Episodes
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The stage show of Indestructible goes in tour in Autumn 2024!
Visit the MOCA North virtual gallery
And listen to Catherine Shaw's curated studio playlist on Spotify.
You can join Proteus Theatre's mailing list to stay up to date on this and other productions.
How do you enter an industry when you can't see yourself represented?
Actor Danny Charles loved being on stage from a young age.
But as a black pupil at a North London state school, a career in theatre seemed an impossible idea. So he set aside his thespian ambitions in favour of what he imagined would be a more likely career.
"I did a three-year apprenticeship, and on day one of my starting my job as an engineer on the Post Office, I thought 'This is hell. I absolutely hate this'. I stayed there for nine years."
It was the start of a long and varied journey to becoming a professional actor and writer, that has seen Danny work in roles from pantomime dames to Macbeth.
Danny also plays gallery curator Christian in Proteus Theatre's stage production, Indestructible.
In a wide-ranging interview with show host Mary Swan, Danny describes what drove him from a life as a telecoms engineer to a career on stage, how he was motivated to become a writer, and the artists he feels he most looks up to - and have most let him down.
Chapters
1:41 Falling in love with being on stage
4:18 The future for working-class actors
7:08 Actors Danny admires
10:05 The persistence of prejudice in theatre
12:11 Writing for stage and print
17:12 Responding to artists how behave badly
22:36 Danny's unsung actor-writer hero
Credits
The podcast Indestructible is a Creative Kin production for Proteus Theatre Company.
Executive Producer & Producer: Jason Caffrey
Mixing and Mastering: Adam Double
Production Music: DEX 1200
Artwork: Y Designs
Links
Indestructible stage show
Moca North Gallery
Proteus Theatre Company
Omnibus Theatre Clapham
Creative Kin
Indestructible podcast mini-site at Creative Kin
Creative Kin client guest book
Remember to rate and review this show! -
The stage show of Indestructible goes in tour in Autumn 2024!
Visit the MOCA North virtual gallery
And listen to Catherine Shaw's curated studio playlist on Spotify.
You can join Proteus Theatre's mailing list to stay up to date on this and other productions.
How does the art world work?
Chloë Sylvestre is a creative producer and project manager in the arts, focussed on public outreach and community engagement.
She works with international institutions, artist studios, local communities and schools to create alternative, challenging and dynamic cultural projects for a globally diverse audience.
"In the art world, in terms of archivists and curators and maybe studio assistants, there are a lot of women. And then in terms of Museum Directors or actual artists... it's certainly more male dominated."
Chloë also advised Proteus Theatre on the roles of gallerists and curators in contemporary art for its stage production, Indestructible.
In this revealing interview with show host Mary Swan, Chloë opens a window onto the demands of working with artists and institutions to make exhibitions a reality, and the cultural bias that sees women and other under-represented artists viewed as second-tier players in the art world.
Timestamps
1:27 Being the 'person who gets things done'
3:22 Juggling strong personalities
6:13 How networking and relationships drive art world success
13:24 Gender, jobs and roles in the art world
14:56 How women are 'othered' by art institutions
18:16 Carrie Mae Weems - an important living artist
Credits
The podcast Indestructible is a Creative Kin production for Proteus Theatre Company.
Executive Producer & Producer: Jason Caffrey
Mixing and Mastering: Adam Double
Production Music: DEX 1200
Artwork: Y Designs
Links
Indestructible stage show
Moca North
Proteus Theatre Company
Omnibus Theatre Clapham
Creative Kin
Indestructible podcast mini-site at Creative Kin
Creative Kin client guest book
Remember to rate and review this show! -
Missing episodes?
-
The stage show of Indestructible goes in tour in Autumn 2024!
Visit the MOCA North virtual gallery
And listen to Catherine Shaw's curated studio playlist on Spotify.
You can join Proteus Theatre's mailing list to stay up to date on this and other productions.
What does in mean to project your imagination?
For talented projection designer Christopher Harrisson it means to literally take the vision in his mind, and project it - onto theatre sets, buildings, or anything where projection design can enhance the story.
"The way that I feel about projection in theatre shows is that it is another performer on stage. It should be thought of as such rather than solving all the problems of the show. If there's an issue with knowing where we are, we can solve that to an extent with the backdrop of a city or a café. But we should be able to do more interesting, exciting things for a scene."
Christopher's work has been sought after by companies from Bristol Theatre Royal to Sony and Selfridges.
He is also the projection designer for Proteus Theatre's stage production, Indestructible.
In this engaging and thought-provoking conversation with show host Mary Swan, Christopher sheds light on his artistic progression into projection design and the transformative impact it has on the theatrical experience.
Timestamps
1:23 Being a multi-disciplinary artist in theatre
4:06 First projection work
6:04 Technical tools and software
10:18 The impact of AI on projection and set design
17:17 The work and influence of Paula Rego
Credits
The podcast Indestructible is a Creative Kin production for Proteus Theatre Company.
