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Wise Children

<p>Emma Rice Company is the touring theatre company conceived, created and led by Emma Rice...</p>

In this special episode, Emma (Rice) and Simon (Baker) talk about this year's Big Give Christmas Appeal.
This year, we are trying to raise funds to help us offer high-quality training and pathways into careers backstage for people from all backgrounds.
Simon takes us back to where it all started for him.  In the late 1980s, Feltham Green (by the duck pond), The London Bubble Theatre came to town and ran a series of workshops...  
Emma explains what we are hoping achieve this year with our training programmes - if only we can raise the money in time!

Big Give Christmas Appeal

A whole new era! Join Emma Rice and long-time collaborator Simon Baker as they lift the curtain on the transformation from Wise Children to the Emma Rice Company.
In this special episode, Emma shares the purpose behind the rebrand and gives a first glimpse into the company’s next production, A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas at The Lucky Chance in Frome (Somerset).



Emma Rice Company

It’s early August, and the Wise Children Training Programme team is wrapping up the final week of three week-long training residencies at The Lucky Chance in Frome.
Over the lunch break on the very last day, Emma grabs her fluffy mic and sits down with Ian Ross, John Leader, Helen Comerford, Katy (Mary) Owen, Riddell Elridge and Laura Keefe to reflect on what these vibrant weeks have meant — for the company, the trainees, and the future of theatre-making (and teaching the practice of Emma and Wise Children).
Behind-the-scenes insights, big laughs, and a glimpse into how Wise Children is reimagining training for the next generation of artists.

The Training Programme

It's Monday evening and it's a rare day off at Wise Children. 
Emma has been busy with her fluffy mic recording the company as they get ready for a preview of North by Northwest. 
She also talks about getting notes in the street whilst she was out on a run... 
You can find out more about North by Northwest and all of Emma's work by visiting www.wisechildren.co.uk. 
Remember to hit like and subscribe. Thanks all. x
 

North By Northwest - Previews

NXNW Episode 2 
In this episode we dive into the magic, mayhem, and magnificent theatricality of North by Northwest—Emma’s latest production. How do you take a classic Hitchcock film, famous for its high-octane chases, iconic suspense, and cinematic flair, and transform it into a breathtaking piece of live theatre?
Joining Emma for this episode is the inimitable Katy Owen—a longtime Wise Children collaborator and a master of mischief on stage. Together, they unpack the creative process behind adapting this cinematic masterpiece, the joys and challenges of bringing its larger-than-life moments to the stage, and what audiences can expect from this thrilling new production.  Katy is joined by a large cinnamon bun - you'll have to listen...
Also, Emma talks to sound designer and composer Simon Baker as the York Minster bells ring out on a Sunday morning. 
Remember to like and subscribe!  

North By Northwest - with Katy Owen

We're back with a new season of podcasts all about Emma's new production - North By Northwest.  We are mid-rehearsal with a room full of revolving doors, suitcases, and suits. 
Join us as Emma talks about the show, the epic plot and how she might bring some of those iconic scenes to the stage. 

North by Northwest - It's Started

It’s busy here at Wise HQ—so much is happening, as always. We managed to steal a surprise day off to catch our breath and bring you all up to speed.
In this episode, we’ll chat about the latest goings on, including news about Little Match Girl at The Lucky Chance. Plus, we’re gearing up for North by Northwest, coming your way this spring. Not to mention Wuthering Heights heading out on its international tour. 
So, grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s catch up. 🎙️
Please hit like and subscribe - it really does help. 
 
Photo credit - Richard Grassie
 

A Quick Catch Up

To celebrate our 2nd year of The Little Match Girl at our home, The Lucky Chance, we teamed up with our local community radio station Frome FM to create a special one-off programme.0.
This one's a little different to our regular podcasts as it assumes that you know nothing about Wise Children or even theatre!  So it's a very good place to start. 
Hosted by Emma Rice with Simon Baker and features music from Wuthering Heights, Blue Beard, and Romantics Anonymous. 

The One For Frome FM

Buddha of Suburbia at the RSC Stratford is now up and running and truly delighting audiences. We recorded this just before the first-ever dress rehearsal - so as Emma Rice talks to the creative team about the process you can hear hoovers, resets, and a fight call.  It's all going on in this crazy half hour. 
You'll hear all about the process of bringing Hanif Kureishi's iconic novel to the stage from
Rachana Jadhav - Set Designer
Vicki Mortimer - Costume Designer
Helen Johnson - Associate Costume Designer
Jai Morjaria - Lighting Designer
Etta Murfit - Choreographer & Intimacy Co-ordinator
Surenne Somchit - Deputy Stage Manager
Simon Baker - Sound Designer
Steve Tanner - Production Photographer
We've also some music from Niraj Chag
Remember to hit like and subscribe to stay up to date with everything Wise Children and Emma Rice. 
 
