058: Martin Sherman (Part One)
Join host Andrew Keates for The Show People Podcast, recorded live from The Two Brewers in Clapham.
This episode features an in-depth conversation with legendary gay playwright, screen-writer and author - Martin Sherman.
Perhaps best known for writing landmark gay play, Bent, As well as other stunning plays such as When She Danced, Messiah, Cracks, Gently Down The Stream and many, many others. On screen, his credits include Mrs Henderson Presents (BAFTA-nominated), The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone, Callas Forever, Alive and Kicking, and The Clothes in the Wardrobe. Across theatre and film, Martin has been nominated for two Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and two BAFTA Awards, and he has crafted queer stories thoughtout the decades.
Episode Highlights Include:
• Martin Sherman on writing his memoir and why prose felt possible where theatre did not.
• Growing up in the shadow of Huntington’s disease and the fear of inheritance.
• A haunting childhood memory of his mother on the Atlantic City boardwalk.
• The silence, mystery and influence of a mother who gave him Shakespeare and theatre.
• How illness, family history and survival shaped his understanding of life and art.
• Theatre as escape: seeing major productions in Philadelphia as a child.
• The performances and actors that formed his artistic eye.
• Martin’s father, charisma, narcissism and the performance of power.
• A striking comparison between his father and Donald Trump.
• What Martin learned from the Actors Studio and Lee Strasberg.
• Why craft matters as much as emotional truth.
• Realising he was not meant to be an actor, but a writer.
• Passing By and the challenge of casting unapologetically gay characters in the 1970s.
• Finding artistic and political community in London through Gay Sweatshop.
• The origins of Bent and the image that unlocked the play.
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Videography by Ned Wakeley of The Showreel Company
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Photography by Paul Madeley
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Special Thanks
to Liam Chaplin, Adam Deamer, Oliver Blatherwick, Rhys Godfrey and the staff of the Two Brewers, and of course, Pearl Mackie.
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This podcast is proudly produced by Queer Theatre, committed to LGBTQ+ storytelling and nurturing Queer talent. Discover more about their acting classes, Queer Play Reading Club, showcases, and event.
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On The Boardwalk by Martin Sherman, published by Inkandescent
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Until next time - love always, Ax
