Mrs Shaw Herself - Alexis Leighton & Helen Tierney talk about Charlotte Payne-Townshend Artwork

Famous People You've Never Heard Of

Our podcasts are a mix of conversations with a wide range of subject matter experts and enthusiasts, interspersed with the occasional audio drama. Each episode focuses on one person, a group of people or a genre from the world of entertainment that we wish to bring back to the spotlight and who has been lost to history or is in danger of being so.The Arts industries are currently in peril but this is nothing new. The Entertainment industry in all its guises has seen it all before. Political turmoil, plague, poverty, overnight success, sudden failure and the long term closure of theatres are not unique to the 21st century.We are not academics (although luckily some of our prestigious guests are) so don't expect forensic analysis or ground breaking research in every episode. We are entertainers, passionate about our craft, its heritage and its future. And we want to share our enthusiasm with you!

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Famous People You've Never Heard Of

Mrs Shaw Herself - Alexis Leighton & Helen Tierney talk about Charlotte Payne-Townshend

May 03, 2026 • Blue Fire Theatre Company • Season 5 • Episode 47

0:00 | 49:18

Charlotte Payne-Townshend did not like to be in the limelight but she deserves to be remembered as someone other than the wife of George Bernard Shaw. After all, without Charlotte Shaw would not have had the financial security that enabled him to wrote so prolifically.

Born into a wealthy Irish family Charlotte was a philanthropist and political activist, joining the Fabian Society and financing a scholarship for female scholars at the London School of Economics, where a library is named after her.

Actress Alexis Leighton and musician Helen Tierney talk to us today about what they think made Charlotte tick. Their play with music "Mrs Shaw Herself" has been touring the UK and may be coming to a venue near you ...

To find out more about the play (and Alexis and Helen's other collaborations) check out their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/MRSSHAWHERSELF

Mrs Shaw Herself

Guests: Alexis Leighton & Helen Tierney

Host: Lottie Walker

Music: Helen Tierney

Voice of George Bernard Shaw: Sam Hanna

Voice of Charlotte Payne Townshend: Alexis Leighton

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