Spotlight Musical Theatre Podcasts

My guest is the professional acrobat, aerialist and contortionist, Emily McCarthy.

After representing her country as an acrobatic gymnast, Emily followed her dream and left home at the age of 16 to join the world-famous Cirque Du Soleil. Then, after hours of extra training in her spare time, she landed a lead part in the Cirque production of “Crystal”.

Emily tells me how she went from being a Great Britain gymnast - to lead performer in one of the greatest shows on earth.

Emily's YouTube channel and Instagram page:
https://linktr.ee/Emily_McCarthy95

My guest is the professional acrobat, aerialist and contortionist, Emily McCarthy.

After representing her country as an acrobatic gymnast, Emily followed her dream and left home at the age of 16 to join the world-famous Cirque Du Soleil. Then, after hours of extra training in her spare time, she landed a lead part in the Cirque production of “Crystal”.

Emily tells me how she went from being a Great Britain gymnast - to lead performer in one of the greatest shows on earth.

Emily's YouTube channel and Instagram page:
https://linktr.ee/Emily_McCarthy95

I talk to Bruno Poet, one of the top British lighting designers working in opera, theatre, dance, and live music.

Bruno has designed lighting for many of the world’s leading opera houses, theatre and musical theatre productions. He won the prestigious Knight of Illumination Award for lighting Björk’s Cornucopia concert - and for the critically-acclaimed Frankenstein at the National Theatre, for which he also won the Olivier Award for Best Lighting Design.

He’s currently working on the new Lloyd-Webber musical, Cinderella. Due to open next year (we hope).

I wanted to find out what he does, how he does it – and how he became one of the best lighting designers around!

Music credits:
Music from the trailer for Giudizio Universale
"American Dream", "The Movie in My Mind" and "Kim's Nightmare" from Miss Saigon
Music from Frankenstein by Underworld
"Hyperballad" by Björk
"No Time to Die" by Billie Eilish

Bruno's website: brunopoet.co.uk

I talk to Bruno Poet, one of the top British lighting designers working in opera, theatre, dance, and live music.

Bruno has designed lighting for many of the world’s leading opera houses, theatre and musical theatre productions. He won the prestigious Knight of Illumination Award for lighting Björk’s Cornucopia concert - and for the critically-acclaimed Frankenstein at the National Theatre, for which he also won the Olivier Award for Best Lighting Design.

He’s currently working on the new Lloyd-Webber musical, Cinderella. Due to open next year (we hope).

I wanted to find out what he does, how he does it – and how he became one of the best lighting designers around!

Music credits:
Music from the trailer for Giudizio Universale
"American Dream", "The Movie in My Mind" and "Kim's Nightmare" from Miss Saigon
Music from Frankenstein by Underworld
"Hyperballad" by Björk
"No Time to Die" by Billie Eilish

Bruno's website: brunopoet.co.uk

My guest is the composer and lyricist, Darren Clark.

Since beginning his professional career in 2012, Darren has been commissioned to write music and lyrics for several national touring shows and his work has been heard in productions by the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre.

I talked to Darren about his wonderful new musical, called The Wicker Husband.

The show was the winner of the inaugural Musical Theatre International Stiles & Drewe Mentorship Award - and a finalist in the Kevin Spacey Artist of Choice Award 2016. And it had only just started a run at the Watermill Theatre, before sadly the Coronavirus pandemic ended it.

We chatted about:

• How he started his career working for a Libyan oil company!
• Why he wrote The Wicker Husband - and the inspiration behind it.
• The challenge of writing songs for a life-sized wicker puppet.
• Casting the role of "The Ugly Girl" - and upsetting some agents in the process!
• One of the greatest mistakes songwriters can make.
• The wonder of discovering things you never expected as you write a musical.

Music credit:
The Wicker Man - a musical by Darren Clark and Rhys Jennings .
Songs:
Have You Seen My Husband, performed by Alex Young
My Wicker Man, performed by Alex Young
The Sparrows Tale
The Wicker Maid
Heart of the Weave
Will Ye Lend Me a Suit?
Symbols & Numbers - song from the musical Turing written by Darren Clark & Rhys Jennings, performed by Tyrone Huntley

Darren's website: darrenclarkmusic.co.uk

My guest is the composer and lyricist, Darren Clark.

Since beginning his professional career in 2012, Darren has been commissioned to write music and lyrics for several national touring shows and his work has been heard in productions by the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre.

I talked to Darren about his wonderful new musical, called The Wicker Husband.

