Best Blue Fire Theatre Company Podcasts (2024)

1
Her Father's Daughter - Stephen Bourne & Patricia Hammond talk about Avril Coleridge-Taylor 26:12

1y ago26:12

26:12

By Blue Fire Theatre Company

1
"Damn Tom & Jerry" - Dr Mary Shannon Talks About Billy Waters. With Charlotte Campbell. 31:55

1y ago31:55

31:55

We're delighted and privileged to be releasing today's podcast on the 200th anniversary of the death of Billy Waters. Born in 1776 Waters was a familiar sight on the Strand in London. He was a black ex-sailor who had been invalided out of the Navy after losing a leg. With a crude wooden prosthesis he danced and also played the violin outside the Ad…

1
"The African Mahler": Chenoa Murphy talks about Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. 18:03

1+ y ago18:03

18:03

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) was a British composer. His mother was English and his father from Sierra Leone. He referred to himself as "Anglo-African" and was referred to by white musicians in the US as the "Black Mahler", which is the title of the biography by Charles Elford. Coleridge-Taylor entered the Royal College of Music at the age o…

1
Blood, Sweat and Vaginas , with Paula David - One Woman Wednesdays 11:06

1+ y ago11:06

11:06

Paula David's one woman show is a journey through menopause and a discovery of self. It is poetic and musical, has movement and dance and examines something that all women experience and few have the courage to speak about. It is also highly amusing! Paula spoke to us about the show ahead of her one night at the Exchange in Twickenham on 29th March…

1
She Wolves with Laura Careless - One Woman Wednesdays 14:12

1+ y ago14:12

14:12

This one-woman show, based on the book and television series She-Wolves: The Women who Ruled England Before Elizabeth by historian Helen Castor, depicts the lives of five of England’s most famous medieval queens (Empress Matilda, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Isabella of France, Margaret of Anjou, and Mary I) using speech, song, dance, and animation. Perfo…

1
Testament of Yootha - One Woman Wednesdays 9:30

1+ y ago9:30

9:30

Yootha Joyce, best known for "George and Mildred" was one of the best known TV stars of the 1970's. But she was so much more... Award -winning actress Caroline Burns-Cooke tells her story in the brilliant one woman show "Testament of Yootha", showing for one night only at the Exchange in Twickenham on 22nd March as part of the One Woman Wednesday s…

1
Isadorable! Elizabeth Blake Talks About Isadora Duncan 43:17

1+ y ago43:17

43:17

Isadora Duncan: dancer, muse, innovator, political activist and so much more was born in the USA in 1877. She died in Nice, France in 1927 in a freak accident that is sadly the thing that she seems to be most remembered for. Well we want to change that! Elizabeth Blake is an actress, dancer and choreographer. She has written and is currently perfor…

1
Sex, Love and Classical Music - Elena Mazzon talks about Clara Schumann 38:12

2y ago38:12

38:12

Clara Schumann, a pianist, composer and piano teacher. And wife of Robert Schumann. Clara Wieck had a fascinating life- a child prodigy, like Mozart before her she was touring as a concert pianist under the watchful eye of her domineering father from a very young age. She went on to marry Robert, have eight children and continue to work in the male…

1
Ally Sloper's Half Holiday 40:53

2y ago40:53

40:53

Ally Sloper's Half-Holiday was the name of a weekly comic strip which first appeared on 3 May 1884. Before Superman, Spiderman, Desperate Dan and Dennis the Menace came Ally Sloper. From 1884 until the 1920s, the red-nosed social climber who poked fun at the English people and their customs was a household name and national favourite. Ally Sloper t…

1
Who's Army...? David Crump talks about Fred Karno 1:10:19

2y ago1:10:19

1:10:19

Who was Fred Karno? and what was his army? We talk to David Crump whose biography of today's subject reveals all - and some! Karno was a giant personality who had a giant effect on theatre and cinema as we know it. The man who gave Stan Laurel, Charlie Chaplin and the Crazy Gang their first break and almost single handedly invented the type of slap…

1
The 2nd Best Whore in London. With guest contributions from Moira Buffini and Lyn Brown 38:16

2+ y ago38:16

38:16

Back in the dark days of Lockdown number 2 at the end of 2020 Lottie and Linda were enjoying the TV series Harlots. Whilst chatting about it Lottie remembered seeing the blue plaque that is dedicated to Priss Fotheringham, the "second best whore in London". And the idea for a podcast episode was born! For reasons many and varied it's taken us a who…

