Famous People You've Never Heard Of

Blue Fire Theatre Company

1 Creator

Our podcasts are a mix of conversations with a wide range of subject matter experts and enthusiasts, interspersed with the occasional audio drama. Each episode focuses on one person, a group of people or a genre from the world of entertainment that we wish to bring back to the spotlight and who has been lost to history or is in danger of being so.The Arts industries are currently in peril but this is nothing new. The Entertainment industry in all its guises has seen it all before. Political turmoil, plague, poverty, overnight success, sudden failure and the long term closure of theatres are not unique to the 21st century.We are not academics (although luckily some of our prestigious guests are) so don't expect forensic analysis or ground breaking research in every episode. We are entertainers, passionate about our craft, its heritage and its future. And we want to share our enthusiasm with you!

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Top 10 Famous People You've Never Heard Of Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Famous People You've Never Heard Of episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Famous People You've Never Heard Of for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Famous People You've Never Heard Of episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Update - Where Has Series Two Gone?

Famous People You've Never Heard Of

04/19/21 • 4 min

A short message to reassure our listeners that you're not abandoned!
We've had a slight delay but Series Two will be up and running soon.
In the meantime, check out the show notes for all of Series One , which have been updated and do use this downtime to catch up on any episodes you've missed.
If you want to revisit Episodes 3 and 4 (the ones that missed out on the all singing all dancing technology when we first broadcast) please do. They are both very popular episodes: No. 3 (new version number 11) is Paterson Joseph talking about Charles Ignatius Sancho and No . 4 (new version number 12) is Alison Young talking about Daisy Dormer. And you can now hear them without the added interest of what sounded like (but wasn't) a washing machine in the background.
We've been having a wonderful time producing these podcasts and feedback has been excellent. It seems that there are an awful lot of people out there with an interest in social history and forgotten heroes. So thank you for staying with us.
If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going do please consider becoming a patron. It's really easy to do, just go to either:
https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre
or
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre
where you can donate. This is all an expensive business and even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio.We really appreciate and are so grateful for all your support.
And don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you! Find us at:
https://twitter.com/famous_heard
https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre
https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc https://www.bluefiretheatre.co.uk/
We're so looking forward to bringing you some fabulous treats in the shape of Series 2 shortly! Stay safe and take care everyone.

Thank you for listening. If you've enjoyed today's podcast do subscribe via your streaming platform so that you never miss an episode and you can catch up on past episodes.
If you'd like to help us to keep the podcast going in these tough times, please consider becoming a patron. It's really easy to do. Just go to :
https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre
if you're more comfortable with a one off donation you can do this via our website:
https://www.bluefiretheatre.co.uk/
or buy us a coffee on:
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre
Even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio and we are so grateful for all your help and support.
And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:
https://twitter.com/famous_heard
https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc
https://www.facebook.com/bluefirepodcast

Music Hall Darlings (updated) Alison Young talks about Daisy Dormer & Her Sisters

Famous People You've Never Heard Of

04/18/21 • 34 min

Alison Young is the Secretary of the British Music Hall Society. She ran away from the law to research and write about her family connections with the Music Hall and has uncovered many little gems that she shares with us today.
"Dainty Daisy Dormer" was a Music Hall star. She was also Alison's great great aunt. She and her sisters toured around the UK - and much further afield entertaining audiences in the thousands of music hall theatres that existed in the late 19th/early 20th centuries.
As well as Daisy and Co., Alison talks about the art of Sickert, Degas, Lautrec and others who painted backstage scenes in theatres and music halls and gives an insight into the non-glamorous world of 19th/20th Century showbusiness.
Guest's fantasy dinner party guests:
Morten Harket
Queen Victoria
Laura Knight
Walter Sickert
Max Wall
For further info:
Alison's Blog: Music Hall Alice:
https://musichallalice.wordpress.com/
The British Music Hall Society
http://britishmusichallsociety.com/
The British Newspaper Archive:
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/
My Old Man, A Personal History of Music Hall
By: John Major
Published by Harper Collins
British Music Hall: an Illustrated History
By: Richard Anthony Baker
Published by: Pen & Sword Books
Music:
"Champagne Charlie" by Alfred Lee & George Leybourne
Played by: James Hall
https://www.jamesahall.co.uk/
"I Wouldn't Leave My Little Hut For You" by Charles Collins & Tom Mellor
Played by : Guy Deardon
ISRC number. GB3GU1200723
Copyright owner Guy Dearden
https://www.theatremusicshop.com/index.html
Episode edited and produced by: Jacob Taylor
If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going do please consider becoming a patron. It's really easy to do, just go to either:
https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre
or
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre
where you can donate. Even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio and we are so grateful to you for all your support.
And don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear fro

