Best YoungVicTheatre Podcasts (2024)

1
Best of Enemies and The Collaboration: authors, authorship, leaderships and collaboration (part 1) 28:23

12M ago28:23

28:23

This two-part episode looks at authors and authorship, at leadership, and at collaboration. We look at two pieces of work: Best of Enemies, written by James Graham, and The Collaboration, written by Anthony McCarten. Both plays started their life at the Young Vic shortly after one another, before transferring to the West End and to Broadway respect…

1
Best of Enemies and The Collaboration: authors, authorship, leaderships and collaboration (part 2) 31:55

12M ago31:55

31:55

This two-part episode looks at authors and authorship, at leadership, and at collaboration. We look at two pieces of work: The Collaboration, written by Anthony McCarten, and Best of Enemies, written by James Graham. Both plays started their life at the Young Vic shortly after one another, before transferring to Broadway and the West End respective…

1
Hamlet: Imagining Elsinore, the Man and his Soul 39:37

2+ y ago39:37

39:37

How does Hamlet inspire and intrigue audiences and artists? Designer Anna Fleischle unpacks how to bring the world of Hamlet to life, and Dr Louise Owen tackles the questions of the play for our times. We also introduce an original audio piece: “The Man and his Soul” by Nana-Kofi KufuorBy Young Vic Theatre

1
Changing Destiny: How Kwame Kwei-Armah and Ben Okri tell a 4000 year old tale 29:30

2+ y ago29:30

29:30

The Young Vic podcast investigates the power of a 4000-year-old story about exile and home: how the tale of Sinuhe inspired Ben Okri to write Changing Destiny. And Kwame Kwei-Armah speaks to Egyptologist Allison Hedges about mummies, myths and the origins of theatre.By Young Vic Theatre

1
Nadia Latif on the importance of the bookshelf, first steps in Theatre and developing Fairview 43:41

4+ y ago43:41

43:41

By Young Vic Theatre

1
Dadiow Lin on Taiwan, classics and collaboration on in a word 24:55

4+ y ago24:55

24:55

Director Dadiow Lin chats to Off Book presenter Dan de la Motte about growing up in Taiwan, the influence of classic texts and how she combines a range of skills to collaborate on her plays.in a word written by Lauren Yee was the play Dadiow chose direct as part of the Genesis Future Directors Award, a Directors Program and Genesis Foundation initi…

1
Luke Barnes on The Jumper Factory, how he became a playwright and the role of a writer 36:00

4+ y ago36:00

36:00

Playwright Luke Barnes chats to Off Book presenter Dan de la Motte about developing authentic stories shaped by real experiences. Luke opens up about his process, through which he has created work with prisoners and people affected by the criminal justice system (The Jumper Factory), asylum seekers (Fable), and NHS service users (Men in Blue), and …

1
Josh Parr on his first job, drama school and making his mark 41:00

4+ y ago41:00

41:00

Theatre Director Josh Parr grew up in the mining town of Rugeley and never saw arts as a viable career. Fast forward a few years, he's directing The Jumper Factory at HOME Manchester. Speaking to Off Book about how he entered the arts, what he's faced along the way to get to this point and why his ambition is to inspire people with the same backgro…

1
Sharon D. Clarke on her first job, winning an Olivier and how she approached Linda Loman 44:30

5y ago44:30

44:30

Stage royalty, Sharon D. Clarke speaks to Off Book about her role as Linda Loman, her journey into Theatre and what it meant to her to win the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.Sharon also shares an insight into what it's like rehearsing Blues In the Night and performing Death of a Salesman and the importance of having a family of good pe…

1
Wendell Pierce discusses Willy Loman, activism and his first steps into theatre 49:09

5y ago49:09

49:09

Wendell Pierce first visited London over 40 years ago, what does it mean to make his London debut and join the select group who have played Willy Loman in 'the American Hamlet' Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman.Wendell talks about his first steps into Theatre, navigating through the industry and how political activism is a part of his identity as…

1
Emma Dennis-Edwards talks The American Dream 2.0, drama school and her career so far 39:52

5y ago39:52

39:52

Multi award winning Writer, Actor and Performer Emma Dennis-Edwards talks to Off Book about her new play The American Dream 2.0, a politically charged dystopian play about hope, idealism and humanity.Off Book is a podcast from Young Vic where we shine a light on the creatives that are inspiring us and a candid discussion about their career so far.…

