Up The Arts: An LGBQT+ arts podcast

This week, Thomas has been talking to Kayleigh Llewellyn, the writer and creator of the hit BBC Comedy 'In My Skin'. We discuss growing up as a Lesbian with an often difficult but equally loving home life, writing comedy, and watching your life laid bare on screen.Welcome to Up The Arts: Stuck Indoors, a currently somewhat more than weekly podcast for those proud to be be involved in theatre, music, art and literature in the LGBTQ+ world! Every Thursday (and currently sometimes Friday and Monday whilst we're stuck indoors) we meet incredible people from the arts world and explore their creativity and inspiration, as well as providing a peek at upcoming events in which pride and the arts world collide!Find us on Twitter: @uptheartsshowAnd check out our website for news, reviews, what's on and more: www.uptheartspodcast.com

Annie Riley is just one of a whole host of performers pulling out all the stops to entertain the over 60's from the Armed Forces who now live in special accommodation during this time of isolation. 'The Best Show in the House' is a new online concert showcasing the very best tunes and anthems from the 1940's through to the 1960's. Viewers can expect good old fashioned variety style entertainment with special guests including Brian Conley and many many more. Familiar faces from the likes of Good Morning Britain and Emmerdale also pop in to say hello. Annie tells me more about what's happening in the coming weeks and why it's important to stay connected at the difficult time, particularly if you're elderly....And you can find the YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvSFLPFhaVHiZlF3nugd_RgWelcome to Up The Arts: Stuck Indoors, a currently somewhat more than weekly podcast for those proud to be be involved in theatre, music, art and literature in the LGBTQ+ world! Every Thursday (and currently sometimes Friday and Monday whilst we're stuck indoors) we meet incredible people from the arts world and explore their creativity and inspiration, as well as providing a peek at upcoming events in which pride and the arts world collide!Find us on Twitter: @uptheartsshowAnd check out our website for news, reviews, what's on and more: www.uptheartspodcast.com

Are you a creative looking for an outlet whilst stuck indoors? Danielle Tarento might have just the thing! The renowned theatre producer joins Thomas this week to discuss the future of the arts following the challenges of the last (and next) few weeks and months, as well as her new project, A Song For Our Time, which is giving budding songwriters from around the world the opportunity to have their composition performed by high profile singers, and a huge virtual choir singing from the comfort of their own homes!Welcome to Up The Arts: Stuck Indoors, a currently somewhat more than weekly podcast for those proud to be be involved in theatre, music, art and literature in the LGBTQ+ world! Every Thursday (and currently sometimes Friday and Monday whilst we're stuck indoors) we meet incredible people from the arts world and explore their creativity and inspiration, as well as providing a peek at upcoming events in which pride and the arts world collide!Find us on Twitter: @uptheartsshowAnd check out our website for news, reviews, what's on and more: www.uptheartspodcast.com

Some predict the coronavirus could lead to a surge in the number of people trying their hand at being an author.  As thousands of us remain at home for the foreseeable future, could now be just the right time to follow that dream. Rutger Bruining, founder of StoryTerrace, helps people who want to write their own story, so whether its fiction, a biography, memoir or family tales, Rutger says now is the right time.  He expects to see the number of people self-publishing rise too.   In this podcast Rutger offers tips and advice on how to start writing your book and most importantly how best to get it published...  Welcome to Up The Arts: Stuck Indoors, a currently somewhat more than weekly podcast for those proud to be be involved in theatre, music, art and literature in the LGBTQ+ world! Every Thursday (and currently sometimes Friday and Monday whilst we're stuck indoors) we meet incredible people from the arts world and explore their creativity and inspiration, as well as providing a peek at upcoming events in which pride and the arts world collide!Find us on Twitter: @uptheartsshowAnd check out our website for news, reviews, what's on and more: www.uptheartspodcast.com

