207 episodes

Persistent and Nasty is a script-reading, debate and art as activism initiative for women and gender minorities in the stage and screen industries. We are committed to an intersectional approach and aim to use the space we’ve created to provide a platform for the spectrum of marginalised voices in our culture.

Through a series of script readings, live debates and a regular podcast series, we aim to amplify the unrepresented voices in theatre and film.

Our goal is to create a project that is safe and supportive, but that is also an act of protest. Persistent and Nasty is about changing the cultural narrative through the stories we tell.

Persistent and Nasty Persistent and Nasty

    • Arts
    • 5.0 • 47 Ratings

Persistent and Nasty is a script-reading, debate and art as activism initiative for women and gender minorities in the stage and screen industries. We are committed to an intersectional approach and aim to use the space we’ve created to provide a platform for the spectrum of marginalised voices in our culture.

Through a series of script readings, live debates and a regular podcast series, we aim to amplify the unrepresented voices in theatre and film.

Our goal is to create a project that is safe and supportive, but that is also an act of protest. Persistent and Nasty is about changing the cultural narrative through the stories we tell.

    Episode 199: Charlotte McLean

    Episode 199: Charlotte McLean

    Today Elaine chats with dancer, performer, choreographer Charlotte McLean about her career, the power of dance and the everything that surrounds menstrual health and the womb and Charlotte’s new work Futuristic Folktales. Which was co-created by an exciting multi-disciplinary creative team including Helen McIntosh, Nelly Kelly, Malin Lewis, Astro Scheidegger, Orrow Bell, Alison Brown, Emma Jones, and Rob Evans, Futuristic Folktales is a collaboration-driven show that aims to disrupt, and refresh expected formats of performance through radical and emotive explorations of reproductive justice and injustice, body politics, bodily autonomy, and identity.

    Futuristic Folktales
    Futuristic Folktales tells the momentous story of the first womb - an environment where life and death intimately coexist. Humbly attempting to unify humanity through the infinite narrative of birth, the show experiments with contemporary, breaking, and Scottish Highland dance to probe questions of tradition, preservation, myth, and identity. The performers share their unique perspectives, as Orrow and Astro intimately birth and unbirth each other. Inviting audiences to feel resistance as the performance imitates the hostile, terse environment of the womb, the show seeks to further dance as a form of political protest - otherwise, why dance?
    Charlotte Mclean's work amalgamates dance theatre, improvisation, voice work, imagination, self-celebration, radical listening and joy. Charlotte is a contemporary dance artist from Arbroath, Scotland and a London Contemporary Dance School graduate. She has performed and worked internationally with Curious Seed, Eva Recacha, Pink Mama Theatre, Hannes Langolf, Jack Webb, Vanessa Cook and Barrowland Ballet amongst many others. Charlotte is co-founder of BADBODYCHAOSCODE (fka The Yonis) with Haley Jayne Gash and founder of sibling company Die Berner Band. Both are contemporary movement bands. They have been commissioned to perform at Edinburgh and Camden Fringe Festivals, Brainchild Festival, V&A London, The Place, TANZhAUS Bern and Dampfzentrale and have been featured in Dazed and Confused Magazine. The bands have toured in the UK, Poland, France, Germany, Switzerland and New York City.
    Charlotte began her dancing career with Highland, a traditional Scottish form of movement and taught this from a young age. She has always been passionate about teaching and sharing. She has taught at London Contemporary Dance School; Scottish Dance Theatre; Dance Base Edinburgh, TanzBüro Basel and now teaches at Barbara Bortoli Ballet School. She also worked at The Royal Ballet School for two years as Associate Centre Assistant.
    Website: iamcharlottemclean.com
    Instagram: @iamcharlottemclean

    HIPA GUIDES: HIPA GUIDES
    OUR WEBSITE - www.persistentandnasty.co.uk

    Persistent Pal & Nasty Hero - Pals and Hero Membership
    Support In The Room - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/in-the-room

    Email – persistentandnasty@gmail.com
    Instagram - @persistentandnasty
    Twitter - @PersistentNasty
    Coffee Morning Eventbrite - Coffee Morning Tickets
    LINKTREE - LINKTR.EE
    Resources
    Samaritans - Rape Crisis Scotland - Rape Crisis UK
    ArtsMinds - BAPAM
    Freelancers Make Theatre Work
    Stonewall UK - Trevor Project - Mermaids UK
    Switchboard LGBT+ - GATE

    PLANNED PARENTHOOD DONATE - DONATE
    ABORTION SUPPORT NETWORK UK - ASN.COM- DONATE
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    For 25% off your monthly subscription quote:
    NASTY25

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    • 39 min
    Episode 198: Claire S Duffy

