In Lockdown With...

Theatre director Mark James is the guest on this weeks episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Mark is a theatre director from Swansea, and the artistic director of Red Jumper Productions. After studying drama at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Mark has forged a career in theatre making his own work. Mark has written plays including 'What If?' and 'Support the Cause.' Here Mark chat to Ciaran about his work in theatre 

Opera director Adele Thomas joins Ciaran on this week's episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Adele studied at Cambridge University before embarking on a career in directing. She was a participant on the National Theatre's Young Directors Scheme, before moving into directing opera. Adele has directed Handel's Bernice and Il Trovatore by Verdi for the Royal Opera House and Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte for Northern Ireland Opera. Adele is also a founder member of Freelancers Make Theatre Work, a pressure group formed during the pandemic. Here Adele talks about her career. Recorded at the Wales Millennium Centre  

Ciaran is joined on this episode of the 'In Lockdown With...' podcast by actor Francois Pandolfo. Fran studied at East 15 Acting School, and went on to found Difficult Stage Theatre with Katy Owen and Ben Tyreman, creating work including 'Alix in Wundergarten' and 'Looking Through Glass.' He has also worked in TV, in 'The Tuckers' for BBC Wales, and 'Big Boys' for Channel 4. Fran recently appeared in 'Right Where We Left Us,' produced by Chippy Lane Productions at Chapter. In this episode, Fran and Ciaran talk openly about the importance of talking about mental health, not only in the theatre industry, but in general. 

Ciaran is joined on this week's episode of the 'In Lockdown With...' podcast by writer Bethany Handley. Bethany studied at Cardiff University, and has written poetry and theatre so far in her emerging career. She is a part of GALWAD's young company, creating work which will be a part of the festival later in September. Bethany has also been a part of the Sherman Theatre's Unheard Voices Programme, run by Alice Eklund and Branwen Davies.  Bethany is running a nature writing retreat with Megan Angharad Hunter in October 2022. Here Bethany talks to Ciaran about her career so far and her experience of being a disabled and chronically ill artist, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic. 

After an extended hiatus, the 'In Lockdown With...' podcast is back. This week's guest is actor Simon Nehan. Simon trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and has appeared in many roles across stage and screen. He played legendary Llanelli rugby coach Carwyn James, in 'Carwyn' by Owen Thomas, which toured in Spring 2022. Simon is also head of acting at  the Johnny Wilkes Academy. Here Simon opens up to Ciaran about his life and career.  

This week Ciaran is joined on the 'In Lockdown With...' podcast by playwright and performer Tabby Lamb. Tabby studied Theatre Directing at Dartington College, before breaking into the industry. Their play 'Since U Been Gone' is an autobiographical account of queerness, loss and growing up in the noughties. Tabby is also the founder of 'Theatre Queers' a regular meetup for queer people working in the theatre industry in London. They were a part of WildChild's 'Oli Lansley Mentoring Scheme for Writers,' developing work for TV and Theatre. Here Ciaran finds out more about Tabby's career so far! 

After a brief hiatus, the 'In Lockdown With...' podcast is back! This week, Ciaran is joined by writer, producer and comedian Leila Navabi. Leila started out as an apprentice for Viacom, and has gone on to work extensively in radio and television. She co-presented CBBC show 'Don't Blame Me Blame My Brain' with Ken Cheng. Last year Leila co-wrote 'Vandullz' with Sion Edwards for the BBC's 'Festival of Funny,' it is now available to watch on the BBC iPlayer. Leila is performing at the Queer Fringe Festival which is happening in Cardiff in June this year. It was fantastic to hear more about Leila's career so far!

Playwright Owen Thomas joins Ciaran on this week's episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Owen had a 20 year career in teaching before embarking on a career as a playwright. Owen has worked extensively with actor/director Gareth John Bale, collaborating on 'Richard Parker,' 'Grav,' and Owen's latest play 'Carwyn.' 'Grav was recently adapted for the screen, and broadcast by S4C in autumn 2021. Owen's play 'Carwyn,' which focuses on the life of Wales and Llanelli Scarlets rugby coach Carwyn James opened at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven last week, and will be embarking on a tour of Wales. Here Ciaran finds out more about Owen's career so far.   

Ciaran is joined on this week's episode of the 'In Lockdown With...' podcast by actor Richard Mylan, live from the Swansea Grand Theatre! Richard originally trained in dance as a teenager at the Urdang Academy in London, before going on to appear in Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Starlight Express.' Richard's big break came in the BBC sitcom 'Coupling,' where he played Oliver Morris. Richard also played deputy-headteacher Simon Lowesly in BBC series 'Waterloo Road,' from series 8 to 10. Richard (along with Michelle McTernan, Christian Patterson and Steve Balsamo) is co-founder of Grand Ambition, a production company based at the Swansea Grand Theatre, producing new work and revivals at the theatre. Here Ciaran talks to Richard about his career in theatre! 

Playwright Amy Bethan Evans is Ciaran's guest on this week's episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Amy studied an MA in playwriting at Royal Holloway University before embarking on a career as a playwright. Amy was part of the inaugural Graeae 'Write to Play' programme, and subsequently gained a place on the Soho Theatre's writer's lab. Amy uses integrated access within her work, seen in her pieces 'Libby's Eyes' and 'Tinted.' In 2021 Amy wrote 'Normal Day' a short play for Theatr Clwyd's 'Curtain Up' season. Here Ciaran talks to Amy about her career so far!