A Guide Bridge-based theatre group is calling out for people to join in its new Armchair Adventure.

Audenshaw-based theatre group, The Johnny Barlow Theatre Company, named in memory of Johnny, has been based at the Guide Bridge Theatre for 30 years and still meets weekly. In fact, they continued to meet every week throughout lockdown using Zoom video and phone calls.

The group is now run by not-for-profit theatre organisation Made by Mortals and they have put a call out for Tameside residents to join them for a one-off creative project.

The Johnny Barlow Theatre Company is currently creating one episode of the award-winning podcast, Armchair Adventures.

They are looking for people who are currently unemployed or claiming benefits to join them for eight weeks, on Thursdays from 1pm to 2.30pm. This is an opportunity to meet like-minded people, grow in confidence and help create a brand new podcast episode.

Andy Smith, co-director of Made by Mortals, who are based at Ashton Old Baths, said: “We are now recording series three of the Armchair Adventures podcast and want to weave in the stories and experiences from even more people from across Tameside.

“This experience will give people the chance to work with professional musicians, scriptwriters, podcast producers as well as the current members of the Johnny Barlow Theatre Company.

“Our ethos is that the creative experience is just as important as the end product – which makes the focus truly on having fun, connecting with other people in your community – and just doing something different!”

Armchair Adventures was originally launched in lockdown and was written for an audience of children and families. It takes the listener on a travel adventure of the imagination, with movement, singing and lots of interaction. Made by Mortals also hosted live online events with schools and children at home all over the North West so they could take part in a brilliant shared experience.

The podcast recently won Best Use of Technology – Not for Profit at the Digital City Awards, and has previously won Best Podcast at the Manchester Publicity Association Awards.

Made by Mortals run weekly theatre sessions for two different groups of people which are fun, joyous and most importantly, bring people in the Tameside community together express their creativity, using their lived experiences.

To find out more about Made by Mortals, visit https://www.madebymortals.org/ 

If you know anyone who might be interesting in joining this creative project, email admin@madebymortals.org or call 0161 706 1011.

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