Bryan Elsley - Managing Director / Writer
Dave Evans - Head of Development
Currently listening to / watching / reading
It’s just too hot to stay indoors watching television but I sat and my laptop, sweating near to death to inhale the second series of Funboys twice on the week of its release. Nothing on screen right now is as funny, unique, sweet and repulsive. I love it.
While the world flocks to the humourless tedium of Nolan’s Odyssey, I have become obsessed with The Oresteia. The Simon Stone version at The Bridge is like a live soap opera with rollicking performances from Mary-Louise Parker, Archie Madekwe and the fabulous Alyth Ross (from our upcoming show, Counsels), the excellent Central School of Drama grad show was Zinnie Harris’ adaptation This Restless House and I’m about to set into Eugene O’Neill’s Mourning Becomes Electra. Long live the original messy family drama.
The Tates in London are all guns blazing for summer with three banging exhibitions: the Modern has a big survey of Ana Mendieta’s land art and Tracy Emin’s A Second Life while the Britain has a revelatory show of Hurvin Anderson’s mesmerising paintings. Both have decent temperature control as well while the streets boil.
Lindsay Taggart - Company Manager
Currently listening to / watching / reading
I’m looking forward to seeing the Rose Wylie exhibition at the Royal Academy, her fun, bold playful paintings are such a treat to see in person and a total icon who’s still making work into her 90s.
Easter holidays was a good excuse for a rainy cinema day and highly recommend The Drama from Kristoffer Borgli. Fun, unexpected and great performances from the two leads.
The Moth Club’s Knock2bag comedy night is the perfect setting to see a variety of new and established performers - the last one I went to was hosted by the brilliant Freddie Meredith who I can’t wait to see again already. A good one to keep your eye on!
Daniel Donnelly - Development Executive
Currently listening to / watching / reading
I heard a thoughtful point about how in times of political uncertainty artists often turn to absurdity and silliness. Angine de Poitrine are a French-Canadian duo that speaks to that. They play a prog-math-rock genre using microtonal notes. Some of it is unlistenable but then some of it is hypnotic and raucous. A heady brew that feels like 2026.
I really enjoyed the first season of The Pitt. The sheer volume of story and patients that come through the doors, the relentlessness of it is so compelling. The characters are not the most three-dimensional, but I just enjoyed being in that world.
Half Man is appointment viewing for me. Gadd and Stuart Campbell’s Reuben is horrible and fascinating and familiar and I’m so glad that a Scottish story like that has made it to screen. DTF St Louis is odd and compelling and very hard to pin down. I have no idea where it’s going, which is a compliment.
Bradley Adams - Producer
Currently listening to / watching / reading
Tristian and Isolde, Follies (50th anniversary), Mama Mia (my grandaughter makes me)
Promising Young Woman. Succession (cracking performances)
Maiden Castle by John Cowper Powys, (someone thought it would make a good drama, they were wrong!). A Terrible Beauty by Peter Watson, (Started it 15 years ago, totally love it but can't quite finish it. It's next to my bed permanently). The Longest Memory by Fred D'Aguir (think it could make a great drama).
Aman Uppal - Development Assistant
I’ve just finished reading Hear No Evil, Sarah Smith’s historical novel set in Glasgow in 1817, which was fantastic - sharp, humane and far more gripping than I expected. I’m now glued to Say Nothing, brilliantly paced and so well researched it feels like a thriller. Next up is Bonjour Tristesse, Françoise Sagan’s novella about a teenage girl on the Riviera navigating the usual teenage chaos (written when Sagan was only 18!). I suspect it’ll make an excellent summer read.
I’m listening to a lot of Blossoms at the moment, particularly their first album, which takes me straight back to its release in 2016. Escapism at its finest. Otherwise, it’s a steady rotation of Paolo Nutini and Kaytranada.
I’m currently watching Bait - consistently sharp, weird, funny and, at times, scarily relatable. I was delighted to discover that the second series of The Four Seasons is now out. I’d happily watch Steve Carell and Tina Fey read a parking ticket. For pure comic relief, Last One Laughing remains undefeated.