Interview – Matt Woodhead, Co-director of LUNG
We were delighted to be approached by the Yorkshire based campaign led arts charity LUNG earlier this year to see how we can support their work and then for one of their co-directors Matt Woodhead to agree to an interview.
Q. Tell us more about LUNG?
A. Yay, I’d love to! Founded in Barnsley in 2014, LUNG is a campaign led arts charity, that makes hidden voices heard. We are a small team of six who believe in the power of art to amplify untold stories and transform the world around us.
Q. You initially got in touch with us about Calling Barnsley: The Untold Stories of Barnsley. Tell us more about the project including the famous phone box and its tour around local communities later this year?
‘A. Calling Barnsley’ is LUNG’s latest adventure. We’ve transformed a classic red telephone box into a dynamic storytelling space, offering a captivating glimpse into the heart of Barnsley through 30 unheard stories. Adapted from interviews from people across the borough (and
performed by professional actors), audiences are invited to pick up the receiver and hear the untold tales of our town. Come on down to The Civic Theatre and give Barnsley a call?
Q. What else has LUNG got coming up?
A. Eep, there’s so much juicy stuff coming up for LUNG! Speak Up (a programme we run with the National Theatre) ends with a bang on the Olivier Stage this July. We are hosting a symposium with 15 young people from across England to bring their messages of hope and change to the world. There’s lots more exciting stuff in the pipeline, but you’ll have to keep your eye on our website and social media to find out more…
Q. Tell us more about yourself, how did you get involved with LUNG and what does your role involve as a co-director?
A. I co-founded LUNG 10 years ago (when I was young, naïve and free!) It’s been wild ride seeing the company grow from a few mates who enjoy making theatre into this big beast. As the Co-Director I do my best to make sure we’re sticking to our core values – bringing class stories to as many people as possible who want to hear them.
Q. What are you most proud to have been involved in with LUNG so far?
A. My answer to this question changes daily. We are about to remount our first show – ‘The 56’ – for a rehearsed reading at Bradford City of Culture. Adapted from the testimony of survivors of The Bradford City Fire, the play celebrates how a community pulled together in the face of overwhelming tragedy. As we reach the 40th anniversary of the fire, it’s more important than ever to tell this story.
Q. How do you decide what arts projects to focus on?
A. At the start of every project, we ask ourselves three questions: Why this play? Why now? Why us? We then build from there. As well as finding banging answers to these questions, it’s also about finding the stories that we aren’t hearing and amplifying them.
Q. What are your ambitions for LUNG going forward?
A. I’ve got a lot of stuff wrong during my time at LUNG, but something we’ve always nailed is being responsive to the world around us. All I want is for us to stay relevant and stay useful. When those things end, it’s time to go do something else.
Q. And finally, what’s the best thing about Yorkshire and it’s art scene?
A. The people! What I LOVE about Yorkshire is that there is no ego on the arts scene. It’s all
about the work and elevating each other. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?
For more information on LUNG visit LUNG, follow them on social media and join their mailing list.
Credits: ‘Calling Barnsley’ was commissioned and funded by Barnsley Council’s Culture Team via Arts Council England’s Cultural Development Fund in partnership with Barnsley Civic and Barnsley College.
Photo Credit is Robling Photography.