As the Actress said to the Critic

Trailed last week in our main episode, editor-in-chief Alex Wood sits down with Alan Cumming, who has just announced a jam-packed, star-studded first season at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. He may not be taking a salary, but he isn't taking his time either – delivering a huge bill of shows with strong international names. He also discusses his time workshopping the all-male Company under the direction of John Tiffany, and what he hopes to achieve for the much-loved Scottish venue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a week Sarah Crompton and Alex Wood have had! Not only did they have a trip to Panem to sample the stage adaptation of The Hunger Games (the results left a lot to chew on), but Sarah's been down to Middle Temple Hall to celebrate a brand new initiative to help make Shakespeare more accessible in schools, courtesy of the Foyle Foundation and the RSC (with a helping hand from Helen Mirren, Adjoa Andoh and Ian McKellen). Meanwhile, Alex has been chatting all things new seasons with Alan Cumming, who just unveiled his brand new programme at Pitlochry Festival Theatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this WhatsOnStage Podcast special, two of the stars of the Donmar Warehouse production of Next to Normal – Caissie Levy and Jack Wolfe – reunite as they both take on Broadway at the same time. The pair are currently starring in separate shows – Levy as Mother in the critically lauded revival of Ragtime, Wolfe in the role Orpheus in the much-loved Hadestown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah and Alex have been watching Mr Burton, the film about Richard Burton's early life starring Toby Jones that gets its TV on BBC on the centenary of his birth. And also Wild Genius, a documentary about this fascinating man who changed the course of acting and of celebrity. They've also begun to choose the most promising Christmas shows including BFG at Stratford, and Sherlock and the 12 Days of Christmas which reunites Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode, editor-in-chief Alex Wood chats to James Hameed and Arti Shah - the two performers who sent social media into meltdown on Saturday night when the musical version of Paddington had its first preview. Alongside the creatives, Shah and Hameed details the long process required to make Paddington work - and how it has been rehearsing for such an eagerly anticipated show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this bonus episode, we're joined by one of the most prolific producers in the business – Colin Ingram. He's the award-winning mind behind Back to the Future: The Musical, Ghost, and Grease The Musical, and this year marks the 20th anniversary of his company, Colin Ingram Limited. In our podcast he weighs in on the star casting debate, the future of the West End, his turbulent time with balloons at Les Misérables anniversary concert and what drives him onwards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Norris, Tilda Swinton, Gary Oldman, Ryan Calais Cameron, Robert Aramayo, John Proctor is the Villain and so much more – the Royal Court season is celebrating its 70th birthday in style. We hop into artistic director David Byrne's office to get the lowdown on his programming choices – how he's both honouring and winking at the history of this home for new writing. Plus – his experiences watching Andrew Lloyd Webber watching John Proctor is the Villain – and the moment Arthur Miller had beef with the Court... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah and Alex meet up from opposite sides of the Atlantic to discuss the latest hot news in theatre including Chris Pine's casting in Ivanov at the Bridge Theatre, how Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter are landing on Broadway in Jamie Lloyd's Waiting for Godot and why the new stage production of The Hunger Games found itself in a lose-lose situation with its first preview Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this special Monday bonus episode, we hopped over to the Garrick Theatre to check in with the stars of The Producers, Andy Nyman and Marc Antolin, who had a very special announcement for the five-star West End production... The duo have been playing the two lead roles in the show since it opened to acclaim at the Menier Chocolate Factory – it now settles in for a stay at the Charing Cross venue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following a high-profile launch for the Women's Health in Theatre report at the Harold Pinter Theatre last week, chief critic Sarah Crompton sat down with the report's pioneer, award-winning producer Emily Vaughan-Barratt, at her offices in London. The report's finding were an uncompromising reminder of the constant hurdles placed in front of women in the theatre industry - with issues around fertility, menopause and childcare all brought into sharp focus. The report didn't just cover those on stage - but also those behind the scenes and working across theatreland's offices and front-of-house areas. So what are the next steps? How can the situation be helped? And who are the unsung heroes helping those in need? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we head to the US where editor David Gordon sits down with director Bill Condon to discuss his new movie version of Kiss of the Spider Woman. Together they explore his approach to adapting the acclaimed story for the stage, the themes of identity and survival, and the creative process behind bringing such an iconic work to life. It's an insightful look at storytelling, collaboration and the enduring legacy of Kiss of the Spider Woman. David also chats to break-out star Tonatiuh about his role in the new flick. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To be or not to be - that is the question... Or is it "Do You Hear The People Sing?" As Les Misérables celebrates 40 years in the West End, Sarah and Alex reflect on the runaway success of the iconic musical that has enchanted audiences for decades. What does it say about the critics that they got it so wrong? Meanwhile, the National Theatre has opened a new production of Hamlet - laden with Easter eggs and references - and a standout performance that wowed Sarah! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're heading to Manchester to celebrate a remarkable milestone. It's been ten years since the Hope Mill Theatre first opened its doors, transforming a former textile mill into one of the country's most respected independent producing houses.With just over 145 seats, it's an intimate space that's punched well above its weight — staging acclaimed revivals and brand-new work alike, and helping to launch careers both on and off stage. Its productions have included the award-winning Spring Awakening, Rent, Mame, and, later this month, the team are bringing Young Frankenstein to the Hope Mill stage. And looking ahead to 2026, they're taking on their biggest project yet with High School Musical at The Lowry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah and Alex catch up on the latest in a hectic season of theatre and talk about why The Weir by Conor McPherson really is one of the great plays of the past 50 years. And - actors getting wet is always irresistible, but does it just make you think about drainage? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a little midweek episode, we bring you red carpet interviews from London and New York. On Sunday, Rachel Zegler picked up the Best West End Debut Performer award at The Stage Debut Awards in London for her performance leading Evita in the West End, while over in New York, the stars of the forthcoming production of Chess came together to discuss making all the right moves in the upcoming revival of the much-loved show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Jane Austen celebrates her 250th birthday, Ava Pickett has adapted Emma for the stage. She's taken a radical approach. She talks to Sarah about why Austen is still the best portrayer of complex women, how hard it is to write comedy, the freedom of writing period drama and why the craft of women writers still isn't recognised. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you bring a play into the present day? That's the question facing playwright Rob Madge and director Sophie Drake, as they bring Brandon Thomas' 19th century gender-hopping farce into the present day. The show opens at the rustic, beautiful Watermill Theatre, and marks a first collaboration for the award-winning duo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nima Taleghani is best known as Mr Farouk in Netflix's Heartstopper. Now his first play - an adaptation of Euripides' Bacchae - has become the first debut play in the Olivier theatre. And it opens his director Indhu Rubasingham's first season as artistic director of the National Theatre. They talk to Sarah about making classics contemporary, rhyming verse and why theatre - like life - is best when it's a little bit cheeky and a little bit risky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a WhatsOnStage Podcast first, we exclusively reveal who will be playing the Witch in Jordan Fein's upcoming Into the Woods revival, playing at the Bridge Theatre from early December. We want to hear about how it feels for the performer to appear in their first EVER Sondheim production, and what might be in store for audiences when they head over to the Bridge this winter… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah and Alex make their top picks for shows towards the end of the year from plays such as End, The Line of Beauty and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo to the great raft of musicals coming our way. Plus, how will Paddington tackle the bear question? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another mid-week bonus episode of the WhatsOnStage Podcast sees Alex talking to the team behind the world premiere production of 13 Going On 30 The Musical, which opens this September in Manchester. Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith, who penned the original Hollywood classic, are back at the helm of the new stage production, which reunites Lucie Jones and David Hunter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Emma Rice rechristened her company Wise Children with the new name Emma Rice Company, and we took the opportunity to sit down and reflect on her career so far – from touring new work, to enchanting families at Christmas and taking productions across continents. She explains her efforts to try and solve the problems around regional tours, her opinions on her time as artistic director at Shakespeare's Globe, and the magic of working with Ncuti Gatwa. And, controversially, that she thinks Chekhov is boring. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we sit down with Olivier Award-winning actor Kyle Soller to talk about his latest role in Romans, a novel, Alice Birch's ambitious new play at the Almeida Theatre. Directed by Sam Pritchard, the piece is a sweeping exploration of masculinity from the nineteenth century to today. Kyle reflects on what drew him to the project, the challenges of embodying such expansive storytelling, and how Romans fits within his acclaimed career spanning stage and screen, from The Inheritance to Andor (and that famous bed scene). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the nights draw in, Sarah and Alex discuss some of their favourite shows about to hit the stage in the next couple of months including a stage version of The Hunger Games, the return of the Conor McPherson classic The Weir and appearances from Joe Alwyn, Nicola Walker, Letitia Wright, Susan Sarandon and many more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As she wraps up a month at the Edinburgh Fringe, Laura Benanti travels south to present her solo comedy show Nobody Cares. She explains her inspiration for the show, why it isn't like anything else she's done on stage, and how she's found a month of performing at the iconic Scottish arts festival. Oh, and why it's such a scary time for comics in the current climate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a packed agenda on this week's episode of the WhatsOnStage Podcast. First up, Sarah reflects on her latest trip north of the border to talk on a panel about all things criticism, alighting on the subject of critic Arifa Akbar's wonderful series on criticism available on BBC Sounds. From there, Alex and Sarah mull over Sarah's fantastic interview with Alicia Vikander, due to sail onto the London stage this autumn in The Lady from the Sea. Finally, the pair discuss the hot topic of stage door etiquette and expectations, after Broadway legend Audra McDonald posted a video about an intense experience after a performance of Gypsy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by two leading lights of musical theatre who are stepping into one of the most beloved shows in the canon. Phillip Attmore and Lucy St. Louis star as Jerry Travers and Dale Tremont in Top Hat at Chichester Festival Theatre this summer, taking on roles made famous by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. We also discuss how the Harlem Renaissance influenced the original film, what it was like when press night had to be restarted, the importance of representation on stage, and why musical comedy performances don't always get the recognition they deserve. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah has been to the Edinburgh Festival at the same time as Oasis and Liam Gallagher chose to make a few choice remarks about there being another event up the road. She and Alex discuss why his comments - he said the festival consisted of people “juggling f---ing b------s… swallowing swords” and “s----y card tricks” - cut against the spirit of festivals. And why a new book about the Greenwich and Docklands International Festival's first 30 years sums up the unique appeal of that particular event. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Newton has won over millions of hearts as Colin Bridgerton, but will face a wholly different challenge when he stars in Darrah Cloud's House of McQueen off-Broadway at The Mansion at Hudson Yards. Newton will take on the role of Lee Alexander McQueen, more commonly known simply as Alexander McQueen, in a show based on the iconic fashion designer's life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's wedding season and Alex is away at one of the numerous celebrations he's been invited to this summer. Which made him and Sarah think about the way that weddings are used on stage, screen and television. As Beth Steel's Till the Stars Come Down packs them in in the West End, they look back at plays by writers such as Lorca, Shakespeare and more surprisingly Brecht have used the conventions, tensions and hidden dramas of marriage to unpick uncomfortable truths about human nature and how sometimes a wedding ceremony will reveal more than than the bride and groom had bargained for. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

West End star Rosalie Craig will be returning to the stage this summer to appear alongside Sean Hayes in the London transfer of Good Night, Oscar, now playing at the Barbican Theatre. We sat down to have a virtual chat about the show, why it fits the Barbican so well and how for Craig, it's something of a homecoming. Beyond that, she also pined for an actor-musician version of Company – perhaps reuniting with her former co-star, and clarinet-playing friend, Jonathan Bailey... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah and Alex pick up the debate about the role of criticism triggered by the New York Times decision to take three critics off their customary beat. And apply the lessons to the extraordinary range of reactions to Burlesque. And Alex reports back from Jesus Christ Superstar at the Watermill and Top Hat at Chichester. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We checked in with Emma De Souza, executive director of audience and commercial at Society of London Theatre and the mastermind behind the long-running audience development initiative, Kids Week. The scheme provides free theatre tickets for youngsters accompanying paying adult punters – a huge move in order to encourage the audiences of the future into the West End and beyond.Decades on from its launch, De Souza reflects on where Kids Week went so right, and why we live in unprecedented times for theatre audiences – and those who may one day build a lifelong love for all things stage. If you want to know more about how you can benefit from Kids Week, it runs until the end of August – so plenty of time to participate! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah is still swanning it up in bella Italia (the country, not the restaurant), so Alex has brought in TheaterMania's editor-in-chief David Gordon to comb through two big stories in theatre this week. First of all, the turbulent Burlesque the Musical has had its opening night at the Savoy Theatre, with Alex giving his verdict on the production – and whether or not the behind-the-scenes controversy was over-sensationalised. Then – David reflects on his trip to Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts - where lines from a review spark public outcry from a production's director. Can creatives respond to reviews? And how does ALL of this play into what's happening at the New York Times? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a special midweek episode, three former Elphabas – Louise Dearman, Kerry Ellis and Rachel Tucker – come together to discuss the legacy of Wicked and the new surge in love for the franchise after the release of the hit film. The trio will be appearing together for a special concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane at the end of August, and have used this opportunity to reflect on the lasting legacy of the production, and how it set the blueprint for the modern musical – and its very devoted fanbase. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Edinburgh Festival approaches Sarah and Alex cast their eye over the listings to see if they can pick the hottest shows and the most promising futures. Plus a WhatsOnPage bonus of their holiday reading lists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex and Sarah will be back on Friday, but in the meantime we've dedicated an episode to a British show that continues to conquer both sides of the Atlantic, having been crowned the 2024 Best New Musical at both the WhatsOnStage and Olivier Awards in London and receiving four Tony nominations (winning one) in New York – Operation Mincemeat. We paired up co-creator and original cast member Natasha Hodgson (now performing at the Golden Theatre in NYC) with current West End company member Alex Young, who both play the role of Ewen Montagu (and others) in the SpitLip musical comedy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode of the WhatsOnStage Podcast, Sarah and Alex plunder the letter bag to tackle some tantalising listener questions – with subjects ranging from cleaning costumes (very topical in the ongoing heatwave!) to the importance of intervals. Finally, they take a trip down memory lane to think about productions they'd love to have seen from years gone by. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar celebrating a lengthy summer run at the award-winning Watermill Theatre in Newbury, Alex Wood popped into the rehearsal room to find out how the show is being performed by a group of actor-musicians - transplanting the tunes and placing them slap bang in the heart of the action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we put out our main episode two days early (go back and give it a listen!) – here's something to take you through the weekend. In what is our last episode on Evita for a while (we promise), we sit down with star Rachel Zegler and team behind the new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Evita at The London Palladium. They spill the beans on that infamous balcony scene, the chance to revitalise classic musicals for new audiences, that staggering choreography and what the future might hold for the show... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an excitable episode (fuelled by the heatwave), Sarah Crompton and Alex Wood unite to chew over Jamie Lloyd's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Evita, starring Golden Globe winner Rachel Zegler – now that the embargo has lifted. After that, the pair discuss other shows that have wowed them in recent weeks – including a surprise and special hit in the form of Intimate Apparel at the Donmar Warehouse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As her brilliant play Till the Stars Come Down transfers to the West End, playwright Beth Steel talks to Sarah about her unexpected discovery of theatre and the mental blocks and financial obstacles that stop working class voices being heard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With this week's main episode coming out two days early, special guest Katie Brayben joins Alex Wood for a Friday chitchat. The two-time Olivier Award-winner will be returning to the role of Elizabeth in the hit Bob Dylan musical Girl from The North Country, now playing once more at the Old Vic in London. Other topics include Brayben's time in Tammy Faye, the state of new musicals and the problems performers face with social media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a two-part episode as Alex and Sarah reunite after a few weeks out in the wild! Social media is all abuzz with clips of Rachel Zegler's performance of "Don't Cry For Me Argentinia" in Evita at The London Palladium. The only ones not talking about it? Theatre critics – who have to wait until early July to give their verdicts on the show. With weeks of embargoes, are critics having a tough time either cutting through the social media noise, or even being able to say anything before a show's initial excitement has died down? Separately, Sarah has some thoughts on the increasing trend towards the obligatory standing ovation – do more audiences need to sit down and stop rocking the boat? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Rachel Zegler prepares to take on the role of Eva Peron in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's ageless classic, Sarah sets out to find out more about the London Palladium production. Plus what was it like working with Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell and how did they cope with the crowds mobbing Sunset Boulevard in New York Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sunday night saw the winners crowned at the Tony Awards in New York. While new musical Maybe Happy Ending may have been the big winner, there were plenty of awards dished out to UK-originating shows, including Operation Mincemeat, Stranger Things: The First Shadow and more! We hear from all of them… while Andrew Lloyd Webber explains why a Sunset Boulevard film may not be happening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Description: With Tony Award-winning record breaker Stereophonic in previews in the West End, chief critic Sarah Crompton and managing editor Alex Wood hopped over to Sonia Friedman Productions offices to talk to Friedman in a wide-ranging interview. Topics included what makes new writing so enticing, why the Broadway model is so hard and why Broadway box office reporting is causing headaches all round. Plus how she's trying to find the next generation of audiences with Hugh Jackman, and why the future of UK theatre concerns her! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a bonus midweek episode, WhatsOnStage's editor-in-chief Alex Wood made the trip to the gigantic Olympia event space, home to the new Olympia Theatre. Currently in construction, the Olympia is due to open to the public in 2027. Alex had a word with Rosemary Squire, the co-founder of operator Trafalgar Entertainment, about what theatregoers can expect from the 1575-seat venue: including 100 toilets, a huge playing space and top class amenities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the week director Rupert Goold announced his farewell programme at the influential Almeida Theatre, Sarah and Alex talk about why his choices reflect his bold approach - and outline the excitements in store. And as Patti Lupone stirs controversy, can the old-fashioned, no holds barred interview survive? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a new report highlights the crisis in British theatres, Sarah and Alex reveal the depth of the difficulties caused by standstill subsidy and rising costs and in particular the challenges for regional theatre and touring Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a mid-week bonus episode, West End star Hadley Fraser discusses his array of new endeavours, including a brand new album, a major solo concert at Cadogan Hall and appearing nightly in the West End in The Deep Blue Sea. He also chats about gardening, parenting and his daughter's reaction to seeing him as a king in Disney's Snow White. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.