It's the ultimate rockin’ reawakening of 'Sleeping Beauty' as Ipswich’s award-winning ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll’ Pantomime storms the stage! This year’s panto is a dazzling explosion of live rock and pop, including some of your favourite songs from Guns 'N' Roses, The Human League, Imagine Dragons, Beyoncé, The Monkees and much more! In this episode we introd…

If you've ever felt like you could write novels, poetry, comedy and more - then this podcast episode will inspire you to get your pen to paper! Wolsey Writers is an independent creative writing group which meets at the New Wolsey Theatre on the first Saturday morning of the month. Their community includes novelists, scriptwriters, poets, storytelle…

Equity and equality for all! Philip Carter Goodyear, Social Justice Lead and Head of Suffolk Family Support at Ipswich Job Centre talks to Tony Casement, Head of Creative Communities at The New Wolsey Theatre. Philip talks about his belief and mission to re-engage families and individuals, who feel isolated through unemployment, with the community.…

Martha Loader is simply an awesome person! We talk to her about her love of writing and the steps she has taken to get to an award-winning playwright. Martha also talks about her brilliant play, Bindweed - soon to be on the stage at the New Wolsey Theatre and the Colchester Mercury. Bindweed is written by Martha Loader, as part of the Mercury Playw…

In this podcast episode we talk to James Yarker, Artistic Director at Stan's Café about their fantastic new play, full of live music and wit - 'Community Service'. James talks about the inception of Stan's Café, now in its 34th year of making theatre and explains the concept of devising theatre and how it differs from traditional theatre. He also t…

We rewind to the best bits from The Young Company (Youth Theatre Seniors) at the New Wolsey Theatre and listen to them talk about the phenomenally positive impact it has had on their lives and the change it has made to their outlook and confidence. Tony Casement, Head of Creative Communities starts with an overview of the Youth Theatre followed by …

In this podcast episode we chat with Jack Parker (Marketing Officer at the New Wolsey Theatre) who has driven this wonderful campaign from an idea to a reality. He explains, that with the help of our audiences and anyone who would like to get involved, that we’re aiming to give 800 free tickets to children and adults who may otherwise not be able t…

Tony Casement (Head of Creative Communities at The New Wolsey Theatre) chats to Stephen Skeet – Head of Business Development and Impact for the social action charity Volunteering Matters Stephen talks about his approach to working with young people and local communities. and about his life long relationship with the New Wolsey Theatre, as well as t…

We are backstage with the cast and find out a lot more about this year’s eagerly awaited Rock ‘N’ Roll Panto – Dick Whittington and his Cat. Featuring all of the cast - we chat about their hilarious characters, as well as what they love about this year’s panto . . AND, we get the inside scoop on some of the songs they’ll be playing live on stage! T…

Vikki Stone, British award-winning comedian, actor and musician, joins us to chat about how she wrote the New Wolsey Theatre's 2023/24 Rock 'n' Roll panto, Dick Whittington and his Cat! Vikki talks about the form of panto, including the beats and the joy of mixing tradition with contemporary. She also gives us an insight into how she prepares befor…

In this episode we get up close to the brilliant cast and director of a New Wolsey Theatre stage production of 'The Red Lion', written by Patrick Marber We explore deep into the story of 'The Red Lion', the characters and their relationship with one another, and the intense dynamism that's building between them on stage. As professional actors they…

In this podcast episode we talk to Tony Casement, Head of Creative Communities and some of our brilliant young people from the Senior Youth Theatre - Kaycee Totten, Victoria Zietek, Leo Maynard, Jace Palmer, Fin Adams. Charlotte Cathcart and Joe Hullis. The young company talk about why they first joined the youth theatre and what it means to them p…

"Possibly one of the most important untold stories in history!" West End Best Friend Five star hit show 'Family Tree' was written by actor, playwright, director and producer Mojisola Adebayo and directed by theatre-maker and Olivier Award winner Matthew Xia (Actors Touring Company Theatre). Actors Keziah Joseph and Mofetoluwa Akande give us a deep …

In this podcast episode David talks to Ellis Northrop and Lucy Mellamphy (Relationship Team at NWT) about why having a membership with the New Wolsey Theatre is so important to him. David talks about his favourite moments, why he supports the theatre and what being a Director Circle member means to him personally. Listen to David talk about his pas…

In this podcast episode we talk to British poet Luke Wright all about his show, The Remains of Logan Dankworth, which finally plays with us at the New Wolsey Theatre at the end of May, having been unfortunately postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic! We chat about the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (including his dread of flyering!), and how this politic…

We're joined by Robert Hazle (Cultural Development Officer) and Ella Radley (Digital Marketing Officer) from The Noël Coward Foundation to chat about Coward and one of the best British Films ever made in the history of the big screen - Brief Encounter We start with the world of Coward glimpsing at his life and work. Robert and Ella are full of fasc…

Paulus, AKA The Cabaret Geek joins us for a chat about his fabulous new show - Looking For Me Friend. The show, with 5 star reviews, is dedicated to legendary Victoria Wood with more than 20 of her songs from her incredible repertoire. Paulus talks about his life long adoration for Vic, as he calls her. He never met her, although nearly did, and - …

