Local teens chat to Pirates of the Caribbean star Kevin McNally

I’ve always loved theatre and that’s what led me and my co-host, Maddie Thornton, to create our award-winning podcast, Skipping Through Theatre.

I’m from Bedfordshire and Maddie is from Northamptonshire. Together, we interview actors and creatives from the worlds of theatre, television and film, giving our listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the entertainment industry and the people who bring it to life.

One of our biggest milestones so far has been interviewing Kevin McNally, best known for playing Joshamee Gibbs in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. It was an incredible opportunity to hear stories from his career, including his experiences working alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Speaking to someone whose work has been enjoyed by millions around the world was both exciting and inspiring.

When we started Skipping Through Theatre, we never imagined we’d have the opportunity to interview such an amazing range of guests. Every episode reminds us how welcoming and supportive the theatre community is, and we hope our conversations encourage more young people to get involved, whether that’s performing on stage, working behind the scenes, or simply enjoying live theatre.

Receiving recognition for our podcast has been a huge honour, but the most rewarding part is hearing that our interviews have inspired others. We can’t wait to continue sharing more conversations with incredible guests and helping to shine a spotlight on the world of stage and screen.