In Lockdown With...

Theatre director Mark James is the guest on this weeks episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Mark is a theatre director from Swansea, and the artistic director of Red Jumper Productions. After studying drama at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Mark has forged a career in theatre making his own work. Mark has written plays including 'What If?' and 'Support the Cause.' Here Mark chat to Ciaran about his work in theatre 

Opera director Adele Thomas joins Ciaran on this week's episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Adele studied at Cambridge University before embarking on a career in directing. She was a participant on the National Theatre's Young Directors Scheme, before moving into directing opera. Adele has directed Handel's Bernice and Il Trovatore by Verdi for the Royal Opera House and Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte for Northern Ireland Opera. Adele is also a founder member of Freelancers Make Theatre Work, a pressure group formed during the pandemic. Here Adele talks about her career. Recorded at the Wales Millennium Centre  

Ciaran is joined on this episode of the 'In Lockdown With...' podcast by actor Francois Pandolfo. Fran studied at East 15 Acting School, and went on to found Difficult Stage Theatre with Katy Owen and Ben Tyreman, creating work including 'Alix in Wundergarten' and 'Looking Through Glass.' He has also worked in TV, in 'The Tuckers' for BBC Wales, and 'Big Boys' for Channel 4. Fran recently appeared in 'Right Where We Left Us,' produced by Chippy Lane Productions at Chapter. In this episode, Fran and Ciaran talk openly about the importance of talking about mental health, not only in the theatre industry, but in general. 

Ciaran is joined on this week's episode of the 'In Lockdown With...' podcast by writer Bethany Handley. Bethany studied at Cardiff University, and has written poetry and theatre so far in her emerging career. She is a part of GALWAD's young company, creating work which will be a part of the festival later in September. Bethany has also been a part of the Sherman Theatre's Unheard Voices Programme, run by Alice Eklund and Branwen Davies.  Bethany is running a nature writing retreat with Megan Angharad Hunter in October 2022. Here Bethany talks to Ciaran about her career so far and her experience of being a disabled and chronically ill artist, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic. 

After an extended hiatus, the 'In Lockdown With...' podcast is back. This week's guest is actor Simon Nehan. Simon trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and has appeared in many roles across stage and screen. He played legendary Llanelli rugby coach Carwyn James, in 'Carwyn' by Owen Thomas, which toured in Spring 2022. Simon is also head of acting at  the Johnny Wilkes Academy. Here Simon opens up to Ciaran about his life and career.  

This week Ciaran is joined on the 'In Lockdown With...' podcast by playwright and performer Tabby Lamb. Tabby studied Theatre Directing at Dartington College, before breaking into the industry. Their play 'Since U Been Gone' is an autobiographical account of queerness, loss and growing up in the noughties. Tabby is also the founder of 'Theatre Queers' a regular meetup for queer people working in the theatre industry in London. They were a part of WildChild's 'Oli Lansley Mentoring Scheme for Writers,' developing work for TV and Theatre. Here Ciaran finds out more about Tabby's career so far! 

After a brief hiatus, the 'In Lockdown With...' podcast is back! This week, Ciaran is joined by writer, producer and comedian Leila Navabi. Leila started out as an apprentice for Viacom, and has gone on to work extensively in radio and television. She co-presented CBBC show 'Don't Blame Me Blame My Brain' with Ken Cheng. Last year Leila co-wrote 'Vandullz' with Sion Edwards for the BBC's 'Festival of Funny,' it is now available to watch on the BBC iPlayer. Leila is performing at the Queer Fringe Festival which is happening in Cardiff in June this year. It was fantastic to hear more about Leila's career so far!

Playwright Owen Thomas joins Ciaran on this week's episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Owen had a 20 year career in teaching before embarking on a career as a playwright. Owen has worked extensively with actor/director Gareth John Bale, collaborating on 'Richard Parker,' 'Grav,' and Owen's latest play 'Carwyn.' 'Grav was recently adapted for the screen, and broadcast by S4C in autumn 2021. Owen's play 'Carwyn,' which focuses on the life of Wales and Llanelli Scarlets rugby coach Carwyn James opened at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven last week, and will be embarking on a tour of Wales. Here Ciaran finds out more about Owen's career so far.   

Ciaran is joined on this week's episode of the 'In Lockdown With...' podcast by actor Richard Mylan, live from the Swansea Grand Theatre! Richard originally trained in dance as a teenager at the Urdang Academy in London, before going on to appear in Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Starlight Express.' Richard's big break came in the BBC sitcom 'Coupling,' where he played Oliver Morris. Richard also played deputy-headteacher Simon Lowesly in BBC series 'Waterloo Road,' from series 8 to 10. Richard (along with Michelle McTernan, Christian Patterson and Steve Balsamo) is co-founder of Grand Ambition, a production company based at the Swansea Grand Theatre, producing new work and revivals at the theatre. Here Ciaran talks to Richard about his career in theatre! 

Playwright Amy Bethan Evans is Ciaran's guest on this week's episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Amy studied an MA in playwriting at Royal Holloway University before embarking on a career as a playwright. Amy was part of the inaugural Graeae 'Write to Play' programme, and subsequently gained a place on the Soho Theatre's writer's lab. Amy uses integrated access within her work, seen in her pieces 'Libby's Eyes' and 'Tinted.' In 2021 Amy wrote 'Normal Day' a short play for Theatr Clwyd's 'Curtain Up' season. Here Ciaran talks to Amy about her career so far! 