1
The Forgotten Talent of Amanda Ira Aldridge, with Stephen Bourne & Patricia Hammond 37:57

2+ y ago37:57

37:57

Amanda Ira Aldridge, one of the most important female composers of the 20th century has been all but forgotten. Daughter of the groundbreaking actor Ira Aldridge, Amanda, was also a singer and in her latter years a voice teacher. One of her pupils was Paul Robeson who approached her when he cane to the UK to play Othello. He was only the second bla…

1
"It Seems That I'm Interested in Lots of Things"; In Conversation with Christopher Green 31:44

2+ y ago31:44

31:44

For this special episode we've moved away from talking about our long forgotten heroes of history to talk to our very much up to date award winning theatre-maker - and hero - Christopher Green. Christopher is a huge advocate of theatre as an experience and of the "all the world's a stage" ethos. In this conversation we talk about experiential theat…

1
The Black Sheep of the Family - Christopher Green & John Orchard talk about Fred Barnes 51:36

2+ y ago51:36

51:36

Fred Barnes was a huge star in his time, but his fame, fortune and undeniable glamour hid a tragic story and self-destructive nature. Christopher Green and John Orchard talk to Lottie about Fred Barnes' tragic life and death, how he has been almost written out of history and their own projects to bring him back into popular culture. A blue plaque t…

1
Jolly Good Luck! Ann-Lindsey Wickens & Chris Jaeger talk about Vesta Tilley. With Jessica Danheiser 23:03

3y ago23:03

23:03

Vesta Tilley was possibly the most famous male impersonator of all time and a huge star of the Victorian Music Hall. The girl from Worcester, who was treading the boards from the age of 3 was also the wife of an MP and "Britain's best recruiting sergeant" during WW1. In this episode Ann-Lindsey Wickens tells us what it's like to portray this iconic…

1
"The Funniest Book in the World" & How We adapted it for the Stage - with Tim Shaw & Andy Smith 43:03

3y ago43:03

43:03

"The Diary of a Nobody" has long been a favourite book of both Tim Shaw and Andy Smith. They've seen it on stage, listened to it on the radio and, of course, read it. So one rainy August day in Edinburgh after seeing Rodney Bewes in his on man version of 3 Men in a Boat and over a small sherry or two they hit upon the idea of adapting Charles Poote…

1
The Diary of a Nobody by George & Weedon Grossmith; adapted by Tim Shaw 56:15

3y ago56:15

56:15

This season's audio drama is : The Diary of a Nobody, by George & Weedon Grossmith, said by Evelyn Waugh to be the "funniest book ever written". The book has never been out of print and is available at all good bookshops. This adaptation is by Tim Shaw. It is directed by Steve Taylor Charles Pooter - Andy Smith Carrie - Lottie Walker Lupin - Steve …

1
The Victorian Somebody - Stephen Wade talks about George Grossmith 1:04:06

3y ago1:04:06

1:04:06

George Grossmith created many of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic baritone roles and was known for his delivery of the famous patter songs. He was also a writer and composer who entertained royalty in the parlours of palaces and a journalist who spent time as a Bow Street Court reporter. And, together with his brother Weedon he was responsible for prod…

1
The Greatest Showman - Andrew van Buren talks about Philip Astley. With Chris Barltrop. 1:13:37

3y ago1:13:37

1:13:37

The original "greatest showman" was not P.T. Barnum, it was a chap from Newcastle Under Lyme in Staffordshire, who went by the name Philip Astley. Astley was a soldier and talented equestrian who went on to invent what we now recognise as the modern day circus. His story is one of the many that prove that truth is stranger (certainly more remarkabl…

1
Into the Limelight with Margaret Monod; a special episode for BHMS Music Hall & Variety Day 47:20

3y ago47:20

47:20

Margaret Monod talks about her blog, "Into the Limelight" and her fabulous collection of Music Hall postcards . Today's Podcast: Host: Lottie Guest: Margaret Monod Edited By: Jacob Taylor Music: James Hall This is a special bonus episode broadcast specially for the British Music Hall Society's Music Hall & Variety Day Follow Margaret on Twitter: @m…

