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Constance Lloyd was born into a wealthy family.  She wrote and published children's stories.  She was an advocate of the dress reform movement.  She married the love of her life and had two children.  The love of her life was Oscar Wilde.  It did not end well. Lexi Wolfe has written and performs in the play "A Forgotten Woman: Mrs Oscar Wilde", which is on tour and playing the Edinburgh Festival Fringe..   Follow Slade Wolfe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sladewolfeenterprises/ Support the show 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 keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.  Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here: https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you! Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

Elizabeth Blake has written  -and performs in "Fossil Mary", a new  play celebrating the life and remarkable discoveries of Mary Anning, the pioneering fossil hunter who found her first dinosaur skeleton at the age of 12 and whose skills led to the discovery of nearly every important dinosaur fossil of the early 19th Century.  Her work changed the way people thought about the evolution of life on earth but she was poor, working class and a woman, and men took the credit for her discoveries. However, in 2010 the Royal Society recognised her as one of the 10 most influential female scientists in British history. In this episode Elizabeth chats to Lottie about Mary and the play.  Our "last word" is from Brenda Longman, who directed "Fossil Mary". The play started life at the Phoenix Arts Centre in Hampshire, where Elizabeth is an associate artist.  The Phoenix champions new writing.  Check out what they're up to here: https://www.phoenixarts.co.uk/ Host:  Lottie Walker Guests:  Elizabeth Blake & Brenda Longman Voice of Father:  Nicholas Lumley Voice of Mother:  Brenda Longman Voice of Angry Woman:  Sally McIlhone Editor:  Gordon Vowles Music:  Courtesy Pond 5 Support the show 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 keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.  Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here: https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you! Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

The Leaf Collective are presenting their play A Little Green Leaf a this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe.   The play is inspired by the life of Odette Hallowes (MBE, Legion d’Honneur, George Cross), Britain’s most highly decorated spy of the Second World War. This play tells the story of Odette’s service as an agent of the Special Operations Executive, resilience in the face of Gestapo brutality, survival of Ravensbruck concentration camp, and her remarkable ability to retain her light, humanity and compassion in the face of unimaginable suffering. A Little Green Leaf is a poignant and timely reminder of sacrifice, courage and how one achieves peace. find out more about the show: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/a-little-green-leaf Support the show 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 keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.  Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here: https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you! Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

1914. The Great War rages. Britain recruits 30,000 Bantams, men between five-foot and five-foot-three to fight in some of the bloodiest battles of the war. 1918. A group of reporters visit the Front to write about the Bantams. One Bantam remains, Patrick Michael Wolfe, a Dubliner who signed up to secure Home Rule for Ireland. This is his story. A story about patriotism, prejudice, courage and betrayal. Inspired by real events. Michael Hughes' one man show "The Last Bantam" is on tour and plays at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in august 2026. Follow Michael on Insta:  https://www.instagram.com/thelastbantam1/ Further reading:   Bantams - by Sydney Allinson Imperial War Museums - https://www.iwm.org.uk/ Guest:  Michael Hughes Host:  Lottie Walker Editor: Gordon Vowles Music:  Pond 5 Support the show 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 keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.  Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here: https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you! Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

Mary McKinnon was a businesswoman in the 19th century.  Her business was a brothel and bar.  One fateful day trouble broke out and Mary's demise was swift and merciless. Her story is an excellent illustration of how the law at the time - and society in general was heavily biased against women and the working class. Fat Pooch Productions are presenting a brand new play about Mary at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In this episode they tell us a little about Mary and a little about the play and how they've created it.     For further reading about Edinburgh in Mary's time we recommend: "The Town Below Ground", by Jan-Andrew Henderson Guests:  Julie Gonzalez-Franco & Jade L Hutchison Follow Fat Pooch on social media: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/p/Fat-Pooch-Productions-61581529208800/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/fatpoochproductions/ Host:  Lottie Walker Editor:  Gordon Vowles Music:  Courtesy Pond5 Support the show 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 keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.  Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here: https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you! Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

