GIRL IN THE MACHINE - Introduction by Young Vic Theatre

This two-part episode looks at authors and authorship, at leadership, and at collaboration. We look at two pieces of work: Best of Enemies, written by James Graham, and The Collaboration, written by Anthony McCarten. Both plays started their life at the Young Vic shortly after one another, before transferring to the West End and to Broadway respectively. In part 1, we talk to playwright James Graham about Best of Enemies, and Tyler Woodhouse, one of the participants in the Young Leaders programme from the Young Vic’s creative engagement department Taking Part interviews Artistic Director and director of The Collaboration Kwame Kwei-Armah.

This two-part episode looks at authors and authorship, at leadership, and at collaboration. We look at two pieces of work: The Collaboration, written by Anthony McCarten, and Best of Enemies, written by James Graham. Both plays started their life at the Young Vic shortly after one another, before transferring to Broadway and the West End respectively. In part 2, we talk to writer Anthony McCarten about The Collaboration, and we bring you a brand new audio piece created especially for the podcast by Young Vic Creators Program member Gabriele Uboldi which responds to Best of Enemies, and talks to all of this episode’s themes.

How does Hamlet inspire and intrigue audiences and artists? Designer Anna Fleischle unpacks how to bring the world of Hamlet to life, and Dr Louise Owen tackles the questions of the play for our times. We also introduce an original audio piece: “The Man and his Soul” by Nana-Kofi Kufuor

The Young Vic podcast investigates the power of a 4000-year-old story about exile and home: how the tale of Sinuhe inspired Ben Okri to write Changing Destiny. And Kwame Kwei-Armah speaks to Egyptologist Allison Hedges about mummies, myths and the origins of theatre.

Director of stage and film Nadia Latif chats to Off Book presenter Dan de la Motte about growing up between Sudan and London, her early experiences of London theatre, drama school, and why what’s on your bookshelf is so important. Nadia also discusses working with Jackie Sibblies Drury and her experiences of directing the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Fairview at the Young Vic. Nadia Latif was the 2018-2020 Young Vic Genesis Fellow and Associate Director, a position which supports someone to develop their craft as a theatre director whilst working closely with the Young Vic’s Artistic Director. Opportunities whilst in post include supporting the theatre’s programming and artistic planning, contributing to the work of the Young Vic’s Directors Program and mentoring Genesis Future Directors Award recipients. The Young Vic presents Off Book, a podcast where we shine a light on the creatives who inspire us, offering a candid insight into their life and careers.

Director Dadiow Lin chats to Off Book presenter Dan de la Motte about growing up in Taiwan, the influence of classic texts and how she combines a range of skills to collaborate on her plays. in a word written by Lauren Yee was the play Dadiow chose direct as part of the Genesis Future Directors Award, a Directors Program and Genesis Foundation initiative which offers emerging directors the opportunity to stage a production fully supported by our creative, administrative and production teams. The Young Vic presents Off Book, a podcast where we shine a light on the creatives who inspire us, offering a candid insight into their life and careers.

Playwright Luke Barnes chats to Off Book presenter Dan de la Motte about developing authentic stories shaped by real experiences. Luke opens up about his process, through which he has created work with prisoners and people affected by the criminal justice system (The Jumper Factory), asylum seekers (Fable), and NHS service users (Men in Blue), and how tackling politics, society and stories that make an impact are the responsibilities of the writers of today. The Young Vic presents Off Book, a podcast where we shine a light on the creatives who inspire us, offering a candid insight into their life and careers. Please note: this podcast episode contains swearing and the political views held are of the guest.

Theatre Director Josh Parr grew up in the mining town of Rugeley and never saw arts as a viable career. Fast forward a few years, he's directing The Jumper Factory at HOME Manchester. Speaking to Off Book about how he entered the arts, what he's faced along the way to get to this point and why his ambition is to inspire people with the same background as him. Off Book is a podcast from Young Vic where we shine a light on the creatives that are inspiring us and a candid discussion about their career so far.

Stage royalty, Sharon D. Clarke speaks to Off Book about her role as Linda Loman, her journey into Theatre and what it meant to her to win the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Sharon also shares an insight into what it's like rehearsing Blues In the Night and performing Death of a Salesman and the importance of having a family of good people around you. Off Book is a podcast from Young Vic where we shine a light on the creatives that are inspiring us and a candid discussion about their career so far.

Wendell Pierce first visited London over 40 years ago, what does it mean to make his London debut and join the select group who have played Willy Loman in 'the American Hamlet' Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. Wendell talks about his first steps into Theatre, navigating through the industry and how political activism is a part of his identity as an artist. Off Book is a podcast from Young Vic where we shine a light on the creatives that are inspiring us and a candid discussion about their career so far.