The Literary London podcast. (general)

Nick Hennegan celebrates World Poetry Day with poems from the great American 'Beats' - Alan Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac.

www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Literary_London_-_16_March_2024_World_Poetry_Day.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:10pm UTC

Nick Hennegan plays music and poetry celebrating International Women's Day

www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Literary20London20-2020920March2020242028Womens20Week29.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:39pm UTC

Nick Hennegan celebrates the birthday of W.H Auden and Samual Pepys - and links to a certain British Film!

www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Literary_London_-_24_Feb_24_WH_Auden_and_Peyps.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:39pm UTC

Nick Hennegan talks to veteran British Comedy Actor Jeffrey Holland about his new play ‘After All These Years’ and his time with British Comedy classics, ‘Hi Di Hi!’, ‘You Rang M’Lord?’ and ‘Dad’s Army’  See the video at - www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Literary_London_-_10th_Feb_2024_Jefferey_Holland.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:19pm UTC

Guy Masterson talks to Nick Hennegan about life as an artist and  performer.

www.BohemianBritain.com 

Direct download: Literary_London_-_27_Jan_2024_Guy_Masterson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:26pm UTC

Nick Hennegan celebrates the birthday of Edgar Allan Poe - the first well-known American writer to earn a living through writing alone, resulting in a financially difficult life and career. His Mother was an English born actor.

www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Liteary_London_-_20_Januay_2024_Edgar_Allan_Poe.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55pm UTC

Nick Hennegan celebrates recent birthdays and words of wisdom, advice for writers, inspired music and insightful quotes from world-famous talents, Tolkien, Asimov and Forster.

www.BohemianBritain.com 

Direct download: Literary_London_-_13_January_2024_Writers_January_Birthdays_and_Quotes.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:44pm UTC

Nick Hennegan takes your Christmas requests... which get very Welsh with Dylan Thomas and Cerys Matthews.

www.BohemianBritain.com

 

Direct download: Literary_London_-_16_Dec_2023_Xmas.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:22pm UTC

Nick Hennegan had the pleasure of meeting the Pogues frontman, Shane MacGowan - punk, traditionalist and perceived hell-raiser - who has passed away.  This is his personal tribute.

www.BohemianBritain.com

 

Direct download: Literary_London_-_2_December_2023_Shame_MacGowan.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:29pm UTC

Nick Hennegan celebrates the Dylan Thomas wreath-laying in Westminster Abbey by presenting the Welsh poet telling stories - live!

www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Literary_London__-_TX_18112023_The_Outing_.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:48pm UTC

This week, Nick Hennegan celebrates the birth of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, with performances from Cerys Matthews and Guy Masterson.

www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Literary_London_-_4_November_2023_Dylan_Thomas_Birthday.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:35pm UTC

Nick Hennegan celebrates Oscar Wilde with one of his most famous poems and some of his most famous one-liners! 

www.BohemianBritain.com 

Direct download: Literary_London_-_14_October_2023_Oscar_Wilde.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:43pm UTC

This time Nick Hennegan takes your requests, with new music and poetry and some classics too.

www.BohemianBritain.com 

Direct download: Literary_London_-_7_October_2023_Requests_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:01pm UTC

Nick Hennegan is in Wales! So this time 'Literary London', looks at the influence place has on poets, with readings from Dylan Thomas and T.S. Eliot.

www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Literary20London20-203020September2020232028Thomas20and20TS20Eliot29.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:56am UTC

Nick Hennegan is at the George lV Pub in Chiswick, for the second part of the Book Festival's Local Authors party - where local scibes have just two minutes to describe their books.

www.BohemianBritain.com 


After returning from a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Nick Hennegan is in Chiswick, West London, for the Book Festival's Local Writers evening at the George lV Pub on the High Road. Hear a selection of local writers with just TWO minutes to present their books... before being noisily penalised!

Part 2 next week.

www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Literary_London_-_09092023_Chiswick_Book_Fest_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:15pm UTC

Before its run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Nick Hennegan talks to Teryn Gray, Callum Pardoe and Jamie Patterson, the three actors from The Birth Of Frankenstein, about their background and the characters they play.

Further details from www.MaverickTheatreCompany.com

Direct download: Literary_London_-_29th_July_Mary_Shelley.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:07pm UTC

Celebrating the Birthday of American writer Ernest Hemingway, Nick Hennegan plays recordings of the man himself reading his own works. 

www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Literary_London_-_22nd_July_2023__Ernest_Hemingway.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:28pm UTC

Nick Hennegan plays a rare 1940's recording of a Sherlock Holmes story. "A Scandal in Bohemia!'

www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Literary_London_-_8_July_2023_Conan_Doyle.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:26pm UTC

Nick Hennegan celebrates BloomsDay with his first ever reading of Ulysses by James Joyce.

