The Uncensored Critic Podcast

Quick message to say thank you very much for this year!

Thank you to all of you who listened or watched the podcast it means so much.

Thanks to you guys The Uncensored Critic Podcast was in the top 25% most globally shared podcasts of 2022 being heard in over 20 countries. In 2022 streams grew by 710%, listeners increased by 404%, and followers were up 379%. Official stats from #SpotifyWrapped 2022. Crazy.

If any of you have any guest or topic requests email me: [email protected]

Or message me on my socials: Instagram: @goweroliver Twitter: @GowerCritic

You'll get a shoutout in the episode to help answer those burning questions you have about the arts.

Happy New Year to you all, and see you in 2023 for more of The Uncensored Critic Podcast!

Please like and subscribe ✅

Oliver Gower

Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261

At such a young age Abdullah Khan has already achieved so much in the film industry.

At the age of 18 he was working on the sets of Star Wars, Fast and Furious: Hobbs and Shaw, and 1917.

As well as, working for Neal Street Productions with Sam Mendes.

In 2021 he founded his own production company Rosebud Films and has made short films such as Find the Light with George Mackay, and Path to Ecstacy with Mike Jibson, Louie Serkis, and myself!

Great talk about how you can make a great picture.

Follow Rosebud Films on Instagram: @rosebudfilmsuk

Oliver Gower

Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261

Instagram: @goweroliver

Twitter: @GowerCritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

Please Like and Subscribe!

The Uncensored Critic Podcast was in the top 25% most globally shared podcasts of 2022 being heard in over 20 countries. In 2022 streams grew by 710%, listeners increased by 404%, and followers were up 379%. Official stats from #SpotifyWrapped 2022.

Thank you all for your support!

Andy is an actor, writer, director and comedian.

As an actor and writer he starred in BAFTA award winning BBC show Short Change and has also won a Fringe First award among many others for his work on the Edinburgh Fringe.

On top of this he's the author of one of the best audition advice books available The Excellent Audition Guide. Link to buy your copy is below, it's also available as an Ebook.

https://www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/andy-johnson

Andy has helped over 300 aspiring actors to get into top drama schools across the UK and his advice will help you through your audition preparation and get you into the school you want!

To get in touch with Andy to organise a 1-2-1 session you can contact him via his email address here: [email protected]

Please like and subscribe!

Oliver Gower

Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261

Instagram: @goweroliver

Twitter: @GowerCritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

David Grindley is a theatre director that has been at the helm of many shows across the UK and the world.

One of his most celebrated shows is R.C. Sherriff's play Journey's End set in the trenches in the final stages of WWI. A truly excellent play that David has directed multiple times.

He's directed it in the West End and on Broadway in 2007, where he won a Tony award for the Best Revival of a play.

He talks about how he discovered the play, how to play tension, and how actors find their feet in the rehearsal room.

Thank you David, really enjoyed your masterclass in directing for the theatre!

Oliver Gower

Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261

Instagram: @goweroliver

Twitter: @GowerCritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

Kate Godfrey is a voice and dialect coach, as well as Shakespeare mastermind.

She's been involved in some extraordinary work from working at the RSC, across the West End with Mark Rylance, and recently working on Prima Facie with Jodie Comer at the Harold Pinter theatre.

She discusses how one tackles Shakespeare from looking at how the text is written, and how you can find new life in a well known speech and make it your own.

So happy to have her on the show, thank you Kate for your time, really enjoyed this!

Oliver Gower

Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261

Instagram: @goweroliver

Twitter: @GowerCritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

Chris and Tom Godwin are actors with a supreme wealth of experience on stage, screen and television.

They were the first father and son to play the roles of Arthur Kipps and The Actor in the West End in the outstanding play The Woman in Black.

They both take me through what's it like to scare an audience, working with director Robin Herford, and how rewarding it is to perform such a brilliant text.

Thank you both for your time and your generosity to share with me your experience of this play and your careers!

Oliver Gower

Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261

Instagram: @goweroliver

Twitter: @GowerCritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

Please Like and Subscribe!