The show was the winner of the inaugural Musical Theatre International Stiles & Drewe Mentorship Award - and a finalist in the Kevin Spacey Artist of Choice Award 2016. And it had only just started a run at the Watermill Theatre, before sadly the Coronavirus pandemic ended it.

We chatted about:

• How he started his career working for a Libyan oil company!
• Why he wrote The Wicker Husband - and the inspiration behind it.
• The challenge of writing songs for a life-sized wicker puppet.
• Casting the role of "The Ugly Girl" - and upsetting some agents in the process!
• One of the greatest mistakes songwriters can make.
• The wonder of discovering things you never expected as you write a musical.

Music credit:
The Wicker Man - a musical by Darren Clark and Rhys Jennings .
Songs:
Have You Seen My Husband, performed by Alex Young
My Wicker Man, performed by Alex Young
The Sparrows Tale
The Wicker Maid
Heart of the Weave
Will Ye Lend Me a Suit?
Symbols & Numbers - song from the musical Turing written by Darren Clark & Rhys Jennings, performed by Tyrone Huntley

Darren's website: darrenclarkmusic.co.uk

I talk to the professional tap dance performer, teacher and choreographer; Ryan Campbell-Birch.​

Ryan's passion for tap developed at a young age, beginning under his mother’s tutelage in his hometown of Bristol, and has since taken him around the world - from Stockholm to Sydney, London to LA, and New York to New Zealand!

Ryan talks to me about where tap comes from, why he loves it so much, and what it takes to become a professional tap dancer.

RYAN'S CHALLENGE!
He has two challenges: one for under 16's and the other for 16+ tappers.
After listening to his Podcast, go to the Tap Dance UK website and watch Ryan's challenge videos: tapdanceuk.com/podcast/

Video yourself performing one of the routines (for your age) then share your video on your Instagram page, tagging: @tapdanceuk AND @gbswimstars_gbdancestars (that's me!). Make sure you include the hashtag: #ryanstapchallenge

If you really, really don't want to post your video, you can email it to Ryan at: [email protected]

IF YOU ARE POSTING YOUR #RYANSTAPCHALLENGE VIDEO TO INSTAGRAM YOUR ACCOUNT MUST BE PUBLIC FOR US TO SEE IT.
IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO MAKE IT PUBLIC, JUST EMAIL YOUR VIDEO TO US.

The winner of the under 16's challenge will receive a free place at a Tap Dance UK regional workshop (dates and locations to be confirmed). The winner of the over 16's challenge will receive a free portfolio photoshoot in Sheffield with GBDANCESTARS.

CLOSING DATE: 13th September, 2020

Winner pays their own travel and other expenses.
Ryan's decision is final.
Dates and times for both prizes to be confirmed.

THANK YOU RYAN - AND GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Ryan's greatest tap video playlist! <HERE>
Tap Dance UK website <HERE>
Ryan's website <HERE>

I talk to the professional tap dance performer, teacher and choreographer; Ryan Campbell-Birch.​

Ryan's passion for tap developed at a young age, beginning under his mother’s tutelage in his hometown of Bristol, and has since taken him around the world - from Stockholm to Sydney, London to LA, and New York to New Zealand!

Ryan talks to me about where tap comes from, why he loves it so much, and what it takes to become a professional tap dancer.

RYAN'S CHALLENGE!
He has two challenges: one for under 16's and the other for 16+ tappers.
After listening to his Podcast, go to the Tap Dance UK website and watch Ryan's challenge videos: tapdanceuk.com/podcast/

Video yourself performing one of the routines (for your age) then share your video on your Instagram page, tagging: @tapdanceuk AND @gbswimstars_gbdancestars (that's me!). Make sure you include the hashtag: #ryanstapchallenge

If you really, really don't want to post your video, you can email it to Ryan at: [email protected]

IF YOU ARE POSTING YOUR #RYANSTAPCHALLENGE VIDEO TO INSTAGRAM YOUR ACCOUNT MUST BE PUBLIC FOR US TO SEE IT.
IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO MAKE IT PUBLIC, JUST EMAIL YOUR VIDEO TO US.

The winner of the under 16's challenge will receive a free place at a Tap Dance UK regional workshop (dates and locations to be confirmed). The winner of the over 16's challenge will receive a free portfolio photoshoot in Sheffield with GBDANCESTARS.

CLOSING DATE: 13th September, 2020

Winner pays their own travel and other expenses.
Ryan's decision is final.
Dates and times for both prizes to be confirmed.