BohemianBritain.com 

Direct download: Literary_London_-_1_July_2023_Bloomsday.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:41pm UTC

Home to Notting Hill, Grenfell Tower and some of the most expensive property in London, Nick Hennegan talks to Artistic Director Verena Cornwall about a Covid-inspired lock-down success story in the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

See the video at www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Literary20London202420June2020232028Ken202620Chelsea20Fest29.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:41pm UTC

Nick Hennegan, award-winning theatre producer, director and writer, talks to Mya Khan about his production of Two, by Jim Cartwright with Maverick Theatre at The Billesley Pub in Birmingham. www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Nick_on_BBC_WM_-_TWO_-_11062023.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:56am UTC

Nick Hennegan plays literary requests from Dylan Thomas, The Choir of Man and a chilling short story commemorating the passing of Charles Dickens.

www.BohemianBritain.com 

Direct download: Literary_London_-_10_June_2023_Dickens_Requests.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00pm UTC

This time, Nick Hennegan has been at the London Library Summer Party, but is taking The Birth of Frankenstein to the Edinburgh Fringe... and invites you to join in the research! 

www.BohemainBritain.com 

Direct download: Literary_London_-_3_June_2023_London_Library_and_Frankenstien.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm UTC

Nick Hennegan is in the Cross Keys Pub in Hammersmith, London W6 and looks at some of the famous local writers and celebrates American Walt Whitman's Birthday!

www.BohemianBritain.com

 

Direct download: Literary_London_-_27th_May_2023_-_Walt_Whitman_and_Chiswick..mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:06pm UTC

Nick Hennegan celebrates International Dylan Thomas Day with readings from Cerys Matthews and Guy Masterson. www.BohemianBritain.com 

Direct download: Literary_London_-_132023._Dylan_Day.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:21pm UTC

This time Nick Hennegan plays requests and poems on his radio show, with celebrity choice from John Le Carre and the Literary Pub Of The Week, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese.

www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Literary_London_-_6_May_2023_Requests.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:30am UTC

This week on Literary London, Nick Hennegan’s celebrity poem has a moving insight into Lord Melvyn Bragg’s past. He also introduces his Literary Pub of The Week -  The George in Southwark, London.

www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Literary_London_-_29_April_Southwark.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:55pm UTC

Nick Hennegan looks at some facts - and otherwise - about William Shakespeare on his birthday weekend in April. Or was Shakespeare actually born in May? Find out why! Nick also shares his own experiences with The Bard of Avon and plays some classic poems, speeches and music.

www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Literary_London_-_22_April_2023_Celebrating_Shakespeare.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00pm UTC

Shots. Not big or clever. Although one per production should be okay! The TWO gang… Greg, Nick and Claire.

It’s not big, and it’s not clever, but it’s a tradition we have at the Maverick Theatre Company that dates back to the 1990’s. The first night shot! Of course, it’s not compulsory for Maverick people to have a shot after our first production, or indeed drink any alcohol, but it goes back to the early days of Maverick at the Billesley Pub in Birmingham.

Our first production was very difficult financially. (There’s a surprise! They still are!)

On one of our early first nights, Glenn Bayes, a local actor who I thought would make a good director (I was correct!) and I were standing at the bar, trying to work out if we had enough cash to buy a pint which we could split – a half pint each. It was cheaper that way.

Then, a very sartorial member of the audience came to the bar and saw us. He knew who we were because in the early days at the Billesley we always did a raffle before the production and explained to our first-time theatre attenders how it all worked.

This man was obviously impressed with us.

“What a marvellous show,” he gushed. “The acting, the intimacy of it all… what an experience. I’m a regular theatre-goer but I LOVE this concept. It’s proper art.”

We mumbled some thanks and shuffled on the spot. But then…

“I MUST buy you a drink. What do you want?”

Glenn and I looked at each other and shoved our small change back in our pockets.

“That’s very kind of you,” I said. “A pint of lager would be lovely.”

“Yes”, said Glen. “Lager for me too. Thank you very much.”

Sartorial-man looked at us.

“What! Lager? Certainly not. A quality experience needs a quality drink. Whisky. A good one. Or a Brandy? I won’t buy you anything less!”

Now me and Glen were both born and raised on a council estate – in fact the Billesley estate, where this pub was and the show had just happened. I’d had some radio experience and record industry launch parties, but we both REALLY just wanted a pint. It became an early lesson in established theatre culture!

So lovely Posh man bought us a short each. I think I had an Irish whisky and Glen had a Bourbon. And Glen, being a younger man, shotted his drink. Down in one. So I followed his example. Posh man looked on, at first puzzled, but then quickly followed our example.

“Wow! You guys! What a blast!”

We never got the pint. Financially things eventually got a bit better. But Glenn and I always joked about that night. And got each other – and our actors and crew – a shot for years afterwards on our first nights.

And there are hundreds of Maverick actors, artists, techies and friends who have suffered/enjoyed our first nights ever since. Including the lovely current TWO actors, Claire and Greg.

So if you ever want to buy me a drink, a pint will be great. Unless, of course, it’s the first night of a Maverick Theatre production…

Come and see Two At The Tabard Theatre…

Our acclaimed production runs until 29th April. It’d be great to see you. And not just in the bar afterwards. Although it’s a bit ‘dangerous’ booze-wise, as the show starts at 7.30pm, has a 15 minute interval and we’re still back in the ‘proper’ bar downstairs at The Tabard before 9pm! Cheers! Hic!

FURTHER INFORMATION HERE.

 

Category:general -- posted at: 11:59am UTC

🍷🍷🍷🍷 🍷 - 5 stars out of 5. Plus a packet of crisps!

Two by Jim Cartwright - till 29th April, 2023.

Nicholas Hennegan and The Maverick Theatre Company at the Theatre At The Tabard, 2 Bath Road, London, W4 1LW.

