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....

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 Mozar...

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 'Bi...

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...

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...

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...

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 S...

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...

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 h...

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...

Scottish Television producer Louise Wilson joins Ciaran on this week's episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Louise studied biochemistry and microbiology at the University of Aberdeen before studying a postgraduate degree in Science Specific Periodical Journalism at City University London. Louise started out as a researcher on the BBC science programme Tomorrow's World, before going...

Ciaran is joined on this episode of the 'In Lockdown With...' podcast by theatre director and literary associate of the Sherman Theatre, Alice Eklund. Alice studied Film and Television at Aberystwyth University before persuing a career in theatre. Alice's first job was assisting on Matthew Bulgo's 'The Awkward Years' at the Other Room Theatre. She has since worked ext...

Artistic Director of Theatr Clwyd, Tamara Harvey joins Ciaran on this week's episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Tamara directed 'Something Cloudy, Something Clear' by Tennessee Williams at the Finborough Theatre, before going on to Associate Director of the Bush Theatre between 2010 and 2011. Tamara became artistic director of Theatr Clwyd in 2015, taking over from Terry Han...

Ciaran is joined on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' by actor Ieuan Rhys. Ieuan studied at the Welsh College of Music and Drama before begininng his career as an actor. Ieuan performed as Rosencranz in Michael Bogdanov's award winning back-to-back English/Welsh production of Hamlet. He has also worked extensively in TV, appearing in Pobol y Cwm, and playing the no-nonsense depu...

Ciaran is joined on the first 'In Lockdown With...' of 2022 by London-based theatre director Jessica Lazar, artistic director of Atticist. Jessica studied English at UCL and Oxford University before seeking a career in theatre. Jessica directed 'Ghost from an Old Country' by Tajinder Singh Hayer, one of the winners of the 2021 Papatango Prize. Her work includes directing New Wr...

On this Boxing Day episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Ciaran is joined by Ruth Fabby artistic director of Disability Arts Cymru. Ruth trained in performance arts, speech and drama at Liverpool Theatre School. Among are achievements are founding DaDa Fest, an international festival for disabled artist in Liverpool, which now attracts artists from all around the world. Ciaran finds out about...

Emmy Stonelake is Ciaran's guest on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Emmy studied Actor-Musicianship at Rose Bruford college before beginning her career as an actor. In Summer 2021, Emmy directed pieces in the Welsh language by Sgwenwyr Ifanc Fran Wen (Fran Wen Young Writers), and is currently in Gary Owen's adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol' at the Sherman Theatr...

This week Ciaran is joined by theatre director and writer Michelle Payne. Michelle was a recipient of the Regional Theatre Young Directors Scheme in 2019, spending a three month residency at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester. Michelle immersive play 'Squad Goals' was performed at Victoria Road Stadium in Dagenham, and she is currently adapting it for television. Michelle is passionate ab...

Actor Ioan Hefin joins Ciaran on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Ioan started off as a trumpet player, studying music at Cardiff University. He started his career with Cwmni Cyfri Tri, which would on to become Theatr Arad Goch. He has worked consistently with Theatr Na Nog throughout his career, notably playing Alfred Russel Wallace in productions of 'Go Ask Wallace' and...

Ciaran is joined by actor and director Gareth John Bale this week. A student of Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera, Gareth went on to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Gareth has worked extensively with playwright Owen Thomas, firstly on 'Richard Parker,' but most notably on 'Grav,' which focused on the life of rugby player Ray Gravell, who Gareth had worked with early i...

Theatre director Sarah Argent joins Ciaran on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Sarah studied at the University of Hull, before breaking into the industry. Sarah has mainly made work for children and young people throughout her career, working with companies such as Theatr Iolo and The Unicorn Theatre. In summer 2020 & 2021 she directed 'Baby, Bird, Bee' with Kevin Lewi...

Ciaran is joined on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' by Dr. Marta Minier. Marta is a Transylvanian Hungarian who grew up in Romania. Marta studied at the University of Debrecen before moving to the UK to further her studies in Hull. Marta now lectures at the University of South Wales. She is currently editing a book about translations of Hamlet, which will be published in the near f...

Ciaran is joined on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' by theatre maker Hannah McPake. After studying at the Welsh College of Music & Drama, Hannah founded Gagglebabble with Lucy Rivers, making gig theatre. Hannah has also worked extensively with the Sherman Theatre, performing in many of their Christmas shows, including Wind in the Willows and Alice in Wonderland. Hannah will be...

Richard Elis is an actor, and the guest on this week's 'In Lockdown With...' podcast. Richard studied at the Welsh College of Music and Drama, before becoming the first Welsh character to appear in Eastenders. Richard has also appeared in Pobol y Cwm, Casualty and Coronation Street, as well as in pantomime at the Hackney Empire and The Riverfront in Newport. Richard recently feature...

Ciaran's guest on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' is disability activist Lee Ellery. Lee started out as part of the 'Rising Stars Theatre Company,' where he performed in many productions, before seeking a career in disability activism. Lee has been a part of Swansea Youth Forum, and Funky Dragon, the young people's National Assembly for Wales. Lee has also co-wr...