1
Series Two Trailer 4:12

3y ago4:12

4:12

Welcome back to "Famous People You've Never Heard Of"! We've some fabulous guests talking about some truly fabulous people and hope that you enjoy finding out about them all. Some of our contributors this season are: Stephen Bourne Lyn Brown MP Moira Buffini Christopher Green John Orchard Andrew van Buren And some of our wonderful subjects are: Ves…

1
Update - Where Has Series Two Gone? 4:04

3y ago4:04

4:04

A short message to reassure our listeners that you're not abandoned! We've had a slight delay but Series Two will be up and running soon. In the meantime, check out the show notes for all of Series One , which have been updated and do use this downtime to catch up on any episodes you've missed. If you want to revisit Episodes 3 and 4 (the ones that…

1
Music Hall Darlings (updated) Alison Young talks about Daisy Dormer & Her Sisters 34:47

3y ago34:47

34:47

Alison Young is the Secretary of the British Music Hall Society. She ran away from the law to research and write about her family connections with the Music Hall and has uncovered many little gems that she shares with us today. "Dainty Daisy Dormer" was a Music Hall star. She was also Alison's great great aunt. She and her sisters toured around the…

1
Man of Letters (updated) Paterson Joseph talks about Charles Ignatius Sancho 33:15

3y ago33:15

33:15

Today's episode features writer and actor Paterson Joseph, author of the play "Sancho, An Act of Remembrance", which he has been performing for some 10 years and brings back to the theatre next year. He has also recently completed a book about Sancho, this incredible man who was born on a slave ship in the Atlantic and died a businessman in London.…

1
Well, La-Di-Dah! : The Team Behind "Marie Lloyd Stole My Life" Talk About Nelly Power 46:40

3+ y ago46:40

46:40

Nelly Power was a huge star of music hall who is now pretty much forgotten. In 2017/18 Blue Fire's Lottie Walker was researching the life of Marie Lloyd when she discovered Nelly, who was in fact the first person to sing the famous song "The Boy I Love Is Up in the Gallery". And made it her mission to get Ms Power the recognition she deserves. By 2…

1
A Little of What You Fancy - Marie Kelly & Midge Gillies Talk About Marie Lloyd 49:40

3+ y ago49:40

49:40

Marie Lloyd, Queen of the Music Hall was a force of nature with a larger than life personality. At one time the highest paid act in the country, she sang a string of hit songs including "Oh, Mr Porter" and "Don't Dilly Dally on the Way". Finding fame at the age of 15 she spent the next 40 years entertaining on the music halls and vaudeville theatre…

1
A Woman of Her Time - Dr Debbie Cannon Talks About Alice Thornton 52:23

3+ y ago52:23

52:23

Alice Thornton was an ordinary, if somewhat well to do woman of the 17th century. She lived through the time of Plague, the Great Fire of London, the English Civil War and the Restoration. But as the old saying says "there are no troubles as big as your own" and Alice's troubles (indeed tragedies), which were many are what she recorded in her diary…

1
Principal Boys, Pantomime & Poltergeists, Kate Griffin talks about Kitty Peck & Music Hall 55:51

3+ y ago55:51

55:51

Just before Christmas 2020 we had a jolly conversation with Kate Griffin, author of the "Kitty Peck" novels about her interest in music hall. Kate tells us about her love of theatre, how she fell in love with music hall and Jenny Hall, the real artiste that Kitty Peck is based on. We also talk about principal boys, theatre ghosts and what pantomime…

1
Actress or Activist? Dr Renata Kobetts Miller talks about Elizabeth Robins 42:49

3+ y ago42:49

42:49

Renata Kobetts Miller is Professor of English and Deputy Dean of Humanities and the Arts at the City College of New York. Her book, "The Victorian Actress in the Novel and on the Stage" begins in the 1830s and ends in the 1910s. It looks at how Victorian novels and plays used the actress, who was a significant figure for the relationship between wo…

1
Music Hall Darlings - Alison Young talks about Daisy Dormer & Her Sisters 34:47

3+ y ago34:47

34:47

Alison Young is the Secretary of the British Music Hall Society. She ran away from the law to research and write about her family connections with the Music Hall and has uncovered many little gems that she shares with us today. "Dainty Daisy Dormer" was a Music Hall star. She was also Alison's great great aunt. She and her sisters toured around the…

