Zoe Birkett

I know. It's been a minute. But we are back! This was a truly uplifting episode with the radiant, talented and beautiful Clare Foster from 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'. I always get nervous just before a recording with artists I don't know or haven't spoken with before. But I just felt like I had known Clare all my life. She was funny and thoughtful and gave amazing insights into the working of a tightknit company who are putting on such a special piece night after night. I loved the idea of dedicating a performance to someone each night, and I got my ABSOLUTE geek on hearing about how that show works from a technical perspective.  This was exactly the start to Season 2 I wanted and I am so looking forward to the rest of this year and the episodes we have to come. 

In this episode, we sit down with Danny Robins, the mastermind behind the hit play "2:22" and the creator of gripping paranormal podcasts such as "The Battersea Poltergeist". Together we dive into a range of topics, from Danny’s personal take on punctuality to how he’s ensuring that "2:22" remains accessible to a wide audience. We also tackle the criticisms he’s faced for “star casting” in his productions and discuss how he’s become the new face of the paranormal genre, both on stage and in the podcast world. This is such an insightful conversation with one of today’s most exciting voices in supernatural storytelling.

I know I say every episode is special, but this one is really truly something else... Probably because my guest is the very special, and hugely candid, Tori Allen Martin. 😍 During her career Tori has dealt with professional heartache, sometimes in a very highly publicised way, and has also navigated her way through personal heartache too. HOWEVER, she is now absolutely smashing it in the hit West End musical 'I Wish You Well' and is absolutely brimming with an infectious energy which is impossible not to absorb. I genuinely finished our call and had a spring in my step for the rest of the day. ❣️ There were some tears but also great chat, lots of laughs and what to do if a co-star pisses themselves mid show. 😬 If you have ever been pushed to rock bottom, professionally or personally (or maybe even both) I really urge you to listen to this ep and hear Tori talk about her experiences, both on and offstage.

🎭 Jonathan and Henry on 10 Years of ‘The Play That Goes Wrong 🎙️ In this episode, I sat down with Jonathan Sayer and Henry Lewis, two of the brilliant minds behind Mischief Theatre and the smash-hit The Play That Goes Wrong, which just celebrated a decade of laughter and chaos in the West End. As we know I just LOVE mistakes and relished the opportunity to chat about an ENTIRE SHOW which celebrates onstage mishaps. With producers like Kenny Wax taking a chance on young creators, Mischief Theatre has been able to enjoy a decade of theatrical success. And what they have achieved during that time is wildly impressive.  Whether you're a fan of theatre, comedy, or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, this episode gives great insight into how a company devised and created a much loved production. Long may their success continue.

In this episode, I sit down with the incredibly talented Zoe Birkett; West End star and former Pop Idol sensation, currently lighting up the stage in the incredibly demanding production of 'Tina; the Tina Turner Musical'.  During the short time we had whilst Zoe prepped for a performance, we managed to cover peri-menopause, parenting, the influence of her working class background when it comes to punctuality, and the delicate topic of giving feedback to other performers.  Such a fun episode to record and hopefully even more fun to listen too. 

In this episode, we sit down with Jack Knowles, the brilliant lighting designer behind some of the most stunning stage productions in recent years. Jack takes us behind the scenes of his award-winning work on *Sunset Boulevard*, which earned him a coveted Olivier Award. But it's not all about the accolades—Jack also shares some of the more unexpected moments from his career, including the time he accidentally blew smoke into Nicole Scherzinger’s face. Join us for a light-hearted and entertaining conversation that shines a spotlight on the artistry, challenges, and occasional mishaps that come with lighting the stage. Whether you're a theatre enthusiast, a fan of Jack’s work, or just looking for a good laugh, this episode will hopefully brighten your day as much as it did mine whilst making it.

In this episode, I sit down with a dynamic, beautiful and hilarious couple of the theatre world—Chris Bush and Roni Neale, both accomplished playwrights with a passion for storytelling. Chris, known for the critically acclaimed 'Standing at the Sky’s Edge', shares insights into their creative process (all nighters and avoiding Zip Zap Boing), while Roni, a stage manager AND playwright currently being mentored by Theatre Royal Plymouth, explains the challenges and rewards of balancing these two roles. Should we as stage managers be reigning in our creativity or finding more of a voice in the rehearsal room? Together, they navigate the highs and lows of the theatrical world, from their strong opinions on the future of the National Theatre to their (very) different approach to punctuality. And if that wasn’t enough, they do it all while wrangling their demanding kitten. This was SUCH a joy to record and has laughter, lively debates, and a gorgeous insight into their relationship. Enjoy!

For this episode I had a chat with the radiant, warm and incredibly candid Rebecca Trehearn. Rebecca is an Olivier Award winning musical theatre actress, and also a regular in the long running Welsh soap 'Pobol y Cwm'.  During our conversation we covered a huge variety of topics including The Power of No, her own experience of 'Bad Cinderella', the rise of new musical theatre and the vital role stage management play when working on a difficult production.  It has been an unsettling and harrowing few days, so I really hope that this 45 minute chat offers you some respite and cheer from the outside world. 

This week I chatted to Olivier and Tony award winning sound designer, Gareth Fry. I met Gareth on a production in 2012, shortly after he had done the sound design for the opening ceremony of the Olympics, and he was the obvious choice when thinking of a soundie to chat with! Gareth has productions such as 'Harry Potter' on in the West End, but also does more devised work with companies like Complicite and Punchdrunk which require outside-the-box thinking.  We discussed how you put on a silent show, doing the sound design for a performance that is never the same twice and the staffing shortages facing the industry in general. It's an entertaining, reflective and amusing conversation and I hope you enjoy. 

For this episode I once again brought on a creative AND a backstage practitioner to chat together about all things theatre, stage management and being prompt.  Tabby is a playwright, most well known for her autobiographical piece 'Since U Been Gone' and more recently 'Happy Meal', and Amber is a phenomenal stage manager who I was lucky enough to work with twice before I hung up my headset for good. They were colleagues and now great friends, and I couldn't wait to catch up with them both at the same time. During this chat we really get under the bonnet of time keeping and what we can put in place for people who are not naturally punctual for a variety of reasons. Tabby is neurodivergent so it was great to delve into that way of thinking and what support could (and should) be offered to neurodivergent performers and creatives when staging a production.  This felt like more of  chat and a catch up with two buddies as opposed to an interview so I hope you enjoy this cosy, funny and thought provoking ep.