Phelim McDermott
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openspacer.bsky.social
Phelim McDermott
@openspacer.bsky.social
2.3K followers 4.2K following 480 posts
I improvise. I open space, I facilitate. I make unforgettable theatre, amongst others. Director My Neighbour Totoro.
Artistic Director @ www.improbable.co.uk
www.devotedanddisgruntled.com
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Phelim McDermott
the-independent.com
Philip Glass cancels Kennedy Center symphony premiere in protest of Trump's leadership
Philip Glass cancels Kennedy Center symphony premiere in protest of Trump's leadership
Philip Glass cancels Kennedy Center symphony premiere in protest of Trump's leadership
www.independent.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 5:04 PM
openspacer.bsky.social
Ensemble is not an aesthetic choice it’s a survival technology.
January 25, 2026 at 4:22 PM
openspacer.bsky.social
Freedom survives when there is still somewhere a human nervous system can relax enough to think.
January 24, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Reposted by Phelim McDermott
lewisgoodall.com
Textbook authoritarianism.
January 12, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Reposted by Phelim McDermott
ottoenglish.bsky.social
Strange isn't it... the people who actually live in London overwhelmingly think it's safe.... almost like everyone else is falling for a lie
viviane49.bsky.social LaindonFeminist: Labour led by Keir for me @viviane49.bsky.social · 18d
I wonder what Londoners know that the rest of the country don’t?
January 11, 2026 at 10:20 AM
openspacer.bsky.social
Go see this show. There is absolutely nothing like it. open.substack.com/pub/exeuntma...
How my learning disabled sister made the perfect show
As she revisits Perfect Show for Rachel, Flo O'Mahony reflects on the assumptions made about the tastes and decision-making capacity of learning disabled people
open.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 10:38 AM
openspacer.bsky.social
Make a fortress of poetry an army of love.
January 10, 2026 at 2:30 PM
openspacer.bsky.social
substack.com/@matildaleys...
substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 5:31 PM
openspacer.bsky.social
substack.com/@matildaleys...
Life, Art and The Snag
When I was young my school used to run a ‘Summer Holidays’ Diary Competition.’ The idea was to keep a diary through the whole summer - to make a daily entry.
substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Reposted by Phelim McDermott
catsuka.bsky.social
Happy 85th birthday to Hayao Miyazaki ♡
January 4, 2026 at 4:16 PM
openspacer.bsky.social
When walking, just walk. substack.com/@matildaleys...
When Walking, Just Walk
It is hard to keep up with the changing atmosphere of the days at this time of year.
substack.com
January 4, 2026 at 11:40 PM
openspacer.bsky.social
My wife.. in the tall meadow of writing… up a rope. substack.com/@matildaleys...
In the Tall Grass
At present, the thing that causes me to feel unwell is when I get a phone call from the doctor.
substack.com
December 30, 2025 at 11:59 PM
openspacer.bsky.social
38d.gs/bm8t
Sign the petition to keep chlorine-washed chicken off our shelves
Here we go again. Trump has told the UK that if we want a UK-US tech deal, we need to buy chlorinated chicken from the US! 🤢🐔 How dare he try to impose poor food standards in Britain. Sign the petitio...
38d.gs
December 30, 2025 at 10:09 PM
openspacer.bsky.social
Wrestling angels.
Close to an Embrace substack.com/@matildaleys...
Close to an Embrace
Head sore, body bruised and battered, like I’ve been in a fight, not in bed for three days.
substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Reposted by Phelim McDermott
sayittomyface.bsky.social
Dolly Parton is a national treasure!
Over 270 Million Free Books Gifted As Of February 2025 - Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Imagination Library Has Gifted Over 270 Million Free Books As Of February 2025!
imaginationlibrary.com
December 29, 2025 at 10:11 AM
openspacer.bsky.social
substack.com/@matildaleys...
The Essence of In Between
Slowly does it.
substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 1:00 AM
openspacer.bsky.social
Matilda says Bee Well open.substack.com/pub/matildal...
Bee Well
So I started a Substack called in ‘Adventures in Wellness’, and then got properly sick!
open.substack.com
December 26, 2025 at 7:57 PM
openspacer.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/matildal... Relapse or revelation?
Relapse or Revelation?
