Calling Barnsley

Everyone has a story to tell. But how often do we stop and listen to the people around us?

From everyday experiences and unexpected friendships to personal struggles and moments that change our lives, the people of Barnsley have plenty of stories worth sharing. But these voices aren't always heard, and the town itself is often misunderstood.

In this Festival of the Mind podcast, University of Sheffield researcher Dr Ryan Bramley joins Matt Woodhead, co-director of Barnsley-based theatre company LUNG, to discuss Calling Barnsley, an interactive audio installation at Festival of the Mind 2026 celebrating the stories of local people.

Housed inside an accessible red telephone box, the installation invites visitors to pick up the phone and listen to real stories from Barnsley residents, brought to life by professional actors. Using verbatim theatre, the project transforms people's own words into short performances, capturing everything from humour and heartbreak to the everyday experiences that shape a community.

Ryan and Matt discuss how they worked with Barnsley College students and local residents to collect these stories, the importance of representing people's experiences accurately, and how their creative collaboration helped make the installation accessible to more people.

You'll also hear two stories from the collection, offering a glimpse into the lives of people you might pass in the street without ever knowing their experiences.

Listen to discover how storytelling can challenge stereotypes, bring communities together and remind us why taking the time to listen to one another matters.