By Alys Jones

Chippy Lane Productions is a London-based Welsh company which promotes Welsh and Wales-based theatre talent to audiences in and beyond Wales. It was founded in 2016 by Cardiff-born actor, writer and producer, Rebecca Jade Hammond who was recently spotlighted as one of the ÔÇÿ100 Women of WalesÔÇÖ 2018 by Wales Arts Review. This award draws attention to women who are inspiring the arts in Wales, and hosts a podcast for the company. Chippy Lane Podcast is a series of interviews which celebrates talent by interviewing creative Welsh individuals, who have been nominated by their contemporaries to discuss their experiences.

In a recent episode, the interview with playwright and screenwriter Tim Price is rather all-over-the-place in the best possible way! The discussion dips into a range of topics: from the difficulties facing WalesÔÇÖ creative industries; to classism holding back potential in economically-deprived areas; to the lack of cohesion in a such a mountainous, divided nation. It is a truly fascinating insight into the creative industries but really excels due to it’s sense of authenticity, displaying a passionate conversation between friends whose aim is to put the world to rights at the end of a long night!

The Podcast series certainly succeeds in providing a human outlook on the creative industries through expert analysis and the sharing of personal experiences. In his interview, Tim Price focused on discussing his personal challenges: lack of opportunity whilst growing up in the Valleys; WalesÔÇÖ reluctance to support writers in the same way it supports actors; and how fatherhood stops people seeing him as a creative. The latter, he admitted is a far worse issue for women in the industry, and decided not to focus too much on this issue.

Later in the interview, Tim also discussed his view that Welsh writers are often forced to make their names outside of Wales before being invited to do something interesting in their home country.┬áHe states that England has the advantage of numerous television soaps where writers can learn their craft and move on and laments the fact that Wales lacks an English-language soap which can similarly nurture creativity and recount the Welsh experience.┬áHis argument is that WalesÔÇÖ creatives should structure their stories for an international audience whilst communicating
a Welsh experience to increase awareness of the Welsh identity.

Whilst there are certainly challenges facing the creative industries in Wales, this podcast is ultimately positive. It is a celebration of Welsh creative individuals in a time where creativity could be our most valuable export; a call to better support the next generation of Welsh writers through improvements to infrastructure. Host Rebecca remarked that she and other successful Welsh actors received the encouragement to pursue acting from Sunday drama classes at their local community centre, but Welsh writers are missing this kind of support.

Overall, this podcast is informative and interesting whilst also being funny and genuine. It is the perfect casual insight into Welsh creativity in Wales and beyond.

To view other episodes head over to: http://chippylaneproductions.co.uk/podcast/