The Painkiller Podcast

Feb 02 2023 33 ep. 11 mins 124

The Painkiller Podcast artwork

Fortnightly audio plays. An online theatre. Currently supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

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#33 The Barrel of Laughs by Charles Macpherson

Feb 02 2023 10 mins

An anxious patient consults with a therapist about a problem that threatens to destroy him. But, as the session progresses, the patient starts to wonder whether the therapist might be part of the problem. The Barrell of Laughs was written by Charles Macpherson and performed by David Verrey and Sam Thorpe Spinks. It was directed by Max Elton with sound design by Piers Sherwood Rober

#32 Slippy Maggie by Miranda Langley

Nov 17 2022 14 mins

You have been listening to Slippy Maggie, written by Miranda Langley, and starring Lesley Sharp as Jeanette. Slippy Maggie was directed by Alice Fitzgerald with sound design by Nicola T Chang. It was produced by Hew Rous-Eyre. Through The Painkiller Project, Bitter Pill has been collaborating with emerging playwrights since April 2020. Visit our website or follow us on Twitter for

#31 Serve, Fault, Ace by Lucy Curtis

Sep 10 2022 9 mins

The problem with theory is that once you’ve started, you can’t stop.”A student sits down to begin work on her dissertation. She has things to say but she’s finding it difficult to say them, and before long she begins to spiral. You have been listening to Serve, Fault, Ace by Lucy Curtis, starring Rebekah Murrell. Serve, Fault, Ace was directed by Goerge Nichols with sound d

#30 God of Circles by Billy Brooks

Aug 11 2022 10 mins

Foreseeing an endless succession of disasters and tragedies awaiting them beneath the streets of London, Charlotte and Samuel will do anything it takes in order to stay out of harm’s way. You have been listening to God of Circles by Billy Brooks, starring Amelia Bullmore and Tom Rosenthal. God of Circles was directed by Max Elton with sound design by Marcus Rice. Through The Pain

#29 Deja Vu by Sarah Baylis

Jun 22 2022 12 mins

Passing a restaurant window, a woman feels a powerful sense of connection to a man sitting inside, and is compelled to enter... Deja Vu was written by Sarah Baylis. It was performed by Amy Loughton, directed by Nicky Allpress, with sound design by Joseff Harris.It was produced by Max Elton. Through The Painkiller Project, Bitter Pill has been collaborating with emerging playwrights

#28 I Love Television by Matthew Stephen Smith

Mar 10 2022 9 mins

Kyla and Dario are here to execute a job. Kyla has a knife. Dario has a secret.I Love Television was written by Matthew Stephen Smith and performed by Tamara Lawrance as Kyla and Philip Arditti as Dario. It was directed by Oscar Toeman with sound design and composition by Jack Baxter. It was produced by Max Elton. Through The Painkiller Project, Bitter Pill has been collaborating w

#27 Two Fingers by Rosaleen Cox

Feb 16 2022 11 mins

Ann works at Poundland. It isn’t the most exciting job, but when the gorgeous Larry Simmons walks in, that quickly starts to change.Two Fingers was written and performed by Rosaleen Cox, with Declan Rodgers as Larry. It was directed by Hannah Hauer-King with sound design by Piers Sherwood Roberts. It was produced by Hew Rous-Eyre. CONTENT WARNING: Towards the end of this episode

#26 The Dig by Stephen Condor - performed by Hannah Stokley

Jan 26 2022 12 mins

Cathy is gardening. Or at least, she’s pretending to. The truth is she’s looking for something. Something she doesn’t necessarily want to find.The Dig was written by Stephen Condor. It was performed by Hannah Stokley and directed by Evangeline Cullingworth with sound design by Marcus Rice. It was produced by Hew Rous-Eyre. Through The Painkiller Project, Bitter Pill has been

#25 Fracture Mechanics by Hester Styles-Vickery - performed by Kate O'Flynn

Jan 13 2022 10 mins

Fracture Mechanics was written by Hester Styles-Vickery. It was performed by Kate O’Flynn. Fracture Mechanics was directed by Georgie Staight with sound design by Nicola T Chang. It was produced by Hew Rous-Eyre. Through The Painkiller Project, Bitter Pill has been collaborating with emerging playwrights since April 2020. Visit our website or follow us on Twitter for updates of u

#24 Tree Rings by Mandy Wheeler - performed by Sarah Woodward and Breffni Holahan

Oct 19 2021 10 mins

"A young woman has a question to ask. It’s a big question, it could change everything. She needs to be prepared."Tree Rings was written by Mandy Wheeler. It was performed by Breffni Holahan as Amy and Sarah Woodward as the Director. Tree Rings was directed and produced by Max Elton with sound design by Marcus Rice.Through The Painkiller Project, Bitter Pill has been collaborating