By Simon Wright and guests
The podcast currently has 20 episodes available.
My guest is the professional acrobat, aerialist and contortionist, Emily McCarthy.
After representing her country as an acrobatic gymnast, Emily followed her dream and left home at the age of 16 to join the world-famous Cirque Du Soleil. Then, after hours of extra training in her spare time, she landed a lead part in the Cirque production of “Crystal”.
Emily tells me how she went from being a Great Britain gymnast - to lead performer in one of the greatest shows on earth.
Emily's YouTube channel and Instagram page:
https://linktr.ee/Emily_McCarthy95
I talk to Bruno Poet, one of the top British lighting designers working in opera, theatre, dance, and live music.
Bruno has designed lighting for many of the world’s leading opera houses, theatre and musical theatre productions. He won the prestigious Knight of Illumination Award for lighting Björk’s Cornucopia concert - and for the critically-acclaimed Frankenstein at the National Theatre, for which he also won the Olivier Award for Best Lighting Design.
He’s currently working on the new Lloyd-Webber musical, Cinderella. Due to open next year (we hope).
I wanted to find out what he does, how he does it – and how he became one of the best lighting designers around!
Music credits:
Music from the trailer for Giudizio Universale
"American Dream", "The Movie in My Mind" and "Kim's Nightmare" from Miss Saigon
Music from Frankenstein by Underworld
"Hyperballad" by Björk
"No Time to Die" by Billie Eilish
Bruno's website: brunopoet.co.uk
My guest is the composer and lyricist, Darren Clark.
Since beginning his professional career in 2012, Darren has been commissioned to write music and lyrics for several national touring shows and his work has been heard in productions by the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre.
I talked to Darren about his wonderful new musical, called The Wicker Husband.
The show was the winner of the inaugural Musical Theatre International Stiles & Drewe Mentorship Award - and a finalist in the Kevin Spacey Artist of Choice Award 2016. And it had only just started a run at the Watermill Theatre, before sadly the Coronavirus pandemic ended it.
We chatted about:
Music credit:
The Wicker Man - a musical by Darren Clark and Rhys Jennings .
Songs:
Have You Seen My Husband, performed by Alex Young
My Wicker Man, performed by Alex Young
The Sparrows Tale
The Wicker Maid
Heart of the Weave
Will Ye Lend Me a Suit?
Symbols & Numbers - song from the musical Turing written by Darren Clark & Rhys Jennings, performed by Tyrone Huntley
Darren's website: darrenclarkmusic.co.uk
I talk to the professional tap dance performer, teacher and choreographer; Ryan Campbell-Birch.
Ryan's passion for tap developed at a young age, beginning under his mother’s tutelage in his hometown of Bristol, and has since taken him around the world - from Stockholm to Sydney, London to LA, and New York to New Zealand!
Ryan talks to me about where tap comes from, why he loves it so much, and what it takes to become a professional tap dancer.
RYAN'S CHALLENGE!
He has two challenges: one for under 16's and the other for 16+ tappers.
After listening to his Podcast, go to the Tap Dance UK website and watch Ryan's challenge videos: tapdanceuk.com/podcast/
Video yourself performing one of the routines (for your age) then share your video on your Instagram page, tagging: @tapdanceuk AND @gbswimstars_gbdancestars (that's me!). Make sure you include the hashtag: #ryanstapchallenge
If you really, really don't want to post your video, you can email it to Ryan at: [email protected]
IF YOU ARE POSTING YOUR #RYANSTAPCHALLENGE VIDEO TO INSTAGRAM YOUR ACCOUNT MUST BE PUBLIC FOR US TO SEE IT.
IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO MAKE IT PUBLIC, JUST EMAIL YOUR VIDEO TO US.
The winner of the under 16's challenge will receive a free place at a Tap Dance UK regional workshop (dates and locations to be confirmed). The winner of the over 16's challenge will receive a free portfolio photoshoot in Sheffield with GBDANCESTARS.
CLOSING DATE: 13th September, 2020
Winner pays their own travel and other expenses.
Ryan's decision is final.