I am amazed, touched, slightly dazed.
open.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 11:19 AM
openspacer.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/matildal... Meds and myths.. a heroine’s journey
Meds and Myths
To take Gilteritanib, or not to take Gilteritanib - that’s today’s question.
open.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 11:18 AM
openspacer.bsky.social
Do check out and subscribe to Matilda Leyser’s beautiful writing on her new substack as she starts out on the first day of a new writing adventure. “An Adventure in wellness.” So much heart, so much courage. open.substack.com/pub/matildal...
An Adventure in Wellness
An Invitation to join me, writing my way to being well.
open.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Reposted by Phelim McDermott
robinince.bsky.social
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
This is the saddest day of my professional life. Today is not only the final recording of the latest series of The Infinite Monkey Cage, it is my last ever Monkey Cage. I never thought that I would have to leave the show. I always imagined going on until | dropped dead under the studio lights due to a brain aneurysm caused by my final attempt to understand notions of quantum gravity or the shock of being told about fly maggot infestations in the sacks of macaque monkeys. I resigned in September, after sixteen years of dedication to the show, A show that I named and helped develop over all those years. Unfortunately, my opinions outside the BBC have been considered problematic for sometime, whether it has been voicing support for the trans community, criticism of Donald Trump, numerous other outlandish opinions, including once gently criticising Stephen Fry. These things were considered to conflict with being a freelance BBC science presenter In a recent meeting where BBC Studio executives again voiced problems with me, I realised my choices. Obedience and being quieter to remain making Monkey Cage, or 'Resign and have the freedom to speak out against what I believe are injustices'. • I chose the latter. It broke my heart. I love this show and I love the audience, and it is because of the audience in particular, that this decision was so difficult to make. I kept thinking about all the extremist voices promoting hate and division. They are being given so many platforms, while voices that represent kindness, open mindedness, empathy seem to be scarcer and scarcer. I felt I couldn't pamper myself with the luxury of silence. One of my many privileges is that I am able to resign and I can speak out even if it is to the detriment of my career. I have thought a lot about my heroes, Sinead O Connor, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, and so many more. I think of Sinead's words, "the job of an artist is to be themselves at any cost". James Baldwin said prejudice was really just a word for cowardice. Audre Lorde, viewing her life, wrote that her only regrets were her silences. I think of my father as I resign, he brought me up to believe in fairness , justice and kindness. Though my heart is broken, it is also full of fire. I apologise to our incredible listeners for my departure, your love of the show means a great deal. I am so sorry to let you down. I hope that you can understand my reasoning. I have to accept that I am not what the current BBC expects of their freelance presenters. Despite this I should add that I have always worked far more than my contracted hours to try and ensure the show was always the best it could be, as well as making myself accessible and responsive to the audience wherever and whenever I met them. Every night, we have recorded, I have been filled with determination to make the best show possible. This was not "just a job" I hope that with my departure I can be a better ally to the LGBTQ community, to the neurodivergent community, to activists fighting against those who aim to brutalise society, to those currently in prison on hunger strike, and to all those who fight for a more inclusive world. From many conversations, I know there are many Monkey Cage listeners who support these communities and activists too. The strawberry is dead. Long live the strawberry. B
December 13, 2025 at 12:02 AM
openspacer.bsky.social
What I like about the steam sauna is you can cry in there and all the guys just don’t bat an eyelid.
December 3, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Reposted by Phelim McDermott
writewhite.bsky.social
Our final show was My Neighbor (or Neighbour) Totoro. What a magical theatrical experience! It uses elements of Japanese traditional stagecraft, puppetry, and the film’s brilliant musical score. Honors the original while making the most of the stage medium in a charming and artistic way. I cried!
November 29, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Reposted by Phelim McDermott
danstereo.bsky.social
Went to see the stage play version of My Neighbour Totoro absolutely stunning, I can see why they don't allow pictures during the show.
The technical aspects of how they bring Totoro into the show is amazing!
November 29, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Reposted by Phelim McDermott
gregjenner.bsky.social
Just saw My Neighbour Totoro stage show in London, and it’s absolutely astonishing — magical, spectacular, funny, devastatingly emotional, and wonderfully innovative. If you love the film, or just love live theatre, it’s a must watch
November 27, 2025 at 10:26 PM