A conversation about Ray's life which led him from working in the carpet trade in and around Sheffield between the ages of 15 to 60 then, in response to a breakdown, pursuing his long-held desire to study drama at University. Now, aged 72, Ray is a professional actor and prolific, acclaimed playwright.

Episode index:

0.00 Episode intro and opening of conversation

6.15 Time at school and starting out in carpet trade

9.38 Pays tribute to his brother David

11.03 How he came to run his own business

14.19 Miners and steelworkers - strikes

15.47 Amateur Dramatics

19.18 A day at work for Ray as business owner

21.28 His breakdown

30.30 Going to university and selling business

40.35 Ray's dissertation on theatres as places of adult education

42.58 Career as actor and playwright begins

47.24 Speaks about the conditioning of low expectations

49.22 Talks about the different aspects of new career he enjoys

53.15 Family's reaction to it all

54.34 Writing - description of different plays, themes and process

1.05.39 Ray's youth and influences at that time, tv, film, theatre, music

1.10.17 How he met his wife Linda

1.11.39 Future ideas

1.13.35 Coronation St and his agent

1.18.43 Meeting hero Freddie Davies at audition and bringing him for coffee

1.20.20 Final thoughts

1.23.29 Outro

Guest: Ray Castleton

Ray's twitter: https://twitter.com/raycastleton?lang=en

Ray's Spotlight page including showreel: https://www.spotlight.com/2214-1279-0398

Host and producer: Donal Gallery

Recorded using 'double-end' method and phone between London and Sheffield, 7th December 2020.

Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/

Music by Donal Gallery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast

Get in touch with stories of people who've had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]

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