A show about Amateur Theatre productions, following shows from first production meetings through to opening night . As well as looking into how an amateur show is put together. The show also looks at the myths and misconceptions that surround amateur theatre productions and hope to convince you that Amateur does not mean Amateurish. The series will include reviews of amateur shows on in local theatres and chats with cast and crew about their love of amateur theatre.
In this episode we have a review of the recent production of the Vicar of Dibley performed by the Bury St Edmunds Operatic and Dramatic Society (BSODS) at the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds.
This is the first review by our new guest reviewer Kath Hallam and I hope will be the first of many by Kath.
For more information on this podcast please visit https://stuarthannah.com/my-podcasts/
19 Jul 2026
Episode 13: Night:City - A New Musical
EXCLUSIVE: In this episode I get the opportunity to talk to singer songwriter Carys about her brand new stage musical Night:City. Described as “a musical like never before, Night:City is where urban legends live inviting you to escape the everyday, one song at a time”.
The episode includes music from the upcoming soundtrack album.
I was loafing on holiday in Turkey when this opportunity came up and as the show opens soon on the 25th of July, I owe a big thanks to David Wright, Grammy nominated composer and producer of the soundtrack album, for interviewing Carys on my behalf to avoid delaying the episode release.
Tickets are selling fast for the one night only premier of Night:City taking place at the Fisher Theatre in Bungay Suffolk on July 25th and can be purchased here: https://fishertheatre.org/FisherTheatre.dll/Booking?Booking=TSelectItems.waSelectItemsPrompt.TcsWebMenuItem_0.TcsWebTab_0.TcsPerformance_1149139.TcsSection_1730 (https://fishertheatre.org/FisherTheatre.dll/Booking?Booking=TSelectItems.waSelectItemsPrompt.TcsWebMenuItem_0.TcsWebTab_0.TcsPerformance_1149139.TcsSection_1730 )
More information about Carys and her other work can be found here:
https://carysmusic.com/ (https://carysmusic.com/)
As well as on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caryssongs (https://www.facebook.com/caryssongs)
Or Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Carysmusic. (https://www.youtube.com/@Carysmusic.) And Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/52hvpv1X4gg5uDSg8crkuP/discography (https://open.spotify.com/artist/52hvpv1X4gg5uDSg8crkuP/discography)
Further information on the Album producer David Wright can be found here:
Website: https://www.davidwrightmusic.com/ (https://www.davidwrightmusic.com/)
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Wright_(British_musician) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Wright_(British_musician) )
If you would like your production featured on the show please contact me on info@stuarthannah.com (info@stuarthannah.com)
Thanks for listening.
Stu x
2 Jul 2026
Episode 12: A Mid Summer Nights Dream Come True!
In this episode our roving reporter Seb Ransom interviews Julia Frazier, an American Shakespeare Superfan and theatre professional; about how she is realising a lifelong ambition to not only direct what is probably Shakespeare's funniest comedy but to do so in the country of his birth.
She talks about her love of the works of the Bard of Stratford and how she hopes to inject as much British humour as possible into the play which is the latest production by the Bury Theatre Workshop and is this years summer Shakespeare in the Park production, performed outdoors in the beautiful Abbey Gardens Bury St Edmunds. The show will be on from Tuesday July 28th through to Saturday August 1st (including a 2pm matinee). For tickets visit https://www.burytheatreworkshop.org.uk/new-productions (https://www.burytheatreworkshop.org.uk/new-productions)
If you are involved in an amateur theatre production and would like it to be featured on the podcast please get in touch by emailing info@stuarthannah.com
30 Jun 2026
Episode 11: Cleats, Lines & Calamities - A life backstage (Revised and extended version)
In this episode I look at what it's like working backstage in Amdram productions. It can seem to be an unglamorous existence lurking in the dark backstage but when you contribute to a successful show it is very satisfying. I also share some stories about some near disasters that I have witnessed during my time working as a stage hand in Amdram. It's great fun but not without some risk in the theatre environment.
If you would like to share your backstage stories or like me to feature your upcoming amatuer production on the show, please email me at podcast@stuarthannah.co.uk
13 Apr 2026
Episode 11: Cleats, Lines and Calamities
In this episode I share some stories about some near disasters that I have witnessed during my time working as a stage hand in Amdram. It's great fun but not without some risk in the theatre environment.
If you would like to share your backstage stories or like me to feature your upcoming amatuer production on the show, please email me at podcast@stuarthannah.co.uk
5 Mar 2026
Episode 10: Breaking The Code Review
This is a special review episode. I recently saw the Sudbury Dramatic Society's production of Breaking the code by Hugh Whitemore. The play tells the rise and fall of the genius that was Alan Turing, father of modern computing.
