The Creative Stage

David Doyle and Stella Powell-Jones - Executive Producer and Artistic Director

David Doyle and Stella Powell-Jones are the Executive Producer and Artistic Director of the only Studio Theatre in Central London: Jermyn Street Theatre. After celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2024, JST open 2025 with an eclectic Spring Season hosting a variety of theatre makers. 
In this episode, Sam talks to David and Stella about their careers so far, how they go about their roles at JST and what inspires them when reading a script for the first time. 

Somebody Jones - Playwright and Dramaturg

Originally from LA, Somebody is now based in London working as a Playwright and Dramaturg, spending the past year as Paines Plough's Fellow Playwright. Her most recent play, How I Learned to Swim premiered at the Edinburgh Festival, then transferring to London and Bristol.
Sam joins Somebody at the Paines Plough offices in North London, discussing American and British theatre, her influences and how she works as a dramaturg.

Gavin Joseph - Director, Actor and Writer

Gavin Joseph is currently Associate Director at Tara Theatre in South West London. Before now, Gavin has been Creative Associate with Company Three and has worked with venues such as The Old Vic, Young Vic and Southwark Playhouse. 
Sam joins Gavin at Tara Theatre as they discuss directing an ensemble, working with first time writers, and a particular interest of Gavin's - Absurdism and Surrealism.

Alan Turkington - Actor

Alan is a Northern Irish Actor, now based in London. His Television credits include Heartstopper (Netflix) Deadhot (Amazon) and AIDS: The Unheard Tapes (BBC) and has performed on some of the biggest stages in the UK. Alan's VoiceOver work includes numerous audiobooks, video games, and is a continuity host for Sky TV.
Sam joins Alan Turkington where they first met at Omnibus Theatre, Clapham; as they discuss the balance of working on stage and screen, different forms of VoiceOver and his work with Equity.  

Charlotte Vickers - Director

Charlotte is a theatre director from the East Midlands, currently based between Derbyshire and East London. She’s drawn to theatre that’s complex, political, awe-inspiring, irreverent and a good night out.
Sam joins Charlotte in the rehearsal room for her most recent production of Autumn, an adaptation of the Ali Smith novel with the same name, running at the Park Theatre till the 2nd November. 
Our Chat:
Directing Epic Theatre for small spacesFinding Queerness in TextDirector as Dramaturg

Azan Ahmed - Actor, Writer and Poet

Sam joins Azan before the matinée of Azan's own play Statues, currently on at the Bush Theatre London.
Azan is an actor, poet, award-winning playwright and the founder and lead producer of Deen & Dunya - a Muslim Poetry Night. Azan's screen credits most recently include Van Der Valk (ITV) and has performed on major stages including The Globe, Almeida Theatre and The National Theatre.
Our chat...Approaching AuditionsEmbodying CharacterActor / Director RelationshipsDeen and Dunya

Jon Berry - Playwright

Jon Berry is a playwright based in South Wales, described as being a bold new voice in Welsh theatre, characterised with delicate mix of dreamscape and concrete reality.
Sam joins Jon in the middle of tech week for his play Tachwedd (November/The Slaughter), performing at Theatre503 in London; Jon discusses the process behind the play, his perspective of Queer Theatre, and the impact Tennessee Williams and Sarah Kane has had on his work.

Katy Schutte - Improvisor and Writer

Writer and Improvisor Katy Schutte joins Sam, discussing her work, her most recent 'cosmic horror' play, and the transferable skills improvisation offers across art forms. 

Welcome to The Creative Stage Podcast

The Creative Stage Podcast
Conversations with creatives from stage and screen, inviting us into their own creative space. Hosted by Sam Pout.
Tune in to be inspired by the brilliant people making work right now.