Centenarian George Hall celebrates being the UK’s “Oldest” podcaster

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George Hall, a 100-year-old former voice coach to the legendary Lord Laurence Olivier, has said it is “enjoyable” to be dubbed the UK’s “oldest” podcaster. Hall, who taught at prestigious institutions including the Royal Academy of Music, turned 100 in early February and marked the milestone by launching a five-part podcast series. The series, which features interviews with well-known TV and theatre personalities such as Sir Tony Robinson, James Nesbitt, and Zoe Wanamaker, highlights his rich career and personal experiences.

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A veteran teacher at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Hall has had a profound impact on the careers of many actors, including Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston and Rufus Sewell from The Diplomat. Reflecting on his new podcast venture, Hall expressed surprise at being labelled the UK’s oldest podcaster, though he enjoys the process of sharing his stories. “It’s very interesting and enjoyable to know that my stories about various theatre and TV actors are being remembered in the podcasts,” he said.

In the first episode of George Hall at 100, Hall recounts his time at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where he studied alongside Dame Joan Plowright, and recalls his work as a voice coach for her husband, Lord Olivier. He shares a particularly humorous story about Dame Joan asking him to keep their secret relationship hidden from the press, and reveals that Lord Olivier was once “obsessed” with colonic irrigation. Hall’s friends and former students encouraged him to start the podcast, which now serves as both a celebration of his centenary and a platform to revisit treasured memories.

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The second episode features a candid conversation with Sir Tony Robinson, who interviews Hall about his early theatre memories. In the third episode, Hall is joined by actress Belinda Lang, TV presenter Fern Britton, and Only Fools and Horses star Tessa Peake-Jones. Peake-Jones credits Hall with “transforming my life” when he offered her a place at drama school in the 1970s. At 100, Hall continues to inspire with his passion for theatre and gives weekly lectures on music history to postgraduate students via Zoom. His podcast is available on platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.