In this podcast episode we plunge into the literary world of PG Wodehouse with well-known actor, Robert Daws. Robert appeared in the TV series of Jeeves and Wooster as Tuppy Glossop and played Dr. Gordon Ormerod in the long-running ITV drama series The Royal– to name just two from a long, successful and highly acclaimed career. Robert is an expert …

In this episode we managed to grab the hilarious Dave Hearn for a chat during rehearsals for The Time Machine! We speak about his beginnings in comedy, specifically learning about improvisation, and of course about the world-famous theatre company he co-founded, Mischief Theatre, who are known for shows like The Play that Goes Wrong (West End/Broad…

Douglas Rintoul talks about the black comedy with a dark heart - DNA (written by Dennis Kelly) - or as The Guardian quotes "sharp shocker of a play cleverly piles on the twists, as guilt and madness work their poison on group dynamics". Listen to Doug's fascinating views on this explosive play and how he is about to create a gripping show which hit…

It's episode 24 of the New Wolsey Theatre Podcast and this time, we sit down and chat with different members of staff from all across the theatre about some of their standout moments of 2022! We speak to people from various different teams, including Marketing, Relationships, Technical, Café & Bar and many more! From specific one-nighters to our th…

In this episode, six of our lovely Goldilocks and the Three Bears cast came back to have another chat with us!! We caught up with them in the middle of a double show day to find out how the show has been going so far, some secrets from backstage, and their favourite things about being in a panto! We've got more (dreadful) Christmas cracker jokes to…

In this podcast episode we talk to the incredible cast of Goldilocks and the Three Bears as well as sneaking in a quick chat with writer and director Pete Rowe! The cast give us a little insight into who they are and the characters they're playing, as well as how rehearsals have been going! We caught them at the very start of tech week as they begu…

In this podcast episode we talk to Michèle Taylor MBE, Director for Change from Ramps on the Moon, about accessibility, inclusion, and elevating the presence of deaf and disabled people within the centre of the work in theatres. Whether it's backstage, on-stage or front of house, Michèle talks about the theatre industry still having a long way to g…

In this podcast episode we talk to the wonderful director Samir Bhamra as well as Nisha Aaliya, Pia Sutaria, Rav Moore and Robby Khela. . all part of a big and wonderful cast in Bombay Superstar! It's the beginning of their incredible journey and they are already having the best fun! Find out about the roles they play, what they love about the show…

Getting to know Douglas Rintoul is easy! Listen to this fabulous candid podcast episode of us chatting with him about his life, career, his passions and his plans as the new leader of the New Wolsey Theatre. Doug will be back soon with news of our Spring and Summer shows as well as a look at some his incredible achievements over the past 6 months. …

In episode 18 of the New Wolsey Theatre Podcast, we caught the brilliant director and cast of touring show The Lies You Tell on their lunch break for a quick chat about who they are, what the show is about, and the impact of taking theatre into schools! This is a brand-new, joyful, music-filled play by award-winning writer Yolanda Mercy, commission…

In this episode, we chat to Brighton-based singer-songwriter Aimee Iris about her latest single ('Dancing on Tables'), her background in performing, and where she's been singing throughout the summer! We talk about her family connections in Ipswich and her connections to the New Wolsey Youth Theatre, as well as why she's now based in Brighton, and …

A truly joyous podcast episode! It's us again from the New Wolsey Theatre Podcast, as we get all the latest from rehearsals with three of our amazing Kinky Boots cast members, Keanu Adolphus Johnson (he/him), playing Lola, Aruhan Galieva (she/her), playing Lauren, and Matt Corner (he/him), playing Charlie! We chat about how rehearsals have been goi…

In episode 15 of the New Wolsey Theatre Podcast, we talk to the multi-talented Tim Jackson - artistic director of our upcoming show Kinky Boots ! We chat about his path to becoming a director, with stories of initially being an actor, working for free, a great deal of fringe theatre and taking guidance from Doug Rintoul - Chief Executive of the New…

In this episode of the New Wolsey Theatre Podcast, award-winning Set & Costume Designer Cleo Pettitt tells us all about her role, how she got into the industry and a little about our upcoming pantomime, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, which she's working on! We chat about her global travels, how it's vital for her role to work closely with other de…

Wardrobe Supervisor Margaret Lock chats to us about everything she does within her role, in a side of theatre you don't hear so much about! We talk about how her career started, and how it's grown over the years, but also about how there are some people from the very start who she still works with now. She speaks about the whole process of creating…

The New Wolsey's outgoing Artistic Director Peter Rowe sat down with us to reflect on an incredible 22 years with us! Pete leads us through how his career began, and how his early work inspired some of the unforgettable work created at our theatre, including the rise of actor-musician shows, as well as the birth of our famous rock 'n' roll pantomim…

