistant designer on films such as The Gladiator. Sammy went onto be a costume designer for many well-known films including, The Imitation Game, for which she was nominated for a BAFTA, Ant-Man, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and more recently Artemis Fowl and the upcoming Marvel film The Eternals. Sammy's Reccommendations: -Blade Runner -Star Wars: A New Hope -Hypernormlisation Documentary

New episode with Roy Alexander Weise (MBE), co-Artistic Director of the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, and Director of plays such as 'Nine Nights, The Mountaintop, Master Harold and the boys' to name but a few. Roy spoke about the learnings he gained from biblical stories (fun fact Roy could’ve ended up a Pastor), the UK education system penalising ‘energy, and of course, the stories that made a huge impact on him like ‘The Chatroom’ a play by Enda Walsh. You can contact Roy on:Twitter: https://twitter.com/RAWeiseArtist And as always, please subscribe, rate and review because it really does help us grow. You're the best!Blacticulate

Adam Macqueen talks to Kirsty about his debut novel, Beneath the Streets, a counterfactual thriller set in London in the 1970s which imagines what might have happened had Liberal politician Jeremy Thorpe successfully arranged the murder of his ex-lover Norman Scott. The story, the historic version of which was recently dramatized by Russell T. Davies for television, features a cast of real-life characters including Prime Minister Harold Wilson, his senior adviser Lady Falkender, gay Labour peer Tom Driberg and the investigative journalist Paul Foot. Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson is Front Row’s Artist in Residence during the lockdown, performing live for us each week on the concert grand in the empty Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik. Tonight he plays an enigmatic piece by the French 18th Century composer Rameau, called La Cupis. Bryony Shanahan is joint artistic director of the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. Dave Moutrey is Chief Executive at the venue HOME and Director of Culture for Manchester City Council. They talk about the challenges they face now their institutions are closed. What about their staff and their finances? Will things ever be the same again and what of their own working lives? What do they do, day to day, now? Last night the National Theatre streamed its popular production of Treasure Island and it is available, free, until next Thursday. When the show opened in the Olivier auditorium audiences were amazed by the set - it's a ship, a pub, a cave and a strange, pulsating island. And a pirate's corpse. It's impressive still on television. Kirsty talked to the designer, Lizzie Clachan on the set during a rehearsal just before the show opened, and we revisit this tonight. The Front Row Masterclass series continues. Amanda Litherland, presenter of 4 Extra’s Podcast Radio Hour and novelist and nature writer Melissa Harrison (who has just launched her own nature podcast The Stubborn Light Of Things) join Kirsty to talk about how to make your own podcast. The great American actor Brian Dennehy has died. His was a wide ranging career in films, on television and in the theatre. He was hailed for his performance as Willy Loman in the 50th anniversary production of Death of a Salesman, for which he won both a Tony and a Laurence Olivier Award. He spoke about his approach to this role in a programme called Playing the Salesman, and we hear some of his thoughts. Presenter: Kirsty Lang Producer: Julian May

“We are more than faces at windows held high” How often do we hear the voices of the residents of Tower Blocks? In a collaboration between The Royal Exchange Theatre and One Manchester housing association the residents of four high-rise blocks in Manchester created ‘Can you Hear Me From Up Here?’. Produced by Tracie Daly the performance explores the lived experience of Tenants and attitudes towards people who live in social housing, prejudices and stigma, isolation, and the hopes and aspirations of those housed there. The residents performed a sequence from their play. Join in the conversation online using #BeingtheStory

