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Amateur of Life and Death

Arts & Culture Podcasts

The Amateur of Life and Death podcast brings together amateur theatre makers to talk about their theatrical lives, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve died on stage. We take you behind the scenes at The Crescent Theatre to discover more about what goes into making a production, shining a spotlight on the stars behind the scenes, as well as those on stage.Theatre is our passion; amateur from the Latin ‘amare’, meaning ‘to love’. This is a podcast for anyone with an interest in watching or making amateur theatre.

The Amateur of Life and Death podcast brings together amateur theatre makers to talk about their theatrical lives, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve died on stage. We take you behind the scenes at The Crescent Theatre to discover more about what goes into making a production, shining a spotlight on the stars behind the scenes, as well as those on stage.Theatre is our passion; amateur from the Latin ‘amare’, meaning ‘to love’. This is a podcast for anyone with an interest in watching or making amateur theatre.

Location:

United Kingdom

Description:

The Amateur of Life and Death podcast brings together amateur theatre makers to talk about their theatrical lives, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve died on stage. We take you behind the scenes at The Crescent Theatre to discover more about what goes into making a production, shining a spotlight on the stars behind the scenes, as well as those on stage.Theatre is our passion; amateur from the Latin ‘amare’, meaning ‘to love’. This is a podcast for anyone with an interest in watching or making amateur theatre.

Language:

English

Contact:

01216435858

Episodes

But Is It Art?

5/6/2022
In this episode we find out about the true story that inspired Lee Hall’s play The Pitmen Painters, which tells the tale of the Ashington Group: a group of coal miners who became well-known artists. We’ll be interviewing Karen Kelly, who is a voice coach, actor and production assistant, to find out about her life and loves in amateur theatre, and her experience of teaching accents and dialects. This month, John will be going behind the scenes on the Crescent Theatre’s forthcoming production...

Duration:00:47:16

Don't Feed the Plants

4/1/2022
This episode explores musical theatre and the story of the iconic musical Little Shop of Horrors. We’ll be interviewing Karen Leadbetter, actor, singer and director, to find out about her life and loves in amateur theatre, and her experience of musicals. John will be going behind the scenes on the Crescent Theatre’s forthcoming production of Little Shop of Horrors, by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken and will be finding out why you really shouldn’t feed the plant…

Duration:00:47:33

From Bard to Verse

3/4/2022
This episode is about the comedies of William Shakespeare and we will interview the Director of The Crescent Theatre's upcoming production of Much Ado About Nothing. Our Backstage Pass holder, John, will flip things and go Front of House with Deputy Theatre Manager, Elliot Mitchell.

Duration:00:44:07

The Play's The Thing

2/4/2022
This episode explores keeping it simple on stage when producing plays that are written to be performed with minimal set and costume. Plays where the words, characters and ideas create the drama and the world of the play without lavish backdrops or fancy frocks. We’ll be interviewing Fi Cotton, actor and director, to find out about her life and loves in amateur theatre, and her experience of directing plays that keep the staging simple, whilst also experimenting with form. This month, John...

Duration:00:45:14

From Page to Stage

1/7/2022
Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre and features an amateur theatre maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve died on stage. Our Backstage Pass Holder, John O’Neill, will also take us behind the scenes at The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham to discover more about what goes into making a great amateur production. This episode explores adaptation; the art of taking a book and turning it into a...

Duration:00:49:27

Never Work With Children or Insects

12/3/2021
This episode explores the challenges and rewards of creating theatre for children and families, especially at Christmas and we’re delighted to be talking to David Hill of Charlemont Dramatics Society in West Bromwich about his life and loves in amateur theatre. We will also be going backstage to discover the secrets of the Crescent Theatre Birmingham’s Christmas production for 2021, James and the Giant Peach.

Duration:00:47:58

Life in the Farce Lane

11/5/2021
We’ve given this podcast, our fourth Amateur of Life and Death episode, the title of ‘Life in the Farce Lane.’ We talk to Geoff Poole, one of the longest standing members of The Crescent Theatre in Birmingham about his theatrical life, loves and the times that he's died on stage. We also catch up with some of the cast of The Crescent Theatre's upcoming production of Alan Ayckbourn's Table Manners as well as giving you some top facts about farce. Table Manners plays at The Crescent...

Duration:00:46:46

Truth is Stranger than Fiction

10/1/2021
In this episode, we explore theatre that is based on real events. We will speak to Rod Natkiel about his amazing career in television and theatre, including his experience of producing verbatim theatre - plays written using the actual words of real people. We will also hear from Trish Henley and Alistair Hurst, who are working on The Crescent Theatre's new production of The Revlon Girl by Neil Anthony Docking, a play about the Aberfan disaster of 1966.

Duration:00:49:15

Trailer: Amateur of Life & Death

10/1/2021
The Amateur of Life and Death Podcast brings together amateur theatre makers to talk about their theatrical lives, theatrical loves and the times when they've died on stage. We take you behind the scenes at The Crescent Theatre to discover more about what goes into making a production - shining a spotlight on the stars behind the scenes as well as those on stage. Theatre is our passion. Amateur from the Latin "amare" meaning "to love." This is a podcast for anyone with an interest in...

Duration:00:00:44

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

8/6/2021
Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre and features an amateur theatre maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve died on stage. This episode looks the history of The Wizard of Oz. CREDITS Presenters: Laura East, Liz Plumpton, John O'Neill Music: Brendan Stanley Researchers: John O'Neill, Laura East Editor: Kevin Middleton

Duration:00:56:29

Thinking Outside the Box

7/2/2021
Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre and features an amateur theatre maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve died on stage. This episode looks at performing outdoors and in other spaces that are not "traditional" theatres. CREDITS Presenters: Michael McLernan, Luke Plimmer, John O'Neill Music: Brendan Stanley Researchers: Liz Plumpton, Laura East Editor: Kevin Middleton

Duration:00:31:47

Trailer - Episode 1 - Thinking Outside the Box

7/1/2021
Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre and features an amateur theatre maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve died on stage. This episode looks at performing outdoors and in other spaces that are not "traditional" theatres.

Duration:00:00:44