Heidi Bernhard-Bubb from Ormiston Sudbury Academy chats to us all about the the upcoming 'Playmaking Festival' in which many schools will come together to put on a production of Much Ado About Nothing! We spoke about what the Playmaking Festival is and what her role is within the Royal Shakespeare Company's schools programme, and how this year's sh…

Bridie Horne from the Children's Theatre Company (CTC) chats to us about their brilliant company, CTC, and reveals all about the upcoming show at the New Wolsey, The Sound of Music! We chat about the make-up of the company - the four different areas ranging from a part-time academy to full-time foundation course to prepare students for the next ste…

In this episode, Owen Berry from the Ipswich Operatic and Dramatic Society (IODS) talks to us about their latest show, Sweeney Todd, which is coming to the New Wolsey from 29th June to 2nd July! He chats to us about how the show and how it came about, how they navigated their way through COVID and are almost ready for the stage a few years later th…

In this episode, Tony Casement, Head of Creative Communities at the New Wolsey Theatre, chats to us about Writers' Week! From Monday 20th to Saturday 25th June is 'Writers' Week,' a programme of events celebrating new ideas, new inspirations and new creative writing. Events are ticketed, with most of them free of charge. There will also be the oppo…

In this episode we talk to Pete Hazelwood and Jake Barinov about livestreaming, the huge amount of hard work they put into making Jack and the Beanstalk - an incredible experience not only in the auditorium but for people watching at home too - and how it feels to have played such a big part in our recent Best Digital Pantomime Award win at this ye…

In this episode we sit down with our outgoing Chief Executive, Sarah Holmes, to chat about her incredible 22 years in charge at the New Wolsey Theatre. Sarah chats about why she's made the decision to leave now, after steering the theatre through the pandemic, as well as talking a little bit about Doug Rintoul, the incoming Chief Executive, how she…

In this episode, Mr P, Head of Production & Facilities at the New Wolsey Theatre, talks to us about his job and what he, and his team, do here at The New Wolsey! He gives us an insight into how he first started working in the theatre industry, including a very interesting story about something from his first ever theatre. Mr P talks about navigatin…

In this episode, Tony Casement, Head of Creative Communities and Sally Jones, Theatre Manager chat to us about Party Week taking place from 25th May - 31st May at the New Wolsey Theatre. Celebrations begin on Wednesday 25th May with live music from Rush - A Joyous Jamaican Journey which is a hugely entertaining and informative show, taking us throu…

Hold onto your hats - or all 31 of them actually! Yes - there are 31 characters in this outrageously funny show and all of them played by the sensational trio: actor-musicians James Mack, Hayden Wood and Josie Dunn. Hosts, Katharine and Jack, dig deep behind the scenes of the 'Burke & Hare' rehearsals to find out more about the show, the characters…

This podcast episode is all about Creative Communities at the New Wolsey Theatre, a place where everyone is given the opportunity to participate in, engage with, and discover the arts, and even potentially learn the best ways to make their passion in the arts a career. We chat to Head of Creative Communities, Tony Casement, and Creative Communities…

Welcome back to the New Wolsey Theatre podcast - Season 2 - Episode 1! In this brand-new season we take you right into the heart of our theatre - on stage, backstage, front of house and everywhere in between! This episode is all about The Birds and the Bees - a hilarious romantic comedy play, set in the heart of the Norfolk countryside. We talk to …

Why are we Brits bonkers about pantomime? And what do they make of this Christmas tradition over in the U.S? In this podcast episode, Sue talks to The New York Times journalist Alexis Soloski about Christmas theatre traditions, catching Wagon Wheels and extremely rude jokes. Sue also speaks to actor Steve Simmonds to get a Dame’s-eye view of panto …

In this, the second part of our look at access and inclusion in the UK theatre industry, Sue talks to two inspirational people whose work is making access and inclusion a reality, and about their experience of being involved in the production of Oliver Twist. Amy Leach is Associate Director at Leeds Playhouse. Amy grew up in Darwen, Lancashire and …

In this episode we talk to two female powerhouses in the UK theatre and disability landscape. Sarah Holmes is Chief Executive of the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich. As Sarah prepares to hand over the baton to a new Chief Executive after nearly 21 years at the helm, we talk about the responsibilities of theatre leaders in making change – so that thea…

In this feel-good podcast episode we talk about the power of laughter. Charlie Chaplin once said: ‘ A good laugh is a mighty good thing, a rather too scarce a good thing.’ Following a year when laughter might have been scarce for many, Theatre Unwrapped explores the transformational effects of laughter, from its origins in early humans to the ways …

Who is Doctor Theatre and how does this mysterious medic seem to cure practically anything inside a theatre? Does Doctor Theatre really exist and what does he or she actually do? In this first episode of the Theatre Unwrapped podcast, Sue Lawther-Brown is joined in Dressing Room 3 at the New Wolsey Theatre with guests, actor Rob Jarvis and Dr. Raj …

How do you reopen a closed theatre? How much money and effort does it really take and what sort of experience do you need to re-open a dark theatre? What does a closed theatre look like and smell like? Who looks after closed theatres and how do they get a second chance to open their doors again? In this podcast episode Sue Lawther-Brown from the Ne…