Up Close with Carlos Tseng: Recent Episodes
Carlos Tseng
A new podcast hosted by Carlos Tseng featuring eminent guests discussing a range of subjects. As the world continues to change, we will be looking backwards, forwards and analysing the present as we uncover the lives of each individual guest. You do not want to miss a second!
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Ahead of her highly anticipated run at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Millie O'Connell sat down to discuss her role as Demeter in Drew McOnie's radical, gritty reimagining of Cats. As an artist known for her high-voltage presence on stage, Millie gives us an unfiltered look into what it really takes to strip away forty years of theatrical tradition, trading nostalgia for a grounded aesthetic that frames the Jellicle tribe as London’s strays and rebels. We hear her reflect on the delicate art of unearthing fragments of vulnerability within McOnie's rigorous and emotionally exposed choreography. Our conversation explores the physical and psychological realities of performing outdoors under an actual night sky, unpacking the energy exchange between actor and audience while navigating the unpredictable elements of an open-air amphitheatre.
In this brand new interview, Millie O'Connell offers an introspective look at a powerhouse career that has seen her move seamlessly from Anne Boleyn in SIX to Cookie in Come Fall in Love. We talk about how her affinity for portraying fierce, complex women in iconic shows like Rent and The Cher Show has shaped her artistic identity, as well as the personal resilience required to navigate a career in musical theatre. Indeed, we also delve into the profound importance of community, reflecting on positive structural shifts in the industry in recent years. It seems like the perfect time for Millie and Demeter to come together and audiences should come expecting Cats unlike they've ever seen before in the magical and jellicle setting of Regent's Park.
Cats runs at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre from 25 July - 19 September with a UK tour to follow.
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After a string of recent successes, Pearl Chanda is gearing up for her return to the Almeida Theatre in Rebecca Frecknall’s summer revival of Sarah Kane’s Cleansed. Fresh off an incredibly brooding, restrained turn in Hedda to navigating trauma-induced paralysis in Arthur Miller’s Broken Glass at the Young Vic, Pearl gives us an unfiltered look into what it really takes to inhabit Kane's nightmarish world. Having described her time performing Sarah Kane's Crave at the Sheffield Crucible as like "going to war," she breaks down why the themes of the show resonate with her so deeply and why her work is more important than ever. Pearl also gives us an insight into her working relationship with Rebecca Frecknall and why the Almeida Theatre continues to draw in such a loyal audience.
In our new interview with Pearl Chanda, we hear her talk about taking on roles like Hedda Gabler as well as the likes of Mae in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Stephanie Rahn in Ink. Amidst her booming screen career in hit projects like I May Destroy You, See How They Run, and Mary & George, Pearl explains why she keeps returning to the wonderful and terrifying world of theatre. She tells us about her love for working with great actors and with great directors, experiences that still happens a lot in the theatre world. As she prepares to open Cleansed, she tells us about the excitement around tackling on a historically challenging piece that she hopes will still have the same potency as it did when the show first opened at the Royal Court Theatre.
Cleansed runs at Almeida Theatre on 21 July - 29 August.
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Ahead of her highly anticipated London stage debut at the Marylebone Theatre, Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning actor Christine Lahti sat down for a profoundly intimate conversation with us. In her new solo play, The Smile of Her, she strips away the immaculate veneer of 1950s American suburban mythology to confront the suffocating "silences" of her childhood. We explore the psychological architecture of bringing such an achingly personal piece across the Atlantic—treating the play’s titular "smile" not merely as a coping mechanism, but as a weapon of survival and a dramatic puzzle waiting to be unlocked on stage.
In a very special interview, Christine Lahti reflects on her evolution from pioneering modern television drama in Chicago Hope to making her way onto the Marylebone Theatre stage. Christine opens up about the dark moments of her childhood and aggressive patriarchy that still haunts her today. Indeed, she tells us about the internalised misogyny that she's still confronting today. Our conversation captures a legendary artist refusing to let Hollywood or history edit her past as she finally reclaims authorship over her own life.
The Smile of Her runs at Marylebone Theatre from 10th July - 29th August 2026.
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As Rajiv Joseph's Archduke prepares to open at the Royal Court Theatre, Olivier Award winner Chris Walley sat down with us for an intimate discussion on his craft and his upcoming return to the stage. The show looks at key events and the lives of those involved in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. We hear Chris talk about the biting humour in Rajiv Joseph's script and the vigour required working in Lyndsey Turner's rehearsal room. Indeed, the upcoming production assembles together a top tier cast and creative team that includes legendary designer Es Devlin, costumes from Evie Gurney and actors Janice Connolly and Marc Wooton.
In this new interview with Chris Walley, we hear him talk about his love for theatre and performing on stage. We hear him reflect on his recent stage successes such as Orphans - a play he'd been yearning to do since his teenage years. Indeed his recent stage ventures has seen him star in some of the most memorable productions of recent years including Juno and the Paycock opposite Mark Rylance and of course the towering Portia Coughlan at the Almeida Theatre, starring opposite Alison Oliver. It's a fascinating insight into one of the most exciting actors on the theatre scene right now and it will be fascinating to see what Chris Walley does next in the years to come.
Archduke runs at Royal Court Theatre from 20 June - 25 July.
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Ahead of her highly anticipated return to the Kiln Theatre following her debut at the RSC’s The Other Place, the indomitable Ellen Thomas sat down with us to discuss her powerhouse role as Pearl in the world premiere of Martina Laird’s Driftwood. Ellen delves into the psychological weight and socio-political gravity of portraying a fierce matriarch running a downtown gentlemen’s club on the precipice of Trinidadian independence. We hear her reflect on the delicate art of unearthing fragments of vulnerability within Justin Audibert’s atmospheric direction. Our conversation explores her process of physical and linguistic discovery in the rehearsal room, unpacking how the specific cadences of 1950s Trinidadian English serve as vital tools of resistance, identity, and raw survival in a shifting world.
In this captivating new interview, Ellen Thomas offers an introspective look at a legendary career that masterfully bridges the worlds of television mechanics and rigorous stagecraft. We also revisit her recent, triumphant turn on the very same Kiln stage in Zadie Smith’s The Wife of Willesden, which also gave her an opportunity to showcase her ability to play strong, powerful and complex women. What follows is a warm and personal exploration of a powerful actress reflecting on her deep structural history with the Kiln, the changing landscape of British co-productions, and the enduring magic of theatre that dares to challenge who holds power.
Driftwood runs at Kiln Theatre from 4 June - 4 July.
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After nearly a decade since her West End debut in Les Miserables, Amara Okereke has solidified her standing as one of the most exciting performers of her generation. Now making her RSC debut, Amara sat down with us to talk about taking on the role of Ariel opposite Kenneth Branagh's Prospero in Sir Richard Eyre's new production of The Tempest. Having already played some of the UK's most prestigious and largest stages including the London Coliseum, Sheffield Crucible and Chichester Festival Theatre, Amara tells us about adapting to playing larger houses as she prepares to tackle the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
In this new interview with Amara Okereke, we talk about her transition from musical theatre to straight plays and her ongoing evolution as a performer. After playing some of the most coveted roles like Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and Laurey in Oklahoma!, Amara has since taken on roles like Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire and took on the lead role in Pulse at the King's Head Theatre. We hear her talk about her desire to keep exploring new characters that challenge her as she continues to evolve as a performer and as a person. She tells us about the mentor / muse relationship between Prospero and Ariel before also sharing her admiration for career role models she's worked with like Janie Dee and Elena Shaddow. Our conversations offers a candid look at the craft of an actress who refuses to be pigeonholed, offering a masterclass in staying authentic while stepping into the formidable weight of a theatrical legacy.
The Tempest runs at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre until 20 June.
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After leaving Canada for the UK, Arthur Boan has worked steadily through some of the most acclaimed production in recent years on stage. For our latest interview, Arthur Boan joined us to unpack how he tapped into Chief Bromdon in Clint Dyer’s electric revival of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. We dive into the challenge of playing a silent giant where his most powerful lines are the ones he never actually says. We talk about Clint Dyer's reimagining of Dale Wasserman's play based on Ken Kesey's own classic novel and how they wanted to tackle themes like colonialism and abuse of power.
In an exciting new interview, Arthur Boan opens up about navigating the 360-degree exposure of performing in the round and what it’s like sharing the floor with powerhouses like Aaron Pierre, Giles Terera and Olivia Williams. Arthur also shares his insight into the responsibility of reimagining classic stories like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Oklahoma. Indeed, he worked closely with director Daniel Fish on both the multi-award winning revival of Oklahoma and on a radical reimagining of Elektra starring Brie Larson. We hear him talk about the challenges of being an understudy as well now that he's playing in the main cast of a major new production, starring opposite top-tier actors in his own right. It’s a deep, honest look at a performer who is proving that in a world full of noise, the quietest person in the room can sometimes have the most to say.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest runs at Old Vic Theatre until 23rd May.
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As Marylebone Theatre prepares to open a seminal revival of Arthur Miller's The Price, Elliot Cowan sat down with us to talk about taking on the role of Victor Franz, a man grappling with the physical and emotional debris of a family estate. As a veteran of the stage, he's become known for his ability to inhabit characters defined by internal conflict. Indeed his career has seen him move seamlessly between the physical demands of the stage and the precise requirements of screen acting. The new production at Marylebone reunites him with director Jonathan Munby and serves as a testament to Elliot's versatility, placing him at the heart of a timely exploration of sacrifice, duty, and the American Dream within an intimate performance space.
In this brand new interview, Elliot Cowan opens up about the changing environment for actors and the psychological toll of the actor’s craft. We talked about his role as Victor Franz very much mirrors his own life right now as he approaches 50 and how he himself feels has paid "the price" for longevity in this industry. Our conversation also addressed contemporary challenges facing actors in 2026 as demands on actors continue to shift and evolve. We also reflected on his role as the title character in Macbeth, starring opposite Laura Rogers and how he learned to play to a theatre like The Globe. Indeed, we also delved into his early training as he notes both Laura and John Hopkins who he stars alongside in The Price all trained at RADA around the same time. We learn what has stayed with him since those early years and how he continues to cross paths with peers decades into his career.
The Price runs at Marylebone Theatre from 17th April - 7 June.
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Ahead of his return to the Donmar Warehouse for the first time since 2010’s Polar Bears, multi-award-winning actor Paul Hilton sits down to discuss his role as Richard in the world premiere of Fran Kranz’s Mass. Paul delves into the psychological weight of portraying a father navigating the devastating aftermath of a school shooting under the visceral direction of Carrie Cracknell. We hear him reflect on the unique technical demands of the Donmar’s intimate space, inviting the audience in to join a high stakes meeting in a church basement. Our conversation explored his process of physical discovery in the rehearsal room and the challenge of finding "play" and lightness within such profound human tragedy.
In this new interview, Paul Hilton offers a rare, introspective look at a career that has led younger peers to describe him as one of the greatest actors of our generation. We revisit his transformative time sharing the role of Tom Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie with our former guest Tom Glynn-Carney and his recent, acclaimed transition between Ibsen’s moral pillars, Father Manders and Peter Stockmann. With his own son Kasper Hilton-Hille now following in his theatrical footsteps, Paul shares his reflections on mentorship, the evolving nature of the industry, and why the theatre continues to act as a sacred space for him and his family. We are treated to a warm and deeply personal exploration of a master craftsman as he continues to challenge the boundaries of contemporary theatre.
Mass runs at Donmar Warehouse from 18 April - 6 June 2026.
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Since her debut, West End rising star Gracie McGonigal has gone from strength to strength and is now in the centre of the world's attention on screen, with her milestone casting as Hazel in the fourth season of Netflix’s 'Bridgerton'. We hear her reflect on the significance of the role, noting the production's inclusive approach to disability. This television debut marks a pivotal shift in her career, offering a broader platform for her advocacy for authentic representation within the entertainment industry.
During our interview with Gracie McGonigal, we explored her theatrical roots, as she continues her run as Red Riding Hood in the Bridge Theatre’s acclaimed revival of Into the Woods. We also discussed her earlier work as Susanna Walcott in the National Theatre’s production of The Crucible and her relationship with director Lindsay Turner who she recently reunited with on The Little Foxes. Gracie reflected on the technical contrasts between the rigorous, repetitive nature of live theatre and the fast-paced, intuitive demands of a major television set. Throughout the interview, she emphasized that while she is an advocate for disabled performers, her primary goal remains the pursuit of complex, diverse roles that challenge traditional industry casting standards.
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Ahead of his return to Southwark Playhouse, multi-award winning actor Stuart Thompson sat down to discuss the world premiere of Theo Jamieson's new musical: Flyby. Stuart delves into the psychological complexities of his character, Daniel—an engineer and astronaut discovering himself in a cosmic world. He shares with us his initial reactions to the wondrous material as he returns to the world of musical theatre following on from his award-winning performance in Spring Awakening at the Almeida Theatre. We hear him talk about the different demands and expectations of doing a musical compared to doing a play as he prepares to take the stage opposite the likes of veteran actress Gina Beck and Poppy Gilbert.
In this very special interview, Stuart Thompson opens up about his rapid ascent in the industry, from his stage debut in A Taste of Honey to winning the Jack Tinker Award for "Most Promising Newcomer" at the Critics Circle Theatre Awards. Stuart offers an introspective look at his conscious choices to play tragic figures, reflecting on his visceral performance as Osvald in the candlelit Ghosts at Sam Wannamaker Playhouse and his portrayal of Edmund in the affecting drama Romans. We hear him talk about the reaffirming nature of these roles which have helped further shape his worldview and deepen his capacity for empathy as both a human and as an actor. We reflect on these roles together and celebrate the magic of the theatre which continues to challenge and enthral him as an actor as he looks forward to new experiences as a performer.
Flyby runs at Southwark Playhouse from 3 April - 16 May 2026.
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After the recent opening of Man and Boy in the Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre, Laurie Kynaston sat down with us to talk about this rare revival, working with director Anthony Lau on this new production and sharing the stage with acting legends Ben Daniels and Malcolm Sinclair. Our discussion delves into the contemporary revival of Terence Rattigan’s plays and the reasons his character-driven stories remain relevant to modern audiences. Laurie himself made his debut in another Rattigan play: The Winslow Boy and tells us about the full-circle elements of his turn in this latest project. details the history of Man and Boy, noting its initial lack of success , and describes his first impressions of the script and the character of Basil Anthony. The conversation also addresses the technical challenges of performing in the round and the spatial awareness required to remain visible to a surrounding audience. Additionally, the interview examines Kynaston's history of portraying strained father-son dynamics , covering the emotional weight of The Son and the logistical process of joining the cast of Long Day’s Journey Into Night on short notice.
In our new interview with Laurie Kynaston, he shares his personal outlook on the industry and reflections on his career progression. He addresses the socio-economic barriers currently facing the theatre, specifically the issues of rising ticket prices and classism. We hear him reflect on his own beginnings at Theatr Clwyd in North Wales, while expressing concern that potential audiences are being priced out of the arts. As he transitions into more prominent leading roles, he shares his optimism about the future as well as his gratitude to being welcomed in certain circles in the theatre world. It's a truly endearing conversation and as Laurie continues through his 30s, we look forward to seeing his shift from younger male parts to mature roles that reflect his already wise worldview.
Man and Boy runs at Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre until 14 March.
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In this new interview, we sat down with the luminous Dino Fetscher as he continues his run in Oh, Mary! in the West End. Following his Olivier-nominated turn as Felix Turner in the National Theatre’s devastating revival of The Normal Heart, Dino has returned to the stage in a role that is as chaotic as it is brilliant: playing Mary Todd Lincoln's Teacher in Cole Escola’s subversive smash hit. The show has been received heartily by critics and audiences alike, with laughter erupting from the Trafalgar Theatre every night. In the show, he stars opposite Mason Alexander Park as Mary Todd Lincoln and Giles Terera as Abraham Lincoln.
In a heartfelt conversation with us, Dino Fetscher opened about his journey from breakout star in Cucumber and Banana to becoming one of the most visible openly gay actors of his generation. We hear him talk about the transformative experience of playing Felix Turner in The Normal Heart where he describes the characters and those lost in the AIDS epidemic as being like "ancestors" - all part of a chosen family of LGBTQ+ individuals. With LGBTQ stories slowly becoming more mainstream, Dino also tells us about the importance of using anger in the right way to encourage positive change for the community. It's a truly endearing conversation and we look forward to seeing Dino continue to thrive as an actor and advocate.
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Over the last few years, Oli Higginson has proved himself to be a real force on both stage and screen, starring in major revivals of The Last 5 Years, Measure For Measure and won the Ian Charleson Award for his Cassio in Othello. Now he returns to the world of musical theatre in the Almeida Theatre's revival of American Psycho the Musical, taking on the role of Timothy Price in what will be Rupert Goold's last directing outing at the theatre as Artistic Director. Duncan Sheik and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's adaptation of Bret Easton-Ellis' novel won huge acclaim during its 2012-13 run at the Almeida and is returning at a time that feels more relevant than ever.
In this brand new interview with Oli Higginson, he sits down to share his insights into a career that has taken him from Southwark Playhouse to the West End to the world of Bridgerton. In recent months, we have also seen the emergence of Modern Oli, a musician exploring themes of love, childhood and overcoming challenges. As an actor though, Oli remains committed to giving audiences memorable characters and exploring a range of shows - both classics and contemporary pieces. There's always a rich authenticity to his performances and it looks like he'll continue to be a strong presence on stage in the years to come. As American Psycho prepares to open, audiences can again look forward to his detailed and sensitive acting, but also gorgeous vocals that made him a star to watch out for in the musical theatre world.
American Psycho runs at the Almeida Theatre from 30 January - 14 March.
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In this episode, we sat down with the luminous Holly Godliman as she prepares to take the stage at the Old Vic in Tom Stoppard’s masterpiece, Arcadia. As the production approaches its February 4th opening, Holly delves into the "brilliant machinery" of Stoppard’s writing and her role as the spirited Chloë Coverly—the modern-day character who famously suggests that sex is the one force capable of upsetting Newton’s deterministic universe. From the technical rigors of mastering chaos theory dialogue to the unique energy of performing "in the round" under Carrie Cracknell’s direction, Holly offers a rare, intellectual glimpse into the rehearsal room of what is widely considered the greatest play of the late 20th century.
Beyond the gardens of Sidley Park, the conversation explores Holly’s meteoric rise following her "startlingly assured" professional debut in Doubt: A Parable. Carlos and Holly revisit the high-stakes atmosphere of that production in Bath, reflecting on the lessons she carried from acting alongside Maxine Peake into her current collaboration with friends like Isis Hainsworth. It is a warm, deeply personal exploration of an actress finding her footing on the world's most historic stages, balancing the disciplined curiosity of a researcher with the raw confidence of a natural-born performer.
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Over the last few years, Rosie Sheehy has established herself as a force to reckon with. Her latest role sees her making her Royal Court Theatre debut in Luke Norris' Guess How Much I Love You? The new play explores what it means to be in a long term relationship and the difficult choices that come with being in love. She'll be starring opposite Robert Aramayo and Lena Kaur, and we hear her talk affectionately about Luke's writing as well as Jeremy Herrin's masterful direction. Having previously performed at the Old Vic, the National Theatre and the RSC, we hear Rosie share her excitement at being at the Royal Court to debut what is expected to be a searing drama from Luke Norris.
In this brand new interview, Rosie Sheehy discusses with us how she balances the light and shade in all her roles and how it's been a joy to develop her character in Guess How Much I Love You? We talk about her Port Talbot roots and look back on some of her recent roles such as her Olivier Award nominated performance as the young woman in Machinal and her heartbreaking role as Julie in Gary Owen's Romeo and Julie. During our conversation, we also talk about Oleanna and her recent reunion with Harry Lighton on his acclaimed new film: Pillion. During our conversation, Rosie tells us how a lot of these dark stories are often still about love and how it can be presented in so many different forms. It's a fascinating conversation as she prepares to begin performances for her latest project which is expected to be another emotional ride.
Guess How Much I Love You? runs at the Royal Court Theatre from 16 January - 21 February.
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Ahead of the launch of the Welsh National Theatre, BAFTA Cymru award-winning actress Nia Roberts sat down with us for a wide-ranging conversation. Nia is widely recognised for her breakthrough in the Academy Award-nominated Solomon & Gaenor and for her haunting performances in Hidden and The Feast. In the inaugural production from Welsh National Theatre, she portrays Mrs. Webb in a brand new reimagining of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. The staging features an all-Welsh cast and creative team for the first time in the play's history. It explores the universalities of life and community through a distinctly Celtic lens, rooted in the concept of Hiraeth.
In this brand new interview, Nia Roberts tells us about the importance of sharing Welsh stories. Conversations span from her early days with the National Youth Theatre of Wales to her recent acclaimed role in Tree on a Hill. Roberts offers critical insights into the necessity of a dedicated national stage and the preservation of Welsh-language narratives. The dialogue also addresses the technical demands of minimalist theatre and her outlook on the industry today. It concludes with a forward-looking analysis of the future for Welsh storytelling on the global stage.
