The King of Scotland is one of those plays that stays with you for a long time and for me it's personal.  I found the king of Scotland at the library at RWCMD in Cardiff while I was training to be an actor and now it's great to say that the Grey Hill has created a version for you to enjoy.  Enjoy this episode as I sit and talk to Iain Heggie and chat about the production.  And click here for more information from our website King of Scotland is an award-winning, dark comedy and a free adaptation of Gogol's A Diary of a Madman. Long-term unemployed Tommy McMillan joins a government-funded retraining scheme,  "Up the Ladder". Cited as a shining example of the government's employment policies and chosen for a media profile, Tommy is taken on by the Department of Upward Mobility. The department gets more than they bargained for, however, when they discover just how far up the ladder  Tommy is expecting to go. Featuring trouserless bankers, talking dogs, flying taxis, and a razor-sharp parody of the workings of politics, King of Scotland is an outrageous Fringe First-winning monologue. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/barry-robertson/message

Barry Robertson's Insights

King of Scotland an interview with Iain Heggie

Catriona has never been in a play; she doesn't like reading Shakespeare outside of English class and she certainly never thought she would end up playing Juliet opposite Jeb' Romeo. Jeb has always loved theatre and is determined to give the performance of his life to be able to turn his passion into his work. The upcoming performance of Romeo and Juliet will have them both question what they want their future to look like and what is important in life.    Sarah said ‘Without the Script Writing Competition, I probably never would have gotten into writing any play (least of all in the finals) so I  am incredibly thankful that not only I get to have people read it but to get the chance to work together with actors to bring it to life. This competition has shown me how beautiful writing can be and the possibility to be able to be called a published playwright will most definitely inspire me to keep writing! Through this play, I hope I can show the world that theatre is not only about showing emotions on stage,  but also off stage. Acting is an incredibly demanding art because it requires bravery and sacrifice to get to the top and I want readers to understand the beauty of theatre and the performing arts.  Performed by Talisha Leonce, Lucy Black and Kelvin Taylor  If you enjoyed this production, click the link to vote for it as your  favourite: https://www.thegreyhill.com/scriptcomp --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/barry-robertson/message

Star Crossed by Sarah Hauck

A wolf’s howl signals that things have changed in the Scottish  Highlands. 10 years post-pandemic a widow and her daughter enjoy the safety and normality of their small family farm. Safe. It has always been that way, but beyond rural serenity, the world is in flux and what was once safe becomes a beacon for danger.     Jane said ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed and learned so much from being part of the Grey Hill UHI scriptwriting competition. I hope this short play entertains you, perhaps on your commute to work, perhaps as you feed the sheep or write an essay for uni. Wherever you find yourself I hope that playing with the concepts of rural and urban in your mind will distract and entertain you, for a little while, from our slow trudge out of lockdown towards a new normal.    Performed by Lucy Hogarth, Lucy Allcock and Kelvin Taylor  If you enjoyed this production, click the link to vote for it as your  favourite: https://www.thegreyhill.com/scriptcomp Production starts at appox 6min 36 secs --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/barry-robertson/message

Wolves by Jane Bury

Content Warning - Explicit Language: The following video contains language which may be offensive to some viewers and or / inappropriate for children.  Becky has not long been living in her flat and has not had much time to get to know her neighbours. One night she is out the back waiting for her new dog to do its business when she runs into her neighbour Sam.  Their conversation takes a Beckettian turn when talking shite turns serious: the near-strangers get into some heavy topics, in amongst plenty of bad toilet puns to keep things light.   Issey said ‘This competition has given me an opportunity to test the waters as I hadn't given much thought to writing plays before - I'd been focusing on poetry. I have realised that besides this opportunity to showcase my work, I have been given a platform to vocalise important issues to me. Throughout the process, I have discovered that there is something totally different from writing a short story or a poem to the process of writing a script and handing it over to the actors for them to animate. The characters that you sketch out are made complete by the voice actors. I really enjoyed the collaborative aspect: letting someone else voice my words. I hope people can find something they identify with within this play - in whatever sense - and enjoy the company of two new voices nattering at you down the earbuds!  Performed by Lucy Hogarth and Kelvin Taylor If you enjoyed this production, click the link to vote for it as your favourite: https://www.thegreyhill.com/scriptcomp Production starts at appox 4min 22 secs --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/barry-robertson/message

