The Adlib Podcast

Joe Willis joins Henry and Jessy this week to have an open and honest conversation about life as an emerging writer across stage and screen. 

Ever wondered what the Arts Council actually does? Wonder no more! We chat to director of theatre, Neil Darlison about the history of ACE, its relationship with the UK government as well as its response to the global pandemic. There are also some tips for those looking to apply for ACE funding.

Beth joins Henry and Jessy on the podcast to talk about life as a freelance theatre producer and the role she played in the freelance Taskforce during the first COVID-19 lockdown in the UK. She also tells the story of how her drag king persona came about.

Matt and Siân, of the theatre publisher Nick Hern Books join Henry and Jessy to chat about how plays become printed books, as well as the world of amateur play rights and tips for aspiring playwrights. 

With theatres still closed Henry and Jessy chat to Annie Kirkman, Jessica Duffield and Alice Palmer of East Yorkshire based She Productions. Hear how they created their female led company which puts on work by women, about women and for everybody. For more information about their work and their festival SheFest follow their social media @ProductionsShe (twitter) or go to their website www.sheproductions.co.uk

We are back again to try and create something positive during this difficult time. Henry and Jessy are this time joined on Skype, because of social distancing of course, by Nancy Zamit from Mischief Theatre known for The Play That Goes Wrong and their hit BBC show The Goes Wrong Show. Hear what it was like creating their hilarious shows, being part of the cast and what flavour ice cream we all like. Serious content. 

Harriet Watson, current alternate in the touring cast of the hit-musical Six, shares what it is like to be a Queen on the road, being part of the Queendom as well as highlighting the importance of swings, understudies and alternates in the theatre industry. 

Britney Comedy was born from two best friends and a brain tumour called Britney. Hear the story from Charly Clive, one half of the comedy duo, from its initial conception at the Edinburgh Fringe to it now being transformed into a television series. This really is such a fascinating story and has allowed both Charly and Ellen to forge a career for themselves in the creative industry. Find out more at www.britneycomedy.co.uk

SLAP Festival is back for another year at York Theatre Royal, so Jessy and Henry went to speak to Co-Director of the festival Lydia Cottrell and upcoming artist Aisling Lally whose play Messy Eaters is being performed at the festival. Have a listen to what you can expect at SLAP this year and what it takes to put together. 

Recorded in the dressing rooms of the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Jessy and Henry are joined by Mike and Chris from the cast of Reasons to Stay Alive, a play based on the renowned, bestselling book by Matt Haig. Hear how the play came together and how it was led by the contents of the book from the very beginning.

Fat Rascal are the guests on this week's episode. Known for their quick witty, laugh out loud musicals, Henry speaks to them in between their hectic two show a day fringe run. Hear how they create their work, have grown their fanbase and the challenges with having a blue glitter beard everyday for a month!

Up and coming musical theatre group Colla Voce join Henry on the show to talk about their latest piece, You and I, a brand new musical. Hear how the musical was developed and maybe why rehearsing in an Airbnb in Chesterfield is not the best idea... Colla Voce are bringing their show to York as part of the TakeOver Festival on the 28th of October and tickets are available now from the York Theatre Royal box office.

In this episode recorded once again at the Edinburgh Fringe, Henry and Jessy are joined by Middle Child members Daniel Ward and Nigel Taylor who performed The Canary and The Crow in Edinburgh and are now currently touring the show around the UK. Hear how the show came about, what gig theatre is and what this piece means to those involved and to audiences that have been lucky enough to see it. 

For this week's episode Henry joined two members of the cast of Fringe favourite Sh!t-Faced Showtime to hear about how they manage the complexities of their production. With one member of the cast getting for each performance, welfare is naturally a key issue, but this is a company that knows how to enjoy what they do and you can't help but laugh watching them perform. 

In our second episode from the Edinburgh Fringe we talk to the Roaring Girls about their new show Beach Body Ready. We discuss how their show came about and the message of body positivity they are spreading. This is a company that is refreshingly open and honest in their conversations so keep an eye out their future performances.

In the first of a series of episodes recorded at the Edinburgh Fringe, we talk to Richard Lounds and Em Watkins about bringing Roger Hargreaves's beloved characters to life.

In this episode Jessy and Henry went back down to London to talk to Nathan Brine and Maddy Mutch from the producing company Selladoor. They discuss the role of a theatre producer, project timelines and challenges facing new productions. 

This week on Adlib, Jessy and Henry talk to arts journalist, theatre critic, and academic Catherine Love. They cover topics such as mental health in  the arts, arts education, problematic revivals and objectivity versus subjectivity in arts journalism. 

Henry and Jessy chatted with Lydia Cottrell, co-director of the SLAP festival to hear how the festival came about and what it takes to run one.

2019 is the 10 year anniversary of National Theatre Live, so Jessy and Henry went and talked to Flo Buckeridge, a senior producer for NT Live to hear all about it. They discuss how it all came about, behind the scenes work as well as programming broadcasts.

Jessy and Henry talk to Dave Hearn from Mischief theatre about his journey as an actor, being part of a growing company, and international success in our first episode of the series.