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Louis Gaunt has solidified his reputation as one of the most charismatic and technically gifted triple-threat performers in the musical theatre today. After earning a Stage Debut Award for his breakout performance as Will Parker in Oklahoma!, he's earned further acclaim for his roles as Bert in Mary Poppins and more recently in the role of Tommy in Brigadoon. His latest role sees him returning to the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester to play Don Lockwood in a five star rated production of Singin in the Rain. The show also sees him reuniting with Danny Collins and Carly Mercedes Dyer who he worked with on Sweet Charity at Nottingham Playhouse.
In this brand new interview with Louis Gaunt, we reflect on his recent successes as one of the industry's most exciting leading men. Here, Louis provides candid insights into the physical rigors of performing in Singin in the Rain —including the nightly challenge of performing the iconic title number under 14,000 litres of water—and the artistic responsibility of bringing the Golden Age of Hollywood to a modern audience. Since the production opened in Manchester, his performance has been hailed by critics and audiences as a masterclass in showmanship. We also talk about why this era of musical continues to resonate with audiences and what keeps drawing him to pieces like Brigadoon and Gypsy which demand so much him physically.
Singin in the Rain runs at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester until 25 January 2026.
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As Fred Woodley Evans prepares to return to the Jermyn Street Theatre for a high-stakes run in Lyle Kessler’s Orphans, he sat down with us to talk about this eagerly anticipated revival. A visceral drama exploring the raw edges of family and survival, this production marks a significant homecoming for Fred. After making waves in Outlying Islands at the start of 2025, his return is something audiences are very much looking forward to. Alongside Fred, he will be starring opposite Olivier Award winner Chris Walley and fellow Jermyn Street favourite Forbes Masson.
In this candid conversation, Fred reflects on the journey from his professional debut in Outlying Islands to the "Neverland magic" of his recent turn in Wendy and Peter Pan at the Barbican. We take a deep into his RADA days and his professional reunion with fellow actor Jonathan Rubin after graduating at Edinburgh Fringe. From the intensity of world-class training to the realities of navigating his first steps as a professional actor, this interview offers an insightful look into the rise of one of the most exciting young actors of his generation.
Orphans runs at Jermyn Street Theatre from 5 January - 24 January 2026 with tickets on sale now!
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As the RSC's Twelfth Night heads to the Barbican Theatre for a festive run, we are joined by veteran actor Norman Bowman. Known for seamlessly bridging the worlds of musicals and plays, Norman’s career has taken him from the West End to the Donmar Warehouse to the RSC. Hailing from Arbroath, his journey is one of continuous growth and reinvention, tackling everything from tap shoes to the complexities of Shakespearean verse. As he continues to play Antonio, he shares with us his experience working with actor / director / doctor Prassana Puwanarajah and also about welcoming in new actors such as Daniel Monks to the rehearsal room for the Barbican run.
In our interview with Norman Bowman, we discuss his return to the role of Antonio in the RSC's transfer of Twelfth Night to the Barbican. Having previously played Curio in a previous production, Norman tells us about his love for this show and the various characters within the world that Shakespeare has created. Having started off his career in musicals, we also talk about his recent turn as Archie in Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's landmark revival of Brigadoon. Throughout our conversation, Norman is humble about the longevity of his career which has taken him from the like of Les Miserables and Guys and Dolls to Twelfth Night which sees him reunite with Samuel West and Freema Agyeman following last year's acclaimed Stratford run.
Twelfth Night runs at Barbican Theatre until 17 January 2026
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Tom Glynn-Carney is one of the most dynamic and versatile actors working across stage and screen today. After earning an Evening Standard Award and Drama Desk Award for his role in The Ferryman, he has gone on to become a major figure in Westeros as Aegon II Targaryen in the acclaimed HBO series House of the Dragon. However, Glynn-Carney maintains a powerful connection to the theatre, having more recently won praise for his role in The Glass Menagerie opposite Amy Adams, sharing the role of Tom Wingfield with Paul Hilton. His latest stage venture sees him return to the London stage, joining a world-class ensemble for a major revival of Arthur Miller's All My Sons.
In this brand new interview with Tom Glynn-Carney, we discuss his pivotal and explosive role as George Deever in Ivo van Hove’s five-star rated production. Tom offers candid insights into collaborating with acting legends like Bryan Cranston and Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and the unique artistic challenge of bringing Miller’s devastating themes of war, morality, and the American Dream to life on the West End. Since the show opened, his performance has been hailed by critics as "stupendously well-acted" and vital to this "astonishing, deeply moving piece of theatre."
All My Sons runs at Wyndham's Theatre until 7 March 2026 with tickets on sale NOW!
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Following her smash hit debut play Farm Hall, Katherine Moar is returning to Jermyn Street Theatre with her latest play: Ragdoll, based on the Patty Hearst trial. With just 4 actors, the play takes audiences to the centre of the celebrity, violence, and scandal of 1970s America. Focused on the power dynamics between "the heiress" and her lawyer Robert, the play also takes audiences to 2017 where Robert faces a trial of his own in the court of public opinion. We see stark parallels between events of today and that of the 1970s and Katherine Moar carefully crafts characters provide audiences with food for thought.
In this new interview, Katherine Moar talks to us about her experience of bringing her plays to the stage whilst also pursuing a PhD in History. We reflect on the success of Farm Hall which transferred from Jermyn Street to a UK wide tour before playing in the West End. During our conversation, Katherine shares with us the challenges of being a new writer and shares her hopes that the theatre ecosystem would evolve to champion new writers into becoming established writers. It will be interesting to see if Ragdoll follows the same success as Farm Hall and we look forward to seeing more of Katherine's works being staged in the future.
Ragdoll runs at Jermyn Street Theatre until 15 November 2025.
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After graduating from RADA, James McArdle became a darling of the National Theatre appearing in landmark productions of Platonov, James I and Angels in America, all in a relatively short span of time. Since then, James McArdle has established himself as one of the most compelling actors on stage and screen. Now, he returns to the Olivier stage for the first time since 2019 for newly appointed Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham's inaugural show: a new adaptation of Euripides' Bacchae by Nima Taleghani. In the show, James takes on the role of Pentheus in a show which has been radically revamped for modern audiences. Taleghani's version includes rap verses and a thumping beat which helps build the tension of the piece that leads viscerally into the ultimate tragedy of the piece.
In this brand new interview, James McArdle reflects on his numerous successes at the National Theatre and why it feels so fitting returning to the Olivier stage after a few years away. Indeed his last National Theatre project saw him taking on the title role in Peter Gynt, a thrilling update on Ibsen's original text where audiences saw James lead a 4 hour show with immense energy. Throughout our conversation, he also pays homage to Jonathan Kent who he describes as mentor who has helped shape him into the actor he is today. In our interview, we also touched on his critically acclaimed performances in Angels in America, Platonov and The Tragedy of Macbeth at the Almeida where he shares insights into his working relationship with Saoirse Ronan and also fight director Kate Waters who he reunited with on Bacchae. It's a fascinating conversation with one of the most exciting actors on stage and screen working today and it seems there's still more that we can look forward to.
Bacchae runs in the Olivier Theatre, National Theatre until Saturday 1st November 2025.
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After a triumphant run at Nottingham Playhouse and at the Young Vic, Alec Boaden is returning to 'Punch' for it's West End run at the Apollo Theatre. In the show, Alec multi-roles several characters opposite a cast that includes Julie Hesmondhalgh, Tony Hirst and David Shields as Jacob Dunne. The show tells the extraordinary true story of Jacob Dunne, a regular lad from Nottingham whose impulsive punch led to fatal consequences. When he leaves prison, Jacob meets with Joan and David – the parents of his victim James – a meeting that would profoundly change both of them. Since the show premiered, Jacob's story has rippled worldwide with audiences deeply touched by his successful rehabilitation.
In this brand new interview with Alec Boaden, he tells us about his journey from Television Workshop to training at one of the world's leading drama schools to making his professional stage debut in a five-star rated James Graham play. We hear him talk about his affection for his Nottingham roots and how that's shaped him into the actor he is today. During our conversation, he also reveals that he'll be understudying David Shields in the lead role. After concluding Punch's run at the Young Vic, Alec took on the role of Jude in Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's revival of Noughts & Crosses, an adaptation of Malorie Blackman's bestselling novel. Alec won praise from critics and audiences for his dark portrayal of one of the show's central characters and he tells us about the important responsibility of humanising these darker characters. It's an endearing conversation where he also shares his love for his class at Guildhall as he also tells us about his hopes for his career moving forwards.
Punch runs at the Apollo Theatre, London from 22 October - 29 November with tickets on sale NOW!
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After earning an Ian Charleson Award nomination for her Hermia in the Bridge Theatre's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Isis Hainsworth has continued to take on some of Shakespeare's best loved roles and is now preparing to take on the role of Isabella in Measure For Measure for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Here Isis will be making her RSC debut where she's set to star alongside a stellar cast that includes the likes of Tom Mothersdale, Oli Higginson and Emily Benjamin. The production will also see rising star director Emily Burns return to the RSC following her five-star rated Love's Labour's Lost last year also at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. As a lesser-performed Shakespeare play, this is set to be a must-see show of the season with the RSC continuing it's latest season of shows.
In this new interview, Isis Hainsworth opens up about her humble beginnings as an actress to being named a Screen International Star of Tomorrow in 2022. As she continues rehearsals for Measure For Measure, we hear her talk about her love for acting and the joy of returning to the theatre following her recent widely acclaimed performances in Romeo and Juliet and The House of Bernada Alba, both directed by Rebecca Frecknall. Indeed, we hear Isis speak affectionately about the directors she's gotten to work with and she highlights her admiration for Emily Burns for taking a bold approach to Measure For Measure, stripping parts of the text back whilst remaining faithful to the story. It's an endearing conversation throughout and it seems Isis is unlikely stop anytime soon as she continues to charm audiences and peers alike.
Measure For Measure runs at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 13 September - 25 October with tickets on sale now!
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For over 20 years, Samuel Barnett has established himself as one of the most compelling actors on the UK stage. His latest role sees him multi-roling over 15 characters in Caroline Bird's 'The Last Stand of Mrs Mary Whitehouse'. The role sees him making his Nottingham Playhouse debut where he will act opposite Maxine Peake in the title role. The new play reintroduces Mary Whitehouse to audiences, exploring her campaign to uphold British conservatism as well as the root of her controversial beliefs.
In this new interview, Samuel Barnett talks about his real life memories of Mary Whitehouse and why he felt this play felt particularly relevant today. Over the course of our conversation, he looks back on some of his most memorable performances including playing 2 of Shakespeare’s women as well as of course originating the role of Posner in ‘The History Boys’. We hear him talk about his love for acting as he shares with us his excitement at making his Nottingham Playhouse debut, insights into his relationship with Artistic Director Adam Penford and more!
The Last Stand of Mrs Mary Whitehouse runs at Nottingham Playhouse from 5 September - 27 September.
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After finishing a run of 'Stalled' earlier this year at the King's Head Theatre, Josie Benson is now about to appear another UK musical theatre premiere: 'The Harder They Come' at Theatre Royal Stratford East. The show is an adaptation of the cult classic film of the same name and brings together a top tier creative team including director Matthew Xia and writer Suzan-Lori Parks. The production also marks a welcome return to Stratford East for Josie Benson who first worked at the audience-favourite theatre 25 years ago in 'Make Some Noise'. Since then, she's performed in some of the West End's biggest shows including 'Phantom of the Opera' and 'Mamma Mia!'. The show will also reunite Josie with Jason Pennycook with whom she worked with on 'Porgy and Bess' in the West End.
In this new interview, Josie Benson sat down with us to talk about this eagerly anticipated new musical which promises to transport audiences to Kingston, Jamaica. The film is famously credited for bringing Reggae to the music and Josie tells us how the music that features in this new production will dazzle audiences looking for a great night out. With tickets selling fast, Josie urges our listeners to book quickly before the run sells out. Over the course of the conversation, we also reflect on how the theatre industry has evolved to become more diverse and inclusive of professionals from different backgrounds. It seems like the perfect time to be revisiting the story of 'The Harder They Come' and it looks like audiences will be treated to an excellent evening of theatre when they see the show.
The Harder They Come runs at Theatre Royal Stratford East from 13 September - 25 October with tickets on sale now!
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When Jasper Talbot graduated from RADA last year, he was quickly whisked off to Chichester to play Mick Jagger in Chichester Festival Theatre's production of Redlands. Now, he is starring opposite Rosamund Pike in the five-star rated production of Inter Alia at the National Theatre. In the show, he plays Henry, Judge Phillips' awkward yet relatable teenage son. The show has been described as a companion piece to Suzie Miller's Prima Facie which won Oliviers for Best Play and Best Actress for Jodie Comer. Inter Alia can be seen as an evolution of Suzie Miller's writing with the introduction of more characters and the reunites much of the team from Prima Facie.
In this brand new interview, Jasper Talbot reflects on the last year and opens up about the challenges of being an emerging young actor. He talks to us about graduating RADA where he made lifelong friends with many of his cohort and entering an industry that is often full of uncertainty. He shares with us some key memories along the way that has kept excited about his career ahead as Inter Alia continues performances at the Lyttleton Theatre, something he describes as a big tick for him too. Throughout our conversation, Jasper remains candid about his experiences as a young actor still finding his way, learning from actors in rehearsals and in workshops. It'll be interesting to see what he does next as he cements his status as rising star to watch on stage.
Inter Alia is playing at the Lyttleton Theatre, National Theatre until 13th September. The play will also be broadcast to UK cinemas on NT Live from 4 September and worldwide from 25th September
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Whilst Brigadoon continued rehearsals, Cavan Clarke sat down with us to discuss the eagerly anticipated revival of Lerner & Leowe's beloved musical. The production also marks an exciting return for Cavan to Regent's Park Open Air Theatre following his acclaimed performance as Mercutio in Kimberley Syke's production of Romeo & Juliet in 2021. Brigadoon has often been described as one of the greatest musicals to come out of the Golden Age of Musicals, and has been much missed in London after experiencing a 20 year absence from the UK stage. In Drew McOnie's production, Cavan Clarke plays Jeff Douglas, a pleasure seeker and companion to Tommy Albright who arrive at the Scottish Highlands in the middle of World War II. The show's been adapted by Rona Munro and we hear Cavan talk about her updates to this classic show and what audiences can perhaps expect from this new production
In our interview, Cavan Clarke talks to us about making his professional musical theatre debut having long been a fan of musicals himself. During our conversation, we looked back on some of his career highlights including playing Mercutio at Regent's Park, and his work on the landmark production of Small Island at the National Theatre. We hear him talk about the challenges of being a jobbing actor too and the sacrifices one sometimes has to make in order to make ends meet. We also talk to Cavan about his relationship with rising star Jack Wolfe, and how he hopes to work together on a project in the future. It seems like an exciting time for Cavan Clarke and we hope this won't be the last time he features in a musical too.
Brigadoon runs at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre from 2 August - 20 September 2025 with tickets available now.
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Michael Lin has been in the ensemble of some of the biggest shows in recent years including 'Anything Goes' at the Barbican, 'Hello, Dolly' at the London Palladium and is now back at the iconic venue for Jamie Lloyd's 'Evita'. Having previously collaborated on the hugely acclaimed 'Sunset Boulevard' at the Savoy Theatre, Michael Lin tells us about the joy of getting back into rehearsals with Jamie Lloyd and with Fabian Aloise, the choreographer for 'Evita' and how dance plays an integral part to this latest production. He reveals how he was previously cast for Jamie Lloyd's transfer of 'Evita' at the Barbican, after the show received rave reviews from critics at Regent's Park, so joining the company has felt particularly wholesome for him.
Having started his career in Asia, performing in cities like Hong Kong, Michael Lin talks to us about his journey going from Asia to London's glittering West End. We hear him talk about his hopes for playing more principal roles as well in the future having previously played the title role in 'Pippin' and covered lead roles in 'Oklahoma' and 'Anything Goes'. As he continues performances for 'Evita' however, he tells us about the joy of getting to work with this particular company and how he's been able to learn from his peers, including Rachel Zegler who he films on camera for this production.
'Evita' runs at the London Palladium until 6th September 2025.
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After premiering in the Ustiniv Studio at Theatre Royal Bath in 2022, SHOWMANISM is making its London premiere at Hampstead Theatre. The show has been described as a kaleidoscopic journey through theatre and its history, and will also mark Dickie Beau's fourth venture into Hampstead Theatre, a place which he describes fondly as his latest show prepares to open. Indeed, it was only earlier this year when he was starring opposite Simon Russell Beale in an acclaimed revival of 'The Invention of Love'. In this way, it seems that there will likely be an ongoing partnership between him and the theatre, with Hampstead's audiences continuing to be blown away by his performances.
In this brand new interview with Dickie Beau, he tells us about the origins of SHOWMANISM and how he began by thinking of theatres as sacred, communal spaces. We talked about his unique process of using technology in his shows as he transforms himself into various esteemed actors including Sir Ian McKellen and Fiona Shaw. Over the course of our conversation, Dickie opens up about his love for actors and for live theatre before discussing his hopes for how audiences will come away from the show having had a fundamentally human experience.
SHOWMANISM opens at Hampstead Theatre on 18 June and runs till 12 July 2025.
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After a few years living in the US, Ashley Day is preparing to make a highly anticipated return to the UK stage at Manchester Opera House in Come Fall in Love - the Musical, an adaptation of DDLJ. The exciting new musical boasts a top tier creative including book & lyrics by Olivier Award winner Nell Benjamin, music by legendary composers Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani and choreography by Olivier, Tony and Emmy Award winner Rob Ashford. The show will see Ashley taking on the role of Roger (Rog), a party-going, laid back guy opposite Jena Pandya's more serious Simran. Come Fall in Love is based on a record-breaking phenomenon that has taken India and the Middle East by storm, and this new adaptation is expected to have a similar effect when it arrives on the Manchester stage.
In this brand new interview, Ashley Day sits down with us to tell us why this felt like the perfect project to reintroduce himself to musical theatre audiences. Having started his career 20 years ago in Matthew Bourne's The Nutcracker and as part of the original company of Mary Poppins, Ashley Day is known in the musical theatre community as one of a few true triple threats. Over the last 2 decades, he's taken on leading roles in shows like The Book of Mormon, An American in Paris and 42nd Street. In more recent years, Ashley was also a series regular in Dynasty and in our interview he opens up about his love life and how his recent marriage to fellow actor Adam Kaplan has changed him for the better. We also get to hear Ashley reflect on his remarkable career leading up to this point and discuss how the industry has transformed over his time working as one of the West End's most charming leading men. It's a fascinating conversation and we hope it won't be too long until we see Ashley Day treading the boards on UK shores in another hit show.
Come Fall in Love opens at Manchester Opera House on 29th May and runs till 21 June 2025.
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Over a long career in musical theatre, Matthew Seadon-Young has performed in some of the most acclaimed productions in recent history including Marianne Elliott's gender-swapped 'Company' and Jamie Lloyd's hit production of 'Urinetown'. His latest venture sees him playing con-man Gordy in the UK premiere of 'Shucked' at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. In our interview, Matthew shares with us his excitement at making his Regent's Park debut and at the start of Drew McOnie's tenure as Artistic Director. 'Shucked' was a huge success on Broadway and audiences are eagerly anticipating the transfer of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally's joyful musical. Jack O'Brien also makes his directorial debut at Regent's Park, and we hear Matthew talk about how the show has been adapted for the great outdoors.
In this new interview with Matthew Seadon-Young, he shares his insight into the craft of carving out a career in musical theatre. Indeed since leaving Mountview, he's been seen in 'Les Miserables' and 'Billy Elliot' on the West End, 'Rockets and Blue Light' at the National Theatre and Manchester Royal Exchange as well as more recently 'The Baker's Wife' at the Menier Chocolate Factory. As an ever-evolving creative, it's been great seeing how he's continued to prove how versatile a performer he is. It will be interesting to see what productions he finds himself attached to in the future, but it seems certain that he will continue expanding his CV with new shows and revivals. As 'Shucked' prepares to open, Matthew sounds like he is in a good place and excited to keep finding new challenges.
Shucked runs at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre from 10th May - 14 June.
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Shortly after finishing her final show at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Imogen Elliott delivered a Stage Debut Award nominated performance as Sally Middleton in The Voice of the Turtle at Jermyn Street Theatre. She is now on tour with Belinda Lang and Honeysuckle Weeks in Anne Marie Casey's adaptation of Little Women. In the short time since she graduated, Imogen Elliott has garnered glowing reviews for her strong stage presence and continues to impress audiences with her remarkable charm and talent. Later this summer, she'll also be playing Phoebe in As You Like It at Theatre Royal,as part of Ralph Fiennes' season at Theatre Royal, Bath.
In this exclusive interview with Imogen Elliott, we talked about her experience training alongside a dazzling year group of actors at Guildhall to making her professional debut last year. Indeed, many of her classmates have since made their professional debuts in acclaimed productions at the likes of the National Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe, Menier Chocolate Factory. For Imogen, she feels humbled and grateful to have been able to work with so many brilliant talents and says she still feels inspired by the people she's gotten to be surrounded by. In our interview, we hear how she's connected with characters like Amy March and Sally Middleton, and share her love for Shakespeare as she gets ready for As You Like It. There's an incredible sense of wisdom and humility in the way she talks about her experiences so far and we look forward to seeing what she does next.
