At Candle & Bell, we’re proud to be growing as one of the leading producers of premium audio content in Newcastle and Gateshead. From our flagship comedy shop for BBC Radio 4, Tom and Lauren Are Going OOT! to developing original podcasts with forward-thinking brands, our mission is clear: to amplify voices from the North East and craft compelling audio stories that cut through the noise.

As part of our commitment to regional talent and innovation in audio storytelling, we recently partnered with Alphabetti Theatre to host a full-day workshop focused on comedy writing and performance for audio. The event brought together some of the most exciting emerging comedy writers in the region to develop and record brand-new material for an upcoming audio project.

At the start of the day, no one quite knew what to expect—but by the end, the room was alive with laughter, creativity, and a sense of shared purpose. Writers brainstormed, scripted, performed, and recorded their work, creating hilarious, original audio content that we’re excited to take further.

We’re hugely thankful to Ed Cole, Artistic & Executive Director at Alphabetti Theatre, for his support and partnership. And we’re especially grateful to the brilliant writers who made the day so special: Charlotte Small, Chess Tomlinson, Jake Donaldson, Rebecca Glendenning-Laycock, Rian Jade, and Miles Kinsley.

This workshop is just one part of a larger vision. As we continue to grow our slate of original podcasts, brand collaborations, and BBC-backed productions, Candle & Bell remains dedicated to supporting bold, diverse, and funny voices from the North East—and beyond.