Arts & Toast

About Arts & Toast

What really goes on behind the scenes of theatre, museums and live performance in the East Midlands? An East Midlands Arts Podcast with Kirsty Corbett. Join Kirsty for relaxed chats with theatre-makers, museum curators, musicians and artists shaping culture across the East Midlands. From theatre and dance to exhibitions and live music, each episode celebrates the people and ideas bringing the region’s arts and culture community to life. Put the kettle on and take a front-row seat to the East Midlands arts scene. If you like a theatre podcast, creative podcast, entertainment podcast or just a general artsy podcast then you have come to the right place.

Publisher

Kirsty Corbett

Category

arts · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Mar 2026

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

74 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026

   Jeff Flaster: How an audiobook based musical was built from 4 notes, a painting and Beethoven.

   What happens when a musical is made for headphones? In this episode of Arts and Toast, host Kirsty Corbett talks with composer and creator Jeff Flaster about transforming inspiration from an O. Henry story, a Hudson River School painting, and Beethoven into Following Jimmy Valentine - an audio musical built around the power of sound. Jeff explains how four notes became the foundation for 18 songs, how his background in mathematics and software engineering shaped his approach to composition and why he thinks of sound as his canvas. The conversation explores reinvention, musical storytelling and the experience of creating a recording with performers including Hadley Fraser, Kerry Ellis & David Hunter. Jeff reflects on how technology makes it possible to experience a musical in headphones, online, or in the car, while the human need for stories remains timeless.For audiobook lovers, theatre fans and anyone curious about arts and creativity in the East Midlands and beyond, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how music can make a story feel vivid even when there’s no stage in front of you. The audiobook is available to download, now, and can be found by searching "Following Jimmy Valentine" on your preferred provider.

2. 

   19 Oct 2026

   Shalisha James-Davis brings Shakespeare to Nottinghamshire school ahead of her RSC run in Stratford

   In an interview with Kirsty Corbett of Arts & Toast, Shalisha James-Davis discusses her role as Portia & Octavius Casar in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Julius Caesar, starring alongside RSC Associate Artist Dame Harriet Walter, known for Law & Order and Star Wars, and Jackie Clune, whose credits include EastEnders and numerous musical theatre productions. The production is touring schools and prisons across the UK as part of its First Encounters programme, ahead of the run scheduled at the RSC in Stratford in November 2026. Shalisha reflects on the significance of returning to her Nottingham roots to help bring professional Shakespeare to young people in a Nottinghamshire school, demonstrating how theatre can reach audiences beyond traditional performance spaces. The conversation explores Shalisha’s journey into acting, embracing her accent and identity, and the importance of representation on stage. She also discusses the transformative potential of theatre in educational settings and prisons, and how Shakespeare’s exploration of power, manipulation and history continues to resonate with contemporary audiences. 🎭 First Encounters: Julius Caesar 🗓️ 5 November – 28 November 2026 📍 The Other Place, Stratford (RSC) (Suitable for ages 11+) 🎟️ www.rsc.org.uk/first-encounters-julius-caesar-2026

3. 

   17 Oct 2026

   Larry Dean on Comedy, Love, Touring and bringing Hellbent to Nottingham Playhouse.

   Looking for comedy, theatre and live entertainment in Nottingham and the East Midlands? In this episode of Arts & Toast, Kirsty Corbett sits down with award-winning Scottish comedian Larry Dean to talk stand-up comedy, live performance, touring life, creativity, music and his latest tour, Hellbent. Together, they explore the highs and lows of being a stand-up comedian, the nerves and pressures of performing live and the challenge of stepping onto a stage alone with nothing but a microphone, a story and an audience to win over. Larry shares why entertaining people matters more than seeking the spotlight, and why authenticity, vulnerability and connecting with an audience are at the heart of great comedy. Why can talking about love sometimes feel more embarrassing than tackling life's heavier subjects? And how can comedy help us make sense of our most personal experiences? Larry reflects on the role of awards and recognition in the performing arts, the realities of self-doubt, and the emotional rollercoaster of life on tour. Whether you're a fan of stand-up comedy, live theatre, comedy tours, performing arts, cultural events or discovering exciting performers, this episode offers an entertaining and insightful look behind the scenes of a comedian's life. 🎭 See Larry Dean live in Nottingham! Larry Dean brings his Hellbent tour to Nottingham Playhouse on 24 October. If you love live comedy, theatre nights, stand-up shows and discovering the best live entertainment in Nottingham and the East Midlands, this is one to look out for. 🎟️ Tickets are available from the Nottingham Playhouse website. (https://nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/events/larry-dean/) Photo credit: Matt Crockett

Reach and audience

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Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.