Performing Animal Rights

In this episode, Ben Hunt sits down with spoken word artist, digital collage maker, and vegan-feminist researcher Lauren-Marie Kennedy. From growing up rescuing worms on the playground to challenging anthropocentric norms in her academic work, Lauren-Marie’s journey is one of transformation, vulnerability, and radical creativity.Together, they explore:What it means to be a “creative with a cause”How satire, poetry, and humour can open space for deeper reflectionThe emotional toll of activism—and how art can offer resilienceBlending non-traditional academic methods with creative researchThe roots of Scottish veganism and her exciting PhD plansLauren-Marie shares her reflections on burnout, inspiration, performance, and the power of creative freedom as an antidote to despair.🌐 Learn more about Lauren-Marie and her work: https://www.laurenmariekennedy.com📬 Subscribe to our Substack newsletter for extended content and behind-the-scenes reflections: https://performinganimalrights.substack.com🎧 Explore past episodes and creative resources at: https://www.performinganimalrights.orgIf you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with your creative activist community!

In this episode, Ben Hunt speaks with Rob Pownall, Founder and CEO of Protect the Wild, to mark the 10-year anniversary of the organisation's founding. What began as a Facebook page to resist fox hunting has grown into one of the UK’s most impactful wildlife protection groups, blending bold media strategy with grassroots activism.We explore:Rob’s unexpected journey from teenager to full-time campaignerThe evolution of Protect the Wild and the anti-hunt movementHow animations became their most powerful tool for changeWhy storytelling, data, and digital strategy matter in animal rightsThe psychology behind why animations connect with audiences🎥 Watch Protect the Wild’s animations: https://protectthewild.org.uk📬 Subscribe to the Performing Animal Rights Substack: https://performinganimalrights.substack.com🌐 Explore more episodes, resources, and creative projects: https://www.performinganimalrights.org🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you!

In this episode of The Performing Animal Rights Podcast, Ben Hunt sits down with Lee Brace, an award-winning actor, comedian, and writer known for his comedic character "Dawn Chorus." With a blend of humour, bird facts, and vegan advocacy, Lee’s performances at events like VegfestUK and Vegan Camp Out have captivated audiences and sparked conversations around animal rights.Together, they explore the origins of Dawn Chorus, the role of comedy in activism, and Lee’s plans to take vegan stand-up into the mainstream. Discover how laughter, satire, and creative storytelling can be powerful tools for social change.Find Lee online:Website: leebrace.co.ukInstagram: @plant_bracedFor more episodes, visit performinganimalrights.org.

In this episode of The Performing Animal Rights Podcast, host Ben Hunt sits down with Alison Harris and Terry Thompson, the founders and directors of The Garlinge Theatre in Canterbury, Kent—the UK’s first all-vegan theatre. Located on a stunning organic farm, this 300-seat venue is a trailblazer for combining performance art with a strong ethical stance.Alison and Terry share the inspiring story behind The Garlinge Theatre’s creation, the challenges of establishing a theatre with vegan principles, and their vision for the future of sustainable and ethical performance spaces. They also discuss how theatre can act as a tool for change, shaping conversations around veganism, sustainability, and compassion.Tune in to learn how The Garlinge Theatre is redefining the intersection of art and activism, and what’s next for this unique community space.🎭 Follow The Garlinge Theatre:Instagram & Facebook: @garlingetheatre🌱 For more podcast episodes, visit: performinganimalrights.org

In this episode of The Performing Animal Rights Podcast, Ben speaks with Molly Elwood, creator of the satirical project Elwood Organic Dog Meat, and comedian Jake Yapp, host of the Vegan Life Magazine Podcast. They explore how humour and satire can disarm audiences and provoke thought, with Elwood Organic Dog Meat challenging society’s ethical double standards by presenting a fictional dog meat farm that parallels the treatment of other animals in agriculture. Together, they discuss the challenges of balancing humour with the seriousness of animal rights, as well as the impact of Elwood Dog Meat as a viral tool for activism.Learn more about Molly’s work at elwooddogmeat.com and mollyelwood.com, and follow Jake’s comedy and podcasting at jakeyapp.co.uk. For more episodes and resources, visit performinganimalrights.org.

