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Audible UK and LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art) announce the release of the fifth series of GNR8, a collection of four original audio dramas that are created by and for young people. Commissioned from some of the UK’s most exciting emerging writers and workshopped by LAMDA students, the final productions were recorded by 2023 LAMDA graduating students as part of the two organisations’ ongoing collaboration.
GNR8 5, which makes five years of the collaboration between Audible and LAMDA, embraces a spectrum of genres from sci-fi to social drama and political allegory, and covering themes of the dangers of groupthink, motherhood, the commodification of ‘trucrime’, persecution of marginalised groups and the possibility of other realities, these four dramas dig deep into the ideas and issues that resonate strongly with our student cohort and the world at large.
In Slay by Michael Button, directed by Nosa Eka, the two hosts of a trashy true crime podcast seek to uncover the truth when a homeless suspect is accused of a series of brutal homophobic murders. An estranged brother and sister are forced to face up to their responsibilities when they find an abandoned child in Duty of Care, written by Kirsty Rider and directed by Jade Mathew.
Sonali Bhattacharyya’s The Deity and the Fly follows Maya who makes a startling discovery about her new community which leads her to be demonised as an enemy who must be defeated, directed by Lekan Lawal. In Simulacrum by Eric Stroud – directed by Katie Meekison – an ex-true crime podcaster’s new life is interrupted by odd circumstances surrounding a woman’s suicide.
Since 2018, LAMDA and Audible have worked together on the GNR8 project to create twenty 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).
Aurelie de Troyer, Head of Content UK & Canada at Audible said: “We have had the pleasure of partnering with LAMDA for five years now and GNR8 5 showcases more of the writing, directing and acting talent we have supported through the programme. Audible is passionate about championing the next generation of voices and we look forward to recognising more talented artists as our collaboration progresses.”
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 production and create their own audio plays.”
GNR8 Series 5 is available to download exclusively at www.audible.co.uk/podcasts now (free for Audible members, free with Audible’s 30-day trial).
