The Uncensored Critic Podcast

Cassandra Woodhouse Part 3!Cassandra returns to talk about her latest discoveries about playing Tessa in her latest tour of Prima Facie around New Zealand. As well as her debut book, “Sex, Power and Prima Facie: When Art Becomes Activism and the Creatress Rises”.In this beautiful book, Cassandra delivers a powerful, poignant and vivid understanding of not only Suzie Miller’s play, but of the healing journey after the curtain comes down. Sex, Power and Prima Facie delves into her experience of taking this play around New Zealand, a one woman show in more ways than one, and the profound impact it had on the audiences and herself. From advice on how to regulate your nervous system after a demanding acting challenge, to having empathy for people sharing their stories for the first time. This book is not only for fans of the play, but for those discovering it for the first time. This is for you and the one in three. Get your copies now on from any major retailer, and it’s also available as an audiobook on Spotify. All this and much more!Thank you again Cassandra always a pleasure!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.comPlease Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning

Vivian trained at the Codarts University for the Arts in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Her credits include, for film:​Heather Duke, Heathers: The Musical, 2022For theatre:​Dear Evan Hansen, Manchester​Heather Duke, Heather’s: The Musical, The Other Palace Theatre​Judy Benly, 9-5 The Musical UK TourShe is currently starring in the UK and Ireland Tour of Mean Girls in the iconic role of Regina George, made famous by Rachel McAdams in the hit 2004 film alongside Lindsay Lohan. For more information and to book tickets you can do so via the link below:https://meangirlsmusical.com/Vivian and I discuss her journey into the business, training at Codarts and getting cast in Mean Girls. As well as, life on the road, the demands and rewards of the job and how she makes this famous role her own. Thank you Vivian!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.comPlease Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning

It’s a big welcome back to the master that is Chris Palmer! Chris is a voice, breath, movement, yin yoga, tai chi, Shakespeare and accent expert. Now celebrating her second book, exploring more about the voice and how some of the world’s leading practitioner’s methods can tie into vocal support helping you with pitch, resonance and articulation. Those include Michael Chekhov, Meisner and Stanislavski to name a few. The book is called Voice Training Through Acting and Movement and is now available online as well as in major retailers. Chris delves into the Meisner, Michael Chekhov and Stanislavski and how their methods can apply to training your voice as well as helping you develop the characters you play. Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.comPlease Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning

Lucy is a Movement Director, Choreographer and Intimacy Director who has worked on some of the biggest shows in the British and International theatre scene. Her work across all three professions include, for screen:Banana, E4Truthseekers, AmazonThe Nutcracker, The Snow Queen, Thumbelina and Peter Pan, BBCCriminal Record Series 2, STV Studios for Apple +For theatre:Workshop Leader for the Paralympic Opening Games, London 2012Wind in the Willows, West Yorkshire PlayhouseTwelfth Night, Sheffield Theatres The Effect, Sheffield TheatresNo’s Knife, Old VicUgly Lies the Bone, National TheatreGirl from the North Country, Old Vic, Noel Coward Theatre and Public Theatre (Off-Broadway)Billy Elliot, Curve Leicester Machinal, Old VicWaiting for Godot, Theatre Royal HaymarketFear of 13, DonmarChristmas Day, AlmeidaRoad, Royal ExchangeInter Alia, National Theatre, Wyndham’s and soon Broadway, directed by Justin Martin - amongst many more!Lucy and I discuss her work across all three of her professions and specifically her time on the recent West End transfer of Suzie Miller’s Inter Alia. A play about the impact on the youth of today as a result of what they can access on the internet, as well as how she works with her actors choreographing intimate scenes and making them as comfortable as possible. All this and much more! Thank you Lucy!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.comPlease Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning

Daisy is a Grammy-winning singer and songwriter whose work has been heard on her singles, albums, television series narrated by David Attenborough, to films such as “Loki” and “Yesterday”. While at school she signed to Decca (Universal) records to become part of the quartet “All Angels” as a lead vocalist. Her work has also featured on Film/TV/Video Games from:The Sims 4Shaun the SheepBBC Radio ScotlandSkyITVCNNBob Harris’ “Under the Apple Tree” series. She holds a dual citizenship between the UK and the USA and can be found touring around Nashville, New York, LA and Chicago to name a few. As well as, festival appearances including Glastonbury Green Futures, Cornbury and the Edinburgh Fringe. In 2024 she won a Grammy as part of the Birdsong Project with her piece “Murmuration” inspired by starling murmurations. Her songs have been recognised in competitions, coming first in “Roots Tech” with her song “Music Is There” and in the “Coffee Music Project” with her song “London’s On Fire”. On top of all of this, Daisy also received the 2024 Cameron Makintosh MT Writer Placement Award and is currently co-writing musicals with Rebecca Brewer. Those include “Caven” and a new one about Jane Austen’s life for Mayflower Studios. Most recently she appeared on a panel at the renowned drama school Arts Ed on International Women’s Day. Talking about the availability of good parts for women, navigating the industry, advocating for yourself, being your own superhero and what we want the future to look like for women in the arts. We discuss her journey into the business, “All Angels”, writing music and the experience of both winning a Grammy, and hearing your work against the backdrop of legendary broadcaster David Attenborough. Thank you Daisy!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.comPlease Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new series, Shakespeare Saturday!Hosted by myself and fellow Shakespeare enthusiast Sarah Spring!This series is for all you Shakespeare and theatre lovers, as well as those studying the plays at a high level. For those in the UK that could be for your GSCE’s, A Levels or degree. Or for your SAT’s in the USA to college standard.To begin with we look at one of Shakespeare’s most studied play across the UK, Macbeth, aka “The Scottish Play”. A play written with warning about succumbing to the dark, demonic world of witchcraft and to the power of dangerous ambition that threatens to turn the world upside down.This week we take a dive into the play’s supernatural powers, theatrical superstition, dangers of blasphemous ambition and tackling some previous exam questions. For anyone studying the Macbeth or any other of Shakespeare’s cannon, please get in touch with your questions and elements of the play you’d like to know more about.Thanks for listening and stay tuned for our next episode!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.comPlease Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning

Tómas Howser and Emily Dilworth are two fellow members of the GSA family that I was proud to share my year with. Tomas graduated in 2022, he can be seen as the role of “Deputy Commissioner Miles Irving” in all six of Sony Liv’s streaming series “The Walking of a Nation, directed by the multi-award winning Ram Madhuani. Other credits include “Entrapped” for Netflix, “When the Light Breaks” which made it to the Cannes Film Festival in 2024, and has voiced various roles including the Icelandic dubbing of “The Emoji’s Movie”. He is also a skilled rap artist and has featured on the “Fever Dream” European Tour. Check out his website to book your one to one sessions helping you with audition technique and advice for drama school. tomashowser.comEmily also graduated in 2022 and recently completed “F.I.T.D”, a short film executively produced by Romesh Ranganathan in association with Soho House. Stage credits include, Queen Elizabeth and Lord Mayor in two productions of Richard III. As well as, The Glitch, Pretend, By The Grace of God, Lady Macduff, Hedda Gabler, The Laramie Project and The Homecoming. She is also skilled in stage combat, horse riding and horse jumping. Both appeared in “The Welkin” at GSA in November 2021 with Tómas as “Mr Coombes” and Emily as “Elizabeth Luke”. A play by Lucy Kirkwood, set in 1759 Suffolk, Sally Poppy is accused of murder and faces the gallows. However at the eleventh hour she claims to be pregnant and under the law a woman carrying a child is not permitted to be hung. She goes to trail and a jury of twelve women led by Elizabeth Luke, with Mr Coombes the court bailiff observing, decide whether she is telling the truth or not. Tom, Emily and myself take a deep dive into the play, the rehearsal process and what they play uncovers about the position of women in society. How far we’ve come since 1759 and how some things are still the same. This episode contains spoilers!Thank you Tom and Emily, until next time!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.comPlease Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning

Katie is an actor and writer who has graduated from Goldsmiths University and East 15 Drama School. Her credits include:Film:Burlesque FilmsAnimal CharmTV:The CutTheatre:Caviar and Chips - Soho Theatre and TourTwo’s Tales - King’s Head TheatreUncle Vanya - Theatre NomadHamlet, The Seagull and The Odyssey - Factory Theatre Company As both an actor and writer she has also appeared in her own one woman show “Fox”, written in 2018, first performed at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019, followed by a UK Tour. Including a recent run at the Park Theatre in Islington this past December, directed by Lisa Cagnacci. Katie and I discuss her play, the writing process, getting the show up and running, and the rewards and challenges of its subject, motherhood. The play follows a mother called “MUM”, she’s just given birth to her first child and finds herself increasingly anxious, as a result of being isolated in her flat all day caring for her newborn while her husband is at work. On top of this, a mysterious homeless man is perched on the other side of the wall of her flat. While he offers no threat to the mother and child, his presence is nevertheless unsettling, and the mother would like to know more about why and how he got there. This play is about the side of being a parent that many wouldn’t know about, it removes the rose tinted glasses and shows you what its really like. In addition, how important it is to ask for help if you’re struggling and how you don’t have to do it on your own. Thank you Katie!-Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.comPlease Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning

Helen is a professional moment catcher from Derry whose work is used not only in the theatre, but for portraits, editorial work, promotional campaigns to making celebrities look good in iconic venues such as Wimbledon. She originally trained as an actor but after some time she realised, in her own words, she “preferred observing the chaos rather than being a part of it”. She made that decision in 2012 and has never looked back. Since then she has shot for over 300 productions at venues such as the National Theatre, Royal Court, Young Vic, Donmar, Barbican, Shakespeare’s Globe and RSC. Here are some honourable mentions:Prima Facie at the Harold Pinter (London) and John Golden (New York)We Black Woman, Donmar WarehouseOur Empty Theatres, a portfolio capturing over 22 theatres that went dark during the pandemicLong Days Journey Into Night, Wyndham’s Theatre with Brian CoxMany backstage shots across major theatres in the countryLehman Trilogy revival at the Gillian LynneCheck out her other projects:“Widening the Lens” with The Act for Change Project Her production company The Question is Productions which shines a light on Irish culture and identity. Their debut short “The Derry Feis” currently in pre-production, anyone wishing to donate to their crowd funder you can do so on her website. helenmurrayphotos.comOn top of all this, she is the chosen winner in the Photography 41 Awards 2025 and Best Production Photography of the Theatre and Technology Awards in 2017. Helen and I discuss her early years as an actor before turning to behind the camera, her process in finding the right picture and how she works with actors to sports personalities to get the perfect shot. As well as her time working with the creative team on Prima Facie and Long Days Journey Into Night and much more. Thank you Helen!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.comPlease Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning

Georgia is a creative ageing specialist, academic, pro-ageing advocate and Applied Theatre expert. Her work is focussed on the elderly population, care homes and ageing positively. Using her creative powers to spread the word of issues within the older community and how the problems they are facing can be eradicated.Georgia’s practice started in 2014 when she founded a resident-led theatre company while being an Activities Co-ordinator for one of the UK’s leading care home providers. Since then she has worked with other homes, hospitals, shelters and digital platforms creating spaces for creativity, critical reflection and building communities. Earning recognition at some of the most prestigious institutions such as the Tate Modern, Alexandra Palace, BBC, BFI and The Stage. She holds a BA(Hons) in Performing Arts and Music from the University of Chichester and an MA in Applied Theatre from Central School of Speech and Drama. In 2023 she completed her PhD from the University of Portsmouth with her thesis “Applied Theatre in Later Life: Facilitation, Participation and Shame Resilience”. Exploring how theatre can support emotional well-being and the collective voices in the elderly community. On top of all this she is the programme leader and lecturer for the BA(Hons) Applied and Contemporary Theatre at the Guildford School of Acting. Last year she was awarded the Early Career Teacher of the Year Award from Surrey University’s Arts, Business and Social Sciences Department. Stay tuned for her upcoming debut book “Ageing on Stage: Creative Ageing and Theatre” which confronts ageing, tacking ageist shaming and stimulating shame resilience. We discuss her earliest inspirations to get involved with Applied Theatre and her love of working with the elderly population. In addition, how she conducts her practice and how theatre can change the world, especially within the older population fighting ageism, LGBTQ discrimination and loneliness. For more information about her work visit her website:Georgiabowers.co.ukThank you Georgia!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.comPlease Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning

The long awaited return of Simon Furness!I’ve been meaning to have Simon back on the show since he was my second only guest back in 2021!This time we take a dive back into Vanya and Chekhov’s other celebrated work “The Seagull”. Both plays were given huge London revivals in recent times and we take a look at how their interpretations of the text are similar and different to how Simon believes Chekhov would have liked to be seen done. We also ask questions such as, with Chekhov putting his characters in such tragic circumstances, is he making a mockery of unfortunate lives or is it social commentary? In other words, is he mocking people who are sad or is he plainly showing this is the way of life for some people? As well as finding the humour in these dire straits, is it to make fun of their situations of unrequited love and desperate need to feel loved or it is a way to heal them? Make light of a bad situation in order to help them out of their depression and cure them?All this and much more in our discussion!Including Simon’s cameo in Netflix’s “Wednesday” and what he would do with a West End budget if he was given the reigns to a Chekhov masterpiece. Thank you so much Simon, a pleasure to have you back!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.comPlease Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning

The return of Sarah Spring!Sarah returns to the show to dissect more Shakespeare, this time we look at the most famous speech in the world, “To be, or not to be” and the brilliant dialogue between Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado about Nothing. We look at what makes “To be, or not to be” so famous as well as so beautiful. In Act 3 Scene 1 of Hamlet, the young Danish prince tormented by the suspicious death of his father and his mother’s quick remarriage to his uncle Claudius, contemplates whether to face his “sea of troubles” or remove himself from the face of the planet. Hamlet asks is it worth facing this awful situation in his family or should he take his own life and be free of the burden? Begging the question, is it worth facing our demons or do we risk flying to an “undiscovered country” that we can’t return from and know nothing about in the hope it will relieve us from our torments? Special mention to Benedict Cumberbatch and his interpretation at the Barbican in 2015 which we look at in a lot of detail!Done so many different ways with actors of both genders and a multitude of life experiences, this soliloquy speaks to every human being before us, right now and for those to come. Hence why it is so famous!Sarah and I take a deep dive into the speech and find what it means to us individually and the many ways it can be interpreted. As well as the emotional connection she has to Much Ado about Nothing and why it means so much to her. Check out her socials for more information and how to get in touch!Pleasure as always Sarah thank you!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.comPlease Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning The Uncensored Critic Podcast was heard in over 34 countries in 2024. In the same year streams grew by 39%, listeners increased by 30%, brand new listeners were up by 88% and followers were up 136%. The show has an average rating of 5/5 Stars. Official stats from #SpotifyWrapped 2024.

Laura trained at the Guildford School of Acting and Tring Park Performing Arts (partnered with Arts Educational Schools, London). She has performed in many capacities (instrumentalist, actor and musician) across the world, from West End shows, actor-musician Shakespeare to playing on the world’s stage at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, 2022. She plays a multitude of instruments including saxophone, piano, flute, clarinet and guitar. Being also a skilled loop system user (like the one Ed Sheeran uses), she can create any song in the catalogue from the drum beat, the bass line to the main guitar riff in no time at all! Check out her website and instagram for performances, one being a looped version of Seven Nation Army. On top of this she is a teacher and director having led workshops at GSA, LAMDA and Tring Park, helping people from all backgrounds nurture their talent and boost their confidence. Lastly, she offers private tuition for acting and saxophone playing, from practice sessions to advice on drama school preparation, she’s got you covered! Her website is below for you to get in touch as well as her instagram. Website: lauraag.infoInstagram: @Laura.ag_Laura and I discuss her passion for music, learning the saxophone, acting and her time training at GSA both before and during the lockdown years. As well as her time in Othello at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury where for one show she had to perform Desdemona at a moment’s notice! Furthermore, her demanding schedule in Qatar for the recent World Cup and serenading the public with her sax on stage, in the London underground after dark and by the famous piano in St Pancras station. Watch one of those performances below:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTlGV0LMs10&list=RDhTlGV0LMs10&start_radio=1Obrigado Laura! Até à próxima 🎼Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.comPlease Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning The Uncensored Critic Podcast was heard in over 34 countries in 2024. In the same year streams grew by 39%, listeners increased by 30%, brand new listeners were up by 88% and followers were up 136%. The show has an average rating of 5/5 Stars. Official stats from #SpotifyWrapped 2024.