Well we're surprisingly busy considering we're locked inside at the moment! Today, Tom's been chatting to Ed Baker, the man behind the hit entertainment site West End Wilma, about what's still going on and some of the incredible shows (free and paid) that are being streamed to support artists and culture fans during the lockdown.From their website: West End Wilma is the mother/son blogging venture that has been taking over London’s theatre scene since 2012, interviewing stars of the stage and reviewing all the latest productions.Originally under the pseudonym of an old lady called ‘Wilma’, creator Ed Baker along with his mother, created the persona of an old lady who loves running around the West End having tea with all the stars and attending glitzy press nights. Ed’s mum became the face of West End Wilma but in January 2017, on the blog’s fifth anniversary, Ed decided it was time to come clean to the world that he was the man behind it all.Ed and his mum are now running around the West End together as partners in crime, as the mother/son venture that makes up West End Wilma.You can also find West End Wilma on Twitter: https://twitter.com/westendwilmaWelcome to Up The Arts: Stuck Indoors, a currently somewhat more than weekly podcast for those proud to be be involved in theatre, music, art and literature in the LGBTQ+ world! Every Thursday (and currently sometimes Friday and Monday whilst we're stuck indoors) we meet incredible people from the arts world and explore their creativity and inspiration, as well as providing a peek at upcoming events in which pride and the arts world collide!Find us on Twitter: @uptheartsshowAnd check out our website for news, reviews, what's on and more: www.uptheartspodcast.com

This week, like the rest of you, we're stuck indoors. But no problem, we've got a whole host of incredible guests lined up (at a safe distance), and we'll be taking more of a look at literature, films, TV... In short, quarantine-friendly LGBQT+ culture!Our first guest is Lucy Fry (https://www.lucyfry.co.uk/) is a writer, journalist and speaker.Her memoir, Easier Ways To Say I Love You, explores love, lust and loss in all its rawest forms. From her website: Lucy Fry’s story is a remarkable and candid account of the complexities and joys of polyamory and (queer) family-making. In her desire to transform a difficult and uncomfortable love triangle into an honest polyamorous relationship, she takes us on a compelling journey from addiction to sobriety, from infidelity to ethical non-monogamy, and – perhaps most intensely of all – from her fear of parenthood to her exquisite joy at having a son.It's available from all good independent bookshops, as well as direct from the publisher, Myriad Editions. You can find it here and order your copy online from the safety of your own home: https://myriadeditions.com/books/easier-ways-to-say-i-love-you/ Welcome to Up The Arts: Stuck Indoors, a weekly podcast for those proud to be be involved in theatre, music, art and literature in the LGBTQ+ world! Every Thursday, we meet incredible people from the arts world and explore their creativity and inspiration, as well as providing a peek at upcoming events in which pride and the arts world collide!Find us on Twitter: @uptheartsshowAnd check out our website for news, reviews, what's on and more: www.uptheartspodcast.com

This week, we've been in Northern Ireland to meet the creators of 'Abomination' an opera and accompanying documentary about homophobia in Northern Irish politics. Abomination - a DUP Opera by the Belfast Emsemble explores the hateful rhetoric and foul abuse hurled at the LGBQT+ community by some evangelicals and hardliners in Northern Ireland - language which would be unacceptable in most countries but has somehow become a common part of discourse here. Written by Conor Mitchell, the work has received rave reviews since launching in late 2019.The opera has also been transformed into an accompanying documentary by Nicky Larkin, which was due to be premiered at the Queen's Film Theatre in Belfast as part of the Imagine festival. Whilst the Coronavirus outbreak has seen the premiere postponed, you can see a trailer here, and Nicky has promised to publish excerpts in the near future.Unfortunately, a proposed tour is also now on hold due to Coronavirus, but the show will be back on the road soon!Welcome to Up The Arts, a weekly podcast for those proud to be be involved in theatre, music, art and literature in the LGBTQ+ world! Every Thursday, we meet incredible people from the arts world and explore their creativity and inspiration, as well as providing a peek at upcoming events in which pride and the arts world collide!Find us on Twitter: @uptheartsshowAnd check out our website for news, reviews, what's on and more: www.uptheartspodcast.com

This week, we've been meeting the writer, director and stars of the acclaimed On Blueberry Hill, which is finally coming to the West End after three years in Ireland and the USA for a limited run at London’s Trafalgar Studios until May 2nd.On Blueberry Hill is Sebastian Barry’s first new play in 10 years. He is one of Ireland’s greatest living writers and the current Laureate of Irish Fiction. Born in Dublin in 1955 his novels and plays have won, among other awards, the Kerry Group Irish Fiction Prize, the Costa Book of the Year award, the Irish Book Awards Best Novel, the Independent Booksellers Prize and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. He also had two consecutive novels, A Long Long Way (2005) and The Secret Scripture (2008), shortlisted for the MAN Booker Prize.Thomas met up with Sebastian, Director Jim Culleton, and stars Niall Buggy and David Ganly (alongside fan of the play Gemma Arterton) at a press evening to find out more.Ticket details:Performances: Monday – Saturday at 7:30pm, Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2:30pmTicket prices: From £15To book tickets please visit: onblueberryhill.co.ukWelcome to Up The Arts, a weekly podcast for those proud to be be involved in theatre, music, art and literature in the LGBTQ+ world! Every Thursday, we meet incredible people from the arts world and explore their creativity and inspiration, as well as providing a peek at upcoming events in which pride and the arts world collide!Find us on Twitter: @uptheartsshowAnd check out our website for news, reviews, what's on and more: www.uptheartspodcast.com