    Episode 198: Claire S Duffy

    A surprise extra episode this week.
    Elaine chats with writer Claire S Duffy. We chat everything from screen writing, Old Hollywood, first dates and her book event on the 13th April 2024 at St Enoch Centre Glasgow for her series Shadow City. Where Claire will be joined by actress Kirsty Strain for a Q&A.
    https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-author-cs-duffy-tickets-868880824937

    Claire S Duffy

    CS Duffy is an indie author from Glasgow, Scotland. She was a screenwriter for over a decade until she caught herself cycling past a production company giving it the finger and decided she didn’t like who the film industry was turning her into. She quit, got a job at a day-care in Stockholm, Sweden, and wrote her first novel while her class of one year olds napped. She has worked in an oil refinery in Ohio and was once almost arrested for carrying a full-sized oar on the London tube. When she’s not writing, she can be found trying (and failing) to learn trapeze, volunteering at her local hospital or nipping to Paris for the weekend because it’s the only place on earth worth online dating.

    Linktree: csduffywriter
    Instagram: @csduffywriter
    TikTok: @csduffywriter

    HIPA GUIDES: HIPA GUIDES
    OUR WEBSITE - www.persistentandnasty.co.uk

    Persistent Pal & Nasty Hero - Pals and Hero Membership
    Support In The Room - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/in-the-room

    Email – persistentandnasty@gmail.com
    Instagram - @persistentandnasty
    Twitter - @PersistentNasty
    Coffee Morning Eventbrite - Coffee Morning Tickets
    LINKTREE - LINKTR.EE
    Resources
    Samaritans - Rape Crisis Scotland - Rape Crisis UK
    ArtsMinds - BAPAM
    Freelancers Make Theatre Work
    Stonewall UK - Trevor Project - Mermaids UK
    Switchboard LGBT+ - GATE

    PLANNED PARENTHOOD DONATE - DONATE
    ABORTION SUPPORT NETWORK UK - ASN.COM- DONATE
    WeAudition offer:
    For 25% off your monthly subscription quote:
    NASTY25

    Backstage Offers: Get a free 12 months Actor Subscription: https://join.backstage.com/persistentnasty-uk-12m-free/

    • 1 hr 27 min
    Episode 197: P&N & Short Circuit Collab - Women in Film

    Episode 197: P&N & Short Circuit Collab - Women in Film

    We’re back and it’s a special episode we have for you. It’s our first live podcast panel event. Which was in collaboration with Short Circuit. We are over the moon with this collab as it’s allowed us the bring you
    The Women In Film: Braking Barriers and Changing Narratives panel discussion with three incredible women. Nikki Parrott, Raisah Ahmed and Sarah Grant.
    Statement on the future of Short Circuit shortcircuit.scot/delivery-statement
    Nikki Parrott
    Tigerlily Productions is a multi-award-winning independent production company with a reputation for tackling powerful subject matter with sensitivity and artistry. Their output covers scripted and non- scripted documentaries, arts and music, history and current affairs across a range of media. In 2018, Tigerlily Two in Scotland was formed with the purpose of exploring new talent and stories outside London, and to be a prominent co-producer for international projects and teams. It is run
    out of Glasgow and headed by Nikki as Managing Director.
    In their first three years, they co-produced two feature documentaries POLY STYRENE I AM A CLICHÉ, which won two BIFAs including best documentary, IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE? which premiered
    at Sundance, and produced HONG KONG MIX TAPE, which premiered at Glasgow Film Festival this year and Hot Docs Toronto.
    WBSITE
    RAISAH AHMED
    Raisah Ahmed is a Screenwriter and Director who works across film and television. She has been working with Producer Zorana Piggott and Film4 on a feature project called Half-Moon Camp which looks at the journey of Indian Muslim Soldiers in WW1 as well as developing Safar a cross generational female road trip film with Zorana. Other credits include directing on CBBC’s Sparks, Princess Mirror-Belle and Molly & Mack, BBC3’s The Break and writing on BBC The Social’s phone drama Control, CBBC’s Molly & Mack and the recently announced WB Discovery animated series ’Toad and Friends'. She has been part of the writers room for Season 1 and 2 of Ch4 Series ‘We Are Lady Parts’ and often consults on tv and film projects with a focus on Muslim and South Asian characters. She is currently developing the adaptation of Martin Sixsmith’s ‘Ayesha’s Gift’ for television with Freedom Scripted, on which she’s also an EP. She is also developing ’Nur’ a 6 part original romcom for television with Channel X Hopscotch. As well as writing and directing, Raisah also sits on the BAFTA Scotland Committee, the board of the Scottish Youth Film Foundation and Bijli Productions, and chairs the Glasgow Film Festival Industry Advisory Group.
    WEBSITE:www.raisahahmed.com

