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. Fr...
Jan 21, 2021•23 min
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,...
Jan 05, 2021•25 min
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.....
Dec 24, 2020•29 min
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 pas...
Dec 15, 2020•17 min
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
Dec 10, 2020•4 min
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 wi...
Nov 04, 2020•1 hr 14 min
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 ...
Oct 22, 2020•29 min
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 tr...
Oct 14, 2020•29 min
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,...
Oct 06, 2020•24 min
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 Sherb...
Oct 03, 2020•40 min
What started out as a campaign launched by the Professional Lighting and Sound Association to highlight the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the live events industry has grown into a global movement to keep the issues faced by those industries in the spotlight - both at governmental level and across the general public. We chatted to Nicky Greet from PLASA (Professional Lighting and Sound Association), Koy Neminathan from Avolites and Gavin Eldridge a freelance production manager to talk all thi...
Sep 29, 2020•38 min
Georgia Tapp is an inspiration for anyone looking to find their way in the business. She’s done it all because she is a “doer”, and we love “doers” at Curtain Call. Sit back for the next 25 minutes and let Georgia tell you what called her to the theatre, her travels, the final auditions she was undergoing right when the pandemic brought everything to a halt and keeping your voice and body in good nick when you’re not using it every day. Twitter: @GeorgiaMTapp Insta: @georgiatapp @curtaincall Lea...
Sep 17, 2020•29 min
Founded by Stuart Brown in early 2019, Sounds of Broadway has an absolutely full schedule of musicals you love, along with some you may not even have heard about. There’s also weekly quizzes and request shows...not to mention his podcast. Needless to say he is a very busy man. His audience reach is truly global and growing and we were intrigued to find out what he’s planning and just how he manages his days. https://soundsofbroadway.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...
Sep 08, 2020•29 min
A returning guest this week. Playwright David Spicer and host John Schwab have a long history of working together. John directed two of his plays before...Long Live the Made Parade at a regional theatre and “Stop! - The Play” in the West End. Before lockdown, David and John were workshopping a new play. Covid stopped all that, but David didn’t stay still at all. He got to work writing new plays with Northern Comedy Theatre and went about selling tickets for the plays...something that is vital to...
Sep 03, 2020•21 min
One of our guests this week has already been on the show. Laurence Mark Wythe appeared way back on episode 122 BC (before Covid) He’s not been sitting idle during lockdown, however. Not only has he continued composing, he’s also started his very own podcast called Game of Shows. It’s a fantastic podcast that pits cast members from different West End Shows against each other in a game of knowledge of all things musical. Represented shows include Hamilton, Six, Come From Away, Only Fools and Horse...
Aug 05, 2020•27 min
In this episode, we revisit our previous episode 39 to give you an encore of a Curtain Call show visit. I talk to the company of Amadeus, recently at The National Theatre, about the process of rehearsing with musicians who never had the opportunity of getting out from behind their instruments. But also had a chance to talk to the musicians about having to get out of their comfort zones and get comfortable with telling the story though movement as well as music. Learn more about your ad choices. ...
Jul 20, 2020•18 min
When we got a call from The Unicorn Theatre to take part in an R&D week to take it’s hit play “I Cinna (the poet)” and put it online, we jumped at the chance. It was a fascinating experience to see just what could be achieved on the Zoom platform, and it’s safe to say that today’s guest, lighting and video designer Will Monks, absolutely pushed the boundaries of what could be done remotely. It was a brilliant week and was so successful that they are putting the show on and have already exten...
Jul 09, 2020•32 min
So...we’ve passed 100 days in lockdown here in London, and as restrictions ease down around the country for small and non-essential businesses, as of the time of release of this episode, July 1st 2020, there is no specific news for the theatre industry and live entertainment industries as a whole. We know the pressure and uncertainty that puts on freelancers who work in the industry - and we will be bringing you a special episode with a panel in the very near future. But what about the buildings...
Jul 01, 2020•28 min
Welcome to No Pressure - a podcast for creatives, theatre makers, artists, and ambitious souls with host, Matt Humphrey, photographer and founder of CurtainCall, In this episode I am so honoured to be talking to producer REBECCA WOOLCOCK - Lead Producer with Hartshorn Hook and Immersive Everywhere. This podcast is all about creators and theatre makers like Rebecca - the people that make things happen, who are up against it every day, and yet you’d never know it. This is perhaps especially true r...
Jun 26, 2020•46 min
Whilst on lockdown, I have been mentoring five students from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts here in London. The five of them are all getting their MA in Acting and should be doing their showcase performances about now, but I don’t need to tell you if that is happening…I have been talking to all of them this week for the podcast My final guest student this week is Pear Chiravara. Pear is a fascinating and fantastic actor, coming to the acting profession after her best friend suggested that she...