1
Man of Letters: Paterson Joseph talks about Charles Ignatius Sancho 33:15

3+ y ago33:15

33:15

Today's episode features writer and actor Paterson Joseph, author of the play "Sancho, An Act of Remembrance", which he has been performing for some 10 years and brings back to the theatre next year. He has also recently completed a book about Sancho, this incredible man who was born on a slave ship in the Atlantic and died a businessman in London.…

1
All the Fun of the Fair - David Slattery Christy talks about Reg Pratley 43:28

3+ y ago43:28

43:28

Author and playwright David Slattery Christy, talks to us about his grandfather, Reg Pratley. Reg's story shines a light on the social history of the early 20th Century. From growing up in a sleepy Oxfordshire village via a short spell in the Royal Navy, Reg Pratley ended up managing one of the largest and most prestigious travelling fairgrounds in…

1
Series One Trailer 3:24

3+ y ago3:24

3:24

Here's what to expect in our first series of "Famous People You've Never Heard Of" Amongst others our special guests this season include actor and writer Dr Debbie Cannon, author David Slattery Christy and actor and writer Paterson Joseph. Join us as they take us on journeys into the past to discover tales of fame, fortune and failure in the worlds…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Blue Fire Theatre Company Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Famous People You've Never Heard Of

Blue Fire Theatre Company

1
Her Father's Daughter - Stephen Bourne & Patricia Hammond talk about Avril Coleridge-Taylor 26:12

1
"Damn Tom & Jerry" - Dr Mary Shannon Talks About Billy Waters. With Charlotte Campbell. 31:55

1
"The African Mahler": Chenoa Murphy talks about Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. 18:03

1
Blood, Sweat and Vaginas , with Paula David - One Woman Wednesdays 11:06

1
She Wolves with Laura Careless - One Woman Wednesdays 14:12

1
Testament of Yootha - One Woman Wednesdays 9:30

1
Isadorable! Elizabeth Blake Talks About Isadora Duncan 43:17

1
Sex, Love and Classical Music - Elena Mazzon talks about Clara Schumann 38:12

1
Ally Sloper's Half Holiday 40:53

1
Who's Army...? David Crump talks about Fred Karno 1:10:19

1
The 2nd Best Whore in London. With guest contributions from Moira Buffini and Lyn Brown 38:16

1
The Forgotten Talent of Amanda Ira Aldridge, with Stephen Bourne & Patricia Hammond 37:57

1
"It Seems That I'm Interested in Lots of Things"; In Conversation with Christopher Green 31:44

1
The Black Sheep of the Family - Christopher Green & John Orchard talk about Fred Barnes 51:36

1
Jolly Good Luck! Ann-Lindsey Wickens & Chris Jaeger talk about Vesta Tilley. With Jessica Danheiser 23:03

1
"The Funniest Book in the World" & How We adapted it for the Stage - with Tim Shaw & Andy Smith 43:03

1
The Diary of a Nobody by George & Weedon Grossmith; adapted by Tim Shaw 56:15

1
The Victorian Somebody - Stephen Wade talks about George Grossmith 1:04:06

1
The Greatest Showman - Andrew van Buren talks about Philip Astley. With Chris Barltrop. 1:13:37

1
Into the Limelight with Margaret Monod; a special episode for BHMS Music Hall & Variety Day 47:20

1
Series Two Trailer 4:12

1
Update - Where Has Series Two Gone? 4:04

1
Music Hall Darlings (updated) Alison Young talks about Daisy Dormer & Her Sisters 34:47

1
Man of Letters (updated) Paterson Joseph talks about Charles Ignatius Sancho 33:15

1
Well, La-Di-Dah! : The Team Behind "Marie Lloyd Stole My Life" Talk About Nelly Power 46:40

1
A Little of What You Fancy - Marie Kelly & Midge Gillies Talk About Marie Lloyd 49:40

1
A Woman of Her Time - Dr Debbie Cannon Talks About Alice Thornton 52:23

1
Principal Boys, Pantomime & Poltergeists, Kate Griffin talks about Kitty Peck & Music Hall 55:51

1
Actress or Activist? Dr Renata Kobetts Miller talks about Elizabeth Robins 42:49

1
Music Hall Darlings - Alison Young talks about Daisy Dormer & Her Sisters 34:47

1
Man of Letters: Paterson Joseph talks about Charles Ignatius Sancho 33:15

1
All the Fun of the Fair - David Slattery Christy talks about Reg Pratley 43:28

1
Series One Trailer 3:24

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