Podcasts about hope mill theatre

Blair Russell is a Tony nominated producer and developer of theatre and live performance whose experience ranges from fringe festivals to Broadway shows.​Credits include STILL (Off-Broadway); LIZARD BOY (Theatreworks Silicon Valley, Hope Mill Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe, Off-Broadway, Oregon Shakespeare Festival); POP OFF, MICHELANGELO! (Edinburgh Fringe, The Other Palace - London); For Tonight (Adelphi Theatre - London); DIVA: LIVE FROM HELL! (Edinburgh Fringe, Kings Head Theatre - London); SALEM (50k followers, Green Room 42 - New York); and SLAVE PLAY (Broadway - 12 Tony Noms, West End). Other projects include THE WIZ (Broadway/ NT 2024), Sweeney Todd (Immersive Off-Broadway 2017), and GYPSY with Imelda Staunton (West End 2014). On the board of The New Harmony Project, Goodspeed Musicals, and SPACE. VCU Graduate. ​Blair has been a guest speaker/artist at a number of institutions including the University of Maryland, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Walnut Hill School for the Performing Arts, and the York School in Monterey, CA. Blair has served as the Producer-in-Residence for the Johnny Mercer Writers Grove at Goodspeed Musicals for two years. He was also a visiting lecturer for the semester-long Atelier program at Princeton University where he collaborated with composer Georgia Stitt on her oratorio The Circling Universe. Blair has appeared as a guest on a number of podcasts (American Theatre Artists Online, A Star Is Bored, Backstage Talk, Broadway ReFocused), web series (Actors Unscripted, Awkward Conversations, Be Our Guest! - Live and In Color, Dreamland XR, In The (Home) Office - Goodspeed Musicals), and at global conferences (National Alliance for Musical Theater, Global XR Conference, Immerse Global Summit Series)Blair Russell Productions, LLC (BRP) goes beyond the confines of traditional theatrical production. Driven by a desire to put art first, we consistently create opportunities for emerging artists, aiming to broaden the scope of who gets to make theater and who gets to consume it. We focus on finding innovative financial frameworks, following non-traditional development paths, and harnessing the latest in technological advancements.Founded by Blair Russell in 2018, BRP's journey in the theatrical landscape has been marked by a commitment to challenging the status quo. With every production, we prioritize making theatre accessible, ensuring that each story resonates deeply and widely.Blair Russell Productions continues to relentlessly support artists who are reimagining the idea of contemporary theatre. Our mission is unwavering: to bring bold narratives to diverse audiences while showcasing the impact and potential of modern storytelling.

Wendi Peters is starring as Florence Foster Jenkins in the revival of Glorious! at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester.Glorious! was nominated for Best New Comedy at the 2006 Olivier Awards and tells the true story of American socialite Florence Foster Jenkins, dubbed ‘the worst singer in the world', who was known for her flamboyant costumes, enigmatic performances and decidedly off-key voice. The revival is directed by Kirk Jameson. Wendi is an icon of stage and screen. Most recently she played Mother Superior in the UK tour of Sister Act. Just a few of her other theatre credits include Big The Musical, White Christmas, Oh What A Lovely War and many more. Wendi received huge acclaim for creating the role of Diana in the UK premiere of You Are Here at Southwark Playhouse, with her performance featuring in West End Frame's Top 5 Performances of 2021. On screen Wendy is beloved for her iconic performance as Cilla Battersby-Brown in Coronation Street (ITV), a role she played from 2003 to 2007 and again in 2014. Wedi has worked extensively on screen, most recently she played Nina Bulsara for a year in Doctors (BBC). In this episode Wendi discusses all-things Glorious! and also reflects on the path of her career, including some of the non-performing jobs she did early on, how Coronation Street changed things, what makes her say yes or no… and lots more along the way.Glorious! runs at the Hope Mill theatre in Manchester until 30th March 2025. Visit www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk for info and tickets. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Ahomka-Lindsay is back In The Frame! After leaving medical school to pursue a career as an actor, Michael trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He made his professional debut as Benny in Luke Sheppard's production of Rent at the Hope Mill Theatre and then toured as Maugrim in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.Michael last featured on the podcast after starring as Emmett in Lucy Moss' revival of Legally Blonde at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. After performing in To The Streets for Birmingham Hippodrome, Michael originated the role of Jack Kelly in the reimagined UK premiere of Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre and played David in the highly acclaim production of Choir Boy at Bristol Old Vic.Michael is currently coming to the end of his run as Clifford Bradshaw in the West End revival of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club and is rehearsing for the European premiere of Reverberation by Matthew Lopez at the Bristol Old Vic. Michael came into the podcast booth to discuss everything he's been up to over the past two years. He reflects on all-things Newsies, explains why Choir Boy was such a special job and talks about going straight from Cabaret to Reverberation, and lots more pops up along the way.Michael plays Cliff in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club until 21st September and stars in Reverberation at the Bristol Old Vic 2nd October - 2nd November 2024. Follow Michael on Instagram: @michaelahomka_ Hosted by Andrew Tomlins  @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Actor Rupert Hill was a very high functioning and pleasant drinker who could hide his alcoholism behind a successful career as an actor and publican which also helped fuel the denial. Over decades, Rupert's drinking became more and more unstainable - he found himself wanting a drink before going on stage and even in the middle of the night. Rupert decided to announce that he was sober on social media and has had the word "FREE" tatooed on the wrist of his drinking hand as a reminder to never go back. Rupert explains his slow decline into alcoholism and how and why he got sober - finding solace outside 12 step fellowship, self-help & gaining knowledge. Huge thanks Rupert for being so candid to help others! More on Rupert - Studied drama and theatre at Middlesex. Acting credits include TV shows like Holby City, Casualty and Coronation Street (Jamie Baldwin). Recent work includes Hollyoaks, Four Lives and Whitstable Pearl. He appeared in over 15 stage productions including Lady Chatterley's Lover and Wuthering Heights & directed the national tour of The Full Monty. Film credits include Awaiting and Entity &  features in 25+ radio plays. Rupert writes & directs his own films including; Molehills, Roll With The Punches and The Lookalike & recently wrote, co-directed, and starred in Operation Magpie, winning 'Best Actor' at Manchester Lift Off Festival. Debut play HUSK will stage at Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester, in September, focusing on alcohol addiction and he directs The Arden Drama School showreels and showcase. Rupert co-owns The Castle Hotel and Gullivers pubs in Manchester's Northern Quarter & recently took over The Lloyds in Chorlton. 0:00 Intro 3:15 Rupert's rock bottom 5:15 The beginning of Rupert's acting career 10:15 'Hair of the dog' turns to addiction 18:10 Drinking in the middle of the night & hiding it 21:55 Alcohol causing mental health problems? 25:40 The power of 'being present' 29:15 Sobriety & close relationships 33:15 Drinking turns unstainable & recovery 39:05 Being a sober publican! 42:35 Rupert's new play HUSK 46:15 How Rupert maintains his recovery For anyone struggling with these topics Rupert suggests reading Alcohol Explained by William Porter. This Podcast is not for profit but my goal is to break even. To help me make more please donate here. Thank you! https://bit.ly/3kSucAs Follow Rupert Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rupertsinclairhill Twitter/X - https://x.com/RupertHill Go see his new play! https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/event/husk Follow Oliver Instagram - https://bit.ly/3IemHLY Facebook - http://bit.ly/3w8S1Gx TikTok - https://bit.ly/3YGLsYm LinkedIn - http://bit.ly/3kp4ymC Threads - https://bit.ly/3svw7yL X - http://bit.ly/3GQYj2l Listen or watch on: (please subscribe/follow & rate/review) Spotify - https://bit.ly/3zqqR2J YouTube - https://bit.ly/45UHYWv Apple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQ #functioningalcoholic #recovery