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At the age of 10, Eleanor Worthington-Cox made history as the youngest Olivier Award winner for her performance as the eponymous character in Matilda the Musical. A decade on, she has established herself as one of the most versatile young actresses on the West End, recently securing a second Olivier nomination for her role in Next to Normal. Now, she has reunited with her Next to Normal director Michael Longhurst to take on the role of Hero in his production of Much ado About Nothing with the Royal Shakespeare Company. The show marks the first time Eleanor has worked at the RSC since her time with Matilda, and we spend some time discussing why this show means so much to her.
In this brand new interview, Eleanor Worthington-Cox tells us about rehearsals for Much ado About Nothing and the experience of returning to the RSC as an adult following the tremendous success she had with Matilda. Earlier in the year, she finished a run of The Little Foxes at the Young Vic Theatre, starring opposite Anne-Marie Duff. It seems amazing that after such a gritty American drama that she's now turning to one of Shakespeare's most well known comedies, but she assures us that the production will still turn to more poignant subjects. Indeed, Michael Longhurst's production reimagines the show into the world of football, WAGs and social media, and so it seems likely we'll get to see another thundering performance from Eleanor Worthington-Cox. During our conversation, she tells us about her own relationship with social media and how she's become more weary of the various platforms available now and how apparent contemporary issues are in the show when relating it to Hero's slander.
Much ado About Nothing runs at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre until 24th May with tickets available now!
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In her decades spanning career, Cassidy Janson has lit up all corners of the London theatre scene. From the Landor Theatre to the Menier Chocolate Factory to understudying Elphaba in Wicked to winning an Olivier for her role as Anne Hathaway in & Juliet, Cassidy Janson is a definitive West End leading lady. Having performed in concerts for some 10 years, she has established herself as a singer and songwriter as well as a bona fide West End star. Her most recent credits include Jerry's Girls, Florence in Chess and Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.
Ahead of her special concert at the Vaudeville Theatre as part of the Westway Sessions, Cassidy Janson sat down to talk about her love for gigging and how a meeting with a jive band led to her performing all around the world, introducing her to new audiences everywhere. In our conversation, Cassidy looks back at milestone moments like taking over the lead role in Beautiful and also originating parts in shows like & Juliet and Lend Me a Tenor. She looks back at her time in off-West End hits like Dessa Rose fondly and we hear her thoughts on how the industry has changed over the years as well as whether or not audience etiquette has gotten worse too. It's a fascinating exchange and we look forward to what Cassidy Janson has to offer in the next few decades of her career.
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As Shanghai Dolls prepares to open at the Kiln Theatre, Gabby Wong sat down with us to talk about Amy Ng's new show that depicts the friendship turned rivalry between Sun Weishi and Jiang Qing, later Madame Mao. At a time where we are seeing more Asian representation on stage and screen, and with China continuing to make a strong presence in the news, we were treated to a fascinating conversation about modern Chinese history and what this period tells us about China today. The new play which opens at the Kiln Theatre presents us with an often untold history viewed through a female lens.
In this brand new interview with Gabby Wong, we hear her talk about the process of discovering Jiang Qing's journey into becoming Madame Mao . Gabby also tells us about the experience working with Katie Posner on developing the character in rehearsals, and the challenges of doing a two-hander which sees her reunited with Millicent Wong who plays Sun Weishi. During the course of our conversation, we hear Gabby talk about how the industry has changed for Asian actors and how opportunities have widened in recent years. Jiang Qing / Madame Mao will also be the first time we see Gabby Wong play a historical Chinese character on stage and we hear her reflect on her career which has seen her take on Shakespeare, contemporary drama and work on screen too. It's a fascinating discussion and we look forward to seeing Shanghai Dolls when it opens at the Kiln Theatre this Spring.
Shanghai Dolls runs at Kiln Theatre from 3rd April - 10th May with tickets on sale now.
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Following on from his 40th birthday concert at the London Palladium, Lee Mead is returning to the West End to open The Westway Sessions at the Vaudeville Theatre. The first of this series of intimate concerts will see Lee Mead perform crowd-pleasers from his illustrious career that has seen him take on key roles in some of the West End's biggest shows. His latest EP: The Best of Me has been popular with Lee's fans and follows on from a number of recordings over his career which has seen him record West End favourites, contemporary hits as well as original songs. As well as starring in shows like We Will Rock You, Sister Act and Wicked, Lee Mead has also been playing solo concerts on tour around the UK and internationally. Later this year, he will also be embarking on The Phantoms tour with Luke McCall and Aaron Pryce-Lewis.
In this brand new interview, Lee Mead sits down to discuss what audiences can expect from his upcoming show as well as his relationship with Westway founder Rhydian Roberts. He tells us about his love for performing and looks back at his time on Any Dream Will Do which saw him play to audiences of millions each week as he competed and won the role of Joseph at the London Palladium. It's been a remarkable career so far as he's continued to tour regularly as well as return to the West End to star in major shows. During our conversation, he also tells us about how the industry has changed over the years and what advice he would give to aspiring young performers today.
Lee Mead performs The Westway Sessions at the Vaudeville Theatre on Monday 10th March with tickets available NOW!
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In a decades spanning career, Lia Williams has established herself as one of the most prominent actresses working today. At the start of her career, Lia was already working with the likes of David Hare, Alan Ayckbourn and Harold Pinter, with whom she would go on to share a long working relationship and friendship. On screen, some of her many highlights have included playing Wallis Simpson in The Crown and more recently Paula Vennels in Mr Bates vs The Post Office. In recent years, we've also seen her prove herself to be a terrific director, finding herself at the helm on various short films and later also directing highly acclaimed productions of Ashes to Ashes and Doubt: A Parable. Some of Lia's upcoming projects include a new TV adaptation of The Day of the Jackal and also reprising her role in the highly acclaimed BBC drama: The Capture.
In this exclusive interview to mark 100 episodes of our podcast series, Lia Williams sits down to look back over her illustrious career. We hear her talk about her early career, finding her way through challenging roles like Kyra in Skylight, acting opposite Michael Gambon as well as playing Carol in Oleanna opposite David Suchet. We also get to hear her talk about her experiences of alternating roles with Juliet Stevenson and Kristin Scott-Thomas on the highly acclaimed productions of Mary Stuart and Old Times. Over the course of our conversation, Lia tells us about how the acting profession has changed during her career and talks us through her transition into becoming a well-respected director as well. In this very candid conversation, Lia reflects on the various roles that she's played and takes some time to also discuss her relationship with son and fellow actor: Joshua James, with whom she starred with in The Vortex last year. It's a fascinating insight into one of our greatest leading ladies and we look forward to seeing how her career continues to evolve in the future.
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Following the publication of his debut novel: Speaker, Cai Cherry has continued to advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and in wider society. More recently, Cai also qualified as a New York Attorney in Public Law and continues to carve out an impressive career at global Law firm DLA Piper in London. This year, Cai was also shortlisted as a Top 12 Diversity Hero by the British LGBT Awards for his continued advocacy for the LGBTQI+ community and the Disabled community too. Alongside these achievements, he has also been assisting in writing a book on Freedom of Speech with Lord Neuberger and Amal Clooney. His book Speaker was written to be a "manifesto of his misery" but has become a source for inspiration for readers, who found solace in his sincere authenticity and sense of humour.
In this exclusive new interview, Cai Cherry opens up about his struggles and insecurities as well as what drives him to continue to champion his peers and call out bad behaviour. He details experiences he's faced since coming out as queer and being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease, telling us about the microaggressions and inappropriate conduct he's observed over the years. It's a fascinating conversation as he also talks to us about the hundreds of pro-bono hours he's done for Rainbow Migration, a charity supporting LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum in the UK. Moreover, profits from his book will go towards the charity with Cai reflecting on how he quickly identified himself with the individuals that Rainbow Migration try to support. It's a fascinating conversation with one of the biggest movers and shakers in the City, and we look forward to seeing where Cai ends up in the coming years.
Speaker is available to buy in physical and digital editions NOW!
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After finishing a 5 star rated run in the Swan Theatre at Stratford-Upon-Avon, Dee Ahluwalia is returning to the role of Karim in The Buddha of Suburbia, now about to play the Barbican in London. The show is an adaptation of the bestselling novel by Hanif Kureishi, a story of a South London boy growing up with and English mother and Pakistani father discovering himself as he comes to adulthood. The Buddha of Suburbia marks only Dee's second play after a steady career on screen in shows such as A Gentleman of Moscow and Sex Education for Netflix.
In this new interview, Dee Ahluwalia opens up about how he connected with Karim, and his excitement around bringing this show to London. We hear him discuss what it was like working with Emma Rice and the Royal Shakespeare Company team, finding innovative ways of bringing Hanif's story to the stage. We also hear Dee look back at his first play: Our Generation which similarly won 5 star raves from critics and audiences alike for giving voice to a generation that struggled through Brexit and the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's a fascinating conversation that we have and we look forward to seeing what else Dee has lined up for the future, whether it be on stage or on screen.
The Buddha of Suburbia runs at the Barbican Theatre from 22nd October - 16 November with tickets on sale now!
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After recently winning an Olivier for his chilling performance as Putin in 'Patriots', Will Keen is returning to the RSC in Stratford-Upon-Avon for the first time since 'Prince of Homburg' in 2002. In Tim Carroll's exciting new production of 'Othello', Will Keen will star as Iago opposite John Douglas Thompson, Juliet Rylance and Anastasia Hille. Having worked with Tim on a various productions over the years, Will is also reuniting with Anastasia Hille following their acclaimed performances as the eponymous characters in 'Macbeth' at the Barbican. In recent years, Will has established himself as one of the most distinguished actors in the theatre industry, regularly performing on some of the most prestigious stages including the Almeida Theatre, National Theatre and the Royal Court Theatre.
In our new interview, Will Keen sits down with us to share his excitement around getting to play one of Shakespeare's most demanding roles. We talk about the timelessness of Shakespeare's work and why we need to keep his work at the heart of the curriculum. As he continues preparing to play Iago, we hear him discuss his process of familiarising himself with a character and immersing himself into the world of the play. He shares his praise for his fellow actors as well as his hopes for what this new production will provide audiences. Later on in our conversation, we also talk about his experience working with his daughter, Dafne Keen and how it's been watching her flourish into one of the industry's fastest rising stars. It's a fascinating conversation overall and we look forward to seeing Will Keen's Iago in the RSC's new production of the show.
'Othello' runs at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon from 11 October - 23rd November.
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10 years after the first performance of CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation, the show is returning for its 10th anniversary tour. Earlier this year, the show played a sold out performance at Wilton's Music Hall and the show is about to play second performance in the historical venue. Ahead of this second date, Lee Apsey took some time out to talk to us about the show's evolution going from playing the Old Red Lion Pub to the Edinburgh Fringe and now Wilton's. We look back over the last 10 years and discuss what makes improv still a great art form.
In this new interview with Lee Apsey, we hear the writer director actor producer talk about his love for performance and engaging with audiences across stage and screen. In recent years, he's also explored the world of musical theatre with Your Flaws the Musical. Perhaps surprisingly, he tells us how he is naturally a very structured person and improv was a way to loosen up his writing and working style. Of course, his talents have since led him to play a number of seasons in Edinburgh and CSI continues to garner 5 star reviews to this day.
CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation runs at Wilton's Music Hall on 28th September with tickets on sale now. More details available on Lee Apsey's webiste.
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After a short break from the National Theatre, Zubin Varla is returning to the South Bank for Tanika Gupta's new play: A Tupperware of Ashes. This will mark Zubin's first show back at the Dorfman Theatre since The Enchantment and we hear Zubin talk about his love for the National Theatre having performed on all 3 stages during his illustrious career. Last year, he was at the Olivier for Odyssey with Public Acts and prior to this he's also appeared in productions of The Life of Galileo, Attempts On Her Life and Dara. Over the course of recent years, he's continued to take on a multitude of roles ranging from Monk in Dave Malloy's Ghost Quartet, Thersites in Troilus and Cressida and won an Olivier for his performance as Jerry Falwell in Tammy Faye.In a rare interview, Zubin Varla opens up about his love for rich, complex writing and the pleasures of getting to evolve as an actor. As he continues rehearsals for A Tupperware of Ashes, he tells us about his love for collaboration with fellow actors and creatives when developing a new play. Indeed, in recent years, he's continued to explore both contemporary and classic texts from A Little Life to The Two Character Play to Fun Home. It's an extraordinary career which has taken him from the RSC to the Royal Court, Hampstead and now back to the National Theatre.
A Tupperware of Ashes runs at the Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre from 25 September - 16 November.
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After over 50 years working as an actress, Maureen Beattie is about to make her Hampstead Theatre debut in The Lightest Element, a brand new play by Stella Feehily. At the centre of the play is Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, one of 20th Century Science's most significant figures. Despite her great discoveries, she's remained a fairly elusive figure and this play sets out to give her the recognition that many of her male counterparts have since received. The show will be directed by Alice Hamilton, who Maureen describes fondly of as being the best type of director who listens to everyone in the room. We also hear her talk about her excitement around getting to perform in Hampstead Theatre, having been a regular theatregoer there since it's early beginnings.
In this new interview, Maureen Beattie talks about this exciting new play, shining a light on a truly fascinating figure who has remained out of the social consciousness. As former President of Equity, she also talks to us about the changes that have taken place over the course of her career, providing more opportunities for women and the introduction of safe spaces in rehearsal rooms. Last year, Maureen also returned to the RSC to play Celia in a cast of veteran actors production of As You Like It, opposite the likes of Geraldine James and Malcolm Sinclair. A veteran actress herself, her career has taken her from the RSC to the National Theatre to the Old Vic and the Royal Court.
The Lightest Element runs at Hampstead Theatre until 12 October.
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After a few years away from the Olivier stage, Jordan Metcalfe is back at the National Theatre preparing to play one of the biggest roles of his career to date. In Lyndsey Turner's new production of Coriolanus, Jordan will be playing Brutus opposite David Oyelowo's Caius Martius. A well-versed Shakespeare thespian himself, this will be his second Shakespearean role this year after playing the playful Boyet in Love's Labour's Lost at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Previous roles have also included Romeo in Romeo and Juliet as well as the Clown in The Winter's Tale.
In a brand new interview, Jordan Metcalfe discusses the pressures of playing a role like Brutus and tells us what it's like stepping out onto the Olivier stage. Having started out as a child actor, he also tells us about his journey as an actor, heading to drama school and then graduating to roles at the RSC and the National Theatre. He tells us about how he's watched the industry evolve over the years, becoming more inclusive to those from less advantageous backgrounds as well as to those from other ethnic backgrounds too. We hear him talk about his love for other actors and the joy of getting to play a diverse set of characters from Roy Faulkland in Jack Absolute Flies Again to Brutus in Coriolanus. It's a fascinating conversation and should encourage everyone to go and see his performance when the show opens.
Coriolanus runs at the National Theatre from 11th September - 9 November and tickets on sale NOW.
After previously playing Lazar Wolf in Bartlett Sher's acclaimed 2015 Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof, Adam Dannheisser has returned to the world of Anatevka in Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's production to great acclaim, whilst also making his London theatre debut as Tevye. As a seasoned performer on Broadway, he tells us how Tevye was always a dream role and that Fiddler on the Roof has remained a favourite show of his over the years. Having previously also worked in New York's Delacorte Theatre in Central Park, he also tells us about the joy of getting to put on a show outdoors where you're one with nature with the audience. He praises the direction that Jordan Fein also takes with his reimagining of the classic show, finding new clarity in a show that everybody knows and loves. Indeed, the show has won over critics and audiences for it's stunning presentation of a story of family, tradition and persecution at a time where these themes couldn't feel more relevant.
In this brand new interview, Adam Dannheisser tells us about the joy and challenge of playing Tevye, and how he feels really connected to this part today. During the course of our conversation, he also tells us about his love for London and the wonderful change it is from working in the United States. We hear him fondly recall memories of being from a Jewish family and how he is channelling his grandfathers in his portrayal of Tevye. He also has a lot of praise for his fellow cast members, remarking upon their incredible talent as a company whilst also noting their generosity of spirit as a cast. The community feel translates impeccably in this production as audiences watch this uplifting and heartbreaking story unfold in the beautiful Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.
Fiddler on the Roof runs until 27th September with tickets available NOW.
After an 18 year break from the RSC, Ian Hughes has returned to the role of Sir Hugh Evans in Blanche McIntyre's critically acclaimed production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. The production forms part of Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey's opening season as joint Artistic Directors of the RSC, where there seems to be a renewed buzz about the company and the work that is being produced in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Ian's last outing at the RSC was as Sir Hugh Evans in Merry Wives: The Musical, but he has since continued to tread the boards and made various appearances on screen in an array household titles. The Merry Wives of Windsor gives audiences an opportunity to see Ian back somewhere he love though and it was fantastic getting to hear him talk about his history with this beloved institution.
In this exclusive interview, Ian Hughes looks back on his career, starting out his career without training at an elusive drama school and then becoming the first ever winner of the Ian Charleson Award. His first outing to the RSC came about in the early 1990s where he has since taken on roles in King Lear, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and more working alongside RSC greats such as Gregory Doran and Adrian Noble. It's an extraordinary career that has also taken him to commercial musicals like The Lion King, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Les Miserables. Never one to be pigeonholed, Ian has also had a career on screen taking part in shows such as Masters of the Sky, Doctor Who and Gavin and Stacy. In our interview, he shares how he's managed to carve out such a varied career working with so many luminaries in the industry but remains humble about the opportunities he's received too.
The Merry Wives of Windsor is currently running at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon until 7th September with tickets available now!
For many people, Thomas Coombes will be best known for playing Officer Daniel in the hit Netflix series: Baby Reindeer but Thomas Coombes has had a truly remarkable career prior to the show. During his career, he has tacked Shakespeare at the Globe, playing Gratiano/Prince of Arragon in The Merchant of Venice and has also played Oswald in King Lear at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre. On screen Thomas has also taken on roles in Eastenders as well as Star Wars spin-off The Acolyte. Now, he is returning to the stage for the first time since lockdown began in the West End transfer of the Death of England plays, playing Michael, a role that was originated by Rafe Spall at the National Theatre. This also marks the first time he's performed in a one-person show and he talks to us about the challenges of playing in the round in Clint Dyer and Roy Williams' fast-paced thriller on Modern Britain.
In a remarkable new interview, Thomas Coombes reflects over the last few years which has seen him take on roles in Baby Reindeer, Slow Horses and The Acolyte. Now as he continues his run as Michael, he sits down with us to talk about the importance of representation of working class people and their stories. Early on in his career, he won an Offie for his performance as Paul in 'Barbarians', a revival of Barry Keefe's play about youth unemployment and the consequences of that. As Michael now, Thomas Coombes is once again exploring how society influences a man's beliefs and how one's ideology can manifest itself into violence and prejudice. The plays very much reinforce some of the harsher realities of Modern Britain and the divisions that exist, but Thomas also tells us about the humour the show carries and how he hopes that audiences will be able to have a laugh as well as a think about the state of the nation today.
Death of England: Michael is currently running at @SohoPlace and will run in rep with Death of England: Delroy and Death of England: Closing Time this Summer.
For Musical Theatre fans, Sally Ann Triplett is the definition of a West End leading lady having taken on principal roles in Chicago, Mamma Mia! and Billy Elliot. She is now currently playing Fraulein Schneider in the multi-award winning production of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in the Playhouse Theatre. Since the show opened in 2021, various stars have tread the boards at the newly renovated theatre including Jessie Buckley, Cara Delevigne, Fra Fee and Aimee Lou Wood. In the current cast, Sally Ann is starring opposite Rhea Norwood and Layton Williams who star as Sally Bowles and the Emcee respectively.
In this brand new interview, Sally Ann Triplett discusses why this production of Cabaret has ended up being such a hit with audiences. Having previously played Sally Bowles herself and also played Fraulein Schneider in the Lido 2 Paris' production earlier, she opens up about her love for the show as well as for Kander and Ebb. In our interview, Sally Ann also opens up about how the industry has changed over the years, noting the increasing presence of phones and connections slowly disappearing in companies. We also talk about the shortage of roles for women and why she's been able to work so consistently over the course of her career, having recently originated the role of Gran in Dave Molloy's The Witches, marking a triumphant return to the National Theatre following her spellbinding run as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes; as well as leading a production of Billy Elliot at Leicester Curve as well. It's a fascinating discussion as Sally Ann reveals her insights into what it's really like to be one of the West End's finest leading ladies.
Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club is currently running until 31st May 2025 with tickets on sale now!
After earning widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Cassie in Leicester Curve's production of A Chorus Line, Carly Mercedes-Dyer is about to return to the iconic role two and a half years later. This time, the production will also head on a UK tour visiting various cities around the country including a run at Sadler's Wells in London. Since her Oliver nominated performance in Anything Goes, Carly has become one of the most sought after performers on the UK Theatre stage. Last year, she took on the role of Lynette Fromme in Assassins at Chichester and most recently also led the UK tour of The Drifters Girl.