Waiting for Duggo By Issy Thompson (Content Warning - Explicit Language)

Set in Buffalo 1885. What does a dislocated elbow, a fainting assistant,  and a trusty camera have in common? The answer is Henrietta Pemberton, a  determined woman in a male preserve.  Emily Said, ‘The competition has been a really great opportunity for new writers, such as myself, as it has allowed us to showcase our work to industry professionals and a  wider public audience. Personally, this is the first writing competition  I have entered, and the process and feedback on my writing has provided an amazing experience. It has really helped to boost my confidence in sharing my writing and trusting in it. I never thought I would reach the final, but I’m so happy (and stunned!) that I did, and I look forward to the outcome of the competition and what comes next!  I hope the public enjoy my writing as they learn about an unusual and  extraordinary practice by photographers in the past. The humour in the  piece is meant to show the practice in a light-spirited way, to help  deal with what is a sad situation.”  Performed by Jill Connor  If you enjoyed this production, click the link to vote for it as your  favourite: https://www.thegreyhill.com/scriptcomp Production starts at appox 8min 32 secs --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/barry-robertson/message

Memento Mori by Emily Newbold (D Dwyer)

‘We are the only Love Gods’.  Is a story that follows two young people as they navigate the confines of romantic love insecurity and miscommunication.  Slowly it becomes clear that love is a much more complicated entity than either of them imagined. Gracie said ‘I hope that this competition serves as proof that the global pandemic has not put a stop to creativity from our young people. Writers and actors alike  have worked hard in very unnatural conditions to bring this work to the  wider public and I hope that it makes them laugh, or cry, or feel  slightly less alone.'  Performed by Lauren Allcock and Kelvin Taylor  If you enjoyed this production, click the link to vote for it as your favourite: https://www.thegreyhill.com/scriptcomp Production starts around 06min 30 sec --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/barry-robertson/message

We are the only love gods by Gracie Shearer

Hello and welcome to another insights podcast with me Barry Robertson. Over the last year, the grey hill has been working in partnership with the university of highlands and islands on a scriptwriting competition and I am excited to let you hear our finalists from the university. Our next 5 podcasts will feature new Scottish writing from 5 playwrights; Gracie Shearer, Emily Newbold, Issey Thompson, Jane Bury And Sarah Hauck with performances from Talisha Leonce, Lucy Hogarth, Lauren Allcock, Lucy Black, Jill Connor and Kelvin Taylor. In addition to the podcasts, you can watch the actor readings via our website thegreyhill.com/scriptcomp. Each podcast includes an interview at the beginning and followed by the reading. Now onto the exciting stuff. The Winner of the competition will be published by the grey hill, and listeners The grey hill will publish the Winner of the competitionget a free vote to tell us who you wish to win the competition. The competition goes live on the 3rd of May with votes closing on the 17th of May and the winner announced on the 24th of May. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/barry-robertson/message

The Grey Hill Script Writing Competition

In this episode, I talk to the Sarah Rose Graber, Brent Whitted and playwright Mike Tibbetts who are the creative team behind The Grey Hill's production of Mrs G. So far Mrs G has been the organisations biggest seller with audience reviews of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Great story in 30 mins - you won't know who's side you are on and will continue to debate internally for hours' Mrs G tells the story of the man and Mrs G and over the course of the play, Mrs G sets about clearing up the mans flat and does her best in cleaning up his life too.  Mrs G is available to listen to as an audiobook. it's also available in paperback and ebook format and live performance rights are available via The Grey Hill website. - Enjoy the episode! If you are a Spotify user check out our exclusive interview with Mike Tibbetts and hear some of his favourite songs! Links: Purchase Mrs G Internationally: Amazon UK Audible iTunes  Follow The Grey Hill via Social Media: Twitter Linkedin Instagram Facebook Follow Barry Robertson Twitter Made in Scotland with ❤ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/barry-robertson/message