Jim Cartwright's TWO is the story of one night in a Working Class Pub. Presumably somewhere 'Oop North'. But the location doesn't matter. It could easily be in Chiswick, West London. Cartwright is a Northern Playwright, but the assorted characters we meet as they pass through the unnamed pub are universal. We meet an older woman, looking after a frail, bedridden husband, lusting after the local butcher and taking her reward for the day in a glass of Guinness. There's an old man, now a widower, but philosophically and without bitterness still spending time with the presence of his dead wife and recalling her "soft cotton hair". There's Moth, boyfriend of Maudie and a not-so-young man who can't help but attempt to seduce, epically unsuccessfully, every woman he comes across. A lost little boy who's been left in the pub by his forgetful Father. A lustful woman who likes "big men" but who's own husband is a loved, but "compact chap" and finally has enough. There's Roy, posh abuser of his wife, Lesley and the overweight, loveable and loved Elvis and Western fans Fred and Alice (Elvis Presley died from a choked bum, by the way!) and The Other Woman who has had enough of furtive affair meetings in hotels and car parks and decided to confront her lover... and his wife... in the pub. And against all this are the bickering Landlord and Landlady who hold the pub together in spite of their obvious dislike for each other. Or is it an obvious dislike? We find out that this normal night is not perhaps, so normal.

The impressive thing with this production is that all the characters coming and going through the busy pub are all the same people! Or at least, two people. Claire Louise Amias and Greg Snowden give magnificent performances that are lithe and completely believable. Assured direction from Richard Woolnough ensures the action never lags. It's also incredible that so much is squeezed into such a short time. We started at 7.30pm and even with Two Acts and an Interval, we were back in the 'real' pub downstairs before 9pm.

Maverick Theatre are known for creating great nights out. And this is another one of those night. Go see Two. You may become a regular.

 

REVIEWER: Billie Andrews.

TICKETS: £18 full price/£15 concessions. Limited number of premium on stage seats available for £20.

https://tabard.org.uk/whats-on/two/
Category:general -- posted at: 11:19am UTC

Nick Hennegan celebrates the birth on 21st April 1816 of Charlotte Bronte. We all know she was the author of Jane Eyre, but she also wrote poetry. Nick looks at her life and poetry. 

Direct download: Literary_London_-_15_April_2023_Charlotte_Bronte.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:26pm UTC

Nick Hennegan talks to actors Claire Louise Amias, Greg Snowden and director Richard Woolnough live from Gerry's Club in Soho, about their forthcoming production, TWO by Jim Cartwright at the Tabard Pub Theatre in Chiswick, London, W4. Cheers!

For details, see https://tabard.org.uk/whats-on/two/

 

Direct download: Literary_London_8th_April_TWO_Cast_audio.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30pm UTC

This week on 'Literary London', Nick Hennegan (who, as you will hear, has had his new phone stolen!) plays your requests, with music and poetry from The Pogues, WB Yeats and The Dubliners.

Direct download: Literary_London_-_1st_April_2023_Irish_Requests.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:02pm UTC

The second part of the 2015 interview when Nick Hennegan talks again to the late Sally Fiber about her time growing up in one of the most famous literary pubs in London in the company of Walter Sickert, Augustus John, Jacob Epstein, Nina Hamnett, Dylan Thomas, George Orwell and Tommy Cooper to name but a few! And her memories of Britain's last Official Hangman, Albert Pierrepoint!

www.BohemianBritain.com 

 
Direct download: Literary_London_-_25_March_2023_Sally_Fibre_Part_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:51pm UTC

Nick Hennegan talks to the late Sally Fiber about her time growing up in one of the most famous literary pubs in London in the company of Walter Sickert, Augustus John, Jacob Epstein, Nina Hamnett, Dylan Thomas, George Orwell and Tommy Cooper to name but a few!

Direct download: Literary_London_-_18th_March_2023_Sally_Fiber_pt1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00pm UTC

Nick Hennegan celebrates the genius of Jules Verne... "the father of Science fiction" with a reading of the first chapter of 'A Journey To The Centre of the Earth - and music from the film of another Verne classic, 'Around The World In 80 Days'.

Direct download: Literary_London_-_11_March_2023_Jules_Verne.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00pm UTC

Nick Hennegan celebrates songs inspired by literary classics, from Victor Hugo, Kate Bush, David Bowie and The Beatles!

Direct download: Literary_London_-_04_March_2023_Book_Day.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm UTC

Nick Hennegan talks to theatre worker and writer Nick Bromley about his life, books, work... and Theatre Ghosts!  Nick has been a West End Company Manager since 1971, with shows such as The Sound of Music, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Love Never Dies to his name.
He is the sixteenth Master of the Drury Lane Theatrical Fund, founded by David Garrick in 1766, and a member of both the Ghost Club and the Society for Psychical Research.
 
SEE THE VIDEO at Bohemian Britain.com
More information on Nick at https://lnpbooks.co.uk
Direct download: audio1823954451.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30pm UTC

This week, Nick Hennegan creates a musical and spoken word soundscape around the theme of love! 

Direct download: Literary_London_-_18022023_Fundraiser_Love.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30pm UTC

Nick Hennegan celebrates the birthdays of Charles Dickens and Victor Hugo and a new English translation of Italo Calvino.

www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Literary_London_-_11_February_2023_Dickens_Calvino_and_Hugo.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00pm UTC

Celebrating a new, free, interactive app celebrating the life of Yeats in Chiswick, Nick Hennegan found an old recording discussing the poet, live in Dublin.

Direct download: Literary_London_-_4_Feb_2023_WB_Yeats_in_Dublin.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00pm UTC

Nick Hennegan talks to Irish Poet Cahal Dallat on Literary London on Resonance 104.4fm and BohemianBritain.com about a new, interactive trail following the life and works of London Irish Poet WB Yeats around his boyhood home in Bedford Park, Chiswick, London. They also chat about inspiration and other famous Irish and London artists.
For details of the project, see www.wbyeatsbedfordpark.com
Direct download: Literary_London_-_21_January_2023_WB_Yeats_Trail.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00pm UTC

A gentle look back of some of the Bohemian highlights of 2022 with Nick Hennegan on Resonance 104.4fm's 'Literary London' It includes an interview with Andy Slaughter, M.P. for Hammersmith in London, on the occasion of a new artwork celebrating WB Yeats; music from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Prejudice And Pride and Winston and David.... news of Jim Cartwright's TWO, and how you can put it on at your local bar, pub or community centre... and will Nick return to acting for the first time in 30 years?
 

 

Direct download: Literary_London_-_14_Jan_2023_Review_of_2022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:56pm UTC

Nick Hennegan presents your Holiday Season requests with Cerys Matthews and Dylan Thomas, a history of Christmas… and gives you a few bad Christmas Cracker jokes!

 

Also on BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Literary_London_-_17_December_2022_Xmas_Requests.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00pm UTC

We get festive with Cerys Matthews and Nick Hennegan talks about his version and plays part of A Christmas Carol which he's adapted and directed and is currently touring the UK, performed by Olivier award-winner Guy Masterson!

Also on BohemianBritain.com 

 

Direct download: Literary_London-_Christmas_Carol__and_Cerys_-_TX_3122022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:53pm UTC

Nick Hennegan launches the festive season by exploring his relationship with Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, including how his Junior School helped inspire a current UK tour with Guy Masterson. It features a reading by the Olivier Award-winning actor. With Music by Cerys Matthews and Robb Williams.

For details of where you can see the show now, see www.TheChristmasCarol.co.uk

 

Direct download: Literary_London-_Christmas_and_Cerys_-_TX_3122022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:08pm UTC

Nick Hennegan looks at Soho, Pubs on Dean Street, Karl Marx andDylan Thomas with his lost script and A Visit To America.
Direct download: Literary_London_-_Soho_and_Dylan_Thomas_-_TX_26112022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:04pm UTC

Nick Hennegan talks to young London-based New Yorker, singer songwriter Esme White, about her first single Pearly Gate Crashers and her career to date. See the video at -www.BohemianBritain.com 

Direct download: Literary_London_-_Esme_White_-_TX_12112022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00pm UTC

A Bohemian lifestyle guide..!

brown wooden letter letter letter blocks

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Failing early in our careers can make us question whether we are on the right path. We may look at people who have succeeded from the outset and wonder why it doesn’t come so easily to us. Classical violinist Nigel Kennedy, actor Natalie Portman and painter Pablo Picasso are examples of young geniuses who were successful early on.

But for some of us, failure at the beginning of our careers is important to later success. For many creatives, how we deal with those moments when things aren’t going right or you’ve received yet another rejection letter can make or break us.

The author and self-improvement lecturer Dale Carnegie maintained that inaction breeds doubt and fear; action creates confidence and courage, which inevitably ends up helping a person to succeed. This chimes with what American psychologist Carol Dweck outlines in her 2006 book Mindset.

Dweck discusses the concept of people with a “fixed mindset” versus a “growth mindset”. The former is a way of thinking where there is a lack of self-belief and a negative persona while the latter is where no challenge or task is too large to take on board. Which mindset you have dictates how you will interpret failure and success and how well you approach everyday life.

A passion for learning and a desire to improve upon failure creates opportunities to learn and challenge yourself. This mentality is a boon to creatives. While yes, there are the Picassos and Portmans of the world, there are also a few famous creatives who had to overcome failure early on in their careers. These individuals demonstrate the “growth mindset”.

Rejection doesn’t have to kill dreams

A young schoolteacher from Maine, US, was a passionate part-time writer who worked tirelessly trying to get his novels published (unsuccessfully) in the late 1960s. He continued to believe in himself and chase the dream of becoming a successful author. But sometimes the reality of failure gets the better of a person and after 30 rejections he famously threw his fourth attempt at a novel away.

Fortunately, the manuscript was saved by his wife who, having confidence in his work, persuaded him to continue trying. Eventually, the novel was sold for an advance of £2000, a nice bonus for a schoolteacher. The publishing rights were ultimately purchased for an additional £200,000 and the novel Carrie turned Stephen King into a household name.

A young Stephen King failed to get his first three books published and nearly gave up on the fourth. Archivo/Alamy

Dreams can propel us forward but they can also be crushed by rejection. The composer Johnathon Larson spent years working on his 1991 musical Superbia only for it to be turned down by theatre producers. He was told by his agent to “go away and write something you know about”.

This was a crushing moment for Larson. Eight years of work rejected. However, he listened to the advice and his next musical Rent premiered on Broadway in 1996, becoming a box office sensation. The semi-autobiographical Tick, Tick Boom, which Larson began performing as a one-man show in 1990, went on to also be a hit when it premiered in 2001. It has recently been turned into a major motion picture directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda (creator of Hamilton).

Larson’s secret was to learn from failure and take on the advice given to him. He used that experience to propel himself forward. Sadly, Larson never witnessed his triumph, he died on the eve of Rent’s Broadway premier in 1996 from an aortic dissection. But his life, including his failures, made him successful. His roadblocks became his inspiration. Both of his successful productions tell the stories of larger-than-life characters struggling with their failings while trying to achieve a degree of success.

Overcoming difficult circumstances

There are situations in life that conspire to make us fail. However, adversity can often act as a springboard of determination to succeed. My turning point as a youngster was failing my grade five music theory exam. That one singular event, although heartbreaking, made me determined to succeed in music and become a composer and producer of Scottish Musicals.