Dates and times for both prizes to be confirmed.
THANK YOU RYAN - AND GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
Ryan's greatest tap video playlist! <HERE>
Tap Dance UK website <HERE>
Ryan's website <HERE>
My guest is the award-winning musical theatre director, Laurence Connor.
In this special three-episode series, Laurence talks to me about his career – and the blockbuster productions he has directed all over the world for Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
In this third and final episode Laurence talks to me about:
LAURENCE'S LOCKDOWN CHALLENGE!
Make your own technicolor Dreamcoat and video yourself performing a song from the show wearing it. Be as creative as you want by singing, playing an instrument, dancing etc... Just go for it and get Laurence's attention!
Share the video on your Instagram page, tagging: @gbswimstars_gbdancestars (that's' me!). Make sure you include the hashtag: #laurenceslockdownchallenge
If you really, really don't want to post your video, you can email it to Laurence at: [email protected]
IF YOU ARE POSTING YOUR #LAURENCESLOCKDOWNCHALLENGE VIDEO TO INSTAGRAM YOUR ACCOUNT MUST BE PUBLIC FOR US TO SEE IT.
IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO MAKE IT PUBLIC JUST EMAIL YOUR VIDEO TO US.
The winner will be invited to spend a day in London with Laurence next year at a Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat rehearsal. AND... Laurence has a surprise for the winner!
CLOSING DATE: 30th August, 2020
Winner pays their own travel and other expenses.
Laurence's decision is final.
Actual participation in the rehearsal will depend on the winner's age.
THANK YOU LAURENCE - AND GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
Music credits:
"Finale" "You're in the Band" "I'm Too Hot for You" from The Original Broadway Cast of School of Rock Album
"The Way We Were" sung by Carrie Hope Fletcher
"Jacob and Sons" sung by the London Palladium Cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (London Palladium Cast Recording)
Laurence's website is <HERE>
(PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO QUALITY IS VARIABLE BECAUSE OF INTERNET ISSUES DURING RECORDING)
My guest is the award-winning musical theatre director, Laurence Connor.
In this special three-episode series, Laurence talks to me about his career – and the blockbuster productions he has directed all over the world for Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
These include: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Chess, Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, School of Rock, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera, Oliver! and The King and I. He is also the director of the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Cinderella.
I wanted to find out how he got to where he is today, what it takes to create a critically acclaimed West End production - and the big question musical theatre actors everywhere want to know... how you get a part in one of his shows!
In this second episode Laurence talks to me about:
Look out for episode three - when Laurence talks about his AMAZING challenge and prize. Coming soon!
THANK YOU LAURENCE!
Music credits:
"Overture" from The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall
"The Movie In My Mind" from the Miss Saigon Original Cast Album
"I Dreamed a Dream" from the Les Misérables Live! 2010 Cast Album
"When I Climb to the Top of Mount Rock" from The Original Broadway Cast of School of Rock Album
"Heaven On Their Minds" from Tim Minchin Unmasked: The Platinum Collection
Laurence's website is <HERE>
(PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO QUALITY IS VARIABLE BECAUSE OF INTERNET ISSUES DURING RECORDING)
My guest is the award-winning musical theatre director, Laurence Connor.
In this special three-episode series, Laurence talks to me about his career – and the blockbuster productions he has directed all over the world for Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
These include: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Chess, Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, School of Rock, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera, Oliver! and The King and I. He is also the director of the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Cinderella.
I wanted to find out how he got to where he is today, what it takes to create a critically acclaimed West End production - and the big question musical theatre actors everywhere want to know... how you get a part in one of his shows!
In this first episode Laurence talks to me about:
Look out for episodes two and three - and Laurence has the most AMAZING challenge and prize. Coming soon!
THANK YOU LAURENCE!
Music credits:
Jason Donovan and the cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 1991 production
The King and I, 2000 cast recording
Les Misérables Live! 2010 Cast Album
West Side Story, original motion picture soundtrack
Slice of Saturday Night, original London cast recording
Laurence's website is <HERE>
(PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO QUALITY IS VARIABLE BECAUSE OF INTERNET ISSUES DURING RECORDING)
My guests are professional contemporary dancers, Eileih Muir and Jordan Bridge.