Kayla Carter returns to co-host The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Kayla discuss Redcliffe (The Other Palace Studio) and the Spring Awakening 15th Anniversary Reunion Concert (Victoria Palace Theatre) as well as the latest news about Audra McDonald, Calamity Jane, Your Lie In April, The 39 Steps and more. After graduating from the Royal Academy Of Music, Kayla made her professional debut in Rent at the Hope Mill Theatre. Her theatre credits also include Bedknobs and Broomsticks (UK & Ireland Tour) and The Color Purple (UK & Ireland Tour). Most recently Kayla originated the role of Bonnie in the premiere of I Should Be So Lucky (UK & Ireland Tour). Kayla has done countless workshops, including Lovestuck, Jubilee, SuperYou, Prom Fever and Fangirls. Follow Kayla on Instagram: @kaylacarter_ Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.   

Fresh from starring in Ain't Too Proud, Cameron Bernard Jones is soon to be playing Collins in the new UK revival of Rent for Landmark Theatres. Cameron is originally from New York and has performed internationally in Porgy & Bess, Hairspray and Showboat. In the West End, he has been in Motown The Musical and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical in which he covered Ike Turner. Cameron was in South Pacific at the Chichester Festival Theatre, Punchdrunk's acclaimed porudction of The Burnt City and received a Black British Theatre Award nomination for his performance as the title role in The Wiz at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester. Cameron starred as Melvin Franklin in the original West End cast of Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations at the Prince Edward Theatre. Cameron is also a podcaster; he hosts and produces Lick The Plate, a podcast about people and food. In this episode, Cameron discusses his original journey into theatre, reestablishing himself in the UK and the highs and lows of his first contract as a West End leading man. He also reflects on navigating a career in theatre as a bass baritone and lots more. Follow Cameron on Instagram: @cbjartsFollow and subscribe to Lick The Plate wherever you get your podcasts. You can see Cameron in Rent at the Peterborough New Theatre and Queen's Theatre Barnstaple in June and July. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins  @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  46s Film Making 46s: Filmmakers talk origins, challenges, budgets, and profits.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Mairi Barclay is a musical theatre performer who spreads joy and sunshine everywhere she goes. Some people in life are your radiators and she is HOT!! I ADORE this gal! Known as the queen of self-care, this girl knows exactly how to reframe her world into the balance that we're all looking for. Mairi shares with us the reasons as to why resilience is key and how she has managed to navigate the choppy waters of acting so well, generously sharing her anxieties and learnings on the way. Mairi's journey into being a performer began at a very young age and by 10 years old Mairi knew this was her path. Growing up in Fife in a loving and supportive family, Mairi was just 13 when she moved to Glasgow to train in musical theatre alongside her classic education. The resilience she learned in these formative years would ground her and empower her for the tough years ahead. At just 16 years old she auditioned for a place at a prestigious drama school. Having been told she was too young for her dream school of Arts Ed, she embarked on her journey at Italia Conti. Knowing only a few months in that this was not the school for her Mairi bravely left Italia Conti and re-auditioned the year after for Arts Ed where she eventually got a place. Despite there being little funding available Mairi worked a part time job and somehow, with the grit and determination she had been nurturing since the age of 10, managed to pay for her training. Mairi shares with us the ups and downs of the industry, the incredible jobs she done and the times when she had month/years out of work. She talks about the toll this had on her mental health and the importance of her weekly therapy sessions with the industry minds councillor and ex-podcast guest, our beloved Mary Burch. Mairi generously shares her thoughts and experiences with body positivity in the industry and how her incredible role in Lizzie at our most favourite theatre, the Hope Mill Theatre was “the job never knew she needed”. We both make a huge shout out to Will and Joe at the HMT who are leading the way in creating kind, non-judgemental, inclusive rehearsal rooms in order for actors to feel safe and thrive.Mairi Barclay we absolutely love you. I feel happy and joyful when I'm with you. You are the light in the room. Instagram, Facebook and X@mairibarclay Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryan Carter (Ain't Too Proud / Choir Of Man) returns to The West End Frame Show!Andrew & Ryan have a conversation about the reaction to the Black Out Performances announced for Slave Play. They also discuss Standing At The Sky's Edge (Gillian Lynne Theatre), Cable Street (Southwark Playhouse), Side Show In Concert (London Palladium) and Before After (Southwark Playhouse) as well as the latest news about Cabaret, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Closer To Heaven and lots more. Ryan is an actor and all-round creative. On stage he has been in Motown The Musical (Shaftesbury Theatre), Choir Of Man (Edinburgh Fringe Festival), The Boyfriend (Menier Chocolate Factory) and The World Goes Round (Barn Theatre). Most recently Ryan played Smokey Robinson and covered Eddie Kendricks in the West End production of Ain't Too Proud (Prince Edward Theatre). As the creative producer of RyCa Productions, Ryan produced the acclaimed Refresh concerts as well as a series of shows at Jack Solomons. Ryan was one of the Creative Directors for Turn Up London, he was Creative Director of Digital Projects for The Barn Theatre where he made the interactive concert The Secret Society of Leading Ladies and worked on Now Or Never by Matthew Harvey. He was the Casting Director for The Wiz at the Hope Mill Theatre, has worked with Urdang and is currently working on the Spring Awakening concert (Victoria Palace Theatre). Follow Ryan on Instagram: @ryanjesse95 Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.   

