The Uncensored Critic Podcast

Oliver is an actor with an immense amount of experience in the theatre.

He trained at East 15 and was recently part in the Olivier-Nominated play “Now, I See” at Stratford East, a play that he called one of the most profound experiences in his career. 

His other theatre credits include:

• All of Us, National Theatre, dir. Ian Rickson
• Dr Strangelove, West End with Steve Coogan
• Midsummer Night’s Dream, Young Vic
• Now, I See, Stratford East amongst many more.

He also has appeared in:

• Misfits
• Lovesick - Netflix
• The Bay - ITV
• Collateral - BBC written by David Hare, starring alongside Carey Mulligan
• Rings of Power - Amazon Prime 
• Wonder Woman 1984, dir. Patty Jenkins

Amongst several short films. 

Oliver discusses his recent roles in “Dr StrangeLove” with the challenges and rewards of making comedy with Steve Coogan, to the profound impact “Now, I See” had not only on him but the audience as well. 

Including his unique process as an actor, how he believes an actor should prepare for the first day of rehearsal and what people can expect from him next. 

Oliver Gower

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Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

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Track Name. Early Morning 

Audrey is an award-winning UK and International freelance director with a passion for new work. Committed to making theatre that is rigorous, ambitious and above all else, truthful. 

She studied Psychology and Anthropology followed by a an MSc in Medical Anthropology. Theatre-wise she trained for three years alongside the late Sam Kogan in London and Moscow. Before continuing her directorial training at the Young Vic, King’s Head Theatre and workshops at the National Theatre and the RSC, one with the legendary Peter Brook. 

She also co-facilitated the National’s New Views program for new writers at the National and a panelist on the Women’s Prize for Playwriting. 

Her work has earned her a Best Director Finalist place for the Off West End awards 2017/18 and the Arts Foundation Awards 2018. 

Other credits as a director include:

• Six Artist’s in Search for an Author - Almeida 
• Perspective - National
• Jews. In their own Words - Royal Court with Jonathan Freeland
• Associate Director on Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix Theatre in London dir. Justin Martin

Catch also her work on video games, she’s worked with companies such as Ubisoft, Amazon Game Studios, CD Projekt RED and Kuno.

Audrey and I discuss how theatre is a great instrument in storytelling as well as speaking our truth. Truth about our lives, politics, behaviours and our place in the universe. 

I was fascinated to hear about how she wants to make theatre truthful and what projects she has worked on and will work on in the future will be able to achieve that. 

Oliver Gower

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

Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

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Track Name. Early Morning 

Sam is an actress from the Midwest  with roots in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Illinois. 

She graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in Theatre and Mass Media, before then travelling to LA to pursue her acting career.

For those listening in from the USA she has been heard in voiceovers, seen commercials and booked several roles in TV and Films. 

Her biggest hit to date was the film “Followed”, winning Sam a Burbank Film Festival Best Actress Nomination and became the number 1 movie at the US box office for several weeks. 

Other credits include:

• Borsch Legacy for Amazon
• The Orville for Hulu

Sam’s main body of work other than acting, is her podcast “One Broke Actress” available on all podcast platforms. A show dedicated to documenting the real-life tasks and tribulations of being a working actor in the 21st Century. 

Sam and I talk about her journey into the business, a trip from LA to Atlanta for a Netflix call-back, how actors can keep themselves busy during quiet spells and how there’s more to life chasing success. 

Check out her Instagram and her website for more information on her Side Hustle Academy and where you can get her podcast:

onebrokeactress.com

GET YOURSELF A FREE WEBINAR ON SIDE HUSTLES - hosted by Sam and Gabrielle, get it below:https://event.webinarjam.com/register/2/1190nfy

Oliver Gower

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

Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

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Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ 

Track Name. Early Morning 

Michael is an actor and musician known for his role as Andy in Downton Abbey. 

He trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama and has a number of credits to his name including:

For Theatre:

• An Enemy of the People - National and Chichester Theatre
• Leaves of Grass 
• As You Like It - Luxembourg and UK Tour
• Othello - Riverside Studios, produced by Trish Wadley
• The Fear of 13 - Donmar Warehouse, directed by Justin Martin
• Farewell Mr Haffmann - Park Theatre 

TV:

• Endeavour 
• Midsomer Murders
• The Ark
• Downton Abbey Series 5 and 6

Film:

• Good People
• Dunkirk
• The World Will Tremble
• Downton Abbey Movie and Downton: A New Era

Check out his original music that’s co-written and performed by Michelle Dockery (plays Lady Mary Crawley) on Spotify. Look up “Michael and Michelle” for their tracks. 

