Lita Doolan's Audio Books

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New discoveries are made and personal insights shared to shine a light on England's untold history and sources of inspiration. Bit.ly/NoseyParkerPoems

Episodes

Wednesday Jul 24, 2024

Behind the Curtain: Michael Trauffer’s New Musical "The Pink List

Wednesday Jul 24, 2024

Hi, a warm welcome to this episode, where we delve into the creative practice of one of the popular artists currently performing on the fringe. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Michael Traufer, the brilliant mind behind dazzling shows like Fabulet. We discuss his latest endeavor, The Pink List, and what it's like to debut a new musical in London.

Michael shares the excitement of performing in a city with a rich theatrical history and discerning audiences. He talks about the unique story of The Pink List and how London audiences have engaged with it, particularly the theme of post-war persecution of gay men in Germany.

We explore the extensive research Michael undertook, including a poignant visit to a concentration camp, and how this influenced his writing process. He reveals his creative journey, from the initial concept to the final performance, and the importance of authenticity in storytelling.

Michael also discusses his favorite song from the musical, the intimate setting of The King's Head Theatre, and offers words of inspiration to aspiring artists. He emphasizes the importance of telling stories that matter, thorough research, and the collaborative nature of creating a show.

Join us as we gain valuable insights into the making of The Pink List and celebrate the passion and dedication behind Michael Traufer's work. We hope this episode inspires your own creative practice. Here's to enriching and uplifting your artistic journey!

Thursday Jul 11, 2024

Unmissable Highlights of the Edinburgh Festival Season

Thursday Jul 11, 2024

Hi, we hope you're having a wonderful summer and really enjoying all the creativity that's out there. Looking forward to the festival season that's now underway. Camden is going great with new work from Michael Traufer, a brand new musical called The Pink List at the King's Head. Catch that in August.

If you're heading up to Edinburgh, then here are some of our tips. First, drink plenty of water because this summer looks like it's going to be a scorcher. And also, take time to enjoy some of the traditional venues. Paradise, The Vaults and St. Augustine, like the name almost suggests, is one of the original venues. And it's always worth picking something there because it keeps you in touch with what actors can do in atmospheric but quite stripped-back venues. The storytelling is often to the front in that.

Some of the shows gracing Paradise include a solo show inspired by the life of the performer Jerry Carroll. If you enjoyed Jerry at Zoo Venues last year, this would be a great time to follow up on his work. It's already had a great run at Brighton. "Light" shows just how you can bring a personal story and humor to a solo work.

Equally, if you're checking out Paradise venues, it's a good idea to pick one venue and see three or four shows there to save on time. One good show to check out is Chopped Liver and Unions from the States, presented by Blue Fire Theatre Company. This piece, inspired by the character Cyril Wesker, had a great run in Brighton too, so it's a good chance to see a work that's becoming more developed and gaining its ground.

At The Space, one of the largest and always growing venues in Edinburgh, you can find new work premiering. Edinburgh is a great place to search for brand new premieres. One notable mention is Edward's Talk, a devised drama part of the creative work of Soundcape Productions. It's 50 minutes in length and based primarily around a talk about speed awareness. Such a unique premise makes it worth checking out.

If you're exploring The Space, another show to consider is Ghost Light, a thriller set in 1865 that starts with the premise of experiencing ghosts firsthand. It takes place on Nidry Street.

On the Royal Mile, the heart of the entire Edinburgh Fringe, another Space venue to check out is Space on the Mile in Space 2. There, you can find Addict, a show that explores the impact of social media addiction. This is particularly interesting in today's modern society where social media plays a significant role in our lives.

Tech and forward-thinking shows are strongly represented this year. Apple of My Eye, an award-winning solo musical based on the life of Steve Jobs, is coming back. Especially now, with Apple having released their VR headset, it might be a fun time to revisit this musical.

Whether you're meticulously planning every minute of your Edinburgh Fringe experience or taking a lucky dip, we hope some of our choices inspire you. Share your creative works with us on Twitter or X using the hashtag #SundayFriend. Here's to a summer full of inspiration and satisfaction in your work!