Tim Mahendran is playing Gomez in the original cast of The Time Traveler's Wife at the Apollo Theatre. Tim did multiple read-throughs and workshops for the show, as well as the premiere run at the Storyhouse Theatre in Chester. Based on the 2003 novel and 2009 film, The Time Traveller's Wife has a book by Lauren Gunderson, original music and lyrics by Joss Stone and  Dave Stewart, additional music by Nick Finlow and additional lyrics by Kait Kerrigan. The production is directed by Bill Buckhurst and designed by Anna Fleischle, with choreography by Shelley Maxwell. Tim made his West End debut as a child, in the original London cast of 13 The Musical which was directed by the musical's composer, Jason Robert Brown. After training at Mountview, Tim appeared in Spring Awakening directed by Luke Shepherd at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester and The Midnight Children at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Tim originated the role of Francois in & Juliet at the Manchester Opera House and Shaftesbury Theatre. Tim has also worked on screen with his credits including Avalon and Channel 4's comedy The Horne Section and Stath Lets Flats for Roughcut and BBC. He is currently writing an exciting new project for screen. The Time Traveler's Wife is booking at the Apollo Theatre until 30th March 2024. Visit www.timetravellerswife.com for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins  @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Gregory Haney is playing Noxeema Jackson in the world premiere of To Wong Foo The Musical.Based on the 1995 film, To Wong Foo opens later this month at the Hope Mill Theatre. The musical is written and directed by original film screenplay writer Douglas Carter Beane, with music and lyrics by Lewis Flinn. Gregory is originally from US and started out performing on Broadway. His Broadway credits include Tarzan, Memphis, La Cienga  in Bring It On and Chistery in Wicked.After performing in Grease Live for Fox, Gregory joined the Broadway production of Hamilton as a swing. Hamilton later brought Gregory to London, when he was cast in the original West End production. After finishing in Hamilton, Gregory stayed in the UK. His most recent theatre credits include understudy Ike Turner in Tina (Aldwych Theatre), Speedy Valentine in Wonderful Town (Opera Holland Park) and Billy Flynn in Chicago (Ljubljana Festival). Follow Gregory on Instagram: @ghaney22To Wong Foo runs at the Hope Mill Theatre from 21st October until 17th December. Visit www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins  @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

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!

Over the weekend Mickey-Jo made the trip to the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester to see the European premiere of HEAD OVER HEELS, a recent Broadway musical that features songs by The Go-Go's. This new production stars Luke Bayer, Jenny O'Leary, Maiyah Quansah-Breed, Khadija Sallet, Iz Hesketh and more. Check out the new review video for Mickey-Jo's full thoughts on this new production of the vibrant, queer musical. • About Mickey-Jo: As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MickeyJoTheatre⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 60,000 subscribers. Since establishing himself as a theatre critic he has been able to work internationally. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows both in New York, London, Hamburg, and Paris. He has also twice received accreditation from the world renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK and LondonTheatre.co.uk. He has been invited to speak to private tour groups, at the BEAM 2023 new musical theatre conference at Oxford Playhouse, and on a panel of critics at an event for young people considering a career in the arts courtesy of Go Live Theatre Projects. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre

Olivier nominee Maiya Quansah-Breed is starring as Philoclea in the UK premiere of Head Over Heels at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester. Described as a "hilarious, exuberant celebration of love" and featuring songs by The Go-Gos, Head Over Heels follows the escapades of a royal family on an outrageous journey to save their beloved kingdom from extinction—only to discover the key to their realm's survival lies within each of their own hearts.Maiya originated the role of Catherine Parr in Six The Musical. She starred in the show's first UK tour, which included a run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, before opening the West End production at the Arts Theatre. Alongside the original line-up of queens, Maiya was nominated for the 2019 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical. Last year Maiya reunited with the original cast of Six for three special performances at Hampton Court Palace, before filming a live capture of the musical at the Vaudeville Theatre. She and the original queens have formed the girl group SVN. Maiya's other theatre credits include Mimi in Rent (Hope Mill Theatre), I Could Use A Drink In Conert (Garrick Theatre),  Laura in The Distance You Have Come (Apollo Theatre) and Martha in The Secret Garden In Concert (London Palladium).Head Over Heels runs at the Hope Mill Theatre until 4th March 2023. Visit www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk for info and tickets.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Actor Cameron Bernard Jones (Ain't Too Proud / The Wiz) joins West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins, to round up his Top 5 Performances of 2022!Thank you for listening to The West End Frame Show in 2022 and for sharing your top performances of the year - we included as many as possible in this episode. We're back tomorrow to round up our top shows of the year.Cameron is a West End performer, voice actor, bass baritone, accent coach, podcast host and poet. He is originally from New York and has performed internationally in Porgy & Bess and Showboat. In the West End, he has been in Motown The Musical and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.Last year Cameron appeared in South Pacific at the Chichester Festival Theatre before taking on the title role in The Wiz at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester.He has hosted two podcasts, Two Scoops and Cancelled.Cameron is currently appearing in Punchdruk's production of The Burnt City. Next year he is set to become a West End leading man and star as Melvin Franklin in the West End premiere of Aint Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations at the Prince Edward Theatre.Follow Cameron in Instagram: @cbjartsHosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Last week Mickey-Jo travelled up to Manchester to see the UK Premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA at the Hope Mill Theatre. The productions combines a classic score with a contemporary book and stars Grace Mouat and Jacob Fowler as Ella and Prince Topher. Check out the new review for Mickey-Jo's extensive thoughts on this magical musical and find out whether it deserves to be called GOOD Cinderella... • About Mickey-Jo: As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MickeyJoTheatre⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 60,000 subscribers. Since establishing himself as a theatre critic he has been able to work internationally. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows both in New York, London, Hamburg, and Paris. He has also twice received accreditation from the world renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK and LondonTheatre.co.uk. He has been invited to speak to private tour groups, at the BEAM 2023 new musical theatre conference at Oxford Playhouse, and on a panel of critics at an event for young people considering a career in the arts courtesy of Go Live Theatre Projects. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre

Musical Director, Producer and Writer Alex Parker (My Fair Lady / The Light in the Piazza) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!Andrew and Alex discuss Strictly Ballroom (New Wimbledon Theatre, UK Tour) and the WhatsOnStage Awards, as well as the latest news about Wicked casting, The Woman in Black closing, the Nanny McPhee musical and lots more. Alex is currently the musical director for the UK & Ireland tour of My Fair Lady directed by Bartlett Sher.Additionally, Alex is currently producing and musical directing a concert staging of The Light in the Piazza at the Alexandra Palace Theatre on 27th November with an all-star cast including Elena Shaddow, Amara Okereke, Jordan Luke Gage, Rebecca Lock and Amy Di Bartolomeo.Alex made a splash on the theatre scene when he produced and musical directed the London premiere of Stephen Sondheim's Putting It Together at the St James Theatre (now The Other Palace) starring Janie Dee. Most recently he produced and musical directed Wonderful Town at Opera Holland Park, Gypsy starring seven Roses at the Alexandra Palace Theatre, Sunset Boulevard at Alexandra Palace Theatre & Royal Albert Hall and his own musical AmDram at Leicester Curve.Alex has also produced and musical directed A Little Night Music on two occasions, at the Palace Theatre in the West End and Opera Holland Park.Alex was the musical director for Mame at the Hope Mill Theatre, The Color Purple at Leicester Curve and My Left Right Foot for the National Theatre of Scotland. Other shows that he has worked on include Sweet Charity, Barnum, Secret Diary of Adrain Mole, Wonderland, Working, Les Misérables, Stephen Ward, The Pajama Game, Soho Cinders and so much more. The list is endless!The Light in the Piazza is staged at the Alexandra Palace Theatre on 27th November 2022. Visit www.alexandrapalace.com for info and tickets.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Now for a roundup of accessible arts events as RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey catches up with Jess Beal from VocalEyes, the national audio description charity providing access to the arts for blind and partially sighted people to share some of the accessible events that are featured in their weekly email newsletter. Audio described shows and events included: Art Workshops at the British Library - Thursday 10 November, to 1 December 11am Northern Ballet's The Nutcracker - Saturday 12 November, 2.30pm, touch tour 12.15pm, New Victoria Theatre, Woking Demon Dentist - Saturday 12 November, 2.30pm, Hull new Theatre,  Marvellous, Thursday 17 November, 7.30pm, At Soho Place, London Cinderella - Sunday 20 November, 3pm, touch tour 2.10pm, Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester   Layers of Vision - Monday 21 November to Friday 16 December, Bush House, London To find out more about these and other up-coming audio-described arts events as well as details about how to sign up to the VocalEyes weekly email newsletter do visit the VocalEyes website - https://vocaleyes.co.uk (Image shows the VocalEyes logo. A speech bubble with 'VOCALEYES' written in bold black letters next to it)

Grace Mouat is currently starring as Ella in the UK premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester.  Cinderella is the only musical written for the television by legendary duo Rodgers & Hammerstein. Originally broadcast live in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, the broadcast was watched by more than 100 million people, before subsequently being remade for TV again in 1965 and 1997 starring Whitney Houston and Brandy.  A new Broadway version with a Tony-nominated book by Douglas Carter Beane premiered in 2013 featuring several fresh characters and songs. This will be the first time a fully staged version of the show has been performed in the UK, following a 2019 one-night concert version in London.  Grace was part of the original cast of Six. She understudied all six queens in the musical's original UK tour and Edinburgh Fringe season before becoming an alternate when Six began its West End run at the Arts Theatre.  Following a triumphant run in Six, Grace joined the original cast of & Juliet (Manchester / Shaftesbury Theatre) as Judith whilst understudying the title role. She went on to play Chrissy in Hair (Turbine), Chloe in Be More Chill (Shaftesbury Theatre) and Woman 1 in Closer Than Ever (BroadwayHD) before returning to & Juliet when it resumed its West End run, following the Covid-19 lockdowns, this time as the alternate for Juliet.  Most recently Grace played Pilar in Lucy Moss' revival of Legally Blonde at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.  Grace is part of the girl group SVN, alongside the original cast of Six. She previously hosted her own podcast Cut To The Grace and vlogged on YouTube. Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella runs at the Hope Mill Theatre until Sunday 11th December 2022. Visit www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk for info and tickets.  Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Jacob is currently preparing to star as Prince Topher in the UK premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester. Jacob joined the 2021 London production of Heathers at The Other Palace, understudying and regularly playing the role of JD. He went on to takeover the role full-time to huge acclaim.In 2020 Jacob won BBC reality show Little Mix: The Search as part of the band Simply September, and went on to support Little Mix on their 2022 Confetti Arena Tour. Jacob's theatre credits also include: Bobby in Dreamboats and Petticoats (UK Tour), Mohr in Vanara: The Legend (Hackmey Empire), Hunter in In Pieces (Turbine Theatre) and Kings Of Broadway (Palace Theatre). Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella runs at the Hope Mill Theatre 1st November - 11th December 2022. You can see Jacob in concert at Live At Zedel on Monday 26th September. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

From Medical School to Drama School to Harvard Law School!This week's guest is Michael Ahomka-Lindsay who recently starred as Emmett in the sell-out London revival of Legally Blonde directed by Lucy Moss at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.After leaving medical school, Michael pursued a career in performing and secured the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation scholarship to train at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. After graduating, Michael starred as Benny in Luke Sheppard's production of Rent at the Hope Mill Theatre. He then went on tour as Maugrim in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe before landing the role of Emmett in Legally Blonde. Michael can soon be seen in new musical To The Streets! in Birmingham which runs 19th - 28th August. In this episode, Michael discusses leaving medical school behind for theatre, life as an actor-musician, all things Legally Blonde and lots more! Follow Michael on Instagram: @michaelahomka_Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

My guest today is actress Ruthie Henshall. Ruthie's multi-award winning career has seen her star in the most popular musicals of the past thirty years including Cats, Miss Saigon, Crazy For You, She Loves Me, Oliver!, A Chorus Line, Les Misérables, Billy Elliot and Chicago. She has also enjoyed tremendous success in plays, in concert and on television. Ruthie recently returned to Chicago play Mama Morton in the West End, making her the only British actress to have played all three leading female roles in the show.  Ruthie's appearance in Crazy For You at the Prince Edward Theatre established her as one of the most popular stars in the West End. She was nominated for an Olivier Award for her performance and took the show to Canada where she played opposite Mickey Rooney. In 1994, Ruthie starred in She Loves Me at the Savoy Theatre, winning her first Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.I had the privilege of working alongside Ruthie this year in Stephen Sondheim's and James Lapine's Passion which ran for a limited season at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester. Coaltown Coffee A multi award winning small batch specialty coffee roastery from Ammanford South Wales.Support the show

Scott Hunter is currently starring as Max in the West End production of The Play That Goes Wrong! Following The Cornley Drama Society as they attempt to put on a 1920s murder mystery (with little success), The Play That Goes Wrong premiered on the London Fringe in 2012 and has been taking the West End by storm since opening at the Duchess Theatre in 2014. This marks Scott's second Mischief production, as they previously played Mel in Magic Goes Wrong at the Apollo Theatre. Scott was named Best Newcomer in the Manchester Theatre Awards for their role as Stu in Yank The Musical, a role they played to huge acclaim at the Hope Mill Theatre and Charing Cross Theatre, before reprising their performance for the show's 10th Anniversary Concert in New York at 54 Below. Scott's other credits include playing Blaine Tuttle in Cruel Intentions at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the recording of Something's Afoot The Musical. In this episode, Scott discusses finding their funny for The Play That Goes Wrong, their whirlwind journey with Yank as well as working in theatre as a nonbinary performer. The Play That Goes Wrong is booking at the Duchess Theatre until Sunday 2nd April 2023. Visit www.theplaythatgoeswrong.com for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Nick and June, After the Fact. A Handmaid's Tale Podcast Are you a fan of the hit HULU series, The Handmaid's Tale, who ships Nick and June? Are...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Classic Conversations: Pop Culture InterviewsPop culture influencers, TV stars, film actors, comedians, and musicians share...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Danny Whitehead is starring in the UK revival of Passion by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine at the Hope Mill Theatre. Danny starred as Raoul in the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre, as part of the final company of the original production. His theatre credits also include: understudy Enjolras in Les Miserables (West End), understudy The Wizard in Wicked (UK Tour), Sweeney Todd (Welsh National Opera), South Pacific (Barbican / UK Tour), 1418 The Spectacular WW1 Arena Musical (Mechelen Arena, Belgium), Rags (West End Gala), Secret Garden (UK Tour) and Breaking The Code (English Theatre, Frankfurt).Passion runs at the Hope Mill Theatre until 5th June 2022. Visit www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk for info and tickets.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

Cherelle recently recreated the role of Dorothy in the Hope Mill Theatre's major UK revival of The Wiz.As a child, Cherelle attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School and made her West End debut as Young Nala in The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre. After venturing into the music world, Cherelle returned to theatre as an adult to star as Mary Wilson in the original West End cast of Motown The Musical. Cherelle was with the show for the entirety of its three year run. In addition to playing Mary, Cherelle covered the role of Diana Ross and played the role on numerous occasions. Alongside her theatre work, Cherelle works in fashion and regularly gigs.Cherelle won rave reviews for her performance as Dorothy in The Wiz. Directed by Matthew Xia, The Wiz is a joyous retelling of L. Frank Baum's classic children's novel ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' reflecting contemporary African-American culture.You can follow Cherelle on Instagram: @cherellewilliamsxoHosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

Last weekend, we took a trip up north to Manchester for two days of Corrie themed goodness. During our time there, we enjoyed a play at the Hope Mill Theatre starring Sally Ann Matthews, had a drink with Charlie de Melo and Millie Gibson and took a turn about the set on the Coronation Street Tour. An all round fab weekend, and we hope you enjoy hearing about our experience!

Ep. 48! Give your standing O to Katy Richardson — music director of the West End production of Jersey Boys! Previous credits include SIX THE MUSICAL in the UK & RENT at the Hope Mill Theatre! Katy joined the JERSEY BOYS family in Fall 2021 as the first female music director in JB HERstory. (Get it? Because SIX? Huzzah!) HUGE congratulations!! Did you know that music directors in most contemporary musicals conduct the show AND play in the pit at the same time? Did you know that there are ZERO breaks for the musicians in all 2 hours and 30 minutes of JERSEY BOYS? Because the underscoring is a key storytelling element of the show, of course! Learn about the intricacies of music directing for this particularly challenging show from the maestra herself: -Her interview and audition for Jersey Boys UK Associate Music Supervisor Gareth Weedon. She played “Cry for Me,” “Sherry” and “Oh, What a Night” -“The Godfather” cue after the sit-down scene -The challenges of conducting with her left hand -A deep-dive into equipment for the musicians, including the MainStage program that hosts pre-recorded sounds. (Only $30!) Link below for our musicians out there! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mainstage/id634159523?mt=12 This episode was recorded February 8, 2022. A' Salud♥️

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!

#SpotlightOn is back for a new year and we're kicking off 2022 with a bang! Take a listen to find out how you can watch the incredible Hope Mill Theatre's production of The Wiz live in your living room: hopemilltheatre.co.uk/the-wiz-online

Now for a round up of accessible arts events as RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey catches up with Jess Beal from VocalEyes, the national audio description charity providing access to the arts for blind and partially sighted people to share some of the accessible events that are featured in their weekly email newsletter. Audio described shows and events included: Cinderella - Wednesday 29 December, 1pm, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre The Fir Tree - Wednesday 29 December, 6.30pm, touch tour 4.30pm, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, London Jack and the Beanstalk - Thursday 30 December, 1pm, Orchard Theatre, Dartford The Whiz - Saturday 8 January, 2.30pm, Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester & Juliet - Tuesday 18 January, 7.30pm, Shaftesbury  Theatre, London Hokusai: The Great Picture Book of Everything - British Museum online audio described tour, Wednesday 26 January, 6pm. To find out more about these and other up-coming audio-described arts events as well as details about how to sign up to the VocalEyes weekly email newsletter do visit the VocalEyes website - https://vocaleyes.co.uk (Image shows the VocalEyes logo. A speech bubble with 'VOCALEYES' written in bold black letters next to it)

Savannah is starring as Marmee in the London premiere of Little Women at the Park Theatre.Produced by Aria Entertainment, Hope Mill Theatre and Knockhardy Productions in association with Park Theatre, the musical is based on the 1868 novel by Louisa May Alcott. Little Women ran on Broadway in 2005 starring Sutton Foster. Savannah starred as Glinda in the West End production of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre for three years between 2013 and 2016. During her tenure, Savannah performed opposite Willemijn Verkaik, Kerry Ellis, Jennifer DiNoia and Emma Hatton as Elphaba.Just a few of Savannah's other credits include understudying Mary & Mrs Banks in the original production of Mary Poppins (Bristol & West End), understudy Scarlett in Trevor Nunn's production of Gone With The Wind (West End), Young Sally in Follies (Northampton Royal), Cinderella in Simply Cinderella (Leicester Curve), Martha in The Secret Garden (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Aspects of Love (Menier Chocolate Factory), Sybil in Chariots Of Fire (Hampstead & West End) and Guenevere in Camelot (London Palladium). Savannah has also participated in many workshops and regularly works on screen.In this episode, Savannah discusses the excitement surrounding Little Women's London premiere, the decisions she has made throughout her career and how it feels to be returning to theatre for the first time since becoming a mum.Little Women runs at the Park Theatre 11th November - 19th December. Visit www.parktheatre.co.uk for info and tickets.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

Theatre producer Chuchu Nwagu (The Wiz / Amelie) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew & Chuchu discuss The Show Must Go On (Palace Theatre) & You Are Here (Southwark Playhouse) as well as the latest news about Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Well-Behaved Women, Darren Day and the Make A Difference Trust plus lots more. Chuchu's projects include Riots and Greyson Matters as well as the West End transfer of Amelie at the Criterion Theatre and the upcoming revival of The Wiz at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester.     Follow Chuchu on Twitter @Chuchu_Nwagu and Instagram @cnwagu. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Visit www.westendframe.co.uk to stay up-to-date with our podcasting adventures. 