Michael discusses his work on Downton, Othello and writing his own music. From auditioning for the part of Andy, to performing Iago with two other actors at the same time to making music, he has had quite the career thus far! 

Great chat for any Downton, Shakespeare and music fans alike!

Oliver Gower

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

Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/

Track Name. Early Morning

Sally is the current weather and local reporter for ITV. 

She’s been broadcasting since 1988 since her early years practicing with a blank cassette and microphone aged only 7. Daughter to weather obsessed parents a move into weather reporting seemed inevitable. 

Sally has been with ITV since 2005 working not only as the weather reporter, but on the red carpet with A-List celebrities such as Tom Cruise and at premiere’s of some of the world’s biggest shows such as Netflix’s Bridgerton. It was Tom who in fact dared Sally to report the weather from the highest peak of the London Eye, which you can see on YouTube right now below!

https://youtu.be/MXdUzQfrMCc?si=e170Rps5Yomzsbsl

Sally discusses her early years in journalism whilst being an under and post-grad at Birmingham and Cardiff Universities respectively. She takes me through what a typical day in the life at ITV looks like and the long hours it sometimes takes to put together the report you’re working on. 

As well as her time broadcasting on top of the London Eye, and how she prepares for interviews on the red carpet. Choosing her questions carefully in the brief time she has with the actors themselves.

For any aspiring journalists, this one’s for you!

Credit to the ITV website for this introduction. 

Oliver Gower

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

Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ 

Track Name. Early Morning 

Trish is a five time Olivier Award Nominee creating innovative and site-specific work in theatres across London, New York, Greece and Australia.

Following an extensive international career as a journalist and Director of Marketing she moved into the theatre working at the Bush and Kiln Theatres.

She created “FRESH LINES” which promotes new and emerging talent in the UK, she is also a member of SOLT (Society of London Theatre), UK Theatre, Director of the Uncertainty Principle, Trustee of the Britain Australia Society and Advance Ambassador for Australia.

Most recently she co-produced:

- FANGIRLS by Yves Blake with Sonia Friedman Productions

- A Mirror by Sam Holcroft with Second Half Productions at the Almeida 2024

- Opening Night, with Wessex Grove, dir. Ivo Van Hove

She produced also:- Othello, Riverside Studios with 3 actors alternating Iago during each performance

- The Shape of Things by Neil LaBute at the Park Theatre, starring Amber Anderson and Luke Newton (Bridgerton). Both were nominated at the Best Off-West End Production Awards at the 2024 WhatsOnStage Awards

- Prima Facie by Susie Miller in Athens, 2024

- The Election Monologues, recent rehearsed reading at the Park Theatre led by Harry Burton.

Look out for her latest show also at the Park, “How to Fight Loneliness” from 16th April. Tickets on sale now.

Trish discusses her role in producing, coming to it from a career as a journalist and what excites her about telling great stories to people through live theatre.

Oliver Gower

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

Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ 

Track Name. Early Morning 

Faith is an actor and writer who trained at Central School of Speech and Drama and has already had an incredible career since graduating. 

She recently won the Alfred Fagon Award, which is a leading theatre prize for black playwrights for her play Kaleidoscopic. 

She was nominated for her show stealing performance in Standing at the Sky’s Edge as Joy both in Sheffield and the National Theatre in London. She was called “the heart of the play” by WhatsOnStage and “outstanding” by The Telegraph. 

Her debut play My Father’s Fable enjoyed a successful run at the Bush Theatre last summer receiving brilliant reviews. A play about a girl called Peace who’s visited by her half-brother in Nigeria Bolu whom she didn’t know existed. Despite her mother’s protests she invites him into her home and a knot of truths begins to unravel. I was lucky enough to see it and it is without a doubt one of the best plays I’ve seen. 

In addition her work as an actor includes:

Theatre:

• King Lear, Almeida Theatre, 2024, dir. Yaël Farber
• Standing at the Sky’s Edge
• Richard II
• Twelfth Night, Royal Exchange

TV:

• We Are Lady Parts, Series 1 and 2
• Endeavour

Radio:

• 157 Years with Afonica

Faith discusses her work in Standing at the Sky’s Edge, King Lear and writing My Father’s Fable. From creating characters as an actor to creating them for the stage she shares her journey of creating worlds from both professions, the rewards as well as the challenges.

If you ever get the chance to see some of Faith’s work get yourself a ticket, she is a master at what she does!