Louise Weber might have invented the Can Can.   She was a huge star in Paris where she danced at the Moulin Rouge (in fact she was the poster girl for the place), inspired Toulouse -Lautrec and beguiled the Prince of Wales. Known by her stage name of La Goulue (the glutton) long after her dancing career ended she had an incredible appetite for life, even when living in poverty at the end of her life. Will Visconti and Stella Kulagowski talk about Louise's life and lasting effects.   Will's book "Beyond the Moulin Rouge - the Life & Legacy of La Goulue" is available from your local independent bookshop. Stella's show, Louise: The Last Dance previews on Fridays 5th and 19th June in Toronto and plays 7-29 August at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. About Will:  https://sydney.academia.edu/WillVisconti About Stella:  https://saintstella.com/ Follow Will on X:  https://x.com/WillVisconti Follow Stella on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/saintstella/ Guests:  Will Visconti & Stella Kulagowski Host:  Lottie Walker Editor:  Gordon Vowles Music courtesy of  Pond 5. Support the show 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 keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.  Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here: https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you! Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

Therese Lessore  (1884-1945) was an artist and founder member of the London Group.  She was also the third wife of Walter Sickert. In this episode Dr Jason Price talks about Lessore's life and work and we discover just what a trail blazer she was.   Jason's book  The Art of EntertainmentPopular Performance in Modern British Art, 1880 to 1940 is an excellent read and is available from your local independent bookshop. About Jason:  https://profiles.sussex.ac.uk/p252698-jason-price Guest:  Dr Jason Price Host:  Lottie Walker Editing & Production:  Gordon Vowles Support the show 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 keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.  Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here: https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you! Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

Charlotte Payne-Townshend did not like to be in the limelight but she deserves to be remembered as someone other than the wife of George Bernard Shaw.  After all, without Charlotte Shaw would not have had the financial security that enabled him to wrote so prolifically. Born into a wealthy Irish family Charlotte was a philanthropist and political activist, joining the Fabian Society and financing a scholarship for female scholars at the London School of Economics, where a library is named after her. Actress Alexis Leighton and musician Helen Tierney talk to us today about what they think made Charlotte tick.  Their play with music "Mrs Shaw Herself" has been touring the UK and may be coming to a venue near you ... To find out more about the play (and Alexis and Helen's other collaborations)  check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MRSSHAWHERSELF Mrs Shaw Herself Guests:  Alexis Leighton & Helen Tierney Host:  Lottie Walker Music:  Helen Tierney Voice of George Bernard Shaw:  Sam Hanna Voice of Charlotte Payne Townshend:  Alexis Leighton Support the show 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 keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.  Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here: https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you! Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

Mary Shelley and Mary Wollstonecraft were mother and daughter.  They never met, but were both brilliant writers, feminists and free thinkers. They both had exciting lives and they each crafted a book that has inspired generations.   So what might have ensued had these two formidable women actually come face to face?  This three part audio drama hopes to answer that very question! Mother of Monsters Written by J.J. Leppink Directed by Lil Warren Featuring: Sarah J. Warren as Mary Shelley J.J. Leppink as Mary Wollstonecraft other roles played by Sam Hanna Studio production & editing: Harry Jacobs Find out more: https://www.lilwarren.com/ https://unityartslondon.wordpress.com/ Support the show 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 keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.  Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here: https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you! Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

Mary Shelley and Mary Wollstonecraft were mother and daughter.  They never met, but were both brilliant writers, feminists and free thinkers. They both had exciting lives and they each crafted a book that has inspired generations.   So what might have ensued had these two formidable women actually come face to face?  This three part audio drama hopes to answer that very question! Mother of Monsters Written by J.J. Leppink Directed by Lil Warren Featuring: Sarah J. Warren as Mary Shelley J.J. Leppink as Mary Wollstonecraft other roles played by Sam Hanna Studio production & editing: Harry Jacobs Find out more: https://www.lilwarren.com/ https://unityartslondon.wordpress.com/ Support the show 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 keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.  Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here: https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you! Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

Mary Shelley and Mary Wollstonecraft were mother and daughter.  They never met, but were both brilliant writers, feminists and free thinkers. They both had exciting lives and they each crafted a book that has inspired generations.   So what might have ensued had these two formidable women actually come face to face?  This three part audio drama hopes to answer that very question! Mother of Monsters Written by J.J. Leppink Directed by Lil Warren Featuring: Sarah J. Warren as Mary Shelley J.J. Leppink as Mary Wollstonecraft other roles played by Sam Hanna Studio production & editing: Harry Jacobs Find out more: https://www.lilwarren.com/ https://unityartslondon.wordpress.com/ Support the show 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 keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.  Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here: https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you! Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