1
The Convert director Ola Ince rejoins us to talk about her latest YV show and Tina the Musical 35:18

5+ y ago35:18

35:18

Director of Danai Gurira's The Convert, Ola Ince joins us as the first director to return to our tiny recording studio. We caught up on the very busy two and a half years Ola has had since she was last on Off Book where she spoke about her Genesis show, The Dutchman by Amiri Baraka.Naturally, Dan and Ola talk about the current YV main house show, T…

1
Kwame Kwei-Armah discusses Twelfth Night and taking charge at the Young Vic 47:50

5+ y ago47:50

47:50

Writer, director, actor, musician and YV’s artistic director - Kwame Kwame Kwei-Armah joins Dan in the studio to talk about his return to London after 7 years in the US, and his most recent musical foray into Shakespeare with Twelfth Night.They chat about upcoming production of The Convert written by Danai Gurira and starring her Black Panther co-s…

1
Jenna Russell, fresh from Fun Home joins us to discuss her colossal acting career - Off Book Podcast 42:41

5+ y ago42:41

42:41

This month, Dan de la Motte was joined in the old YV stationary cupboard by stage icon, Jenna Russell. We hear how Sylvia Young was integral to giving teenage Jenna a start in theatre and a way out of 'normal' schooling, as well as talking about her successes later in life in productions such as Grey Gardens, Into The Woods and of course, Sam Gold'…

1
Debbie Hannan discusses her Genesis production & identifying as a working class director 34:39

5+ y ago34:39

34:39

Debbie Hannan, Genesis Future Director Award Winner and recent director of Naomi Wallace's Things of Dry Hours joined us for a chat this month.We discuss what initially got her interested in theatre whilst "being an incredibly bossy child with large imagination" and the early influences of the Fringe Festival, as well as her journey from the suburb…

1
Alison Bechdel & Sofie Hagen talk about Fun Home, the Bechdel test & being seen - Off Book Podcast 40:57

6y ago40:57

40:57

Guest host, comedian and podcaster Sofie Hagen is joined by Alison Bechdel, the cartoonist who wrote the graphic novel Fun Home for a special Off Book episode.Alison and Sofie discuss Alison's the graphic novel, the autobiographical coming of age and coming out story that delves into her childhood memories and her relationship with her father. They…

1
Oscar winning writer Tarell Alvin McCraney talks The Brothers Size, Moonlight & his career 54:40

6y ago54:40

54:40

The Brothers Size writer and Oscar winner Tarell Alvin McCraney joined us in Feb 2018 during the revival of the Young Vic's production of his play, The Brothers Size, directed by Bijan Sheibani.Tarell discusses his Brother/Sister trilogy of plays and how he came to write these incredibly powerful shows after originally starting out as an actor and …

1
Justin Martin discusses making "theatre that's necessary" & his long-term collab with Stephen Daldry 55:36

6y ago55:36

55:36

Having worked back to back on The Jungle and The Inheritance at the Young Vic, Justin Martin, long-time collaborator with Stephen Daldry, spoke to us about his "14 year conversation" with the Oscar nominated director and his career to date making "theatre that's necessary" and getting his work "off the arts pages...and finding yourself part of the …

1
The Inheritance writer Matthew Lopez discusses his early influences, his Florida roots & his writing 50:47

6y ago50:47

50:47

Writer of The Inheritance, Matthew Lopez joins us to discuss his hilarious and profound heart-breaking play in two parts, directed by Stephen Daldry.Matthew discusses everything from his upbringing in the Florida panhandle and seeing Peter Pan on broadway to his aunt's Tony award and writing about a community and safe spaces in The Whipping Man. We…

1
David Lan, Young Vic Artistic Director talks about his 18 year tenure - Off Book 1:03:05

6y ago1:03:05

1:03:05

“We should be thinking about the totality of people’s experience” The Young Vic’s Artistic Director, David Lan spoke to us about well, everything. And in a beautiful twist of fate we happened to chat on the 18th anniversary of him starting the role.We cover his politicised upbringing growing up in Cape Town as a second generation Eastern European m…

1
Olivier Award-winner Juliet Stevenson on Wings, women in theatre and activism - Off Book 48:30

6+ y ago48:30

48:30

Olivier Award-winner Juliet Stevenson joins us this week following her recent production of Wings at the Young Vic. Juliet discusses her recent performances in Wings, Happy Days and Hamlet, the limitations still faced by women in theatre, and her activism and response to the refugee crisis.By Young Vic Theatre

1
Nancy Medina on Yellowman, her Brooklyn influences and being a director of colour 33:16

6+ y ago33:16

33:16

Nancy Medina, Genesis Future Director Award winner and director of Yellowman joins us this week. Nancy discusses directing Dael Orlandersmith's Pulitzer nominated play and their conversations ahead of it coming to the Young Vic, how growing up in Brooklyn influenced Nancy's work and what being a director of colour is like in 2017.We'd also recommen…