In this brand new interview, Carly Mercedes-Dyer talks to us about her experience returning to Leicester and to the role of Cassie. We hear her talk about her experience working in the ensemble of shows like Dreamgirls and Chicago before going on to play principal roles like Anita in West Side Story and Cassie in A Chorus Line. We also talk about her collaboration process with the rest of the cast and she speaks openly for her admiration for Nikolai Foster and Ellen Kane, acknowledging their generosity in the room when reimagining such beloved classics. As she begins to prepare to head back out on the road, she also tells us about the importance of looking after yourself especially when doing such a physically demanding show. It's a lovely conversation, listening to Carly look back over various milestones in her career and we look forward to seeing A Chorus Line too.
Over the last year. Joaquin Pedro Valdes has proved himself to be one of the most sought after West End performers. Last year, he starred in the sold out concerts of Death Note, made his Menier Chocolate Factory debut in the highly acclaimed revival of Pacific Overtures and is now about to return to the Menier for an eagerly anticipated revival of The Baker's Wife. Originally hailing from the Philippines, Joaquin takes time to talk to us about his move to London to make his career here after already establishing a successful career in his home country before joining the international tours of The Lion King and The King & I. Since arriving in London, he also starred in the premiere productions of Killing the Cat and Then, Now & Next and we can expect more exciting projects from Joaquin going forwards.In this special interview, Joaquin Pedro Valdes tells us about the journey he's made over the last few years and the joy he's found since arriving in London. He acknowledges the renowned talent that's based in the UK and the competition he's found himself facing whilst remaining inspired by his peers. He also pays tribute to his wife and his loved ones for continuing to support him in his career advancements. Now as he approaches the role of Dominique, Joaquin also tells us about his personal approach to tackling characters and why it feels like a masterclass working with this company at the Menier. Indeed, the show will see him starring opposite the likes of West End veterans: Clive Rowe, Josefina Gabrielle and Finty Williams. Composer Stephen Schwartz has also been in rehearsals to talk about the show and Joaquin shares his excitement at getting to continue working with so many great talents. It’s a very candid interview too and we hear Joaquin speak openly with heartfelt candour throughout our conversation.
The Baker’s Wife runs at Menier Chocolate Factory from 6 July - 14 September.
Joshua James is one of the most ravishing actors on the UK Theatre scene, taking on principal roles at the National Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe and the Royal Court Theatre. He is about to make his Arcola Theatre debut in Laura Walden's new play Some Demon, as a nurse working in an institution for people with eating disorders. Laura Waldren's won the prestigious Papatango Prize for her first play which Joshua calls one of the best pieces of new writing that he's read in many years. Following on from the run at the Arcola Theatre, the show will also transfer to the studio at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre where Joshua will also be making his debut there.
In our interview, Joshua James talks to us about the challenges of performing new writing and how to deal with sensitive subject matters such as eating disorders. He goes on to talk about the joy of getting to work on classic texts too having recently performed in landmark revivals of The Glass Menagerie and also The Vortex, where he starred opposite his real-life mother: Lia Williams. It's fascinating to hear him compare the experiences of working on existing texts compared to new work but he also tells us that it's important to approach classics afresh without holding them up with any particular reverence. We hear him share his hopes for the future too as he continues to tackle thought-provoking work both in London and in the regions.
Some Demon runs at Arcola Theatre until 6th July and runs at Bristol Old Vic Theatre from from 9 - 13 July.
After starting out in Pop Music in the 1980s-1990s, Frank Wildhorn made a transition to Musical Theatre with his first hit show being Jekyl & Hyde. Now nearly 30 years on, Frank has written over 40 musicals including Bonnie & Clyde, Carmen and Camille Claudel. In more recent years, Frank has also been exploring the manga genre with his show Death Note winning Best Musical in South Korea before a series of sold-out concerts in the West End last year. This year, he's returned with another exciting new show: Your Lie in April, another adaptation of a popular Manga series which sold out 2 concerts at the prestigious Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The show is now due to return for a 12 week run at the Harold Pinter Theatre in the West End, with a cast led by Dean John Wilson and Zheng Xi Yong.
In this brand new interview with Frank Wildhorn, he talks about the development of Your Lie in April and Death Note, and why it feels so exciting to bring these shows to London with majority Asian casts. He tells us about his fondness for Japan and South Korea, and his appreciation for audiences in those regions who have really welcomed and celebrated his work. He credits his son for being a major driver in his involvement with these shows. We also hear him look back over his career, making the move from pop music to musical theatre and how he's managed to not get pigeonholed as an artist with him most recently composing the Danube Symphony that was premiered by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra at the Musikverein. It's a fascinating discussion with one of the most prolific composers working today and it'll be exciting to see what Frank brings next to London as he continues to work on a variety of projects.
Your Lie in April opens at Harold Pinter Theatre on 28th June and runs till 21st September.
Last year, Jack Wolfe won huge critical acclaim for his role as Gabe in the Donmar Warehouse's production of Next to Normal earning a WhatsOnStage Award, the Critic's Circle Theatre Award for Most Promising Newcomer as well as an Olivier nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. He is about to reprise his award winning role in the West End transfer of the Pulitzer-Prize winning show at the Wyndham's Theatre, starring alongside the same Donmar Warehouse cast who all return this Summer. Earlier this year, Jack also starred alongside the original London cast of Spring Awakening for a special 15th anniversary concert. Here, he also tells us how much both shows meant to him growing up and shares his excitement around getting to take part in these projects.
In this brand new interview, Jack Wolfe looks back over the last few years and reflects on the success he's found with projects like Next to Normal as well as Shadow and Bone and The Magic Flute. He also opens up about his roots, growing up in Yorkshire as well as Wales, providing a glimpse into his warm, down-to-earth personality. Our interview also looks at some of his earlier work - playing Tobias in Sweeney Todd at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast and working on the premiere of The Magician's Nephew at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford. Our interview also shows Jack’s vulnerable side as he also takes time to talk about his mental health and struggles with anxiety. Still, he remains very grateful for the friends he’s made during this journey and shares his hope for more opportunities to work on exciting projects going forward. His enthusiasm is quite infectious too telling us about his favourite musicals growing up and his love for his peers in the industry. It’s a fascinating and heartwarming conversation which we hope you enjoy listening to.
Next to Normal runs at Wyndham’s Theatre from 18th June - 21st September.
As the new season at Chichester continues to get underway, Jack Riddiford sat down with us to talk about the eagerly anticipated revival of Harold Pinter's The Caretaker. Often regarded as one of the greatest plays of the 20th Century, we talk about how the show has managed to stand the test of time, as well as about what it's like getting to approach the character of Mick. The Caretaker also marks Jack's Chichester debut as well as Artistic Director Justin Audibert's directing debut in Chichester too. In the latest revival of Pinter's seminal play, Jack will also star opposite Ian McDiarmid and Adam Gillen.
In this new interview with Jack Riddiford, we talk about his approach to tackling complex roles like Mick and what makes Harold Pinter still such a towering figure in the theatre industry. In our interview, he also shares his excitement at getting to work in Chichester and his love for intimate theatres like the Minerva Theatre where the show will be playing. Most recently, Jack starred as Mercutio in Rebecca Frecknall's production of Romeo and Juliet at the Almeida Theatre following their collaboration on The Duchess of Malfi, also at the Almeida in 2019 where he played Ferdinand. Jack has also starred in the West End runs of The Inheritance and Jerusalem, working alongside the likes of Vanessa Redgrave and Mark Rylance. Now as he starts his run in The Caretaker, he shares with us what he's learned over the years about being a good company member and the importance of being egoless in a rehearsal room
The Caretaker runs at Minverva Theatre from 8 June - 13 July
After arriving onto the London theatre scene. Daniel Monks has established himself as one of the most exciting actors around. He is now currently back at the Donmar Warehouse in Benedict Andrews' adaptation of The Cherry Orchard. He was last seen on stage in Jamie Lloyd's acclaimed production of The Seagull where he played the iconic role of Konstantin opposite Emilia Clarke and Indira Varma. Now as Pyotr Trofimov, he is once again demonstrating his prowess as an actor to audiences, and it is likely we'll see more spellbinding performances from him in the future.
In this brand new interview with Daniel Monks, he talks to us about his London theatre career, looking back on highlights like The Normal Heart and The Seagull. He talks fondly of his time coming to London from Perth, Australia and the journey he has made from writing and directing to coming back to acting.
In a decades spanning career, Danny Sapani has become one of the most revered actors of his generation. After recently starring in the titular role of King Lear at the Almeida Theatre, he is currently playing Walter "Pops" Washington in the UK premiere of Between Riverside and Crazy at the Hampstead Theatre. Having previously worked on the Hampstead stage in Anderson's English, Danny tells us about the full circle moment of getting work opposite his drama school: Central School of Speech and Drama. Having gained considerable success on screen in dramas such as Killing Eve, Harlots and The Crown, we also get to hear him talk about his love for theatre and the excitement around getting to work during a particularly exciting time for the industry.
In our interview, Danny Sapani talks to us about the parallels between Lear and Pops, and his love for the intellectual challenge of getting to play unlikeable characters. Between Riverside and Crazy sees him playing a retired policeman struggling to maintain control of his home, estranged from his son and dealing with demons from his past. The Pulitzer Prize winning play was first performed in 2014 in the United States and we hear Danny reflect on how the themes of the play are just as relevant now in a British context as they are in America. We also hear him talk about how the themes in the play speak to him in his current stage of life and share his gratitude to Stephen Adly Guirgis and Michael Longhurst for developing such a relevant piece of drama.
Between Riverside and Crazy runs at Hampstead Theatre until 15 June.
Since leaving RADA in 2016, Jamael Westman has led productions at the Royal Court, Shakespeare's Globe and of course took on the title role of Alexander Hamilton in Lin-Manuel Miranda's blockbuster musical in the West End's premiere cast. Now, he is starring in the National Theatre's production of London Tide, an adaptation of Charles Dickens' Our Mutual Friend by Ben Power with songs by PJ Harvey. The show is currently playing in the Lyttleton Theatre and is directed by Ian Rickson. In the show, Jamael plays Eugene Wrayburn, a character that he particular admires and feels proud to be playing alongside a delightful cast of actors that includes Peter Wight, Tom Mothersdale and Bella Maclean.
In this brand new interview, Jamael Westman speaks passionately about the importance of love and empathy in a world that feels increasingly apathetic. After starring in politically themed works like Hamilton and Patriots, he tells us about how he sees being an actor as a political act too and he encourages those around him to be more empathetic and show love to others. We hear him reflect on the parallels between Dickens' London and modern London where the gap between the rich and poor continues to widen. Still, he remains positive about the world we live and shares his hope that people will come away from his latest show wanting to take action and decrease inequality. He also tells us about his desire for diversity and representation in theatre, to showcase a London which he loves and comes from in the hope more diverse talent will enter the industry as well. It's a fascinating conversation which leaves you with plenty of food for thought and we hope you enjoy listening.
London Tide runs at Lyttleton Theatre, National Theatre until 22nd June.
Since her debut in Godspell on tour in 1994, Anna Francolini has cemented herself as one of the most respected actresses on the UK stage. In a remarkable career now spanning 3 decades, she has since earned a TMA Award for Best Actress for playing the title role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and worked on landmark productions of both plays and musicals. Some of her most notable credits include working on acclaimed productions of Stephen Sondheim's musicals such as Sam Mendes' Company, Michael Grandage's Merrily We Rolle Along, bothat the Donmar Warehouse as well as Jamie Lloyd's Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory. She is now currently starring as Olivia in William Shakespeare's classic comedy Twelfth Night (Or What You Will), working opposite the likes of Julie Legrand and Richard Cant, under the direction of RSC Associate Artist Owen Horsley.
In our interview, Anna Francolini talks candidly about the struggles of working in the theatre industry and tells us how grateful she is to be able to still find meaty roles 30 years since her debut. She tells us about her admiration for Shakespeare having previously worked on The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream to great acclaim although remains humble about her knowledge about approaching his work. We also hear her share her excitement at getting to play in Regent's Park Open Air Theatre for the first time and getting to share in the magic of outdoor theatre. Over her career, Anna has also gained considerable credits on screen too working on House of the Dragon, Vera and Roadkill just to name a few. Still, she remains committed to theatre and live audiences and we hope to see her continue to share her incredible theatrical talents for 30 more years.
Twelfth Night runs at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre until 8th June with tickets available NOW!
After Love Sick won rave reviews during its run in San Francisco, the show is premiering in London under a new title: A Song of Songs. In this brand new interview, the show's creator Ofra Daniel talks to us about the experience of bringing this story to the Park Theatre. The show sees her character undergo an extraordinary journey of discovering sexual and personal desires after realising she has a secret admirer. The show will play in the Park200 theatre which Ofra describes as an incredible space because of the intimacy it offers to audiences so they feel immersed within this world too.
In this new interview with Ofra Daniel, we hear her reflect on her Middle Eastern roots and her interest in telling stories about relationships. She passionately tells us about her admiration for her fellow musicians and actors who are each able to bring a unique flare to this piece which blends Middle Eastern beat and flamenco rhythms. At a time when the world feels particularly divided, a magic seems to have been uncovered in the rehearsal space as people from all backgrounds are able to come together to create a show that truly celebrates diversity.
A Song of Songs runs at Park Theatre from 9 May - 15 June.
2024 marks 10 years since Martin James Bartlett won BBC Young Musician of the Year and since then, he has garnered various accolades including the inaugural Prix Serdang and the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Rosebowl. He most recently released his 3rd album, La Danse inspired by French music and regularly continues to perform around the world in solo recitals as well as a guest for various major orchestras. At home, Martin has also continued to share his love of food and cooking with his followers on social media and he tells us about his passion for culinary arts in our interview. With classical music also still under siege by critics for being "elitist", we hear him dismiss these remarks pointing out how many popstars charge high ticket prices for concerts whilst encouraging those new to the medium to be open to the art form.
In this brand new interview, Martin James Bartlett opens by reflecting over the last 10 years as a professional musician as he enters a transition phase from being a young artist to a more mature one. Many critics would point out that part of his charm has always been his maturity as both a performer and a gentleman, and it has been wonderful to see him grow into this role through his musical prowess. As he continues to showcase his ability to play a wide range of repertoire, we also get to hear him share advice for younger emerging performers, borrowing advice from heroes such as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. As classical music also continues to evolve too, we feel certain that Martin James Bartlett will be part of the future of classical music.
In the last weeks of Opening Night, Hadley Fraser kindly sat down with us to talk about his experience with the show and to look back on some of his recent credits too. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Music, Hadley has proven himself to be one of the most versatile actors on the West End stage, taking on principal roles in both musicals and classic plays. Hadley has also worked extensively in regional theatre, championing venues like Chichester Festival Theatre, Sheffield Crucible and Manchester's Royal Exchange. During Josie Rourke's tenure at the Donmar Warehouse, he also worked closely with the Donmar team on a number of shows including Coriolanus, Saint Joan and City of Angels. The Donmar was also where he met his now-wife: Olivier nominee Rosalie Craig with whom they share a daughter. The couple still occasionally work together, most recently on a livestream of Stuart Matthew Price's Before After and we look forward to seeing the pair on stage again soon.
In this new interview, Hadley Fraser opens up about his experience as a performer and as a creative. He talks to us about his current experience of putting together Opening Night with Ivo Van Hove and discusses the importance of taking risks, even when in a difficult financial climate. He admits he was aware the show would split opinion but remained intrigued by the avant-garde director's vision of the show and shares his admiration for Wessex Grove Productions, Rufus Wainwright and Ivo Van Hove. As he prepares to take his final bows next month, he remains grateful for the time spent with this company as he looks ahead to life after Opening Night.
Opening Night runs at Gielgud Theatre until 18th May with tickets available NOW.
Since her debut in Fiddler on the Roof, Molly Osborne has proven herself to be one of the most exciting actresses to hit the London theatre scene. Her latest role sees her playing Rosie in Stephen Unwin's Laughing Boy at Jermyn Street Theatre, based on Sara Ryan's true story of her search for justice after her son Connor died in care. Steven Unwin also directs this new show which will also include Janie Dee, Alfie Friedman and Forbes Mason in the cast. This will also the mark the first time Molly has starred in Jermyn Street Theatre having previously worked extensively at the Menier Chocoalate Factory as well as at Southwark Playhouse. Following the London run, the show will transfer to Theatre Royal, Bath where Molly will also be making her regional theatre debut.
In this new interview, Molly Osborne talks us through her career to date. Most recently, she starred in a 5 star production of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button alongside Jamie Parker. The production is due to transfer to the Ambassadors Theatre later in the year and we hear Molly reflect on her earlier roles in Fiddler on the Roof and Indecent. In a career that's only spanned 5 years, Molly Osborne has established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the theatre industry, taking on strong roles that she describes as inspiring to her, and helping forge a way for emerging talent too.
Laughing Boy runs at Jermyn Street Theatre on 25 April - 31 May before transferring to Theatre Royal, Bath from 4 - 8 June.
After bursting onto the West End musical theatre scene in 2019 as the title character in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in Laurence Connor's acclaimed revival at the London Palladium, Jac Yarrow has become one of the West End's fastest rising stars. After recently concluding a Toronto run of Joseph and a critically acclaimed run of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends in the West End, Jac Yarrow is heading to Theatre Royal, Drury Lane to lead the 50th anniversary concerts of Pippin, taking on the title role. Joining him will be a star-studded cast that includes Tony Award winner Alex Newell as the Leading Player and Olivier Award winner Patricia Hodge as Berthe; with Hodge previously playing Catherine in the original West End production of Pippin. In the upcoming concerts, Catherine will now be played by West End star Lucie Jones, with the cast supported by the London Musical Theatre Orchestra and a 50 member choir.
In this brand new interview with Jac Yarrow, we take a deep dive into his career so far, looking back at highlights like Joseph but also At Last, It's Summer at the Palladium last year and Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella at Cadogan Hall in 2019, also with the London Musical Theatre Orchestra. During our interview, Jac also talks candidly about his experience at ArtsEd following recent allegations into bullying and misconduct at the elite drama school. Although he admits he himself didn't experience anything abusive during his time, he acknowledges that other's experience may be different and entirely valid too. As he now approaches a new challenge with Pippin, he reflects on his time so far within the industry and shares his advice for emerging and graduate performers too.
Pippin - 50th Anniversary Concert run at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 29th and 30th April. Tickets on sale NOW!
After over a decade in theatre, Olivier nominee Anoushka Lucas has established herself as one of the most exciting acts to arrive on the scene as a musician, actress and playwright. Her latest role sees her playing Elizabeth Proctor in Arthur Miller's The Crucible at Sheffield Crucible - also her first venture into regional theatre. Most recently, her debut play Elephant played to sold out crowds at Bush Theatre and her performance as Laurey in Oklahoma! at Young Vic Theatre earned her an Olivier nomination. As we entered this conversation, Anoushka talks us through her recent career highlights and shares her gratitude for all the experiences she's had so far as a creative.
In this brand new interview with Anoushka Lucas, we hear her talk about her transition from playing ingenue roles to playing more mature roles like Elizabeth Proctor. We hear her talk about her admiration for Anthony Lau coming to the Crucible and her observations on how different audiences are in Sheffield compared to in London. After graduating from University of Oxford with a degree in Russian and Italian, Anoushka's career journey has been pretty extraordinary taking her to Regent's Park to play Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar to playing opposite Kit Harrington in Henry V at the Donmar Warehouse to now The Crucible. It's a fascinating conversation with plenty of good humour and we can't wait to see what she does next as she shares her hopes to play more strong female roles going forwards.
The Crucible runs till 30th March at Sheffield Crucible with tickets on sale NOW.
After dazzling audiences last year as Willy Wonka in the UK tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Gareth Snook is preparing to make his Hampstead Theatre debut in April De Angelis' The Divine Mrs. S. The new play was recently shortlisted for the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn prize with Gareth describing the play to us as genuinely funny and moving. In the show, audiences will see him play multiple characters including writer James Boaden and the painter Thomas Lawrence - both significant figures in Sarah Siddons' life which he show is about. The show is directed by Anna Mackin, with Rachael Stirling playing the title role of Sarah Siddons.
In our interview, Gareth Snook opens up about his experience working on big musicals and his excitement at getting to originate a role for a brand new play. We also hear him talk of his admiration for Hampstead Theatre and their continued support for new writers and new plays during such a difficult climate for the industry as a whole. As one of only 2 male actors in the show, he also tells us about his admiration for for the women he's worked with in the past as well as the brilliant actors and creatives he's working with on The Divine Mrs. S. Since starting his career, Gareth has taken on roles in some of the best known productions in the West End including The Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard and Made in Dagenham so it was great to hear how much he is looking forward to performing in the gorgeously intimate space of Hampstead Theatre.
The Divine Mrs. S opens at Hampstead Theatre on 22nd March, running till 27th April with tickets on sale now!