#MattHenry #TheVoice #KinkyBoots Meets Matt Henry. The Voice. Kinky Boots. Hushabye Mountain. Hope Mill Theatre. Olivier Awards. Welcome to That Stagey Blog podcast. This is an audio version of this interview which is also available as a video on YouTube.

Joseph Houston and William Whelton are award winning producers based in Manchester, England. Joseph and William chat with Curtis about the strategy of choosing their first shows, how they began the Hope Mill Theatre, the advantage of turning into a charity and how it is running a theatre with each other. Curtis also asks about how they obtained the rights to stream RENT and what their biggest challenge is today as producers.  — Connect with Joseph and William: Twitter: @Joseph_Houston @WilliamWhelton @hopemilltheatr1 Instagram: @hopemilltheatre Facebook: @HopeMillTheatre Website: http://hopemilltheatre.co.uk — Connect with the show: Twitter: @IWBAP_Podcast Instagram: @IWBAP_ Facebook: Iwannabeaproducerpodcast

Producer Katy Lipson (Aria Entertainment) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! We're also joined by actor & producer Lucy Eaton to discuss her new podcast Hear Me Out. Andrew & Katy discuss Brooklyn (stream.theare) as well as the latest news about Pretty Woman, The Lion King, & Juliet, Samantha Barks and more. Katy also discusses her upcoming productions of Cruise and A Killer Party. Katy founded Aria Entertainment in 2012. In 2017, Katy was awarded the Best Producer award by the Off-West End Awards and is a recipient of the Stage One Bursary and Start Up Award. She made “The Stage 100” in 2018, 2019 and 2020 for her work at Hope Mill Theatre and in 2021 for her work as a solo producer. Just a few of her many productions include the UK premiere of The Addams Family, the 50th anniversary production of Hair, Pippin at the Southwark Playhouse, Rags, The Return of the Soilder, Aspects of Love, The Last Five Years, Vanities, The Toxic Avenger and Mame. The filmed production of Cruise is available on stream.theatre 15th - 25th April. The play will then run in the West End at the Duchess Theatre 18th May - 13th June.   Visit www.cruisetheplay.co.uk for info and tickets. A Killer Party is being streamed 26th April - 23rd May on stream.theare.   You can follow Katy on Twitter @AriaEnts and Instagram @KatyAriaEnts Lucy Eaton most recently starred alongside Michael Sheen & David Tenant in Staged (BBC / Huli) written by her brother Simon Evans. Her theatre credits include: The Duchess of Malfi (Old Vic), A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (Trafalgar Studios), The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui (Donmar Warehouse) and Khadija is 18 (Finborough Theatre).  Lucy is the host of new podcast Hear Me Out. Each week, she asks a different guest about their favourite speech which leads to wonderfully insightful conversations. Guests include Mark Bonnar, Denise Gough, Adrian Lester and Claire Skinner. Hear Me Out is available wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Visit www.westendframe.co.uk to stay up-to-date with our podcasting adventures. 

In the first episode of our second season we chat to Will and Joe, founders of the hugely successful Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester. Will and Joe give us an insight into what it takes to run a theatre, their favourite shows and how they've responded to the challenges of lockdown. 

Blake is preparing to star in the online concert revival of Gatsby: A Musical which has been filmed at Cadogan Hall.Adapted by director Linnie Reedman, and with music and lyrics by Joe Evans, the show is streaming 26th - 28th February 2021.Last year Blake originated the role of Michael Mell in the London production of Be More Chill which broke all records at The Other Palace. He then starred as Mark in RENT at the Hope Mill Theatre. Blake's other credits include starring as Rusty in the 30th Anniversary cast of Starlight Express in Germany and playing Straight Dave in Closer To Heaven at Above The Stag.In this episode, Blake discusses the filming process for Gatsby, making the role of Michael Mell his own, why he adores working with Arlene Phillips and lots more.To book tickets for Gatsby: A Musical , visit www.webgig.tv.Follow Blake on Instagram: @BlakePatrickAndersonUK Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Aria Entertainment was founded in 2012 by Katy Lipson. In 2017, Katy was awarded the Best Producer award by the Off-West End Awards and is a recipient of the Stage One Bursary and Start Up Award. She made “The Stage 100” in 2018, 2019 and 2020 for her work at Hope Mill Theatre and in 2021 for her work as a solo producer.Katy produced the UK Premiere Tour of The Addams Family and the 50th Anniversary production of HAIR at the London Vaults, which she originally co-produced with Hope Mill Theatre in 2016, where she was the Producing Artistic Director for all in-house musicals from 2016 – 2019. HAIR (The Vaults) won the award for Best Off-West End Production at the 2018 Whatsonstage Awards and completed a major UK Tour in 2019. Their transfer of Pippin, which played at the Southwark Playhouse, was nominated for a record number of Off West End Awards. Their production of Spring Awakening won the award for Best Regional show at the 2019 WOS awards. In 2012, the bicentenary year of Charles Dickens' birth, she produced a revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood at the Arts Theatre, West End. This was followed by a transfer to the same venue in 2017 of new musical The Toxic Avenger following runs at The Edinburgh Festival's Pleasance Theatre and the Southwark Playhouse.Katy set up the From Page to Stage festival to support new musicals at all difference stages of development. In 6 years FPTS has given platform to over 100 new musicals of which many have gone on to have full productions and be licensed worldwide and now they run a full-time literary department for new musicals.Other productions include: Mame (UK Tour), which was nominated for 7 WhatsOnStage Awards and starred Tracie Bennett; Unexpected Joy(Southwark Playhouse and York Theatre, Off-Broadway); It's Only Life (Union Theatre); Mame, The Astonishing Times of Timothy Cratchit, Rags, Putting it Together, The Return of the Soldier, Pippin, Spring Awakening, Aspects of Love, Little Women, The ToyBoy Diaries, Yank!, Parade and HAIR (Hope Mill Theatre); the London transfers of Pippin (Southwark Playhouse) and Yank! (Charing Cross Theatre); Rags and tick, tick…BOOM! (Park Theatre); The Last 5 Years, Aspects of Love, The Toxic Avenger and Promises, Promises (Southwark Playhouse); Vanities The Musical (Trafalgar Studios); The House of Mirrors & Hearts(Arcola Theatre); See What I Wanna See and The Return Of The Soldier (Jermyn Street Theatre); The Adventures of Pinocchio, Lizzieand The Who's Tommy (Greenwich Theatre), Marry Me A Little, Jerry's Girls and Forever Plaid (St. James Studio); Bar Mitzvah Boy, That's Jewish Entertainment, Bette Miller and Me, The Jewish Legends, The Great Jewish American Songbook and The MGM Story (Upstairs at the Gatehouse and The Radlett Centre).Other current projects include: The Osmonds (UK Tour); C-o-n-t-a-c-t (Various Worldwide Productions); Sammy (Lyric Hammersmith); The Addams Family (UK Tour) and Elton John: It's A Little Bit Funny (UK Tour).Twitter: @AriaEntsWebsite: aria-entertainment.com

'There is no future, there is no past. I live each moment as my last' For our final episode of #LiveFromLockdown we are chatting about the one and only RENT Online, streamed by Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester. Lucy and Anthony chat about this wonderfully staged production and look back at some of their favourite streamed theatre moments!

Time for a new A View on Access from Tim Calvert!This week, a reflection of Rent - an online streaming experience from the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester, which is available in the UK throughout December 2020. Recorded from a live performance on November the 4th.For more information or to book a ticket visit hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/rent-onlineA View on Access is written, presented and produced by Calvert Creative Concepts for the audio description association - visit audiodescrisption.co.uk and RNIB Connect RadioFor more info on the project or to feedback email aviewonaccess@gmail.com

Kayla Carter, who recently appeared in Rent at the Hope Mill Theatre, co-hosts the 60th episode of The West End Frame Show! Andrew & Kayla discuss Rent (Hope Mill Theatre), Fiver (Southwark Playhouse) and Death Of England: Delroy (National Theatre) as well as the latest news about theatre shutdown, Romeo & Juliet, the Grammy Awards, new coffee table book Dear Audience and more. Kayla is a 2020 masters graduate from the Royal Academy of Music  and recently received rave reviews when she took to the stage at Hope Mill Theatre in Rent. The musical played to sold-out houses, and despite having its run cut short, is currently being streamed online. Kayla discusses belting at 1am, receiving mid-song applause and being a 2020 new grad. Rent is streaming online with specific dates and times until Sunday 20th December 2020. Visit www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk for more info and tickets. Follow Kayla on social media, @kaylacarter_ Hosted by Andrew Tomlins @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Visit www.westendframe.co.uk to stay up-to-date with our podcasting adventures. 

The Hope Mill Theatre (https://twitter.com/hopemilltheatr1) 's production of RENT is now steaming every Friday, Saturdy and Sunday until 20th December. Take a listen to this week's #SpotlightOn (https://twitter.com/ShowtimeURN) to find out exactly why you should watch this phenomenal piece of theatre! Get your tickets for RENT here: https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/rent-online And if you'd like to hear more about the background of this production, why not listen to Part 1 of Showtime's Spotlight On... RENT: audioboom.com/posts/7724994 (https://audioboom.com/posts/7724994-showtime-spotlight-on-rent)

Mike Bentley & Rich Agg bring you another wealth of great "Musical Theatre" music, local & national news and very Special Guests. This week's guests are the Founders and Directors of the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester: Joseph Houston & William Whelton.

The Hope Mill Theatre (https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/) 's live production of RENT may have unfortunately been cut short due to the new lockdown restrictions, but the show must go on! It'll still be availble online from 27th November to 20th December, with strictly limited tickets, so book now to avoid disappointment: hopemilltheatre.co.uk/rent-online (https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/rent-online)

Having recently completed her run as the alternate Tina in Tina The Musical, Jenny Fitzpatrick is currently starring in The World Goes ‘Round at the Barn Theatre in Cirencester. She can also be seen in the upcoming online revival of Godspell for the Hope Mill Theatre. Jenny made her professional debut in Henry IV Part I, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Camelot at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Her credits also include Nala in Legend Of The Lion King (Disneyland Paris), Ronnette in Little Shop of Horros (Menier Chocolate Factory/West End), Billie in Our House (UK Tour), Rose Seller in Oliver! (West End), Louise & understudy Oda Mae Brown in Ghost The Musical (Manchester/West End), Delores in Sister Act (Aberystwyth), A Pacificst's Guide To The War On Cancer (National Theatre), Muzzy in Thoroughly Modern Millie (UK Tour) and Lucius/Centurion in Boudica (Globe). Having played Tina Turner in the 2013 UK tour of Soul Sister, Jenny was the alternate Tina Turner in the original West End cast of Tina The Musical. On screen, Jenny has been seen in The Alienist, Mi High V 'Patient' and EastEnders. The World Goes ‘Round runs at the Barn Theatre from 24th August until 5th September 2020. Visit www.barntheatre.org.uk for tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Aria Entertainment was founded in 2012 by Katy Lipson. In 2017, Katy was awarded the Best Producer award by the Off-West End Awards and is a recipient of a Stage One Bursary and Start Up Award. She took part in the first ever UK/US Producer Exchange in 2019 and was nominated for International Producer Of The Year in 2020 by the League Of Professional Women in New York. She made “The Stage 100” a list of the most influential people working in British Theatre in 2018, 2019 and 2020 for her work as producing artistic director of the Hope Mill Theatre. Katy produced the UK Premiere Tour of The Addams Family in 2017 and the 50th Anniversary touring production of HAIR in 2019 which also ran at the London Vaults in 2017 and which she originally co-produced with Hope Mill Theatre in 2016, where she was the Producing Artistic Director for all in-house musicals from 2016 – 2019. HAIR (The Vaults) won the award for Best Off-West End Production at the 2018 WhatsOnStage Awards. She transferred a production of Pippin, to Southwark Playhouse, which was nominated for a record number of Off West End Awards and her production of Spring Awakening won the award for Best Regional show at the 2019 WOS awards. In 2012, the bicentenary year of Charles Dickens’ birth, she produced a revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood at the Arts Theatre, West End. This was followed by a transfer to the same venue in 2017 of new musical The Toxic Avenger following runs at The Edinburgh Festival’s Pleasance Theatre and the Southwark Playhouse. Katy set up the From Page to Stage festival to support new musicals at all difference stages of development. In 6 years FPTS has given platform to over 100 new musicals. Many have gone on to have full productions and be licensed worldwide. Aria runs a full-time literary department for new musicals. Instagram: @ariaents Host: Jamie Neale @jamienealejn Discussing rituals and habitual patterns in personal and work life. We ask questions about how to become more aware of one self and the world around us, how do we become 360 with ourselves? Host Instagram: @jamienealejn Podcast Instagram: @360_yourself Music from Electric Fruit Produced by Tom Dalby Composed by Toby Wright

