The Uncensored Critic Podcast

Caroline Sheen is an actress known for her appearances in some of the most well-known musicals of all time. Such as Les Miserables, Mamma Mia and Mary Poppins.

Across her career she’s played Mary Poppins on the US Tour in 2011 winning the Helen Hayes Award for her performance, as well as both Eponine and Fantine in Les Miserables in London’s West End. 

Not to mention a fine Subway Sandwich commercial as well!

She discusses her training at GSA, her process, some funny on stage moments, and what it takes to tackle the huge musical roles whilst keeping it fresh every night during the long runs.

Great episode for anyone considering a career in Musicals and in theatre in general! 

Oliver Gower

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Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

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⚠️ Trigger warning ⚠️: In this episode we discuss matters relating to CCE (Child Criminal Exploitation) and County Lives. Viewer and listener discretion is advised. 

Catherine holds a MA in Drama and Theatre from Royal Holloway and a PGCE in Drama from Central. As well as having been the course leader of the MA Applied Theatre at Central and a Head of School at the University of Portsmouth from 2019-2022, she’s been involved in projects such as the Wellcome Trust’s “Rethinking Sexology”, and has lead the “TransActing Project” with Central School of Speech of Drama and Gendered Intelligence.

Not to mention she’s the current Head of School/commander-in-chief at the Guildford School of Acting. Her recent work has been involved in tacking the issue of County Lines and CCE (Child Criminal Exploitation) and the effect it has on young people in the UK.

Children between the ages of 12-15 are being exploited into the gangs that make them sell drugs or worse. Once the innocent child is groomed into the gang it is difficult to escape.   

Catherine talks to me about how she’s tackling this issue with her online interactive story for use with young people, and her project “Cold Chips and Money” on how we can grow awareness of this issue and how the power of theatre and storytelling can help its cause.

Oliver Gower

Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261

Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

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Rosie Sheehy trained at RADA graduating in 2015, and has already done some incredible work thus far. Working for the RSC, the Sherman Theatre and most recently, the National Theatre in London.

Rosie recently finished Romeo and Julie a contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, written by the great Gary Owen.

It played at the Sherman Theatre, the National and the Sherman again for the final weeks of the tour. Rosie takes me through the journey she's been on with the play, playing alongside Callum Scott Howells and the brilliance of Gary Owens' writing.

She's also appeared on stage in Samuel D. Hunter's play The Whale where she played Ellie (played by Sadie Sink in the film with Brendan Fraser), and also on TV in HBO's masterpiece Chernobyl.

A really touching episode discussing the play and the cruel and heartbreaking undercurrent of both this new adaptation and the original play, one that I enjoyed very much.

Thank you Rosie, you're brilliant.

Oliver Gower

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Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

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Seema Bowri has worked across film, theatre and TV with roles in The Bill, Find the Light (directed by Abdullah Khan) and recently released film "Little English" released in March 2023.

I worked with Seema at the National Theatre on a show called "My Country; a work in progress" in 2017, a verbatim show about the UK's reaction to the EU referendum result in 2016, known as "Brexit". Directed by Rufus Norris and written by Carol Ann Duffy, former UK poet laureate.

Seema discusses how she and cast created the show from scratch, the impact of the show across the country, and how it prompted debate in amongst the audiences that saw it.

Look out for her brand new feature film "Little English" released earlier this year, like me you'll see the great work she does!

Oliver Gower

Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261

Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

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Max Perryment is a composer and sound designer whose written music for TV, theatre, radio, dance and commercials.

As well as music for feature length documentaries for Apple TV and Amazon Prime.

His work has been heard at the Old Vic (Jitney in 2022), Young Vic, The Globe, The Royal Court, Hampstead Theatre and the West End. He's also resident composer for contemporary dance company "Made by Katie Green" and theatre company "Parrot in the Tank".

He discusses the role of the sound designer, how to generate music from listening to words and how you can find the balance between the level of music and the level of the actors voices on stage.

