Explore every episode of the podcast Sounds and Stage Podcast

In this Edinburgh Fringe special of the Sounds and Stage Podcast, Tim is joined by comedian Antony Vila, creator of The Stand-Up Experience — an entirely improvised comedy show where there’s no script, no plan, and the audience becomes part of the entertainment.

Antony talks about why he moved away from traditional scripted stand-up, how he creates comedy from conversations with the audience, and what makes every performance completely different.

We also chat about the realities of taking a show to the Edinburgh Fringe, from flyering and finding an audience to accommodation, finances and the sheer amount of preparation that goes on behind the scenes.

Antony also shares how he got into comedy, his ambitions to take the show on tour, and his advice for performers heading to the Fringe.

Expect the unexpected — because with The Stand-Up Experience, even Antony doesn't know what's going to happen next.

In this episode of the Sounds and Stage Podcast, Tim is joined by Tyler Cowie and Chloe Downes from The Fifth Act Company to talk about their new play, William Street, and the journey from university theatre to the Edinburgh Fringe.

Set in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1972, William Street follows the O'Shea family in the days leading up to Bloody Sunday. Rather than presenting a political lecture, the production explores the human impact of conflict — looking at family relationships, division and what happens when historic violence reaches people's homes.

Tyler and Chloe discuss founding The Fifth Act Company in Oxford, developing the play through improvisation and devised theatre, Chloe's personal connection to Northern Ireland, and the challenge of condensing such a complex period of history into a one-hour production.

We also chat about the reality of taking a student-founded theatre company to the Edinburgh Fringe, including the unexpected amount of admin, promotion, travel and planning that happens behind the scenes.

In this episode:

• How The Fifth Act Company was created
• The inspiration behind William Street
• Exploring Bloody Sunday through a family's experience
• Developing a script through improvisation
• Why the themes of division and hatred remain relevant today
• Taking a university production to Edinburgh
• The hidden workload behind producing a Fringe show
• Tyler and Chloe's theatre journeys
• What's next for The Fifth Act Company

🎭 William Street
📍 Edinburgh Fringe
📅 16–21 August 2026
⏰ 10:30am
🎟️ Braw Venues @ Hill Street, Venue 41

Sounds and Stage Podcast — Real theatre. Real people. Real conversations.

#EdinburghFringe #WilliamStreet #TheatrePodcast

What happens when gender, power and control collide with satire, absurdism and fringe theatre?

In this episode of the Sounds and Stage Podcast, Tim is joined by Sylvia Gardner, Co-Artistic Director of Theatre of Cowards, to talk about their upcoming production, Dead Effing Rebels, ahead of its run at Camden Fringe 2026.

Sylvia takes us behind the scenes of the show's development, from its original inspiration and early drafts through to getting the production in front of an audience. We explore how Dead Effing Rebels tackles gender, power and control through comedy, satire and absurdism — and why fringe theatre provides such an exciting space for taking creative risks.

We also chat about the realities of producing theatre on a limited budget, what success at a fringe festival actually looks like, the importance of theatre as a social and community art form, and Sylvia's ambitions for the future of Theatre of Cowards.

And, in Sylvia's own words:

"If you've ever had a manager that you believed was deeply, deeply sexually repressed, this is the show for you."

🎭 In this episode:

• The inspiration behind Dead Effing Rebels
• Gender, power and control
• Satire, absurdism and social realism
• Developing a new play from draft to stage
• Why Theatre of Cowards chose Camden Fringe
• The realities of producing fringe theatre on a budget
• What Sylvia wants audiences to take away from the show
• The future of Theatre of Cowards

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Sylvia Gardner and Dead Effing Rebels
02:12 – Inspiration and origins of the show
04:42 – Audience appeal and accessibility
07:03 – Theatre influences and inspirations
08:23 – Recent theatre experiences and influences
09:39 – Audience takeaways and questions
11:22 – Theatre as a social and community art form
13:18 – Why Camden Fringe and future plans
15:02 – Challenges of fringe festival production
16:24 – Excitement for the upcoming run
17:07 – Taking a show to a fringe festival
19:16 – What makes a successful Fringe experience?
20:18 – Theatre of Cowards' philosophy and goals
23:07 – Future aspirations and dream collaborations
26:50 – Selling Dead Effing Rebels in one sentence
27:19 – The unexpected wow factor
28:52 – Why should audiences choose this show?
29:19 – Where to see Dead Effing Rebels
29:30 – Where to follow Sylvia and Theatre of Cowards
29:34 – What's next after the Fringe?

🎙️ Sounds and Stage Podcast
Real theatre. Real people. Real conversations.

#DeadEffingRebels #CamdenFringe #SoundsAndStage

For many theatre fans, waiting at the stage door is a cherished part of the experience. But what are the unwritten rules, and how can audiences ensure they're creating a positive experience for both fellow theatregoers and the performers they've come to support?

In this episode of the Sounds and Stage Podcast, we explore the etiquette of stage door—from asking for photos and autographs to respecting performers' time, personal space and privacy. We also discuss why not every actor stage doors, how to be considerate of theatre staff, and why kindness is the key to keeping this much-loved theatre tradition alive.

Whether you're planning your first trip to the West End or you're a regular stage door visitor, this episode is packed with practical tips to help make every theatre visit a memorable one—for all the right reasons.

Sounds and stage podcast introduction