The Making Theatre Podcast
by James Farncombe and Bruno Poet
Lighting Designers James Farncombe and Bruno Poet host conversations about the complex and sometimes messy business of making theatre. With guests from all aspects of production, from directors and designers to actors, stage managers, technicians, builders and producers, the aim is to create a broader awareness of all things involved in bringing a show to the stage.
Episodes
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Victoria Brennan - Lighting Programmer
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…
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Laura Cubitt - Puppetry Director
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...
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Nick Hytner - Building the Bridge
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...
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Lucy Carter - Lighting for Dance
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.
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Paul Handley - Sustainable Theatre Making
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...
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Angie Bual - Theatre Without Walls.
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…
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Sarah Nixon and Mark Chatterton - Making Pantomime
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…
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James Farncombe - Lighting for Opera
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...
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Michael Dennis - Company Stage Manager and Touring
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...
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Kate Pakenham - Producer
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...
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Lauren Stroud - Swing
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...
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Parish Notices
Bruno and James take a moment to have a cuppa and say thank you to the Making Theatre Podcast listeners.
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Bernie Davis - TV Lighting Director
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...
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Prasanna Puwanarajah - Actor, Director, Writer
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...
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Lee Batty - Technical Director, The Really Useful Group
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...
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Ben Ormerod - Lighting Designer
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...
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Clare Vidal-Hall and Amy Markatis - Agents
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...
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Lizzie Frankl - Props Supervisor
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…
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Sarah Bowern - Costume Supervisor
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…
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Tamsin Greig - Actor
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...
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Bruno Poet - Lighting Designer
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...
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Igor - Production Manager
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...
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Jo Hornsby & Anna Cole - The National Theatre Planning Office
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...
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Lyn Gardner - Journalist, Author and Theatre Critic
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...
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Prema Mehta - Lighting Designer and Founder of Stage Sight
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…
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Kate Waters - Fight Director
In Episode 10 we talk to Fight Director Kate Waters, also known as Kombat Kate. We discuss her beginnings and how to become a fight director. We learn that it's all about the storytelling and it involves choreography, music, timing, misdirection, managing adrenaline, collaboration and trust. We...
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Jeannette Nelson - Voice Coach
In episode 9 we have a very enjoyable conversation with Jeannette, and learn so much. She started in theatre as a soubrette and dancer, touring the worldwide, before moving into voice work. As well as voice and dialect coaching on innumerable West End, Film and Television productions, she has…
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Ola Ince - Director
Episode 8 - Acclaimed director and dramaturg Ola Ince joins us for an insightful conversation about life as a director: responsibility, origins, auditions, rehearsals, working with the creative team, taking and giving notes, managing opinions, finding solutions, starting with a smell, the…
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Luke Halls - Video and Projection Designer
In Episode 7 we discuss working with moving images across theatre, opera, music, fashion and art, employing a full time team, collaboration, painting with pixels, breakfast - and the power of the ‘don’t do that’ mood board.
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Chris Shutt, Sound Designer
Award winning sound designer Chris Shutt talks to us in detail about his punk origins, his design process, the witchcraft that is underscoring, the subtleties of amplified sound, Tom Waits, Warhorse, and how it would all be much better if we just sat closer together in the tech.
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Tamykha Patterson - Assistant Lighting Designer and Lighting Programmer
In this episode we have an inspiring conversation with Tamykha Patterson, whose remarkable passion, drive and tenacity is something of a masterclass in how to go about getting a career in theatre.
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Vicki Mortimer - Designer
In Episode 4 we talk to renowned set and costume designer Vicki Mortimer, known for her work designing theatre and opera productions worldwide, and recently for helping to organise both the Freelancers Make Theatre work and SceneChange campaigns. We discuss her design process, collaboration, the...
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Hetti Curtis and Laura Wilson - Stage Managers
In episode 3 we speak to extraordinary stage managers Hetti Curtis and Laura Wilson, known for their work on many productions, including Julius Caesar and Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Bridge Theatre. Stage Managers are central and crucial to any show, yet are often invisible to the public. We...
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Chloe Lamford - Set Designer
Today we are talking to one of the most influential and sought after designers of her generation, Chloe Lamford www.chloelamford.com
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Freelancers Make Theatre Work
Bruno and James talk to Adele Thomas, Chino Odimba and Neil Austin about Freelancers Make Theatre Work - a collective voice to advocate for the UK theatre freelance workforce. www.freelancersmaketheatrework.com
About this show
Lighting Designers James Farncombe and Bruno Poet host conversations about the complex and sometimes messy business of making theatre. With guests from all aspects of production, from directors and designers to actors, stage managers, technicians, builders and producers, the aim is to create a broader awareness of all things involved in bringing a show to the stage.
Hosted by
James Farncombe and Bruno Poet
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