A tribute to all relatives who are truly clueless gift-givers. Read by Samuel BarnettSakiSaki (real name Hector Hugh Munro) was a British Edwardian writer who began his career in 1896 as a journalist. Saki first found success in his short story writing, particularly those which acted as political satire. He also wrote two novels, The Unbearable Bassington and When William Came, before enlisting for the First World War. He was shot and killed in 1916.Samuel BarnettOriginally from Whitby in North Yorkshire, Samuel studied acting at LAMDA and works across theatre television, film, radio, video games and voice over. He is an Oliver, BIFA and two-time Tony Award nominee, and winner of WhatsOnStage, Drama Desk and The Stage Edinburgh awards for his work in The History Boys, Twelfth Night and Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen.He plays the titular character in Netflix/BBCAmerica’s Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, and other tv credits include Four Lives, Penny Dreadful, Desperate Romantics, Beautiful People, Not Safe For Work, Twenty Twelve, and John Adams. He can soon be seen in the films Lee, And Mrs and Polite Society, and other film credits include The Lady In The Van, Jupiter Ascending and Mrs. Henderson Presents.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This story follows Mr and Mrs Thackenbury’s distate for the holidays. Read by Samuel BarnettSakiSaki (real name Hector Hugh Munro) was a British Edwardian writer who began his career in 1896 as a journalist. Saki first found success in his short story writing, particularly those which acted as political satire. He also wrote two novels, The Unbearable Bassington and When William Came, before enlisting for the First World War. He was shot and killed in 1916.Samuel BarnettOriginally from Whitby in North Yorkshire, Samuel studied acting at LAMDA and works across theatre television, film, radio, video games and voice over. He is an Oliver, BIFA and two-time Tony Award nominee, and winner of WhatsOnStage, Drama Desk and The Stage Edinburgh awards for his work in The History Boys, Twelfth Night and Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen.He plays the titular character in Netflix/BBCAmerica’s Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, and other tv credits include Four Lives, Penny Dreadful, Desperate Romantics, Beautiful People, Not Safe For Work, Twenty Twelve, and John Adams. He can soon be seen in the films Lee, And Mrs and Polite Society, and other film credits include The Lady In The Van, Jupiter Ascending and Mrs. Henderson Presents.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A story from Jeanette Winterson's Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days collection.Jeanette Winterson CBE is a British writer. After graduating from Oxford University, she published her first novel at 25. Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is based on her own upbringing but using herself as a fictional character. She scripted the novel into a BAFTA-winning BBC drama. 27 years later she re-visited that material in her internationally bestselling memoir Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?She has written thirteen novels for adults, two collections of short stories, as well as children’s books, non-fiction and screenplays. 12 Bytes is her latest book. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The iconic poem about the arrival of St Nicholas in a quiet house on Christmas eve.Read by Andrew Whitehead Clement Clarke MooreClement Clarke Moore (1779–1863) was an influential American writer and real estate developer, best known for this iconic Christmas poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas."As a Professor at the General Theological Seminary in New York City, Moore played a pivotal role in its development by contributing land. Over a 44-year period, he served as a trustee at Columbia College and contributed to various institutions, including the New York Society Library and the New York Institution for the Blind. Moore's enduring legacy lies in his literary contributions and his impact on the development of New York City.Andrew WhiteheadAndrew has worked extensively in theatre throughout his career.  For Northern Broadsides: Much Ado About Nothing, A Christmas Carol, Cyrano, The War Of The Roses, School For Scandal, The Bells, The Merchant Of Venice, Henry V, A Woman Killed With Kindness, Antigone, Poetry Or Bust, Oedipus, The Cracked Pot, The Merry Wives Of Windsor, King John, Alcestis, Romeo & Juliet, Samson Agonistes, The Passion, Antony And Cleopatra, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Trackers Of Oxyrinchus Canterbury Tales, An August Bank Holiday Lark, She Stoops to Conquer, The Winter’s Tale and The Twelve Tales of Christmas. Other theatre credits include: The Book of Will (Queens Hornchurch/Bolton Octagon/Shakespeare North), the World Premiere of The Book Thief (Bolton Octagon), Say Yes to Tess (Leeds Playhouse/Camden People’s Theatre), Wind in The Willows, Witches Promise (Birmingham Rep); Dangerous Obsession (Esk Valley Theatre); Sleeping Beauty (Qdos - Beck Theatre); The Wife of Usher’s Well (Quondam Theatre); Rogue Herries, A Chorus of Disapproval, Summer Lightning, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Around The World In 80 Days, Under The Blue Sky, Rebecca (Keswick Theatre By The Lake); Unsung (Liverpool Playhouse), The Glee Club (Library Theatre Manchester); Cinderella (Harrogate Theatre); Richard II (Royal Exchange Manchester); The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie (New Vic); A Christmas Carol and Toast (Hull Truck); The Wind In The Willows (Oldham Coliseum); The Grapes Of Wrath (American Drama Group Europe); The Cost Of Living (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Little Sure Shot (West Yorkshire Playhouse/The Egg, Bristol) and (Old Laundry Theatre). Andrew's television and film credits include: Coronation Street, Brassic, The Runaways, Emmerdale and The Big Chance.  His radio credits include: Stone - ‘Dead Fishes’, Hamlet, Antony and Cleopatra, Alcestis, The Cracked Pot (BBC).    As a Musical Director, Andrew wrote and produced the music for the award-winning Tongue Twister (24:7 Festival).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does it feel to carry your culture across the globe? Arsalan and Gul speak about their experiences moving to Halifax and making sense of Northern life. As well as sharing the languages and celebrations of their home countries, they discuss the Yorkshire weather, the differences between art and culture, and whether it's cheating to learn traditional recipes from YouTube.Ibrahim Bangura from Rapar Drama, speaks about creating work with and by asylum seekers and the unique challenges that come from getting emerging creatives from across the world into one room.The Northern VoiceA new podcast by Northern BroadsidesHosted by Shabina Aslam & Millie GastonSound Editing by Alex ColleyProduced by Hallam Breen & Jess Rooney This series of eights podcasts, recorded in lockdown, embraces the Northern Voice in all its glory, whether we're exploring disability, migration, class, ethnicity, accent, gender or sexuality, The Northern Voice confounds expectations of what it means to be Northern in the world of arts and culture today.Each episode has a panel discussion hosted by Shabina Aslam, our Creative Engagement Producer, and a one-to-one interview with a Northern artist, led by local actor Millie Gaston. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It should be possible to be an actor and nothing else. Why is that rarely achievable?  Actor and Arts Campaigner Leo Wan talks about surviving a pandemic as an artist and asks what REALLY motivated theatres to release Black Lives Matter statements. Director Alan Lyddiard speaks passionately about the disappearing voices of older people and about the community-professional binary in theatre. Poet Shirley May tells us about learning from empowered young people through the lens of bone-crunching dance routines! Actor, director, singer and choreographer Mina Anwar talks about creating work in cities labelled Northern Powerhouses.The Northern VoiceA new podcast by Northern BroadsidesHosted by Shabina Aslam & Millie GastonSound Editing by Alex ColleyProduced by Hallam Breen & Jess Rooney This series of eights podcasts, recorded in lockdown, embraces the Northern Voice in all its glory, whether we're exploring disability, migration, class, ethnicity, accent, gender or sexuality, The Northern Voice confounds expectations of what it means to be Northern in the world of arts and culture today.Each episode has a panel discussion hosted by Shabina Aslam, our Creative Engagement Producer, and a one-to-one interview with a Northern artist, led by local actor Millie Gaston.*****Guest biographies Leo WanActor and Arts CampaignerLeo is an actor and arts campaigner. As an actor, he has worked with the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare’s Globe and New Earth Theatre. He works with a number of campaigns to ensure the performing arts is diverse, equitable and accessible. He is passionate about theatre’s power to effect social change. Shirley MayPoet and Director of Young Identity.Shirley May is a poet from the Speakeasy Collective in Manchester, which she co-managed for five years. She is also director of 'Young Identity' - a writing charity, They works with 13–25s in the Manchester area. Her own work has been published in several anthologies  Alan LyddiardTheatre and Film Director, Producer and WriterAlan is best known as an advocate of the community arts movement, international collaborations and ensemble theatre practice. He was Artistic Director of The Northern Stage Ensemble (1992-2005), Artistic Director of TAG Theatre Company (1988-1992) and Associate Director at Dundee Rep (1984-1988). Alan is currently Artistic Director of The Performance Ensemble, a company of performers aged 60 and over. The ensemble starts its work from within a community setting and develops productions over a year long process.  Mina AnwarActor, Director, Singer and Choreographer Mina trained for 3 years at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in Acting and Musical Theatre. Mina is also well known as an actor and musical theatre performer in theatre, radio, television and film with work spanning 30 years. TV credits include: Doctor Who, The A Word, Happy Valley. Theatre includes: Life of Pi (Sheffield Crucible and West End), The Importance of Being Earnest (Lawrence Batley and The Dukes).   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you make a fart accessible?This week, we speak to Live Theatre’s Senior Creative Associate, Paul James, on being diagnosed with a disability later in life and trying to hide it. Artistic Director & CEO for DaDaFest, Nickie Wildin speaks about being ‘awww’d’ at and feeling pressure to be the ‘disabled spokesperson’. Performance artist gobscure tells us about ‘blowing up the system’ and how society disables us. And Paul Wilshaw, Assistant Producer from Mind The Gap, speaks about smashing the barriers built by the theatre industry. ***The Northern VoiceA new podcast by Northern BroadsidesHosted by Shabina Aslam & Millie GastonSound Editing by Alex ColleyProduced by Hallam Breen & Jess Rooney This series of eights podcasts, recorded in lockdown, embraces the Northern Voice in all its glory, whether we're exploring disability, migration, class, ethnicity, accent, gender or sexuality, The Northern Voice confounds expectations of what it means to be Northern in the world of arts and culture today.Each episode has a panel discussion hosted by Shabina Aslam, our Creative Engagement Producer, and a one-to-one interview with a Northern artist, led by local actor Millie Gaston. ***Guest BiographiesgobscurePerformance Artistgobscure are Artistic Associates with Museum of Homelessness and Disability Arts Online. Their last play joey was a testing ground commission (New Wolsey Theatre) in association with Greyscale, published by Aurora Metro, named ‘experiment of the year’, British Theatre Guide. gobscure previously worked with Northern Broadsides on Digital Squad and now sits on the Art Squad. Paul JamesSenior Creative Associate (Children and Young People's Programme) at Live Theatre, Newcastle.Paul established the multi award winning Education & Participation Department at Live Theatre in 1998 and has directed and produced many productions. Prior to this Paul worked as an actor for a variety of theatre companies including the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, Bristol Old Vic, Talawa and various community theatre companies.Nickie Miles-Wildin Joint Artistic Director & CEO at DaDaFestNickie is also Associate Director at Graeae Theatre Company where she is Head of New Writing. Nickie has previously worked at Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester as Young Company Programme Leader and Resident Assistant Director (Regional Theatre Young Director’s Scheme) Nickie’s directing credits include Crips With Chips, Crips Without Constraints and Iron Man (Graeae).Paul WilshawAgent for Change at Leeds Playhouse and Assistant Producer for Mind the Gap Theatre.As well as his work with Mind the Gap, Paul has also worked for the Beyond festival in Leeds, which is a festival focused on artists with learning disabilities, as a performer at the closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games, a mentor for the Remix and an Intern Assistant Producer for the Breathe Project. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Om Shanti Om to It's Not About The Burqa.Is the idea of being ‘South Asian’ made up as a response to racism? Are South Asian stories stuck in nostalgia and too rooted in Islamophobia? And why IS car insurance so expensive in Bradford?  This week, we explore South Asian identity and theatre in the North with Abdul Shayek, Sajidah Shabir, Anjum Malik and Afshan d’Souza-Lodhi.***The Northern VoiceA new podcast by Northern BroadsidesHosted by Shabina Aslam & Millie GastonSound Editing by Alex ColleyProduced by Hallam Breen & Jess Rooney This series of eights podcasts, recorded in lockdown, embraces the Northern Voice in all its glory, whether we're exploring disability, migration, class, ethnicity, accent, gender or sexuality, The Northern Voice confounds expectations of what it means to be Northern in the world of arts and culture today.Each episode has a panel discussion hosted by Shabina Aslam, our Creative Engagement Producer, and a one-to-one interview with a Northern artist, led by local actor Millie Gaston. ***Guest BiographiesAbdul ShayekAbdul Shayek is Artistic Director & Joint CEO of Tara Theatre.He was the founding Artistic Director & CEO of Fio theatre company based in Cardiff. Previous to this he was Creative Associate with National Theatre Wales.He is a member of the British Council’s Arts and Creative Economy Advisory Group, Vice Chair of the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance, as well as a trustee of mid-Wales dance company Impelo and No Fit State Circus.Sajidah ShabirSajidah is currently an Assistant Producer for Common Wealth Theatre. A Bradford born and based Producer, she interested in how to work with communities, specifically South Asian communities to be part of Bradford’s mainstream Arts and Culture. She is an aspiring Theatre Director, captivated by the idea of making the Arts a place where more South Asian youth and people can see a place in for themselves, and use theatre to express themselves and see their stories told. Anjum MalikAnjum Malik is a poet, script writer performer and filmmaker, she is also a senior lecturer in creative writing at Manchester Metropolitan University. She writes drama regularly for BBC, ITV and independent companies. She is also a creative writing tutor for leading literary organisations in UK and overseas. Anjum is inspired by food, real stories for her poetry. She also specialises in working with hard to reach, not normally seen groups and communities. afshan d’souza-lodhi Afshan was born in Dubai and bred in Manchester. She is a writer of scripts and poetry and was recently commissioned to write and direct a short film for Channel 4 (An Act of Terror) and a radio play for BBC Sounds (Chop Chop). afshan is currently a Sky Writes writer-in-residence for Rotherham, a partnership between Sky Studios and New Writing North. She is also currently developing a TV series with Sky Studios. afshan has edited many anthologies and has an essay featured in Picador’s collection by Muslim women called Its Not About The Burqa.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean to be a woman in theatre? Who gets a seat at the table? Whose work do we see on our stages? How does gender shape our world? Join us as we celebrate the strength and power of women working in the arts with CEO of Mermaids, Susie Green; actor and theatre-maker, Isobel Balchin; and performer and director, Cheryl Martin. We also hear from Anna Holmes; co-founder of Northern Rascals, about being a woman in dance, learning your self-worth and what it takes to be a freelancer in theatre today. ***The Northern VoiceA new podcast by Northern BroadsidesHosted by Shabina Aslam & Millie GastonSound Editing by Alex ColleyProduced by Hallam Breen & Jess Rooney This series of eights podcasts, recorded in lockdown, embraces the Northern Voice in all its glory, whether we're exploring disability, migration, class, ethnicity, accent, gender or sexuality, The Northern Voice confounds expectations of what it means to be Northern in the world of arts and culture today.Each episode has a panel discussion hosted by Shabina Aslam, our Creative Engagement Producer, and a one-to-one interview with a Northern artist, led by local actor Millie Gaston. ***Guest BiographiesIsobel BalchinIsobel Balchin is an actor/performer, theatre-maker and facilitator originally from Rossendale, Lancashire and now based in Liverpool. She co-founded Mooncup Theatre in 2017. Movement and gender studies are a key part of her practice, with a keen interest in drag performance. Her artistic goal is to break open and shatter the conventions and structures that exist within theatre, arts and society - to take up space and make theatre an inclusive place of an expression for all.   Mooncup Theatre is a women led collective, founded in 2017. They met as independent artists sharing work within Liverpool, fuelled by the political climate following Brexit. They aim to provide a bold, political voice that theatrically engages through comedy, physicality, dance and song to promote open conversations, question world views and promote social change. They hope to encourage interconnectivity and understanding between communities by supporting the web of female identifying and queer artists within Liverpool. Mooncup: https://www.mooncuptheatre.org/Susie GreenSusie first got in touch with Mermaids in 1999, when she needed support for herself and her daughter. She then became a trustee and Chair and has held the position of CEO since January 2016. Over the last 4 years, she has helped the charity to reach out to thousands of children, young people and their families. As someone who has worked in the third sector for twenty years, Susie is committed to ensuring that all children are respected and loved unconditionally.Mermaids: https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/Cheryl MartinCheryl started as a performance poet, became a playwright and radio drama writer, then and most fun, a director. She has been performing solo shows since 2015, based on her own experiences as a suicidal depressive with Borderline Personality Disorder. More on Cheryl: https://www.cherylmartin.net/Anna HolmesAnna is an experienced choreographer, performer and writer who has collaborated with a range of artists and organisations from renowned musicians, Snow Patrol, to organisations such as the English National Opera, Jasmin Vardimon and York Theatre Royal. Alongside Sam Ford, Anna proudly co-directs Northern Rascals: a multi-disciplinary performance company based in Yorkshire. With their unique blend of theatre and contemporary dance, the company crafts the abstract and absurd to lead the audience to narratives rooted in the current socio-political climate.Northern Rascals: https://www.northernrascals.com/welcome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does British Theatre reflect who YOU are? Who does theatre privilege? Who does it exclude? How can we do better? Join us as we talk to actor and creative Becky Bowe, Artistic Director of the Actors Touring Company; Matthew Xia, and actor and disability activist; Mandy Colleran. We discuss middle-class codes, inclusive drama schools and the representation of working-class disabled artists. We also hear from John and Martha Godber of the John Godber Foundation about creating accessible, successful work in the North, as well as how they support the young theatre-makers of Hull and East Yorkshire***The Northern VoiceA new podcast by Northern BroadsidesHosted by Shabina Aslam & Millie GastonSound Editing by Alex ColleyProduced by Hallam Breen & Jess Rooney This series of eights podcasts, recorded in lockdown, embraces the Northern Voice in all its glory, whether we're exploring disability, migration, class, ethnicity, accent, gender or sexuality, The Northern Voice confounds expectations of what it means to be Northern in the world of arts and culture today.Each episode has a panel discussion hosted by Shabina Aslam, our Creative Engagement Producer, and a one-to-one interview with a Northern artist, led by local actor Millie Gaston. ***Guest BiographiesBecky BoweBecky is an actor and creative born and raised in Stockport, Manchester. She trained at the Manchester School of Theatre and graduated in 2019. The following year she was employed by her drama school as a Graduate Research and Development Officer to help pilot a 'Supported Audition Scheme', an access scheme aimed at helping prospective auditionees from underrepresented groups to get into drama school.Mandy ColleranMandy Colleran has been involved in disability arts since the 1980s. She is a member of the comedy trio No Excuses along with Mandy Redvers-Rowe and Ali Briggs. In 1986 Colleran became Joint Development Officer of Arts Integration Merseyside (AIM) with John McGrath, it later became North West Disability Arts Forum (NWDAF). In 1990 Colleran became a director of NWDAF.Matthew XiaMatthew Xia is a self-taught theatre director, DJ, composer, broadcaster and journalist with a focus on using theatre as a platform to promote inclusion, activism and social change.Matthew’s acclaimed productions include: Frankenstein, Wish List, and Into The Woods (Manchester Royal Exchange). In 2019, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Arts London for his efforts to make theatre universally accessible by working to promote minority groups as theatre leaders, makers and consumers. He is the Artistic Director for the Actor’s Touring Company.John Godber OBEJohn was born the son of a miner in Upton, West Yorkshire. He trained as a teacher of drama at Bretton Hall College. John’s plays are performed across the world. He has the distinction of being one of the most performed writers in the English language. He has won numerous awards for his plays, including a Laurence Olivier Award and seven Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards.His plays include: Bouncers, Up ‘n’ Under, April in Paris and Teechers. Martha GodberMartha was born and raised in Hull and graduated from LIPA in 2018. Theatre work includes: Seasons in the Sun (Theatre Royal Wakefield), POP (Oldham Coliseum) and I Want That Hair (East Riding Theatre).Martha recently formed The Godber Theatre Foundation and is passionate about making a difference to the lives of aspiring dramatists in Hull and East Yorkshire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.