New Amazon Original docudrama The Report sees an idealistic Washington staffer played by Adam Driver tasked by his senator boss to lead an investigation of the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation Program, which was created in the aftermath of 9/11. His relentless pursuit of the truth leads to explosive findings that uncover the lengths to which the nation’s top intelligence agency went to destroy evidence, subvert the law, and hide a brutal secret from the American public. Kirsty Lang talks to The Report’s writer and director Scott Z Burns. Anyone over 16 can enter an unperformed play to the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting, have it judged by theatre experts, with the possibility of winning part of the £40,000 prize fund and a chance of working with the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester towards its production. This year there were 2,561 entries, whittled down to a shortlist of 15. Today the winner will be announced and Kirsty Lang will talk to that lucky that playwright and one of the judges, also a previous winner, Anna Jordan. In her poems Katrina Porteous has explored nature, place and time through the local, writing about the coast of Northumberland and its fishing communities, often in their dialect. But in the past few years she has been inspired by the work of research scientists, space telescopes and the Large Hadron Collider. In her new collection, Edge, she concerns extend beyond the human scale. She writes about the tiny - sub atomic particles - and the vast, the moons of Saturn and the workings of the sun. Katrina Porteous talks to Kirsty Lang about how, with no background in science approach particle physics and cosmology, she writes poems about them, poems that the general reader can understand. Presenter: Kirsty Lang Producer: Julian May

In their new film, The Good Liar, Ian McKellen plays Roy Courtnay, a con artist who when he meets Betty McLeish, a well-to-widow played by Helen Mirren, can't believe his luck. Sir Ian talks to John Wilson about this role, which involves playing someone who is himself acting. Guilt, a new 4-part BBC Two drama set in Edinburgh, stars Mark Bonnar and Jamie Sives as two very different brothers who find themselves having to join forces when they run over and kill a man. As they cover their tracks they begin to discover they can trust no-one, including each other. Critic Hannah McGill reviews the contemporary black comedy drama. The Observer’s theatre critic Susannah Clapp said of Sarah Frankcom, artistic director of the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, that she was 'creating England’s first mainstream feminist theatre'. Now Frankcom is directing her final production there, Light Falls by Simon Stephens. She talks about this drama of a northern family, her collaborations with Stephens, who has written several plays for the Exchange and, especially, Maxine Peake, whom she cast as Hamlet. Frankcom's next job will be running the drama school LAMDA and she tells John Wilson of her concern about the training of actors because of the expense and the decline of drama teaching in schools. Presenter: John Wilson Producer: Julian May

Temi sits down with Abbi Greenland, Becky Wilkie and Helen Goalen from the prolific and highly respected company, RashDash.  In this episode, Abbi, Becky and Helen talk about how RashDash formed and what they consider a RashDash show. From working physically and utilising live music; RashDash explore how they tackle a play and work together as a company. This thought-provoking discussion delves into the innovative collective that is RashDash.In 2018 RashDash staged a highly original adaptation of Anton Chekhov's Three Sisters - at The Yard Theatre in London - in collaboration with the Royal Exchange Theatre. Their acclaimed back catalogue includes The Darkest Corners, Two Man Show, Snow White and Rose Red, We Want You to Watch and Oh, I Can't Be Bothered. For more information on RashDash, check out their website:  https://www.rashdash.co.uk/ (https://www.rashdash.co.uk/)

What would you ask your hero? Phelim McDermott, director and co-founder of Improbable Theatre, is making a stage show with Philip Glass - his long-term hero and creative inspiration. After years of following Glass from afar Phelim now has the chance to meet him, and to ask whatever he wants. The only problem is that Phelim has no idea what to ask. In search of the perfect question, Phelim explores his dreams, dredges up memories and speaks to those who know him best, going to the very core of where ideas come from. Including contributions from Matilda McDermott, Ridley McDermott and co-director Kirsty Housley. Music by Philip Glass and Vicky Clarke. Hosted by Isaiah Hull. Produced by Eliza Lomas. A Reduced Listening and Manchester International Festival production. Tickets are still available for Tao of Glass, open at the Royal Exchange Theatre until Saturday 20 July.

Co-Artistic Director of Freedom Studios Aisha Khan, speaks to award-winning screenwriter writer Lisa Holdsworth (Ackley Bridge, Waterloo Road and Call the Midwife) and director Kash Arshad (Airplays, Leeds Playhouse and Memories of Partition, Royal Exchange Theatre) about adapting Black Teeth and a Brilliant Smile by Adelle Stripe for the stage.

