George Naylor on Understudying in "Second Best"

Robyn started acting professionally from the age of 14. She has a BA in Performing and Screen Arts from the Unitec School of Performing Arts in Auckland, New Zealand, graduating in 2009. During her time there she studied under Sanford Meisner graduate Michael Saccente. From there she continued her studies at The Neighbourhood Playhouse School of Theatre, otherwise known as The Meisner School in New York. She then returned to New Zealand to complete her post-graduate studies in Journalism from the Auckland University of Technology in 2012. Her acting work, like her studies, have taken her all over the globe. In 2013 she won the Best Female Newcomer at the Sydney Theatre Festival for her one woman show “The South Afreakins” which also enjoyed a sold out run at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2016. Her show was also named as “The Edinburgh Reporters Pick of the Fringe”leading to a further tour of New Zealand. She moved to London in 2014 where she began working in post-production for television commercials across the UK, Europe and UAE (United Arab Emirates). Then onto teaching at Royal Holloway in the directing faculty, to taking her Meisner workshops to Kingston and Roehampton Universities among many more. On top of all this she is the commander-in-chief of The London Meisner Company, leading workshops across London on Sanford Meisner’s techniques to help actors give the best performance they can. Robyn is one of the brightest and attentive coaches of the Meisner technique so get in touch below to get yourself involved. thelondonmeisnercompany.com@the_london_meisner_companyRobyn’s passion for Meisner and helping actors is unparalleled and this was one of my favourite episodes to record! Thank you again Robyn, until next time!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: [email protected] Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning 

The return of Mildred Yuan!Mildred returns to the show to discuss the rise of AI, its impact on the performing arts and how now more than ever, we need to embrace our humanity. Mildred stresses that while AI is amongst us, it is not here to replace you. There are things it can do to help us as she has discovered with her own piece of software “AI Mildred”. Where you can ask it anything from which agent should I sign for? What reputation does this creative team have? To what does this clause in my contract mean?In “The Stage” recently, she wrote about how it can be an effective tool for things like the above. In this conversation she suggests that humans and AI should use this opportunity to get to know each other better. Not give our power away to it, but understand what it can do for us and where we should draw the line. In these changing times I believe it’s important to have these discussions so we know more about what’s coming and not allow anything to replace us. On a lighter note, Mildred and I both stress that no matter how advanced AI is prepared to go, it can never take away our authentic human experience. In her own words, “Let AI be the tool, you be the soul”. Let’s take some time to understand it, whilst also knowing it can’t take away the feeling of being human, having lived experiences, feeling genuine emotions and hearing stories that you simply can’t make up!For access to Mildred’s “Power Hour” sessions on Patreon (£12 a month), her articles in The Stage, “Mildred AI” and how to get in touch, visit her website and Instagram below:@mildredyuanmildredyuan.comGreat to have you back Mildred and for shining a light on this topic. Here’s to next time!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: [email protected] Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning 

The return of Cassandra Woodhouse!Cassandra returns to the show to discuss her second outing of Prima Facie and how actors can look after their nervous system. Since our last conversation she has taken Suzie Miller’s play around New Zealand for a second time, making new discoveries and deepening her relationship with the character Tessa. A young lawyer fighting her way into the British justice system from a working class upbringing. Until one night something awful happens to her and she is forced to face the cracks in the establishment she fully believed in. We discuss her new findings of the play, her continuous work with sexual assault charities and some of the latest reactions she’s getting from audiences. In addition to her future with the play, the rewards and benefits of producing a one woman show by yourself and how she implores actors to look after their nervous system. She discusses how performers should prioritise looking after their nervous systems as sometimes it doesn’t know what is real and what isn’t. It doesn’t know that you’re playing someone else’s story and not your own so when you’re tackling big material like Prima Facie, looking after yourself is paramount. ⚠️Trigger warning: This episode contains references to sexual assault⚠️For more information regarding her tour and future endeavours you can see that on the New Zealand Theatre Company website and her Instagram below:nztheatrecompany.com@cassandra_woodhouseThank you again Cassandra, here’s to next time!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: [email protected] Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning 

George graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Speech and Drama in 2016 and has many credits to his name across stage and screen.For screen:A Number of Short Films - Open, Re-live, Hangnail and SundowningUnpredictable - Amazon PrimeSpirit Rangers Series 1-3 - NetflixTore - NetflixWeb of LiesFor stage:Taming of the Shrew, Madness in Valencia and The Rover - Richard Burton CompanyBaby and Sold - Park TheatreWendy and Peter Pan - written by Ella Hickson at the Royal Lyceum, EdinburghOne Man Two GuvnorsThe Mousetrap, UK Tour and West EndPresent Laughter and Henry V - Barn TheatreSecond Best, understudying Asa Butterfield (Sex Education, Boy in the Striped Pyjamas) at the Riverside Studios, directed by Michael Longhurst and written by Barney Norris We discuss his understudying role in Second Best, the story of Martin Hill who came second to Daniel Radcliffe while auditioning for Harry Potter. The one man show sees Martin contemplating what life could have been if he had landed the role of a lifetime as he enters a new chapter in his own life, becoming a father. Second Best asks, would life be better if I was famous or was missing out the best thing to happen to me?We discuss George’s time being an understudy, behind the scenes and working alongside Asa on bringing Martin’s story to life. As well as his time on the longest running play in West End history, The Mousetrap. Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: [email protected] Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning 

Joyce is the founder of “Off Book It” a platform dedicated to helping actors learn lines in a fun and creative way. She’s helped countless actors removing mental blocks and providing great techniques to help them now and in the future. She trained at The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, she is also a three day champion on the game show “Jeopardy” for NBC. Joyce has featured on many Q&A panels including:Actors Breakfast Club DaJuan Johnson’s “Self-Tapes that Book”Blythe Howard’s commercial workshopAnastasia Edward’s “Actor’s Biz”Actor Playbook“Why I’ll Never Make It” Podcast For more information check out her website and Instagram below:Website: https://www.offbookit.comInstagram: @offbookitContact: [email protected] check out her website for your FREE MASTERCLASS video. For anyone who accesses the masterclass with receive a $100 discount on her courses which also can be found via her website. For any actors listening or watching who want advice on memorisation this one’s for you as we discuss her four part process to making you learn your lines quicker and more effectively. Especially when you’re against the clock!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: [email protected] Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning 

Harriet is a writer, producer and performer for stage, screen and radio.The Spectator said of her debut play THE LISTENING ROOM “You emerge with your consciousness altered, your conception of human beings elevated and amplified”. THE LISTENING ROOM transferred from the Old Red Lion to Stratford East and has since been performed at the National Theatre, The Lowry, Theatre Clwyd, Northern Stage and in prisons & psychiatric institutions across the UK. A radio adaptation was created with BBC Radio 4 and nominated for an ARIA in 2020.Harriet’s most recent radio drama THE OTHER TCHAIKOVSKY was shortlisted for a BBC Audio Drama Award in 2021 & a 90 minute film adaptation is now in development with BBC2.Harriet’s first solo show OUTPATIENT premiered at the Edinburgh Festival in 2024 and won the Summerhall Lustrum Award for Unforgettable Theatre.Harriet is currently developing a number of projects for stage and screen. She runs a theatre company, Crowded Room, with whom she was shortlisted for the Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award at the Barbican.(This bio courtesy of Independent Talent - https://www.independenttalent.com/writers/harriet-madeley/) Harriet and I discuss how theatre can be so profound and impactful by asking questions that many are scared or uncomfortable to ask. Such as, how does it feel when you’re hit by a life-threatening illness and how does it feel knowing you’re going to die?Her recent show “Outpatient”, which I was lucky to see at the Park Theatre a few weeks ago, tackles these big questions. We meet character “Olive” an aspiring journalist who is struck down with PSC (Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis) a terrible illness for which there is no cure and could end her life either in 10 years or in 10 days. Based on Harriet’s own battle with the same illness, the play is a semi-autobiographical commentary on what life is like living with a disease you don’t know about and what it’ll be like for your loved ones when you’re gone. Harriet is so open and honest, talking about her love for truthful theatre, her journey with the play through the festival circuit and in London as well as her own personal journey with PSC. Thank you so much again Harriet for being so open and being so generous with my questions and of course for your art! I hope you all have the opportunity to catch this play in the future. Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: [email protected] Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning 

Sarah attended both the Royal Court Young Writer’s and Studio Writer’s Groups programmes and has gone on to become an award-winning playwright and screenwriter. She’s also an alumni of the prestigious “4 Screenwriting” programme and the script she developed with them was picked up by production company Sunny March. An independent film and Tv company led by Benedict Cumberbatch. She was also listed on the BBC’s New Talent Hotlist and chosen from thousands of entries for the BBC Drama Writer’s Programme. Her plays have been produced all over the world and published by Bloomsbury Press, Oberon Books and Samuel French. Her first audio play “Mrs Wickham” starring Jessie Buckley (Chernobyl, Wicked Little Letters) and Johnny Flynn (Motive and the Cue, One Life), directed by Eleanor Rhode became a global success on Audible, winning the 2023 International Audio for Best Original Work. In addition to being selected as one of the iPaper’s 25 Best Audio pieces of all time and is currently being adapted into a feature film. Check out her new audible project “Billionaire For Sale” starring also Johnny Flynn, directed again by Eleanor Rhode, available now!We discuss both her audio projects, her writing process, finding her voice in her writing and what we can expect from her next. Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: [email protected] Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning 

