Everything you need to know about Nottingham Puppet Festival!

Everything you need to know about Nottingham Puppet Festival!

In this episode, I'm off to explore the Nottingham Puppet Festival [https://nottinghampuppetfestival.co.uk/], one of the UK's leading celebrations of puppetry, visual theatre, and outdoor performance. The festival, held in Nottingham, brings together local, national and international artists for a diverse programme of family-friendly shows, contemporary puppetry, street theatre, exhibitions, talks and creative workshops. Joining me is Alison Denholme, Festival Director, who discusses the inspiration behind the event, the highlights of this year's programme and the growing appeal of puppetry as an art form. We also explore how the festival transforms venues including Lakeside Arts, [https://www.lakesidearts.org.uk/] Nottingham Theatre Royal & Concert Hall, [https://www.trch.co.uk/] and Nottingham Playhouse [nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk], alongside public spaces across the city, into vibrant hubs of creativity and storytelling. Whether you're interested in theatre, family events, visual arts, performance or cultural festivals in Nottingham, this conversation offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of the region's most unique and imaginative arts festivals.

Rebel Sparks CIC embark on a unique UK tour

Creating engaging theatre experiences for families can be a challenge, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. In this podcast I chat with Ria of the REBEL Sparks CIC. Ria is a talented artist and creator of innovative performances, including her recent project, "Take Flight." From crafting a circus musical to leading workshops, every day is a new adventure in art and connection. It’s about more than just the performance; it’s about forging bonds and celebrating every unique journey. Tickets for Rebel Sparks UK tour can be bought from their website. [https://rebelsparks.squarespace.com/]

Orla Condor bringing semi-autobiographical play to Shakespear House in Derby.

To celebrate the start of Pride Month, here in the East Midlands, I'm heading over to Derby. From a rough script to a well-polished play, it’s been quite the journey. Orla Conder started with a small production during her MA in Applied Theatre and, thanks to local support, is back at it with a revamped version of her show, “Hindsite” coming to Shakespeare House on Kedleston road. Focussing on two aliens who visit our planet, they uncover newspaper stories and diary entries from members of the LGBTQ+ community. Orla chats with me about the process of writing, both as a cathartic experience for herself and her enjoyment of being able to use the inspiration of Red Dwarf throughout the play! Tickets are onsale now for this performance and can be purchased via TicketSource [https://www.ticketsource.com/hindsite].

Gez Addictive on grassroots music in Derby & the East Midlands.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Do you remember The Struts playing at the back of The Victoria Inn pub? This man does. If you’re part of Derby’s grassroots music scene, chances are you’ve already heard of Gez Addictive. As the founder of Derby-based not-for-profit CICs AlphaPro Creative [https://alphaprocreative.co.uk/] and FUZZ Music Services [https://fuzzmusic.co.uk/], Gez has spent years helping independent artists develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to succeed in the music industry across the East Midlands and the UK. In this episode, Kirsty sits down with Gez to explore what new and emerging music artists really need when starting out in today’s industry. From building a strong personal brand to creating professional logos, social media content and essential artist asset packs, Gez shares practical advice for musicians looking to grow their audience and take their music career further. Whether you’re an independent performer, singer-songwriter, band member, or creative entrepreneur this episode is packed with valuable insights into music branding, artist development, and navigating the UK independent music scene especially as we enter the music festival season here in the UK. 📸 Photo credit: Jason Bridges

Chronic Insanity is bringing Apple of Discord back to Nottingham this summer.

Step into a fully immersive theatre experience with Apple of Discord, the latest production from Nottingham’s award-winning theatre company, Chronic Insanity. In this podcast episode, I speak with Joe Strickland and explore how this ambitious interactive show transforms every room into part of the story, allowing audiences to piece together a narrative inspired by the legendary myth that sparked the Trojan War. Set across three atmospheric floors of the stunning Grade II listed People’s Hall — featuring ornate staircases, historic cellars, and mysterious subterranean caves — Apple of Discord delivers a unique immersive theatre experience where divine drama unfolds all around you. Discover what makes this production one of the must-see live events of the summer, running from 20–24 July, with tickets on sale now. [https://www.universe.com/events/apple-of-discord-tickets-YKQX9G]