Executive Producer & Producer: Jason Caffrey
Mixing and Mastering: Adam Double
Production Music: DEX 1200
Artwork: Y Designs
Links
Indestructible stage show
Moca North
Proteus Theatre Company
Omnibus Theatre Clapham
Creative Kin
Indestructible podcast mini-site at Creative Kin
Creative Kin client guest book
Remember to rate and review this show! -
The stage show of Indestructible goes in tour in Autumn 2024!
Visit the MOCA North virtual gallery
And listen to Catherine Shaw's curated studio playlist on Spotify.
You can join Proteus Theatre's mailing list to stay up to date on this and other productions.
If your audience is online, shouldn't your theatre show be online too?
In a post-pandemic world where creators and collaborators of all kinds have been forced to revisit how they make and present work, what does it mean to bring an audience together in a virtual space?
Paula Varjack is a multi-disciplinary creative whose work is firmly rooted in performance art. Her work includes stage productions in theatre settings - including the Barbican and Battersea Arts Centre - as well as shows specifically designed to be enjoyed online.
"I, Melania was a show that.. fully took place on social media and began and ended on a platform called Gather, where you arrived as an avatar and saw the audience before the show began. And then you could come back to that space to have a post-show conversation as your avatar."
Paula is also the dramaturg and digital artist for Proteus Theatre's stage production, Indestructible.
In this compelling deep-dive into the motivations and mindset of an outstanding performance artist, Paula discusses her work, her career, and the artists who have inspired her with show-host Mary Swan.
Timestamps
1:25 Digital culture, popular culture and theatre
4:33 The draw of solo theatre
5:47 Training as a theatre technician
7:17 Pandemic productions - I, Melania and The Baby Question
13:40 Moca North - building a fictional gallery website
18:30 The joy and pain of Woody Allen
23:13 The experience of being marginalised
Credits
The podcast Indestructible is a Creative Kin production for Proteus Theatre Company.
Executive Producer & Producer: Jason Caffrey
Mixing and Mastering: Adam Double
Production Music: DEX 1200
Artwork: Y Designs
Links
Indestructible stage show
Moca North
Proteus Theatre Company
Omnibus Theatre Clapham
Creative Kin
Indestructible podcast mini-site at Creative Kin
Creative Kin client guest book
Remember to rate and review this show! -
The stage show of Indestructible goes in tour in Autumn 2024!
Visit the MOCA North virtual gallery
And listen to Catherine Shaw's curated studio playlist on Spotify.
You can join Proteus Theatre's mailing list to stay up to date on this and other productions.
When the audience's attention is fixed on the lead actor, the costumes and set can seem unimportant. But they are crucial elements in building a convincing narrative and drawing the audience into the story.
Sam Pine is a designer with more than two decades of experience working in theatre. Her credits include TV documentary series American Experience and Edgar Wright feature film A Fistful of Fingers.
"He put on this crazy spaghetti western thing and I designed costumes for it... It was great. He's a really nice chap, Edgar. It was a privilege to work with him when he was a young, inspiring director."
Sam is also the set and costume designer for Proteus Theatre's stage production, Indestructible.
In this wide-ranging exploration of the career of a designer in the theatre and film industries, Sam tells host Mary Swan about how her career began, the varied directions it has taken, and what she believes are the key elements of a successful working life as a designer.
Timestamps
0:57 An early love of fashion and design
3:19 Landing your first gig
6:07 Working on Edgar Wright's first feature film
9:25 Designing for safety and comfort
10:11 Coping when things go wrong
14:10 Designing for community projects
18:02 The importance of confidence, determination and resilience.
Credits
The podcast Indestructible is a Creative Kin production for Proteus Theatre Company.
Executive Producer & Producer: Jason Caffrey
Mixing and Mastering: Adam Double
Production Music: DEX 1200
Artwork: Y Designs
Links
Indestructible stage show
Moca North
Proteus Theatre Company
Omnibus Theatre Clapham
Creative Kin
Indestructible podcast mini-site at Creative Kin
Creative Kin client guest book
Remember to rate and review this show! -
The stage show of Indestructible goes in tour in Autumn 2024!
Visit the MOCA North virtual gallery
And listen to Catherine Shaw's curated studio playlist on Spotify.
You can join Proteus Theatre's mailing list to stay up to date on this and other productions.
How do we respond to much-loved works of art when the behaviour of the artist comes into question? And can we truly enjoy artworks by people who have committed crimes or been abusive to colleagues and family members?
"I have a friend who has a Rolf Harris painting... It's a really great painting, and they bought it as an investment.. And then it all came out about his past and the imprisonment and stuff, and she's like, 'Well, what do we do with it now?'"
Where do we draw the line between the art and the artist? And do we do a dis-service to the other creatives who collaborate on music and film projects by rejecting the work?
"If you think about modern celebrities... no publicity is bad publicity. Where do you draw the line? Because there would be a lot of building those brands. The behaviour is notorious... and that can make someone really exciting."