Others deal with much more difficult circumstances. Imagine being homeless, penniless with partial facial paralysis, yet dreaming of an acting career. Never-ending rejection from talent scouts and agents, hours of waiting for appointments that never materialise, such a life would be demoralising. However, the realisation of personal failure can become the catalyst for success.

This real-life scenario eventually earned Sylvester Stallone over £178 million and catapulted his writing and acting career to stardom. He didn’t let these circumstances, which led to failure, stop him. The key here is that he believed in his ability and that drove him onward. Continual failure reinforced his resolve to succeed.

Steven Spielberg had poor high school grades and was rejected three times from film school. He battled through his early career failures before eventually directing 51 films and winning three Oscars. Again, it was his perseverance and self-belief that drove his determination to succeed.

We might never become the next Spielberg, King, or Larson but the lesson learned from their experiences is a sharp reminder of the mantra of playwright Samuel Beckett:

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”

Failure is not damaging, it is part of a proactive progression and once we learn to accept that we might be unstoppable. I eventually passed my grade five theory exam and went on to get two degrees and a Ph.D. in musical theatre, the rest is history … my personal history began with a failure for which I am very proud.

 

Stephen Langston

Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for Performance, University of the West of Scotland writing for The Conversation.

https://bohemianbritain.com

Category:general -- posted at: 5:05pm UTC

Nick Hennegan talks to writer Elika Ansari, about her new novel, ‘The Five Stages of Moria: “The Worst Refugee Camp on Earth”’ based on true stories from her time as a worker in the camp.

See the video recording at www.BohemianBritain.com 

Direct download: Literary_London_-_Elika_Ansari_interview.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30pm UTC

Nick Hennegan presents unique music from some of the new musicals he attended at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022 - including a new folk musical - Prejudice and Pride, the classic The Choir Of Man - and the new ballet, Hamlet, starring Sir Ian McKellen.

Also at www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Lit_London_-_Ed_Songs_2_-_TX_22102022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:47pm UTC

Nick Hennegan presents unique music from some of the new musicals he attended at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022 - including the new ballet, Hamlet, staring Sir Ian McKellen.

www.BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Literary_London_-_EdSongs_Part_1_-_TX__-_15102022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:30pm UTC

Nick Hennegan celebrates National Poetry Day with poems from some of the greatest names in the world... and some of his own!

Also on BohemianBritain.com 

Direct download: Nationonal_Poetry_Day_22_-_TX_08102022_MP3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55pm UTC

🍷🍷🍷🍷 🥃 (4 glasses out of 5, PLUS a shot !)

It’s always a novelty going to see a play with a name you find hard to pronounce! But having done a bit of research (you’re welcome!) it turns out the story is based, as so many brilliant stories are, on an Ancient Greek myth. And Splott is in Wales.

So good, so classical. But there is a burning contemporary edge to this story. Set in Wales, the modern name for our heroine is Effie… a Slapper and Dirty Skank. Although, of course, she is neither of these.

To be honest, I always get a bit nervous, when ‘working-class’ characters are presented through the prism of largely middle-class theatre practitioners. And this does miss a few beats and isn’t perfect — we occasionally lose some of the dialogue — but generally writer Garry Owen has created a classic character that I identify with as working-class myself. I instantly recognised and sympathised with the frustration of few opportunities, lack of self-worth and over compensation for an emptiness many working class people feel.

Sophie Melville gives a great performance that mixes elements of a wild Irvine Welsh character and a still Alan Ayckbourn monologue. Indeed, having just returned from the home of one-person shows, the Edinburgh Fringe, (where this show appeared some time ago) it is full of paradoxes: a monologue constrained by singularity through its form, but a production which feels peopled by an entire Welsh town. And an epic tragedy captured by a white working-class woman with no hint of ‘Vicky Pollard’ despite her scraped-back hair, snarls, three day piss-ups, hangovers and street brawls. She is eminently ordinary but exceptional in her heroism, too. And director Rachel O’Riordanmust take credit for her pacing and variation of the piece — and of course, for commissioning Gary Owen’s lyrical script back in 2015.

It’s a modern classic in a beautiful theatre and feels even more relevant now than when it was first created in Austerity Britain. The play is brutally effective in depicting the human cost of the cuts and closures and ends on a note of accusatory fury. Yet its politics are surprisingly subtle.

The name may be a bit confusing, but this is a quality piece that makes perfect sense. Go see it.

Category:general -- posted at: 7:14pm UTC

Nick Hennegan was at the 14th Chiswick Book Festival, at the local author's party, where the writers have 2 minutes against the clock to talk about their books - or get ‘horned’ off! This is the final part. And we hear from the founders of The Space UK - enterprising venues at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Also at BoheminaBritain.com

Direct download: Literary_London3_-_The_Space_and_Book_Festival_-_TX_1102022_20.53.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:13pm UTC

Nick Hennegan was at the 14th Chiswick Book Festival, at the local author's party, where the writers have 2 minutes against the clock to talk about their books - or get ‘horned’ off! Part Two of Three!

Also at BoheminaBritain.com

Direct download: Literary_London1-Chiswick_Book_Festival_22_Part_2_-_TX_24092022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:30pm UTC

Nick Hennegan was at the 14th Chiswick Book Festival, at the local authors party, where the writers have 2 minutes against the clock to talk about their books - or get ‘horned’ off!

Also at BoheminaBritain.com

Direct download: Literary_London-Book_Fest_22_Part_1-TX_17092022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:10pm UTC

After the Edinburgh Festival Fringe finishes, Nick Hennegan revisits his old haunts in Stratford-on-Avon near the Royal Shakespeare Company, where his theatre ventures first began - back in the 1990's!

Direct download: 284009313-44100-2-2a01cb424c9d6.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 10:40pm UTC

Nick Hennegan’s VERY Rough Guide to the Fringe. He presents quick updates from the World's Biggest Open Arts Festival - the Edinburgh 2022 Fringe! On his last day in the Scottish Capital!

Also at BohemianBritain.com 

Direct download: 282908162-44100-2-6b5cce334a44c.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 3:27pm UTC

 

Rating: 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷

5 out of 5. The Full bottle!

We all know about Sherlock Holmes and his arch-enemy, Moriarty. And we all know about Holmes' best friend, Watson.

But do we?

Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street is a world-wide Literary Legend. Indeed, I've quite recently interviewed an author who has been commissioned to write new Sherlock stories. Have a fumble through this blog and you'll find it!

But here, at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh, Watson is touchingly alone. His beloved wife Mary and the great Sherlock Holmes are both gone. London seethes with false reports and rumours. So it is time to set the record straight.

What the hugely talented Tim Marriott has done, with co-writer and director Bert Coules, is give us a fresh and fantastic take on the whole Sherlock Holmes and Watson story and what really happened with the two friends from Watson's partisan point of view.

You need no previous knowledge of Sherlock Holmes. Tim (forever famous for playing Gavin in the rather brilliant BBC sitcom The Brittas Empire) takes us on an adventure that is both epic, yet strangely emotional. Watson, the now lonely old soldier, is very keen to do the right thing by everyone - especially Holmes. Marriott brings a very relevant characterisation to a fictional conceit and plays the various characters - including of course, Holmes - with a nuanced talent which is both intimate yet expansive.

Watson, the old soldier, has a story to tell. And we get an entertaining Boys-Own romp with an adult and emotional heart.

Elementary, my dear Marriott.

Category:general -- posted at: 3:20pm UTC

Nick Hennegan’s VERY Rough Guide to the Fringe. He presents quick updates from the World's Biggest Open Arts Festival - the Edinburgh 2022 Fringe! This time, Sir Ian McKellen, Sherlock Holmes and Scrummie Mummies!

Also at BohemianBritain.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bohemianbritain/message

Direct download: 282318726-44100-2-77cb4f8c9aa28.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 2:55pm UTC

Nick Hennegan’s VERY Rough Guide to the Fringe. He presents updates from the World's Biggest Open Arts Festival - the Edinburgh 2022 Fringe! Here we find out about a youth company in Edinburgh

Also at BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: ZOOM0287.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:52pm UTC

Nick Hennegan blasts off with full coverage of the SpaceUK venue launch for the Edinburgh Fringe, 2022.

Contains some strong language and adult themes.

Also on BohemianBritian.com

Direct download: Ed22_SPACEUK_Launch.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30pm UTC

Nick Hennegan's Rough Guide to the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe continues with the creator of Fringe Review, Paul Levy. Also on BohemianBritain.com

Direct download: Ed22_Paul_Levy.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:30pm UTC

Nick Hennegan talks to American Brendan George about his time at the Edinburgh Fringe with A Eulogy for Roman.

Also on Bohemian Britain.com

Direct download: Ed22_-_Brendans_Eulogy.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:41pm UTC

Nick Hennegan talks to first-time theatre producer Izzy Parriss about her first ever production and launch at the Edinburgh Fringe, Dear Little Loz.

Also on Bohemian Britain.com

Direct download: Ed22_First_time_producer_Izzy_.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:54pm UTC

Nick Hennegan’s VERY Rough Guide to the Fringe. He presents quick updates from the World's Biggest Open Arts Festival - the Edinburgh 2022 Fringe! Here he finds out about an adaptation of Virginia Woolf's speeches with Heather Alexander, a former Pans People dancer!
Direct download: Ed22_-Heathers_Room.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:09pm UTC

It’s a question I’m often asked. My first Edinburgh Fringe was in 1992. And it cost me nothing. Zero. Zilch! Other than beer and food, of course! And I wasn’t COMPLETELY happy about that!

I feel a bit click-bait about this, but if you know me, you’ll know I’ve never been as commercial as I should be. I’ve also only recently realised that I’m actually very experienced when it comes to the Edinburgh Festival having been there most years since 1992.

So, how much does it cost? The short answer is it can be hugely expensive. This year, 2022, ironically, post-lockdown, perhaps more than most! Accommodation, particularly, has rocketed. But it doesn’t have to be. If you are an artist reading this, the first question you need to ask yourself is - WHY do Edinburgh? We all kinda know the answer. Probably everyone you’ve ever seen in comedy on British TV was ‘discovered’ in Edinburgh. The whole theatre and TV industry decamps to Scotland for the festival in August. But don't let the idea of fame and fortune be your only motivation. It's a sobering fact that the average audience in the Fringe is four. Yep, four people. I've been to productions where I'm the only person in the audience!

It’s also worth clarifying what the Edinburgh Festival is. It’s actually a number of different festivals. The Fringe was a radical reaction to the very posh International Festival started after the Second World War. Which was a Very Good Thing! But then, 75 years ago this very year, a bunch of Oxbridge type students (I think) decided to 'ambush' the Posh Festival and be 'alternative'. I put these words in quotation marks, because what was then the Fringe has now become the biggest open arts festival in the world.