Braham Murray OBE arrived in Manchester in the 1960s as the youngest artistic director in the country, of the travelling Century Theatre, remaining in the city to co-found the 69 Theatre Company which went on to become the Royal Exchange Theatre, still one of the UK’s leading regional theatres. Murray died in 2018 at the age of 75, but BTG editor David Chadderton spoke to him in 2011 when he had just announced that he would leave the theatre he co-founded 35 years earlier. He spoke about working with Century Theatre's travelling auditorium, forming the 69 Theatre Company at the University Theatre (now Contact) and the process of designing the unique Royal Exchange Theatre module, as well as the rebuilding of the theatre after the 1996 IRA bomb. This interview was originally recorded for TheatreVoice in 2011, but we are reissuing it as a tribute to a man who was very influential in helping to turn Manchester into a major theatrical centre. For more information about the Royal Exchange Theatre, see www.royalexchange.co.uk. (Photo of Braham Murray, credit: Mia Rose)

Cheryl Hole Ophelia Love Kitty Scott Claus ‬Tuckshop Live Featuring Awkward Conversations with Animals I’ve fucked. King’s Head Theatre. All My Sons. The Old Vic. ‪Rocky Horror Show. Bromley Churchill Theatre‬. Gretel! The Other Palace. Underbelly Festival.‪ Meth. Taylor Trash. Poppy Cock. Tayce. ‬West Side Story. The Royal Exchange Theatre. Market Boy. The Union Theatre.

The 2019 Manchester International Festival will take place at various venues around the city in July. An edited version of the main presentation at the MIF launch on 7 March can be heard in a previous British Theatre Guide podcast episode, but we also spoke directly to some of the artists involved. We asked MIF Artistic Director John McGrath for his highlights of the theatre programme and how Manchester has changed since he was head of the city's Contact Theatre. We also spoke to Leo Warner of 59 Productions about his collaboration with choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, writer Lolita Chakrabarti and Rambert Dance on an adaptation of Italo Calvino's novel Invisible Cities. Finally, we asked director Phelim McDermott about Tao of Glass, his collaboration with composer Philip Glass on a new stage performance featuring ten brand new pieces of music composed by Glass. Invisible Cities will be performed at Mayfield beside Piccadilly Station in Manchester from 4 to 14 July. Tao of Glass will be at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester from 11 to 20 July. The Manchester International Festival 2019 will take place at various venues from 4 to 21 July. Photos: John McGrath, MIF Artistic Director and Chief Executive introduces the MIF19 programme. Image credit Tarnish Vision. Leo Warner, Lolita Chakrabarti, Benoit Swan Pouffer—Invisible Cities. Image credit Joel Chester Fildes. Philip Glass and Phelim McDermott. Image credit Rod Morata.

Here we catch up with actress Julie Hesmondalgh to chat candidly about her life as an actress including 15 years as Soap Opera’s first transgender character Hayley Cropper. Hayley tackled everything from gender recognition and picking knickers to pancreatic cancer and assisted suicide in Coronation Street. Julie also shares her memories of amazing teachers and drama schools, building a theatre in a basement, being a street cleaner and receiving the freedom of Accrington & Hyndburn. Julie is about to perform Mother Courage at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre and has a new book ‘Julie Hesmondhalgh – A Working Diary’ just published by Methuen Drama. Listen and subscribe on iTunes or Spotify for a full list of all episodes of Forever Manchester Meets.

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

On the 8th July 2018, around 70 people gathered in The Rivals Cafe at the Royal Exchange Theatre to hear the budding writers behind My Voice In The City perform their pieces. Thank you to everybody involved, including Andy Barry (Royal Exchange Theatre) and Sarah Butler.

Joe interviews the former Associate Artistic Director at the Royal Exchange Theatre. Having directed productions at the Young Vic, the Royal Court and Theatre Royal Stratford, Matthew has just finished three years at the Royal Exchange, and helped create the venue's Open Exchange network for artists in the city. He talks to Joe about his career so far, what inspires his choice of plays, and how theatre needs to adapt and change in the future. 

