Curtain Call Podcast

Sally Beck Wippman, an American Director, had just moved back to the UK a few months before the pandemic sent the country into lockdown. Far from family, and without an established place in the UK theatre community, she found solace in Freelancers Make Theatre Work -and the Migrants in Theatre movement. In this episode, Sally takes us into an empty Tobacco Factory Theatres in Bristol, England to reminisce on past productions and dreaming of future ones... She is joined by actor Joe Tweedale. Freelancers Make Theatre Work Website Curtain Call Website Episode Narrated by Leo Wan "Getting Better Every Day" arranged by Tom Johnson Episode Music Composed by Freddie Crossley Edited by John Schwab Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Lighting Designer Prema Mehta returns to Storyhouse during the pandemic to reflect on previous experiences there, and also to show what a theatre freelancer feels like when they are no longer able to go into work with theatres shut. Prema has designed the lighting for over 200 productions, and works across the UK. Recent work includes productions at The Royal Court, Sheffield Theatres, Shakespeare’s Globe, Storyhouse, and The Young Vic. She has also designed for Madame Tussauds, The O2 Arena and Westminster Hall. She founded Stage Sight to widen the theatre workforce in offstage roles, and encourage those who are under represented backstage, so that our industry more accurately reflects our society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We thought we’d bring you a little bit of cheer in the form of our annual Christmas podcast. This year we turn our ears towards the creator of the world of The Wizard of Oz which, of course, begat the megahit musical “Wicked”. In this slightly different Christmas tale by L Frank Baum, Santa encounters an unfortunate series of events that may or may not prevent him from delivering his presents. Baum’s short story “A Kidnapped Santa” has it all. Santa. Elves. Pixies. Knooks and Rils (don’t worry...if you don’t know, you will get to know) and Daemons....not just one of them. And to bring us this fantastical and fantastic story is none other than The Walking Dead and Wonder Woman actress Eleanor Matsuura. So pour yourself a mug of eggnog, hot apple cider, mulled wine or just a simple good old cup of tea and let Eleanor whisk you away to the Laughing Valley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paule is an Olivier and Tony award-winning freelance lighting designer. She is an associate director of the National Theatre and of Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures. She has worked on shows like Ocean at the End of the Lane, Angels in America, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Les Mis, Warhorse and Follies. Her designs have transported audiences and characters to heaven, deep into the ocean, through the inner workings of a child's mind, through wars, and into dreams. She is a passionate believer in collaboration - both onstage and off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A little bite-size morsel of what's to come from the Freelancers Make Theatre team. A fantastic insight into the world of theatre in lockdown and it's anticipated return. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No Pressure is all about artists, freelancers, creatives and creators like George MacKay - the people that make things happen, who are up against it every day, and work tirelessly behind the scenes (and as in George’s case) in front of the camera too. This podcast was recorded at the tail end of the first UK lockdown in the summer of 2020, just before George was due to start filming a new project, "Wolf". He's one of the busiest actors around. so getting some sit-down time with him was a real win. George understands productions. He understands the huge collaborative effort that goes into a film, or a stage play. He’s grown up around productions, with parents who worked in the business, and he himself has been filming from a young age. Working with Sam Mendes, advice for young actors, work/life balance and playing in a punk band are just a few of the topics covered. Curtain Call Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We catch up with Proper Production's Mark Ward and Loud Sound's Steven Reynolds as they take us through their journey from Newcastle to London via Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Reading, Oxford, Brighton and more. The #WeMakeEvents campaign continues to highlight the precarious position of freelancers and suppliers in the live events industries. Topics discussed. as you can imagine, include saddle soreness and crashing into buses. Donate to the campaign We Make Events "Asks" Curtain Call Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We return to our first ever interviewee.Over five years ago, I sat down with West End actor David Hunter to chat about his career and recorded it, even though we didn’t know at that point we’d even have a podcast. Those were different times, for sure.This week, we did an online call to talk about his return to the West End stage after nearly 10 months.“Songs for a New World” was the first musical to appear on a stage in London’s West End since lockdown and I was there to witness what was a triumphant return, to say the least.Along with his cast mates, Rachel John, Rachel Tucker, Cedric Neal and Shem Omari Jones - they brought the house down on a number of occasions...even before the curtain! David Hunter official website "The Space Between" video Curtain Call website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a successful event lighting the Thames-side venues in London (and beyond) in red on August 11, followed by a global day of action on the 30th of September where over 2,300 venues around the world were lit in red...proving that even when there is no show..there IS a show... the next event is already taking place. The Survival Tour.A 1500 km bike ride from Newcastle to London via major cities around England. I sat down with Steve Reynolds from Loud Sound and Mark Ward of Proper Productions, two professionals at the very heart of the events industry and who are leading the Survival Tour to chat about the idea, the first couple days of riding and what the tour is hoping to achieve. We Make Events Website Fundraising Page Merch! PLASA Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tamara von Werthern, Lily McLeish and Josephine Starte are the podcast equivalent of the Three Musketeers - bringing justice and equality to the world of online audio theatrical drama.The Fizzy Sherbert Podcast is an extension of an idea that brought together the brightest female writing, directing and acting talent to the Hackney Attic.When Covid-19 hit, they needed to make sure that the momentum wasn’t lost, so they packed up their trunks and headed online. Fizzy Sherbert Website Fizzy Sherbert Podcast site Tamara von Werthern website Lily McLeish Website Facebook Twitter Insta Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices