An improvised podcast in which Susan Harrison and Gemma Arrowsmith play two critics who don't feel they actually have to see a film or play in order to review it.
Resident critics Hayley Danks and Ruth Goodchild review everything... but they don't feel they actually have to see a film or play in order to review it. Improvised by Susan Harrison and Gemma Arrowsmith.
37 Available Episodes (37 Total)Average duration: 00:32:42
Feb 05, 2021
Episode 4.3 - Vaccines and online theatre
00:38:00
Hayley and Ruth review the current selection of the Covid vaccines, while also finding time to cast a scathing eye over all online theatre.
Aug 10, 2020
Episode 4.2 - Lockdown
00:38:00
Is it a global pandemic or is it actually a global, site specific, highly ambitious, multi media/theatre piece? Hayley & Ruth firmly believe it's the latter and proceed to review everything from the 'casting' to the 'writing' of the Covid response with their usual mixture of hypocrisy and idiocy.
Mar 01, 2020
Episode 4.1 - Brexit Revisited
00:35:00
It's four years since the podcast reviewed the EU Referendum and in this episode Hayley and Ruth discus Brexit, as always with varying degrees of accuracy. Also Hayley explains self-care and Ruth reminisces about her own childhood Brexit while reiterating her stance on therapy.
Dec 17, 2019
Episode 3.10 - Ruth Bratt as Jinny Glover
00:43:00
Hayley & Ruth interview the incredibly softly spoken author Jinny Glover. A woman so quiet that members of her own family question her existence... Guest starring Ruth Bratt (@ruthbratt). susanharrisoncharacters.com gemmaarrowsmith.com
Nov 06, 2019
Episode 3.9 - The Apprentice
00:33:00
Hayley & Ruth are at the National Theatre waiting to review some play or other. But while they wait, they respond to a listener request to review popular television programme The Apprentice.
Aug 01, 2019
Episode 3.8 - The Heatwave
00:34:00
Hayley and Ruth review the British heatwave. Despite uncomfortably high temperatures and melting train tracks, Hayley has had the time of her life during the heatwave, whereas Ruth refuses to wear anything other than wool. Oh and the pair also receive a pie in the post.
Catch up with Susan's live dates here: https://susanharrisoncharacters.com/live-dates/ and listen to Gemma's climate change comedy No Planet B here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/no-planet-b/id1460398628.
Theme music by Matt Lewesy and Amy Ashworth from Skiffle and the Piffles.
May 16, 2019
Episode 3.7 - The Woman in Black
00:31:00
Hayley and Ruth head to the Fortune Theatre in London's West End to watch The Woman in Black. Is the ghost in the play a spectre that only Hayley can see? Or is it a woman in a wig as Ruth suspects? Thanks to listener Jenny for the ghostly suggestion for this episode. See Susan live here: https://susanharrisoncharacters.com/live-dates/ and Gemma's climate change comedy No Planet B is here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/no-planet-b/id1460398628
Mar 26, 2019
Episode 3.6 - Self Help Books
00:25:00
Hayley and Ruth review self help books, including such classics as Don't Forget Your Crown, Make Yourself Cozy and The Secret, in what turns out to be closer to an impromptu counselling session than a journalistic review.
Recorded on Hampstead Heath London. Theme music by Matt Lewsey and Amy Ashworth from Skiffle and the Piffles.
Hayley and Ruth review the BBC1 Christmas Day schedule, which includes such gems as Zog, BBC News, Christmas Morning from Oldham Paris Church and Hammy's Boomerang Adventure. Obviously they haven't seen any the programmes on offer but when has that ever stopped them before? Theme music as ever by Skiffle and the Piffles.
Nov 29, 2018
Episode 3.3 - Oxford Street Christmas Lights
00:37:00
As Christmas approaches Hayley and Ruth brave London's busy Oxford Street to watch Jodie Whittaker turning the Christmas lights on. Along the way they review the John Lewis advert... without having seen it of course.
Theme music as ever by Skiffle and the Piffles. 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas' thanks to Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com).
Jul 19, 2018
Episode 3.2 - Love Island
00:35:00
Hayley & Ruth review the cultural sensation of Love Island. Hayley has seen every episode while Ruth hasn't seen a single episode and in fact doesn't own a television. This, they feel, gives them a unique perspective in order to review it.
Susan's show Susan Harrison is a Bit Weepy is on at the Voodoo Rooms 4th-25th (not 13th) August at 14:00 during the Edinburgh Fringe.
Jun 19, 2018
Episode 3.1 - Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
00:34:00
Hayley & Ruth might have failed to secure free tickets to the latest Jurassic World movie, so they haven't actually seen it yet - but that won't stop them reviewing it. And it certainly won't stop them getting the title of the movie slightly wrong throughout their review.
Apr 28, 2018
Episode 2.8 - British Summer Time
00:32:00
After a never ending winter, for two whole days this April, the UK saw sunshine. Hayley and Ruth review this brief bit of British Summer Time from London's bustling Southbank, by the River Thames.
Mar 07, 2018
Episode 2.7 - Lesley Boughton
00:38:00
In this episode, Hayley and Ruth are thrilled to chat to highly experienced actor Lesley Boughton, star of rep, fringe, big screen, small screen and medium screen.
Feb 14, 2018
Episode 2.6 - Valentine's Day
00:28:00
On the most romantic day of the year, Hayley and Ruth join Irish poet Fintan Cresss to review a restaurant and to talk about his latest book Hallowed Halls.
Jan 09, 2018
Episode 2.5 - New Year's Fireworks
00:39:00
From Ruth's old offices at the Telegraph, Hayley & Ruth usher in 2018 by reviewing the new year fireworks display. They also look back at their cultural highlights of 2017.
Nov 09, 2017
Episode 2.4 - Reuben Bourgeois, Pantomime Director
00:37:00
Just in time for Christmas, Hayley and Ruth journey to Norwich to see a production of Cinderella by legendary panto director Reuben Bourgeois (Alex Lynch, @AlexJRLynch) who explains how he is reinventing the pantomime without all that frivolous nonsense like 'fun'.
Nov 04, 2017
Episode 2.3 - Athene Babbard, Theatre Director
00:27:00
This month, Hayley & Ruth journey to a remote Scottish island to meet renowned theatre director Athene Babbard and watch her new version of The Scottish Play (Macbeth).
Lucy Trodd (along with Susan) is a member of Showstopper! The Improvised Musical http://www.theshowstoppers.org/ Find Lucy on Twitter @LucyTrodd and book for Twin Peaks themed improv here: http://thenurserytheatre.com/events/10nov2017/
Oct 16, 2017
Episode 2.2 - Soho
00:29:00
Hayley and Ruth attend an invigorating piece of invisible theatre and review a Nordic bakery in London's Soho.
Aug 30, 2017
Episode 2.1 - EdFringe 2017 Post Mortem
00:36:00
Hayley and Ruth are back in London after a gruelling month of reviewing shows in Edinburgh. Hayley's had her heart broken, Ruth may or may not publish a review. Listen to their EdFringe top tips.
May 11, 2017
Episode 1.16 - Macey *****
00:35:00
Hayley & Ruth are on the frontline of art once again as they meet artist Macey ***** in a warehouse in Shoreditch. Guest starring Georgie Morrell as Macey *****.
Apr 07, 2017
Episode 1.15 - Co-op Supermarket
00:32:00
After a listener requested they review the Co-op opposite Charing Cross Station, Hayley and Ruth find themselves at the supermarket at 6am.
Mar 08, 2017
Episode 1.14 - Fintan Cresss
00:37:00
Hayley and Ruth accost world renowned poet Fintan Cresss at the book launch of his latest collection of poems. (With special guest Dan Starkey - @StanDarkley)
Feb 13, 2017
Episode 1.13 - Valentine's Day
00:29:00
Hayley and Ruth discuss how best to spend Valentine's Day and also review some of Hayley's Valentine's cards.
Dec 20, 2016
Episode 1.12 - Christmas
00:31:00
Hayley arrives at Ruth's house on Christmas Day and they spent a quiet Christmas together. Like, seriously quiet. Maybe reviewing Christmas will cheer them both up.
Dec 08, 2016
Episode 1.11 - Stefan van der Huis
00:32:00
Stefan van der Huis is a modern artist whose work has sadly been passed over for the Turner Prize for being too dynamic and thought-provoking. Hayley and Ruth catch up with him at his latest exhibition. With Charlie Kemp: www.iamcharliekemp.com @Kempezofficial
Nov 07, 2016
Episode 1.10 - US Election
00:30:00
With no knowledge or expertise of any kind, Hayley and Ruth are the perfect pundits to give you the facts in the run up to the 2016 US election.
Oct 30, 2016
Episode 1.9 - Halloween special
00:38:00
Hayley & Ruth find themselves at the house party of a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend. Hayley struggles with an unwieldy costume while Ruth struggles with some basic social interaction.
Oct 08, 2016
Episode 1.8 - Cabaret star La Poule
00:27:00
Hayley and Ruth meet cabaret performer La Poule after a performance on London's South Bank to talk about art, love and criticism. (Also starring Sarah Louise Young: louise-young.com">www.sarah-louise-young.com, @cabaretwhore)
Sep 07, 2016
Episode 1.7 - Little Chef
00:30:00
In this episode Hayely and Ruth stop off at a Motorway Service Station on their way back from Edinburgh where they review the Little Chef menu as a work of literature.
Aug 26, 2016
Episode 1.6 - More EdFringe
00:22:00
With Hayley still AWOL in Edinburgh, Ruth introduces this episode from the Two Stars archive, in which Hayley and Ruth discuss EdFringe digs and the five star rating system.
Aug 07, 2016
Episode 1.5 - EdFringe
00:40:00
With Hayley away in Edinburgh, in this episode we delve into the archives and listen to Hayley & Ruth's journey to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2015.
Jul 16, 2016
Episode 1.4 - Brexit
00:28:00
In this episode, Hayley and Ruth review Britain's decision to leave the EU. With very little knowledge or understanding, they tackle the subjects of Brexit, our new Prime Minister and her choice of Foreign Secretary.
Jul 04, 2016
Episode 1.3 - American Independence
00:28:00
It's the 4th of July so in this episode Hayley & Ruth review American Independence (after Ruth has explained to Hayley what Independence Day is).
Jun 21, 2016
Episode 1.2 - EU Referendum
00:23:00
In this special episode, Hayley and Ruth review the EU referendum. Before it happens.
Jun 07, 2016
Episode 1.1 - Summer Blockbusters
00:27:00
In this first episode, Hayley and Ruth review all the summer blockbusters of 2016. In particular the Angry Birds movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates. As is customary, they have not seen any of these films.
Feb 05 | 00:38:00
Episode 4.3 - Vaccines and online theatre
Aug 10 | 00:38:00
Episode 4.2 - Lockdown
Mar 01 | 00:35:00
Episode 4.1 - Brexit Revisited
Dec 17 | 00:43:00
Episode 3.10 - Ruth Bratt as Jinny Glover
Nov 06 | 00:33:00
Episode 3.9 - The Apprentice
Aug 01 | 00:34:00
Episode 3.8 - The Heatwave
May 16 | 00:31:00
Episode 3.7 - The Woman in Black
Mar 26 | 00:25:00
Episode 3.6 - Self Help Books
Jan 22 | 00:33:00
Episode 3.5 - The Cultural Year Ahead 2019
Dec 22 | 00:39:00
Episode 3.4 - BBC1 Christmas Day schedule
Nov 29 | 00:37:00
Episode 3.3 - Oxford Street Christmas Lights
Jul 19 | 00:35:00
Episode 3.2 - Love Island
Jun 19 | 00:34:00
Episode 3.1 - Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Apr 28 | 00:32:00
Episode 2.8 - British Summer Time
Mar 07 | 00:38:00
Episode 2.7 - Lesley Boughton
Feb 14 | 00:28:00
Episode 2.6 - Valentine's Day
Jan 09 | 00:39:00
Episode 2.5 - New Year's Fireworks
Nov 09 | 00:37:00
Episode 2.4 - Reuben Bourgeois, Pantomime Director
Nov 04 | 00:27:00
Episode 2.3 - Athene Babbard, Theatre Director
Oct 16 | 00:29:00
Episode 2.2 - Soho
Aug 30 | 00:36:00
Episode 2.1 - EdFringe 2017 Post Mortem
May 11 | 00:35:00
Episode 1.16 - Macey *****
Apr 07 | 00:32:00
Episode 1.15 - Co-op Supermarket
Mar 08 | 00:37:00
Episode 1.14 - Fintan Cresss
Feb 13 | 00:29:00
Episode 1.13 - Valentine's Day
Dec 20 | 00:31:00
Episode 1.12 - Christmas
Dec 08 | 00:32:00
Episode 1.11 - Stefan van der Huis
Nov 07 | 00:30:00
Episode 1.10 - US Election
Oct 30 | 00:38:00
Episode 1.9 - Halloween special
Oct 08 | 00:27:00
Episode 1.8 - Cabaret star La Poule
Sep 07 | 00:30:00
Episode 1.7 - Little Chef
Aug 26 | 00:22:00
Episode 1.6 - More EdFringe
Aug 07 | 00:40:00
Episode 1.5 - EdFringe
Jul 16 | 00:28:00
Episode 1.4 - Brexit
Jul 04 | 00:28:00
Episode 1.3 - American Independence
Jun 21 | 00:23:00
Episode 1.2 - EU Referendum
Jun 07 | 00:27:00
Episode 1.1 - Summer Blockbusters
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