In this deep-dive discussion playwright and director Mary Swan hosts an important and often surprising inquiry into how we respond when culture and morality collide.
Mary's guests for this episode are
Mary Rose, who has performed on Broadway alongside Kristin Scott Thomas in a Royal Court production of The Seagull, as well as an acclaimed one-woman show, 12.10.15 at the Edinburgh Festival.
Mary plays artist Catherine Shaw in Proteus Theatre's stage production, Indestructible.
Paul Huntley-Thomas appears in the Disney+ Marvel mini-series Secret Invasion and the 2DF Studios feature Lost Women Spies.
Paul plays art collector Robin in Proteus Theatre's stage production, Indestructible.
Saul Jaffe is an actor, dramaturg and creative consultant. He has worked for Shakespeare's Globe and performed at the National Theatre, as well as his one-man show Merrick, The Elephant Man, which appeared in the Brits Off Broadway festival in 2009.
Saul is the dramaturg for Proteus Theatre's stage production, Indestructible.
Timestamps
1:52 The challenge of enjoying Woody Allen's movies
3:19 Re-assessing the music of Michael Jackson
4:27 Navigating the fog of cases like Johnny Depp
4:57 Pablo Picasso's relationships with women
7:03 Owning a Rolf Harris painting
9:03 Roald Dahl's language and anti-semitism
15:28 Feeding the PR machine with bad behaviour
17:37 Female artists who deserve more exposure
Credits
The podcast Indestructible is a Creative Kin production for Proteus Theatre Company.
Executive Producer & Producer: Jason Caffrey
Mixing and Mastering: Adam Double
Production Music: DEX 1200
Artwork: Y Designs
Links
Indestructible stage show
Moca North
Proteus Theatre Company
Omnibus Theatre Clapham
Creative Kin
Indestructible podcast mini-site at Creative Kin
Creative Kin client guest book
Remember to rate and review this show! -
The stage show of Indestructible goes in tour in Autumn 2024!
Visit the MOCA North virtual gallery
And listen to Catherine Shaw's curated studio playlist on Spotify.
You can join Proteus Theatre's mailing list to stay up to date on this and other productions.
What is it like for an actor waiting in the wings in the moments before they go on stage? What has their journey been to arrive at that point, in full costume and make-up? And what motivates them to overcome their anxieties before stepping out in front of an audience?
"I've always had this thing five minutes beforehand - I don't want to go on. It says start at 7.30... at 7.35 I'm hating everyone. I'm like, 'I don't want to do this. I don't have to be here. I've got other things to do'. It's five minutes of absolute fear."
For some actors, Hollywood stardom beckons. But for many, success in the industry looks very different.
Outside of coveted castings in illustrious Marvel series or Broadway productions, thousands of actors will apply their craft in village halls and local theatres, as well as commercial gigs such as role plays for professional training.
"When you've got a full house (at) the Royal Albert Hall clapping and cheering... you think 'this is incredible'. But again... I love doing the village halls. Some of my best memories of doing the village halls was the impact that you make on communities."
In this revealing discussion ranging from things going wrong in front of a live audience, to the importance of tight teamwork with backstage colleagues, playwright and director Mary Swan hosts an entertaining and insightful exploration of the work/life realities for modern actors.
Mary's guests for this episode are
Mary Rose, who has performed on Broadway alongside Kristin Scott Thomas in a Royal Court production of The Seagull, as well as an acclaimed one-woman show, 12.10.15 at the Edinburgh Festival.
Mary plays artist Catherine Shaw in Proteus Theatre's stage production, Indestructible.
Paul Huntley-Thomas appears in the Disney+ Marvel mini-series Secret Invasion and the 2DF Studios feature Lost Women Spies.
Paul plays art collector Robin in Proteus Theatre's stage production, Indestructible.
Saul Jaffe is an actor, dramaturg and creative consultant. He has worked for Shakespeare's Globe and performed at the National Theatre, as well as his one-man show Merrick, The Elephant Man, which appeared in the Brits Off Broadway festival in 2009.
Saul is the dramaturg for Proteus Theatre's stage production, Indestructible.
Timestamps
2:20 Early career building in theatre
5:38 Working on village hall productions
7:03 Comparing big budget work to community theatre
10:47 Training at The Poor School
12:51 Chemistry with the audience
14:11 Performing in a one-person show
17:34 Working with the backstage team
19:50 When things go wrong on stage
25:07 The value of non-acting skills
Credits
The podcast Indestructible is a Creative Kin production for Proteus Theatre Company.
Executive Producer & Producer: Jason Caffrey
Mixing and Mastering: Adam Double
Production Music: DEX 1200
Artwork: Y Designs
Links
Indestructible stage show
Moca North
Proteus Theatre Company
Omnibus Theatre Clapham
Creative Kin
Indestructible podcast mini-site at Creative Kin
Creative Kin client guest book
Remember to rate and review this show!