Talking to the Royal Exchange's Mark Dobson and Sarah Frankcom about the history of the theatre, its radical past, its youth programmes, the wonderful building and its place in the city

The actor and writer Maxine Peake meets the musician and performance artist Cosey Fanni Tutti. Maxine Peake was born just outside Bolton. Her television credits include leading roles in the series Dinnerladies, Shameless and Silk. In 2014 she played Hamlet at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester. She has written for radio and the stage, and her play about Lillian Bilocca - who campaigned for better safety in the fishing industry - was part of Hull's City of Culture celebrations. Cosey Fanni Tutti was born in Hull, and began her artistic career there in 1969, when she joined a subversive art collective called COUM Transmissions. Founded by Genesis P-Orridge, the group staged surreal events or interventions around Hull and beyond. Cosey worked for two years as a model for sex magazines and films to create a show about pornography and the sex industry called Prostitution. When it opened at the Institute of Contemporary Art in 1976, it prompted walkouts, made headlines, and provoked questions in Parliament. Cosey co-founded the industrial music band Throbbbing Gristle with Genesis P-Orridge, Peter Christopherson and Chris Carter. Chris and Cosey later created their own band and now perform under the name Carter Tutti. Producer Clare Walker.

Kim Wilde joins presenters Aasmah Mir and Richard Coles. She sold ten million albums, and after retiring, having a family and then a successful gardening career, has returned to the stage. She has a new album out and is about to embark on her first UK tour for 30 years. We also have Helen Tse who is a lawyer, writer and restaurateur whose book about her family story, Sweet Mandarin - also the name of her restaurant - has been turned into a play about to open at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. Lutalo Muhammad is a British taekwondo athlete who represented Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Olympics, winning a bronze medal, and the 2016 Summer Olympics, winning a silver medal. He won the Gold medal in the -87 kg class at the 2012 European Taekwondo Championships. John Connell is a writer and a farmer. Farming has been in his family for generations but he never intended to follow in his father's footsteps. He followed the academic route, going to study in Australia, becoming a documentary maker and then to Canada, but he ended up finding his way back to the family farm in County Longford, Ireland and began to learn the ways of the farmer and the way of the cow. We have the inheritance tracks of cricket commentator Henry Blofeld who chooses Tit Willow from the Mikado and Bring in the Clowns by Barbra Streisand. And we'll speak to Dr Nic Rowley, one of four sports doctors are taking part in a Sport Relief challenge. They are attempting to cycle the height of Everest (29,400 feet). Kim Wilde's album Here Come the Aliens is out now, and her tour of the same name starts 30 March. Mountains: The Dreams Of Lily Kwok is on at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester. The first night is 22nd March in Manchester and then it goes on tour from 18th April to 2nd June. The Cow Book by John Connell is out now. Over and Out by Henry Blofeld is out now and he is touring theatres with a brand new show, 78 Retired.

Christopher Nolan, writer and director of Memento, Inception, Interstellar and the Batman trilogy including The Dark Knight, looks back over his career as the DVD of his most recent film Dunkirk is about to be released.Theatre critic and broadcaster Nick Ahad reviews the new all-black cast production of Guys and Dolls at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. John Lahr, writer and theatre critic, and Dr Lynette Goddard, author of Modern and Contemporary Black British Drama, discuss the issues raised by all-black cast theatre productions.Tonight the UK's City of Culture 2021 will be announced. The contenders are Coventry, Paisley, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland and Swansea. Arts Minister John Glen and a spokesperson from the winning city tell us what to expect from the new City of Culture.Presenter: Kirsty Lang Producer: Kate Bullivant.

At the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester on 13 November 2017, the winners were announced of the sixth biennial Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting. The winners of three Judges’ Prizes of £8,000 each were announced as Tim Foley for his play Electric Rosary, Laurie Nunn for King Brown and Sharon Clark for Plow. The £16,000 top prize went to the play Heartworm by Tim X Atack, who had just worked at the Royal Exchange as sound designer for a production of Jubilee based on the Derek Jarman film. In this episode, you can hear the moment when Tim was announced as the winner followed by our interview with him about the play, his work in general and what winning the prize will mean to him. For more information about the Bruntwood Prize including advice for playwrights, see writeaplay.co.uk. Tim Atack’s company Sleepdogs can be found at sleepdogs.org.