Eileih and Jordan dance in Company Wayne McGregor - recognised as one of the best contemporary dance companies in the world.
Company Wayne McGregor features 10 world-class dancers, who tour the world performing dynamic, visceral contemporary choreography created by its founder, Wayne McGregor.
Eileih and Jordan talk to me about:
EILEIH AND JORDANS' LOCKDOWN CHALLENGE!
Improvise or choreograph a one minute piece from Wayne McGregor's Collaboration album. You choose the track from the album you want to work with and listen in the Podcast to what Eileih and Jordan say they're looking for.
Video yourself performing the piece and share it on your Instagram page, tagging: @eileih_ishbel_muir and @jordanjbridge and @gbswimstars_gbdancestars (that's' me!). Make sure you include the hashtag: #cwmlockdownchallenge
If you really, really don't want to post your video, you can email it to: [email protected]
IF YOU ARE POSTING YOUR #CWMLOCKDOWNCHALLENGE VIDEO TO INSTAGRAM YOUR ACCOUNT MUST BE PUBLIC FOR US TO SEE IT.
IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO MAKE IT PUBLIC JUST EMAIL YOUR VIDEO TO US.
The winner will be invited to spend a day in London with Eileih and Jordan watching or taking part in a Company Wayne McGregor rehearsal!
CLOSING DATE: 25th July, 2020
Winner pays their own travel and other expenses.
Eileih and Jordan's decision is final.
Actual participation in the Company Wayne McGregor rehearsal will depend on the winner's age and dance ability.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE - AND THANK YOU EILEIH AND JORDAN!
Bit more about Jordan...
Born in Manchester, Jordan trained at London Contemporary Dance School graduating with a BA Hons in a Contemporary Dance. Amongst Jordan’s performing career, he has an award-winning dance film entitled ‘Us’ which he directed and choreographed in 2018. Jordan joined Company Wayne McGregor in 2017.
Bit more about Eileih...
Born in Derby, Eileih trained at London Studio Centre before completing a Masters at The London Contemporary Dance School. After graduating she became an apprentice with NDCWales before joining Richard Alston Dance Company. Eileih joined Company Wayne McGregor in 2019. Eileih's website is HERE.
REALLY WORTH WATCHING: Wayne McGregor's TED talk
Music credit: Annotation, Mutation and Blue from Wayne McGregor's Autobiography.
I talk to Roxy - the most incredible 12-year-old contortionist.
With nearly 100 thousand Instagram followers, Roxy is a brand ambassador for dancewear labels, frequently models for photographers and performs around the country... displaying her amazing, jaw-dropping flexibility.
Roxy talks to me about:
ROXY'S CHALLENGE!
Watch the challenge video on her Instagram page <HERE> and post a video of yourself doing it. Tag her @flexible_roxy and @dragonflybrand and me @gbswimstars_gbdancestars with #roxyslockdownchallenge
The winner will get a WINDSTORM photoshoot with Roxy (with lots of wind machines!) and a matching set from @dragonflybrand
Winner will be announced on 21st June, 2020
Roxy's decision is final.
Please do not hurt yourself attempting Roxy's challenge - you do it at your own risk!
Photoshoot will be in Sheffield, date TBC.
Prize includes 8 photos.
Winner pays their own travel and other expenses.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE - AND THANK YOU ROXY!
My guest is professional voice-over artist, Sophie Corbett.
After training as a singer and actor, Sophie has worked in the voice-over industry for more than twenty years for clients like L'Oreal, Ford and McDonalds. She is also a compère, BBC presenter and host.
Sophie talks to me about:
SOPHIE'S CHALLENGE!
Record your own a voice-over advert and send it to Sophie at: [email protected]
Sophie will help the winner make their own voice-over showreel in London. Please listen to her talk about this in the Podcast.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE - AND THANK YOU SOPHIE!
Sophie's website: www.sophiecorbett.co.uk
The podcast currently has 20 episodes available.