Podcasts about salisbury playhouse

Delighted to welcome Actress & Director Joanne Howarth to "The Good Listening To Show" Clearing. With many a Theatre & TV banger to her name, having performed at most of the major theatres in the land.  Including 3 seasons at the RSC, one highlight of which was "The Alchemist" with Hugh Bonneville & David Bradley. She also played on TV opposite Sir Kenneth Branagh in "Wallander".And we have history! Joanne and I met way back when at the Salisbury Playhouse in a production of "Custer's Last Stand", directed by previous Show Guest, Lucy Pitman Wallace.Suffused with theatrical anecdotes and inspirations aplenty, Jo talks about  her personal ritual (for the last 20 years) of always finding solace and her 'serious happy place' in her "Morning Pages", a practice derived from Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way.  With treks through the South Downs near her home town of Brighton becoming her Clearing and her creative lab for untangling thoughts and mastering monologues. We also venture into the rehearsal room, where the chemistry of artists & theatre companies like Complicité and Told By An Idiot ignite Joanne's craft, blending the physical with the poetic to create theatre that resonates long after the curtain falls.Tales of inspiration, resilience, and the occasional happy distraction adorn this episode, painting a portrait of a life dedicated to the stage and to the magic and the sense of rich community that it can bring.She pays tribute to her fellow community of Globe Education Practitioners (GEPs) for their unwavering support and inspiration in all that she does in her work.  Jo also delves into the societal impact of theatre and considers the enduring legacy of storytelling as a reflective mirror to our worldA wonderful and rich episode indeed!You can also Watch/Listen to Joanne Howarth's episode here: https://vimeo.com/chrisgrimes/joannehowarthTune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website. Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com You can email me about the Show: chris@secondcurve.uk Twitter thatchrisgrimes LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/ FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/842056403204860 Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW wherever you get your Podcasts :) Thanks for listening!

It was a late night knock on the door that sealed Kim Crotty's fate. Following a relationship breakdown, Kim - a Western Australian - quit his job at the Salisbury Playhouse and move to Bristol to be closer to his young sons. But in a desperate bid to make ends meet he ultimately chose a path that upended everyone's lives, with the police bust on his cannabis grow house sending him to prison for two years. In a cell, separated from his boys Kim was determined to maintain a connection with them and so began a writing project. The result was 47 short stories delivered to weekly to his sons - Otto and Arlen. A decade later those stories became the backbone of the play 'The Smallest Stage'. He speaks to Kathryn from his home in Western Australia.

We are live and direct from Salisbury Playhouse! Join Susie & Gyles as they go on an illuminating voyage through the intricate web of etymology, uncover the untold tales lurking beneath our everyday words. In this week's episode, we immerse ourselves in the fluid world of water, tracing its linguistic currents and unearthing the surprising stories that ebb and flow through its etymology. We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us on our NEW email address here: purplepeople@somethingrhymes.com Want even more purple, people? Join the Purple Plus Club by clicking the banner in Apple podcasts or head to purpleplusclub.com to listen on other platforms' Don't forget that you can join us in person at our upcoming tour, tap the link to find tickets: www.somethingrhymeswithpurple.com Enjoy Susie's Trio for the week: 1.Supervacaneous: over the top 2.Spissid: thick 3.Splurgundy : a sparkling red wine from Australia Gyles' replaces his weekly poem with funny epitaphs that he has come across: 1. Here lies the body of our Anna, Done to death by a banana. It wasn't the fruit that laid her low, But the skin of the thing that made her go. 2. Here Lies Lester Moore, Four Slugs from a 44, No Les, No More 3. Here lies my wife: here let her lie! Now she's at rest, and so am I. A Sony Music Entertainment production.   Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts   To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Three couples. Two dining rooms. One big mess. Alan Ayckbourn's classic comedy takes us into a chaotic world of dysfunctional marriages, domestic drama, and infidelity. The lives of three couples frantically intertwine in this classic Ayckbourn comedy of confusion and chaos. When one of the women arrives home suspiciously late one night, a chain of events unfolds drawing each of the couples ever deeper into hilarious misunderstanding. Join us for one of Ayckbourn's best loved plays, set in the 1970s - his follow up to Relatively Speaking, seen at Salisbury Playhouse in 2019.

