Amateur of Life and Death The Crescent Theatre

Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre, and features an amateur theatre-maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve ‘died’ on stage. 
This month’s episode focuses on the upcoming production of the play ‘Love From a Stranger’ by Agatha Christie and Frank Vosper, a “psychological thriller”, which the Crescent Theatre Birmingham are performing in April 2024 as part of the Crescent’s Centenary Season. 
Laura speaks to Andrew Crocker, the Production Assistant for the show, and a long-serving member of the Crescent Theatre.
Luke Plimmer is this month’s Backstage Pass holder and he’ll be talking to set designer Poppy Chalmers, who’ll explain more about creating 1930s Britain inside the black box venue that is the Ron Barber Studio space.

This episode delves into the world of Willy Russell's modern classic, Educating Rita. We talk to actress Vicky Youster about her theatrical life, theatrical loves and the times when she's 'died' on stage. 

Vicky is playing Rita in the Crescent Theatre Birmingham's production of Educating Rita and she also tells us all about rehearsals, the challenges of taking on such an iconic role, and how to master the Liverpool accent.

Laura takes a delve into the Crescent Theatre's archives to find out more about previous productions of the show.

Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre, and features an amateur theatre-maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve ‘died’ on stage. 
This episode focuses on the Crescent’s upcoming pair of productions, 'House' and 'Garden', both by Alan Ayckbourn. Luke Plimmer is borrowing our backstage pass this month to learn more. He’ll be talking to the Stage Manager for 'Garden', Suzie King, and to Jordan Starks-Browning, who is working on Props for both 'House' and 'Garden'. Our studio guest is Naomi Jacobs, who is the Production  Assistant on 'Garden'.  Naomi also tells us about her life and loves in amateur theatre.

This episode we’re celebrating the past, exploring the present, and looking ahead to the future of amateur theatre.
Chairman of the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Kevin Middleton tells us about his theatrical life and theatrical loves, as well as  discussing the governance of an amateur theatre, and the role of the board. We also chat to one of the Crescent Theatre’s longest-standing members, set-builder and former stage manager, Phil Parsons, about his memories and experiences over more than 50 years with the company.

Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre, and features an amateur theatre maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve ‘died’ on stage. 
This episode focuses on the Crescent’s upcoming production of Othello.
Our backstage pass holder, John O'Neill, will be exploring the iconic Props department with the Production Assistants for Othello, Steve Davis and Jess Shannon.

Each episode takes a look at a different aspect of the wonderful world of amateur theatre, and features an amateur theatre maker talking about their theatrical life, theatrical loves, and the times when they’ve ‘died’ on stage. 
This episode focuses on the work of a giant of modern British theatre, Harold Pinter. We will be talking to Graeme Braidwood, who is directing the Crescent Theatre Birmingham’s upcoming production of two one act Pinter plays, A Kind of Alaska and Ashes to Ashes, about his life and loves in theatre.


And we’ll be delving into the archives to find out a bit more about the Crescent Theatre’s history of producing Pinter’s work.