 
 
 

Dress Rehearsals - Buddha Of Suburbia

On the eve of the final rehearsal room for Buddha Of Suburbia Emma takes the company on a trip to see our other production - Blue Beard.  This one was recorded entirely on the coach journey from Stratford Upon Avon to Birmingham.  The ultimate school trip!  

The Buddha Of Suburbia - School Trip

We're back in rehearsals with Emma's new production - The Buddha of Suburbia - adapted from (and with) the book by Hanif Kureishi.  This time we're at the RSC in Stratford Upon Avon.   In this episode, Emma talks about the acting company and the process of cutting work early.  We've also got some sneak peeks at the music by Niraj Chag.

The Buddha of Suburbia - Rehearsals

We recorded this on Sunday afternoon after a week of final previews, a press night and a load out. The show is now in several trailers heading to Home Manchester. 
In today's episode, Emma reveals that she had a speech planned... and we get to hear it.
 
(This is the full edit. We managed to cut a whole section of material in the edit). 
 
 
 

The morning after Press Night

It's the final week in the rehearsal room for Blue Beard!   Our own rehearsal space - TLC - is a little flooded at the moment, so we started the week by moving down the road to The Silk Mill. Despite the challenges, the show is on course for technical rehearsals at Bath Theatre Royal next week. This week, Emma (Rice) talks with the music team of Stu Barker, Ian Ross and Stephanie Hockley about making the show - with some exclusive audio clips from rehearsals and our new recording, Three Little Rings.   WARNING - Contains some explicit language

The Music Of  Blue Beard

This week Emma (Rice) talks through the first few weeks of rehearsal for her new production - Blue Beard. 
She talks about the plot (it's not about Pirates!). She also talks about the rehearsal process and why making this show is so important to her. 
The countdown to preview one is on.
WARNING - Contains some explicit language 

Blue Beard - It’s Not About Pirates!

It's New Year's Eve and our first chance to sit down and record a new podcast!  It's been quite the month and, to be honest, year.
Join Emma (Rice) on this extended podcast edition as she reviews (and reminds Simon) what happened this year.
This edition features all the highs and lows of Wise Children’s tour of Wuthering Heights, not to mention The Little Matchgirl at The Lucky Chance. It includes many backstage interviews with the Little Match Girl company and some clips of the final show - rough and ready as always. 

2023 Review

Recorded late in the evening on Emma's sofa (much to Simons's surprise) they talk about the final week of rehearsal before Tech and Dress Rehearsals start. 
There's an interview with Ian Ross and a sneak preview of a new Christmas song Ian and Emma have written - recorded mid-rehearsal at TLC. 
 

Tech Week at The Lucky Chance

It's Sunday at the end of week one of rehearsals for the Little Matchgirl at The Lucky Chance.
Emma (Rice) has taken her fluffy mic to catch up with actors and also talks to Simon Baker about the goings on at TLC.
 
 

End Of Week One

 

🎭 The Wise Children Podcast 🎙️
Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes episode!
The Little Matchgirl: A Morning with Artistic Director Emma Rice
It's the morning before rehearsals kick-off for the enchanting production of 'The Little Matchgirl' at Wise Children's new home - The Lucky Chance. Artistic Director Emma Rice sits down on this cold Sunday morning with Technical Director Simon Baker to share her insights, inspirations, and excitement about this magical project. 
🌟 Get ready to immerse yourself in the creative world of Wise Children as Emma Rice discusses the unique energy surrounding this production and the significance of The Lucky Chance as their new theatrical haven.
🎧 Tune in to this special episode to hear firsthand about the anticipation, the creative process, and the magic that goes into bringing 'The Little Matchgirl' to life on stage.
Grab your coffee, find a cosy spot, and join us for an insightful journey!
 

The Day Before Rehearsals

🎙️ Welcome to The Wise Children Podcast.
We're back podcasting after a year-long hiatus - and what a year its been. We've a lot top catch you up on.
First up is The Lucky Chance - our new home in Frome, Somerset.
We're also talking about The Little Matchgirl will will play at The Lucky Chance over Christmas this year - if we can make the toilets/bar/box office work.
Then, Emma talks about her new production for next year - Blue Beard. 
It's a lot to take in.
 
 

We’re Back!

We're back and with exciting news.  After years of searching, we've finally found our own creative space - the old Portway Methodist Church in Frome, Somerset, renamed The Lucky Chance.
In this episode, Emma (Rice) talks to the team (Simon Baker, Poppy Keeling & Jay Jones) about the plans, hopes and dreams for this new adventure. 
 

