Image by Kai Jones:
Live • Unscripted • Podcast
Two men. Zero social graces. Recorded on magnetic tape.
Vacuous Dullards documents the audio archives of Mark a self-appointed "analogue lifelogger" and his best friend Mike. Having exhausted the quiet comfort of railway platforms, the two avid trainspotters have made the brave, ill-advised decision to broaden their adventures by visiting other British "places of interest."
There is only one problem: out in the wild, you have to talk to people.
Eavesdrop on the unscripted agony of two deeply awkward homebodies attempting to interact with the general public. From bewildering municipal museums to rain-lashed heritage sites, each episode captures spontaneous, improvised encounters where small talk goes to die, mic levels are questionable, and social discomfort reigns supreme.
Follow along for field trips, deadpan detours, and tape hiss.
There is only one problem: out in the wild, you have to talk to people.
Eavesdrop on the unscripted agony of two deeply awkward homebodies attempting to interact with the general public. From bewildering municipal museums to rain-lashed heritage sites, each episode captures spontaneous, improvised encounters where small talk goes to die, mic levels are questionable, and social discomfort reigns supreme.
Follow along for field trips, deadpan detours, and tape hiss.
Series one:
Episode one: The Remote Controller (Out Now)
Episode two: The wee mans, wee day out - 07/10/2026
Episode three: A light dusting - 21/10/2026
Episode four: Heading Southbound - 28/10/2026
Episode five: The expert plant - 04/11/2026
Episode six: An uncomfortable tan - 18/11/2026
Episode seven: Always bring a fresh pair - 02/12/2026
Episode eight: Ring Sandra - 16/12/2026
Episode two: The wee mans, wee day out - 07/10/2026
Episode three: A light dusting - 21/10/2026
Episode four: Heading Southbound - 28/10/2026
Episode five: The expert plant - 04/11/2026
Episode six: An uncomfortable tan - 18/11/2026
Episode seven: Always bring a fresh pair - 02/12/2026
Episode eight: Ring Sandra - 16/12/2026
Listen or subscribe so you never miss an adventure.
How did Vacuous Dullards come about?
Is there life after trainspotting? Probably not, but they’re looking anyway.
Born out of Gricers, Vacuous Dullards follows two delightfully mismatched train obsessives as they step away from the platform and attempt to navigate the wider world.
Meet Mark perpetually grumpy and belligerently contrarian and Mike, an impossible mix of wide-eyed naivety and bone-deep world weariness. Together, they embark on a series of ill-advised excursions to standard British "places of interest,". Fergus Wynne plays every exasperated tour guide, ticket inspector, and bystander unfortunate enough to cross their path.
Dry, absurd, and legally classified as an exercise in idiocy, Series One asks the ultimate question: what happens when you take two platform regulars and force them into the real world?
Behind the scenes, it is barely contained chaos. Half the studio recordings are routinely written off to uncontrollable fits of laughter, leaving our long-suffering producer, Neely, to do the heavy lifting: keeping everyone in check and somehow sculpting hours of "artful wittery" into coherent, hilarious episodes.
Meet Mark perpetually grumpy and belligerently contrarian and Mike, an impossible mix of wide-eyed naivety and bone-deep world weariness. Together, they embark on a series of ill-advised excursions to standard British "places of interest,". Fergus Wynne plays every exasperated tour guide, ticket inspector, and bystander unfortunate enough to cross their path.
Dry, absurd, and legally classified as an exercise in idiocy, Series One asks the ultimate question: what happens when you take two platform regulars and force them into the real world?
Behind the scenes, it is barely contained chaos. Half the studio recordings are routinely written off to uncontrollable fits of laughter, leaving our long-suffering producer, Neely, to do the heavy lifting: keeping everyone in check and somehow sculpting hours of "artful wittery" into coherent, hilarious episodes.
Vacuous Dullard (legal terminology for an idiot)
Creatives:
Conceived: Mark Smith
Performed by: Mike Burton, Fergus Wynne and Mark Smith
Produced and engineered by: Neely Gale
Music: Paul Skinner aka Skinny Tech Boy
Supported by: The Tim Miles Comedy fund
Conceived: Mark Smith
Performed by: Mike Burton, Fergus Wynne and Mark Smith
Produced and engineered by: Neely Gale
Music: Paul Skinner aka Skinny Tech Boy
Supported by: The Tim Miles Comedy fund
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Mike Burton:
Mike discovered his passion for improv in 2008 while training with Adam Meggido, founder of Showstopper! The Improvised Musical and The School of Night. Inspired by that experience, he went on to co-create one of the UK's most delightfully bizarre double acts, performing in comedy clubs across the country and enjoying a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe. Today, Mike performs regularly with The Atom, blending the techniques he learned in 2008 with the sharp, fast-paced style of UCB to create a distinctly bold and theatrical performance style. |
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Fergus Wynne:
Fergus Wynne is an improviser performing regularly with Gricers at festivals. He is also an events organiser and DJ's regularly for parties across the UK. Since graduating from LJMU in 2025, he has performed at a variety of festivals along with his own work in the successful improvised performance he created, depicting the 90s free party scene. He also loves to skateboard. |
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Mark Smith:
Mark is a multi-award-winning actor, director, and producer with over 30 years of experience. Driven by a passion for storytelling and spontaneity, he holds a PhD that solidifies his expertise in improvisation. Mark thrives on developing new, spontaneous work and challenging traditional theatrical conventions. As a director and creator, Mark has launched multiple spontaneous shows that have toured the UK and featured at numerous festivals across the world. His directorial portfolio includes Improvised Rubbish Shakespeare - The Incomplete Works, Talk to the Hand, The Fly, A Wake, The Story Forge: Make your own Myth, Taxi Tales, Gricers and Ancestors. Mark is the founder and co-director of the Liverpool Improvisation Festival. |
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Neely Gale:
Neely fell in love with audio production during her years at LJMU university, where she discovered a passion for bringing creative ideas to life as part of a team. Originally from Leicester, she recently graduated from Liverpool John Moores University. With a background in acting, directing as well as drama teaching, Neely thrives under pressure, enjoys problem solving and organisation. She is happiest when part of a team, contributing to creating something enjoyable and meaningful. Outside of work, you’ll find Neely exploring new performances, out on a long dog walk or enjoying time with family. |
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