Interval

In this month’s episode, we’re transported to Texas for the brand new stage production of Holes! We hear from the man who inspired a generation to learn maths and science, Johnny Ball tells us all about his new show: Wonders Beyond Numbers. Plus, we share a tribute to our longstanding panto musical director, David Carter.

Stages of My Life features artists performing at Norwich Theatre, shining the spotlight on those crucial moments along the way that developed the artist into who they are today. Ore chats about his foray into musical theatre, sharing a role with Peter Andre and singing on the West End stage... in front of his dad! The TV and radio star has reported from the Rio Olympics, hosted on The One Show, and lifted the Glitterball in the 14th series of Strictly Come Dancing, all with an energy, charm and warmth which has endeared him to audiences. Now he is challenging himself yet again as he acts, dances and sings his way across the stage in the musical whodunit Curtains, at Norwich Theatre Royal from Tues 11 - Sat 15 February. The next episode of Interval will be released on Friday 21st February.

Ahead of the arrival of Les Miserables, we catch up with cast-members Nic Greenshields (Javert), Felix Mosse (Marius) and Dean Chisnall (Jean Valjean) plus take a look behind the scenes of the show. We also look ahead to some of the other early 2020 highlights at Norwich Theatre Royal, Norwich Playhouse and Stage Two

In our December edition of Interval, we catch up with the director of Holes, Adam Penford, who talks about why theatre for all ages is important to him. The theatre's Jo Reil talks about the amazing range of courses on offer whatever your ages, and we eavesdrop on rehearsal for the Norfolk and Norwich Operatic Society's production of Made In Dagenham.

In this month’s episode, it’s a pantomime special. Oh yes it is! We’ll be finding out all about our Cinderella cast, AND an exciting new partnership - bringing world class theatre and Premier League Football together.

In this month’s episode, the circus is in town. Lost In Translation are at Norwich Playhouse this Christmas putting their special twist on a Charles Dickens classic. And the pantomime season is almost upon us. Richard Gauntlett joins us for Stages of My Life, ahead of his upcoming role as The Fairy Godmother in Cinderella.

In this month’s episode, Jodie Prenger is back at the Theatre Royal, in the National Theatre’s re-working of A Taste of Honey. We’re joined by podcasting veterans The Football Ramble. Marcus & Luke give us their thoughts about Norwich City Football Club. Plus we take a closer look at the next edition of Creative Matters: Finding Refuge and Sanctuary.

On Saturday 31st August, we opened our doors! Catch up with the highlights of Open Day, including our Live interview with panto legend David Gant!

In this month’s episode, Liza Goddard from A Woman of No Importance joins us for a special edition of Stages of My Life. Producer of The Lovely Bones and the upcoming blockbuster Judy, Lee Dean tells us about his exciting projects. And at Norwich Playhouse, Come Dance With Me presents a blend of dance and dark humour. We spoke to the director Graham Howes and co-author Karen Lynne about the semi-biographical story.

In this month’s episode, we were lucky enough to chat to Matthew Bourne about his passionate and contemporary re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet. Literary icon Armistead Maupin is poised for an early autumn visit to us but why is he (and his work) so loved? Plus the Norwich Theatre Royal Youth Company takes a gritty play which explores the nature of friendship, celebrity and success down to the Playhouse this summer.

We visited the London Coliseum to attend the Launch Event of On Your Feet! The brand new musical tells the story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, chronicling their journey from its origins in Cuba, onto the streets of Miami and finally onto international superstardom. Hosted by Jamie Theakston, Q&A panellists included Gloria Estefan and Christie Prades, the actress taking on the role of Gloria in the West End production.

In this month’s episode, we’re celebrating the return of Creative Pride 2019! We chatted to Ty Jeffries, the brains behind the comic cabaret character: Miss Hope Springs. We spoke to Alexis Gregory, performing his verbatim play Riot Act, created with interviews from survivors of Stonewall. Plus we have a new episode of Stages of My Life. The Pub Landlord: Al Murray, joined us before his sold out show on Sunday 16 June!

In this month's episode, it's a Matilda The Musical special! Get ready for an absolute hammer throw! We've got incredible interviews with Miss Trunchbull (Elliot Harper), Mrs Wormwood (Rebecca Thornhill), Mr Wormwood (Sebastien Torkia) and Miss Honey (Carly Thoms)!

In a special bonus episode, we held a Q&A session after the first performance of Mark Morris Dance Group’s Pepperland. Audience’s got the chance to ask questions about the unique Beatles dance tribute to the composer Ethan Iverson and rehearsal director Sam Black. Listen to this fantastic post-show event and hear the next Interval episode on Friday 24 May.

In our Easter podcast, we chat to young local dancers who will be performing in Matthew Bourne’s newest production Romeo & Juliet. We also find out about the Norfolk schoolchildren who will be taking part in an exciting project which will see them perform on the Theatre Royal stage in a specially-commissioned band-new children’s opera based on Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and director James Dacre talks us through English Touring Opera’s production of Macbeth.

