A Midlands-based production company is producing a series of three new podcasts, working with theatre artists to “create and curate topical, questioning, entertaining explorations of what’s important to them and the world around them”.
She Wants a Dog “works with artists to unleash their voices and unpick current, complex topics such as trans rights, disability rights, queer politics and death”.
Producers Pippa Frith and Kate Chapman said, “we think sickness, perversion and death are great themes for a podcast series, especially when our collaborators bring such wit, humour, strength and creativity to their approaches.
“Coming from a live performance background is our common denominator and we hope this translates into tackling potentially difficult subjects in a wholly entertaining way.”
Supported by Contact Theatre, Sickbabe explores topics including COVID-19, sexuality and sexual relationships, being sick and black, work and employment, and more.
It is hosted by artist, activist, founder of Unmuted Brum and co-director of Colours Youth Network Suriya Aisha. Guests include founder and director of The Womb Room Saschan Fearon-Josephs, queer disabled body positive influencer Imogen Fox, industry specialist speaker for sickle cell anaemia and author Jenica Leah and performance artist Toni-Dee Paul. The podcast is available now at the She Wants a Dog Podcasts web site or from other podcast outlets.
The Pervert’s Podcast, presented by theatre company Milk Presents and in partnership with Derby Theatre, is a new queer audio cabaret, recorded live, giving the listener a front-row seat. Each show centres around an item selected from national queer archives.
Bringing together “some of the most exciting names in the queer community”, The Pervert’s Podcast is hosted by Milk’s Leo J Skilbeck and guests include Mzz Kimberly, Georgoise Bourgeois, Shay Shay and Annie Siddons. It will be available from December 2021.
Showcasing five of the UK’s “most exciting” theatre writing talents, A Practical Guide to Death features a collection of short-form dramas, produced in partnership with Nottingham Playhouse. Each episode explores the subject of death, with topics including professional mourners, the mortician’s perspective, self-help for the dying, death and OCD, and complex grief.
The pieces will be read by actors including Michael Balogun, Amelia Bullmore, Lisa Hammond, Danielle Henry and Balvinder Sopal. Writers include Amanda Whittington, Leah Chillery, Mufaro Makubika, Rochi Rampal and Annie Siddons. The podcast will be available from 22 November.