Man of Letters (updated) Paterson Joseph talks about Charles Ignatius Sancho

Famous People You've Never Heard Of

04/05/21 • 33 min

Today's episode features writer and actor Paterson Joseph, author of the play "Sancho, An Act of Remembrance", which he has been performing for some 10 years and brings back to the theatre next year. He has also recently completed a book about Sancho, this incredible man who was born on a slave ship in the Atlantic and died a businessman in London.
Sancho's life was lived to the full: he composed popular music, corresponded with the great and the good of the day and became the first man of African heritage to vote in a UK general election. Looking at the world through Sancho's eyes we see a strange place of terrible inequality yet great opportunity, we are forced to address the issues of slavery and racism but also come upon acts of great kindness and discover a true love story. It is a brief glimpse of London in the 18th Century "in colour".
Probably best known as an actor Paterson Joseph has appeared in lead roles with the RSC and National Theatre. His TV work is extensive and includes Peep Show, Casualty, Green Wing and most recently the BBC's Noughts and Crosses.
Photo: Robert Day - Paterson Joseph as Ignatius Sancho
"Sancho, An Act of Remembrance" , by Paterson Joseph is published by Oberon Modern Plays
"Julius Caesar and Me, Exploring Shakespeare's African Play", by Paterson Joseph is published by Methuen Drama
"Britain's Black Past" and "Black London: Life Before Emancipation", by Gretchen Gerzina:
https://gretchengerzina.com/about-gretchen-gerzina.html
Guest's fantasy dinner party guests:
Charles Ignatius Sancho
Anne Ignatius
Julius Yerere
Episode produced and edited by Jacob Taylor
Music by Charles Ignatius Sancho
If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going do please consider becoming a patron. It's really easy to do, just go to either:
https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre
or
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre
where you can donate. Even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio and we are so grateful
And don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you! Find us at:
https://twitter.com/famous_heard
https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre
https://www.inst

Into the Limelight with Margaret Monod; a special episode for BHMS Music Hall & Variety Day

Famous People You've Never Heard Of

05/16/21 • 47 min

Margaret Monod talks about her blog, "Into the Limelight" and her fabulous collection of Music Hall postcards .
Today's Podcast:
Host: Lottie
Guest: Margaret Monod
Edited By: Jacob Taylor
Music: James Hall
This is a special bonus episode broadcast specially for the British Music Hall Society's Music Hall & Variety Day
Follow Margaret on Twitter: @monomaniablogs
To find out more about Music Hall check out:
The British Music Hall Society
http://www.britishmusichallsociety.com/
The PlayBill Podcast
https://mail8935.wixsite.com/montagueandtweed
Music Hall Alice Blog
https://musichallalice.wordpress.com/
If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going and our shows on the road do please consider becoming a patron. It's really easy to do, just go to either:
https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre
or
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre
where you can donate. Even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio and we are so grateful
Or donate via our website, where you can find out much more about us and the other work we do
https://www.bluefiretheatre.co.uk/
And don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you! Find us at:
https://twitter.com/famous_heard
https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre
https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc

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The Diary of a Nobody by George & Weedon Grossmith; adapted by Tim Shaw

Famous People You've Never Heard Of

07/08/21 • 56 min

This season's audio drama is :
The Diary of a Nobody, by George & Weedon Grossmith, said by Evelyn Waugh to be the "funniest book ever written".
The book has never been out of print and is available at all good bookshops.
This adaptation is by Tim Shaw. It is directed by Steve Taylor
Charles Pooter - Andy Smith
Carrie - Lottie Walker
Lupin - Steve Taylor
Studio Recording, Production & Editing- Harry Jacobs
Assisted by - Jacob Taylor
Music - James Hall
https://www.jamesahall.co.uk/
And a note from us:
Thank you for listening. If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going and the memories of all these lovely people alive, do please consider becoming a patron. It's really easy to do, just go to :
https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre
if you're more comfortable with a one off donation you can do this via our website:
https://www.bluefiretheatre.co.uk/
or buy us a coffee on:
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre
Even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio and we are so grateful for all your help and support.
Don'tAnd finally...don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:
https://twitter.com/famous_heard
https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre
https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc

"The Funniest Book in the World" & How We adapted it for the Stage - with Tim Shaw & Andy Smith