Did you know there is a LGBTQ+ homelessness crisis? This week, Thomas has been meeting the Vicky Moran (writer and director) and James Haymer, who plays Alf in 'No Sweat' which has been running at the Pleasance Theatre in London and is shortly set to hit other theatres around the country. The play examines the story of three friends who find themselves homeless and staying in a sauna for shelter, examining the nature of an invisible crisis in the UK.From the play's website: "It’s unseen. No one’s telling the stories. You don't see us on the streets because saunas and Grindr mean that gay men don't have to be homeless in the traditional sense. It's all hidden."Working together with young LGBTQ+ ex/homeless people in London, Vicky Moran’s new play shines a light on a forgotten generation of homeless youth.Combining real stories, verbatim interview clips and an original score, No Sweat reveals stories from within the world of gay saunas - a common place for young homeless people to seek accommodation. In a world where stability is a second from slipping through your fingers, austerity combined with prejudice sees young people putting themselves at risk all too often.We invite you inside our very own sauna. Here you'll meet Tristan, Alf and Charlie who will show you the ropes when it comes to survival. But how long can they battle against the system? No Sweat is an examination of friendship, family and the fight for recognition.Welcome to Up The Arts, a weekly podcast for those proud to be be involved in theatre, music, art and literature in the LGBTQ+ world! Every Thursday, we meet incredible people from the arts world and explore their creativity and inspiration, as well as providing a peek at upcoming events in which pride and the arts world collide!Find us on Twitter: @uptheartsshowAnd check out our website for news, reviews, what's on and more: www.uptheartspodcast.com

Michael Cashman, or Baron Cashman of Limehouse to give him his proper title, is a star not just of stage and screen, but of Parliament as well. From a childhood to the West End stage, to Albert Square and the set of EastEnders, to a life in politics as an MEP, Labour party envoy for LGBT issues worldwide, and latterly independent member of the House of Lords.Oh, and as if that wasn't a busy enough life, he's one of the founding members of LGBT+ rights charity Stonewall as well.Thomas met up with him to discuss his life, and his new book: Welcome to Up The Arts, a weekly podcast for those proud to be be involved in theatre, music, art and literature in the LGBTQ+ world! Every Thursday, we meet incredible people from the arts world and explore their creativity and inspiration, as well as providing a peek at upcoming events in which pride and the arts world collide!Find us on Twitter: @uptheartsshowAnd check out our website for news, reviews, what's on and more: www.uptheartspodcast.com

Sue Sanders is one of the UK’s most prominent LGBTQ+ rights campaigners and has been challenging the establishment for the last 40 years.  It was alongside a teacher friend that she instigated the UK's first LGBT History month which they launched in the Tate in 2004.  Since then it's acted as a catalyst for 1000's of events every February  (and March in Northern Ireland) marking our LGBT+ past. Thomas met Sue in her home town of Broadstairs in Kent to discuss LGBT History month and ask Sue if she thinks it's still relevant today. The LGBT History Month website and events calendar: https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/calendar/As mentioned in the episode, OUTing the past is a series of events and resources exploring history through an LGBQT+ lens: https://www.outingthepast.com/Welcome to Up The Arts, a weekly podcast for those proud to be be involved in theatre, music, art and literature in the LGBTQ+ world! Every Thursday, we meet incredible people from the arts world and explore their creativity and inspiration, as well as providing a peek at upcoming events in which pride and the arts world collide!Find us on Twitter: @uptheartsshowAnd check out our website for news, reviews, what's on and more: www.uptheartspodcast.com

