The Manchester Shakespeare Company

John Topliff and Gina T. Frost
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A Podcast from the Manchester Shakespeare Company with information on past, present and future work with writer John Topliff and Director Gina T. Frost.

Episodes

  1. Mark Simpson interviews Gina and John about 'Summer Dreaming - The Musical''

    03/24/2023

    Mark Simpson interviews Gina and John about 'Summer Dreaming - The Musical''

    Autism Advocate Mark Simpson interviews Gina and John about their upcoming Show, 'Summer Dreaming - The Musical. Find out about the origins of the Manchester Shakespeare Company, Gina's late diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition and what the future holds for the pair in a post-covid world.

    1h 2m
  2. Episode 3. 'Summer Dreaming 1973' The laughs kept coming!

    10/25/2022

    Episode 3. 'Summer Dreaming 1973' The laughs kept coming!

    In this episode Gina and John talk about the fourth Manchester Shakespeare Company production, 'Summer Dreaming 1973'  an irreverent musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.  First performed at Manchester Three Minute Theatre (3MT) in July 2015 The show includes five original songs, a Marxist/Leninist version of 'Pyramus and Thisbe, arranged marriages, a Glam Rock transformation, the invention of 'Dogging', a talent show, Feminism in action, Theatrical Class Warfare, a bitter custody battle, and the unexpected effects of the Equal Pay Act. There are also a couple of rude words! Set in the early summer of 1973 in the woods around the City of Mancia ‘Summer Dreaming 1973’ follows the lives and loves of four very different couples as they struggle against the odds to make the course of true love run smooth.  The betrothal of Duke Charles Wilmslow to Lady Diana Expensive is cause for celebration: a concert given by the good people of Mancia in the honour of the ‘happy’ couple. But the workers at Truss & Son, led by Shop Steward Peter Quince, are planning to use the occasion to launch a subversive theatrical attack on the aristocracy. Further down the social scale a different kind of arranged marriage is causing Hermia Strains a more immediate problem: Her father has promised her hand (and everything else) to boss’s son Donald (Dumbo) Truss, in order to facilitate his rise in polite society. Hermia has other plans though and intends to elope with her penniless true love Leroy Sanders through the enchanted Forest of Ancoats to stay with Leroy’s Gran in Glossop. Pursued by the furious Donald and his devoted but recently dumped ex, Helena Handcart, the lovers soon become lost in dark woods, frequented by Hippies, Druids, Fairies and that ‘Merry wanderer of the night’ Robin Goodstuff. Hearts are broken and mended before the night is out and Nick Bottom has the trip of his life when he becomes entangled in a drug-fuelled feud between Oberon and his estranged wife Titania, Queen of the Druids.  Original Cast:  Aiden J. Harvey: Peter Quince, Duke Charles Wilmslow Dale Vicker: Nick Bottom. Sophie Anne Elicott: Lady Diana Expensive, Titania. Tony Charnock: Oberon.  Ellen Rogerson: Hermia Strains. Sophie Toland: Helena Handcart, Deirdrie.  Josh Fyson: Leroy Sanders, Snout. Allyn Thomas: Robbo Goodstuff. Charlotte Rhodes: Frances Flute. Jess Wood: Donald Truss, Snug. The show was written and directed by John Topliff and Gina T. Frost For more information about the Manchester Shakespeare Company visit: www.manchestershakespeareco.org.

    39 min
  3. Episode 2. 12 Nights or W.T.F? The New Beginning 2014

    07/14/2022

    Episode 2. 12 Nights or W.T.F? The New Beginning 2014

    Warning: This episode contains language that some people might find offensive. In this episode Gina and John talk about the third Manchester Shakespeare Company production '12 Nights or W.T.F? This was the play that set the standard for all future productions. A wickedly twisted adaptation of Shakespeare’s gender bending comedy ‘Twelfth Night’. Twelve Nights is a madcap comedy that captures the spirit of the original play with a decidedly modern take on gender and sexuality. After its original production at the Three Minute Theatre in December 2014 '12 Nights' was performed by different casts in many venues including libraries, churches, public squares and festivals. ‘Twelve Nights or WTF?’ tells the story of Horsina Pilton, a rich, successful businesswoman, desperately lovesick for the dishy film actor Oliver De Tabloids who is holed up in the penthouse suite of the Mancia Pilton Hotel. Access to Oliver is jealously guarded by his overbearing PA, Malcolm Fabrese and Oliver is moving to Hollywood in twelve days’ time to work on his next movie. Meanwhile, Oliver’s boozy, spendthrift Aunt, Tia Maria is also trying to get access to Oliver in order to marry him off to her air-headed Valley Girl protégé Andrea Palemuscht. Things are not going well though and Andrea is about to call it a day, leaving Tia Maria without funding for her liquid lunches. The arrival of illegal immigrant twins Sebastian and Viola only adds to the complications as Horsina sends Sebastian (disguised as Sebrina) to woo Oliver on her behalf, with hilarious and disturbing consequences for everybody. Original Cast: Sophie Anne Ellicott as Horsina Pilton Louise Wilson as Tia Maria and Antonia Cruz Tony Charnock as Malcolm Fabrese Sophie Toland as Viola and Andrea Palemuscht Daniel Brotherton as Sebastian/Sebrina Charlie Colquhoun as Oliver De Tabloids Written and Directed by John Topliff and Gina T. Frost. Music written and arranged by John Topliff and Gina T. Frost. More information can be had at: https://www.manchestershakespeareco.org

    25 min

  4. 09/19/2021

    Episode 1 Introduction to The MSC by Gina and John

    In this first episode, Gina and John talk briefly about the origins of the Manchester Shakespeare Company, from its inception at the Three Minute Theatre in 2013, its first productions and the exciting future that lies ahead.

    13 min
  • 4 Episodes

About

A Podcast from the Manchester Shakespeare Company with information on past, present and future work with writer John Topliff and Director Gina T. Frost.

Information

  • Creator
    John Topliff and Gina T. Frost
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2023
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Manchester Shakespeare Company
  • Show Website
    The Manchester Shakespeare Company