We're covering all bases in our bumper 10th episode of the Interval podcast! We hear from Mark Morris Dance Group's Pepperland and their dancers. We learn more about The Beatles influence with local 60s guru Nigel Pearce. We also chatted to Jane Asher on A Song At Twilight! Plus the fascinating poet Murray Lachlan Young takes part in our brand new feature: Stages of My Life.

In this month’s episode, we chat to Caroline’s Kitchen star James Sutton about tackling the dark comedy writing of Torben Betts, Charlie Clements joins the cast of The House on Cold Hill, in a brand new ghostly thriller, and we meet the actors in Street Life who are telling real stories of homelessness for a brand new production in Stage Two.

In this month’s episode, we chat to the legendary Simon Callow about his latest brush with Noël Coward, Scottish Folk musician Barbara Dickson who will be returning to the Theatre Royal and local writer James McDermott is exploring Living With Homelessness, as part of this year’s Creative Matters season.

In this month’s episode, we meet one of the cast of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s bold re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet, find out more about the exciting Rambert2 company who are set to make their Norwich Playhouse debut, and meet the Norfolk performing arts teacher enjoying a busman’s holiday taking on one of the lead roles in Guys and Dolls.

Well it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, so we have devoted our sixth episode to all things panto! In this podcast you will hear from our panto villain Rik Makarem, who TV viewers will know from Emmerdale and Casualty. He tells us about life in Soapland, the magic of panto for young children and his love of Formula One. Panto choreographer Dee Jago lets us in on the secrets of preparing the cast and panto babes for some spectacular dance routines, and we hear from our Genie Kiera-Nicole Brennan, a familiar face as a children’s presenter on Channel 5’s Milkshake, who is excited to be taking on a role more traditionally played by a man. We also talk to Jane Walsh, who produces the panto and is a font of knowledge on all the practicalities that need to be in place behind the scenes; Theatre Royal chief executive Stephen Crocker on our special Christmas Appeal which will help provide worthwhile projects by our Learning and Participation department; and last, but certainly not least, local boy Steven Roberts who will be flying high on his magic carpet as Aladdin.

In our fifth episode, the lads from The Full Monty reveal all about this award-winning show with some great hit music, iconic scenes and a heart-warming tale. We hear from Northern Ballet’s director of learning Leanne Kirkwood ahead of the company bringing The Nutcracker to Norwich and find out about the work of their education team. We also talk to our own Young Producers who are presenting a mini-festival of events in Stage Two in mid-November called Facing The Future, and we wrap up with a chat with Ashley Cousins who plays Soot, the chimney sweep’s ghost, in Awful Auntie.

Recorded live at this year’s Centre Stage event, members of the Theatre's executive team and board of trustees outlined the highlights of the previous year, as well as looking ahead to the future. Find out more about Norwich Theatre Royal, Stage Two and Norwich Playhouse in this bonus episode, featuring some exclusive announcements. You can read the full Annual Review at ntr.org.uk/AnnualReview The next episode of Interval will be available on Friday 19 October.

In our fourth episode, Mark Armstrong discusses the impact of Still Alice and his personal experiences with Alzheimer’s. We chat to the hilarious Nelson Gombakomba about his involvement in our new Creative Matters season: Black British Identity. Plus we hear from one of the longest serving dancers in the Rambert Company, Hannah Rudd on the company’s stunning new work Life is a Dream.

For fans of Miss Saigon, we recorded a post-show Q&A after a Norwich Theatre Royal performance. The panel included stars of the show Ryan O’Gorman (John), Aicelle Santos (Gigi), Elana Martin (Ellen) & Gerald Santos (Thuy). Audience members were able to ask questions and learn more about the epic production! Check out the fantastic live session, and hear the next Interval episode on Friday 21 September.

In our third episode, it's a kind of magic! We hear from Bronte Tadman, the only human character in Peppa Pig Live! After a quick visit to the Theatre Royal, we spoke to the artistic director of the National Theatre, Rufus Norris. At the Norwich Playhouse, we hear from Jamie Raven, a Britain's Got Talent finalist and one of the country's top magicians.

In our second episode, we chat to stars of Miss Saigon: Ryan O’Gorman and Gerald Santos (a huge pop star in the Philippines)! Over in Stage Two, we spoke to Kate O’Donnell, a transgender performer with a compelling story. Plus we caught up with the cast of Grease, celebrating 40 years since the film’s US release.

In our first ever episode, we chat to Shrek The Musical star Kevin Yates, originally from Kings Lynn and Nicholas Fretwell from Erpingham, an understudy with great promise in Love From a Stranger. At the Norwich Playhouse: Beyoncé does Boleyn, Hamilton does Howard in SiX: The pop musical tells the real story of Henry VIII's wives. Inspired by this Tudor remix, we visited the Maids Head Hotel with local historian Paul Dickson to learn more about one of the oldest hotels in the country.