Jun 19, 2020•22 min
My penultimate guest student this week is Nathan Elliot. Nathan is another one of Mountview’s students who didn’t have a straightforward route into drama school. But his tenacity and perseverance paid off, and I think stands him in good stead for the challenges he faces in the industry, especially in a Covid-19 world. Nathan Elliot, acting student on the Acting MA course at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Keep listening this week to hear from more Mountview students that are continuing their ...
Jun 18, 2020•18 min
Whilst on lockdown, I have been mentoring five students from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts here in London. The five of them are all getting their MA in Acting and should be doing their showcase performances about now, but I don’t need to tell you if that is happening… My third guest student this week is Karen Ann Wong-Dorall. Karen is NOT your typical post-graduate drama student. Already with a successful career as a teacher, the sacrifice she had to make to follow her dreams is inspiring. L...
Jun 17, 2020•24 min
Whilst on lockdown, I have been mentoring five students from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts here in London. The five of them are all getting their MA in Acting and should be doing their showcase performances about now, but I don’t need to tell you if that is happening… My second student guest from Mountview is Jessica Dawes. Jessica’s story is a fantastic untraditional route, having been interested in theatre from a young age, but feeling societal’s pressure to earn money in a “real job” befo...
Jun 16, 2020•29 min
Since quarantine and lockdown regulations were put in place in March, theatre students across the UK have been adapting just like every other sector. It’s especially hard in an industry that is based on communication with another human being, either on stage or in an audience. This week, we are speaking to five students on the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts currently on the Acting MA course. Our first guest is Gianni Selvaggi. We joined him by Zoom (of course) as he isolated in his parent’s h...
Jun 15, 2020•23 min
On today’s episode is stage manager extraordinaire, Shane Thom. Shane has been behind the scenes on many shows in and around the West End for many years, very often seen at The National Theatre in London. He’s one of the hardest working stage managers out there working on the biggest shows including Evita, Angels in America and Hadestown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 28, 2020•29 min
This week we are bringing you the creatives behind the Curtain Call virtual play reading series “The Remote Read”. Tonight, May 2nd, we are producing a remote reading of Sir Tom Stoppard’s Play “A Separate Peace” Starring David Morrissey, Jenna Coleman, Denise Gough, Ed Stoppard and Maggie Service directed by award-winning stage and screen director Sam Yates. The reading will benefit the Felix Project and those professionals who have found themselves out of work during the Covid-19 pandemic. On ...
May 02, 2020•36 min
This week we are bringing you the creatives behind the Curtain Call virtual play reading series “The Remote Read”. This Saturday, we are producing a remote reading of Sir Tom Stoppard’s Play “A Separate Peace” Starring David Morrissey, Jenna Coleman, Denise Gough, Ed Stoppard and Maggie Service directed by award-winning stage and screen director Sam Yates. The reading will benefit the Felix Project and those professionals who have found themselves out of work during the Covid-19 Epidemic. On tod...
Apr 30, 2020•24 min
This week we are going to bring you the creatives behind the Curtain Call virtual play reading series “The Remote Read”. This Saturday, we are producing a remote reading of Sir Tom Stoppard’s Play “A Separate Peace” Starring David Morrissey, Jenna Coleman, Denise Gough, Ed Stoppard and Maggie Service directed by award-winning stager and screen director Sam Yates. The reading will benefit the Felix Project and those professionals who have found themselves out of work during the Covid-19 Epidemic....
Apr 29, 2020•17 min
On today’s episode is Costume Designer Amelia Sierevogel.. This week we are going to bring you the creatives behind the Curtain Call virtual play reading series “The Remote Read”. This Saturday, we are producing a remote reading of Sir Tom Stoppard’s Play “A Separate Peace” Starring David Morriessey, Jenna Coleman, Denise Gough, Ed Stoppard and Maggie Service. The reading will benefit the Felix Project and those professionals who have found themselves out of work during the Covid 19 Epidemic. Am...
Apr 28, 2020•20 min
On today’s episode is Entertainment Personality Adam Rothenberg. Adam is the creator of the website “Call Me Adam” which has been hosting celebrity interviews for over a decade and In 2018, Adam decided it was time to expand on his interviews and came up with the idea for a show entitled Baring It All with Call Me Adam which started out as a live stage show and has now morphed into a newly launched podcast. Adam Rothenberg or Call Me Adam as he is known everywhere. Check out his podcast on the B...
Apr 21, 2020•26 min
