My Night With Reg

This episode delves into the world of Willy Russell's modern classic, Educating Rita. We talk to actress Vicky Youster about her theatrical life, theatrical loves and the times when she's 'died' on stage. 

Vicky is playing Rita in the Crescent Theatre Birmingham's production of Educating Rita and she also tells us all about rehearsals, the challenges of taking on such an iconic role, and how to master the Liverpool accent.

Laura takes a delve into the Crescent Theatre's archives to find out more about previous productions of the show.

Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre, and features an amateur theatre-maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve ‘died’ on stage. 

This episode focuses on the Crescent’s upcoming pair of productions, 'House' and 'Garden', both by Alan Ayckbourn. Luke Plimmer is borrowing our backstage pass this month to learn more. He’ll be talking to the Stage Manager for 'Garden', Suzie King, and to Jordan Starks-Browning, who is working on Props for both 'House' and 'Garden'. Our studio guest is Naomi Jacobs, who is the Production  Assistant on 'Garden'.  Naomi also tells us about her life and loves in amateur theatre.

This episode we’re celebrating the past, exploring the present, and looking ahead to the future of amateur theatre.

Chairman of the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Kevin Middleton tells us about his theatrical life and theatrical loves, as well as  discussing the governance of an amateur theatre, and the role of the board. We also chat to one of the Crescent Theatre’s longest-standing members, set-builder and former stage manager, Phil Parsons, about his memories and experiences over more than 50 years with the company.

Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre, and features an amateur theatre maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve ‘died’ on stage. 

This episode focuses on the Crescent’s upcoming production of Othello.

Our backstage pass holder, John O'Neill, will be exploring the iconic Props department with the Production Assistants for Othello, Steve Davis and Jess Shannon.

Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre, and features an amateur theatre maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve ‘died’ on stage. 

This episode focuses on the work of a giant of modern British theatre, Harold Pinter. We will be talking to Graeme Braidwood, who is directing the Crescent Theatre Birmingham’s upcoming production of two one act Pinter plays, A Kind of Alaska and Ashes to Ashes, about his life and loves in theatre.

And we’ll be delving into the archives to find out a bit more about the Crescent Theatre’s history of producing Pinter’s work.

Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre, and features an amateur theatre maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve ‘died’ on stage.

This episode focuses on the history of the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, which is celebrating a big birthday this season. We’ve been talking to Clare Crosland, the Crescent’s Head of Archives, about the rewards and challenges of archiving a hundred years of amateur theatre history.  And we delve into the archives to find out a bit more about the history of the Crescent Theatre Company and about past productions of the two classic shows that open its centenary season this month; Blithe Spirit and Pride and Prejudice.

Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre and features an amateur theatre maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve ‘died’ on stage. 

This episode focuses on Kevin Elyot’s 1990s masterpiece, My Night with Reg. Liz talks to David Baldwin about his life and loves in amateur theatre, and about My Night with Reg, which David is appearing in.

Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre and features an amateur theatre maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve died on stage. Our Backstage Pass feature takes us behind the scenes at The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham to discover more about what goes into making a great amateur production.

This episode explores Florian Zeller’s modern masterpiece The Father. Our studio guest is director and actor Mark Thompson, who is directing the Crescent Theatre’s forthcoming production of The Father. Mark tells us about his life and loves in amateur theatre and about how he has approached directing The Father.

Our Backstage Pass Holder, John O’Neill, has been behind the scenes of the Box Office, a crucial department of any theatre, to find out more about how the box office supports and enhances the work of a busy amateur theatre venue.

Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre and features an amateur theatre maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve died on stage. Our Backstage Pass Feature takes us behind the scenes at The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham to discover more about what goes into making a great amateur production.

This episode is all about the work of the late composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim and we will be talking to Musical Director and long-standing member of the Crescent Theatre, Gary Spruce, about his life and loves in amateur theatre.