A look at the highlights of 2016 according to our panel and our listeners. And there are some delightful surprises. Tom Sutcliffe is joined by Kerry Shale, Sarah Crompton, Sarfraz Mansoor and listeners from around the UK with their suggestions. Saturday Review's Picks of The Year Films The Revenant Alejandro Inarritu Spotlight Tom McCarthy I Daniel Blake Ken Loach Queen of Katwe Mira Nair Nocturnal Animals Tom Ford Deadpool starring Ryan Reynolds Snowden starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt Sausage Party Hell or High Water David Mackenzie Arrival Denis Villeneuve Fire At Sea Gianfranco Rosi A United Kingdom Amma Asante Anomalisa Charlie Kaufman Julieta Pedro Almodovar Finding Dory A Bigger Splash Luca Guadagnino Theatre A Streetcar Named Desire Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester King Lear Talawa co-production Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester King Lear starring Glenda Jackson at Old Vic, London Harriet Martineau Dreams of Dancing Live Theatre Newcastle This Restless House Glasgow Citizens Theatre Any Means Necessary Nottingham Playhouse Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour National Theatre, London Midsummer's Night Dream The Globe Theatre, London Imogen The Globe Theatre, London Shakespeare Trilogy, Donmar Warehouse, London No Man's Land, National Theatre, London (NT live performance) Backstage in Biscuit Land, Soho Theatre, London Groundhog Day (musical) Old Vic, London Flowers for Mrs Harris, Sheffield Crucible Richard III, Almeida Theatre, London Faith Healer, Donmar Warehouse, London Travesties, Menier Chocolate Factory, London Television Stranger Things - Netflix Westworld - HBO The Young Pope - Sky The Crown - Netflix War and Peace - BBC The Night Of - HBO Black Mirror - Netflix Planet Earth II - BBC Happy Valley - BBC Transparent - Amazon Fleabag - BBC The Missing - BBC Flowers - Channel 4 National Treasure - Channel 4 Angie Tribeca - E4 Motherland - BBC Exhibitions Georgia O'Keeffe, Tate Modern, London Picasso Portraits, National Portrait Gallery, London Abstract Expressionism, Royal Academy, London Hieronymus Bosch, Het Noordbrabants Museum, Holland Towards Night, The Towner Gallery, Eastbourne In Reading Prison, Artangle Winifred Knights, Dulwich Picture Gallery Inside: Artist and Writers in Reading Prison - Artangel The Infinite Mix, The Store in the Strand, London Stan Douglas, The Secret Agent, Victoria Miro Gallery, London Victor Pasmore, Towards A New Reality, Nottingham Lakeside Gallery Russia and The Arts, National Portrait Gallery, London The Shchukin Collection, Icons of Modern Art, Louis Vuitton Foundation, Paris Books Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift Golden Hill by Francis Spufford Swing Time by Zadie Smith Hotels of North America by Rick Moody The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry The Sellout by Paul Beatty The Glorious Heresies by Lisa McInerney Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen The Good Immigrant ed. Nikesh Shukla 1971 - Never a Dull Moment: Rock's Golden Year by David Hepworth Missing Presumed by Susie Steiner Days Without End by Sebastian Barry Also mentioned: Lemonade (album/film) Beyonce We're Here Because We're Here Jeremy Deller Bob Dylan, winner of Nobel Prize for Literature Horace and Pete Louis C.K David Bowie's Art Collection Blackstar David Bowie You Want It Darker Leonard Cohen The producer is Hilary Dunn.

Jeff Ingber, table tennis champion for decades from the mid-20th century and one of Howard Jacobsons heroes, met up with JR's arts editor Judi Herman at the exhibition Chess in Shorts that accompanies the production of the Mighty Walzer at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre. Ingber told Judi about playing the other beautiful game in Manchester and how it was his passport to travel the world, from Israel to China.

