The Making Theatre Podcast

For this episode, we return to the world of stage lighting,  and a discussion with one of the UK’s leading lighting programmers, Vic Brennan. The role of lighting programmer varies considerably depending on the style of the work being made,  but there is no-one more crucial to the process of bringing the lighting designer’s vision to life, whether it be  a fast-paced music theatre number or a subt...

This time we are talking to Laura Cubitt about her experience as puppeteer and puppetry director. Laura was part of the team that brought the iconic Warhorse, Joey, to life and this is a fascinating insight into a world that is, by it's very nature, secretive if not entirely hidden away. We learn that puppetry has a parallel with lighting; often no-one notices you if you're doing your job well. We...

This time we talk to Nick Hytner about forming the London Theatre Company and creating it's first home - the Bridge Theatre at One, Tower Bridge. If like us you ever paused to wonder how someone goes about starting a theatre, this episode provides a fascinating insight into the process. From the hunt for the venue, and the hair-raising rollercoaster of finding investors and securing funding, t...

This time we talk to Lucy Carter about her extensive career designing lighting for contemporary dance, her analysis of her working practice and her extraordinary collaboration with choreographer Wayne McGregor, which spans three decades.

The National Theatre is committed to achieving net zero carbon by 2030, the greatest creative challenge it has ever undertaken. This time we are talking to Paul Handley, Production and Technical Director at the NT about his search for a more sustainable model of theatre making.  We hear about the many and varied ways that staff are trying to limit their environmental impact while still delivering...

This time, we leave behind the warm, dry confines of the conventional theatre space and head outside for an inspiring conversation with Angie Bual, creative director of Trigger, a company based in the south west of England, who create and produce bold live and digital events, often on a large-scale and often outdoors. With obsessions that range from dragons to upholstery via horticulture and kite-...

This time we talk to Sarah and Mark about their extensive experience writing and directing pantomime.  Their own particular brand of raucous rock-n-roll panto has been seen for 19 consecutive years at the Liverpool Everyman, during which time,  along side their multi-talented cast of actor-musicians,  they have built a loyal and lively audience. We hear about their unique approach t...

For this episode, Bruno adjusts pan and tilt to catch James squarely in the spotlight and focus on his career, and in particular his experience lighting opera.  We discuss the idiosyncrasies of working in this medium, and how it differs from lighting theatre.  We talk about how we respond to music with light, the rewards of getting to know a piece of music intimately, and how having a ba...

This time we are talking to Michael Dennis about his career as company stage manager, and his extensive experience of touring theatre at all scales.  We hear about the daily minutiae of managing an acting company, the challenges of making sure everyone feels listened to, and how the CSM is never really fully off duty. We discuss touring theatre in the UK, and the rich and invaluable experience it...

This time we are talking to Kate Pakenham, an independent producer with a passion for theatre, and a drive to make work with a strong social purpose. We learn how each show can be compared to a mini start-up, and how producing, even when you can line some things up, is always a leap of faith. We discover that a trip to Pret can be surprisingly lucrative, but also that where and who the money comes...

We kick off season two by inviting you to the secret world of the west end swing. We discover what happens when a member of an ensemble or a principle cast is off sick, and uncover the remarkable feat of behind-the-scenes organisation that takes place to ensure the show still goes on. We learn about tracks, split tracks, cut shows, a curious condition called ‘swing eye’, the difference between swi...

Bruno and James take a moment to have a cuppa and say thank you to the Making Theatre Podcast listeners. 

This time we talk to Bernie Davis, the veteran television lighting director, about a subject increasingly apposite to our own work; adapting stage lighting for television and online broadcast.  Bernie is responsible for numerous NT Live and Royal Opera House broadcasts, alongside his work on countless television productions (including a fair number of Royal Weddings), and we discuss the difference...

Prasanna Puwanarajah is an actor, director and writer, working across theatre, film and television. He also happens to be a fully trained medical doctor..who is also writing a graphic novel. We thought someone with so many different hats might be well placed to offer a unique perspective on the experience of making theatre, and he doesn’t disappoint. From the solitary life of the writer, to the fi...

In this episode we talk to the technical director of the Really Useful Group, Lee Batty. We hear how a supportive family and some key advice from a trusted teacher played a pivotal role in setting Lee on his path. From childhood in a Yorkshire mining community, and an inspirational sixth form college, to life as a touring ASM charting a steep learning curve, who now turns left on the plane, with r...

We return to our comfort zone of lighting and have an insightful discussion with Ben Ormerod, who gives us the best explanation we have ever heard about what a lighting designer does. Ben has thought deeply about his art and developed it over many years of practice and we enjoy a conversation covering everything from his approach to design to how to how Ben’s career began. We learn to avoid clown...

In Episode 19, we talk to our agents Clare Vidal-Hall and Amy Markatis of Clare Vidal-Hall Management.  We discuss their routes into the industry, negotiating with producers and why representation is necessary, not just to secure the best deals and unpick the legalese, but to provide emotional and moral support when all hell is breaking loose onstage. We also learn that a stint as a followspot ope...

In Episode 18 we discuss all things props with Lizzie Frankl, props supervisor and director of Propworks, who clearly loves her job and the people she works with.  We learn that research, organisation and creativity is key, the feel of a prop can be as important as its look, and that it is vital to have a fascination for detail. It can take quite a team to get a prop from a rehearsal note to...

In episode 17, we talk to award winning costume supervisor and deputy head of wardrobe at English National Opera, Sarah Bowern.  We quickly find out there is a whole lot more to the wardrobe department than just pins and needles, including a host of diplomacy skills, an unusual use for the pavement outside stage door, and an unexpected parallel with Sigourney Weaver. We unearth some of the da...

In Episode 16, Tamsin Greig joins us for a fascinating conversation about making theatre from the actor’s perspective. We talk about dogs, candles, trampolining, lip balm, her love of a dressing room and how every production needs an “introducer.” We discuss better communication across the footlights and the thrill of looking into the abyss. We hear about emotional and mental focus, seeking authen...

For this episode, due to popular demand, James points the spotlight squarely at Bruno, as we shift the focus onto his career and his experience lighting Tina - The Musical.  We talk about the development of the show along side Bruno’s own journey to becoming a successful LD.  We discuss the army of highly skilled theatre practitioners that work along side us, why having a decent desk and...

In Episode 14 we talk to Igor, a freelance production manager with numerous impressive credits to his name, a penchant for musicals and a surprising line in horse impersonations.  We learn about the parallels between managing a production and parenting, that trying to juggle too many eggs is a bad idea and that the most hazardous moments onstage are not when you might expect.

In this episode, we talk to Jo Hornsby and Anna Cole of the National Theatre Planning Office.  We talk about their respective paths through the theatre industry and reflect upon the abiding questions of work/life balance, diversity and the challenges of running a theatre in the COVID era.  We discover how shows are planned months and even years in advance, how creative teams are assemble...

In Episode 12 we meet Lyn Gardner. She talks to us about her life as a journalist and critic, and how her career began. We discuss using a notebook, overnight reviews,  going to the theatre 5 nights a week for decades,  the joy of a production that exceeds your expectations,  and how star ratings should only be applied to white goods. We consider the crisis theatre is facing, the pl...

In Episode 11 we speak to Prema Mehta, freelance lighting designer and founder of Stage Sight. We discuss the influence of drama teachers, getting the lighting bug, how to survive while lighting for the fringe, the excitement and nervousness of the blank page, stage management, the tech, the joy of lighting design, technology, teams and lighting shows with only candles. Prema also tells us about h...