The Lucky Chance

In this extraordinary episode, our intrepid artistic director, Emma Rice heads north armed with her fluffy mic, notebook and jumper in order to find her Cathy, her Heathcliff and her Moors as she starts work on Wuthering Heights. 
Battling the wind and rain Emma gets to grips with the Brontë's, the brutality and the tragedy of this most epic tale. 
This is one of the most intimate and bravest podcasts we've ever released. A true insight into the writing process.  Just Emma, alone on the Moors.  
 

Wuthering Heights / The Trip To The Moors

In this special one-off episode, Emma talks about the making of Bagdad Cafe at London's Old Vic. 
 

Wise Children's Detention - Bagdad Cafe

As you may know, we were just about to head to the airport and fly to LA with our musical Romantics Anonymous just as Lockdown v1 was announced. A few months, lots of research and plenty of on-line shopping later, we launched Wise TV and broadcast Romantics Anonymous around the world from the Bristol Old Vic stage - where it had all started. 
 
In this special one-off episode, Emma Rice sits down with Exec Producer Poppy Keeling and Technical Director Simon Baker to explain how it was done. 
 
You can find out all about our adventure here
(This podcast includes some exclusive clips from the show). 

Romantics Anonymous - The Live Broadcasts

In this episode, a croaky voiced Emma arms herself with her fluffy mic and goes in search of answers about making a musical, Orchestrators and Sitzprobes.
Featuring interviews with the Romantics writing team and exclusive clips straight from the sound desk on press night.  
 

Romantics Anonymous

Join Emma Rice and her Wise Children team as they reflect on the year that's just gone and look ahead to 2020.
With exclusive clips from Wise Children, Malory Towers, Romantics Anonymous and Emma's new show for the National Theatre - Wuthering Heights.
 
 

Goodnight and thank you, 2019!

Malory Towers at the Passenger Shed is finally open!  This week Emma sits down with Exec Producer Poppy Keeling to talk about the highs and lows of opening a new show and new venue in a heatwave.  
As this is the last in the series we've included an exclusive clip of the show.  The Malory Girls attempt to calm down Sally Hope who has taken on the role of producer for the end of term play - A Midsummer Nights Dream.
Recorded at ParkFarm/WiseChildren's Passenger Shed
Hosted by Emma Rice and featuring Poppy Keeling and the cast of Malory Towers
Produced and Mixed by Simon Baker for Wise Children Limited
First released on Monday, 28th July 2019.
 
 
 
 

The Obstacles of Malory Towers

UPDATED - SBx
Rehearsals are over and it's time to move to the theatre.  This is usually stressful enough but you normally don't have to build the theatre first.  Nothing is ever simple at Wise Children.  
Malory Towers is being performed at The Passenger Shed at Bristol Temple Meads station, a vast warehouse space normally used for exhibitions which we've decided to turn into a theatre this summer.
Join Emma and her team of regulars as they explain what's going on.
 
Recorded at ParkFarm/WiseChildren's Passenger Shed
Hosted by Emma Rice and featuring the Wise Children Team
Produced and Mixed by Simon Baker for Wise Children Limited
First released on Monday, 21st July 2019.
 
 
 

Tech Week at Malory Towers

It's been an eventful week in the world of Wise Children.
This week Emma talks about the role movement plays in her work.  She talks candidly about her early ballet lessons, school days and her training in Poland.  She also talks to Alistair David, Malory Tower's Choreographer about creating this unique new show.
The Wise Children podcast leaves no stone unturned as Emma also reveals why we couldn't actually finish this podcast fully...
Recorded at ParkFarm/WiseChildren Rehearsals
Hosted by Emma Rice and featuring Alistair David and Simon Baker
Produced and Mixed by Simon Baker for Wise Children Limited
First released on Monday, 15th July 2019.
 
 

The Movement Of Malory Towers

We're deep into Malory Towers rehearsals now.  The show is up on its feet, choreography steps being learnt and harmonies being taught.  
We join Emma back in the rehearsal room in East London as she talks to Ian Ross, the show's composer about the score for the show.  This is a real insight into how work actually gets made and also includes a sneak peek of one of the scenes in rehearsals 
Recorded at ParkFarm/WiseChildren Rehearsals
Hosted by Emma Rice and featuring Ian Ross and the original company of Malory Towers.
Produced and Mixed by Simon Baker for Wise Children Limited
First released on Monday, the July 2019.