Victoria Hamilton-Barritt is one of the most acclaimed leading ladies on the West End scene today. After taking the West End by storm in the UK premiere of In The Heights, she has went on to tackle key roles in TheWild Party, Murder Ballad and Cinderella, earning Olivier award nominations for the latter two. Now, she is currently preparing to make her Charing Cross Theatre debut in the UK premiere of Bronco Billy, a musical adaptation of Clint Eastwood's 1980 Western, featuring a book by Dennis Hackin who also wrote the screenplay. Here, audiences will get to see Victoria take on the role of Constance Lily, the wicked stepmother of Emily Benjamin's Antoinette Lily. Of course, this is not the first time Victoria has played a villain and throughout our interview, we hear her talk about her love for bringing out her naughtier side and how she goes about developing characters like Constance and the Stepmother in Cinderella.
In this brand new interview, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt shares her excitement at reuniting with Tarrin Callender after working together on The Odyssey at the National Theatre last Summer. As a long-time champion of new musicals, she tells us about the joy of getting to create a character and her passion for building comedy in an intimate venue like Charing Cross. We also hear her talk about the challenges of working in such a high pressure industry as she reflects on the juggle of being a West End performer and a mother to two young children. It's a fascinating conversation where we hear about some of the harsher realities of being a West End leading lady as well as the joys that come with the job. Indeed, Victoria happily admits to her love for playing villains and we can't wait to see what she does with Constance Lily in this new show.
Bronco Billy runs at the Charing Cross Theatre from 24 January - 7 April with tickets on sale now!
Ahead of the opening of Exhibitionists at the new King’s Head Theatre, award winning writer Shaun McKenna sat down with us to talk about his brand new show and how it feels to have his work premiere at the theatres brand new home. After successful revival of his musical adaptation of The Lord of the Rings last year too, Shaun seems to be experiencing a new high in his career, working with many other celebrated names in the industry. In our interview, he talks to us about the joy of collaborating with Andrew Sickle on developing this comedy which he hopes will appeal not only to gay audiences but to all audiences who go to see it.
During the course of our conversation, we also hear Shaun McKenna reflect on his career. Having started out as an actor, he tells us why he left acting and pursued writing instead. Since then, he has worked as a playwright, lyricist and screenwriter. He has written both original works and adaptations and gives us a glimpse into his passion for the entertainment industry.
Exhibitionists opens at the Kings Head Theatre on 8 January and runs till 10 February!
Olivier Award winner Elliot Levey was last at the Almeida for Nine Lessons and Carols, and before that in Three Sisters. Now, he has returned to London's top producing house in Cold War: Conor McPherson's adaptation of Pawel Pawlikowski's Oscar-nominated film. Over the course of his career, Elliot has established himself as one of the most recognised actors in British theatre. As Kaczmarek, he helps set up the story of Cold War, setting out the importance of traditional folk music in post-war Poland. Indeed, music plays a very important role in the story of Cold War and audiences are treated to a luscious score by Elvis Costello in this exciting London premiere.
In this brand new interview, Elliot Levey opens up about his career working with the likes of Rupert Goold and Elvis Costello, but he also talks about working with Mike Bartlett on Snowflake and his experience of working on unsuccessful pieces like Take Flight at the Menier Chocolate Factory. He tells us about his love for telling compelling stories and seeing audiences moved after a performance. With one of the most familiar faces on stage and screen, he remains constantly excited by new collaboration opportunities having worked with directors such as Stephen Frears, Rebecca Frecknall and even Madonna. Naturally a curious thinker, audiences continue to be delighted by his performances and it's likely we'll have more intriguing performances from him to look forward to.
Cold War runs at the Almeida Theatre until Saturday 27th January 2024.
After winning the coveted role of Cilla Black in Bill Kenwright's tour of Cilla the Musical, Kara Lily Hayworth quickly became one of the industry's most exciting newcomers. After the tour finished, Kara took on the iconic role of Sally Bowles in Cabaret, working opposite Anita Harris and John Partridge. Over her career, Kara has also taken on the role of Maggie May in a production at Finborough Theatre and was also in Stand and Deliver at the King's Head Theatre. Most recently, she finished filming on Assassin's Guild with Stuart Brennan and is now regularly a feature guest in West End Sings... at The Crazy Coqs.
In this brand new interview, Kara Lily Hayworth looks back on her career highlights and also shares about how motherhood has changed her as a person. She talks fondly of her former co-performers and about the shows she's gotten to do so far. Kara also tells us about her hopes for the future as the industry continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic and we look forward to seeing what else she does next.
After previously starring in the last West End revival of Oliver!, Jenny Fitzpatrick is preparing to return to Dickens' England in Leeds Playhouse's eagerly anticipated revival of the much-loved musical. Now starring as Nancy, Jenny tells us about her journey to the role having previously covered Jodie Prenger at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. This also marks the first time Jenny has returned to Leeds since her outing in Aladdin in 2010. We hear in this interview her excitement at returning to Leeds and getting the opportunity to play the pivotal role of Nancy in James Brining's reimagining of Lionel Bart's classic show.
Over the years, Jenny Fitzpatrick has played some of the most memorable roles in the West End and on tour in shows such as Tina: The Tina Turner Musical and Ghost the Musical. More recently, Jenny took on the role of Fama in the world premiere of Berlusconi the Musical at the newly opened Southwark Playhouse Elephant. In the course of interview, Jenny tells us about her love for playing challenging and complex characters. We hear her talk about the rewards of getting older in the industry - being able to bring new layers of depth to her characters dealing with difficult issues such as abuse and rejection. The upcoming revival of Oliver! will see Jenny also reunite with Chris Bennett who also featured in the West End revival of the show and we hear Jenny talk about the joy of working with the esteemed company and her hopes for what audiences will take away with them from seeing the show.
Oliver! opens at Leeds Playhouse on 24 November and runs to 27 January at Leeds Playhouse with tickets on sale now!
After previously working together and winning an Olivier Award for Passion, David Thaxton has reunited with Jamie Lloyd on his 5 production of Sunset Boulevard. Having been an admirer of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals, he tells us in this brand new interview about the joy of getting to now work on Sunset Boulevard having previously worked on Jesus Christ Superstar, Love Never Dies and The Phantom of the Opera.* Since starting his career in the mid-2000s, David Thaxton has carved out one of the most varied CVs among his peers, taking on roles in both limited engagements and in the long-running shows. David is also a member of the band Divisions Real and regularly records and performs live with his bandmates when not on the West End. Alongside his partner Nancy Sullivan, David also delivers W1 Workshops, a service aimed towards providing aspiring young performers skills and experience to work on the West End at an affordable price.
In our interview, David Thaxton looks back on his remarkable career from playing Enjolras to Javert in Les Miserables, his experiences working with Jamie Lloyd on Passion and now Sunset Boulevard. He remains humble about his achievements and offers some reflection on how the industry has changed in recent times. He has a lot of praise for his fellow cast in Sunset, remarking on the talent and work ethic of those he's working around. Throughout our interview, he is also brutally honest about the realities of working in musical theatre and the hardships that come along the way. Still, it seems it's unlikely David would ever walk away from musical theatre and we look forward to seeing what the next 20 years will bring him.
Sunset Boulevard runs at Ssvoy Theatre until Saturday 6th January 2024.
After starring in Translations and Othello at the National Theatre, Jack Bardoe is currently touring in Richard Eyre's acclaimed revival of A Voyage Round My Father. The production opened in Theatre Royal, Bath and is currently making its way around the UK, bringing John Mortimer's much loved piece to audiences throughout the country.
In an exclusive interview, Jack Bardoe opens up about his experiences working with some of our most esteemed directors such as Sir Richard Eyre and Ian Rickson. After leaving RADA, Jack also been seen in shows such as Belgravia as Charles Pope as well as played Toby Phillips in SCREW. Now, Jack stars in a brand new revival of John Mortimer's semi-autobiographical piece opposite award-winning actor Rupert Everett as the Father. Since leaving drama school, Jack has played principal roles in Translations and Othello, both at the National Theatre, a venue he grew up visiting. He talks fondly about the experience stepping out onto the Olivier and Lyttleton stages in 2 landmark productions of great texts. Now, as he continues on tour, he looks back at how theatre continues to be a strong passion and he tells us how this motivates him forward to continue looking for challenging and interesting work.
A Voyage Round My Father is on tour until 18 November.
After garnering an array of accolades for his role in Dear Evan Hansen, Sam Tutty is preparing to make his stage return in Kiln Theatre's Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York). Sam was named one of the brightest newcomers to the stage in 2019 and fans have been eagerly anticipating what the young star will do next. In a similar way, theatregoers have been eager for a new musical from Kiln Theatre following the success of Blues in the Night in 2019. Jim Barne and Kit Buchan have become one of the industry's most dynamic writing duos and we hear Sam share his excitement at getting to work on this world premiere. With the show continuing to develop, it was great getting to sit down with Sam to discuss the new show and to look back over some early career highlights too.
In this brand new interview, Sam Tutty opens up about his creative process, now approaching a brand new musical, one year after the closing of Dear Evan Hansen. He reminds us of the importance of separating oneself from their character and shares his thanks to his family and friends for allowing him to switch off from playing heavy parts. As he now approaches the role of Dougal, we hear him talk about the importance of playing characters who are flawed and reflective of the human experience. He continues to be ambitious too - sharing his hope to continue diversifying in his career choices with more screen work as well as to continue starring in more musicals. It's a delightful conversation where we hear how much Sam has matured since his early days as a fresh graduate and we look forward to seeing whatever he does next.
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) runs at Kiln Theatre from 9 November - 23 December).
Since arriving into the UK 20 years ago, Damian Humbley has become one of the most eminent figures on the musical theatre scene. After taking over the role of Walter in The Woman in White at the Palace Theatre, Damian has since taken on roles such as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, Charley in Merrily We Roll Along and is now appearing in the all-star cast of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends. A lifelong Sondheim aficionado himself, he tells us about his love of Sondheim and how amazing it feels to be working alongside such established talents on Old Friends.
In this exclusive interview, Damian Humbley looks back over his career, telling us about how the theatre scene has changed and is continuing to evolve. After recently starring in The Great British Bake Off musical, we hear him talk about how it's becoming increasingly challenging creating shows that are as commercially successful as they are critically. After the show premiered in Cheltenham, the show made its way to the Noel Coward Theatre where it had a modest run and gained new fans as well. Old Friends also marks the first time Damian has returned to the Gielgud theatre having previously starred in the acclaimed but short-lived production of Lend Me a Tenor. It's interesting to hear Damian provide his insight and analysis of what is currently happening across the theatre landscape as he looks ahead to the next 20 years of his career. He remains committed to creating high quality pieces of art and shares his hopes of working on more Sondheim pieces going forwards.
Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends runs at the Gielgud Theatre until 6th January 2024
Since her breakthrough in Mamma Mia! in the West End, Kelly Price has become one of the most respected leading ladies on the West End and UK stages. Most recently, Kelly Price has led key revivals of Stephen Sondheim's Passion and played Lady Bellaston in Leeds Playhouse's production of What's New, Pussycat? Now, she is preparing to play Lady Dant and Madame Colbert in the London premiere of Flowers For Mrs Harris. After the original production won rave reviews from critics and audiences alike in Sheffield and Chichester, musical theatre fans are eager to see the acclaimed British musical arrive at the Riverside Studios.
In our interview with Kelly Price, we hear her talk about her excitement at the recent flurry of new British musicals being produced on our shores. Having established herself as one of the most versatile performers, Kelly tells us about the challenges of learning the material for Flowers For Mrs Harris but also how rewarding it feels to work on such a detailed piece of musical theatre. Last year, audiences also saw her return to the Menier Chocolate Factory for The Sex Party, a controversial new play by Terry Johnson and we hear Kelly reflect upon her experience working on the premiere of that play. Throughout our conversation, we hear Kelly remain very humble about her career achievements, playing a huge variation of roles and gaining a reputation for being a truly versatile actress. It will be interesting to see what other roles Kelly will play in the years to come and we look forward to seeing her make her Riverside Studios debut.
Flowers For Mrs Harris runs at Riverside Studios from 30th September - 26th November with tickets on sale now!
One of the most eagerly anticipated productions for Chichester Festival Theatre's current season is Rock Follies, an adaptation of the hit 1970s series. The cast is led by West End star Carly Bawden as Anna, a role that was originated by the late Charlotte Cornwell in the TV series. The role marks Carly's first time performing in the Minerva Theatre having previously performed at the theatre's Concert in the Park 2021 and notably worked with departing Artistic Director Daniel Evans on My Fair Lady at Sheffield Crucible. After a short career break, Rock Follies also marks a return for Carly to the stage and we hear her talk about her experience readjusting to being in a rehearsal space, working with a company to create a show for Chichester audiences.
In our interview, Carly Bawden sat down to talk about creating the new show with Dominic Cooke and finding ways to honour the original source material whilst keeping the show fresh for a modern audience. We also hear Carly talk about her Somerset roots, growing up in a small town to performing on West End stages. Throughout our conversation, she remains very humble about her success since leaving Somerset and tells us how grateful she is to the local community for supporting her ambitions to perform. Indeed, since leaving school, Carly Bawden has become one of the most sought-after performers, leading landmark revivals of Carousel and Assassins as well as helped open the new Boulevard Theatre with Ghost Quartet back in 2019. Always playing challenging roles, we hear her talk about her love of working on thought-provoking texts and her hopes to continue working with brilliant people within the industry.
Rock Follies runs at the Minerva Theatre until Saturday 26 August.
Although most Musical Theatre fans would associate John Owen-Jones as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables or the title character in The Phantom of the Opera, John has also performed Shakespeare, Sondheim and regularly performs in concerts around the world. His latest role sees him returning to Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, 23 years after first performing there in The Pirates of Penzance and Much Ado About Nothing. He will be playing Edward Dindon in the eagerly anticipated revival of Jerry Herman's La Cage aux Folles. The role will see him playing opposite Carl Mullaney and Billy Carter who take on the leads of Albin and George who must try to persuade his Edward to allow his daughter to marry their son. The production will also be Timothy Sheader's last as Artistic Director following an 18 year stint at the much beloved theatre.
In our interview, John Owen-Jones discusses his love for the venue and his excitement at being able to perform there again in the Broadway classic. Although he admits there's very little for him to relate to in his character, he shares that he now only chooses to work in shows that make him feel good. Perhaps this explains why he took on the role of Phil Hollinghurst in The Great British Bake Off Musical which won the hearts of audiences in Cheltenham and in the West End. In our interview, John also discusses his Welsh roots and why he thinks so many Welsh people end up going into the Arts. As he now prepares to open La Cage aux Folles, he hopes that the show will provide grounds for why it's more important now than ever to show love and empathy to all those around us.
La Cage aux Folles runs at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre until16 September with tickets available now!
After graduating from Drama Centre London, Rolan Bell has gone on to wow audiences on stage in shows such as We Will Rock You and The Lion King, and earned an Olivier award nomination for Memphis. On stage, Rolan has also been seen on Eastenders, Pandora and Pretty Red Dress. Now, after a short break from the stage, he has returned to the West End joining the company of the hit comedy: The Play That Goes Wrong. In this interview, we hear him talk about the joy of working with Mischief Comedy as well as with the rest of the new cast. This is also the first time Rolan Bell has performed in the West End since becoming a dad and we also hear him talking about the challenges of balancing life as a parent as well as an actor. With The Play That Goes Wrong now in its tenth year on the West End, it's truly fantastic to hear Rolan be so enthusiastic about the show's ongoing sucesss.
In this new interview, Rolan Bell also reflects on his character Robert having trained classically himself at Drama Centre London. He talks about the cliches that his character fulfils and why that is so funny to audiences as well as to himself. As he continues his run in The Play That Goes Wrong, he seems very content with how his life is and tells us about the joy he gets from being with his child whilst also getting to perform on a West End stage.
The Play That Goes Wrong is now booking till April 2024 with tickets available now!
After previously starring in Love Storyand Half a Sixpence at Chichester Festival Theatre, Emma Williams has now returned to Chichester to play Elsa Schraeder in The Sound of Music. After earning 4 Olivier Award nominations, Emma has established herself as one of the most versatile and acclaimed actresses working today. In our interview, she reveals her early connections with The Sound of Music having previously played Elsa and Liesl at Stage 84. Of course since then, she has also expanded onto film and television and more recently, became a mother.
In this new interview, Emma Williams talks about
For many Musical Theatre fans, Emma Kingston is known for her vocal prowess as well as for her ability to perform in a range of shows from Fiddler on the Roof to Heathers to The Band's Visit. Since arriving onto the scene, Emma has also regularly been seen in concerts and cabarets showcasing her wide vocal range. In more recent years, Emma has also established herself as a reliable and popular vocal coach, helping students and singing beginners develop their technique. On stage however, Emma remains a hugely respected performer known to give her to audiences.
In our interview, Emma Kingston reflects on her career - the friends that she's made and her wider network of industry connections. She talks particularly fondly of her friendship with Rob Houchen whom she has collaborated on various projects. In particular, she talks about her experience stepping into Alice Fearn's shoes for Children of Eden at Cadogan Hall after Alice fell ill during the rehearsal period. We hear her talk about how her ability to read music helped her prepare to play Eve and Mama Noah after such a short space of time. Emma also talks about getting to play dream role Julie Jordan in Carousel at Kilworth House last year and how she hopes the show will continue to be staged despite some of the more difficult themes that exist within the show. Reflecting on her own heritage, she also talks to us about getting to play Dina in The Band's Visit last year and talks about the importance of having strong representation in theatre for all people.
After recently turning 40, Laura Pitt-Pulford has returned to the West End in a revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black's Aspects of Love. This also marks the first time Laura has played a West End run of a show as a mother.
One of the most exciting musical revivals this year is of course Assassins at Chichester Festival Theatre. A firm favourite among Sondheim aficionados, the musical tells the stories of the assassins and almost assassins of US Presidents. One of the show's stars is Amy Booth-Steel who's playing Sara Jane Moore; the woman who attempted to assassinate Gerald Ford. The production marks the first time Amy has performed in Chichester and also the first time working with long-time friend Polly Findlay who directs her first musical. We hear Amy talk about her fondness for Polly as well as for Stephen Sondheim who she calls a genius and expects the run to be an emotional one as Sondheim was involved in the new revisions for this production before he passed.
In this brand new interview, Amy Booth-Steel opens up about what drew her to the part of Sara Jane Moore and why this show feels particularly relevant today. Throughout her career, Amy has openly spoken about her views on politics and current affairs, and here she shares that she feels it's particularly important to keep an eye on politics following the pandemic. Over her career, Amy has also starred in some of the most acclaimed productions in recent years including The Light Princess, Tammy Faye and Heathers. More recently, Amy also starred in Georgia Oakley's Blue Jean, a film that discusses the story of teachers who abseiled down the Houses of Parliament in protest against Section 28. Now, as she heads to Chichester for this hugely exciting revival, she re-emphasises her love for acting and telling stories and she shares her hope that the show will help audiences have a new perspective on the real life people the show talks about.
Assassins runs at Chichester Festival Theatre from 3rd June - 24 June with tickets on sale now!
After playing to sold out performances at the London Palladium in The King and I in 2018, Dean John-Wilson is currently reprising the role of Lun Tha in the current UK Tour. In our interview, Dean talks about the experience rejoining the show after 5 years and the joy of getting to rediscover the character that saw him woo audiences and critics alike in the West End. A seasoned performer with credits on Aladdin, From Here to Eternity and Passion, Dean tells us how this show feels more relevant than ever and how it feels particularly special now being able to tell this story to audiences up and down the country. We also spend some time delving into the legacy of Rodgers & Hammerstein as a renaissance of their work seems to be happening with successful revivals of Oklahoma and South Pacific recently. Dean also tells us about his experience working with Tony winning director Bartlett Sher and shares his reasons for why he thinks this production has been so successful.
In this new interview, Dean John-Wilson also opens up about his career as a vocal coach with VCA - a company helped establish in 2015 where he offers coaching sessions to aspiring performers. He remains humble about his career beginnings as he shares his own experiences of how having coaches and mentors in his own career have helped him enhance his mindset. Over the years, he's also developed a reputation for his physical fitness - similarly offering classes to students wanting to lose weight or gain muscle mass. As he now returns to the role of Lun Tha, he stresses how he feels it's important to be able to show people it's possible to be performing full time whilst also running an online business. As the interview closes, he shares his own hopes for the future and continues to encourage aspiring performers to make their dreams a reality by making bold choices.
The King and I continues its UK Tour till 2024 before commencing a West End run at Dominion Theatre.
Over the last 2 decades, Laura Rogers has worked consistently as a hugely dynamic actress on both stage and screen. Her latest role sees her playing Clementine "Clemmie" Churchill in Jack Thorne's new play: When Winston Went to War with the Wireless at the Donmar Warehouse. In this interview, Laura talks about exploring the world of 1926 Britain and the foundations of the BBC. She talks about her personal admiration for Clemmie who was known as a rod of steel and the "backbone to Winston", and what it's been like working opposite Adrian Scarborough's Winston. This is the first time Laura has worked with Adrian and also the first time she has played the Donmar Warehouse which she describes as a very special institution. On this production, Laura is also reuniting with director Katy Rudd whom she worked with on the National Theatre's acclaimed production of The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Here, we're given a fascinating insight into the rehearsal process and she shares her excitement at bringing the piece to audiences when the show opens.