So, should you go? Maybe. Are you doing Comedy? Look at the Free Fringes. There's a couple of them. You have to do your own door-keeping and I'm not sure they're so good for drama, but let me know if you disagree. It's no frills, pass the hat around afterwards, and you may not make your student accommodation rent (oh, and by the way, in spite of the madness of the Scottish Government changing the rules this year, try and get student accommodation for August. It'll cost more than a Chelsea flat, but less than the £10.5k I was quoted for a 3 bed flat this August!!)

And, mainly, expect nothing, but have fun!

Category:general -- posted at: 6:37pm UTC

Nick Hennegan’s VERY Rough Guide to the Fringe. He presents quick updates from the World's Biggest Open Arts Festival - the Edinburgh 2022 Fringe! Also at BohemainBritain.com

Direct download: 280942736-44100-2-4265981181fc6.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 6:29pm UTC

Nick Hennegan's VERY rough guide to the Edinburgh Fringe continues when he grabs a word with Edinburgh Fringe venue The SpaceUK creators, Charlie and John. In a bar, of course! 
And thanks to the Assembly Festival for supplying the brilliant Club Bar! Home to much Bohemian Creativity
 
Direct download: TheSpaceUK_interview._Ed_22.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00pm UTC

Nick Hennegan presents quick updates from the World's Biggest Open Arts Festival - the Edinburgh 2022 Fringe!

Also at BohemainBritain.com 

Direct download: 279336880-44100-2-90518fb306fb8.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 5:47pm UTC

Nick Hennegan presents quick updates from the World's Biggest Open Arts Festival - the Edinburgh 2022 Fringe!

Also at BohemainBritain.com

Direct download: 279299038-44100-2-bb6738b4d4987.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 5:43pm UTC

Nick Hennegan (in the pub!) marks the 200th anniversary of the passing of one of Britain's best-loved poets, Percy Bysshe Shelley who drowned at the age of 29, a relative, if controversial, unknown. Nick looks at one of his most famous poems.

Direct download: Literary_London_-_Shelly_200_-_TX_16072022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:40pm UTC

29th June 1613. The Globe Theatre, London - a short history, a few speeches and a few tunes too with Nick Hennegan.

Direct download: Literary_London_-_Globe_Fire_-_TX_25062022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:26pm UTC

Nick Hennegan looks at the famous writers and locations of Fitzrovia, London W1.

Direct download: Literary_London_-_Fitzrovia_Writers_-_11062022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:17pm UTC

Nick Hennegan attended the House of St Barnabas Private Members Club in Soho for a conversation with acclaimed Writer and Producer Heidi Thomas, arranged by the Sandford St Martin Trust. Part One of Two.

Direct download: Literary_London_-_Heidi_Thomas_-_TX_28052022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:19pm UTC

This time Nick Hennegan is writing in Wales, bumping into a Craft Beer House in Aberystwyth and sharing holiday stories with Dylan Thomas! Also on BohemianBritain.com 

Direct download: Literary_London_Welsh_Holidays_-_23042022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:17pm UTC

On the Bard's Birthday, Nick Hennegan presents a tapestry of Shakespeare happenings, from famous speeches by John Gielgud and Sir Laurence Olivier, to modern music from the 'Shakespeare In Love' movie and Hennegan's own 'Hamlet - Horatio's Tale', by Robb Williams. On Resonance 104.4fm and BohemianBritain.com  

Direct download: Literary_London_Shakepeares_Birthday_22__-_23042022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:21pm UTC

The original Fringe space - and the first home of the Soho Theatre - that allowed some famous writers, directors and actors to cut their teeth, celebrates its 50th anniversary - by reopening after being abandoned for years! Nick Hennegan went to find out what's happening for Resonance 104.4fm and BohemianBritain.com   

Direct download: Literary20London20-20023A043A202220-20Soho20Poly.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:05pm UTC

This time Nick Hennegan plays some very rare recordings of WB Yeats and Sean O’Casey to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.

Direct download: Literary20London20-20Sean20O27Casey20-20TX20193A033A2022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:46pm UTC

This time Nick Hennegan is at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-on-Avon, where, amongst the swans and the boats, he runs down modern films inspired by the Bard!

Direct download: Shakespeare20Films20-20Literary20London20-20TX-20123A033A2022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:20pm UTC

Nick Hennegan looks at some of the world famous writers who made their home in West London. Including a tragic tale of Peter Pan!
 
Direct download: Writers_in_London_1_-_Literary_London_-_TX_26_02_2022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:49pm UTC

Celebrating the centenary of its publication, join Nick Hennegan as, for the very first time, he reads the first part of Ulysses, by James Joyce on Resonance 104.4fm and https://bohemianbritain.com

Direct download: Ulysses_Pt_1_-_Literary_London_-Tx_19022022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:18pm UTC

Nick Hennegan talks to Chiswick crime-writer SR Garrae, about her writing and the life-changing circumstances that saw her quit the corporate world and start her new career.  

See it at BohemainBritain.com 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BL935WY.

Direct download: SR_Garrae_-_Literary_London_-_TX_05022022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:11pm UTC

West End Theatre Producer Julius Green talks to Nick Hennegan about theatre and his THREE books – on Agatha Christie – A Life In The Theatre, Stars and Spies and How To Produce A West End Show. Blood Brothers by Willy Russell features! 
 
Direct download: Julius_Green_-_Liteary_London-_TX_29012022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:08pm UTC

Broadcaster, writer and producer Nick Hennegan – on Resonance 104.4fm and The London Literary Pub Crawl YouTube Channel and BohemianBritain.com – talks to poet and critic Cahal Dallat about an ambitious project to raise funds to celebrate W.B Yeats and his upbringing in Bedford Park, Chiswick, West London.
For further details see - www.wbyeatsbedfordpark.com.
Or Twitter @YeatsBedfordPk
Direct download: WB_Yeats_and_Cahal_2_-_Literary_London_-_TX_15012022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:32pm UTC

Nick Hennegan talks to festival director Gerry Maguire about some of the highlights of this years festival and the Irish in London. (Apologies for the echo in parts of the recording!)