1
Natalie Abrahami - Off Book 41:07

6+ y ago41:07

41:07

Natalie Abrahami got her theatre break as the Royal Court Graduate Trainee, before winning the JMK Award at Battersea Arts Centre in 2005. A spell at the Gate theatre followed, and then associate director at the Young Vic. Natalie spoke to us about these experiences, the difference between directing for stage and screen, embedding sustainability in…

1
Josh Roche - Off Book 42:57

6+ y ago42:57

42:57

"The goal is to get to the age of 80 and not be bruised by the experience" JMK Award Winner 2017, former Fat Git and My Name is Rachel Corrie director Josh Roche chatted to us about his first forays into theatre from Tunbridge Wells and Warwick and beyond. Josh also discussed his optimism about millennials, why it's so important to be persistent as…

1
Zoë Svendsen & the role of dramaturgy - Off Book 40:51

6+ y ago40:51

40:51

Theatre maker and Dramaturg Zoë Svendsen joined us earlier in 2017 to discuss the important role dramaturgy plays in theatre and how she discovered dramaturgy was part of what she wanted to do.Zoë discusses the Berlin theatre scene and recent productions at the YV with Joe Hill-Gibbins; Measure for Measure and A Midsummer Night's Dream. We also hea…

1
Josette Bushell-Mingo - Off Book 31:14

6+ y ago31:14

31:14

Performer and Artistic Director of Riksteatern in Sweden, Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE joins us to discuss her journey from London's East End to Stockholm. We talk about how whether the arts is in a better and more diverse place than when Josette launched PUSH festival in 2000 which promoted black theatre, how Nina Simone became her "GPS" and how impo…

1
Taio Lawson - Off Book 41:25

7y ago41:25

41:25

Taio Lawson's relationship with the Young Vic started when he visited as a school kid and watched someone fry an egg on stage in The Three Musketeers. Nearly 17 years later he's worked on Matthew Xia's production of Sizwe Banzi is Dead and is currently the Jerwood Assistant Director to Joe Wright on his production of Bertolt Brecht's Life of Galile…

1
Joe Wright - Off Book 44:26

7y ago44:26

44:26

British film and theatre director Joe Wright came in this month to discuss his return to the Young Vic with Brecht's Life of Galileo following his 2013 production of Season in the Congo.We discuss Joe's early life spent working at the family's Little Angel Theatre and how that's shaped both his film and theatre work to date, as well as how he accid…

1
Paul Mason - Off Book 37:32

7y ago37:32

37:32

Journalist Paul Mason pops in to the Young Vic to talk about his play about revolution and the networked generation, Why It's All Kicking Off Everywhere, based on his acclaimed book.We discuss how his upbringing in Greater Manchester, Northern Soul and a degree in music and politics influenced has his career. We also chat about his multidisciplinar…

1
Lucy J Skilbeck - Off Book 48:22

7y ago48:22

48:22

Genesis Future Directors Award winner, Lucy J Skilbeck talks to us about their journey from the first cabaret show they enjoyed as a child in Yorkshire, up to 2017's production of The Bear The Proposal at the Young Vic. Lucy also discusses the work of their Derbyshire based theatre company Milk Presents, its celebrated production of JOAN and how th…

1
Carole Karemera on Peter Brook's Battlefield & the arts scene in Rwanda - Off Book 55:06

7y ago55:06

55:06

Peter Brook's Battlefield visited the Young Vic in February 2016 before continuing its world tour. We spoke to Belgian actress, choreographer, director and saxophonist Carole Karemera.We discussed how the arts are being used in Rwanda as a healing tool within communities, her role in creating Kigali's cultural hub Ishyo Arts Centre in 2007 and how …

1
Corn Exchange AD and A Girl is a Half-formed Thing dir. Annie Ryan on route from NYU to Dublin 40:28

7+ y ago40:28

40:28

Artistic Director of Corn Exchange and A Girl is a Half-formed Thing director, Annie Ryan joined us in March 2016 to discuss the incredibly powerful production of Eimear McBride's unflinching book. Annie also discusses how she ended up directing via acting courses at NYU and Trinity College, Dublin as well as how working in commedia has influenced …

