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LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art) and Audible UK announce the release of the fourth series of GNR8, a collection of four original audio dramas that speak to the complex times we live in. Commissioned from some of the UK’s most exciting emerging writers and workshopped by LAMDA students, the final productions were recorded by 2022 LAMDA graduating students as part of the two organisations’ ongoing partnership.
Exploring timely themes of female rage, peer pressures, living up to expectations, the dangers of university rituals and traditions, celebrity, cancel culture and deception, the thought-provoking single dramas have been created by and for young people. Award-winning playwright Karla Williams and director Izzy Rabey reflect on the impact of social media and the threat of cancel culture in Famous, as a global superstar fights against a life without fame. Two student journalists try to uncover the truth about a tragic accident at a university rugby team initiation in Thara Popoola’s pacy and gripping Initiation directed by Dermot Daly. What is the price you’d pay to create your own legacy? Gilbert Kyem Jnr’s Son Of explores what it takes to step out of the shadow of your family, directed by Claudia Grant. In Amy Cudden’s Bad Seed – directed by Philip Morris – two postgraduate students working on their feminist podcast Bloody Women find themselves drawn into the thirty-year-old mystery of a supposed misogynistic hate crime.
Since 2018, LAMDA and Audible have worked together on the GNR8 project to create sixteen new Audio dramas that showcase the work of exciting new writing and directing talent, and the next wave of audio stars. The writers in the 2021/22 GNR8 project are also involved in projects including Robert Icke’s Hamlet and Oresteia (Off Broadway), The Midwich Cuckoos (Sky), Sex Education (Netflix), Rise (BBC Radio 4), Grantchester (ITV/PBS) and Clutch (Bush Theatre).
Karla Williams, GNR8 Season 4 participant and writer of ‘Famous’, said: “Working with LAMDA and Audible was my first experience writing for audio, and I absolutely loved it! Writing Famous gave me the opportunity to explore themes close to my heart; cancel culture, the performative nature of allyship, and the experiences of black actresses working in film and TV.
Working on the project became the genesis of an audio career. I have gone on to co-write an audio series produced by Hat Trick Podcast, executive produced a comedy/drama series produced by Listen Audio, and I have an original audio drama series in development.”
Aurelie de Troyer, Head of Content UK & Canada at Audible said: “Working with LAMDA on GNR8 has been a fantastic way to celebrate some of the UK’s finest writing, directing and acting talent. Audible is passionate about championing the next generation of voices and we continue to be thrilled with the results.”
Mark O’Thomas, Principal of LAMDA said: “Our collaboration with Audible has become an integral part of our training, providing students with the opportunity to learn from one of the world’s leading audio producers. It’s testament to the partnership that we have seen so many recent graduates go on to enjoy careers in audio and create their own audio plays.”