Direct download: Irish_Film_Festival_Lonodn_-_Literary_Lonodn_-_20112021.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:35pm UTC

Tues 9th November is Internet Kindness Day, commemorating what would have been the birthday of TV presenter Caroline Flack. Nick Hennegan talks to author Lucy Beresford about how we can all be nicer to each other and mark the day.
 
See the live video at https://bohemianbritain.com
 
Carolyn Flack
 
Direct download: Lucy20Beresford20220-20Literary20London20-20TX20-20063A113A2021.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:29pm UTC

Nick Hennegan meets more local writers at the Chiswick Book Festival in West London.

Direct download: Literary_London_-_Chiswick_Book_Fair_2_-_23102021.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:31pm UTC

The lockdown had a devastating effect on theatre. This week, Nick Hennegan talks to two theatre workers at the Chiswick Book Festival, John Griffiths and Nick Bromley who, devastated by the lockdown, were motivated to write and publish books - proving there’s no business like show-business!

Direct download: LITERARY20LONDON20-20Showbizz20Books20-20093A103A2021.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00pm UTC

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe returned in 2021, but much smaller after the ravages of Covid. What do the participants think about this year? What about the future? Nick Hennegan talks to actor Tim Marriott, New York stand-up Jack Dennis, Assembly PR Hannah Bradley Croall and Assembly Marketer, Daniel Saunders in the Assembly Festival Gardens, for Resonance FM and Bohemian Britain.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bohemianbritain/message

Direct download: Ed_21-_Rond_Table_Discussion_-_19082021_18.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:02pm UTC

The opening of the Chiswick Book Festival local Author's party at the George 4th in Chiswick. Nick Hennegan is featured on the Writers Trail, so took his trusty mic! The opening is by Torin Douglas, director of the book festival. Hear and see more at BohemianBritain.com 


Nick Hennegan leaves the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a heavy heart. But why do thousands of artists keep returning year after year?

Find out here https://bohemianbritain.com/2021/08/30/goodbye-edinburgh-festival-fringe-2021-nicks-time-with-you-is-over-or-is-it/

Image; When We Died by Alexandra Donnachie. On Fringe Player

 

http://www.BohemianBritain.com — Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bohemianbritain/message

Category:general -- posted at: 10:18am UTC

Listen HERE to Nick get morbid down the Pub

Brian Travis in the Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath, Birmingham. Photo - Robin Valk

So sad. RIP #UB40 talent and decent, lovely Brummy bloke, Brian Travers. We would occasionally meet up at the Hare and Hounds Pub in Kings Heath, Birmingham and we spoke about a musical idea a while ago. Not to be now. But Brian and the band were true to the Bohemian spirit with their record label, DEP.

Then Rolling Stones drummer, Charlie Watts. Then a DJ I used to work with at BRMB Radio in Birmingham. And since I recorded this little ramble, I heard that an actor I knew when she was 18, who went on to become a successful agent, has also passed away! All under 60! What a week!

“Though lovers be lost love shall not;

And death shall have no dominion.”

Dylan Thomas.

— Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bohemianbritain/message

 

Category:general -- posted at: 3:18pm UTC

As you'll know if you've read Nick's Edinburgh Festival blog on www.BohemianBritain.com - it took him a while, but thanks to the Pleasance Press People, Nick Hennegan finally got to see 'Bacon' with the actor - and jeweler - Pip Utton! Known for his one-man shows, Nick and Pip talk about his life, career and what he thinks about Adolf Hitler! From Nick's blog and Resonance FM show.
 
 

 

Direct download: Ed2120-20Pip20Utton.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:29am UTC

The Assembly Gardens

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is back, but much smaller after the ravages of Covid. What do the participants think about this year? What about the future? Nick Hennegan talks to actor Tim Marriott, New York stand-up Jack Dennis, Assembly PR Hannah Bradley Croall and Assembly Marketer, Daniel Saunders in the Assembly Festival Gardens, for Resonance FM and Bohemian Britain.com 

Direct download: Ed2021-20Rond20Table20Discussion20-20193A083A20212C2018.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:39pm UTC

LIVE FROM THE Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Nick Hennegan talks to actor Tim Marriott (TV’s Brittas Empire) about his compelling, contemporary drama, Shell Shock– written with veteran Neil Watkin; his new Sherlock Holmes flavoured premier Watson and his company, Smokescreen Productions.  As featured on www.BohemianBritain.com 

Direct download: Ed21_-_Tim_Marriott_-_Shell_Shock__other_plalys.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:05am UTC

Nick Hennegan talks to Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival about what we can expect in 2021 from the biggest arts festivals in the world! See the video at www.BohemianBritian.com 

Direct download: audio_only.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 4:12pm UTC

To celebrate the return of the Fitzrovia Arts Festival, Nick Hennegan went to the opening event in Warren Mews, London, W1. There he meets (and tries to drink with!) the locals… who are writers, artists, historians, gallery owners, Soho tailors and office workers, all sharing a love for a unique and hidden part of London. And this gem of an area almost throws up the truth about… Jack the Ripper! (Sort of..!)

Direct download: Fitzrovia20full-length20Arts20Fest20-20213A063A20212C2021.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:46pm UTC