In the first part of episode 6, we'll be discussing the film version (dir. Margaret Williams) of the Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre's 2014/2015 HAMLET(dir. Sarah Frankcom) starring Maxine Peake as the Danish Prince. The production features several gender-swapped characters, including Polonia and Marcella, and features a stage completely surrounded by the audience. Host: Alex Heeney (@bwestcineaste) Guests: Laura Anne Harris (http://lauraanneharris.com), Caitlin Merriman (@CaitlinSnark), and Lesley Peterson Editor and Sound Recordist: Cam White (@JediDusk) Follow us on Twitter @21stFolio. For detailed show notes visit: http://www.seventh-row.com/2016/04/24/ep-6-maxine-peake-hamlet/ For more information on the podcast, visit: http://seventh-row.com/21st-folio 0:00–2:36: Intro, Addendums to Ep. 5 on Coriolanus, Shakespeare 400 announcements 2:36–3:13: How to see the Maxine Peake production 3:14–10:30: Guest introductions and first impressions of the production 10:30–17:00: Innovations in line readings, including pacing 17:00–19:42: Hamlet's madness and his dumb plans 19:42–28:00: Where does "To be or not to be" belong anyway? 28:00–32:00: Making Act IV work and Hamlet's trip to England 32:00–41:30: Staging Act I Scene 2 around the dinner table 41:30–53:30: Polonia, the gender-swapped Polonius 53:30–55:00: Claudius, the wet noodle, and his relationship with Polonia and Gertrude 55:00–1:02:34: Costumes! And clothing! And virginity! Oh my! 1:02:34–1:06:20: Why did they rip the mat up off the stage? 1:06:20–1:10:20: Bird's eye views of the stage and actors 1:10:20–1:11:04: Outro

Stephen Nolan presents a live debate from the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, where members of the Shadow Cabinet answer questions from the audience about what a Labour government would do for them. He’s also joined by Shadow Education Secretary, Tristram Hunt, Shadow Health Secretary, Andy Burnham, and Shadow Business Minister, Ian Murray.

The hottest tickets for 2014’s autumn theatre season in Manchester are productions of Shakespeare from two of the region's leading theatre companies. The Royal Exchange Theatre production of Hamlet is directed by artistic director Sarah Frankcom starring popular stage and TV actress Maxine Peake in the title role. When we spoke to Sarah and Maxine with two and a half weeks to go before opening, this had already become one of the theatre’s most popular productions. Hamlet runs at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester from 11 September to 25 October 2014. For more information, see royalexchange.co.uk. Manchester’s new arts centre, Home, is presenting a series of site-specific productions in the run-up to the opening of its new purpose-built venue next spring. After Angel Meadow, the second of these is new artistic director Walter Meierjohann’s directorial debut for the company, a production of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet performed in Manchester’s historic Victoria Baths, which sold out before opening night. In this episode, you can hear director Walter Meierjohann, dramaturg Petra Jane Tauscher and actors Alex Felton and Sara Vickers who play Romeo and Juliet. Home Manchester's production of Romeo and Juliet runs at Victoria Baths from 10 September to 4 October 2014. For more information, see homemcr.org.

Highlights of the 2014 Manchester Theatre Awards at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester on 7 March 2014 hosted by Justin Moorhouse, celebrating the best theatre seen in Manchester throughout 2013. Speakers, presenters and award winners who can be heard on the podcast include: Kevin Bourke, Sue Jenkins, David Crellin, Andrew Wright, Kathryn Davies, Richard Mantle, Ray Fearon, Julian Glover, Lisa Maxwell, Catherine Kinsella, Paula Wilcox, Christine Cort, Christopher Villiers, Isla Blair, Shirley Darroch, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Alistair McDowall, Sir Richard Leese, Matthew Forbes, LipService, Graeme Hawley, Colin Connor, Lisa Connor, Rachel Austin, Ian Kershaw, Eric Potts, Charlotte Keatley, Rob Ward, Martin Jameson, Wyllie Longmore, Freya Sutton, Caroline Clegg, John Henshaw, Joyce Branagh, Suranne Jones, Cush Jumbo, Alex Poots and Chris Honer. Plus other representatives of the Michael Clark Company, Singin' in the Rain production team, Opera North, Manchester International Festival, National Theatre's War Horse and the ensemble of Chicago at Oldham Coliseum.