In this episode of The Performing Animal Rights Podcast, Ben Hunt interviews Anastasia Bunce, Artistic Director of Patch Plays, and Grace Joy Howarth, playwright and musician. Together, they explore how theatre can inspire audiences to rethink animal ethics and environmental issues, discussing their creative processes, the impact of their productions, and their vision for the future of activist theatre.Discover more about Anastasia's work at anastasiabunce.com, Grace's projects at gracejoyhowarth.com, and Patch Plays at patchplays.com. For more episodes, visit performinganimalrights.org.

Playwright and actor Bibi Lucille, talks to Ben about writing and performing a one-person vegan play, including her creative process and her experience at Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Buy the playscript for Meat Cute from www.aurorametro.com/product/meat-cute/

In October 2022, creative activists came together to share their experiences of performance in the animal rights movement, for a live online event. Hosted by Leigh Venus; drag artist Dan Hellman, Songwriters Barbara Helen and Vegan Queen V, campaigner Harley McEckersal, and performance artist Ben Hunt, explored what creative practice can bring to the movement. This event was hosted by Bright Eyes Theatre Arts, a theatre company focused on the non-human animal narrative.

Ben talks to animal rights activist Abi Foster (aka Animal Autonomy) about her latest fundraiser action, where she tagged her ear in solidarity with non-human animals raised for food. The fundraiser raised over £5000 for a sanctuary, as well as raising awareness of the suffering and dominion of the animal agriculture industry. Find out more about Abi here: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAutonomy/ More podcast episodes like these here: https://www.performinganimalrights.org/podcast

Ben talks to playwright, author and activist, John Yunker about his work in bringing veganism to the stage, and why theatre can be a powerful medium in telling compelling stories around animal rights issues.

Youth Outreach and Campaigns Officer for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA UK), Simon Plazolles-Hayes, talks to Ben about utilising performing arts in campaigns, as an essential tool in the organisation's strategy.Find PETA UK's website here: https://www.peta.org.uk/

Ben talks to activist and YouTuber David Ramms about his viral satirical sketches. This episode explores audience attention and authenticity in creating engaging content for the animal rights movement.David's YouTube channel can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidRamms

Dr Yvette Watt talks to Ben about her artistic practice and animal advocacy - specifically her performance project Duck Lake, which involved a group of dancers in hot pink tutus and hard hats performing on a floating stage at the opening of the duck-shooting season in Tasmania. Footage of Duck Lake can be found here: https://vimeo.com/158270314

This bonus episode is from a radio interview for Slacks Weird Radio, as part of the New Bridge Project. Leigh Venus talks to fellow activist Ben Hunt about his recent online performance project and his research into performing arts and trauma in the animal rights movement. Ben shares audio from his work including soundscapes and poetry. Find Ben's work here: https://performinganimalrights.tumblr.com/ Find our other podcasts here: https://www.performinganimalrights.org/podcast

Singer, performer, dance and theater maker Daniel Hellmann talks about his experience as a performance artist and animal rights activist, especially about his alter ego "Soya the Cow" - a sex-positive, feminist, vegan drag cow.

Ben talks to singer and songwriter Barbara Helen about what music means to her, in her activism, and to the animal rights movement. At the end of a fascinating conversation Barbara performs one of her latest songs live.

Writer, artist and activist Dr. Alex Lockwood talks to Ben about the impact of bearing witness to the non-human animal, the role of the activist, and the importance of narrative as a strategy in the animal rights movement.

Ben talks to performer and activist Harley McDonald-Eckersall about her experience and roles in animal and climate justice group Animal Rebellion, as well as her thoughts on performance and creativity in the movement.

Performance artist, researcher, and creator of the Performing Animal Rights Archive, Ben Hunt introduces the podcast series, by exploring why he thinks performing arts is vital to the animal rights movement.