In our very special interview, Laura Rogers also gives her take on politics today and how they perhaps differed to in 1926. In a time where various industries are striking and the BBC is again under much scrutiny, we hear Laura talk about the parallels between the events of 1926 and to that of 2023. We also hear Laura praise the work of Jack Thorne as she discusses how unique and epic his writing is and why this piece seems so well-suited to the Donmar Warehouse. After Arts Council England announced it would be withdrawing funding for Donmar Warehouse, there's been great concern about the future of the theatre industry, a concern which Laura shares. However, she also feels assured that the Donmar will continue to thrive as she shares her hopes for the future of the industry. She talks about the family-feel of working at the Donmar and also expresses her admiration for Michael Longhurst as he prepares to step down from his role as Artistic Director. It's a truly fascinating listen and we look forward to seeing her portrayal of Clemmie when the show opens.
When Winston Went to War with the Wireless runs at the Donmar Warehouse from 2 June - 29 July with tickets available now.
With thanks to Kate Morley PR.
After spending close to a decade with the Royal Ballet School, Ellie Young's transition into Musical Theatre has been one that has wowed both her peers and herself. In this new interview, Ellie talks about her ballet roots and what it's like joining the company of one of the West End's biggest shows. As Meg Giry, Ellie gets to revisit some of her ballet skills, dancing across the newly renamed His Majesty's Theatre. But this is the first time audiences will get to hear her sing solo, act and of course close the show. A clearly multi-talented and very versatile performer, it was fascinating to hear her talk about her journey into the West End post-Covid and how she has no regrets about diverting from her original ballet path.
In this interview, Ellie also talks about her experience performing on the Cats International Tour. She looks back at the hurriedness of her initial audition and how the "stars aligned" when she was given time to attend the audition and then got to travel around the world with one of the most beloved shows. Throughout our conversation, Ellie remains very humble however pointing out that she has taken singing lessons to ensure the standard of her voice matches that of her peers too. As she now continues to tread the boards eight times a week in Phantom of the Opera, she looks ahead with great optimism that is truly inspiring.
Phantom of the Opera is currently booking at His Majesty's Theatre until March 2024
A recent graduate from LAMDA, Ned Costello has been making quite the impact on the theatre scene. Since his debut understudying Nero in the Lyric Hammersmith's production of Britannicus last year, Ned has gained a reputation for playing being one of few young actors truly able to capture the essence of a theatrical villain. He's currently preparing to open the Park Theatre's highly anticipated revival of Philip Ridley's Leaves of Glass where he will play the central character of Steven. After a period of playing to large houses like the Lyric Hammersmith and Nottingham Playhouse, this will also mark a return for Ned performing in an intimate studio space with the play arriving at Park Theatre's PARK90 auditorium.
In their first major interview, Ned Costello opens up about the past year - stepping onto the Lyric Hammersmith stage last minute to play the legendary Roman Emperor Nero and then playing opposite Olivier Award winners Adrian Scarborough and Sophie Thompson in The Clothes They Stoop Up In. His debut has excited audiences and his peers as anticipation grows around Leaves of Glass. Throughout our interview, he shares his unwavering enthusiasm for the industry that he's joined. After finishing a Politics and International Relations degree at University of Bristol, his transition to acting was perhaps not unexpected after spending some time with NYMT - he even shares he was mentored by West End leading lady Alex Young! When we ask him if he'd be interested in returning to musicals, he immediately sprites up - expressing his love for Standing at the Sky's Edge and Cabaret which have opened to huge acclaim. Nevertheless, Ned Costello remains one of the most exciting new actors to emerge onto the stage and we look forward to Leaves of Glass and anything he does next.
Leaves of Glass plays at Park Theatre on 11 May - 3 June and tickets are available now.
Ahead of the opening of Breeding at the King's Head Theatre, Barry McStay sat down to talk about his latest play and why he felt compelled to tell Eoin and Zeb's story. He opened up about the experience of working at the King's Head following his earlier play Verspertillio being part of the theatre's Plays on Film season in 2021. Forming part of Tom Ratcliffe's guest Queer Interrogation season at the King's Head Theatre, Breeding is a story about a gay couple looking into adoption and the real life challenges that come with this. As an openly gay man himself, Barry tells us about his own personal experiences coming to London from Ireland and developing work as both an actor and a writer that authentically reflected the realities of being in the LGBTQ+ community. In this interview, he also praises the King's Head for continuing to bravely tell unconventional stories that provide a platform for queer writers and actors that powerfully move audiences.
Since starting his career, Barry McStay has performed on both stage and screen with his plays staged at the VAULT Festival, Dublin Fringe Festival and Galway International Festival. Breeding will mark the first time Barry has also performed in his own play but he insists the show is not autobiographical. Instead, he states that the show is his way of reclaiming a narrative that has been traditionally told from the view of heterosexual couples. A proud advocate for gay rights, stories and representation, audiences should expect to be wowed by his latest work which promises to challenge and entertain everyone who buys a ticket.
Breeding runs at King's Head Theatre from 19 April - 7 May with tickets available now!
For many musical theatre fans, Rob Houchen represents a pinnacle in musical theatre talent. Since he made his debut as Marius in Les Miserables, Rob has established an enviable career as one of the West End's finest leading men taking on roles like Fabrizio in The Light in the Piazza and Joe Cable in South Pacific. As well as being highly sought after actor though, Rob Houchen is also one of the most exciting young producers after establishing West End Does / Chorus Presents, staging sell-out concerts at venues like Cadogan Hall featuring some of the West End's most popular stars. One highlight was producing a 30th anniversary concert of personal favourite: Children of Eden with the blessing of composer Stephen Schwartz and also brought together original cast members: Ruthie Henshall and Ray Shell. Here, Rob also made his directing debut and audiences got an insight into another talent of the multi-talented actor. Now, he is currently preparing to star in a new musical theatre concert: At Last, It's Summer, where he will also be making his London Palladium debut before also returning to Cadogan Hall for West End Does: Hollywood The Sequel.
In this special interview, Rob Houchen opened about the last decade in his career on the West End, both as an actor and as a producer. We get to see a personal side to Rob as well, as he opened up about his relationship with fellow actor Jack Butterworth as well as his past struggles with body image and a difficult relationship with food. Rob also shared his thoughts on audience behaviour and his experiences with fans in the past. Still, he shares his gratitude for all of his experiences during his career and remains ambitious for the future. After turning 30 during the pandemic, he seems to have found a new sense of security within himself and looks forward to new challenges ahead as well as setting new goals for his career.
Over the last decade, Celinde Schoenmaker has cemented herself as the West End's favourite soprano taking on roles like Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, Fantine in Les Miserables and Franca in The Light in the Piazza. Now, Celinde is taking on the role of Sarah Brown in the Bridge Theatre's new immersive production of Guys & Dolls. Since the show premiered on Broadway, the show has experienced numerous revivals, a film adaptation and this latest production has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. Celinde will also soon be returning to the role of Lara in Doctor Zhivago at the London Palladium following 2 sold out concerts at Cadogan Hall in 2019. On top of her work in musical theatre, Celinde was also seen in the Golden Globe winning film Rocketman starring opposite Taron Edgerton and Richard Madden and was also recently in Hong Kong Love Story. More recently, she also got engaged to fellow actor Richard Fleeshman who is currently starring in Marjorie Prime and we get to hear her express her excitement at being able to work at the same time as her partner.
In this special interview, Celinde looks back over the last ten years of her luminating career. Throughout the conversation, she seemed genuinely humbled by her experience of being able to play in some of the world's biggest shows as well as being given the opportunity to recreate one of the most iconic roles in the musical theatre canon. Musical theatre fans will be familiar with her crystal clear soprano and be delighted with her unique portrayal of the passionate and loveable Sarah Brown. Celinde also praises Nicholas Hytner's vision for creating such a brilliant experience for Bridge Theatre's audiences and encourages other theatre creatives to be more innovative with their productions as immersive shows become more popular. It's a fascinating discussion and we get to really feel the warmth of Celinde's character as she reflects over her life and career as she optimistically looks forward to new opportunities ahead.
Guys & Dolls is playing at the Bridge Theatre until 2nd September and Doctor Zhivago plays at the London Palladium on 7th May.
After finishing in the final 12 for SSSPOTY (Stephen Sondheim Society Performer of the Year) awards, Cassius Hackforth has continued to make a name for himself within the industry. Shortly after the performing at the final, Cassius was announced to be joining the company for the Charing Cross Theatre's production of From Here to Eternity. It was here where he was reunited with SSSPOTY winner Desmonda Cathabel and he got to make his professional West End debut. Earlier this year, Cassius also joined headed to Guildford to play Peter in the premiere production of Alex Parker and Katie Lam's The Railway Children. In both shows, Cassius demonstrated an enthusiasm and determination to succeed in an industry which can be very unpredictable. Indeed, he charmingly admits to regularly writing to writers, directors and producers to express his desire for work.
In one of his first ever interviews, Cassius Hackforth sat down to reflect on his recent successes - making his West End debut and being competing as a finalist at SSSPOTY. He revealed his love for screen work too having recently completed work on a short film: Move On Up and getting to play speaking role in the upcoming Indiana Jones film. We also get to hear Cassius open up about his struggles too - namely his battle with anorexia and admitting the difficulties of gaining work in the industry. After receiving an eating disorder diagnosis during his training at Trinity Laban, he sought treatment and bravely came forward about his experience hoping to inspire more people to come forward about their struggles. There's something quite remarkable about Cassius' love for performing and we are sure there'll be further opportunities to watch him on stage or on screen going forwards.
Many will know Lewis Cornay as the two Johns in Southwark Playhouse's revival of John and Jen which recently played a 30th anniversary concert at 54 Below in New York. What many may not know is that Lewis Cornay has been performing for the best part of 20 years having been a child actor in shows such as Mary Poppins and The King and I. Since graduating from Guildford School of Acting, Lewis has been a powerful force in the industry, starring in The Book of Mormon on the West End, She Loves Me at Sheffield Crucible as well as performing in his own shows: Lewis Cornay and Friends and The Curious Case of Lewis Cornay. As a writer, Lewis' writing debut arrived at Seven Dials Playhouse at the end of last year with Daddy Issues starring Bebe Cave.
In this exclusive interview, Lewis Cornay opens up about his career and what it has been like juggling being an actor, writer and composer. He discusses his love for theatre and why certain projects like She Loves Me and John and Jen have meant so much to him. We hear him frankly discussing challenges that the theatre is facing too with the current socio-economic climate and why it still feels like a blessing to be in a job. Later this year, Lewis will also be reuniting with Christie Bhima on SpongeBob the Musical which will tour the U.K. before a run at Queen Elizabeth Hall. It’s a fascinating interview with a fascinating figure in the industry who’s name we can expect to hear a lot more of in the coming years.
When Earl Carpenter left The Phantom of the Opera12 years ago, he had completed over 1000 performances in the titular role. Now, having performed the role on tour, sung the songs in concert and played various other roles since, Earl Carpenter has returned to Her Majesty's Theatre for a limited time to play The Phantom. In this special interview, we hear what attracted Earl back to the hit West End show over a decade after his last run in this production. He remains humble throughout the conversation, describing the experience as extraordinary, returning to the same dressing room and facing a standing ovation at the end of each performance.
For many fans, Earl Carpenter ranks as one of the most special Phantoms having played so many performances in the past. His return marks an exciting time in the production's history as the show continues to play to enraptured audiences each week. In this interview, Earl also talks about his experience as a producer with Ginger Boy Productions as we discuss the challenges that the theatre industry is currently facing.
Earl Carpenter plays The Phantom of the Opera until Saturday 1st April.
Since the 1970s, Marion Bailey has worked pretty consistently on screen and on stage in a huge variety of films, plays and TV shows. Today, she is currently starring in a brand new production of Medea, directed by Dominic Cooke at the brand new @Soho Place Theatre. The show explores the themes of injustice and revenge, and Marion kindly took the time to discuss how the show has remained relevant throughout the years. In this new production, audiences will also be treated to a lesser known translation by Robertson Jeffers, who Marion describes as "breathtaking". Sophie Okonedo and Ben Daniels will also be starring alongside Marion as Medea and Jason/Creon/Aegues respectively.
Marion Bailey is perhaps best known to audiences for her collaboration with Mike Leigh on films such as Meantime, Secrets & Lies and Mr. Turner where she received universal critical acclaim for her portrayal of Mrs Booth. More recently, Marion also collected 2 SAG awards alongside Season 3 and 4 cast of Netflix drama The Crown for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. In this special interview, Marion also reveals her thoughts on controversy around the latest season of The Crown as well as which other Royal Family member she'd be interested in playing. Just after the Queen passed away last year, Marion also reprised the role of Q in Handbagged and she shares her memories of playing the role during that time of national mourning. Now, as she plays the Nurse in Medea, Marion reflects on her 40 year career as a true character actress, collaborating with various acclaimed directors, writers and actors. We hear her share her gratitude to those who have supported her and it seems we still have a lot to look forward to from Marion Bailey in the years ahead.
Medea plays at @SohoPlace Theatre until Saturday 22nd April.
For the last 30 years, Janie Dee has cemented herself as one of the greatest leading ladies to ever grace the stage. From musicals to plays to cabarets and concerts, Janie has done it all. In this special interview, she looks back on her career and how her early struggles have led her to see each new job opportunity as a "big present". The conversation starts with her talking about her relationship with Theatre Royal, Bath where she worked with the Peter Hall Company on a number of productions and most recently returned to the Somerset theatre for An Hour and a Half Late. We also hear Janie look back on some recent musical theatre highlights such as A Little Night Music, The Boy Friend and Follies where she earned her most recent Olivier award nomination. Janie Dee is herself a two time Olivier Award winner, winning for the National Theatre's legendary production of Carousel and also for originating the role of Jacie in Alan Ayckbourn's Comic Potential.
Today, Janie's passion seems to lie mostly with sustainability and climate action. In 2020, she organised the London Climate Change Festival which saw scientists and artists come together to discuss solutions to ongoing climate crisis. The festival led to the Song for Nature concert that was broadcast around the world, bringing together world class performers onto the London Coliseum stage with the English National Opera orchestra and chorus. In our interview, Janie voices her concerns at how slowly theatres are adapting to achieve carbon neutrality and even suggests she might stop performing in a bid further reduce her own carbon footprint. We hear her talk about the ongoing impact humans are having on the planet with landfill sites forming lakes and the impact cruise ships are having on marine life.
Ultimately, we're treated to a fascinating interview with Janie reflecting on her rich career as well as on the real-life climate crisis. Recently turning 60, we can expect Janie to continue working in some capacity and we look forward to seeing what she does next.
With the Donmar Warehouse about to open a brand new production of Lillian Hellman's Watch on the Rhine, the incredible Kate Duchêne sat down to talk about the new show and why Hellman's writing feels particularly resonant today. Despite never doing a Hellman show before, she tells us about how her writing stands out among her contemporaries and why she's so excited to bring this show to a 2022 audience. In a world as politically divided as it is today, the show feels particularly relevant and will see Kate star alongside a stellar cast that includes Patricia Hodge and Caitlin Fitzgerald. We also get to hear Kate talk about reuniting with Ellen McDougall following their joint collaboration with Katie Mitchell on the National Theatre's production of Beauty and the Beast and why the Donmar Warehouse felt like the perfect venue for a revival of Watch on the Rhine.Kate Duchêne has worked extensively in theatre for over 30 years, starting out in Edinburgh before moving to the Royal Shakespeare Company and then to the National Theatre where she has notably worked with director Katie Mitchell. With credits spanding from Hecuba in Women of Troy to Clytemnestra in Iphigenia in Aulis to God in Everyman, Kate Duchêne is truly one of our most remarkable actresses working today. In this very special interview, we hear her talk about her illuminating career including reflections on playing Miss Hardbroom in the hit original TV series adaptation of The Worst Witch. As she prepares to play Anise in Lillian Hellman's timely play, we also get a glimpse of Kate's warm personality and wonderful sense of humour.
Watch on the Rhine plays at Donmar Warehouse from 9 December to 4 February with tickets available now from the Donmar Warehouse website.
Affectionately known as SLD in the industry, Sophie-Louise Dann is undisputedly one of the most impressive leading ladies in the West End, having taken on roles in musicals, plays and even in opera. With a long list of credits, in unsurprising to see that decades into her career, she remains one of the most formidable actresses of her generation. Currently playing Madame Morrible in Wicked in the West End, there seems to be no end in sight for what Sophie-Louise might achieve. Having already played a solo cabaret at The Crazy Coqs, performed Sondheim at the Chatalet in Paris and workshopped various roles, we look forward to what ever else she has planned for the future.
In this special interview, Sophie-Louise Dann sits down to talk about her love for watching young talent grow and taking on a mentoring role when working with younger actors. Indeed, she shares much praise for the young ensemble actors she's currently working with on Wicked and offers encouragement to those wanting to join the industry. As we talked through some of her credits, Sophie-Louise mentions in particular her fondness for Lend Me a Tenor which she describes as having changed her career path and led her to this place today. A powerful soprano, she earned rave reviews for her portrayal of Diana Divane, later earning an Olivier nomination for that role. During our interview, we also hear her hint towards potential future work as well as sincere reflections on her career highlights. Throughout our conversation, she remained highly spirited and her infectious laugh and smile radiated throughout the chat.
Wicked continues it's run at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, London and is currently booking to 28 May 2023.
Over the last decade, Dawn King has continued to excite theatregoers with intriguing works like Foxfinder, The Trials and her adaptation of Brave New World. Today, Dawn King is looking forward to Boundless Theatre's new production of her play: Addictive Beat, starring Fionn Whitehead and Boadicaa Ricketts. The show tells the story about two music-loving friends who create a beat that's euphoric and addictive. Set in the immersive space of the Dilston Gallery at Southwark Park, audiences can expect to find themselves enraptured by Boundless Theatre's production which also features brand new music by DJ Anikdote and an original score by Dom Coyote. In the interview, Dawn reveals that the idea for Addictive Beat had been around for a while and whilst the end product has changed from it's initial genesis, she's very excited for audiences to see her new work.
It's been a great year for the playwright with The Trials also recently finishing a sold-out run at Donmar Warehouse, where she challenged her audience to think about their impact on the changing climate. In this special interview, Dawn King sits down to reflect on the past decade which has seen her plays presented across the world. We also get to hear her talk about her upcoming adaptation of The Cherry Orchard which she is developing with Katie Mitchell as well as her screen adaption of Foxfinder. She admits to being an unconventional playwright, often writing pieces that she deems "high-concept" where audiences leave asking themselves questions based on ideas from her text. Throughout the conversation, Dawn maintains a humble tone as she reminds us about the challenges of being a writer but still encourages aspiring playwrights to be tenacious and not give up on their dreams. It seems we can expect more to come from her in the years ahead and we look forward to what else she brings us in the future.
Addictive Beat runs at Dilston Gallery, Southwark Park from 21st September - 7 October with tickets available from the Boundless Theatre website now!
For nearly a decade, David Ames was a fixture on the nation's household's TV screens with credits for Doctor Who, Doctors and of course as Dominic Copeland in Holby City. Earlier this year however, David made a highly anticipated return to the London stage in Seven Dials Playhouse's production of Steve as the eponymous character. Now, he is appearing in Horse-Play, a new show at Riverside Studios by Ian Hellard. During his career, he's established himself as a highly versatile actor, taking on a range of roles on screen and stage. In the LGBTQ+ community, he's also been widely regarded as a sex symbol with his good looks and charm. Hellard's new play will see David play Tim/Butterfly, opposite a cast including Matt Lapinskas, Jake Maskall, Stephanie Siadatan and Nick Sampson.
In this exclusive interview, David Ames openly talks about his experience as an openly gay actor, playing roles that give voice to the LGBTQ+ community which he is very proud to be a part of. He talks to us about staying safe on sets and photoshoots and why he feels it's so important to be open with ourselves and each other about sex. Throughout our conversation, David remains candid about his own experiences working in the industry and how he felt his life changed following his casting in Holby City as a main character. As he looks towards entering his 40s, David reflects on the past decade and the numerous encounters he's had with fans and peers alike. We can feel his bubbly personality through his voice as he recounts moments in his career that has led him to this point today.
Horse-Play runs at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith until 24 September and tickets are available now!
After playing the actor both on tour and in the West End run in The Woman in Black, Matthew Spencer has returned to the Fortune Theatre to help celebrate the show’s 13,000th performance. As part of the celebrations, the production opened a wave of tickets for £13, allowing a wide range of audiences to see Matthew Spencer play opposite Julian Forsyth, another veteran actor associated with The Woman in Black. Since 1989, The Woman in Black has been spooking and delighting audiences with it’s classic set and timeless script. For most, it's not surprising that the show remains one of the longest running in the West End and in 2022, Matthew tells us about what a treat it has been to get to return to the show when it's experiencing such a glorious milestone.