Three couples. Two dining rooms. One big mess. Alan Ayckbourn's classic comedy takes us into a chaotic world of dysfunctional marriages, domestic drama, and infidelity. The lives of three couples frantically intertwine in this classic Ayckbourn comedy of confusion and chaos. When one of the women arrives home suspiciously late one night, a chain of events unfolds drawing each of the couples ever deeper into hilarious misunderstanding. Join us for one of Ayckbourn's best loved plays, set in the 1970s - his follow up to Relatively Speaking, seen at Salisbury Playhouse in 2019.

Three couples. Two dining rooms. One big mess. Alan Ayckbourn's classic comedy takes us into a chaotic world of dysfunctional marriages, domestic drama, and infidelity. The lives of three couples frantically intertwine in this classic Ayckbourn comedy of confusion and chaos. When one of the women arrives home suspiciously late one night, a chain of events unfolds drawing each of the couples ever deeper into hilarious misunderstanding. Join us for one of Ayckbourn's best loved plays, set in the 1970s - his follow up to Relatively Speaking, seen at Salisbury Playhouse in 2019.

Rosie Kay -- (BA Hons) FRSA, MCR St Cross College, Oxford, born in Scotland -- danced from a very early age, then trained at London Contemporary Dance School, graduating in 1998, before a career as a dancer in Poland, France, Germany and the USA. Kay returned to the UK in 2003, founded Rosie Kay Dance Company 2004-21 and is now setting up a new venture for her future works.Kay's works up to date include a contemporary set adaptation of "Romeo + Juliet" (2021), and returned to performing on stage with the Absolute Solo II' tour in 2021. There, her solo work "Adult Female Dancer"' was celebrated as one of the ‘Top 5 Dance Works of 2021' by 'The Observer ', and Kay was nominated for a National Dance Award for Outstanding Female Performance (Modern) for Absolute Solo II. Kay is well known for the multi- award-winning work "5 SOLDIERS" (2010- present) based on intense research with the British Army.Kay's works tour to Sadlers Wells, Birmingham REP, Norwich Theatre Royal, Salisbury Playhouse and regularly tour Europe and the USA.FOLLOW ROSIE ON TWITTER:https://www.twitter.com/RosieKayK2COREVIEW for ""ABSOLUTE SOLO II": https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/may/22/rosie-kay-absolute-solo-ii-review-birmingham-repertory-theatreBBC BROADCAST OF "5 SOLDIERS":https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku1tVoBUyw8"THIS IS MK ULTRA":https://vimeo.com/676322446FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/cliftonaduncan SUBSCRIBE TO MY SUBSTACK: https://cliftonduncan.substack.com MY IMDB PAGE:https://www.imdb.me/cliftonduncan(MOST OF) MY THEATRICAL CREDITS:https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/265366-clifton-alphonzo-duncanIntro/Outro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/stJzyKNNgz/SUPPORT THIS PODCAST BY BUYING SOME DELICIOUS COFFEE FROM OUR FIRST SPONSOR, TWIN ENGINE COFFEE:https://www.twinenginecoffee.com/CliftonDuncanI NARRATED THIS AUDIOBOOK:https://www.berlinersbook.com/CHAPTERS:0:00:00 -- A Word for Our Sponsor.0:01:15 -- Teaser/Intros.0:04:40 -- Rosie's Origin, and the Makings of a Dancer.0:09:03 -- Art vs. Religion (Again).0:17:11 -- How Rosie Got Cancelled.0:26:28 -- Conspiracy Theories and Transhumanism??0:30:37 -- "5 Soldiers" and Sexual Dimorphism.0:38:05 -- Artistry vs. Activism.0:52:32 -- "Adult Female Dancer", and Womanhood.0:59:57 -- Tackling the Crisis in the Arts.1:14:40 -- Artists' Authoritarian Blindspot.1:26:20 -- Deprogramming a "True Believer".