They are the stuff of legend and song - the dashing women who defied gender stereotypes to plunder stagecoaches and acquire ill-gotten gains. But was it all as romantic as movies such as "The Wicked Lady" would have us believe...? Historian Sara Hiorns takes us on a journey back in time to talk about Moll Cutpurse, Katherine Ferrers and others.  Sara Hiorns: Sara was a diplomat for many years before doing a doctorate in history and subsequently lecturing at QMUL. She has interests in the history of childhood, women's history, and queer histories. She is the author of Diplomatic Families and Children’s Mobile Lives: Experiences of British Diplomatic Service Children from 1945 to 1990, as well as a published author of fiction.   She describes herself as an "historian; writer; fox aficionado; would-be swashbuckler; proud and happy wife: cold water swimmer".  Do check out Sara on Insta @highwaywoman_hiorns  Sovay is performed by QueerFolk (Sophie Crawford and George Sansome) www. queerfolk.co.uk   youtube:   @queerfolk  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/QueerFolkUK Insta:  @queerfolkuk Guest:  Sara Hiorns Host:  Lottie Walker Editor: Lis Barlow Image:  Pond5 Support the show 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 keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.  Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here: https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you! Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

What decision did you make today that had implications on the rest of your life? For Tottenham Hotspur and Scotland star player John White a simple choice to play golf made a devastating difference to the lives of his family when a freak accident saw him killed by lightning. John White was by all accounts a footballing genius.  His nickname, "the ghost of white hart lane" gained due to both his speed on the pitch and his slight appearance lends itself to the book and play of the same name about him. Today we talk to John's son, Rob, who co-authored his father's biography, Martin Murphy, writer and director of the play and Callum Lewis-Newman who has been playing john, Rob and a host of other characters in the one man play that debuted at White Hart Lane, took the Edinburgh Fringe by storm and is about to return. Further reading & Info:   The Ghost of White Hart Lane: In Search of My Father the Football Legend, by Julie Welch and Rob White  https://stanchionbooks.com/products/the-ghost-in-search-of-my-father-the-football-legend Scotland in the 60's by Ronnie McDevitt Flower of Scotland? by Archie Macpherson Guests:  Rob White,  Martin Murphy, Callum Lewis Newman Host:  Lottie Walker Readings by:  Steve Taylor & Luke Taylor Production & Editing:  Jacob Taylor Get social:   https://www.bruisedskyproductions.com/ https://www.facebook.com/BruisedSkyProductions https://www.instagram.com/bruised_sky/ https://www.instagram.com/robawhite/ https://www.instagram.com/callumlewisnewman/ https://www.instagram.com/themartinmurphy/ Support the show 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 keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.  Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here: https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you! Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

“In any civilised community the arts... must occupy a central place. Their enjoyment should not be regarded as something remote from everyday life”  ⁠ ⁠ What a quote - what a woman!⁠ ⁠ Jennie Lee was an MP before she was old enough to vote.  She was the first Minister for the Arts and the main drive behind the formation of the Open University.  ⁠ She was also married to Nye Bevan, father of the NHS.   We think we'd have liked Jennie.  How could you not like someone who said:⁠ ⁠ “Better to enjoy and suffer than sit around with folded arms. You know the only true prayer? Please God, lead me into temptation.”⁠ ⁠ Marianne McNamara is Artistic Director of Mikron Theatre Company,  currently touring with "Operation Beach Hut" and "Hush, Hush" (the latter about the women of Bletchley Park) and are on the road river until October 2025.   Dr Daniel Weinbren is a lecturer in history at the Open University and is the author of the history of the Open University Further reading: Jennie Lee: a Life - by Patricia Hollis The Open University:  A History - by Daniel Weinbren My Life with Nye - by Jennie Lee NYE:  The Political Life of Aneurin Bevan - by Nick Thomas-Symonds Before the Arts Council:  campaigns for state funding of the arts in Britain 1934-1944 - by Howard Webber Social media and website links: https://profiles.open.ac.uk/daniel-weinbren https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-weinbren-2b257521a https://mikron.org.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/mikrontheatre/ https://www.facebook.com/mikrontheatre https://www.youtube.com/MikronTheatre Guest:  Marianne McNamara & Dan Weinbren Host:  Lottie Walker Editing & Production:  Jacob Taylor Support the show 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 keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.  Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here: https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you! Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

We've all enjoyed those chatty radio and TV shows and podcasts where the presenters are mates in the real world or have a good rapport and every so often allow a little of their real lives to slip into the show's content.  But has anyone heard a show where the advice column s dealing out such gems as we find here....? Enjoy! "Women's Own (how to Kill Your Husband and Get Away With it)"  was written by J.J. Leppink.     It featured Lottie Walker and J.J. Leppink. Studio recording and production:  Harry Jacobs Support the show 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 keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.  Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here: https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you! Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos