A new magazine-style 12-part podcast series that tells the story of a nation and a world in rapid transition with commissions and performances from some of the UK’s most exciting names in contemporary arts and entertainment. Launching on Thursday 6th May 2021.
Featuring guest hosts: Remona Aly, Desiree Burch, Sophie Duker, Nish Kumar, Terry Gilliam and Chris McCausland.
23 new fiction commissions from some of the UK’s most exciting playwrights, novelists and poets including: Travis Alabanza, Ella Hickson, Eno Mfon, Hollie McNish, Gary Owen, Jack Rooke, Michael Rosen, Stef Smith and Testament.
Featuring interviews and interventions from leading voices from across culture, science, politics and journalism including: Open Democracy’s Mary Fitzgerald, comedian Richard Herring, film critic Mark Kermode, Whores of Yore’s Dr Kate Lister, data scientist Dr Cathy O’Neil and Rabbi Alexandra Wright.
Creative and acting ensemble includes: Lois Chimimba, Tinuke Craig, Paapa Essiedu, Sorcha Groundsell, Debbie Hannan, Kathy Kiera Clarke, Debbie Korley, Jodie McNee, Ben and Max Ringham, Jack Rowan, Sacha Wares and Siôn Daniel Young.
Featuring stories and testimony by members of the public from across the UK collected by celebrated journalist Aina Khan.
Trailer: 22nd April 2021
Launch Date: 6th May 2021
Storyglass and ETT (English Touring Theatre) today announce a curated podcast and fiction series THAT PODCAST, bringing together artists, poets, novelists, comedians, journalists, scientists, spoken word artists, playwrights and members of the UK public to provide creative cultural insight into a nation that finds itself in a moment of profound change and upheaval.
From the global pandemic to digital sex work, the Black Lives Matter movement to the ubiquity of fake news, THAT PODCAST will explore the unparalleled times we’re currently living through with stories from everyday life retold from across the UK and internationally, refracted and reimagined by some of the most striking voices in contemporary fiction.
ETT’s Artistic Director, Richard Twyman, today said: ‘’THAT PODCAST is a project that is all about listening to the small and unexpected ways that our lives have changed over the last year, whilst also looking into the future and asking what will the impact of these changes be? Delving into the detail of how daily life has evolved has led us to some fascinating and extraordinary people and stories. By working together with freelance artists and bold new voices in drama, poetry, comedy and music, coming from all corners of the UK, the series speaks to the shock, insight and intensity of a year in all our lives.”
Robert Delamere, Storyglass, Executive Producer, commented: “After the recent successes of the Storyglass studio in fiction, arts and comedy, we’re delighted to have such an incredible range of talent working with us on this new format. THAT PODCAST is a daring and eclectic mix of fact, fiction and commentary. This curated series of podcasts offers an exciting range of new, emerging and established talent all addressing some of the key ideas, experiences and trends of our times.”
Steve Carsey, Storyglass, Managing Director, commented: “THAT PODCAST represents everything that Storyglass stands for. We are the home of production excellence, exceptional talent and creative partnerships. We want to amplify new voices that deserve to be heard. We want to give established writers a home for their creativity. We want to push the boundaries of fiction and become a go to destination for audio drama. THAT PODCAST is a home for new voices, new writing and new ideas. I couldn’t be prouder of everything Robert, Richard, the wider team and all of our contributors have achieved.”
Partnering on the series are Storyglass and ETT. Storyglass was launched as a standalone podcasting company in June 2020, by Bertelsmann businesses Fremantle, Penguin Random House UK, BMG and DK. ETT are a UK based international touring company, creating theatre and digital work of outstanding quality, imagination and ambition.