Mischief Theatre, which rose to fame ten years ago with its smash hit comedy The Play That Goes Wrong, is returning to Edinburgh in 2022 with three shows: Charlie Russell Aims to Please, Mischief Movie Night and Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle. Charlie Russell, who writes and performs the show that names her in the title, has been a co-creator and cast member in most of the company's shows so far. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Charlie about their three Fringe shows as well as about the company's creative process and phenomenal success. Charlie Russell Aims to Please runs at Pleasance Below, Pleasance Courtyard at 3:15PM from 3 to 27 August. Mischief Movie Night is at Pentland Theatre, Pleasance at EICC at 6:30PM from 3 to 28 August. Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle is at Pleasance Beyond, Pleasance Courtyard from 3 to 28 August. The new piece by Henry Shields, Good Luck, Studio, will be at Mercury Theatre in Colchester, Salisbury Playhouse and Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford between September and November 2022. For more details and tickets for the three Edinburgh shows, go to www.edfringe.com, www.pleasance.co.uk or mischiefedfringe.com, or for more information about the company and its work in general, see www.mischiefcomedy.com. Rehearsal photo of Charlie Russell by Danny Kaan.

Bill Deamer is one of Britain's leading choreographers whose extensive training is grounded in ballet, jazz and tap. He is the first-choice go-to choreographer for period choreography. He started his career when, employed as lead dancer in a production of Cabaret in the West End (choreographed and directed by his mentor Dame Gillian Lynne OBE), he was offered an opportunity to choreograph his own version of Cabaret at Salisbury Playhouse. From there he has never looked back… He was reunited with Gillian Lynne when he was invited by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Trevor Nunn to create the new tap choreography for the critically-acclaimed production of Cats at The London Palladium 2014 (which has subsequently run world-wide). Other notable productions include Top Hat (For which Bill won the Olivier Award for Best Choreographer), the 50th Anniversary UK Tour of The Sound of Music, Evita at the Dominion Theatre and the acclaimed Follies at The National Theatre directed by Dominic Cooke, for which Bill was nominated for his third Olivier Award. Bill is also a very successful choreographer for film & television - His keen eye for the camera has served him well, most notably for So You Think You Can Dance, ITV's All Star Musicals and the hit BBC series Strictly Come Dancing, where he continues to contribute featured group professional routines and Charlestons. Throughout his career Bill has also become an expert on Fred Astaire, one of his dance idols. He directed and choreographed the first-ever tribute to Fred at the London Palladium, and has appeared in ITV's Perspectives programme For the Love of Fred Astaire.

Welcome to a very special Episode  of "The Good Listening To" Podcast with me Chris Grimes!Please welcome to the "GLT Clearing" one of my very very favorite Actors: Colin Hurley!Ahhh Mr Shakespeare!I had the great priviledge of being on stage with Colin many years ago, at the very beginning of my career as an Actor.  An experience I will never forget!Colin was the most astonishing Hamlet and he tought me the true nature of Ensemble: "The spiralling upwards" of excellence that happens when true magic - or Alchemy & Gold as I like to call it - is present in the "Clearing" of the Stage!Marvellous!I was Polonius (and the Gravedigger) to Colin Hurley's astonishing "Hamlet" back in the day, at the Salisbury Playhouse circa 1990!Polonius's conceit of course is to watch Hamlet carefully to ascertain if he is mad or not...I remember standing there listening to him and ACTUALLY thinking: "Fuck me! You're awesome!" And indeed he was and is!A really lovely, rich juicy conversation indeed about the true nature of Acting, along with the highs - the lows - the triumphs -  the disappointments - and the resurgences to shine once more! Acting in all of its flavours & textures, warts and all.Colin has had a rich and varied career and is a Shakespearean Specialist, Actor & Teacher in particular.He has appeared at the RSC, The National - particularly The Globe - and has been a regular foil to Mark Rylance. And indeed Colin was Sir Toby Belch in THAT Production of "Twelfth Night" with Mark Rylance and Stephen Fry in London & New York circa 2013.You can also "Watch/Listen" to Colin's time in The GLT "Clearing" here:So - thanks for listening! The Podcast series that features "The Clearing":  Where all good questions come to be asked and all good stories come to be told!Think "Desert Island Discs" but in a Clearing - and with Stories rather than Music!There are some lovely juicy storytelling metaphors to also enjoy along the way:The Clearing itself - A Tree (where we get to "shake your tree to see which storytelling apples fall out, in the form of a lovely storytelling exercise called "5-4-3-2-1") - some Alchemy - some Gold - and finally a Cake with a Cherry on Top!Also think about William Shakespeare - and about Jaques in "As You Like It" in particular:"All the world's a stage,And all the men and women merely players;They have their exits and their entrances,And one man in his time plays many parts,His acts being seven ages..."And as my Guest in the Podcast:  Now is your 'moment in the sunshine' to share your story!Who are you? What's your story? And what 'life-lessons-learned-along-the-way' would you like to share with us? And just to get bit "existential on yo ass" too (!) what would you like your legacy to be?  How would you most like to be remembered?And all my guests have at least 2 things in common: They are all Creative individuals  - and all with an interesting story to be told!If you'd like to find out more, then please do check out my websites www.secondcurve.uk + www.instantwit.co.uk - and there's also a dedicated "Good Listening To" Facebook Group c/o the link above.Plus if you'd be interested in the experience of being given "a damn good listening to" yourself, or you'd like to explore the idea of some Personal Impact Coaching from me CG - to help level-up your confidence, communication, and personal impact c/o my online Coaching proposition: The Second Curve "Zoom Room" - then, by all means, do get in touch via any of the usual social media channels (see above) or you can email me at chris@secondcurve.uk (The Second Curve "Zoom Room": Coaching to help you 'level up' your IMPACT - or to get Clarity on how to get to "where next?")

