Blue Beard - It’s Not About Pirates!

It’s busy here at Wise HQ—so much is happening, as always. We managed to steal a surprise day off to catch our breath and bring you all up to speed. In this episode, we’ll chat about the latest goings on, including news about Little Match Girl at The Lucky Chance. Plus, we’re gearing up for North by Northwest, coming your way this spring. Not to mention Wuthering Heights heading out on its international tour.  So, grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s catch up. 🎙️ Please hit like and subscribe - it really does help.    Photo credit - Richard Grassie  

To celebrate our 2nd year of The Little Match Girl at our home, The Lucky Chance, we teamed up with our local community radio station Frome FM to create a special one-off programme.0. This one's a little different to our regular podcasts as it assumes that you know nothing about Wise Children or even theatre!  So it's a very good place to start.  Hosted by Emma Rice with Simon Baker and features music from Wuthering Heights, Blue Beard, and Romantics Anonymous. 

Buddha of Suburbia at the RSC Stratford is now up and running and truly delighting audiences. We recorded this just before the first-ever dress rehearsal - so as Emma Rice talks to the creative team about the process you can hear hoovers, resets, and a fight call.  It's all going on in this crazy half hour.  You'll hear all about the process of bringing Hanif Kureishi's iconic novel to the stage from Rachana Jadhav - Set Designer Vicki Mortimer - Costume Designer Helen Johnson - Associate Costume Designer Jai Morjaria - Lighting Designer Etta Murfit - Choreographer & Intimacy Co-ordinator Surenne Somchit - Deputy Stage Manager Simon Baker - Sound Designer Steve Tanner - Production Photographer We've also some music from Niraj Chag Remember to hit like and subscribe to stay up to date with everything Wise Children and Emma Rice.         

On the eve of the final rehearsal room for Buddha Of Suburbia Emma takes the company on a trip to see our other production - Blue Beard.  This one was recorded entirely on the coach journey from Stratford Upon Avon to Birmingham.  The ultimate school trip!  

We're back in rehearsals with Emma's new production - The Buddha of Suburbia - adapted from (and with) the book by Hanif Kureishi.  This time we're at the RSC in Stratford Upon Avon.   In this episode, Emma talks about the acting company and the process of cutting work early.  We've also got some sneak peeks at the music by Niraj Chag.  

We recorded this on Sunday afternoon after a week of final previews, a press night and a load out. The show is now in several trailers heading to Home Manchester.  In today's episode, Emma reveals that she had a speech planned... and we get to hear it.   (This is the full edit. We managed to cut a whole section of material in the edit).       

It's the final week in the rehearsal room for Blue Beard!   Our own rehearsal space - TLC - is a little flooded at the moment, so we started the week by moving down the road to The Silk Mill. Despite the challenges, the show is on course for technical rehearsals at Bath Theatre Royal next week. This week, Emma (Rice) talks with the music team of Stu Barker, Ian Ross and Stephanie Hockley about making the show - with some exclusive audio clips from rehearsals and our new recording, Three Little Rings.   WARNING - Contains some explicit language

This week Emma (Rice) talks through the first few weeks of rehearsal for her new production - Blue Beard.  She talks about the plot (it's not about Pirates!). She also talks about the rehearsal process and why making this show is so important to her.  The countdown to preview one is on. WARNING - Contains some explicit language 

It's New Year's Eve and our first chance to sit down and record a new podcast!  It's been quite the month and, to be honest, year. Join Emma (Rice) on this extended podcast edition as she reviews (and reminds Simon) what happened this year. This edition features all the highs and lows of Wise Children’s tour of Wuthering Heights, not to mention The Little Matchgirl at The Lucky Chance. It includes many backstage interviews with the Little Match Girl company and some clips of the final show - rough and ready as always. 

Recorded late in the evening on Emma's sofa (much to Simons's surprise) they talk about the final week of rehearsal before Tech and Dress Rehearsals start.  There's an interview with Ian Ross and a sneak preview of a new Christmas song Ian and Emma have written - recorded mid-rehearsal at TLC.