It's perhaps one of the most iconic building in the country.  It's steeped in history and today acts as the centre of Government. But, for many within the LGBT community it's also a divisive place - where their liberty and freedom has both been snatched from them and given back over the course of history.  Now a special tour opens as part of LGBT History month which will take you through the corridors of this fascinating building and explore the role leaders, legislators, activists, lobbyists and monarchs played in our LGBT past.  The narrative explores the struggle for civil rights from universal condemnation and victimisation to the relative freedoms and rights enjoyed by some today.We met up with Emma Stevenson, the Education and Engagement Campaigns Manager and co-chair of ParliOUT, and Penny McMahon, outreach archivist for the Parliamentary archives to talk about the tours, and some of the darker events and more promising campaigns in Parliament's LGBQT+ history.Book your tickets at: https://www.parliament.uk/visiting/visiting-and-tours/tours-of-parliament/pride-lgbt-history-tours/Welcome to Up The Arts, a weekly podcast for those proud to be be involved in theatre, music, art and literature in the LGBTQ+ world! Every Thursday, we meet incredible people from the arts world and explore their creativity and inspiration, as well as providing a peek at upcoming events in which pride and the arts world collide!Find us on Twitter: @uptheartsshowAnd check out our website for news, reviews, what's on and more: www.uptheartspodcast.com

In the second part of a podcast double bill, we've had the privilege and the honour of meeting one of the greatest names in British theatre, Simon Callow, to discuss a new adaptation of Jean Poiret's La Cage aux Folles.Simon has translated and adapted the original French language musical into an English-language play, being produced by Park Theatre and starting on February 12th.As well as the production (and rumours of playing John Bercow), we talk about life growing up gay in the 1970s; from the theatres and bars of London to the boulevards of Tangiers.La Cage aux FollesFrom the Park Theatre Website: Nightclub owner Georges and his dazzling drag artiste partner Albin create the most spectacular shows in St. Tropez. But when Georges’ son Laurent announces his engagement to the daughter of a notoriously right-wing politician determined to bring the curtain down on the town’s vibrant nightlife, the real performance begins.As Georges and Albin entertain their soon-to-be in laws and attempt to conceal their true nature for the sake of their son, how long can the façade last?Book your tickets at: https://www.parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/la-cage-aux-folles-the-play/about Welcome to Up The Arts, a weekly podcast for those proud to be be involved in theatre, music, art and literature in the LGBTQ+ world! Every Thursday, we meet incredible people from the arts world and explore their creativity and inspiration, as well as providing a peek at upcoming events in which pride and the arts world collide!Find us on Twitter: @uptheartsshowAnd check out our website for news, reviews, what's on and more: www.uptheartspodcast.com

This week, in a podcast double bill, we're getting to know the cast and team behind a new play version of Tom's favourite musical, La Cage aux Folles by By Jean Poiret, being produced by Park Theatre and starting on February 12th.The play is being produced from a translation from the original French by Simon Callow, who we have an exclusive conversation with in the next episode of this series. In this episode, we sit down with Artistic Director of Park Theatre, Jez Bond and Michael Mattis, who is playing Georges.From the Park Theatre Website: Nightclub owner Georges and his dazzling drag artiste partner Albin create the most spectacular shows in St. Tropez. But when Georges’ son Laurent announces his engagement to the daughter of a notoriously right-wing politician determined to bring the curtain down on the town’s vibrant nightlife, the real performance begins.As Georges and Albin entertain their soon-to-be in laws and attempt to conceal their true nature for the sake of their son, how long can the façade last?Book your tickets at: https://www.parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/la-cage-aux-folles-the-play/about Welcome to Up The Arts, a weekly podcast for those proud to be be involved in theatre, music, art and literature in the LGBTQ+ world! Every Thursday, we meet incredible people from the arts world and explore their creativity and inspiration, as well as providing a peek at upcoming events in which pride and the arts world collide!Find us on Twitter: @uptheartsshowAnd check out our website for news, reviews, what's on and more: www.uptheartspodcast.com

In the pilot episode of Up The Arts, we meet Oscar French, Creative Director of the King's Head Theatre in North London, and playwright Tom Wright, writer of Undetectable, which is beginning a second run at the theatre.We discuss the role the King's Head has played for 50 years in the LGBQT+ arts scene, championing plays which tell an incredible range of important stories - including Undetectable, a play which highlights important conversations around HIV in the 21st Century.Welcome to Up The Arts, a weekly podcast for those proud to be be involved in theatre, music, art and literature in the LGBTQ+ world! Every Thursday, we meet incredible people from the arts world and explore their creativity and inspiration, as well as providing a peek at upcoming events in which pride and the arts world collide!Find us on Twitter: @uptheartsshowAnd check out our website for news, reviews, what's on and more: www.uptheartspodcast.com