    SARAH GRANT
    Sarah is a writer, director and performer based in Glasgow. She has a number of BAFTA qualifying shorts under her belt, and has created short-form work for BBC The Social and BBC Short Stuff, gaining tens of millions of views across digital and social media. She is moving towards writing and directing long form for film and television, shadowing Jack Clough as part of the BBC Comedy Bursary, and other programmes such as Young Films Residency, BAFTA Flare, the EIFF Talent Lab,
    and UKTV Comedy 50:50 pilot initiative. She also has work in development with BBC Studios, Candle and Bell, and Northbridge Media. Sarah is committed to creating body positive, sex positive and inclusive female-led stories that are honest, feminist and fearless.
    WEBSITE: www.sarahgrantcreative.com
    OUR WEBSITE - www.persistentandnasty.co.uk
    Persistent Pal & Nasty Hero - Pals and Hero Membership

    • 1 hr 20 min
    Episode 196: Goodbye 2023

    Episode 196: Goodbye 2023

    WE WILL BE BACK IN 2024 UNTIL THEN #STAYNASTY

    In our last episode of the year. Elaine and Louise chat about the growth of Persistent and Nasty their individual achievements and what they’re looking forward to for 2024.

    HIPA GUIDES: HIPA GUIDES
    OUR WEBSITE - www.persistentandnasty.co.uk

    Persistent Pal & Nasty Hero - Pals and Hero Membership
    Support In The Room - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/in-the-room

    Email – persistentandnasty@gmail.com
    Instagram - @persistentandnasty
    Twitter - @PersistentNasty
    Coffee Morning Eventbrite - Coffee Morning Tickets
    LINKTREE - LINKTR.EE
    Resources
    Samaritans - Rape Crisis Scotland - Rape Crisis UK
    ArtsMinds - BAPAM
    Freelancers Make Theatre Work
    Stonewall UK - Trevor Project - Mermaids UK
    Switchboard LGBT+ - GATE

    PLANNED PARENTHOOD DONATE - DONATE
    ABORTION SUPPORT NETWORK UK - ASN.COM- DONATE
    WeAudition offer:
    For 25% off your monthly subscription quote:
    NASTY25

    Backstage Offers: Get a free 12 months Actor Subscription: https://join.backstage.com/persistentnasty-uk-12m-free/

    • 40 min
    Episode 195: Jordy Joans

    Episode 195: Jordy Joans

    Today Elaine and Louise chat with the brilliant artist Jordy Joans. We chat Jordy’s path into the industry, music, drag, wring your own material, the struggle of autobiographical performance and so, so much more.
    Jory will be putting a callout out in January/February 2024 for their final Drag show in June of 2024 so please follow all of Jordy’s socials, so you don’t miss out.

    Jordy Joans
    Jordy Joans is an award winning non binary & trans femme artist from Edinburgh, Scotland, who works across the UK creating work for theatre, film and music. They focus their creative work on human psychology, and she also presents for podcast and radio platforms sharing stories rooted in overcoming adversity and trauma. Their monthly show ‘Songs That Shape’ features with EHFM on the second Thursday of the month, a show where artists share their creative journeys and the music that inspired them along the way - and even had the fabulously talented Elaine from Persistent and Nasty as a guest in summer this year. Their second radio show ‘EMpower’ is showcased by Voices Radio in London, on the second Tuesday of the month and includes empowering songs that help audiences unleash their inner diva front and centre stage. Jordy’s been DJing and performing for over a decade, starting in LGBT spaces as ‘just for a laugh’ and now holds residencies in venues across Scotland. Infusing house, disco, pop edits and party classics in most of their set lists. Over the years, this work has included working with celebrities: B*Witched, Jedward, Tulisa, Kerry Katona, Rupaul’s Drag Race UK & US, N Trance, HRH Prince Edward and more. Jordy previously has been under commission with the BBC, National Theatre of Scotland, SMHAF, Aberdeen Performing Arts and Creative Youth (London) - just to name a wee few. Since 2020, Jordy has been working as a Vocalist and Producer, with several songs due for release in 2024. Their first track ‘Not Again’ is a story of learning to love yourself again and leaving a toxic relationship behind, which was released with record label Lady of the House in July this year.

    Website: thejordyjoansofficial.com
    Radio Show: EHfm - Songs that shape
    Instagram: @thejordyjoansofficial

    HIPA GUIDES: HIPA GUIDES
    OUR WEBSITE - www.persistentandnasty.co.uk

    Persistent Pal & Nasty Hero - Pals and Hero Membership
    Support In The Room - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/in-the-room

    Email – persistentandnasty@gmail.com
    Instagram - @persistentandnasty
    Twitter - @PersistentNasty
    Coffee Morning Eventbrite - Coffee Morning Tickets
    LINKTREE - LINKTR.EE
    Resources
    Samaritans - Rape Crisis Scotland - Rape Crisis UK
    ArtsMinds - BAPAM
    Freelancers Make Theatre Work
    Stonewall UK - Trevor Project - Mermaids UK
    Switchboard LGBT+ - GATE

    PLANNED PARENTHOOD DONATE - DONATE
    ABORTION SUPPORT NETWORK UK - ASN.COM- DONATE
    WeAudition offer:
    For 25% off your monthly subscription quote:
    NASTY25

    Backstage Offers: Get a free 12 months Actor Subscription: https://join.backstage.com/persistentnasty-uk-12m-free/

    • 1 hr 15 min
    Episode 194: Jo Rush & Natasha Jenkins talk UGLY! A Cinderella Story

    Episode 194: Jo Rush & Natasha Jenkins talk UGLY! A Cinderella Story

    Today Elaine and Louise chat with director and designer of UGLY! A Cinderella Story which is on now until the 30th December at Cumbernauld Theatre. The show it was written by Gary McNair with original songs by Brian James O’Sullivan. We chat being women in theatre, breaking out of the box you’ve been placed in. Dismantling the outdated gender norms while bring everyone with us and glitter.
    A brilliant episode with brilliant humans

    UGLY! A Cinderella Story – Tickets Here
    https://lanternhousearts.org/events/ugly-a-cinderella-story/ - dates

    An Afternoon of Palestinian Short Films – Tickets Here
    https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/glasgow/glasgow-film-theatre/an-afternoon-of-palestinian-short-films/e-pgomab


    Jo Rush
    Jo is co-artistic director of new writing company Braw Fox Theatre. As a director she has premiered new work at the Edinburgh Fringe including Ivory Wings (Coreth Arts), Mary the Last Farewell (Cutting Edge Theatre), The Society of Ethical Cat Burglars (Foolproof Theatre), and Hide & Seek, based on the short stories of Carol Ann Duffy. With Braw Fox she is currently developing a new play about fire supported by the University of Edinburgh.As an associate director she has most recently worked on My Friend Selma by Terra Incognita, The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil with National Theatre of Scotland, and the premiere and tour of Fringe First Award winning production Stand By with Utter Theatre Company. As an assistant director she has worked at Dundee Rep on Death of a Salesman, at the Traverse Theatre on Bloody Trams and The Arthur Conan Doyle Appreciation Society, and at the Royal Lyceum on Dark Road.
    Jo has a BA Hons degree in Drama and Theatre Arts at the University of Birmingham.

    Natasha Jenkins
    Natasha studied Film Theatre and Television at the University of Glasgow. She was the first generation and the first woman in her family to study, gaining her MA in 2006. After a time working for Purni Morell as an assistant producer in Scotland Natasha moved to London and worked as a stage manager to support herself as she retrained, assisting directors and designers for several years before making her own work. She is a regular artistic collaborator of Alexander Zeldin, Joy Wilkinson and Amir Reza Khoonestani and works regularly within the UK, Europe and Internationally. Natasha was nominated for 2023 Drama Desk Award for Best Scenic Design for LOVE at Park Avenue Armory, New York. Natasha is an associate artist at Live Theatre Newcastle. Natasha is a founding member of Scene/Change. Her first feature 7 Keys (dir. Joy Wilkinson) is currently in post production for Jeva Films.




    OUR WEBSITE - www.persistentandnasty.co.uk

    Persistent Pal & Nasty Hero - Pals and Hero Membership
    Support In The Room - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/in-the-room

    Email – persistentandnasty@gmail.com
    Instagram - @persistentandnasty
    Twitter - @PersistentNasty
    Coffee Morning Eventbrite - Coffee Morning Tickets
    LINKTREE - LINKTR.EE
    Resources
    Samaritans - Rape Crisis Scotland - Rape Crisis UK
    ArtsMinds - BAPAM
    Freelancers Make Theatre Work
    Stonewall UK - Trevor Project - Mermaids UK
    Switchboard LGBT+ - GATE

    PLANNED PARENTHOOD DONATE - DONATE
    ABORTION SUPPORT NETWORK UK - ASN.COM- DONATE
    WeAudition offer:
    For 25% off your monthly subscription quote:
    NASTY25

    Backstage Offers: Get a free 12 months Actor Subscription: https://join.backstage.com/persistentnasty-uk-12m-free/

    • 47 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
47 Ratings

47 Ratings

redirectingpops ,

love it

The feminist collective dissecting the Scottish arts scene. A lovey range of screen and stage, with interviews that range from the big names to the unheard of. I love listening and learning about other women’s work, process, and thoughts on the industry.

Been a lifeline tying me to the arts through 2020.

geoff__90 ,

Improving the world one episode at a time.

Funny, informative and even at times powerful. The brave choice to speak out about the unsaid issues in society can only enlighten and improve the world, so remember......to stay nasty!

Sarah_J_M ,

100% recommend!

Such a brilliant podcast - funny, informative, entertaining and important conversation and an amazing range of guests!

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