THANK YOU RYAN - AND GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Ryan's greatest tap video playlist! <HERE>
Tap Dance UK website <HERE>
Ryan's website <HERE>

My guest is the award-winning musical theatre director, Laurence Connor.

In this special three-episode series, Laurence talks to me about his career – and the blockbuster productions he has directed all over the world for Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber. 

In this third and final episode Laurence talks to me about:

• How he helped create School of Rock with Andrew Lloyd Webber - and persuaded ALW to write the music for the show!
• ALW's epic rock music collection.
• Knowing when to 'let things go' as a director.
• Why ALW is such an incredible composer and storyteller.
• The importance of reading a preview audience's reaction.
• Directing ALW's new musical Cinderella - and why Carrie Hope Fletcher got the dream part.
• What 'Beauty has a price' means in the new musical.

LAURENCE'S LOCKDOWN CHALLENGE!
Make your own technicolor Dreamcoat and video yourself performing a song from the show wearing it. Be as creative as you want by singing, playing an instrument, dancing etc... Just go for it and get Laurence's attention!

Share the video on your Instagram page, tagging:  @gbswimstars_gbdancestars (that's' me!). Make sure you include the hashtag: #laurenceslockdownchallenge

If you really, really don't want to post your video, you can email it to Laurence at: [email protected]

IF YOU ARE POSTING YOUR #LAURENCESLOCKDOWNCHALLENGE VIDEO TO INSTAGRAM YOUR ACCOUNT MUST BE PUBLIC FOR US TO SEE IT.
IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO MAKE IT PUBLIC JUST EMAIL YOUR VIDEO TO US.

The winner will be invited to spend a day in London with Laurence next year at a Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat rehearsal. AND... Laurence has a surprise for the winner!
CLOSING DATE: 30th August, 2020

Winner pays their own travel and other expenses.
Laurence's decision is final.
Actual participation in the rehearsal will depend on the winner's age.

THANK YOU LAURENCE - AND GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Music credits:
"Finale" "You're in the Band" "I'm Too Hot for You" from The Original Broadway Cast of School of Rock Album
"The Way We Were" sung by Carrie Hope Fletcher
"Jacob and Sons" sung by the London Palladium Cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat  (London Palladium Cast Recording)

Laurence's website is <HERE>

(PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO QUALITY IS VARIABLE BECAUSE OF INTERNET ISSUES DURING RECORDING)

My guest is the award-winning musical theatre director, Laurence Connor.

In this special three-episode series, Laurence talks to me about his career – and the blockbuster productions he has directed all over the world for Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber. 

In this third and final episode Laurence talks to me about:

• How he helped create School of Rock with Andrew Lloyd Webber - and persuaded ALW to write the music for the show!
• ALW's epic rock music collection.
• Knowing when to 'let things go' as a director.
• Why ALW is such an incredible composer and storyteller.
• The importance of reading a preview audience's reaction.
• Directing ALW's new musical Cinderella - and why Carrie Hope Fletcher got the dream part.
• What 'Beauty has a price' means in the new musical.

LAURENCE'S LOCKDOWN CHALLENGE!
Make your own technicolor Dreamcoat and video yourself performing a song from the show wearing it. Be as creative as you want by singing, playing an instrument, dancing etc... Just go for it and get Laurence's attention!

Share the video on your Instagram page, tagging:  @gbswimstars_gbdancestars (that's' me!). Make sure you include the hashtag: #laurenceslockdownchallenge

If you really, really don't want to post your video, you can email it to Laurence at: [email protected]

IF YOU ARE POSTING YOUR #LAURENCESLOCKDOWNCHALLENGE VIDEO TO INSTAGRAM YOUR ACCOUNT MUST BE PUBLIC FOR US TO SEE IT.
IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO MAKE IT PUBLIC JUST EMAIL YOUR VIDEO TO US.

The winner will be invited to spend a day in London with Laurence next year at a Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat rehearsal. AND... Laurence has a surprise for the winner!
CLOSING DATE: 30th August, 2020

Winner pays their own travel and other expenses.
Laurence's decision is final.
Actual participation in the rehearsal will depend on the winner's age.

THANK YOU LAURENCE - AND GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Music credits:
"Finale" "You're in the Band" "I'm Too Hot for You" from The Original Broadway Cast of School of Rock Album
"The Way We Were" sung by Carrie Hope Fletcher
"Jacob and Sons" sung by the London Palladium Cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat  (London Palladium Cast Recording)

Laurence's website is <HERE>

(PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO QUALITY IS VARIABLE BECAUSE OF INTERNET ISSUES DURING RECORDING)