Backstage theatre folk chatting. We asked Stage Managers, Producers, Directors, Production Managers, Technicians, and even a few lovely actors to come along to our "Production Meetings". Sharing pearls of wisdom, swapping comedy theatrical stories, and generally having a bit of a lark. Nothing too serious or time-consuming. With their tour off the road and the theatres shut due to COVID lockdown, two Stage Managers, Natasha Houghton and Mark Shayle, talk shop with invited guests ( *cough*, pals in fact, or people we would like to be pals with).
Episodes were released on Thursdays at 13:00 in the UK, coz that's when we do "Production Meetings".
Send us a text No one asked for it, but here it is. Released without flourish or fanfare, just for the folk who subscribe, follow us on social media or stumble across it. Right, I really need to sit down and figure out how to do a Muggle CV now... Thanks for listening and stay safe everyone Parish Notices: You can keep up with our news on our Facebook page, on Instagram, or indeed our Website. Shayley, SIGNING OFF. Support the show
6 Aug 2020
013 - Jason Culverwell
Send us a text Jason Culverwell, Technical Director for National Theatre Productions at the RNT, brings wealth knowledge and humour to our final season 1 episode. We talk about coming into the industry as a career changer, touring the world with productions like STOMP and Warhorse, plus fast cars and hasty getaways with stand-up comedians. Tash does an impression. Parish Notices This might be the last "official" episode for Season 1, but stay tuned for the outtakes episode "Curtain Call -...
30 Jul 2020
012 - Georgia Bird
Send us a text Georgia Bird joins us to sprinkle some of her magic Stage Management dust over us all. Her enviable career has seen her go back and forth between London and Broadway on a number of landmark productions. She talks to us about being one of the first SM's to work on a high profile Zoom production, reflections on working in the States, theatre in times of COVID, lessons from college, and getting married in Las Vegas. It's a bit of a laugh... Support the show
23 Jul 2020
011 - Ali Wade
Send us a text Ali Wade is someone who will be very familiar to backstage folk. The renowned West End CSM and current Chair of the UK Stage Management Association joins us to talk, Tea Breaks, ghosts at the Wyndham's, the madness of Glengarry Glen Ross, and Christmas dinners for goldfish. Oh, and there is some great advice for people looking to break into the West End. Ali Mentions that she is raising money for the Air Ambulance charity she volunteers for. If you can, please consider adding...
16 Jul 2020
010 - Philip Franks
Send us a text This week someone that Tash and Shayley both know, and who we think you will love. The director of the last show we ever did Philip Franks joins us over Zoom. Folk of a certain generation will remember Philip ( Pip to his friends) for his roles in The Darling Buds of May and Heartbeat. More than a few of us will have seen him in his basque and fishnets as The Narrator in The Rocky Horror Show that toured a few years back. Parish Notices: Unbelievably we have made it in...
9 Jul 2020
009 - Lee Dennison
Send us a text Lee Dennison, Business Development Manager at White Light, and lovely chap keeps us thoroughly entertained switching between some grown-up topics, but mostly just giggling. We talk about brand building and networking; The skills of sound, the joy of splicing tape and we reminisce about clunky light stops on Revox's. Throw in a "Miss Saigon" story and we have an extended episode with one of the nicest fellas in show business. https://www.whitelight.ltd.uk/meet-the-team/le...
2 Jul 2020
008 - Anthony Sammut
Send us a text Head of Productions for Rose Bruford College Anthony Sammut joins us this week. Before moving into the education sector, he was a "lifestyle" touring Company Manager. He still keeps his hand in each year as Company Managing his beloved pantos. Anthony is great fun, passionate about training, almost as much as he is about doughnuts. ( Donuts seems to be becoming a theme for Production Meetings...). "The Rest is History" Support the show
25 Jun 2020
007 - Jason Addison & Holly Ellis
Send us a text Holly meet Mark meet Jason meet Tash meet Holly, oh wait you already know Tash. Lighting Designers Holly Ellis and Jason Addison join us for our normal mixture of inquisition and silliness. We talk about becoming an LD, "emerging", working, and Dirty Donuts. Hull gets an unfair bashing. www.hollyellislighting.com www.jasonaddison.com Support the show
18 Jun 2020
006 - Sharon Hobden
Send us a text Think of a West End DSM. You've thought of Sharon Hobden, right? Sharon is one of those people with a hugely impressive backstage CV, well respected and always in demand. In her charming, self deprecating style she spends some time with us talking about her experiences and thoughts on the craft. We natter and giggle on subjects ranging from Creatives with a small "c", beauty parades for Show Callers, and shooting arrows at the ground plan. Support the show
11 Jun 2020
005 - Felicity Duncan and Jon Osbaldeston
Send us a text Felicity Duncan and Jon Osbaldeston join us backstage on our little podcast for a chit chat about why they didn't opt for a Stage Management career and instead went into Acting. We hear their tales including thoughts on Post Shows, working on the other side of the pond and costume fittings gone a tad pear-shaped. Social Links: Across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @westenders5678 Jon also has a brand new YouTube channel with selected episodes of the web series "Doctor Thea...
4 Jun 2020
004 - Sam Hunter and Julia Whittle
Send us a text A treat this week; The legends that are Sam Hunter and Julia Whittle join us in our zoom room. We talk teams, masterclasses, show disasters and wow-factor chats about show calling opening and closing Olympic ceremonies. Sam and Ju share anecdotes (Guildhall alumni's prepare!), lots of name dropping, and many, many laughs. In between Jigjaw puzzle masterminding, we are delighted that the infamous Orange Jackets were able to give up their time to chat and delight us. Check them...
28 May 2020
003 - Matthew Stern
Send us a text Giving up family time on the Memorial weekend, from his kitchen in NYC, we are delighted to be joined by Broadway Stage Manager, Matthew Stern. Matt has an impressive career working on some of the biggest shows on Broadway. Many of us know him as the guy who set up and runs the annual Broadway Stage Management Symposium, (this year's symposium is online this weekend), or will have been one of the hundreds who have attended his SM Tec Fridays. There's also a good chance you hav...
21 May 2020
002 - Simon Gooding
Send us a text Simon Gooding is one of the UK's busiest Production Managers. We persuaded him to come off his allotment and talk about not going to the theatre, boats, and not going to run-throughs in the rehearsal room. Oh, and how he almost had a very different career... Despite the fact that Simon has a very squeaky office chair, figets, clicks his pen all the way thru the recording, and failed on all things audio, the content, like Simon, is joyful. Support the show
14 May 2020
001 - Mark Thompson
Send us a text General Manager of the Playhouse Theatre, Weston-super-Mare, Producer and globe-trotting impresario, Mark joined us for our first-ever podcast. Armed with brand new headphones that he couldn't plug into his mac, over a shaky Zoom connection we covered topics including: running a successful venue blowing stuff up in the Middle East learning how to produce a pantobeing a terrible plumber and expert tap breaker..."All over the walls are posters of memories that never hap...
3 May 2020
000 - Trailer
Send us a text Tash and Mark have second thoughts about doing a podcast, and then get excited about the (potential) Guestlist. Support the show
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