Holding Up the Queue Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop
-
- Arts
-
Welcome to the delightfully unconventional world of ‘Holding Up the Queue’ - this irregular, irreverent podcast explores esoteric ways of thinking, the magic of storytelling and some unexpected corners of creativity, taking the Harlequinade and transformation through play as the wellspring of some unusual and fascinating themes.
These podcasts are created by Benjamin Pollock’s Toyshop in Covent Garden, at the heart of London theatre land for over 80 years.
Find out more about Benjamin Pollocks, please visit https://www.pollocks-coventgarden.co.uk/
Follow us on Twitter @Pollockstoyshop and join the conversation at #holdingupthequeue
Host - Simon Seddon
Producer - Isabelle Jarvis
-
Holding Up the Queue: Pt 2 “The Proscenium as Portal” with theatre designer Christopher Oram
Theatre designer Christopher Oram is next in the queue joining Simon and author & illustrator Brian Selznick in part 2 of episode 5 From childhood influences to a stellar career designing for the theatre, Christopher discusses how he has come full circle. Creating imaginary worlds as a kid dreaming of Star Wars to creating the...
-
Holding Up the Queue: Pt 1 “How we make our own families” with writer & illustrator Brian Selznick
Writer and illustrator Brian Selznick talks to Simon about the art of piecing together a page turner and how children’s books can be a guide and friend in navigating life as a child. Brian’s black and white illustrations set the scene for the reader to dream in colour. His 2007 book ‘The Invention of Hugo...
-
Holding Up the Queue: A Doll went out into the world….with doll photographer Eileen Lam
The Doll: The original influencer, a companion, confidante and co-conspirator, what is the role now for the doll in this age when playthings are replaced by avatars on screens? As the popularity of the doll wanes, is she lost or are we? Holding Up The Queue with Simon in this the 4th episode of the podcast...
-
Holding Up the Queue: From the Forest to the Fantastical with artist & puppeteer Clive Hicks-Jenkins
Holding Up the Queue with Simon this episode is Clive Hicks-Jenkins, an artist who has retained that essential spark of playfulness from childhood. Leaving his parents in Wales aged 12 to travel to the bright lights of London, Clive embarked on his metaphorical journey “from the forest to the fantastical”. Simon and Clive meander and...
-
Holding Up the Queue: Anthropomorphism and Children’s Toys, Illustration and Literature with artist & writer Charlotte Cory
Simon and artist Charlotte Cory embark on a spirited discussion on anthropomorphism – from Victorian taxidermy tableaus to the transformative power of play and illustration. These absurd worlds, populated by anthropomorphic inhabitants can help to encourage confidence in children and a sense of liberated perception of others through “pure fantasy”. Charlotte Cory certainly knows how...
-
Holding Up the Queue: The cult of the Harlequinade and the toy theatre
Close your eyes and picture a box that contains a world of magical wonders. A fantastical machine imbued with enchantments powered to life by the imagination and dreams of the seeker, searching for answers to lost and hidden questions, held crystallised like a beating heart within its four walls. This is no ordinary box, but...
Customer Reviews
Great!
As someone who spends a lot of the time on the road and in traffic it is great to find a podcast which explores Illustration and Toy Theatres through a series of seriously interesting and knowledgeable guests. Listening to the fantastical origins of Toy Theatres and the inspiration of contemporary artists is a joy and anyone interested in the subject or the history of Pollocks will love it.
Lovely Podcast.
Such a great podcast. Loved it. Very interesting to hear about the Harlequinade, looking forward to hearing more.
A World I Never Knew!
A hidden gem.