Performing Animal Rights

In this episode of The Performing Animal Rights Podcast, Ben speaks with Molly Elwood, creator of the satirical project Elwood Organic Dog Meat, and comedian Jake Yapp, host of the Vegan Life Magazine Podcast. They explore how humour and satire can disarm audiences and provoke thought, with Elwood Organic Dog Meat challenging society’s ethical double standards by presenting a fictional dog meat farm that parallels the treatment of other animals in agriculture. Together, they discuss the challenges of balancing humour with the seriousness of animal rights, as well as the impact of Elwood Dog Meat as a viral tool for activism.

Learn more about Molly’s work at elwooddogmeat.com and mollyelwood.com, and follow Jake’s comedy and podcasting at jakeyapp.co.uk. For more episodes and resources, visit performinganimalrights.org.

In this episode of The Performing Animal Rights Podcast, Ben Hunt interviews Anastasia Bunce, Artistic Director of Patch Plays, and Grace Joy Howarth, playwright and musician. Together, they explore how theatre can inspire audiences to rethink animal ethics and environmental issues, discussing their creative processes, the impact of their productions, and their vision for the future of activist theatre.

Discover more about Anastasia's work at anastasiabunce.com, Grace's projects at gracejoyhowarth.com, and Patch Plays at patchplays.com. For more episodes, visit performinganimalrights.org.

Playwright and actor Bibi Lucille, talks to Ben about writing and performing a one-person vegan play, including her creative process and her experience at Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Buy the playscript for Meat Cute from www.aurorametro.com/product/meat-cute/

In October 2022, creative activists came together to share their experiences of performance in the animal rights movement, for a live online event. Hosted by Leigh Venus; drag artist Dan Hellman, Songwriters Barbara Helen and Vegan Queen V, campaigner Harley McEckersal, and performance artist Ben Hunt, explored what creative practice can bring to the movement. This event was hosted by Bright Eyes Theatre Arts, a theatre company focused on the non-human animal narrative.

Ben talks to animal rights activist Abi Foster (aka Animal Autonomy) about her latest fundraiser action, where she tagged her ear in solidarity with non-human animals raised for food. The fundraiser raised over £5000 for a sanctuary, as well as raising awareness of the suffering and dominion of the animal agriculture industry.

Find out more about Abi here: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAutonomy/

More podcast episodes like these here: https://www.performinganimalrights.org/podcast

Ben talks to playwright, author and activist, John Yunker about his work in bringing veganism to the stage, and why theatre can be a powerful medium in telling compelling stories around animal rights issues.

Youth Outreach and Campaigns Officer for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA UK), Simon Plazolles-Hayes, talks to Ben about utilising performing arts in campaigns, as an essential tool in the organisation's strategy.

Find PETA UK's website here: https://www.peta.org.uk/

Ben talks to activist and YouTuber David Ramms about his viral satirical sketches. This episode explores audience attention and authenticity in creating engaging content for the animal rights movement.

David's YouTube channel can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidRamms

Dr Yvette Watt talks to Ben about her artistic practice and animal advocacy - specifically her performance project Duck Lake, which involved a group of dancers in hot pink tutus and hard hats performing on a floating stage at the opening of the duck-shooting season in Tasmania.

Footage of Duck Lake can be found here: https://vimeo.com/158270314

This bonus episode is from a radio interview for Slacks Weird Radio, as part of the New Bridge Project. Leigh Venus talks to fellow activist Ben Hunt about his recent online performance project and his research into performing arts and trauma in the animal rights movement. Ben shares audio from his work including soundscapes and poetry.

Find Ben's work here: https://performinganimalrights.tumblr.com/

Find our other podcasts here: https://www.performinganimalrights.org/podcast