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 Paul Hunter.Rebecca Gatward studied for a degree in Drama and English and an MA in Theatre Direction at the University of East Anglia. She is a graduate of the BBC Directors’ Academy. She has been working as a freelance television drama director since 2008 and as a theatre director since 1995.Her credits include ALEX RIDER, TRACES, DUBLIN MURDERS, DOCTORS, EASTENDERS and CASUALTY. She is a graduate of the BBC’s Director’s Academy.Theatre credits as Director include:THE COMEDY OF ERRORS for Shakespeare’s Globe 2009 & 2010. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE for Shakespeare’s Globe’s 2007. THE INDIAN BOY (2006) by Rona Munro for the RSC Complete Works Festival; THE CANTERBURY TALES (2006) RSC TOUCHED by Stephen Lowe (2008 Salisbury Playhouse); YIKES! (2005 Unicorn Theatre); CANCER TALES (2005 New Wolsey Theatre Studio); OLD KING COLE (2004 Unicorn at the Cochrane Theatre); THYESTES (2003 RSC The Other Place) THE ACCRINGTON PALS (2002 West Yorkshire Playhouse); THE OWL WHO WAS AFRAID OF THE DARK (2002 Bristol Old Vic); THE MAGIC TOYSHOP (2001 Shared Experience: Soho Theatre and national tour); THE THREE BIRDS (collaboration between Gate Theatre and NT Studio ; VENECIA (2000 Gate Theatre). She also restaged THIS IS OUR YOUTH with Matt Damon and Casey Affleck (2002 Garrick Theatre).

We're kicking off Series 4 with Matt Croke, fresh from his blind audition on The Voice UK! Matt famously played the title role in the West End production of Disney’s Aladdin for over two years at the Prince Edward Theatre and has since headlined concerts all over the world. His other West End credits include understudy Eugene in Grease, understudy Amos Hart & Mary Sunshine in Chicago, understudy Don Lockwood in Singin’ in the Rain and understudy Fiyero in Wicked. He also covered Tony in the UK tour of West Side Story and understudied Eddie in Funny Girl at the Menier Chocolate Factory alongside Sheridan Smith. He made his leading man debut as Don Lockwood in Singin’ in the Rain at the Salisbury Playhouse. In this episode, Matt discusses competing on The Voice UK as part of Team Olly Murs and his incredible journey from young ensemble member to West End leading man. Matt's album Only Dreaming is available now. For more information about his theatre academy visit www.RMCacademy.co.uk. Follow Matt on social media: @mattcroke Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Bill Deamer is one of Britain's leading choreographers whose extensive training is grounded in ballet, jazz and tap. He is the first-choice go-to choreographer for period choreography.He started his career when, employed as lead dancer in a production of Cabaret in the West End (choreographed and directed by his mentor Dame Gillian Lynne OBE), he was offered an opportunity to choreograph his own version of Cabaret at Salisbury Playhouse. From there he has never looked back… He was reunited with Gillian Lynne when he was invited by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Trevor Nunn to create the new tap choreography for the critically-acclaimed production of Cats at The London Palladium in 2014 (which has subsequently run world-wide). Other notable productions include The Boy Friend (Menier Chocolate Factory), Top Hat (For which Bill won the Olivier Award for Best Choreographer), the 50th Anniversary UK Tour of The Sound of Music, Evita at the Dominion Theatre, UK/European revival Saturday Night Fever and the acclaimed Follies at The National Theatre directed by Dominic Cooke, for which Bill was nominated for his third Olivier Award.  Bill is also a very successful choreographer for film & television – His keen eye for the camera has served him well, most notably for So You Think You Can Dance, ITV's All Star Musicals and the hit BBC series Strictly Come Dancing, where he continues to contribute featured group professional routines and Charlestons.Throughout his career Bill has also become an expert on Fred Astaire, one of his dance idols. He directed and choreographed the first-ever tribute to Fred at the London Palladium, and has appeared in ITV Perspectives programme For the Love of Fred Astaire. 

