Richard Sparks, librettist, writer (L.A. Opera, Not the Nine O'Clock News).

Richard Sparks, librettist, writer (L.A. Opera, Not the Nine O'Clock News).

My guest today is the British scriptwriter and librettist for opera, Richard Sparks. In 1978 he wrote a sketch for Rowan Aktinson, the actor who later played Mr Bean, which Atkinson performed in the Secret Policeman’s Ball, a series of benefit shows organised by John Cleese to raise funds for Amnesty International. The success of the sketch led my guest to become a writer for BBC2’s ‘Not the Nine O’Clock News’ comedy show, and a slew of other TV writing gigs followed.


In 1992 he moved to Los Angeles where he began to write libretti for the L.A. Opera. In 2016 he directed Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which starred Jack Black in the leading role. Now he has returned to his comedy roots, with the publication of “New Rock New Role”, a fantasy comic novel about a retired teacher who discovers video games while in his sixties.


Website: https://richardsparks.com/

The School Master Sketch

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Lucas Pope, gamemaker (Papers, Please; Return of the Obra Dinn).

Lucas Pope, gamemaker (Papers, Please; Return of the Obra Dinn).

My guest today is the American designer of two of the most highly regarded experimental games yet made. He grew up in Virginia, where his interest in hobbyist robotics led him to study mechanical engi...

23 Loka 20231h 15min

David Wilson, former Director of Communications, PlayStation. (LIVE @ WASD)

David Wilson, former Director of Communications, PlayStation. (LIVE @ WASD)

My guest today is the former Director of Communications for Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. After graduating from the University of Exeter, he joined Dennis Publishing where he worked as deputy ed...

16 Loka 20231h 8min

Pierre Novellie, comedian.

Pierre Novellie, comedian.

My guest today is a stand-up comedian, writer, radio host and podcaster. Born in South Africa, his family then moved to the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea. He studied Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic langu...

9 Loka 20231h 8min

Jennifer Hale, voice actor (Mass Effect, Metal Gear Solid, Knights of the Old Republic, Cinderella)

Jennifer Hale, voice actor (Mass Effect, Metal Gear Solid, Knights of the Old Republic, Cinderella)

My guest today is a is a Canadian American actor for video games, television and film. Born in Labrador in Canada, she soon moved to Alabama in the United States, where, as a teenager, she began worki...

2 Loka 20231h 10min

Kieron Gillen, comic book author (Star Wars, X-Men, Iron Man, DIE).

Kieron Gillen, comic book author (Star Wars, X-Men, Iron Man, DIE).

My guest today is an award-winning creator and writer of comic books. Born into a Staffordshire working-class family, he was a student of Applied Biology at Bath University when he started contributin...

25 Syys 20231h 16min

Annabel Ashalley-Anthony, founder Melanin Gamers.

Annabel Ashalley-Anthony, founder Melanin Gamers.

My guest today is a British-Ghanaian writer and advocate for inclusion and diversity in the video game industry. Having graduated from the University of Westminster with a degree in creative writing w...

18 Syys 20231h 10min

Clint Hocking, creative director (Splinter Cell, Far Cry 4, Watch Dogs Legion, Assassin's Creed Infinity)

Clint Hocking, creative director (Splinter Cell, Far Cry 4, Watch Dogs Legion, Assassin's Creed Infinity)

My guest today is a Canadian video game designer and director. After graduating from the University of British Columbia with an MFA in creative writing, he joined Ubisoft Montreal where he co-wrote th...

11 Syys 20231h 21min

Peter Molyneux O.B.E., video game designer (Populous, Theme Park, Fable).

Peter Molyneux O.B.E., video game designer (Populous, Theme Park, Fable).

My guest today is an English video game designer and programmer. In 1984 he designed The Entrepreneur, a simulation game about running a start-up company. When it sold just two copies, however, my gue...

4 Syys 20231h 14min

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