Famous People You've Never Heard Of

07/15/21 • 43 min

"The Diary of a Nobody" has long been a favourite book of both Tim Shaw and Andy Smith. They've seen it on stage, listened to it on the radio and, of course, read it.
So one rainy August day in Edinburgh after seeing Rodney Bewes in his on man version of 3 Men in a Boat and over a small sherry or two they hit upon the idea of adapting Charles Pooter's diary into a one man play. Andy reprised his role as Pooter for the specially recorded version of the play for this podcast, And here he and Tim, a genuine Grossmith enthusiast talk about the process of adapting the book and their shared love of the piece.
Lots of additional information about George Grossmith can be found on our podcast episode 15.
Guests: Andy Smith & Tim Shaw
Host: Lottie Walker
Edited by: Jacob Taylor
Music: James Hall
https://www.jamesahall.co.uk/
And a note from us:
Thank you for listening. If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going and the memories of all these lovely people alive, do please consider becoming a patron. It's really easy to do, just go to :
https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre
if you're more comfortable with a one off donation you can do this via our website:
https://www.bluefiretheatre.co.uk/
or buy us a coffee on:
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre
Even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio and we are so grateful for all your help and support.
And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:
https://twitter.com/famous_heard
https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc
https://www.facebook.com/bluefirepodcast

Jolly Good Luck! Ann-Lindsey Wickens & Chris Jaeger talk about Vesta Tilley. With Jessica Danheiser

Famous People You've Never Heard Of

08/05/21 • 23 min

Vesta Tilley was possibly the most famous male impersonator of all time and a huge star of the Victorian Music Hall. The girl from Worcester, who was treading the boards from the age of 3 was also the wife of an MP and "Britain's best recruiting sergeant" during WW1.
In this episode Ann-Lindsey Wickens tells us what it's like to portray this iconic figure, and Vesta's history is told - in brief by Chris Jaeger, author of "Vesta" the one woman play about Lady De Fries as she became.
And we also hear from Jessica Dannheiser, composer of "Orchestral Portraits: Seven Pioneering Women" about the inspiration Vesta provided. Huge thanks to Jessica and to Audio Network for permission to use this music.
To find out more about Vesta Tilley & Music Hall:
http://www.britishmusichallsociety.com/
http://www.vestatilley.kk5.org/
http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/
To find out more about our guests:
http://www.jessicadannheisser.com/
Twitter: @jessdannheiser
https://www.godauk.org/chrisjaeger
https://www.worcesterfestival.co.uk/
Twitter: @chrisjaegerWF
https://katapultproductions.co.uk/
https://www.golr.org.uk/
Host: Lottie Walker
Editor: Jacob Taylor
And a note from us:
Thank you for listening. If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going and the memories of all these lovely people alive, do please consider becoming a patron. It's really easy to do, just go to :
https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre
if you're more comfortable with a one off donation you can do this via our website:
https://www.bluefiretheatre.co.uk/
or buy us a coffee on:
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre
Even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio and we are so grateful for all your help and support.
And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:
https://twitter.com/famous_heard

"It Seems That I'm Interested in Lots of Things"; In Conversation with Christopher Green

Famous People You've Never Heard Of

10/14/21 • 31 min

For this special episode we've moved away from talking about our long forgotten heroes of history to talk to our very much up to date award winning theatre-maker - and hero - Christopher Green.
Christopher is a huge advocate of theatre as an experience and of the "all the world's a stage" ethos. In this conversation we talk about experiential theatre, site-specific productions and why clear instructions for both audience and performers would make the theatre experience more accessible and comfortable for everyone.
We also talk about Christopher's creations Ida Barr and Tina C, and, of course Fred Barnes, the self-destructive music hall star who Christopher has played on several occasions.
Follow Christopher on Twitter: @kit_green
http://christophergreen.net/
https://www.artbanklive.com/
https://www.duckie.co.uk/
Guest: Christopher Green
Host: Lottie Walker
Editor: Jacob Taylor
And a note from us:
Thank you for listening. If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going and the memories of all these lovely people alive, do please consider becoming a patron. It's really easy to do, just go to :
https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre
if you're more comfortable with a one off donation you can do this via our website:
https://www.bluefiretheatre.co.uk/
or buy us a coffee on:
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre
Even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio and we are so grateful for all your help and support.
And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:
https://twitter.com/famous_heard
https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc
https://www.facebook.com/bluefirepodcast

The Forgotten Talent of Amanda Ira Aldridge, with Stephen Bourne & Patricia Hammond