1
Genesis Future Directors Award winner Bryony Shanahan talks trade & 'emerging' as a director 44:53

7+ y ago44:53

44:53

We caught up with Genesis Future Directors Award winner 2016, Bryony Shanahan whilst she was at the YV with debbie tucker green's trade.Bryony talks about what it means to be an 'emerging director', training at National Theatre Studio Directors Course and East 15 as well as her love of Stoke City(FC) and her role as co-artistic director of award-wi…

1
Ramin Gray - Off Book 43:08

7+ y ago43:08

43:08

Ramin Gray, Artistic Director of ATC (Actors Touring Company) and director of upcoming YV production Living With the Lights On joins us in the booth to discuss his career as a director. Ramin chats about how his multi-city upbringing may have influenced the work he creates, working in Liverpool as an emerging director as well as discussing how good…

1
Joe Hill-Gibbins - Off Book 55:55

7+ y ago55:55

55:55

Director of the upcoming A Midsummer Night's Dream and 2015's Measure for Measure at the Young Vic, Joe Hill-Gibbins came in for a chat at the YV about his career to date. From interviewing Rufus Norris for his dissertation, to running shows on day 3 of rehearsals and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith apparently roaming the streets with a broad sword as part o…

1
Isango Ensemble's Pauline Malefane & Mandisi Dyantyis - Off Book 50:08

7+ y ago50:08

50:08

Isango Ensemble's Musical Directors, Pauline Malefane and Mandisi Dyantyis joined us in the studio to talk about A Man of Good Hope and how the 'extraordinary magic piece of theatre' came to be. Pauline and Mandisi also discuss how they first became interested in music, when they joined Isango and how Asad's story is not unique to Asad, but is ever…

1
Roy Alexander Weise, JMK Award winner and director of The Mountaintop joins us for Off Book 59:16

7+ y ago59:16

59:16

JMK 2016 Award winner and The Mountaintop director Roy Alexander Weise joined us to talk about how he went from wanting to be a celebrity chef to becoming a celebrated director of Katori Hall's Olivier award-winner. Roy also discusses how he cut his teeth at Oval House, Rose Bruford and the Royal Court as well as the timeliness of sharing The Mount…

1
HOME Artistic Director, Walter Meierjohann talks about The Emperor and his "Eurotrash" beginnings 24:20

7+ y ago24:20

24:20

Walter Meierjohann, Artistic Director of HOME in Manchester and director of The Emperor, joined us for this episode of Off Book.We discussed Walter's formative years as "Eurotrash", born in Amsterdam and growing up in Holland, America and Germany, as well as some of his biggest artistic influences. Walter also talks us through his career, training …

1
Marie-Hélène Estienne, the "powerhouse" behind Peter Brook talks about her unique skillset 32:24

7+ y ago32:24

32:24

Marie-Hélène Estienne is Peter Brook's long time collaborator, described by The Guardian as the 'powerhouse' behind the celebrated 90 year British director.Speaking to the YV's Imogen Brodie, Marie-Hélène discusses growing up in Paris and building a career with longevity, her astounding 40-year collaboration with Peter Brook and how she has develop…

1
Cuttin' It director Gbolahan Obisesan discusses his work and reflects on representation in the arts 52:46

8y ago52:46

52:46

Gbolahan Obisesan, director of Cuttin' It and current Genesis Fellow at the Young Vic joined us on Episode 4 of Off Book.Gbolahan discusses his formative years in both Ibadan, Nigeria and Bermondsey, south London, his first steps in performing, writing, and directing and how he's approached the projects and texts he has worked on to date.We also re…

1
Matthew Xia - Off Book 38:36

8y ago38:36

38:36

We're joined by Blue/Orange director and Associate Artistic Director of the Royal Exchange Manchester, Matthew Xia in Episode 3 of Off Book.Matthew discusses his eclectic beginnings of his career in the arts which spans DJing, broadcasting, directing and being on the board of directors at Theatre Royal Stratford East aged 18.We also break down Matt…

1
Ola Ince - Off Book by the Young Vic 32:20

8y ago32:20

32:20

'My stamp is making things bolder and unapologetic... it's about clarity'.In episode two of Off Book Dutchman director and 2016 Genesis Future Directors Award winner, Ola Ince talks about how she got in to directing, her biggest influences on her work and why the themes explored in Dutchman still have something to say about our world today. Ola Inc…

1
Peter Brook - Off Book by the Young Vic 32:09

8y ago32:09

32:09

We sat down with Peter Brook at the Young Vic whilst he was in London for his production of Battlefield to talk about his life, his introduction to the arts and his career in theatre which spans over 70 years.Recorded in Feb 2016.(Warning: PB drops an F-bomb around 22:30)By Young Vic Theatre

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