Scottish Television producer Louise Wilson joins Ciaran on this week's episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Louise studied biochemistry and microbiology at the University of Aberdeen before studying a postgraduate degree in Science Specific Periodical Journalism at City University London. Louise started out as a researcher on the BBC science programme Tomorrow's World, before going on to direct and produce a number of programmes for CBeebies and CBBC. She has directed short items for The One Show and has since 2011 been Senior Editorial Producer for BBC Children in Need, producing and directing appeal films, and working on The One Show's Rickshaw Challenge. Here Ciaran finds out more about Louise's career so far!

Ciaran is joined on this episode of the 'In Lockdown With...' podcast by theatre director and literary associate of the Sherman Theatre, Alice Eklund. Alice studied Film and Television at Aberystwyth University before persuing a career in theatre. Alice's first job was assisting on Matthew Bulgo's 'The Awkward Years' at the Other Room Theatre. She has since worked extensively as a dramaturg, helping writers develop their work. In Autumn 2021 she became Literary Associate of the Sherman Theatre, and has been working with Literary Manager Branwen Davies to develop the work of new Welsh writers. In April, Alice will be directing 'Anthem' a new Welsh-language musical at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. 

Artistic Director of Theatr Clwyd, Tamara Harvey joins Ciaran on this week's episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Tamara directed 'Something Cloudy, Something Clear' by Tennessee Williams at the Finborough Theatre, before going on to Associate Director of the Bush Theatre between 2010 and 2011. Tamara became artistic director of Theatr Clwyd in 2015, taking over from Terry Hands. In 2018 she directed 'Home I'm Darling' by Laura Wade, which opened at Theatr Clwyd, before transferring to the National Theatre and the Duke of York's Theatre. This summer, Tamara directed 'Curtain Up,' a festival of short plays by Welsh and Wales-based playwrights at Theatr Clwyd. Tamara also talks to Ciaran about Theatr Clwyd's extensive renovation project, and the future of the theatre.   

Ciaran is joined on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' by actor Ieuan Rhys. Ieuan studied at the Welsh College of Music and Drama before begininng his career as an actor. Ieuan performed as Rosencranz in Michael Bogdanov's award winning back-to-back English/Welsh production of Hamlet. He has also worked extensively in TV, appearing in Pobol y Cwm, and playing the no-nonsense deputy head teacher Eurig Bell in Gwaith/Cartref. Ieuan hosts the 'Ystafell Werdd Ieuan Rhys' podcast where he interviews creatives about their careers and how they've coped during lockdown. Ieuan will be hosting an evening with former Welsh international rugby player Shane Williams at the Sherman in February. 

Ciaran is joined on the first 'In Lockdown With...' of 2022 by London-based theatre director Jessica Lazar, artistic director of Atticist. Jessica studied English at UCL and Oxford University before seeking a career in theatre. Jessica directed 'Ghost from an Old Country' by Tajinder Singh Hayer, one of the winners of the 2021 Papatango Prize. Her work includes directing New Writing and Revivals. Jessica was set to be directing 'The Free Island' by Tom Brennan at the Vaults Festival prior to its cancellation due to Covid-19 earlier this week. Jess talks to Ciaran about the impact the cancellation will have on the theatre industry and the artists involved/  

On this Boxing Day episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Ciaran is joined by Ruth Fabby artistic director of Disability Arts Cymru. Ruth trained in performance arts, speech and drama at Liverpool Theatre School. Among are achievements are founding DaDa Fest, an international festival for disabled artist in Liverpool, which now attracts artists from all around the world. Ciaran finds out about Ruth's tenure so far as Artistic Director of DAC, much of which has been during lockdown. Disability Arts Cymru have recently published a manifesto outlining the rights of disabled people in the creative industries, and it was great to discuss that with Ruth. 

Emmy Stonelake is Ciaran's guest on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Emmy studied Actor-Musicianship at Rose Bruford college before beginning her career as an actor. In Summer 2021, Emmy directed pieces in the Welsh language by Sgwenwyr Ifanc Fran Wen (Fran Wen Young Writers), and is currently in Gary Owen's adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol' at the Sherman Theatre, where this episode of the podcast was recorded. Here Ciaran finds out more about Emmy and her career. 

This week Ciaran is joined by theatre director and writer Michelle Payne. Michelle was a recipient of the Regional Theatre Young Directors Scheme in 2019, spending a three month residency at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester. Michelle immersive play 'Squad Goals' was performed at Victoria Road Stadium in Dagenham, and she is currently adapting it for television. Michelle is passionate about equal opportunities in the arts, and has been working with the charity WildChild to develop schemes for creatives from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. She is currently developing a new musical 'Enthusiastically Yes!' about sexual consent with Craig Webb and Harlow Playhouse. Here Ciaran chats to Michelle about her fascinating career! 

Actor Ioan Hefin joins Ciaran on this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Ioan started off as a trumpet player, studying music at Cardiff University. He started his career with Cwmni Cyfri Tri, which would on to become Theatr Arad Goch. He has worked consistently with Theatr Na Nog throughout his career, notably playing Alfred Russel Wallace in productions of 'Go Ask Wallace' and 'The Butterfly Hunter.' Ioan has toured work to Indonesia, Brazil, Singapore and the Philippines with Theatr Na Nog. Ioan also recently appeared in the film version of 'Grav' with Gareth John Bale. Here Ioan talks to Ciaran about his acting career. 

Ciaran is joined by actor and director Gareth John Bale this week. A student of Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera, Gareth went on to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Gareth has worked extensively with playwright Owen Thomas, firstly on 'Richard Parker,' but most notably on 'Grav,' which focused on the life of rugby player Ray Gravell, who Gareth had worked with early in his career. He recently reprised this role in the Welsh-language film adaptation for S4C. Gareth played Aneurin Bevan in 'Nye and Jennie' by Meredydd Barker for Theatr Na Nog, alongside Louise Collins. Here Ciaran chats to Gareth about his diverse and interesting career.