Famous People You've Never Heard Of

10/28/21 • 37 min

Amanda Ira Aldridge, one of the most important female composers of the 20th century has been all but forgotten.
Daughter of the groundbreaking actor Ira Aldridge, Amanda, was also a singer and in her latter years a voice teacher. One of her pupils was Paul Robeson who approached her when he cane to the UK to play Othello. He was only the second black actor to play the role. Amanda's father Ira had been the first!
Under the name Montague Ring, Amanda was a composer of many songs and her instrumental music was used in the silent movies.
Image courtesy of Stephen Bourne.
Guest: Stephen Bourne
Stephen Bourne is a writer, film and social historian specialising in black heritage and gay culture. His best-known book is Black Poppies – Britain’s Black Community and the Great War. Stephen's most recent publication is Deep Are the Roots , which celebrates the pioneers of black British theatre, beginning in 1825 when Ira Aldridge made history as the first black actor to play Shakespeare’s Othello in the United Kingdom, and ending in 1975 with the success of Britain’s first black-led theatre company. Stephen has written extensively on Amanda Ira Aldridge.
https://stephenbourne.co.uk/
For a list of Stephen's books:
https://stephenbourne.co.uk/books/
Follow Stephen on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/blackpoppies14
Featuring: Patricia Hammond
https://patriciahammond.com/
youtube.com/patriciahammondsongs
Patricia's book on female composers features a chapter dedicated to Amanda Ira Aldridge
https://www.valleypressuk.com/book/126/she_wrote_the_songs
Follow Patricia on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/hammondpatricia
Music:
Patricia Hammond, Voice
Matt Redman, zither banjo
Andrea Kmecova, piano
Host: Lottie Walker
Editor: Jacob Taylor
And a note from us:
Thank you for listening. If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going and the memories of all these lovely people alive, do please consider becoming a patron. It's really easy to do, just go to :
https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre
if you're more co

Well, La-Di-Dah! : The Team Behind "Marie Lloyd Stole My Life" Talk About Nelly Power

Famous People You've Never Heard Of

02/18/21 • 46 min

Nelly Power was a huge star of music hall who is now pretty much forgotten.
In 2017/18 Blue Fire's Lottie Walker was researching the life of Marie Lloyd when she discovered Nelly, who was in fact the first person to sing the famous song "The Boy I Love Is Up in the Gallery". And made it her mission to get Ms Power the recognition she deserves.
By 2019 J.J. Leppink had written the one woman play, "Marie Lloyd Stole My Life" for Lottie to take to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. since the show has been back to Nelly's hometown of Islington, playing at the Islington Museum and also at The Old Red Lion theatre, a space very similar to what Nelly herself would have recognised.
In this episode we meet the team behind the creation of the show and find out a little more about Nelly herself.
Contributors:
Edz Barrett
James Hall
Linda Hansell
Zoe Harvey-Lee
J.J. Leppink
Lottie Walker
Editor: Jacob Taylor
Music: James Hall
https://www.jamesahall.co.uk/
"Marie Lloyd Stole My Life" can be seen in 2021 at:
June 5th: https://www.penleeparktheatre.com/
July 31st: https://www.victoriahalltheatre.co.uk/
To find out more about Music Hall:
The British Music Hall Society : http://britishmusichallsociety.com/
Into the Limelight: https://intothelimelight.org/
Follow Nelly on Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/nellypowerplay
https://twitter.com/power_nelly
If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going do please consider becoming a patron. It's really easy to do, just go to either:
https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre
or
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre
where you can donate. This is all an expensive business and even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio. We're so grateful for all your support.
And don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you! Find us at:
https://twitter.com/famous_heard
https://www.fa

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FAQ

How many episodes does Famous People You've Never Heard Of have?

Famous People You've Never Heard Of currently has 37 episodes available.

What topics does Famous People You've Never Heard Of cover?

The podcast is about Biography, Drama, History, Music, Writers, Entertainment, Podcasts, Arts, Theatre and Performing Arts.

What is the most popular episode on Famous People You've Never Heard Of?

The episode title 'Actress or Activist? Dr Renata Kobetts Miller talks about Elizabeth Robins' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Famous People You've Never Heard Of?

The average episode length on Famous People You've Never Heard Of is 36 minutes.

How often are episodes of Famous People You've Never Heard Of released?

Episodes of Famous People You've Never Heard Of are typically released every 12 days, 23 hours.

When was the first episode of Famous People You've Never Heard Of?

The first episode of Famous People You've Never Heard Of was released on Nov 7, 2020.

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Famous People You've Never Heard Of

Blue Fire Theatre Company

Top 10 Famous People You've Never Heard Of Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Famous People You've Never Heard Of have?

What topics does Famous People You've Never Heard Of cover?

What is the most popular episode on Famous People You've Never Heard Of?

What is the average episode length on Famous People You've Never Heard Of?

How often are episodes of Famous People You've Never Heard Of released?

When was the first episode of Famous People You've Never Heard Of?

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