Helen Blakeman and Setting

Prolific author Tanika Gupta talks about stagecraft, highlighting the importance of voice and comic idiom in her writing. 

Playwriting master Alan Ayckbourn reveals how he develops and connects ideas for his plays, and the meticulous process of structuring and ‘building’ a script. 

Ayckbourn's approach to redrafting and rewriting scripts, and how dramatic ideas and twists emerge. 

Techniques used to enhance a speech 

Techniques to engage an audience 

The vocal coach extraordinaire chats about developing her unique approach and working with stars of Broadway and the big screen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 

<p>The author of The Handmaid's Tale and its sequel, The Testaments, lets us in on her process of storytelling, involving both a “panoramic view ” and rolling revisions: “I’m more of a downhill skier – just get to the end and then you can go back and see where you screwed up alon ... Show More

<p>From "safety nets" to "act three payoffs," Pilar goes solo to talk about what she's learning while working with writers <em>Story to Script</em>.</p> 

Poet Fiona Sampson, conductor Alice Farnham, and broadcaster Tom Service join Ian McMillan to explore the maths, metaphors and musical terms that make up the language of conducting. Plus comedy writer Jack Bernhardt takes a sideways look at Hollywood's take on the tortured genius ... Show More

<p>How do you learn new skills in the #VoiceFirst arena? How do you share what you've learned with others? A week before the Voice Summit, Mark and Allen share their experiences as authors, documenters, podcasters, and public speakers.</p> 

Alan Ayckbourn talks to Angus MacKechnie about his career, focusing on his work at the National Theatre whilst Peter Hall was Artistic Director and his recently revived play A Small Family Business. 

New vocab and new techniques.