Daniel Slater shares about growing up surrounded by theatre, his career decisions and RNLI life boating duties (true story). He shares his influences from family and industry peers. Get fantastic insights into his rehearsal room and directing processes for A Life Span of a Fact and beyond. Daniel Slater has worked for the last two decades as a freelance international opera and theatre director. Theatre productions includes The Life Span of a Fact (SRT) and Romeo & Juliet for SRT's Shakespeare in the Park; Educating Rita for Hambledon Productions; Making Waves at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough; Confusions, Salisbury Playhouse; Life Goes On, Haymarket Theatre; Grab the Dog, National Theatre; The Mark, Soho Theatre Company; Gangster Apparel, Old Red Lion. Beyond the Stage: A Learning & Engagement Podcast The Beyond the Stage podcast is brought to you by the Learning & Engagement team at Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT). The podcast aims to inspire and inform young people and professionals to pursue and learn about the arts, igniting conversation amongst industry peers. The programme focuses on Arts Education, Careers, Community & Access and Professional development. Recorded at: The Loft – Havelock II Presented by: Paul Adams, Learning & Engagement Manager Produced by: SRT Learning & Engagement. Music: "Quirky Moment” from Purple Planet

In conversation with playwright Barney Norris and actor Reece Evans who were both in our Stage 65 Youth Theatre before starting their professional lives. They reminisce about the youth theatre and talk about Barney’s new adaptation of Blood Wedding in which Reece plays Rob the young groom. Blood Wedding runs in the Main House at Salisbury Playhouse from 6-22 February 2020.

Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester is continuing its run of revivals of musicals with the Jerry Herman show Mame, starring Tracie Bennett, Tim Flavin and Harriet Thorpe. During the Manchester run, BTG editor David Chadderton sat in the theatre with Harriet—well known to TV audiences for her comedy roles such as Carole The Brittas Empire and Fleur in Absolutely Fabulous, but with stage musical credits including Mamma Mia and Wicked—and spoke about her role as Mame’s bitchy actress friend Vera in the show, about working at Hope Mill and about her background in TV comedy and theatre. Mame runs at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester from 28 September until 9 November 2019. It can also be seen at Royal and Derngate Theatre in Northampton from 7 to 11 January and Salisbury Playhouse from 21 to 25 January 2020. (Production photo of Harriet Thorpe, credit: Pamela Raith)

Director Jo Newman talks to set and costume designer James Button about the hilarious Alan Ayckbourn comedy Relatively Speaking which opens at Salisbury Playhouse on 4 September 2019

Postcard Productions' Sam Forsdike and Lizzie Minnion talk about Katie Hims' The Stranger on the Bridge, based on the real life story of Jonny Benjamin MBE, and transformed into a play. Features a spotlight on the opening night at the Salisbury Playhouse on 02/05/19. A further run at Bristol's Tobacco Factory begins Tues 14th - Sat 18th May at 7.30pm. https://www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/the-stranger-on-the-bridge/ Also features 'The Edge of Waterloo Bridge', written by Jonny and read by Anthony Townsend/produced by SNS Online. http://postcard-productions.com/ Our show with Jonny. https://soundcloud.com/scratchnsniff-rte-pulse/sns-online-series-6-jonny-benjamin-mbe The Samaritans (UK 24 hour telephone) - 116 123 Jonny's Website https://jonnybenjamin.co.uk/ Charity: Beyond Shame, Beyond Stigma https://beyondshamebeyondstigma.co.uk/ A donation has been made to Beyond Shame, Beyond Stigma. SNS Online continues to offer an eclectic range of quality programming - free to download - to all like-minded people out there in cyber-space. These shows are independent podcasts produced to the highest professional standards and are non-profit making. So please enjoy, download and share these shows on all your lovely social media - as essentially that is our advertising! And please, please, please...offer feedback on the 'SNS Online' FB page or Twitter (ScratchNTweet). Other shows currently in preparation... Brad Wolfe - musician Sam Forsdike - Postcard Productions Dame Esther Rantzen - consumer rights goddess Romeo & Juliet - all male theatre Michael Armstrong - musician

Conrad Nelson’s production of Shakespeare’s comedy Much Ado About Nothing for Northern Broadsides Theatre Company had a cast change on the first day of rehearsals when Reece Dinsdale had to drop out of the key role of Benedick due to a family illness and Robin Simpson took over the role. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Robin during the second week of rehearsals about the additional pressure that may have put on him and also about the production as a whole, playing Shakespeare, performing comedy and even a bit of panto. The Northern Broadsides production of Much Ado About Nothing runs at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire from 8 February to 2 March 2019, before embarking on a national tour until the end of May to The Dukes Lancaster, Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, Salisbury Playhouse, Derby Theatre, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield, Viaduct Theatre in Halifax, The Lowry in Salford, York Theatre Royal and Harrogate Theatre.

In 2016, Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield produced its first ever professional pantomime, Cinderella, written by one of the UK’s leading pantomime writers, Andrew Pollard, who has been brought back to write this year’s Jack and the Beanstalk. Andrew is taking a year off from playing Dame at Greenwich Theatre to tour in Around the World in 80 Days as Phileas Fogg. However there are still 6 of his panto scripts in production this Christmas around the UK. In this episode, Andrew speaks extensively about his views on what pantos should contain, the qualities required for good panto performers and how to deal with changing requirements, demands and attitudes to keep panto fresh and entertaining for new audiences. Jack and the Beanstalk by Andrew Pollard will run at Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield from 8 December 2017 to 6 January 2018. Andrew’s other pantos this year include Cinderella at Greenwich Theatre from 17 November 2017, another Jack and the Beanstalk at Salisbury Playhouse from 2 December 2017 and Beauty and the Beast at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 30 November 2017, all finishing on 7 January 2018. Andrew can be seen on tour in Around the World in 80 Days until January. (Photo of Andrew Pollard as Long Joan Silver in Peter Pan at Greenwich Theatre credit Robert Day)

Salisbury Playhouse has commissioned 4 new plays to mark the octocentenary of Magna Carta. How do contemporary playwrights deal with the ideas behind an 800 year old document? Mississippi Grind is a film that follows 2 gamblers trying to beat the odds to turn their lives around as they head down the Mississippi river to the big game in New Orleans . The latest cult TV series from the USA is Mr Robot - turning the world of computer coders and hackers into nailbiting narrative The prolific and highly influential design team of Charles and Ray Eames are the subject of a new exhibition at The Barbican in London. You probably know their work without realising it (they designed the "Mastermind" chair and much more) Beatlebone by Kevin Barry is the imagined story of John Lennon trying to reach spiritual peace by going to an island he has bought off the coast of Ireland.

With John Wilson Writer Chris Chibnall talks to John about his new play at the Salisbury Playhouse, Worst Ever Wedding, a comedy about a mother organising her daughter's wedding. Chris is best known for Broadchurch, the gripping TV series about a murder in a close community in Dorset. Chris discusses the step from writing heightened suspense to farcical comedy, and why featuring Dorset in his work is so important to him. Author Kamila Shamsie reviews Shan Khan's directorial debut Honour, an urban thriller set in west London, starring Paddy Considine and Aiysha Hart. Mona is a young British Muslim girl on the run from her family after they find out about her relationship with a Punjabi boyfriend. In a bid to save their family honour, her mother and older brother hire a bounty hunter to help track Mona down. Russian violinist Viktoria Mullova is widely recognised in classical music as one of the world's leading virtuosos and has recorded her first album of an eclectic range of Brazilian music - Stradivarius in Rio. She discusses her dramatic defection to the West in 1983, plus learning to improvise the music she played for her new album which was recorded in just two days, and with no rehearsals. John visits Pangaea. Not the prehistoric supercontinent but the exhibition which hopes to reunite two of the continents which formed that landmass - Africa and South America - through contemporary art. Produced by Ella-mai Robey.