It was the first days of spring when Laura Barton spoke to our third podcast guest, the Forward Prize winning poet Fiona Benson. Speaking about the itinerant rhythms of growing up in an RAF family, of boarding school and academia, the pleasing rhythms of a settled life in rural Devon and how each has shaped her poetry. Fittingly for this spring season Fiona shares her poem Almond Blossom to ease us out of winter into a hopeful and trusting green havoc.

TOAST Podcast Series 5 is presented by Laura Barton and produced by Geoff Bird. Music for this season was written and performed by Laura James. All views expressed in the podcast are the interviewees own and not necessarily those of TOAST.

Rhythm Podcast Series 5 | Fiona Benson

It would be hard to look at rhythm in all its forms without observing the breath and the way we speak. For over 40 years the world’s most formidable voice coach, Patsy Rodenburg, OBE, has done just that.  Speaking to Patsy from her home in London, we discover her passion for storytelling, her focus on the breath and its rhythms which link us all. 

Patsy has worked with politicians, business leaders and actors including  Judi Dench, Ian McKellen and Daniel Craig. She’s collaborated with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre and is head of voice at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She is the author of books on speech and presence and her great literary love, William Shakespeare.

TOAST Podcast Series 5 is presented by Laura Barton and produced by Geoff Bird. Music for this season was written and performed by Laura James. All views expressed in the podcast are the interviewees own and not necessarily those of TOAST.

Rhythm Podcast Series 5 | Patsy Rodenburg

"Dandelion" by Marie Wabnitz

Lyrics, vocals, harp: Marie Wabnitz, 
Mandolin, double bass: Atle Kvia, 
Hardanger fiddle: Tuva Færden, 
Viola da Gamba: Kristine Rustad.

Arranged, recorded and produced by Atle Kvia.

Marie Wabnitz - Dandelion

A demo version of Let me love you again.

Guitar - Jack Gillen 
Keys - Enoch Mukasa 
Drums - Ally Mcdougal 
Bass - Lenny Brown

warm body (demo)

Laura James

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