Mrs G Interview

We continue our interview with John and Lucy who voice Dougie and Jessie for Bob Davidsons 'Subcontract' and talk to Bob Davidson on his own insights into writing the play. Look out for Bob Davidsons 'Insights' and listen to Bob's favourite songs via our exclusive episode via Spotify Subcontract is available to listen to as an audiobook. it's also available in paperback and ebook format and live performance rights are available via The Grey Hill website. - Enjoy the episode! Links: Purchase subcontract: Amazon UK Audible iTunes Amazon USA Follow The Grey Hill via Social Media: Twitter Linkedin Instagram Facebook Follow Barry Robertson Twitter Instagram Made in Scotland with ❤ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/barry-robertson/message

Subcontract Part 2

Today is an exciting day as I begin to sit down and talk to some of the actors and creatives since beginning The Grey Hill in what was the first production that I cast, edited and directed.  Catching up with John and Lucy who voice Dougie and Jessie for Bob Davidsons 'Subcontract' was great to relive our time together, reflect and enjoy the finished work. This episode which is part one of two, talking to John and Lucy about the audio theatre production, the characters, the grey hill and many many more. Subcontract is available to listen to as an audiobook. it's also available in paperback and ebook format and live performance rights are available via The Grey Hill website. - Enjoy the episode! Links: Purchase subcontract: Amazon UK Audible iTunes Amazon USA Follow The Grey Hill via Social Media: Twitter Linkedin Instagram Facebook Follow Barry Robertson Twitter Instagram Made in Scotland with ❤ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/barry-robertson/message

Subcontract Interview

Today's episode is our last in the trial 14 episodes.  Today I reflect back on the past 14 news what I think we face in the industry and how we as consumers have changed, will we want to go back to theatre?  How was this 14-day trial podcast?  Did you enjoy it?  If so let me know @bazrobertzon on twitter all comments welcome --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/barry-robertson/message

The News 14 - Last one

Our second last Theatre News bonus content in both video and podcast format. In today's update, I talk about all things theatre news: 1. Popcorn theatre prize winner 2. Sam Mendes 3. Theatr Clwyd I would love to hear your thoughts via twitter! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/barry-robertson/message

Theatre News 13

Trialling for the next 14 days a new podcast of theatre news in both video and podcast format. In today's update, I talk about all things theatre news: 1. What's on in outside Theatre in the UK 2. Lion King returns 2021 3. National Theatre returns  I would love to hear your thoughts via twitter! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/barry-robertson/message

Theatre News 11

Trialling for the next 14 days a new podcast of theatre news in both video and podcast format. In today's update, I talk about all things theatre news: 1. Broadway Update 2. ATG workers dispute 3. Scottish Venues funding I would love to hear your thoughts via twitter! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/barry-robertson/message

Theatre news 11

Trialling for the next 14 days a new podcast of theatre news in both video and podcast format. In today's update, I talk about all things theatre news: 1. Oxford Playhouse 2. Theatre worst to suffer business than all other industries 3. National Theatre arts workers protests I would love to hear your thoughts via twitter! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/barry-robertson/message

Theatre News 10

As a founder of cultural social enterprise, trained as an actor and worked hard to build an arts organisation I understand the opportunities that the arts bring to those that take part. I work daily with creatives and what I love more than anything is the inspiration this brings. This insights podcast is everything behind the scenes of Theatre and the arts. Join me today

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Barry Robertson's Insights

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