Advertise on podcast: Famous People You've Never Heard Of

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

Call Backs takes us back to that weird post lockdown era when we were still sort of locked down.   All sorts of relationships were affected in all sorts of ways… This is a fun look back on those very strange times! Written by J.J. Leppink Performed by Greg Arundell & J.J leppink Studio recording & editing:  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

Released to coincide with the Hackney History Festival  The Hackneyed Detective  is an audio drama about Daniel Ludlow, a  modern day private eye based in East London.⁠ ⁠ Daniel is down on his luck and takes solace from the imaginary world of the 1940's New York gumshoe Danny Ludlow.⁠   The Hackneyed Detective is an original play from the pen of:   J.J. Leppink Cast: Daniel/Danny Ludlow:  Steve Taylor Francesca "Frankie" De Mateo:  J.J. Leppink Julie Ludlow:  Lottie Walker Secretary:  Greg Arundell 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

Nellie Bly was an American journalist who is famous for her record breaking 72 day round the world trip.⁠ ⁠ Before that though she went undercover into an "insane asylum" to report on the appalling conditions to which the patients were subjected.⁠ ⁠ This short play by JJ Leppink guesses what might have happened in the time leading up to Nellie's incarceration.⁠ This is the first in a season of 4 short audio dramas written by J.J. Leppink.  It features: J.J. Leppink and Greg Arundell Studio recording and editing:  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

A while ago we spoke with Dr Mary Shannon about Billy Waters and Mary's upcoming biography of him - "Billy Waters is Dancing". Well the book is now out (and a jolly fine read it is, too) and Mary has joined forces with historian Dr. Ben Marsh, artist Selena Scott and musician Angeline Morrison on the Age of Revolution's "Songs from the Shadows" project. The project is a free educational resource intended for students aged 11-16.  It consists of a graphic novel and a digital landscape all based on the story of Billy Waters.   To access educational resources: https://ageofrevolution.org/ Insta: @ageofrev About Selena Scott: https://www.selenascott.com/ Insta:  @selenarosescott About Mary Shannon: https://marylshannon.com/ Insta:  @drmarylshanon Billy Waters is Dancing is available from your independent bookshop: https://yalebooks.co.uk/book/9780300267686/billy-waters-is-dancing/ About Angeline Morrison: https://www.angelinemorrisonmusic.com/ Insta:  @angelcakepie2 Date for your diary - "Jump Billy",  A celebration of English folk's diverse history, through the life of celebrity Black Regency busker Billy Waters at Cecil Sharp House in London https://www.efdss.org/whats-on/26-gigs/14401-jump-billy Guests:  Dr Mary Shannon, Dr, Ben Marsh, Selena Scott Host:  Lottie Walker Studio Editor:  Lis Barlow 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

Avril Coleridge-Taylor (1903-1988);  Wikipedia says she was a "pianist".  She was.  She was also a composer and conductor (in fact she was the first female conductor of the band of the Royal Marines).   She was also the daughter of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Historian and author Stephen Bourne and musician and author Patricia Hammond talk about her  talent and her eventful  life in this episode.  Find out more about Stephen and his work championing black and LGBTQ history here: https://stephenbourne.co.uk/ Follow Stephen on Twitter: https://twitter.com/blackpoppies14 Find out more about Patricia, her music and her work to rediscover the music of the past , particularly unsung female composers here: https://patriciahammond.com/ Follow Patricia on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/hammondpatricia Music:  Mr Sun & Can Sorrow Find Me are used with permission.  Both, along with many other gems can be found on Patricia's Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/patriciahammondsongs Host:  Lottie Walker Guests:  Stephen Bourne & Patricia Hammond Production & Editing:  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

We're delighted and privileged to be releasing today's podcast on the 200th anniversary of the death of Billy Waters. Born in 1776 Waters was a familiar sight on the Strand in London.  He was a black ex-sailor who had been invalided out of the Navy after losing a leg.  With a crude wooden prosthesis he danced and also played the violin outside the Adelphi Theatre.  He became so famous that a whole industry grew up around him - his picture was painted by celebrated artists of the time, there were porcelain statues of him on sale and he was even portrayed in a popular play.  Sadly this story does not end well. Why do we refer to him as "Waters" and not "Billy"?  precisely because "Billy Waters" became a fictionalised character.  In this podcast Dr. Mary Shannon talks about the real man behind the myth and how popular culture has not changed much in 200 years.  The "fame game" is still exploiting the vulnerable.  What has changed considerably is the life of the busker and we're also fortunate to have first hand experiences of the modern day busking life told to us by Charlotte Campbell. We've told some sad tales during the time we've been recording our podcasts, but Waters' is possibly the most tragic.  We just hope that we can contribute a little to seeing him get the attention he deserves. Guest:  Dr. Mary Shannon Guest:  Charlotte Campbell Host:  Lottie Walker Production & Editing:  Harry Jacobs Find out  more about Mary: https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/mary-l-shannon Look out for Mary's book,   "Billy Waters is Dancing", which  will be published by Yale University Press. This research received support of a Linda H. Peterson Fellowship awarded by the Research Society for Victorian Periodicals and funded from the bequest of the Eileen Curran estate; it is currently funded by a Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship Grant. Leverhulme Trust: https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/ The Research Society for Victorian Periodicals: https://rs4vp.org/ Find out more about Charlotte: https://www.charlottecampbell.co.uk/ More from Mary about Waters on BBC Radio 3: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001k1g8 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

