Log in

goodpods headphones icon

To access all our features

Open the Goodpods app
Close icon
headphones
The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast

The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast

Nick Hern Books

A monthly podcast from Nick Hern Books, the UK's leading theatre publisher. Join host Siân Mayhall-Purvis and a dazzling line-up of brilliant playwrights to deep-dive into their plays, as well as discussing loads of other fascinating theatre topics including life as a writer, rehearsals and collaborating with others, writing tips and more.
bookmark
Share icon

All episodes

Best episodes

Top 10 The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast 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 The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast - Oil by Ella Hickson

Oil by Ella Hickson

The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast

play

05/06/20 • 32 min

The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one free play to read and discuss each week, followed by a Q&A with the writer.

In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Ella Hickson about her epic and explosive play Oil, which premiered at the Almeida Theatre, London, in 2016, directed by Carrie Cracknell.

See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup

Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis
Producer: Jon Barton
Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast - Lava by James Fritz

Lava by James Fritz

The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast

play

04/15/20 • 49 min

The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one free play to read and discuss each week, followed by a Q&A with the writer.

In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to James Fritz about his compassionate and darkly funny drama Lava. The play was supposed to embark on a new UK tour in April, produced by Fifth Word, but this has sadly been postponed due to the coronavirus shutdown.

See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup

Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis
Producer: Jon Barton
Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast - Adam by Frances Poet (with guest Adam Kashmiry)
play

11/03/21 • 60 min

The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one great play to read and discuss each month, followed by a Q&A with the writer.
In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Frances Poet about her moving, award-winning play Adam. We were also joined by special guest Adam Kashmiry, whose story inspired the play and who starred in the premiere production.
Adam was first performed by the National Theatre of Scotland at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2017, where it won a Fringe First award. It was later performed on tour around the UK, as well as in New York. It was directed by Cora Bissett, with music by Jocelyn Pook.
Adam was also adapted for screen, with the film released in March 2021 and currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The screen adaptation was nominated in the Television Scripted category at the BAFTA Scotland Awards.
See more about The NHB Playgroup here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup

Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis
Producer: Jon Barton
Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast - Faustus: That Damned Woman by Chris Bush

Faustus: That Damned Woman by Chris Bush

The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast

play

06/24/20 • 46 min

The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one free play to read and discuss each week, followed by a Q&A with the writer.

In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Chris Bush about Faustus: That Damned Woman, her radical take on the classic cautionary tale. It was co-produced by Headlong and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, in association with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and first performed at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre in January 2020 before embarking on a UK tour, which was sadly cut short by the theatre shutdown.

See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup

Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis
Producer: Jon Barton
Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast - Princess & The Hustler by Chinonyerem Odimba
play

06/17/20 • 29 min

The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one free play to read and discuss each week, followed by a Q&A with the writer.

In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Chinonyerem Odimba about her passionate and affecting play Princess & The Hustler, which premiered at the Bristol Old Vic in 2019, followed by a UK tour, in a co-production between Eclipse Theatre Company, Bristol Old Vic and Hull Truck Theatre, directed by Dawn Walton.

See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup

Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis
Producer: Jon Barton
Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast - Blue Stockings by Jessica Swale

Blue Stockings by Jessica Swale

The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast

play

08/06/21 • 40 min

The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one great play to read and discuss each month, followed by a Q&A with the writer.
In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Jessica Swale about her funny and eye-opening play Blue Stockings. We discuss how she approached researching the history behind the story, what it feels like to have your play studied at GCSE, how Jessica's background as a director has influenced her writing, and more.
Blue Stockings had its professional premiere at Shakespeare's Globe, London, in 2013, directed by John Dove. An earlier version of the play was performed at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London, in 2012, directed by Jessica herself.
See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup

Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis
Producer: Jon Barton
Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast - Flights by John O'Donovan

Flights by John O'Donovan

The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast

play

06/02/21 • 47 min

The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one great play to read and discuss each month, followed by a Q&A with the writer.

In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to John O'Donovan about his haunting and funny drama Flights. We discuss how real-life events formed part of the play's development, just how many litres of liquid the actors had to consume every night, and how John's writing may change now he's returned from London to his homeland of Ireland.

Flights premiered in 2020 at glór in Ennis before transferring to Dublin and London, directed by Thomas Martin.
CONTENT WARNING: Please note that this episode features discussion of the content of the play, which includes suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup

Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis
Producer: Jon Barton
Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast - The Gift by Janice Okoh

The Gift by Janice Okoh

The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast

play

05/06/21 • 30 min

The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one great play to read and discuss each month, followed by a Q&A with the writer.
In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Janice Okoh about her outrageous and thought-provoking play The Gift. We also discuss how winning the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting in 2011 boosted Janice's career, what to do with ideas that don't quite become fully written plays, using other people's work as a benchmark for your own, and more.
The Gift premiered at the Belgrade Theatre Coventry in January 2020, followed by a UK tour, including a run at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in London. It was a co-production between Eclipse Theatre Company and the Belgrade Theatre, and directed by Dawn Walton.
See more about The NHB Playgroup here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup
Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis
Producer: Jon Barton
Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast - The River by Jez Butterworth

The River by Jez Butterworth

The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast

play

04/06/21 • 49 min

The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books is BACK - now with one fantastic play to read and discuss each month, followed by a Q&A with the writer.

In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Jez Butterworth about his fascinating and enigmatic play The River. We also explore Jez's massively successful career as a playwright and screenwriter - including why his debut play winning an Olivier Award was actually 'disastrous', how it feels to write a James Bond film, what makes an idea worth pursuing, and more.

The River premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, London, in 2012, directed by Ian Rickson. It was later produced at the Circle in the Square Theatre, New York.

See more about The NHB Playgroup here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup

Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis
Producer: Jon Barton
Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast - Second Person Narrative by Jemma Kennedy (with guest Lucy Kerbel)
play

07/08/20 • 45 min

The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one free play to read and discuss each week, followed by a Q&A with the writer.

In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Jemma Kennedy about her wry and inventive play Second Person Narrative.

Second Person Narrative was released in 2015 as part of Platform, a partnership between Nick Hern Books and Tonic Theatre. It was originally workshopped with the National Youth Theatre and the National Theatre's Young People's Programme. We're joined for this episode by Lucy Kerbel, NHB author and director of Tonic.

See more about The NHB Playgroup here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup

Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis
Producer: Jon Barton
Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

Show more best episodes

Toggle view more icon

FAQ

How many episodes does The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast have?

The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast currently has 17 episodes available.

What topics does The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast cover?

The podcast is about Writer, Drama, Theater, Writing, Podcasts, Books, Playwriting, Arts, Theatre, Performing Arts and Creative Writing.

What is the most popular episode on The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast?

The episode title 'Adam by Frances Poet (with guest Adam Kashmiry)' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast?

The average episode length on The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast is 41 minutes.

How often are episodes of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast released?

Episodes of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast are typically released every 7 days, 2 hours.

When was the first episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast?

The first episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast was released on Apr 8, 2020.

Show more FAQ

Toggle view more icon

Comments