Max's Instagram: @maxperryment

Website: https://www.maxperryment.co.uk/

Oliver Gower

Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261

Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

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Deka is a great actor known for his role as Jackie Elliot in Lee Hall's musical adaptation of Billy Elliot with music by Elton John.

He's worked extensively across theatre, film and TV with appearances in The Bastard Son and the Devil Himself on Netflix, Vera for ITV, and Dirty Water.

In theatre he's appeared in Cyrano de Bergerac, Macbeth at the National Theatre, The Pitman Painters both in London and in New York, as well as Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre.

Deka talks about playing Jackie how he found him, what's the relationship like with his family, as well as what his character stands for in the history of the miners strike in 1984-5.

I had the pleasure of seeing Deka in Billy Elliot three times and his performance was simply brilliant, an experience I'll never forget.

You can catch Deka in the West End recording, available on DVD and on demand on Apple TV. Check it out you won't be disappointed!

Oliver Gower

Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261

Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

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Aylam Orian is an actor known for Stargate Origins (series regular: Nazi villain Wilhelm Brücke), NCIS: Los Angeles, Code Black, The Informer, and Ford V. Ferrari starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale.

While a student at the Strasberg Institute, Aylam was hired by Anna Strasberg to organize and preserve Lee Strasberg's extensive collections of materials on acting - a position he held for the next 9 years, before starting to teach there.

Aylam talks about how "Method Acting" isn't what we think it is. The technique has been distorted by the media, being portrayed as an acting technique that could do more damage than good. Aylam is here to say this isn't the case.

He discusses how it is in fact a useful appliance for the actor's toolkit and how it can help you access emotions for particular scenes you play.

To learn more Aylam hosts a series of workshops about what method acting is and how it can help create characters and prepare for long filming days. 

Visit his website for more information: themethodstudio.com

Oliver Gower

Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261

Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

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Ilaria Mosca has worked in the costume department of some of the most successful shows across the industry.   

She holds a BA in Fashion from her studies in Napoli, and an MA in Fashion Design from the London College of Fashion. Some projects she's worked on include My Lady Jane and Hanna for Amazon Prime, The Great for Hulu and The Third Day for Sky Atlantic and HBO with Jude Law. 

She talks about what a day in the life of working in the costume department is like, how she liaisons with the director and writer. As well as her experience in costuming actors for films, opera and TV. She also worked alongside Abdullah Khan on Path to Ecstasy!

For enquiries and booking information you can contact Ilaria via her website: ilariamosca.com  

Or by this address: [email protected]     

Oliver Gower

Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261

Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

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Scott Tatum is a pioneer for motivational and supportive messages across social media with his "Friendly Reminder's" which you'll be able to catch daily on Instagram. 

Scott talks me through his personal journey to get to where he is today and how he loves to help others with his videos.

One of my favourite quotes of his is "sometimes the secret to having it all is knowing that already do". 

Stay tuned for Scott's brand new book "Friendly Reminders: Lessons from a Self-Care Savage" due to be released in the US and the rest of the world from 12th September. The book acknowledges that life is tough but with a "Friendly Reminder" smart Dad advice can help you overcome personal demons and live your best life. 

Scott's Instagram: @ucanoutdoors

Oliver Gower

Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261

Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

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Abdullah Kahn is a director and filmmaker who at such a young age has already achieved so much in the film industry.  

At the age of 18 he was working on the sets of Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker, Fast and Furious: Hobbs and Shaw, and 1917. As well as, working for Neal Street Productions with Sam Mendes.  

In 2021 he founded his own production company Rosebud Films and has made short films such as Find the Light with George Mackay, and Path to Ecstacy with Mike Jibson, Louie Serkis, and myself!   

He is currently in pre-production for his third short film and plans to be working on his own feature films in the future. 

Great talk about how you can make a film, combat the challenges that face you, and how rewarding the whole experience is. Including an insight into what happens at a Star Wars Rap Party! 

Rosebud Films on Instagram: @rosebudfilmsuk  

Abdullah: @abs1999k

Oliver Gower

Spotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261

Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

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Thank you all for your support!