Mark is an actor, writer, dramaturg, and founder of Stratford Productions based in Hertfordshire.

His first one man show The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, adapted from the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, played to sold out audiences both at the Watford and Brighton fringe in 2020 and 2021.

His second show Drama King based on the life of famous actor-manager William Charles Macready premiered at both fringes as well.

Mark has appeared in West End shows, national and foreign tours, reparatory theatre, pantomimes, as well as across Tv, Film and Radio.

His two one man shows are embarking on a tour of the UK, details of which can be found on his website, get your tickets now!

I was lucky to see Mark perform Jekyll and Hyde recently, and its a truly great adaptation and one that is not to be missed!

Great talk for anyone studying the play and for anyone who wants to get to know it better.

Mark's website: https://www.stratfordproductions.co.uk/

Oliver Gower

Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261

Instagram: @goweroliver

Twitter: @GowerCritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

Please Like and Subscribe!

Adam is an actor, singer and public speaker who is currently on the UK tour of Les Miserables. He's worked with the RSC, BBC, and appeared in ad's for Tesco and Google.

Adam offers some great insight into the life on the road, how to organise yourself when on tour with a show, and shares some stories from his experiences up and down the country, as well as in Europe.

Great conversation with another member of the GSA family about keeping the faith after you leave drama school and how you shouldn't worry about taking the life of an actor too seriously.

Highly recommend this episode to graduating actors from drama school, as well as this who need a boost if things aren't going the way you want them to.

Follow Adam's Instagram: @adamboardman94

Oliver Gower

Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261

Instagram: @goweroliver

Twitter: @GowerCritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

Please Like and Subscribe!

Tom Berkeley and Ross White are two filmmakers also from the GSA family.

They met after completing the BA Acting programme in 2014 and have since set up their own production company Split Second Productions. Which is for everyone from actors, musical theatre performers, and those interested in technical theatre.

Their experience in playwriting has seen them be shortlisted for the Bruntwood Prize, Papatango Prize and Kenneth Branagh Award for New Drama writing.

They transitioned into filming in 2020 and co-founded the Belfast-based production company Floodlight Pictures which is the vehicle to drive their own projects. Such as two great films in ROY with David Bradley, and AN IRISH GOODBYE. ROY was shortlisted by BAFTA for Best British Short Film, and AN IRISH GOODBYE recently won the European Audience Award in Leuven International Film Festival in Belgium.

Tom and Ross take me through the ins and outs of filmmaking, the challenges, the rewards and the editing process. As well as working for David Bradley and how his preparation is a benchmark for actors working on sets. How to prepare multiple variations of scenes and believing in your work.

Such a great talk, Tom and Ross are still active in the filmmaking industry with more exciting projects up and coming in the new year.

Links to film festivals where their work will be able to be seen will be available here soon! Can't wait for you to check them out.

Tom's Instagram: @tom_berkeley

Ross' Instagram: @rossjwhite

Oliver Gower

Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261

Instagram: @goweroliver

Twitter: @GowerCritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

Please Like and Subscribe!

Jack is an extraordinary actor whose worked across stage and TV with some of the best people in the business.

We discuss his involvement in Sam Mendes' epic global touring production of Shakespeare's Richard III. How he approaches Shakespeare's text, how to find the meaning, and important it is to actors. As Jack says, keep yourself fit with Shakespeare!

Also his experience working alongside Sam Mendes, how he conducts the rehearsal room, and how he works with actors to bring his image to life.

In addition, we also touch on his involvement in the brilliant 2014 production of The Crucible directed by Yael Farber. Alongside Adrian Schiller who has also been on the show, he talks about Yael's rehearsal process, and the rewards and challenges of playing Danforth.

Such a pleasure talking to Jack as I have admired his work in The Crucible since I first saw it, now he's taking a route into directing, it would be great to see what projects he'll be working on in the future.

Oliver Gower

Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261

Instagram: @goweroliver

Twitter: @GowerCritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

Please Like and Subscribe!