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912)  was a British composer. His mother was English and his father from Sierra Leone.  He referred to himself as "Anglo-African" and was referred to by white musicians in the US as the "Black Mahler", which is the title of the biography by  Charles Elford. Coleridge-Taylor entered the Royal College of Music at the age of only 15 and was taught by Prof. Charles Villiers Stanford, who conducted the debut performance of Coleridge-Taylor's "Hiawatha".  He is renowned in the US as a role model for black classical musicians and Elgar said he was “far and away the cleverest fellow going amongst the younger men". We hope you enjoy finding out more about him. Guest :  Chenoa Murphy Host:  Lottie Walker Editor:  Harry Jacobs About Chenoa Murphy: https://blackclassicalmusicians.com/about-chenoa/ Follow  Chenoa on Twitter : https://twitter.com/chenoaalamu Suzuki Association of America: https://suzukiassociation.org/ Chineke! Foundation: https://www.chineke.org/ The Black Mahler Website: http://www.blackmahler.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

Paula David's one woman show is a journey through menopause and a discovery of self. It is poetic and musical, has movement and dance and examines something that all women experience and few have the courage to speak about.  It is also highly amusing! Paula spoke to us about the show ahead of her one night at the Exchange in Twickenham on 29th March as part of the One Woman Wednesday season. Book tickets for the show here: https://exchangetwickenham.co.uk/event/blood-sweat-vaginas/ Guest:  Paula David Host:  Lottie Walker Editor:  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

This one-woman show, based on the book and television series She-Wolves: The Women who Ruled England Before Elizabeth by historian Helen Castor, depicts the lives of five of England’s most famous medieval queens (Empress Matilda, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Isabella of France, Margaret of Anjou, and Mary I) using speech, song, dance, and animation. Performer Laura Careless chats to us about how the show came about, what the show is about and her relationship with the incredible women featured in the show. She Wolves features on International Women's Day, March 8th at The Exchange Twickenham as part of the One Woman Wednesday festival. Buy tickets for the show here: https://exchangetwickenham.co.uk/event/she-wolves-oww/ Find out about Laura and the She Wolves Project here: https://linktr.ee/shewolvespro Find Helen Castor's books: https://www.faber.co.uk/author/helen-castor/ Follow Laura on social media: https://twitter.com/shewolvespro https://www.instagram.com/shewolvespro Guest:  Laura Careless Host:  Lottie Walker Edited by:  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

Yootha Joyce, best known for "George and Mildred" was one of the best known TV stars of the 1970's.  But she was so much more... Award -winning actress Caroline Burns-Cooke tells her story in the  brilliant one woman show "Testament of Yootha", showing for one night only at the Exchange in Twickenham on 22nd March as part of the One Woman Wednesday season to celebrate Womens History Month and International Womens Day. We had a quick chat with her about the show..... Guest:  Caroline Burns Cooke Host: Lottie Walker Editor:  Harry Jacobs Book tickets for 22nd March here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/stmarysuni/t-ojmjgvm Follow Caroline on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/proxyrope Follow Caroline on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarolineCooke19 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

Isadora Duncan:  dancer, muse, innovator, political activist and so much more was born in the USA in 1877.  She died in Nice, France in 1927 in a freak accident that is sadly the thing that she seems to be most remembered for.  Well we want to change that! Elizabeth Blake is an actress, dancer and choreographer.  She has written and is currently performing a one woman show about Isadora that has wowed audiences and critics alike and today and we're delighted she agreed to chat to us about the great Isadora Duncan. Check out Elizabeth  - and see where to see the show "Isadora the Barefoot Dancer" here: https://www.facebook.com/isadoraidancewhatiam Follow Elizabeth on Twitter https://twitter.com/ebchoreo Tickets for the show in Petersfield on 9th November: https://petersfieldmuseum.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/43026?catID=34086 Other interesting stuff: https://www.petersfieldmuseum.co.uk// https://www.phoenixarts.co.uk/ https://www.bookdepository.com/author/Isadora-Duncan 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 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