In Lockdown With...

Ciaran is joined on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' by singer-songwriter Bronwen Lewis. Bronwen appeared on the TV talent show 'The Voice' in 2013, and although she didn't get through, the experience gave her the confidence to pursue a career in music. Bronwen sang 'Bread and Roses' in the 2014 Golden Globe nominated film 'Pride,' and has also tou...

Artistic Director of National Theatre Wales, Lorne Campbell joins Ciaran on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Lorne started out as Associate Director of the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh before becoming Artistic Director of Northern Stage in 2013. Lorne re-wrote the book for the musical 'The Last Ship' with music by Sting, for Northern Stage. He became artistic director of...

On this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Ciaran is joined by writer and graphic designer Liam Rees. Liam studied the BA Scriptwriting course at the University of South Wales, where he was a course-mate of Ciaran's. Liam was a content producer and contributing writer for the Underdog Scriptwriting Festival in 2019, which showcase the work of writers on the BA Scriptwriting Course at...

Actor Phyl Harries joins Ciaran on this week's episode of the 'In Lockdown With...' podcast. Phyl is an actor who studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Phyl is associate directed of Theatr Na Nog and associate member of Theatr Clwyd. Phyl has frequently appeared as panto dam at Theatr Clwyd, becoming a firm favourite at the theatre. Recently, Phyl has been mentori...

Ciaran is joined on this week's episode of the podcast by playwright Jon Berry. Jon studied English and Philosophy at the University of Bristol, while at uni, he also wrote plays for Bristol Spotlights drama society. After graduating, Jon received the Kevin Elyot award for playwriting, and was also a part of the Sherman's  New Welsh Playwrights Programme, where he developed his play &apo...

Ciaran is joined on this episode of the podcast by writer Jon Tregenna. Jon studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, before starting out as a writer. Jon uses multi-platform storytelling in his work, and here he talks about how he uses that technique in his work. Jon's play 'Hail Cremation' was meant to be produced by National Theatre Wales, but had to be delayed becau...

Callum Bruce-Phillips joins Ciaran on this week's episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Callum is an arts facilitator and participatory filmmaker who studied BA Film Studies and English Literature at Aberystwyth after being a part of Mess up the Mess' youth theatre as a young person. Callum works with a range of marginalised or hard to reach groups through his film-making practice....

Ciaran is joined on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' by Bethan Griffiths, Senior Lecturer in Performing Arts at Neath Port Talbot College. Beth has taught in schools and at Neath Port Talbot College, and talks about the difference between both age ranges. Beth talks about her process as a director, and the different techniques she uses when directing contemporary plays, classical th...

Ciaran is joined on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' by musician and lead singer of Gwilym, Ifan Pritchard. Ifan studied music at Middlesex University before returning to Wales. His band Gwilym's album 'Sugno Gola' was the first Welsh language album to receive over 100,000 streams on Spotify. Gwilym returned to gigging earlier this year, when they played 'Tafwyl,...

Ciaran is joined on this episode of the 'In Lockdown With...' podcast by playwright Alan Harris. Alan studied History at Swansea University, before embarking on a career as a playwright. Alan founded the company LiveArtsShow, and has written plays such as 'A Good Night Out in the Valleys' and 'Sugar Baby.' Ciaran talks to Alan about how he amplifies working class voic...

Ian Staples is the guest on this episode of the 'In Lockdown With...' podcast. Stapes is a writer and senior lecturer in scriptwriting and drama at the University of South Wales in Cardiff. He studied drama at Aberystwyth University before self-producing his first play 'Breuddwyd Icarus,' which he wrote and directed. In recent years, he has written for the series 'Caerdydd...

Actor and playwright Sharon Morgan joins Ciaran on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Sharon studied history at Cardiff University, before training as an actor with Cwmni Theatr Cymru. In 1978, Sharon appeared in the Welsh cult film 'Grand Slam,' along with Windsor Davies and Dewi Pws Morris. As a playwright, Sharon has written for Hijinx Theatre, and also translated several...

Jonathan Evans joins Ciaran on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Jonathan is an avid theatre fan, and he talks to Ciaran about some of his favourite theatre experiences, and what he's done in the industry. Jonathan studied digital film and television production at Swansea University, and here he talk about his experiences there both positive and negative. He has also reviewed fi...