Oliver Gower

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

Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

Please Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ 

Track Name. Early Morning 

Eleanor is a director with over 10 years experience directing Shakespeare for the RSC, audio dramas and new writing.

Her most recent work includes:

• Midsummer Night’s Dream, for the RSC and Barbican starring Matthew Bayton (Deano from Gavin and Stacey) 
• Once Upon a Time in Nazi Occupied Tunisia, Almeida
• King John, RSC, starring Rosie Sheehy
• UK Premiere of Blue Door, Theatre Royal Bath
• Wendy and Peter Pan, Royal Lyceum Edinburgh
• Critically acclaimed World Premiere of Boudica, The Globe with Gina McKee in the title role

In 2009 she co-founded Snapdragon Productions to bring new work to new audiences. Some work includes Toast by Richard Bean, which was nominated for Best Touring Production at the 2016 UK Theatre Awards. As well as, the world the premiere of Teddy by Tristan Bernays and Douglas Irvine, winning Best New Musical at the 2016 Off West End Awards. 

She recently began working in other mediums with the recent audio drama Mrs Wickson for Audible, written by Sarah Page. Starring the voices of Jessie Buckley (Chernobyl, Romeo and Juliet, Wicked Little Letters) and Johnny Flynn (Motive and the Cue, One Life, Hangmen). 

Eleanor is also on the board for Stage Directors UK. 

She discusses her production of Midsummer, her relationship with Shakespeare and branching out into audio drama. Great conversation for anyone studying Midsummer Night’s Dream and for fans of the play in general!

Oliver Gower

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

Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ 

Track Name. Early Morning 

Danielle is an actor, singer, composer and part of musical theatre folklore. 

She began her career at the age of 18 where she was selected from over 9,000 girls to be part of the 10 finalists on the BBC show “Over the Rainbow”. Led by Andrew Lloyd Webber. A show dedicated to finding the new actress to play “Dorothy” in the brand new production of “The Wizard of Oz” that played at the London Palladium in 2011. 

She wowed judges with performances of “Could It Be Magic” (Barry Manilow), “On My Own” from Les Miserables, and famously “Mambo Italiano” (written by Bob Merrill, made famous by Dean Martin). 

Upon taking the role she won the 2011 Broadway World UK award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical and was nominated for the WhatsOnStage Theatregoers Choice Award for Best London Newcomer. 

Since then she has appeared in:

• Les Miserables at the Queens
• The Last Five Years, Greenwich
• UK Tours of Joseph, Sound of Music and Grease
• Snow White at the Palladium
• Waterfall, A New Musical, played in Bangkok
• Kinky Boots, Off Broadway

Dani talks about her time on “Over the Rainbow”, playing Dorothy and some of her upcoming original work. Including a brand new musical she is currently writing. As well as the demands and rewards of performing in musicals eight times a week, looking after your voice and how self-care is key for any performer. 

Oliver Gower

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

Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

Please Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ 

Track Name. Early Morning 

In this episode I welcome along one of my heroes Yaël Farber! 

Yaël is multi-award winning director and playwright whose work has received international acclaim. Her productions have toured all over the globe being praised for their visceral qualities. 

She has two Olivier Award nominations both for Best Revival of a Play:

• Macbeth, Almeida 2021
• The Crucible, Old Vic 2014

But has over 29 awards to her name including:

• Helen Hayes Awards - 10 nominations for her adaptation of “Salomé”
• Evening Standard
• Broadway World 
• Amnesty International Freedom of Expression 
• Best of Edinburgh 
• Fleur de Cap - South Africa
• FNB Vita - with the play “Shopping and Fucking” by Mark Ravenhill

She has tackled some of the best plays in the world including:

• King Lear, Almeida 2024
• My Brilliant Friend - NT of Iceland 
• Hamlet
• Les Blancs
• Salomé
• The Crucible - currently available on Digital Theatre and I emplore all of you to go at watch it. In my view it is the definitive version of The Crucible, the best version of it you will ever see!

Look out for her book “Playing with Fire”, about her experience of directing in theatres across the world, set for release next year. 

In my view Yaël is one of the best directors in the world and it was an honour to talk about her revival of The Crucible. A production that still sticks with me 10 years after it was done at the Old Vic.

We discuss the play, her process and how she wants her actors to viscerally engage with themselves and feel all the emotions kept in the body to produce top, top performances.

Such an honour, thank you Yaël, here’s to our next episode!

Oliver Gower

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

Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcritic

For enquiries and requests: [email protected]

Please Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ 

Track Name. Early Morning