The Music Of Malory Towers

It's the first week of Malory Towers rehearsals and just like the first day of school, everyone is feeling a bit anxious and worrying about where to get lunch.
The lift is out of order along with the air-con as we join Emma in a noisy rehearsal room in East London - an insight into the inner working of Wise Children against a backdrop of Harps, Piano Tuners and hand dryers as she introduces us to the cast.
 
Recorded at ParkFarm/WiseChildren Rehearsals
Hosted by Emma Rice and featuring the original company of Malory Towers.
Produced and Mixed by Simon Baker for Wise Children Limited
First released on Monday 1st July 2019.
 
 
 

The Cast Of Malory Towers

We're back!  Finally!  Since our last podcast Wise Children has been out tour, we even made a movie of it but right now Emma is back in rehearsal for our new show - Enid Blyton's Malory Towers.  Over the next few weeks catch up with all the usual suspects as we get the show ready for the first audience in our new summer venue - The Passenger Shed.  
In this episode join Emma as she explains why she chose Malory Towers.  She's joined by her Mum, Maureen Rice.
Recorded at ParkFarm
Produced and Mixed by Simon Baker for Wise Children Limited
First released on Friday 21st June 2019.
 
 

Back To School With Malory Towers

In this special episode for the holiday season, Emma Rice looks back on 2018 and the first year of Wise Children, both the show and the Company.
With previously unreleased material from the show, clips from the rehearsal room and a very special treat at the very end.  Emma talks candidly about leaving the Globe and her new adventure.  Wise Children.  
As Time Out wrote - "it's good to back on Planet Rice".
 
Hosted by Emma and featuring The Wise Children Company.
Recorded at The Old Vic, London and SandfordRoad
Produced and Mixed by Simon Baker for Wise Children Limited
First released December 2018
 
 
 

Wise Children with Emma Rice // Holiday Treats

It’s preview week for Wise Children at The Old Vic, and Emma talks to the company backstage as they get ready for a performance after a day of rehearsals. She finds out how they prepare for each show, how they keep going in this demanding period before press night - while they’re performing every evening and continuing to work during the day - and what it’s like to finally put the piece in front of an audience.
Hosted by Emma and featuring The Wise Children Company.
Recorded at The Old Vic, London and SandfordRoad
Produced and Mixed by Simon Baker for Wise Children Limited
First released on Monday 15th October 2018
 
 

Wise Children with Emma Rice // Previews

After all the planning, Emma Rice's new company move into London’s Old Vic to prepare for the opening of their first show: Angela Carter's Wise Children.  
This week, while the actors take a well earned day off, Emma bothers everyone in the auditorium and asks them what they do.  We meet the creative and technical teams as they prepare for the start of technical rehearsals and get ready for the Dress Rehearsal.  
Hosted by Emma and featuring Wise Children's Creative and Technical Teams including Cath Bates, Vicki Mortimer, Malcolm Rippeth, Simon Baker, Lucy Martin, Lizzie Frankl, Steph Curtis and Charlie Smalley.
Recorded at The Old Vic, London and SandfordRoad
Produced and Mixed by Simon Baker for Wise Children Limited
First released on Monday 7nd October 2018
 
 

Wise Children with Emma Rice // Tech Week

This week Emma Rice talks to Bristol artists Beth Carter & Stuart Mitchell about the animation they have created for Angela Carter's Wise Children due to open at the Old Vic on October 8th.  
The animation takes Nora and Dora Chance from Brixton to Chelsea, from the wrong side of tracks to legitimacy, as they attend Melchior Hazzard's 100th birthday party.
Emma explains how she conceived this tricky but pivotal moment of staging.
 
 
Recorded at The Hut by The Harbour and SandfordRoad
Produced and Mixed by Simon Baker for Wise Children Limited
First released on Monday 1st October 2018

Wise Children with Emma Rice // The Hut By The Harbour

This week Emma talks to the Wise Children producing team, Judith Dimant, Poppy Keeling and Matt Lister and asks them to explain how a theatre company actually works.  Recorded at Ashton Court, Bristol and set against a backdrop of the early stages of rehearsal for Wise Children,  this is an insight into how theatre gets made.

Wise Children with Emma Rice // Wise HQ

Emma talks about the new School For Wise Children and her ambitions to train a new generation of actors and musicians.
Recorded during the first School For Wise Children - Music For Ensemble Theatre - and features material from the inaugural students and an interview with Ian Ross on what it takes to be a musician in a band for an Emma Rice show.  With music created and performed live by the students.

Wise Children with Emma Rice // Back To School

Hosted by Emma and featuring key members of the Wise Children team this first episode, recorded in June 2018, features rare and exclusive rehearsal footage as Emma starts work with the company on constructing material for the first production.