Performing Animal Rights

In this episode, Ben Hunt is joined by composer and pianist Keane Southard to explore how music can become a powerful force for compassion, reflection, and social change. At the heart of the conversation is Requiem for Animals , Keane's extraordinary choral and orchestral work that invites audiences to collectively mourn the immense loss of animal life while reconsidering humanity's relati...

Storytelling, Fandom, and Animal Advocacy with the Protego Foundation In this episode, Ben Hunt is joined by Brittany , Campaigns Director at the Protego Foundation , to explore how stories can become powerful tools for animal advocacy. Drawing inspiration from the worlds of Harry Potter , Wicked , Game of Thrones , and other popular fandoms, the Protego Foundation creates imaginative campaigns th...

In this episode, Ben Hunt is joined by undercover investigator, filmmaker, and creative advocate Gemunu de Silva to explore how sound can become a powerful form of animal rights activism. After nearly four decades documenting animal industries through undercover investigations, Gemunu has taken an unexpected creative turn with Industry Standard —an experimental sonic artwork created in collaborati...

In this episode, Ben is joined by Jen Armstrong and Sue Joyce from the Animal Rights Choir; a growing collective using music, voice, and community to advocate for animal liberation. Together, they explore how collective singing can function as both protest and care, creating space for joy, connection, and emotional resilience within activism. From the origins of the choir to their vision for a mor...

In this episode, Ben Hunt sits down with spoken word artist, digital collage maker, and vegan-feminist researcher Lauren-Marie Kennedy . From growing up rescuing worms on the playground to challenging anthropocentric norms in her academic work, Lauren-Marie’s journey is one of transformation, vulnerability, and radical creativity. Together, they explore: What it means to be a “creative with a caus...

In this episode, Ben Hunt speaks with Rob Pownall, Founder and CEO of Protect the Wild , to mark the 10-year anniversary of the organisation's founding. What began as a Facebook page to resist fox hunting has grown into one of the UK’s most impactful wildlife protection groups, blending bold media strategy with grassroots activism. We explore: Rob’s unexpected journey from teenager to full-tim...

In this episode of The Performing Animal Rights Podcast , Ben Hunt sits down with Lee Brace, an award-winning actor, comedian, and writer known for his comedic character "Dawn Chorus." With a blend of humour, bird facts, and vegan advocacy, Lee’s performances at events like VegfestUK and Vegan Camp Out have captivated audiences and sparked conversations around animal rights. Together, they...

In this episode of The Performing Animal Rights Podcast , host Ben Hunt sits down with Alison Harris and Terry Thompson, the founders and directors of The Garlinge Theatre in Canterbury, Kent—the UK’s first all-vegan theatre. Located on a stunning organic farm, this 300-seat venue is a trailblazer for combining performance art with a strong ethical stance. Alison and Terry share the inspiring stor...

In this episode of The Performing Animal Rights Podcast , Ben speaks with Molly Elwood, creator of the satirical project Elwood Organic Dog Meat , and comedian Jake Yapp, host of the Vegan Life Magazine Podcast . They explore how humour and satire can disarm audiences and provoke thought, with Elwood Organic Dog Meat challenging society’s ethical double standards by presenting a fictional dog meat...

In this episode of The Performing Animal Rights Podcast , Ben Hunt interviews Anastasia Bunce, Artistic Director of Patch Plays, and Grace Joy Howarth, playwright and musician. Together, they explore how theatre can inspire audiences to rethink animal ethics and environmental issues, discussing their creative processes, the impact of their productions, and their vision for the future of activist t...

Playwright and actor Bibi Lucille, talks to Ben about writing and performing a one-person vegan play, including her creative process and her experience at Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Buy the playscript for Meat Cute from www.aurorametro.com/product/meat-cute/

In October 2022, creative activists came together to share their experiences of performance in the animal rights movement, for a live online event. Hosted by Leigh Venus; drag artist Dan Hellman, Songwriters Barbara Helen and Vegan Queen V, campaigner Harley McEckersal, and performance artist Ben Hunt, explored what creative practice can bring to the movement. This event was hosted by Bright Eyes...

Ben talks to animal rights activist Abi Foster (aka Animal Autonomy) about her latest fundraiser action, where she tagged her ear in solidarity with non-human animals raised for food. The fundraiser raised over £5000 for a sanctuary, as well as raising awareness of the suffering and dominion of the animal agriculture industry. Find out more about Abi here: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAutonomy/...

Ben talks to playwright, author and activist, John Yunker about his work in bringing veganism to the stage, and why theatre can be a powerful medium in telling compelling stories around animal rights issues.

Youth Outreach and Campaigns Officer for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA UK), Simon Plazolles-Hayes, talks to Ben about utilising performing arts in campaigns, as an essential tool in the organisation's strategy. Find PETA UK's website here: https://www.peta.org.uk/

Ben talks to activist and YouTuber David Ramms about his viral satirical sketches. This episode explores audience attention and authenticity in creating engaging content for the animal rights movement. David's YouTube channel can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidRamms

Dr Yvette Watt talks to Ben about her artistic practice and animal advocacy - specifically her performance project Duck Lake, which involved a group of dancers in hot pink tutus and hard hats performing on a floating stage at the opening of the duck-shooting season in Tasmania. Footage of Duck Lake can be found here: https://vimeo.com/158270314

This bonus episode is from a radio interview for Slacks Weird Radio, as part of the New Bridge Project. Leigh Venus talks to fellow activist Ben Hunt about his recent online performance project and his research into performing arts and trauma in the animal rights movement. Ben shares audio from his work including soundscapes and poetry. Find Ben's work here: https://performinganimalrights.tumb...

Singer, performer, dance and theater maker Daniel Hellmann talks about his experience as a performance artist and animal rights activist, especially about his alter ego "Soya the Cow" - a sex-positive, feminist, vegan drag cow.

Ben talks to singer and songwriter Barbara Helen about what music means to her, in her activism, and to the animal rights movement. At the end of a fascinating conversation Barbara performs one of her latest songs live.

Writer, artist and activist Dr. Alex Lockwood talks to Ben about the impact of bearing witness to the non-human animal, the role of the activist, and the importance of narrative as a strategy in the animal rights movement.

Ben talks to performer and activist Harley McDonald-Eckersall about her experience and roles in animal and climate justice group Animal Rebellion, as well as her thoughts on performance and creativity in the movement.

Performance artist, researcher, and creator of the Performing Animal Rights Archive, Ben Hunt introduces the podcast series, by exploring why he thinks performing arts is vital to the animal rights movement.