With Kirsty Lang Veronica Mars, the film spin-off of the noughties TV show, is the first major Hollywood film to be crowd-funded. Raising its entire budget through the Kickstarter platform, its success inspired other high profile stars including Spike Lee and Zach Braff to finance their passion projects through the site. Briony Hanson, Head of Film at the British Council, reviews the film and discusses the impact of Kickstarter on film financing. To discuss the impact of Kickstarter - which marked another milestone last week as total pledges to the site surpassed $1 billion - CEO and co-founder Yancey Strickler discusses the future for the platform, and whether controversial pitches by celebrities are really contrary to the site's original ethos. Vivienne Franzmann's first play, Mogadishu, explored the culture of a contemporary London secondary school. It drew on her background as a secondary school teacher and went on to win her the Bruntwood Prize - the UK's biggest national playwriting competition - in 2008. Franzmann is now a full-time playwright and as her third play, Pests, opens at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, she talks to Kirsty Lang about her writing life and being inspired by the women she came across as a resident prison playwright. As Ricky Gervais prepares for his UK tour as David Brent and his backing band Foregone Conclusion, David Quantick looks at the history of the fake band from Spinal Tap to The Rutles. Producer: Rebecca Armstrong.

Presented by John Wilson Since Damon Albarn's introduction to the public as the lead singer of Blur, he's become famous for his collaborations with a wide range of partners including artist Jamie Hewlett, the next Artistic Director of the National Theatre Rufus Norris, and Soul legend Bobby Womack. As he prepares to play songs from his forthcoming debut solo album, for a special 6Music festival gig, Damon talks to John about going it alone. Maxine Peake is one of the subjects in a new exhibition at the Lowry dedicated to portrait painter Jonathon Yeo. Maxine and Jonathan describe the experience of creating a portrait from their different perspectives. And when she's not being captured in oils, Maxine is the star of the BBC legal drama Silk where she plays the role of barrister Martha Costello QC. The new series of Silk starts this week and Maxine discusses how Martha's character has developed. Suranne Jones plays one half of television police duo Scott and Bailey. The series, described as the "Cagney and Lacey of Manchester", arose out of Suranne's desire to find better parts for women. She's now playing one of Virginia Woolf's most distinctive creations, Orlando, in a new production at the Royal Exchange Theatre. Suranne discusses with John what this play, about a character who lives as a man and a woman, can contribute to our contemporary view of the gender divide. The musician Kiran Leonard will be performing on the main stage of the 6Music festival on Saturday 1 March. He released his debut album last year at the age of 17 and he's a multi-instrumentalist who lists Mothers of Invention, Sufjan Stevens, Albert Ayler, Krzysztof Penderecki, and the Beach Boys, as just a handful of his influences. He'll be playing live on Front Row. Producer: Ekene Akalawu.

The winners of the £16,000 first prize and three judges prizes of £8,000 in the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting were announced at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester on 22 November 2013. We present some highlights of the ceremony itself, followed by a chat with winning playwright Anna Jordan and three members of the judging panel: broadcaster Dame Jenni Murray, Bruntwood chairman Michael Oglesby and Royal Exchange artistic director Sarah Frankcom.

Support Sound Design Live on Patreon for as little as $1: https://www.patreon.com/sounddesignlive In this episode of Sound Design Live I talk with sound designer and composer Steve Brown about the 2013 World Stage Design and how he went from high-school drop out to head of audio at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. We discuss the best exhibitions to show your sound design work, new software for live performance, and why your show should rely less on automation and more on skilled operators. "I've made every mistake a sound engineer, a sound technician, a sound designer can ever make, but I think the important thing is that I only made them once." http://sounddesignlive.com/steve-brown-from-highschool-dropout-to-head-of-audio