Matthew Spencer in this interview reflects over his career as he returns to The Woman in Black for a third time. In his 17 year long career however, Matthew has also worked with the likes of Robert Icke on Animal Farm and 1984 as well as featured in productions at some of our most prestigious venues like the Almeida Theatre, the Watermill Theatre and Theatre Royal, Bath with the Peter Hall company. He compares the experience of performing for different audiences around the country and also shares his hope to do more screen work for the future. Throughout the interview however, he re-enforces the point on how The Woman in Black remains a masterpiece in the theatre and hopes that the West End run will carry on for many more years.
The Woman in Black is currently playing at The Fortune Theatre in London and is currently booking until 29 April 2023.
For the best part of a decade, Jordan Broatch has already been performing up and down the country in various productions from Ellen Kent operas to playing in Oliver at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Since graduating however, Jordan has established themselves at one of the most exciting newcomers onto the London stage, starring in 2 stellar productions at Southwark Playhouse. Many musical theatre fans saw them redefine the role of J. Bowden Hapgood in Anyone Can Whistle, starring opposite Alex Young and Chrystine Simone. The show was one of the biggest Sondheim revivals since the composer's passing and critics hailed Jordan as a "blazingly engaging" performer. An openly non-binary performer, they have also been a vocal advocate for more diversity and representation of queer characters in the industry. It seemed particularly appropriate that in Lift, he got to play an Avatar - one that is not male or female. Whilst the role was less showy than Hapgood, Jordan remained enthusiastic about the time spent in the show and now proudly calls their company members friends.
In this exclusive interview, Jordan Broatch sat down to reflect over the past year so far and expressed his gratitude for getting to make such an impressive debut. It doesn't seem surprising at all to learn that they've been involved in the industry for some time, albeit only recently graduating as an adult performer. Still, they are humble and insists they have more to learn and indeed, we should look forward to whatever Jordan has lined up next. They also describe to us their ambitions for their career, telling us their love for The Other Palace as well as Southwark Playhouse where they made their debut. Jordan also makes it clear they will only work on projects that make them happy and encourages others to do the same, hinting they would also be keen to explore work outside the realms of musical theatre too. It's a fascinating to hear the young graduate speak about his experience and we look forward to watching them continue to flourish in their career.
For the best part of three decades, Joanna Ampil has been recognised as one of the most prolific musical theatre acts to arrive onto the scene, taking on roles like Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, Grizabella in Cats and Kim in Miss Saigon. After receiving a huge reception as Bloody Mary in South Pacific last year at Chichester Festival Theatre, she is reprising the role in the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical at Sadlers Wells Theatre, before heading on tour with the show. Although traditionally seen as a caricature, in Daniel Evans' new production, Joanna is given the opportunity to humanise this character and make her someone audiences are able to empathise with. It's an opportunity that she's fully taken advantage of as we are invited to see Bloody Mary through a new lens. Of course, Joanna's portrayal has also meant we are treated to a terrific performance as well as luscious vocals.
In this new interview, Joanna Ampil sat down to talk about how she felt it was really important to return to the show to tell Bloody Mary's story. After performing in a concert production of South Pacific in Manilla a few years prior to the Chichester run, she tells us about how surprised she was by how richly deep and antiracist the show really is. We also hear Joanna share her hopes for the musical theatre industry as in many ways, the industry is still continuing to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. She hopes audiences will return on larger scales to support the industry and that shows like South Pacific will continue that drive. As she prepares to go on tour, we hear her also talk about her experience working on productions all around the world from her home in the Philippines to the rest of Asia and of course here in the UK. It's a fascinating listen and we look forward seeing Joanna continue her role on tour in the coming weeks.
South Pacific plays at Sadler's Wells Theatre until 28 August and a list of tour dates can be found on southpacificshow.com
In a post-pandemic world, one of the brightest stars to light the London stage is Alfie Friedman. After bursting onto the scene earlier this year, Alfie Friedman has cemented himself as an actor to watch. Most recently, Alfie played Gabriel Davies in the hit Channel 4 drama The Undeclared War opposite the likes of Alex Jennings, Sir Mark Rylance and Simon Pegg where he also got to work under the careful direction of writer-director Peter Kostminsky. His performance earned much praise from critics and audiences, calling it one of the biggest breakthroughs of 2022. On stage, Alfie has also been making waves in the musical theatre scene, starring opposite his mother Maria Friedman in her Legacy show celebrating Stephen Sondheim, Marvin Hamlisch and Michel Legrand. Following this, Alfie went on to star in a new concert revival of The Witches of Eastwick as Michael Spofford, once again working under the watchful eye of Maria Friedman.
In this exclusive interview, Alfie Friedman shares what it's been like to thrust himself into the entertainment industry, getting to star in a hit Channel 4 drama and carrying on the Friedman legacy. We hear him reflect over the success he's earned over the last year and why storytelling continues to be important to him. After developing a large TikTok following, Alfie also tells us about why he loves connecting with audiences and sharing his optimism with the world. Following the death of his friend and mentor Stephen Sondheim, Alfie also takes the time to share his love for the beloved composer and pays tribute to the man who he credits as being one of the reasons why he's alive today. It's a fascinating interview with a young man who we expect to see continue rise in his career.
After a 2 year delay, Francesca Martinez' brand new play All Of Us is finally arriving to the National Theatre. One of it's stars is Francesca Mills, who joins us for this very special interview to talk about the experience of developing this show with Francesca Martinez and director: Ian Rickson. She previously starred in A Pacifist's Guide to the War on Cancer in the Dorfman Theatre where All Of Us is set to play. As Poppy, Francesca hopes to give voice to an angry society, who are frustrated with the inequalities in society and who have been neglected during the pandemic. With the industry slowly changing and trying to give voice to disabled people's experiences, All Of Us should strike a chord with all audiences with Martinez's script encouraging empathy and hope for the future.
In this new interview, Francesca Mills talks candidly about returning to the National Theatre, after a pause due to the pandemic. She tells us about the experience of reuniting with many of the same cast from the 2020 run and how joyful it's been working under Ian Rickson and Francesca Martinez. Audiences will probably be aware of Francesca's work on screen, playing Cherry Donnington in Harlots and is about to be seen in The Witcher: Blood Origin on Netflix. Still, she insists that it is theatre that she is in love with and prefers doing, getting to connect with audiences in an intimate space like the Dorfman Theatre. We also get a glimpse of Francesca Mills' personality outside of acting and she shares her gratitude for the experiences offered to her as well her career aspirations too.
All Of Us officially opens on Thursday 4th August at the Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre and tickets are on sale now!
After travelling around the world as Glinda in the international tour of Wicked, Carly Anderson has returned to the UK to make her Chichester debut as Polly in Crazy For You. The production has already won rave reviews from critics and audiences alike where we get to see her take on classic Gershwin numbers like I Got Rhythm and Someone to Watch Over Me. The latest revival also sees globally renowned Susan Stroman return to the show after her Tony and Olivier award winning turns in the original West End and Broadway productions of Crazy For You, something that Carly also recognizes as making this incarnation of the show particularly special. Stroman here has also paired her with Charlie Stemp as Bobby, one of the most acclaimed young performers on the West End stage today and we get to hear Carly express her excitement at starring alongside him.
In this brand new interview, Carly Anderson talks about her upbringing in a small Scottish town in Morayshire and how she grew to love musical theatre. We hear her reflect back on her time working in the musical theatre industry and the journey her career has taken her on. Chichester has also slowly become a more special place for the actress as she praises Chichester Festival Theatre's close engagement with the local community and how it's reputation as a leading producing house has been able to draw talent and audiences from around the country. As Carly Anderson also transitions out of the traditional ingenue roles in the musical theatre repertoire, she also tells us about her hopes for her career post-Crazy For You.
Crazy For You is running at Chichester Festival Theatre until 4 September with tickets available now!
After a 2 year absence from the UK theatre scene, Robert Tripolino has returned to make his Watermill Theatre debut in a revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Whistle Down The Wind. After critically acclaimed turns in Jesus Christ Superstar and High Fidelity, he also reunites with director and choreographer Tom Jackson Greeves to bring this beloved show to one of the UK's most prestigious regional venues. The actor-musical production is the first of it's kind in the show's history and boasts a strong cast of multi-talented talented actors. Robert Triplolino, himself also a guitarist has been on the musical theatre scene for over 10 years now, first starting off in Australia in shows like A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and La Cage Aux Folles, before heading out on an international tour of Aladdin. Now as he prepares to open this eagerly anticipated revival, he also takes time to look back over the last decade as well as to talk about his hopes for the future.
In this special interview with the theatre actor, Robert Tripolino shares some exclusive insights into his career with all the ups and downs that has happened along the way. He tells us about his admiration for Tom Jackson-Greeves and his love for shows which have a big heart such as Whistle Down the Wind. He also tells us about his passion for performing in smaller, more intimate venues too and the important connection he feels with his audience. As well as being an actor, Robert is also a composer and regularly plays the guitar. Some of the shows he's written included Dreamsong which he discusses joyfully on this podcast as well as Guilty Pleasures and Death Suits You. Throughout our conversation, we hear him share his gratitude for the people who have helped him grow in his career.
Whistle Down the Wind plays at the Watermill Theatre from 22nd July until 10th September with tickets on sale now!
Joanna Riding is one of the West End's most revered leading ladies, with two Olivier Awards under her belt and credits including Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Sally Durant Plummer in Follies and Jane Smart in The Witches of Eastwick. Today, she is preparing to open a brand new production of Gypsy at Buxton Opera House as Madam Rose. The production forms part of Buxton International Festival's 2022 season at the Opera House and Joanna takes time to acknowledge the splendour of the venue and shares her excitement about getting to explore the festival too. A Northerner herself, we also get to hear her talk about the thrill of playing to regional audiences as well as to her devoted London audiences too.
In this rare interview, Joanna Riding reflects on her time in the theatre industry, having taken on roles in both musicals and plays. Since becoming a mother, she has continued to garner praise from critics and audiences alike for her performances in shows such as Flowers for Mrs Harris at Chichester Festival Theatre and of course in her showstopping performance in the National Theatre's production of Follies. Last year, Joanna Riding also returned to the world of Carousel as Nettie Fowler, nearly 30 years after her Olivier Award winning performance as Julie Jordan at the National Theatre. As she prepares to play one of the most iconic roles in the musical theatre cannon, she also shares memories of working with the late Stephen Sondheim who wrote the lyrics to Gypsy and with whom she worked closely with on the National Theatre's revivals of Follies and in A Little Night Music, as well as in the film adaptation of Into the Woods. After three decades in the industry, Joanna remains optimistic about the future of musical theatre and tells us of her enduring love for performing on stage.
Gypsy runs at the Buxton Opera House from 7th July for a limited run and tickets are available now!
Despite a mixed reception over the years, Southwark Playhouse is currently reviving Stephen Sondheim's early classic Anyone Can Whistle. The show which has light discussions of faith in miracles, corruption and mental illness has seen the likes of Angela Lansbury, Bernadette Peters and Rosalie Craig take on key roles in the show's history. In this final episode of the season, we are joined by Mayoress Cora Hoover Hooper herself: Alex Young. Here, we are treated listening to Alex's experience returning to Southwark Playhouse after playing in Promises, Promises and workshopping The A-Z of Mrs P. After also starring in the National Theatre's revival of Follies, Alex Young also takes time to talk about the enduring legacy of Stephen Sondheim and why his work will continue to live through the years.
Over recent years, Alex Young has helped recreate some iconic roles in the musical theatre cannon including Nellie Furbish in South Pacific, Amalia in She Loves Me and Sarah Brown in Guys & Dolls. During this time, Alex has firmly established herself as one of the most exciting leading ladies working on Britain's stages today, taking on leading roles in the West End, Chichester and of course Sheffield Crucible where she has starred in 6 different productions. Today as Mayoress Hoover, Alex is still continuing to receive praise from audiences for her energetic performance as deliciously wicked politician with an equally delicious soprano. In this interview, we hear her reflect over the success of her career in recent years and what it's been like working alongside a new generation of talents in this revival Anyone Can Whistle. We should expect to see Alex Young's name pop up on more theatre posters moving forwards and we hope you enjoy listening along to our conversation.
Anyone Can Whistle is currently running until 7 May 2022 and tickets are available here: https://www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show-homepage/anyone-can-whistle/
After a hugely acclaimed 2 shows in the Bonnie & Clyde the Musical concert, George Maguire is preparing to return to the role of Buck Barrow in Frank Wildhorn's beloved show. Reuniting with Nick Winston, the director of the sell-out Theatre Royal, Drury Lane concerts, George will be reprising his role in the new limited run of Bonnie & Clyde at the Arts Theatre from 9 April. There is already much anticipation around this new production from musical theatre fans, especially after the success of the concert earlier in the year. The upcoming run will also see the return of Natalie McQueen as Blanche Barrow and Frances Mayli McCann as Bonnie Parker. West End star Jordan Luke Gage will also be joining the cast as the eponymous Clyde Barrow and musical theatre fans are preparing to be wowed once more by the show.
In this special interview, George Maguire sat down to talk about his love for Frank Wildhorn and his intrigue from the story of Bonnie & Clyde. Fresh from his run in The Wicker Husband at the Watermill Theatre, George tells us about his excitement at returning to London's West End to bring this show to audiences for a full run. A veteran performer, George Maguire has starred in shows such as Thrill Me, Hair, Oliver and won the Olivier Award for his role as Dave Davies in Sunny Afternoon. He earned huge praise from audiences and critics for his portrayal of Buck Barrow and we expect his performance to be another highlight of Nick Winston's production. In the interview, George also reflects candidly on the real life story of Bonnie & Clyde, acknowledging the victims of their crimes and reminds listeners that these characters aren't necessarily "heroes" either. Nevertheless, with the ongoing popularity of true crime stories, we expect this production to be a huge hit and can't wait see George Maguire's performance.
Bonnie & Clyde runs at the Arts Theatre, London from 9 April - 10 July. Tickets are on sale now!
55 years after the murder of Joe Orton, the Seven Dials Playhouse is preparing to revive John Lahr's Diary of a Somebody, a play adapted verbatim from Orton's diaries. It's also been 35 years since the show was first premiered at the National Theatre and George Kemp was kind enough to sit down to discuss the upcoming production with us. In the mid 1960s, Joe Orton was one of the most influential playwrights of his time, creating popular works such as Loot and Entertaining Mr Sloane. Diary of a Somebody takes audiences into the mind of Joe Orton and his meteoric rise to success as well as into his relationship with his long-time partner and eventual murderer: Kenneth Halliwell. George Kemp is getting ready to take on the role of Joe Orton alongside a stellar cast including Toby Osmond as Halliwell, and also reuniting with director Nico Rao Pimparé who he co-starred alongside in Rope at the Queen's Theatre in Hornchurch.
In this special interview, George talks about his experience working with the company and exploring the complex dynamic that existed between Orton and Halliwell. We look at the legacy of Joe Orton and how his story still remains relevant today. The interview also highlights the importance of being able to tell stories that represent modern society at a time where more stories about gay men are being told on stage. George also tells us about his initial meeting with John Lahr at the first reading of the play, and how enjoyable it has been getting to work with Nico Rao Pimparé again. He remains ever humbled throughout the conversation about his work as an actor though as we also glaze over working on hit Netflix series Bridgerton as well as his return to the National Theatre later this year in Jack Absolute Flies Again. There's been much speculation around Diary of a Somebody, especially after the enormous success around the Seven Dials Playhouse's premiere of Steve earlier on in the year, so it seems that we can expect this new revival of Lahr's text to be a highlight of the season.
Diary of a Somebody runs at the Seven Dials Playhouse from 22 March - 30 April and tickets are available from the theatre's website NOW!
One of the biggest hits on London's West End is Jim Vallance and Bryan Adams' adaptation of 'Pretty Woman', currently running at the Savoy Theatre. We were very fortunate to be joined by two of the show's stars: Aimie Atkinson who plays Vivian Ward and Rachael Wooding who plays Kit De Luca. The musical is based on the 1990 Gary Marshall film starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Prior to starring in the show, Aimie and Rachael had already experienced great success in other popular West End shows. It has been a great delight for musical lovers to see two sensational actresses share the stage together in this lavish production of Pretty Woman.
In this special interview, Aimie Atkinson and Rachael Wooding both share insights into why the story of Pretty Woman has continued to resonate with audiences throughout the years as well as why it feels so right to have this story adapted into a musical. With both Aimie and Rachael also having great profiles in the industry, they also share their thoughts on celebrity culture and their candid thoughts about the future of stage door fan interactions. We also get to hear them reflect on the current state of the musical theatre industry with the West End filling up with more jukebox musicals and shows adapted from films. It's an intriguing listen and we hope it encourages you to see the show too.
Pretty Woman the Musical is currently running till 4 September 2022 and tickets are on sale now from the Savoy Theatre box office.
It was only three months after opening the new production of Les Miserables at the refurbished Sondheim Theatre that the show closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, after 2 years since the production opened, Josefina Gabrielle is back on the West End stage playing Madame Thénardier. With the West End now fully lit up, Josefina took some time to talk to us about the new production of the iconic show and what it has been like portraying the deliciously wicked character. She tells us very eloquently on the universality of the show and why the the message still resonates so strongly with audiences today. Indeed, Les Miserables first arrived on the London scene in 1985 and yet audiences are still returning to the show today. With rousing numbers like One Day More, Master of the House and I Dreamed a Dream, Josefina tells us about how comforting it has also been to work on such a hopeful show during what has been a very dark time for many people.
For nearly 30 years, Josefina Gabrielle has dazzled audiences across the country and even on Broadway. A three-time Olivier award nominee, Josefina has cemented herself in the industry as one of the West End's finest leading ladies, taking on roles in both high profile musicals like the National Theatre's Oklahoma! opposite Hugh Jackman as well as taking on dramatic roles like in Tonight at 8:30, a collection of Noël Coward plays at Chichester. She also remains one of few actresses to have played both Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart in Chicago. Today, Josefina Gabrielle remains humble as ever, happy looking back at many career highlights. She tells us she hopes to carry on working within the industry and we look forward to her creating and re-creating more brilliant work in the future.
Les Miserables is running at the Sondheim Theatre in London and you can book tickets now!
At the age of 26, Rosie Day has already spent 20 years performing on stage and on screen in a variety of roles. As well as being an actress, she has also recently discovered her love for directing and writing, creating works like Celaine andTracks. Most recently, she has written her own one-woman play Instructions For a Teenage Armageddon, a piece developed a few years ago as an ode to adolescence. The play has since spawned an acclaimed book of the same name, helping inspire and empower teenage girls. As a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, Rosie Day has continued to speak openly about the importance of spreading kindness in a world which can feel very unkind.
After previewing her new play, Instructions For a Teenage Armageddon at the Old Red Lion Pub Theatre in 2020, she has now brought her one-woman show to Southwark Playhouse. In this interview, Rosie tells us about how the show has evolved since its conception and what its been like bringing the show to The Little at Southwark Playhouse. The play has received fantastic reviews so far and has connected with audiences of all backgrounds; young and old. Rosie also tells us about her upcoming film Midas Man and how she feels about playing Liverpudlian legend Cilla Black. We hear her reflect over the last 20 years in show business and how she hopes to continue producing exciting work.
Instructions For a Teenage Armageddon runs at Southwark Playhouse until 5 March. Tickets available from https://www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show-homepage/instructions-for-a-teenage-armageddon/
After finishing 7th on The X Factor UK, Shan Ako has continued to strive forwards in her performing career. Most notably, audiences got to see her star as Eponin in the all-star Les Miserables: The Staged Concert in 2019 alongside the likes of Michael Ball and Carrie Hope Fletcher. Shan then reprised her role, opening the new production of Les Miserables at the newly renovated Sondheim Theatre in 2020. It was here where Shan demonstrated her undeniable versatility as a performer and we were thrilled to hear her gorgeous vocals in the iconic show. More recently, Shan also played Yonah in the 30th Anniversary concert production of Children of Eden where she reunited with fellow Les Mis alum Rob Houchen at Cadogan Hall. Similarly, she received glowing reviews for her portrayal of the Biblical character and we look forward to future roles she takes on.
In this new interview with Shan Ako, we get to hear her reflect on her career so far. She talks humbly about her Christian roots, her love for playing the guitar and openness to new opportunities. During the pandemic, Shan launched The Shan Vibe page, sharing messages of wisdom and positivity with the world. Here, Shan also shares candidly how she deals with hard days and provides a real insight into the ups and downs of working in show business. Ultimately, the love of music and sharing experiences is what seems to drive Shan Ako and it was a real delight to get to hear her share some of those stories with us.
For over 15 years, Nadim Naaman has been one of the West End's most sought after leading men, taking on roles in The Phantom of the Opera, Chess and Titanic. Nadim has also frequently been seen in concerts celebrating musical theatre including most recently at the BBC Proms. More recently, Nadim Naaman has taken his hand to writing new musicals: Broken Wings about the life of Kahlil Gibran and Rumi about the legendary Persian poet. These shows have a particular place in Nadim's heart as they pay homage to his own Middle-Eastern heritage. As theatres continue to reopen across the UK and across the world, Broken Wings is about to play a limited run at Charing Cross Theatre, where Nadim will be reprising his role as Gibran.
In this special interview, we get to hear Nadim share his excitement about his show returning to the London stage at a time where diversity and representation feel particularly important in the arts. A long-time advocate for fairer representation on stage, Broken Wings will feature a predominantly Middle-Eastern cast and audiences will get to see the world of Gibran unfold in the intimate space of Charing Cross Theatre. Nadim also shares insights into earlier highlights from his career performing on the West End and expresses how humbled he is to have had such a terrific career working with best in the business. We hear Nadim talk at length about the need for diversity in the arts and his hopes for Middle Eastern stories to be told more regularly in the theatre. It's an intriguing interview and we look forward to seeing Nadim on stage or creating more musicals in the future.
Broken Wings runs at Charing Cross Theatre from 11 February - 26 March 2022.
Over the last few years, one of the most exciting companies on the musical theatre scene has been QuickFantastic. Behind the company is acclaimed musical director Alex Parker who has worked on sell-out shows like Barnum at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Mame at Hope Mill Theatre and Les Miserables in London's West End. Today, Alex Parker is known for putting on luscious musical theatre concerts; assembling top West End talent with glorious orchestras for special evenings celebrating the art of musical theatre. Some recent highlights have included A Little Night Music in Holland Park starring Joanna Riding and Janie Dee and Sunset Boulevard at Royal Albert Hall with Mazz Murray and Ramin Karimloo. Later in February, Quickfantastic will also be staging a special concert production of legendary musical Gypsy with 7 actresses starring as Mama Rose. As well as this, Alex is also currently in hometown Guildford getting ready to stage a production of The Bridges of Madison County.
As well as conducting musicals, Alex is also a composer and has created several musicals with lyricist Katie Lam. Last year saw the first workshop of The Danish Girl and he hopes to share the full show with an audience soon. He tells us about his collaboration process with Katie Lam and reveals to us they are still continuing to work together and find new subjects to develop shows on.
In this exclusive interview, Alex Parker also tells us about his earliest experiences of seeing live musical productions at the National Theatre as well as discovering musicals like The Light in the Piazza and finding his love for musical directors. We get a real glimpse at the man behind the baton as he maintains that he is a fan first and foremost. It's truly incredible that despite lockdowns and a pandemic, Alex Parker has been busier than ever, providing work for some of the brightest in the business and showcasing the magic of musical theatre to audiences.
The Bridges of Madison County runs from 2nd-5th February at Electric Theatre, Guildford and Gypsy at Alexandra Palace Theatre will play for one night only on 21st February. Tickets for both shows are available now!
For over a decade, Fisayo Akinade has wowed audiences on stage and on screen. Returning to the Royal Court Theatre, he tells us about his love for the Royal Court as well as for playwright Alistair McDowall. After appearing in Pigs and Dogs and The Crossing Plays, Fisayo is getting ready to return to the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs space and explains to us why this theatre has become such a beloved institution among theatregoers. There has been much speculation around The Glow following the enormous success of McDowall's earlier plays: X and Pomona, and it feels especially exciting for Fisayo who will get to premiere this new work alongside BAFTA winner Rakie Ayola, Tadhg Murphy and Ria Zmitrowicz.
After over 2 years away from the stage, Fisayo also reminisces about his time at the National Theatre, performing in shows such as The Antipodes and The Barber Shop Chronicles. We also get to hear him talk about the experience of watching himself during the National Theatre's At Home season during the first lockdown and working on the landmark adaptation of Romeo & Juliet which premiered in 2021. In this interview, Fisayo also tells us about his hopes for the future as the world continues to transition out of a pandemic. We hear him reflect over the past few years and how he feels he has changed since his last on-stage performance.
The Glow runs from 24th January - 5th March at the Royal Court Theatre.
After graduating from Arts Ed, George Crawford joined an acclaimed ensemble on tour with The Book of Mormon before the COVID-19 lockdowns hit. Now, he has joined the company of Waitress, serving as the role of Ogie. Since early September, George has been dazzling crowds with his natural charm and ability to perform Sara Bareilles' Tony nominated score with unflinching ease. The tour has so far been a triumph and George has gotten to star alongside a glittering cast with Lucie Jones starring as Jenna and Matt Jay Willis as Dr. Pomatter. It definitely seems to be a glorious return to the stage for all involved and the tour will be visiting venues near you soon.
In his first podcast interview, George Crawford sat down with us to talk about his first taste of working in musical theatre and what the show has meant to him. As an early fan of musical theatre, he had long aspired to join the ranks of Gene Kelly and talks to us about the other notable alumni of Arts Ed. At his core though, George reminds us that he still seems himself as a boy living his dreams. He tells us about encounters with fans of the show and and gives us an insight into rehearsing a musical during a pandemic. In the end, we feel assured that George will have a long and prosperous career and look forward to seeing what he does next.
After over a year since theatres shut down across the UK and around the world, the Royal Court Theatre has been leading a charge in the grand reopening of London theatres. One of it's most exciting productions is a new play by Obie and Olivier Award recipient Caryl Churchill. John Heffernan is one of the stars of her new play What If If Only'and very kindly sat down with us to discuss the eagerly anticipated new work by Churchill and what the rehearsal process has been like amidst ongoing restrictions after some time away from the stage. Heffernan most recently starred in acclaimed BBC drama The Pursuit of Love and has also played key roles in Brexit: The Uncivil War, The Crown and films: Official Secrets and Misbehaviour. A certainly increasingly familiar face for his work on screen and on stage, critics and audiences alike have praised John Heffernan's detailed acting and in this interview, we also see a hardworking and enthusiastically charming individual.
John Heffernan previously starred in Caryl Churchill's Love and Information at the Royal Court Theatre alongside fellow co-star of What If If Only actress Linda Bassett. It seems like a grand reunion with Caryl Churchill also present in the rehearsal room as they guided under the careful direction of Love and Information director James Macdonald. Heffernan reminisces about his early visits to the Royal Court as a keen-eyed student and how he first fell in love with Churchill's work in this candid interview. We get to find out what it's been like working with some of his heroes as well as his hopes for the theatre industry as we move out of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's a truly fascinating interview and we wish the company well as they open on Friday 1st October.
Tickets on sale NOW: https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/whatififonly/
For nearly 40 years, Jenna Russell has been tackling hard-hitting roles on stage and on screen that speak to audiences today. Moreover, she has established herself as a prime interpreter of the works of Stephen Sondheim, taking on roles in 'Into the Woods', 'Merrily We Roll Along' and winning an Olivier Award for playing Dot/Marie in 'Sunday in the Park with George'. Alongside her impressive repertoire of Sondheim works, Jenna has also played leading roles in 'Fun Home', 'The Bridges of Madison County' and most recently played the eponymous character in 'Piaf'. On screen, her work also extends through to 'Doctor Who' and 'Eastenders', always playing compelling women with interesting stories to tell. As well as this, she is also a doting mum and partner to fellow actor Raymond Coulthard. Today, Jenna remains one of the most acclaimed and revered actresses on the West End and on Broadway and it seems she has no plans on pausing her career any time soon.
As Jenna Russell continues plans for her upcoming solo concert at Cadogan Hall, she took some time to talk to us about what she hopes to bring for her first solo show. Despite living away from London, she tells us about how much she still loves going to watch theatre shows and remains committed to being a theatre actress. In this interview, we also reflect on the past year and how restrictions have impacted the industry that she values so dearly. We look back at her most recent work and we see Jenna reminisce about working with some of her most respected peers in the industry including fellow actress Sally Ann Triplet as well as multi-award winning director Trevor Nunn, and of course beloved composer Stephen Sondheim. It's an endearing conversation and we hope after listening, it makes you love Jenna Russell even more than we already do.
There aren't many choreographers in the musical theatre industry who have had as much success as Stephen Mear CBE. Since the late 1990s, Stephen Mear's helped reshape some of the Musical Theatre's most beloved works such as 'Anything Goes', 'Gypsy' and 'Sweet Charity' into pieces for today's audiences. Along the way, he has also brought home 3 Olivier Awards as well as developed a reputation for being one of the West End's most revered choreographers. Since his debut, Stephen has also worked extensively on Broadway, across the United States, in Europe as well as in the U.K. regions with a long run as Associate Choreographer for Chichester Festival Theatre. He continues to be a strong champion for the Musical Theatre industry and has become a patron for numerous performing arts schools including Laine Theatre Arts and The Brighton Academy, encouraging young people to get involved in Musical Theatre.
With 'Mary Poppins' now firmly reopened in the West End and featuring his and Sir Matthew Bourne OBE's Olivier Award winning choreography, Stephen Mear was kind enough to sit down with us to share his insights into the industry and working with some of the industry's top talent. He also tells us his thoughts on the recent backlash against his 'Mary Poppins' collaborator legendary producer: Sir Cameron Mackintosh. It's a fascinating listen as he makes it clear that talent must always come first whilst remaining a faithful supporter of diversity causes. Moreover, Stephen Mear reasserts his passion for working especially after a year of theatre closures and we look forward to what else has to offer in the years ahead.
It seems amazing to know that Sam Cushing only began his YouTube in 2019 whilst his Instagram dates back to 2014. But as social media's popularity grew, so has Sam Cushing's grip on the popular channels. With a strong enthusiasm for wellness and fitness, Sam has created a strong following of fans from across the world. As of September 2021, he has well over half a million Instagram followers and close to 180k YouTube subscribers. But he's also keen to ensure that fame and success doesn't go to his head, often reminding his audience to love themselves first. As we gradually move out of the pandemic, it seems he's less concerned now about his "influencer" status and just wanting to make a positive difference with the work he does.
In a surprisingly candid interview, Sam Cushing talks about his early career struggles trying to find his own happiness as well as his battles with anxiety. He tells us about how he finds therapy through music - often through his piano playing as well as of course through physical workouts. We're invited to see a side to Sam Cushing that we don't normally get to see as he offers some insightful reflection over his career. Now, as he prepares to turn 30, it seems the upcoming chapters of Sam's life will be particularly exciting to watch.
As 'The Last 5 Years' prepares to open in the West End following 2 Covid-disrupted runs in Southwark Playhouse, Molly Lynch sat down to discuss her experience of living through the pandemic amidst all the uncertainty and reflects over the past year. Since graduating from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and the CIT Cork School of Music , Molly has slowly grown her presence in the musical theatre industry, performing in some of the most business' most coveted roles, including Cathy in 'The Last 5 Years', Petra in 'A Little Night Music' and Betty Schaefer in 'Sunset Boulevard'. As well as being a lauded performer, Molly is also a trained singing teacher, offering classes to pupils of all ages
In this interview, Molly Lynch also talked about her Irish roots and her journey to the West End. As her career profile has grown, she remains humble about her achievements such as playing Clara in 'The Light in the Piazza' as an understudy for Dove Cameron and taking the show to the United States. But, Molly also doesn't shy away from talking about her ambitions and her hopes for her career as an actress. It shouldn't be a surprise to see why Molly Lynch has become such a firm favourite among musical theatre fans and we look forward to what else she has to offer in the future.
After over a decade of performing in theatre, Jodie Prenger has firmly established herself as one of the West End's fiercest leading ladies, taking on roles in Les Miserables, A Taste of Honey and Oliver. The winner of 'The Biggest Loser' and 'I'd Do Anything', she is also a familiar face to TV audiences, regularly making appearances on various shows. Now, she has returned to the stage in a new tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black's 'Tell Me on a Sunday'. After a successful run in 2016, Jodie has been wowing audiences around the UK as Emma in the hit one-woman-show featuring songs such as 'Take That Look Off Your Face' and 'Tell Me on a Sunday'.
In this exclusive interview, Jodie Prenger reveals her love for animals and reflects on her career. As the tour continues to play to raving audiences, Jodie has also been keen to play a special second act on this tour, answering questions from audiences and playing extra songs. She remains proud of her Northern roots and reminds us all about the power of kindness and reminisces about the people she's worked with. It was an absolutely pleasure to have Jodie Prenger join us and we hope audiences enjoy 'Tell Me on a Sunday'.
After almost a year away from the stage, Antony Eden has returned to 'The Woman in Black' as it continues a successful UK tour. Since 2011, he has performed the role of 'The Actor' in the show in both the West End and on tour. Now, Antony is also Associate Director of the show and is ready again to share his everlasting love for the show with new and returning audiences.
In this interview, Antony also shares why he fell in love with theatre as well as how his passion for 'The Woman in Black' has evolved. We find out how the show has managed to stay fresh for so many years and we can expect it to continue to be a firm fixture on London's West End. Antony Eden also shares his satisfaction for making his audiences scream during each performance and it was a pleasure to have him on the podcast.
For decades, Dan Antopolski has been gracing stages up and down the country and around the world with his signature comic style. From Edinburgh to Montreal and London to New York, he has had a successful career in stand-up, bringing joy and laughter to an array of audiences. Similarly, his writing career has also gained him numerous fans as he ponders about the world we live in and looks back at his life with careful introspection.
In this special interview, Dan Antopolski tells us his thoughts on how he thinks comedy has changed as well as sharing his views on 'cancel culture' and how comedians can navigate through a world of political correctness. He also reflects on this past year with numerous gigs cancelled and postponed and offers an insight into life as a performer as well as looking back on his early successes.
Welcome back to a brand a new season of Up Close with Carlos Tseng. In this season we will be speaking to more Arts & Entertainment creatives and we are very fortunate to begin this season with an acclaimed actor and playwright: Reuben Johnson.
Hailing from Salford, Reuben Johnson's career has taken him to Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Doctor Who and has won a Methuen Drama Award for Emerging Artists. Dividing his time between performing and writing, Reuben has continued to champion spoken word and entertainment through thought-provoking and innovative works like his debut play 'Territory' and 'The Terminal'. He also had a recurring role on BBC drama 'Prisoner's Wives' where he played Sean Lowe opposite a cast that included Emma Rigby and Phoebe Dynevor.
Now, Reuben Johnson is currently preparing to take on a new production of 'The Hounds of Baskerville' at Octagon Theatre, Bolton after a year which has seen much suffering for the theatre community. Soon, his new play 'Arthur/Merlin' will also be playing at the Actor's Church with Iris Theatre. It's certainly an exciting time Reuben as he shares his experience of living through the COVID-19 pandemic and his hopes for the future.
For over 30 years, Anna-Jane Casey has dazzled audiences with her natural talents as a singer, actress and dancer. A true triple threat performer with lead roles in West Side Story, Mack and Mabel and Cats under her belt, Anna-Jane Casey has had an incredible career on stage starring in some of the West End's biggest shows. Performances with the John Wilson Orchestra at the BBC Proms have also led to wider audiences familiarising themselves with the star. Over the last year however, we have also seen her trading the stage for a delivery van as she delivered parcels whilst the ongoing pandemic has meant theatres have had to stay shut.
In this exclusive interview, Anna-Jane Casey sat down to talk about how she has overcome the surprising challenges of home-schooling her two children as well as what it has been like being a delivery driver. We also look back on a truly remarkable career as one of UK Theatre's finest leading ladies. As we reflect over the last year, it seems certain that when theatres reopen, audiences will once again be dazzled by Anna-Jane and we can't wait.
After over a decade as a musical theatre performer, delighting audiences in the West End and across the country, Andy Coxon set off on a new venture as co-founder of award-winning deodorant brand Akt London. Along with his friend Ed Currie, they sought to create a product that would bring about real results for their sweat problems. After trying and testing their deodorant balms on other West End performers, they found a winning formula which has now also found success with those outside the performing arts sectors.
This summer will also see Andy Coxon returning to the stage after a year away from performing where he will reprise his role as Brian in Scott Alan song-cycle The Distance You Have Come. After a short run in 2018, Andy teases a few details about how the upcoming production will be slightly different and what he hopes audiences will take away from the show. In this interview, he also reminisces about highlights from his performing career in shows like West Side Story, Curtains and The Last 5 Years.
Lauren-Nicole Campbell is Cosmopolitan's newest Contributing Curve Editor and the proud CEO of Fashion Killer. As a plus size social media influencer, she has amassed 10,000s of followers across social media platforms including Instagram and TikTok, exploring and expressing her love for fashion, beauty and lifestyle. A keen advocate for women's rights and representation, Lauren-Nicole remains committed to her values as a businesswoman across her line of work.
In our interview, we talked about what it means to be a social media influencer and how to monetize off her platforms across online networks. As the CEO of Fashion Killer, she works with writers from all backgrounds and tells us about the importance of open discussions around self-expression and how that can lead to healthier relationships with those around us as well as with ourselves.
After graduating from Royal Academy of Music, Joe Thompson-Oubari has gone from strength to strength in his pursuit of a career in musical theatre. An early passion for the young performer, Joe has been performing for most of his life. After sharing the stage with Hiba Elchikhe in a cabaret performance in Soho, Joe has most recently been seen in Theatre Royal, Windsor pantomimes 'Aladdin' and 'Cinderella'. Now with the pandemic still circulating, he is about to be seen in a special online streamed production of Adam Gwon's 'Ordinary Days', alongside Will Arundell, Nic Myers and Bobbie Chambers from the Theatre Cafe.
In this special interview, Joe tells us how he made the switch from Civil Engineering to Musical Theatre and describes his experience of training and working in the industry so far. A proud descendant of Moroccan heritage, we also talk about the importance of diversity and fair representation in theatre and the arts. 'Ordinary Days' is streaming from The Theatre Cafe 31st March-6th April.
One of the most exciting acts to recently come out of London School of Musical Theatre, Freddie King has found audiences wooed by his sonorous voice and boyish good looks. From his debut at Union Theatre's revival of 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' to a special staging of Stephen Sondheim's 'A Little Night Music' last Summer, we can see a long future for the West Midlands native.
In this exclusive interview, we find out what first attracted Freddie to the stage and what it was like taking on a dream role in Holland Park during a pandemic. As well as a huge talent to share with audiences, we also discover a warm and humorous personality. At age just 23, we look forward to what Freddie has to offer in the years ahead.
Undoubtedly one of the best loved stars of the West End, Kerry Ellis has taken on some of the most coveted roles from Eliza Doolitle in 'My Fair Lady' to Grizabella in a revival of 'Cats' at the London Palladium. As Elphaba in 'Wicked', Kerry became one of the biggest names in musical theatre, later on also becoming the first British Elphaba on Broadway. Also boasting a successful recording career, she has frequently collaborated with Brian May and performed in concerts all around the world. More recently she has also launched a popular new podcast 'Keep Calm and Kerry On' featuring some of the biggest stars of the stage.
In this special interview, Kerry Ellis looks back on the last year and how lockdown has changed her life. We also look at how the theatre industry has changed over the years and what her hopes are for the business after the pandemic. A true ambassador for British theatre, we all look forward to seeing Kerry on stage again and from this interview it seems she can't wait to get back too.
Over the last 30 years, Ria Jones has literally gone from Swansea and back as she continues to dominate the musical theatre space. After leaving school at 16, Ria Jones has taken on some of the most challenging and coveted roles. By age 19, she was the youngest actress ever to play the role of Eva Peron in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's legendary musical: 'Evita' and soon after made her West End debut in 'Chess'. In 1991, Ria was handpicked by Andrew Lloyd Webber again to workshop the role of Norma Desmond in his musical adaptation of Billy Wilder's iconic 1950 film: 'Sunset Boulevard'.
So how did Ria Jones go from performing in Swansea pantomime to leading a performance of the role she originated at the London Coliseum? In this interview, we dive into the depths of Ria's eclectic career, exploring what touring is like and how to carry out a performance 8 shows a week. Before heading into lockdown, Ria also took on the role of Mama Rose in 'Gypsy' so we know after the pandemic ends, we will get to see more of Ria on stage and we look forward to when that happens!
For 40 years, Tracie Bennett has been entertaining audiences with her tour-de-force performances on stage as well as for her portrayal of well-loved characters on TV. In this interview, we look back at some key highlights of her career such as her Tony Award nominated portrayal of Judy Garland in 'End of the Rainbow' and playing Sharon Gaskell in long running drama 'Coronation Street'.
After the pandemic hit, Tracie Bennett halted working on a Broadway revival of Martin McDonagh's 'Hangmen'. Still, she returned to the stage to rapturous applause at the end of 2020 when she performed in Alex Parker's 'Kings of Broadway' concert alongside other West End stars. In this way, we can expect to see more energetic performances from Tracie Bennett for years to come and we look forward to the day we do.
In this week's episode, we sat down with Joey D'Rozario, founder and CEO of Velvet Skin Inc. Over the last few years Joey has gone from strength to strength with his skincare line which features a range of facial oils and he has recently released a widely praised shower oil. Using natural ingredients, Joey hopes to revolutionise the beauty industry into a more inclusive and more eco-friendly place.
Joey D'Rozario is also a writer for Speak Out and Fashion Killer magazines. His writing has caught the attention of various publications and as his journalistic portfolio continues to grow, he shares some insight into how his style has evolved as well as his interest in the beauty and fashion industry.
Welcome to the first episode of Up Close with Carlos Tseng. We are joined by award winning actor Andrew Lancel who looks back on his career, first breaking out on the TV scene with Cardiac Arrest before moving onto play signature parts in The Bill and Coronation Street. Since then, Lancel has also returned to the stage, notably portraying Beatles manager Brian Epstein in Epstein - The Man Who Made the Beatles and Cilla the Musical.