31 episodes

The Amateur of Life and Death podcast brings together amateur theatre makers to talk about their theatrical lives, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve died on stage. We take you behind the scenes at The Crescent Theatre to discover more about what goes into making a production, shining a spotlight on the stars behind the scenes, as well as those on stage.Theatre is our passion; amateur from the Latin ‘amare’, meaning ‘to love’. This is a podcast for anyone with an interest in watching or making amateur theatre.

Amateur of Life and Death The Crescent Theatre

    • Arts

The Amateur of Life and Death podcast brings together amateur theatre makers to talk about their theatrical lives, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve died on stage. We take you behind the scenes at The Crescent Theatre to discover more about what goes into making a production, shining a spotlight on the stars behind the scenes, as well as those on stage.Theatre is our passion; amateur from the Latin ‘amare’, meaning ‘to love’. This is a podcast for anyone with an interest in watching or making amateur theatre.

    Educating Rita

    Educating Rita

    This episode delves into the world of Willy Russell's modern classic, Educating Rita. We talk to actress Vicky Youster about her theatrical life, theatrical loves and the times when she's 'died' on stage. 

    Vicky is playing Rita in the Crescent Theatre Birmingham's production of Educating Rita and she also tells us all about rehearsals, the challenges of taking on such an iconic role, and how to master the Liverpool accent.

    Laura takes a delve into the Crescent Theatre's archives to find out more about previous productions of the show.

    • 38 min
    House and Garden

    House and Garden

    Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre, and features an amateur theatre-maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve ‘died’ on stage. 
    This episode focuses on the Crescent’s upcoming pair of productions, 'House' and 'Garden', both by Alan Ayckbourn. Luke Plimmer is borrowing our backstage pass this month to learn more. He’ll be talking to the Stage Manager for 'Garden', Suzie King, and to Jordan Starks-Browning, who is working on Props for both 'House' and 'Garden'. Our studio guest is Naomi Jacobs, who is the Production  Assistant on 'Garden'.  Naomi also tells us about her life and loves in amateur theatre.

    • 43 min
    Looking Forward, Thinking Back

    Looking Forward, Thinking Back

    This episode we’re celebrating the past, exploring the present, and looking ahead to the future of amateur theatre.
    Chairman of the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Kevin Middleton tells us about his theatrical life and theatrical loves, as well as  discussing the governance of an amateur theatre, and the role of the board. We also chat to one of the Crescent Theatre’s longest-standing members, set-builder and former stage manager, Phil Parsons, about his memories and experiences over more than 50 years with the company.

    • 59 min
    Othello

    Othello

    Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre, and features an amateur theatre maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve ‘died’ on stage. 
    This episode focuses on the Crescent’s upcoming production of Othello.
    Our backstage pass holder, John O'Neill, will be exploring the iconic Props department with the Production Assistants for Othello, Steve Davis and Jess Shannon.

    • 58 min
    Pinteresque

    Pinteresque

    Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre, and features an amateur theatre maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve ‘died’ on stage. 
    This episode focuses on the work of a giant of modern British theatre, Harold Pinter. We will be talking to Graeme Braidwood, who is directing the Crescent Theatre Birmingham’s upcoming production of two one act Pinter plays, A Kind of Alaska and Ashes to Ashes, about his life and loves in theatre.


    And we’ll be delving into the archives to find out a bit more about the Crescent Theatre’s history of producing Pinter’s work.

    • 40 min
    Now We Are 100

    Now We Are 100

    Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre, and features an amateur theatre maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve ‘died’ on stage.

    This episode focuses on the history of the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, which is celebrating a big birthday this season. We’ve been talking to Clare Crosland, the Crescent’s Head of Archives, about the rewards and challenges of archiving a hundred years of amateur theatre history.  And we delve into the archives to find out a bit more about the history of the Crescent Theatre Company and about past productions of the two classic shows that open its centenary season this month; Blithe Spirit and Pride and Prejudice.

    • 58 min

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