From London, National Theatre artistic director Nicholas Hytner talks about his tenure leading that influential institution, including whether, as some have said, it was always his career goal; why he thrives on the need to embrace a general audience for the organization's survival; the impact of the £10 (now £12) Travelex season on the company and why he prefers to work under the budgetary rigor it imposes on the theatre's staff; his commitment to seeing new, "muscular" work by young playwrights on the National's large stages; and his assessment of the success of the NT Live screenings of the National's stage productions in international cinemas. He also talks about growing up in Manchester and later returning there as artistic associate of the Royal Exchange Theatre; his apprenticeship under great directors at a time when there was little director training in England -- and his bad early work in regional rep companies; why he thinks the British "megamusicals" are actually popular opera in the European tradition -- and how the "completely crazy" idea of "Miss Saigon" appealed to him; the pleasure he took in directing "The Wind in the Willows" at the National and how it began his ongoing collaboration with playwright Alan Bennett, including "The History Boys" and "The Habit of Art", which he considers the most important feature of his directing career; what drew him to "Carousel" and how it ushered in the British era of reexamining the musicals from Broadway's Golden Age; why he thinks the musical of "Sweet Smell of Success" is deserving of rediscovery; and why the National's production of "His Dark Materials" will never transfer to a commercial run and how he would do that enormous hit differently if he had the chance to do it over again. Original air date - April 6, 2011.

From London, National Theatre artistic director Nicholas Hytner talks about his tenure leading that influential institution, including whether, as some have said, it was always his career goal; why he thrives on the need to embrace a general audience for the organization's survival; the impact of the £10 (now £12) Travelex season on the company and why he prefers to work under the budgetary rigor it imposes on the theatre's staff; his commitment to seeing new, "muscular" work by young playwrights on the National's large stages; and his assessment of the success of the NT Live screenings of the National's stage productions in international cinemas. He also talks about growing up in Manchester and later returning there as artistic associate of the Royal Exchange Theatre; his apprenticeship under great directors at a time when there was little director training in England -- and his bad early work in regional rep companies; why he thinks the British "megamusicals" are actually popular opera in the European tradition -- and how the "completely crazy" idea of "Miss Saigon" appealed to him; the pleasure he took in directing "The Wind in the Willows" at the National and how it began his ongoing collaboration with playwright Alan Bennett, including "The History Boys" and "The Habit of Art", which he considers the most important feature of his directing career; what drew him to "Carousel" and how it ushered in the British era of reexamining the musicals from Broadway's Golden Age; why he thinks the musical of "Sweet Smell of Success" is deserving of rediscovery; and why the National's production of "His Dark Materials" will never transfer to a commercial run and how he would do that enormous hit differently if he had the chance to do it over again. Original air date - April 6, 2011.

From London, National Theatre artistic director Nicholas Hytner (2006 Tony Award winner for Best Direction of a Play for “The History Boys”; 1994 Tony Award winner for Best Direction of a Musical for “Carousel”) talks about his tenure leading that influential institution, including whether, as some have said, it was always his career goal; why he thrives on the need to embrace a general audience for the organization's survival; the impact of the £10 (now £12) Travelex season on the company and why he prefers to work under the budgetary rigor it imposes on the theatre's staff; his commitment to seeing new, "muscular" work by young playwrights on the National's large stages; and his assessment of the success of the NT Live screenings of the National's stage productions in international cinemas. He also talks about growing up in Manchester and later returning there as artistic associate of the Royal Exchange Theatre; his apprenticeship under great directors at a time when there was little director training in England -- and his bad early work in regional rep companies; why he thinks the British "megamusicals" are actually popular opera in the European tradition -- and how the "completely crazy" idea of “Miss Saigon” appealed to him; the pleasure he took in directing “The Wind in the Willows” at the National and how it began his ongoing collaboration with playwright Alan Bennett, including “The History Boys” and “The Habit of Art”, which he considers the most important feature of his directing career; what drew him to “Carousel” and how it ushered in the British era of reexamining the musicals from Broadway's Golden Age; why he thinks the musical of “Sweet Smell of Success” is deserving of rediscovery; and why the National's production of “His Dark Materials” will never transfer to a commercial run and how he would do that enormous hit differently if he had the chance to do it over again.