Gaia is not only a talented actress but writer as well, starring in some of the biggest shows of the last few years, The Witcher (Netflix) and Everything I Know About Love (BBC) to name a couple. She graduated from the University of Cambridge and has been involved in several other projects across stage and screen. Including:For screen:Red, White and Royal BlueShort Film: FerretThe Witcher Series 1-3 - NetflixEverything I Know About Love - BBCFor stage:Her Very Many Faces1984, Wimbledon TheatreThe Trial, KafkaMacbethWatership DownA Midsummer Nights Dream As a writer she has written and starred in her own plays, “Fake It Till You Make It” at the Edinburgh and Camden Fringes. Including her brand new one woman show that will be taking her back to both festivals this year. This one is called “Centre of the Universe”, which previewed at Theatre 503 in London very recently. A story about the impact of social media on the young population and how a TikTok influencer can make them believe they are indeed, the Centre of the Universe. Produced by the great Trish Wadley. I was lucky to see it in previews and it’s a brilliant show accurately documenting the power of social media as well as a fantastic performance from Gaia herself!Tickets for the Edinburgh run on sale now!https://festival.summerhallarts.co.uk/events/centre-of-the-universe/Gaia discusses her writing process, her inspiration for Centre of the Universe, the impact of social media on young people and her time filming The Witcher with Mr Cavill (not bad for her first ever on set experience!). Such a pleasure Gaia, here’s to next time. Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: [email protected] Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning 

Sarah is an actor, director, producer who’s worked extensively with Off-West End productions. She holds a BA in Social and Political Science from Trinity Hall, Cambridge. As an actress she has worked extensively in theatre including roles at:The Citizens TheatreChichester FestivalSouthwark PlayhouseSalisbury PlayhouseAs a theatre producer, she has been involved in:GOOD BOY, “Timeless” and In Defiance of Gravity at the Edinburgh Fringe, 20241979, Finborough TheatreStitches, Hope TheatreOther works include:Web Series - “Lear Alone” - which won Best Series at the Off West End OnComm Awards 2022Web Series - “Late Night Staring at High Res Pixels” - winner of London Pub Theatre’s Standing Ovation Award for Best Theatre OnlineLeaves, Jermyn Street TheatreScrounger, Finborough, won Best New Play at the Off-West End Awards 2021Look out for her brand new show starring Sarah herself, “Elon Musk: Lost in Space” playing at both the Camden and Edinburgh fringe this year, tickets on sale now!A show looking at the impact of Elon Musk’s technology and what the future holds for us and AI. https://camdenfringe.com/events/elon-musk-lost-in-space/We discuss working on Off-West End projects, getting funding from the Arts Council and her brand new show!Links to more of her work and her process can be found here:https://www.scenesaver.co.uk/production/lear-alone/https://www.londonpubtheatres.com/interview-sarah-lawrieOliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: [email protected] Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning 

Antonia is one of the most talented actresses around with a multitude of credits and awards to her name. She is the winner of the Best Actress Award at the 2019 London Independent Film Awards, as well as Best Short Film for “Held for A Moment”. Which also won at the Underwire, London Independent and DumboFilm Festivals respectively. Her other work includes:For TV:Letter for the King - NetflixThe DurrellsVictoria Series 2The Bear and Shantaram - Apple TVTheatre:Macbeth Red End The Cherry OrchardMidsummer Nights DreamCaucasian Chalk CircleCinema:Conte AnglaisOperation FinaleThe French DispatchMost recently: Modigliani - Three Days on the Wing of Madness, directed by Johnny Depp. 1916 Paris: A 72 hour insight into the life of celebrated Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, Antonia plays one of the many lovers he had in his life, Beatrice Hastings. A movie that looks not only at Modi’s art, but how you should never sell yourself for it. We discuss her training in the UK, her creative process and how she found Beatrice in Depp’s compelling film. Merci beaucoup Antonia, here’s to next time!Modigliani - Three Days on the Wing of Madness is in UK cinemas now.Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: [email protected] Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning