The Uncensored Critic Podcast

Oliver Gower
  • 4.2 (5)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Biweekly

My podcast talks to actors, directors, movement directors, creatives and anyone in love with the arts. I'm an actor myself so I'm always eager hear from people active in the industry, their journey's into it, and what they have learnt along the way. Thank you for listening and I hope you enjoy The Uncensored Critic Podcast.

  1. 3d ago

    Kate Waters on Fight Directing

    Kate is now one of three women on the Equity Register of Fight Directors since 2001, and has enjoyed working as a fight director for more than twenty years.  Being a retired competitive boxer and qualified coach, she knows how to choreograph a physical fight, be it a bar brawl to battle scenes to make it look as effective as possible. While making sure the actors do it as safely as possible.  She is the one that creates those fight scenes that make you move in your seat, grip your arm rest a little tighter and make you gasp with shock. For all the right reasons! Her work spans across screen and SO MUCH theatre! For screen she has worked on: Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, Sky Pilot including adverts for Toyota.  Her stage and screen crossovers include, Death of England (2022) starring Rafe Spall, and Romeo and Juliet (2021) starring Jessie Buckley and Josh O’Connor for the National Theatre.  For theatre, she has worked at The National, RSC, The Globe, West End, Donmar, Royal Court, Royal Opera House New York and Regents Open Air Theatre to name a few.  Some honourable mentions of her fight work were found on: King Lear, 2018, with Ian McKellenCyrano de Bergerac, with James McAvoyMidsummer Nights Dream at the Bridge TheatreFrankenstein, National, with Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee MillerOthello, National, with Adrian Lester and Rory Kinnear Curious Incident, National and West EndSalomé, NT, and King Lear at the Almeida, with Yaël Farber In her words: “I love telling the physical story of the play through my fights - exploring what motivates the characters to commit such hideous acts of violence. I always work closely with the actors and I see my job as guiding them to a place of choreography that becomes an integral part of their roles.  Obstacles are always opportunities, and I do my best to embrace everything that is thrown my way”.  We discuss her process of directing fights, getting assured and comfortable with her actors beforehand and executing a stage combat scene that’s both believable and safely conducted.  We look specifically at her work on Othello and getting a great reaction from a scene in a play called “Sweat”.  Thank you Kate! Oliver Gower Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261 Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic For enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.com Please Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️ Thank you all for your support! Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/  Track Name. Early Morning

    1h 32m

  2. Jun 22

    Katie Lyons on Immersive Theatre

    Katie has worked extensively in immersive and interactive theatre both as a script writer, collaborator and immersive theatre specialist.  Her acting credits include: ManhuntSlow HorsesBluestone 42Call the MidwifeThe Crimson PetalNumber of plays both at the National and Bush Theatre.  In immersive theatre she has led a number of projects, those include: Paddington Bear Experience Boots on the Ground - Promenade show dedicated to the soldiers of WW1Peaky Blinders: The RiseRace New World - Site SpecificJohnnie Walker Symphony in BlueAbove and Beyond  The above immersive theatre credits include collaborations with several acclaimed devised theatre companies, including, Tangled Feet, The Path Entertainment Group, Immersive Everywhere and Private Drama Events.  We discuss her love of immersive theatre and the experiences it gives its audiences that are far from what you will encounter in a west end venue, or indeed any other theatrical space! As well as the level of detail she goes into and what makes a show that makes its spectators part of the story in more ways than one! For more information and to get in touch, visit her website and instagram: katielyons.co.uk Thank you Katie! Oliver Gower Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261 Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic For enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.com Please Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️ Thank you all for your support! Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/  Track Name. Early Morning

    56 min
  3. Shakespeare Saturday | Othello

    Jun 13

    Shakespeare Saturday | Othello

    Hello guys and welcome back to Shakespeare Saturday!  Hosted by myself and Sarah Spring 🎭 Today we look at not only one of our most loved Shakespeare texts, but one of our favourite plays of all time, Othello.  Set against a backdrop of a conflict in Cyprus, Iago fuelled with anger that Michael Cassio has become the Moor’s lieutenant and assumption that Othello has slept with his wife abroad, sets out to destroy his life and marriage in a cruel and jealous plot.  Through his talents of deception he manipulates Othello into thinking Desdemona has been unfaithful to him with Cassio. His intelligent yet evil scheme causes havoc and stirs the base in Cyprus into disarray.  The play is a masterful, poignant and beautiful insight into how jealousy can corrupt the mind, the games of a narcissist and how believing opinion to be fact, can cause more damage than you think.  Special mention to the outstanding 2013 production of Othello at the National Theatre starring Adrian Lester as Othello, Rory Kinnear as Iago, Jonathan Bailey as Cassio and Olivia Vinall as Desdemona. Directed by Nicholas Hytner.  Production is available to watch on National Theatre at Home.  Stay tuned for more geek out sessions of Shakespeare Saturday! Follow Sarah on Instagram: @shakespearemadeclear Oliver Gower Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261 Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic For enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.com Please Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️ Thank you all for your support! Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/  Track Name. Early Morning

    1h 34m

  4. Jun 8

    Grace Duggan on Inter Alia and the Role of Associate Director

    Grace trained at East 15 Acting School and has been a Boris Karloff Trainee Assistant Director at the Young Vic, a Catalyst Director at the North Wall, and participated in TalentLAB at Théâtre National du Luxembourg. She is a Theatre Director and Community Artist from East London and her work is rooted in collaboration, bold storytelling, and amplifying voices.  She has worked with theatres and communities across the UK. Previously, Grace was the Resident Assistant Director at the Donmar Warehouse.  Theatre includes: as director: Holy Show, UK tour; Weeping Woman at Theatre503; Wild Actually at Islington Pleasance; after birth at Omnibus and Northwall on UK tour; Lysistrata at the Arcola; and WOOD at VAULT Festival.  As associate director: Inter Alia at National Theatre; and Otherland at Almeida Theatre.  As assistant director: Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, The Fear of 13, Skeleton Crew and The Human Body at the Donmar Warehouse, What If If Only at the Royal Court; and Ivan and the Dogs at the Young Vic Theatre.  We discuss her role as associate director on the hit show Inter Alia at the National Theatre, the conversations it sparks and the process of putting the whole show together.  The production is set to make its Broadway debut later this year.  All this and much more, thank you Grace! Oliver Gower Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261 Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic For enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.com Please Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️ Thank you all for your support! Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/  Track Name. Early Morning

    1h 43m

  5. Jun 3

    Kate Maravan on Rebuilding the Actors Centre and Meisner

    Kate is an actress, writer and teacher, she graduated from RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) and her work can be seen across theatres, BBC and Channel 4. As well as in classes at Arts Ed, LAMDA, Rutgers Uni at the Globe, National Opera Studio and for the New Actors Centre.  Her acting credits include: Theatre: Echo - Royal CourtThe Old House - RADA Festival and Camden Fringe - Kate’s own one woman showOpening Skinner’s Box - devised by the Improbable Theatre company, written by Lee Simpson at the Northern Stage, West Yorkshire Playhouse and Bristol Old VicOne Cold Dark Knight - BushStone Circle, directed by Matthew DunsterFilm: Six Underground, directed by Michael BayFlawless, dir. Michael RadfordSeven Lucky Gods - nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Milan International Film Festival  Currently developing her new show “Murmurations”.  In 1997 she met Scott Williams and discovered the Meisner Technique which she now teaches across the UK and Internationally. Her practice is helping actors with their “Present Performance”.  On top of all this, she is part of the rejuvenation project of the New Actors Centre, formally known as The Actors Centre. Kate is part of the team, including Harry Burton, which is helping to get it back on its feet. By providing London based actors with a place that will run classes and help rebuild the actor and creative community that was under threat when it initially closed.  More information about this and how to support the cause can be found via the websites below.  newactorscentre.org katemaravan.com Kate and I discuss drama school training, her work on Meisner technique and how she has helped to rebuild The Actors Centre back to where it needs to be.  Thank you Kate! Oliver Gower Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261 Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic For enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.com Please Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️ Thank you all for your support! Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/  Track Name. Early Morning

    2h 3m

  6. May 26

    Cassandra Woodhouse | Part 3 | Her New Book: " Sex, Power and Prima Facie"

    Cassandra Woodhouse Part 3! Cassandra returns to talk about her latest discoveries about playing Tessa in her latest tour of Prima Facie around New Zealand.  As well as her debut book, “Sex, Power and Prima Facie: When Art Becomes Activism and the Creatress Rises”. In this beautiful book, Cassandra delivers a powerful, poignant and vivid understanding of not only Suzie Miller’s play, but of the healing journey after the curtain comes down. Sex, Power and Prima Facie delves into her experience of taking this play around New Zealand, a one woman show in more ways than one, and the profound impact it had on the audiences and herself. From advice on how to regulate your nervous system after a demanding acting challenge, to having empathy for people sharing their stories for the first time.  This book is not only for fans of the play, but for those discovering it for the first time.  This is for you and the one in three.  Get your copies now on from any major retailer, and it’s also available as an audiobook on Spotify.  All this and much more! Thank you again Cassandra always a pleasure! Oliver Gower Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261 Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic For enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.com Please Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️ Thank you all for your support! Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/  Track Name. Early Morning

    2h 12m

  7. May 18

    Flora Dawson on Inter Alia

    Flora trained in musical theatre at Arts Ed and has gone on to be part of some of the biggest shows for stage and screen.  Her credits include, for screen: Judy, dir. Rupert GooldStreetdance: The Movie Malory Towers, Series 1, 4 and 5 - BBCGeek Girl - Netflix Theatre: Singin’ in the Rain - Chichester Festival and West EndKiss Me Kate - Welsh National OperaFunny GirlWonderful TownThe American Clock - Old VicMacbeth - Players Theatre CompanyThe 47th - Old Vic, Rupert Goold, understudy Ivanka TrumpSuddenly Last Summer, English Theatre FrankfurtStranger Things: The First Shadow, West End, dir. Justin Martin Currently - Understudy to Rosamund Pike in Suzie Miller’s latest hit play Inter Alia - playing at the Wyndham’s Theatre in London and will soon be making its Broadway debut later this year.  Not to mention, she was also part of the Walker’s crisps 70th Birthday advert in 2018 playing the “Tupperware lady”. Brilliantly I must say! Flora discusses her time at Arts Ed, the rewards and challenges of musical theatre training as well as  understudying Rosamund Pike in the huge role of Jessica Parks in Inter Alia. In addition, how the play’s subject matter (slight spoilers ahead) sparks tough but essential conversations about consent, what teenagers can access on the internet and creating a safe space to discuss sensitive subjects.  Thank you Flora! Oliver Gower Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261 Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic For enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.com Please Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️ Thank you all for your support! Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/  Track Name. Early Morning

    2h 12m

  8. May 11

    Vivian Panka on Performing Regina in Mean Girls

    Vivian trained at the Codarts University for the Arts in Rotterdam, Netherlands.  Her credits include, for film: ​Heather Duke, Heathers: The Musical, 2022 For theatre: ​Dear Evan Hansen, Manchester​Heather Duke, Heather’s: The Musical, The Other Palace Theatre​Judy Benly, 9-5 The Musical UK Tour She is currently starring in the UK and Ireland Tour of Mean Girls in the iconic role of Regina George, made famous by Rachel McAdams in the hit 2004 film alongside Lindsay Lohan.  For more information and to book tickets you can do so via the link below: https://meangirlsmusical.com/ Vivian and I discuss her journey into the business, training at Codarts and getting cast in Mean Girls. As well as, life on the road, the demands and rewards of the job and how she makes this famous role her own.  Thank you Vivian! Oliver Gower Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261 Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic For enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.com Please Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️ Thank you all for your support! Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/  Track Name. Early Morning

    56 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

My podcast talks to actors, directors, movement directors, creatives and anyone in love with the arts. I'm an actor myself so I'm always eager hear from people active in the industry, their journey's into it, and what they have learnt along the way. Thank you for listening and I hope you enjoy The Uncensored Critic Podcast.

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