Wise Children

In this special episode, Emma (Rice) and Simon (Baker) talk about this year's Big Give Christmas Appeal. This year, we are trying to raise funds to help us offer high-quality training and pathways into careers backstage for people from all backgrounds. Simon takes us back to where it all started for him.  In the late 1980s, Feltham Green (by the duck pond), The London Bubble Theatre came to town a...

A whole new era! Join Emma Rice and long-time collaborator Simon Baker as they lift the curtain on the transformation from Wise Children to the Emma Rice Company. In this special episode, Emma shares the purpose behind the rebrand and gives a first glimpse into the company’s next production, A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas at The Lucky Chance in Frome (Somerset).

It’s early August, and the Wise Children Training Programme team is wrapping up the final week of three week-long training residencies at The Lucky Chance in Frome. Over the lunch break on the very last day, Emma grabs her fluffy mic and sits down with Ian Ross, John Leader, Helen Comerford, Katy (Mary) Owen, Riddell Elridge and Laura Keefe to reflect on what these vibrant weeks have meant — for t...

It's Monday evening and it's a rare day off at Wise Children.  Emma has been busy with her fluffy mic recording the company as they get ready for a preview of North by Northwest.  She also talks about getting notes in the street whilst she was out on a run...  You can find out more about North by Northwest and all of Emma's work by visiting www.wisechildren.co.uk. Remember to hit like and subscrib...

NXNW Episode 2  In this episode we dive into the magic, mayhem, and magnificent theatricality of North by Northwest—Emma’s latest production. How do you take a classic Hitchcock film, famous for its high-octane chases, iconic suspense, and cinematic flair, and transform it into a breathtaking piece of live theatre? Joining Emma for this episode is the inimitable Katy Owen—a longtime Wise Children...

We're back with a new season of podcasts all about Emma's new production - North By Northwest.  We are mid-rehearsal with a room full of revolving doors, suitcases, and suits.  Join us as Emma talks about the show, the epic plot and how she might bring some of those iconic scenes to the stage. 

It’s busy here at Wise HQ—so much is happening, as always. We managed to steal a surprise day off to catch our breath and bring you all up to speed. In this episode, we’ll chat about the latest goings on, including news about Little Match Girl at The Lucky Chance. Plus, we’re gearing up for North by Northwest, coming your way this spring. Not to mention Wuthering Heights heading out on its interna...

To celebrate our 2nd year of The Little Match Girl at our home, The Lucky Chance, we teamed up with our local community radio station Frome FM to create a special one-off programme.0. This one's a little different to our regular podcasts as it assumes that you know nothing about Wise Children or even theatre!  So it's a very good place to start.  Hosted by Emma Rice with Simon Baker and features m...

Buddha of Suburbia at the RSC Stratford is now up and running and truly delighting audiences. We recorded this just before the first-ever dress rehearsal - so as Emma Rice talks to the creative team about the process you can hear hoovers, resets, and a fight call.  It's going on in this crazy half hour.  You'll hear all about the process of bringing Hanif Kureishi's iconic novel to the stage from...

On the eve of the final rehearsal room for Buddha Of Suburbia Emma takes the company on a trip to see our other production - Blue Beard.  This one was recorded entirely on the coach journey from Stratford Upon Avon to Birmingham.  The ultimate school trip!  

We're back in rehearsals with Emma's new production - The Buddha of Suburbia - adapted from (and with) the book by Hanif Kureshi.  This time we're at the RSC in Stratford Upon Avon.   In this episode, Emma talks about the acting company and the process of cutting work early.  We've also got some sneak peeks at the music by Niraj Chag.  

We recorded this on Sunday afternoon after a week of final previews, a press night and a load out. The show is now in several trailers heading to Home Manchester.  In today's episode, Emma reveals that she had a speech planned... and we get to hear it.        

We made it. Blue Beard opened on Friday night for its first preview.  In this episode, Emma looks back on the craziness of the week and, armed with her fluffy mic, wanders around back stage as the house is about to open for Preview 2.  There are also some sneaky clips from the show too.     

It's the final week in the rehearsal room for Blue Beard!   Our own rehearsal space - TLC - is a little flooded at the moment, so we started the week by moving down the road to The Silk Mill. Despite the challenges, the show is on course for technical rehearsals at Bath Theatre Royal next week. This week, Emma (Rice) talks with the music team of Stu Barker, Ian Ross and Stephanie Hockley about mak...

This week Emma (Rice) talks through the first few weeks of rehearsal for her new production - Blue Beard.  She talks about the plot (it's not about Pirates!). She also talks about the rehearsal process and why making this show is so important to her.  The countdown to preview one is on. WARNING - Contains some explicit language 

It's New Year's Eve and our first chance to sit down and record a new podcast!  It's been quite the month and, to be honest, year. Join Emma (Rice) on this extended podcast edition as she reviews (and reminds Simon) what happened this year. This edition features all the highs and lows of Wise Children’s tour of Wuthering Heights, not to mention The Little Matchgirl at The Lucky Chance. It includes...

Recorded late in the evening on Emma's sofa (much to Simons's surprise) they talk about the final week of rehearsal before Tech and Dress Rehearsals start.  There's an interview with Ian Ross and a sneak preview of a new Christmas song Ian and Emma have written - recorded mid-rehearsal at TLC.   

It's Sunday at the end of week one of rehearsals for the Little Matchgirl at The Lucky Chance. Emma (Rice) has taken her fluffy mic to catch up with actors and also talks to Simon Baker about the goings on at TLC.    

  🎭 The Wise Children Podcast 🎙️ Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes episode! The Little Matchgirl: A Morning with Artistic Director Emma Rice It's the morning before rehearsals kick-off for the enchanting production of 'The Little Matchgirl' at Wise Children's new home - The Lucky Chance. Artistic Director Emma Rice sits down on this cold Sunday morning with Technical Director Simon Baker...

🎙️ Welcome to The Wise Children Podcast. We're back podcasting after a year-long hiatus - and what a year its been. We've a lot top catch you up on. First up is The Lucky Chance - our new home in Frome, Somerset. We're also talking about The Little Matchgirl will will play at The Lucky Chance over Christmas this year - if we can make the toilets/bar/box office work. Then, Emma talks about her new...

We're back and with exciting news.  After years of searching, we've finally found our own creative space - the old Portway Methodist Church in Frome, Somerset, renamed The Lucky Chance. In this episode, Emma (Rice) talks to the team (Simon Baker, Poppy Keeling & Jay Jones) about the plans, hopes and dreams for this new adventure.   

In this extraordinary episode, our intrepid artistic director, Emma Rice heads north armed with her fluffy mic, notebook and jumper in order to find her Cathy, her Heathcliff and her Moors as she starts work on Wuthering Heights.  Battling the wind and rain Emma gets to grips with the Brontë's, the brutality and the tragedy of this most epic tale.  This is one of the most intimate and bravest podc...

In this special one-off episode, Emma talks about the making of Bagdad Cafe at London's Old Vic.   

As you may know, we were just about to head to the airport and fly to LA with our musical Romantics Anonymous just as Lockdown v1 was announced. A few months, lots of research and plenty of on-line shopping later, we launched Wise TV and broadcast Romantics Anonymous around the world from the Bristol Old Vic stage - where it had all started.    In this special one-off episode, Emma Rice sits down...

In this episode, a croaky voiced Emma arms herself with her fluffy mic and goes in search of answers about making a musical, Orchestrators and Sitzprobes. Featuring interviews with the Romantics writing team and exclusive clips straight from the sound desk on press night.