The play was cleverly staged and filled with terrific performances, so much so that I felt compelled to record a review.
27 Feb 2026
Episode 9: Professionals in Amdram Pt2.
In this episode I share part 2 of my interview with Pelham Elliott. In part one we discussed his professional acting work, in this second part of the interview we discuss his love of Amdram and how he came to adapt the novel Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day for the stage.
14 Nov 2025
Episode 8: Professionals in Amdram Pt1.
I recently got the chance to interview Pelham Elliot, one of our regular cast members and directors at the Bury Theatre Workshop and other east Anglia amdram groups.
As well as a very active member of groups in the Bury St Edmunds area, Pelham is also a professional actor. I thought it would be interesting to discuss his professional work and why he also enjoys being involved in local amateur productions.
The interview is split into two parts, starting with our discussion about his recent TV work including Ted Lasso & The Ashley Maddison Scandal for Netflix, Music video work (featuring in Mick Jaggers 'England Lost') and his time as a regular on the Murder Mystery circuit.
In the following episode I will include part two of the interview, where we discuss his love of Amdram.
I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did recording it.
9 Oct 2025
Episode 7: Offering Audio Description Services in Amdram productions
In this episode we talk to a lady called Georgette Vale who has been developing an Audio Description Service for her local Amateur Dramatic group, The Wymondham Players in Norfolk.
This service is often provided for professional stage shows but is not common within Amateur Productions. Georgette would like to see more groups across the UK provide this service for potential audience members who are either blind or visually impaired so that they can enjoy live theatre local to them.
Georgette is featured in an issue of the NODA magazine, the link is here if you would like to read the article https://issuu.com/nodapress/docs/noda_today_-_summer_25/51?ff (https://issuu.com/nodapress/docs/noda_today_-_summer_25/51?ff)
If you would like to talk to Georgette about how you might offer this service to your audiences you can call her on: 01953 605434
2 Sept 2025
Episode 6: The Ripple Effect; an original play
In this episode Seb Ranson interviews David Pollard, writer and director of The Ripple Effect, a new original play being performed in Ipswich in September 2025.
You can find more information about the show and purchase tickets here: https://easternangles.co.uk/event/the-ripple-effect/
25 Feb 2025
Episode 5: Mary Rose by The Bury Theatre Workshop
In this episode I discuss the Bury Theatre Workshop production of J M Barries' play Mary Rose. Very much a departure from Peter Pan, his most famous work, Mary Rose is a sad and moving story of the life and fate of young Mary Rose, a happy go lucky young girl who's life takes a dark turn after a visit to a mysterious island in Scotland. My co-presenter, Seb Ranson interviews director Tim Lodge about his decision to stage the play and looks at what Bury Theatre Workshop has planned for the rest of the year.
24 Jan 2025
Episode 4: Pygmalion Review by Seb Ranson
In this episode I share the first show review done by Seb Ransom for the podcast. This is of a production of Pygmalion by the Sudbury Dramatic Society and was performed at The Quay Theatre, Sudbury from the 9th to the 13th of July 2024.
I hope to include show reviews by Seb on a regular basis.
Enjoy!
5 Jan 2025
Episode 3: Things That Go Bump on Stage Right
In this episode, I share some unexplained stories about strange events that happened to myself, family members and friends at the Little Theatre Leicester many years ago.
Inspired by Halloween 2024 (which prompted me to recall these events) I thought that it would be fun to share them with you.
23 Nov 2024
Episode 2: Relative Values
Production expert shares insights from staging Relative Values at The Quay Theatre Sudbury, highlighting the skills required to bring a show to life.
6 Nov 2024
Episode 1. A Bunch of Amateurs
In this first episode I talk about how hugely popular Amateur Dramatics is and also try to dispel the misconception that amateur means amateurish.
The podcast series follows a new amateur production each season and this season follows a production of Noel Cowards Relative Values at the Quay Theatre, Sudbury.
Our show runs from November 14th 2024 to November 16th with two performances on the 16th. If you would like tickets please follow this link https://quaysudbury.com/events/relative-values/ (https://quaysudbury.com/events/relative-values/)
We have great cast and it is a terrific version of this comedy classic, please come along and support us.
If you would like me to promote or feature a show you are working on, please email me at podcast@stuarthannah.co.uk (podcast@stuarthannah.co.uk)
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 12 / 100
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Quality
12
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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