INSIDE STORY

“As a performer, I think there’s something quite protective about putting outrageous and irreverent words into the mouth of a larger than life character.”

Linda Hargreaves
Actor, Comedian

“You get a sense of belonging when you know people well and you know a situation well..”

Sir Geoff Palmer
Historian, Scientist

“A Streetcar named Desire at the National Theatre – Gillian Anderson as Blanche was sheer genius.”

Rebecca Holmes-Mears
Director

“It was great to box in Walsall in front of my home crowd. I think I took the fight lightly as it turned out to be a really tough fight – which I was very glad I won in front of my fans.”

Martin Gethin
Professional Boxer

“We wanted to make sure visually they reflected the women of their time, and for the audience to understand that their story was a common one back then. That it actually happened.” 

MOYO AKANDÉ
Actor, Writer

“I was always a reader which I believe is a prerequisite for becoming a writer. And although I come from a literature-poor family – I was, by virtue of my Jamaican heritage, surrounded by oral storytellers.”

Panya Banjoko
Poet, Archivist

“YOU CAN TELL YOUR COACH ‘YEAH I’VE BEEN FOR A RUN THIS MORNING AND WHATEVER BUT WHEN YOU’RE KNACKERED THEY CAN SEE IT.“

Tyler Denny
Professional Boxer

“Before I knew it, I was back doing what I did when I was ten years old, only more full-on.”

Blak Prophetz
Musician, Producer

“I WAS REALLY NERVOUS AND WE WAS SHARING THE DRESSING ROOM WITH NATE CAMPBELL AND HIS TEAM. HE SAW I WAS NERVOUS AND SAID “YOU NERVOUS BOY?”

Brett Fidoe
Professional Boxer