Mik Scarlet joins Ciaran on this week's episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Mik is a musician and TV presenter who started out with his band supporting Gary Numan on his UK Tour. Mik then moved into TV presenting, become the first disabled presenter on national TV, working with the BBC and Channel 4. In recent years, Mik has tried his hand at acting, appearing in productions by Graeae...

Jon Dafydd-Kidd is Ciaran's guest on this weeks episode of 'In Lockdown With..!' Jon is a theatre director and facilitator whose work has mainly been with Hijinx Theatre. After studying music at Edinburgh University, Jon moved into theatre directing and started working with Hijinx. Among the many projects Jon has worked on with Hijinx is the 'Able to Act Project,' where Hi...

Ciaran is joined on this weeks episode of the podcast by playwright Bethan Marlow. Bethan trained as an actor at Webber Douglas Academy, before pursuing a career as a playwright. She has worked quite extensively in Verbatim theatre, with pieces such as Nyrsys and Sgint, both for Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru. Another major part of Beth's work is large scale community theatre, where she has worked...

Ciaran's guest on this week's episode of 'In Lockdown With...' is musical theatre performer Amy Margaretta. Amy studied a BA in Musical Theatre at GAMTA, before studying her Masters at Mountview Drama School. Amy has performed in 'Legally Blonde,' and 'Spring Awakening' during her training. Amy talks about her process when preparing roles for musical theatre...

Ciaran's guest on this episode of In Lockdown With... is disabled blogger and Youtuber Emily Nicole Roberts. Emily makes YouTube videos about her life as someone who has Cerebral Palsy, and is a massive advocate for disability positivity. As well as her YouTube videos, Emily has worked with BBC Sesh, and used her platform to change people's perceptions of disability. She also was recentl...

Ciaran's guest on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' is playwright and drag queen Alun Saunders. Alun studied acting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and drama, before turning his attention to playwriting. Alun won the Sherman Theatre's Script Slam in 2008 with 'To Be Frank,' before going on to write 'A Good Clean Heart' for The Other Room Theatre. Alu...

Ciaran is joined on this weeks podcast by performer and fellow Port Talbot resident Jalisa Andrews. Jalisa trained at Laine Theatre Arts after gaining a scholarship. Jalisa has appeared in pantomime twice, in 2015/16 and 2018/19 in Northampton and Swansea respectively, and has also performed Nativity Rocks at Birmingham Rep. Jalisa is the co-artistic director of Academy Arts, along with her wife E...

Ciaran's guest on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' is Craig Coombs, senior lecturer in dance at Neath Port Talbot College. Craig studied a BA in Dance and Theatre at De Montfort University in Bedford, before going on to lecture in dance at Neath Port Talbot College. Craig has danced on 'The Kylie Show,' and reached the semi-finals of 'Got to Dance' on Sky On...

Ciaran is joined on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' by disabled actor Jenna Preece. Jenna is from the Rhondda, and started off as a researcher for Rawffest, developing the groundwork for a youth arts festival for the young people of Wales. Jenna is currently studying an MA at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, specialising in acting for stage and screen. Jenna has worked e...

Rhys Deans is Ciaran's guest on this weeks episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Rhys is a playwright and actor from Barry. Rhys studied the BA Scriptwriting at the University of South Wales before going on to the MA in Drama. In 2018, Rhys founded 'Greenacres Theatre,' and began self-producing some of his own plays, including 'The Waiting Room,' 'United by Passi...

Ciaran is joined on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' by playwright Kaite O'Reilly. Kaite is the foremost disabled playwright in the UK. Kaite studied theatre and English literature at the University of Sheffield, before starting out as a performer with Graeae Theatre Company. Then, she turned to playwriting. In 2002, Kaite's play 'Peeling' was produced by Graeae,...

Jain Boon is Ciaran's guest on this weeks episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Jain is a theatre director who studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Jain was an actor, director and then associate director at Gwent Theatre between 1992 & 2011, and has worked extensively with young people throughout her career. She has consistently directed students at The University...