"Brute and Beastly": Ryan Gilmartin Celebrates Lincolnshire's Grit

In a recent episode of the #LincsLivesNatters, actor and writer Ryan Gilmartin shared his thoughts on growing up in Lincolnshire. He described that niggling feeling many of us know: that all the good stuff happens elsewhere, and that being from our county means you're somehow missing out. But Ryan's flipped that notion on its head and is now pouring his energy into celebrating the cracking stories of Lincolnshire.

"So, you'd go to, like, drama school auditions, for example, and there was this sense that I'd kind of missed out on something, being from somewhere like Lincolnshire," Ryan admits.

Instead of letting that get him down, it's become a powerful driving force in his work.

From Beckham to Boston

Remember those "Match of the Day" segments where a football superstar would drop in on a local primary school? Young Ryan dreamt of the day David Beckham might grace his Lincolnshire school with a visit. Of course, growing up where he did, that was never going to happen! But this very experience, he says, sparked a desire to create work that truly resonates with the people right here at home.

"When you're from somewhere where not a lot of things happen creatively... it actually means that you've got a bit more of an appreciation of it," he reckons.

For Ryan, it's all about crafting art with staying power, the kind that makes you think, "will it still hit home on a rainy Wednesday two years down the line?"

Delving into Our Past

It's funny to think that Ryan wasn't always the history buff he is today. He admits that local history wasn't always a passion, despite his granddad's fascination with Lincolnshire's past. His granddad, who served in the RAF and repaired radios during World War Two, was quite into local history.  He had books and was part of a veteran’s group that explored places like Hull Beach Marsh and old bombing ranges.  But young Ryan, like many 11-year-olds, "didn't really care" at the time.   

"As, like, an 11-year-old, I didn't really care. I wasn't really interested," he confesses.   

This lack of interest changed when he went to drama school and met people from all over the country who had a strong sense of their own regional identity.  This made Ryan realise he had a "gap" in his own knowledge of where he came from, so he "dived headfirst" into history books and online resources.  Now, he's passionate about sharing that knowledge and helping others feel a stronger sense of community.

What's a Yellowbelly Then?

Even our famous county nickname, "Yellowbelly," comes under Ryan's inquisitive gaze. He delves into the various theories surrounding its origins, from the possibility of it stemming from the yellow bellies of frogs in the Fens to the more colourful notion that it refers to the yellow waistcoats worn by a Lincolnshire regiment. It's clear that understanding our local identity is important to Ryan, especially as Lincolnshire welcomes more and more new residents. As he puts it, “If we as locals or newbies can kind of really work on what it is, what it means to be from here, it helps everyone integrate.”

From Flops to Full Houses

It hasn't always been plain sailing. Ryan's refreshingly honest about a workshop he put on where absolutely no one turned up. "It can feel like much more of a personal rejection when people don't come to your events, especially when, you know, you're trying to do something because there's not much else going on," he says.

But he took away a crucial lesson: you've got to take the show to the people. He explains that this led to a new approach of "going to where people already hang out, going to where they're familiar with" which includes holding meetings in places like Costa Coffee, doing projects in Wetherspoons, or even running workshops in a fish and chip shop. It's all about making it easy for folks to get involved.

Henry VIII: Not a Fan!

Ryan's latest show, "Henry VIII Used to Hate Us," is more than just a history lesson – it's a proper love letter to Lincolnshire's rebellious spirit. It shines a light on stories like the Lincoln Uprising, when Lincolnshire folk seriously got under Henry VIII's skin. It seems we've always had a bit of a reputation for standing up to authority!

As Ryan puts it, "We did such a good job, he described us as the most brute and beastly county in the realm," and you can hear the pride in his voice.

The show delves into this aspect of Lincolnshire's character, celebrating our history of resistance alongside other tales that might have been forgotten. Get ready for stories of rebellions, forgotten saints, and even our surprising connection to opium!

More Than Just History

But this is way more than your average history lesson. Ryan throws in Lincolnshire folk music (performed by musicians who've worked on "The Hobbit" soundtrack!) and local delicacies like Lincolnshire Poacher cheese and plum bread.

"It's like this kind of ... cheddary, nutty taste, but when you get it on the plum bread as well with a bit of butter... this is awesome, it's got to be in the show," he enthuses.

The show itself is touring to community venues like breweries and football clubs, not just traditional theatres. It's all about creating an intimate experience and getting up close and personal with the audience.

"St Nowhere": A Film with a Lincolnshire Heart

Ryan's also a talented filmmaker. His short film, "St Nowhere," is set on the evocative Holbeach Marsh and explores themes of belonging and the clash between newcomers and those with deep roots in the area. Even the title is a clever nod to our distinctive village names.

"It's so remote, it could be St so and so, and it doesn't matter," Ryan explains.

The film's been making waves on the festival circuit, earning recognition from Manchester to Suffolk.

Giving Back to the Kids

A key part of Ryan's work involves giving back to the young people of Lincolnshire. He's passionate about ensuring they have access to the same opportunities he's seen in larger cities. To achieve this, he involves them in his shows and actively seeks their input through surveys to understand their needs and desires.

As Ryan explains, these surveys revealed a wide range of interests among young people. "We did have things like business skills and life skills and cooking, but we also had sport, but we also had things like creativity."

This insight helps him shape his projects to be as relevant and engaging as possible for the young people he works with

Top Tip for Creatives

What's the best piece of advice Ryan's ever been given? It's this: a career in the creative industries isn't like following a well-trodden path.

"The biggest bit of advice I'd probably say is, it's not going to be like other industries. And you have to have faith in that," he emphasises.

Ryan Gilmartin is clearly passionate about Lincolnshire, its captivating stories, and its vibrant people. And he's telling those stories in a way that's fresh, engaging, and definitely not your average history lesson.

Listen to the full episode here

or, visit www.ryangilmartin.co.uk for more details