“This is a guy who had an incredible trauma at a young age. This is a guy who has lived a life that probably only one other person on the planet can relate to, which is William, so we have to be empathetic to the fact that there is something within him that feels the need to tell these stories… But then we also have to accept that we live in a world where people will come to Prince Harry with opinion rather than empathy.”
Jake Humphrey speaking about Prince Harry on Norwich Theatre Talks – out now
The power of stories is the theme for Norwich Theatre’s second podcast episode, which is available on all platforms now.
Jake Humphrey one of the UK’s best-respected sports presenters and Professor Damian Hughes, his co-host on High Performance, star on the second episode of the new podcast from Norwich Theatre.
Hosted by Norwich Theatre Chief Executive and Creative Director, Stephen Crocker, and recorded live at Norwich Theatre Playhouse, this episode explores how as individuals, we can use storytelling and creativity to be challenged and inspired.
Professor Damian Hughes said: “I’ve been lucky enough to spend a lifetime going into elite cultures and one of the things I’ve noticed is that you always come away with stories. The thing you remember is not the stats or the facts, but the stories. I’ve researched this and how storytelling contains so much wisdom. That is what we try and do on the podcast: create a space for people to tell their stories, because it’s through those stories that wisdom and knowledge is being passed on to listeners.”
Stephen asked the pair about Prince Harry’s new book Spare and whether there are ever stories that shouldn’t be told.
In response, Jake said: “There are things that should remain private, for the sake of other people around you, you need to have respect for them. But people have the responsibility to share the things that they feel are important to them.
“Let’s talk about Prince Harry and this book he has released. It’s really easy to come to that with an opinion – ‘Prince Harry shouldn’t be doing it’, ‘the Royal Family are sacred’, ‘it’s causing damage’ – but let’s come to it with an empathetic approach. This is a guy who had an incredible trauma at a young age. This is a guy who has lived a life that probably only one other person on the planet can relate to, which is William, so we have to be empathetic to the fact that there is something within him that feels the need to tell these stories. He feels wronged, he feels pain, he’s clearly struggling in a number of different areas, and this is helping him.
“Through my job, and this podcast and the way I’ve lived and how I think, I’d probably fall down on the side of anyone can tell any story they want to tell. And maybe sometimes you have to pick up the pieces afterwards or maybe you have to be really sensitive beforehand – explain to people what you are doing and why you are doing it – but then we also have to accept that we live in a world where people will come to Prince Harry with opinion rather than empathy.”
Norwich Theatre is working with Jake and Damian to co-produce High Performance Live, a theatre show based on the podcast, which opens in Norwich on 5 Feb before heading to London Palladium and around the UK on a national tour. It will include personal stories from Jake and Damian, as well as guests and audience interaction.
Following Jake and Damian, Stephen spoke with Head of Creative Engagement at Norwich Theatre, Sam Dawson, about the forthcoming Creative Matters season of events, which this year is focussed on Climate Stories.
Sam said, “Listening to and sharing stories and lived experiences is at the heart of theatre. As part of Creative Matters: Climate Stories we will use creativity to stimulate discussion and make connections, exploring the climate crisis and presenting ways in which all of us can influence our collective future.”
Talking about this second episode of Norwich Theatre Talks, Stephen Crocker said: “We wholeheartedly believe in the role of theatre to bring people together, to listen and share stories, to learn, be challenged and be inspired.
“On this second episode of our relaunched podcast, we look at two ways Norwich Theatre is putting that belief firmly centre stage: with a brand new co-production with High Performance and with our new year-long Creative Matters season.
“Listen now on your favourite podcast platform.”