Adam Robert Lewis sits down (virtually) with Olivier Award-Winning actress, Jenna Russell. Jenna Russell has built an impressive career carving a diverse list of productions to her name.Jenna discovered her love of Sondheim while studying at Syliva Young's Theatre School, it would be Sondhiem's score that projected Russell's career to new heights in 'Sunday in the Park with George'. Russell is renowned for bringing a sense of truth and realism into every musical role she portrays. It is said there is no better masterclass in 'Acting Through Song' than when Jenna is performing. Jenna discusses her life and career and talks frankly about her journey and her fight for a artistically fulfilling career. Jenna is currently rehearsing for the 50th Anniversary Concert of 'Godspell’, to be broadcast online, which has harnessed a fantastic cast. ‘Godspell’ will be made available to stream worldwide for three days on 27, 28 and 29 of August 2020. The concert will raise money for wonderful charities: Hope Mill Theatre, Acting for Others and National AIDS trust. For more information visit www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/brewingactors)

Adam Robert Lewis sits down (virtually) with director, Michael Strassen. In this episode, Michael discusses his early career as an actor and the path which led him to directing as well as the many challenges facing our industry.Michael is one of the most innovative directors working in London today and has directed many productions across the UK. He’s has had a long and fortuitous relationship with The Union Theatre where he has directed 'The Fix', ‘Duncton Wood’, ‘Pacific Overtures’, ‘Assassins’ and ‘Company’. Michael has taken on the challenges brought on by COVID-19 and how the pandemic has affected the Arts Industry. He has embraced Digital Theatre and is currently directing the 50th Anniversary Concert of 'Godspell’, to be broadcast online, which has harnessed a fantastic cast. ‘Godspell’ will be made available to stream worldwide for three days on 27, 28 and 29 of August 2020. The concert will raise money for wonderful charities: Hope Mill Theatre, Acting for Others and National AIDS trust. For more information visit www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk .to find out more information on Michael's work visit www.michaelstrassen.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/brewingactors)

Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak’s musical Godspell, based on the Gospel of St Matthew, is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary. To commemorate this, Thomas Hopkins & Michael Quinn for Ginger Quiff Media in association with Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre are to stream an online concert version of the musical in August 2020 with a cast headed by West End stars Ruthie Henshall, Darren Day, Sam Tutty, Ria Jones and Jenna Russell. Also starring is Jodie Steele, who was touring as Katherine Howard in the hit musical Six until the coronavirus pandemic caused the theatres to close. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Jodie a month before the concert about the show, recording her performance at home, finding out that Stephen Schwartz knew who she was, keeping her musical theatre school going online during the lockdown and her experiences as a West End understudy amongst other things, some of which she said she wasn’t sure if she was supposed to tell us. The 50th anniversary online concert of Godspell will be available from 27 to 29 August 2020. The performance is a charity event in aid of Hope Mill Theatre, National AIDS Trust and Acting For Others, with tickets at £15 available from the Hope Mill Theatre web site.

We have a bonus episode for you with West End Frame Award winner, Carolyn Maitland!Carolyn is currently playing Rebecca in Stephen Schwartz’s musical Rags at the Park Theatre. This production comes to London with a brand new cast, following its run at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester. In 2014, Carolyn won West End Frame’s Understudy of the Year Award for understudying the role of Ellen in the West End production of Miss Saigon. Since leaving Miss Saigon, she has gone on to play many leading roles including; Kathy Selden in Singin' In The Rain (Kilworth House), Sally Bowles in Cabaret (Aberdeen), Molly in Ghost The Musical (UK Tour) and Marian in The Woman in White (Charing Cross Theatre). Carolyn also returned to Miss Saigon to play Ellen full-time and most recently played Grace Farrell in Annie (Toronto/UK Tour). Carolyn’s extensive theatre credits also include; understudy Kate/Lilli in Kiss Me Kate (Chichester/The Old Vic), understudy Rita in Groundhog Day (The Old Vic), understudy Karen in From Here To Eternity (Shaftesbury), understudy Vivienne & Serena in Legally Blonde (Savoy), understudy Mabel, Serena & Miss Bell in Fame (UK Tour), understudy Gabriela & Taylor in High School Musical 2 (UK Tour), understudy Lucy in Jekyll & Hyde (UK Tour) and Mamma Mia! (International Tour).In this episode Carolyn discusses all-things Rags, her work ethic, working her way up to becoming a leading lady and her path into the industry. Rags runs at the Park Theatre between Thursday 9th January and Saturday 8th February 2020.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins.Please visit www.westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.Thanks for listening!

Busy theatre producer Katy Lipson divides her time between Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre and a raft of venues in London and across the UK. Her production company, Aria Entertainment, has two stellar shows transferring from Manchester to London (and other UK venues) this January, but took some time out tell us about her life, work and forthcoming productions. Rags the Musical – with lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked), music by Charles Strouse (Annie) and book by Joseph Stein (Fiddler) – follows Jewish immigrants working every hour G-d gives them to build a new life in turn-of-the-century America, while Mame (music and lyrics by the great Jerry Herman), a show replete with glitz and glamour despite its Depression setting, tells of the eccentric bohemian of the title, who steps up to care for her orphaned nephew.By Judi HermanRags the Musical runs Thursday 9 January – Saturday 8 February*. 7.30pm, 3pm (Thu & Sat only). £18.50-£32.50, £16.50-£23.50 concs, £15-£20 under-16s. Park Theatre, N4 3JP. 020 7870 6876. www.parktheatre.co.uk*On Sunday 19 January there will be a gala fundraiser: The Spark of Creation. This includes a panel discussion and Q&A, featuring Stephen Schwartz. 7.30pm. £60-£65. All proceeds go towards Rags the Musical.Mame: Life’s a Banquet runs Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 January. 7.45pm, 2.30pm (Thu & Sat only). £24-£40. Royal & Derngate, Northampton, NN1 1DP. www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Producers, Performers and Pooches!!! Joe and Will ... Let's talk.

In today’s Encore Meets episode, we meet Michael Matus. Michael is currently starring in The Astonishing Times of Timothy Cratchit, a new musical at Hope Mill Theatre, with book by Allan Knee and music and lyrics by Andre Catrini. About The Astonishing Times Of Timothy Cratchit:  The Astonishing Times Of Timothy Cratchit tells the tale of a young man who sets out to find his place in an expanding and volatile world. Inspired by the characters of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, the story follows the plight of young Tim from the home of his benefactor, Ebenezer Scrooge, to the theatrical madness of the great comic, Giuseppe Grimaldi.

We chat about Roles We’ll Never Play. Tom Duern. Union Theatre. Hope Mill Theatre. William Whelton. Joseph Houston. Jerry Springer The Opera. James Baker. Hair. Aria. Katy Lipson. Jonathan O’Boyle. Brooklyn the Musical. Sabrina Alouche. Bat Out of Hell. Freedom Bar Soho. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Manchester Opera House. Luke Bayer. Natalie Green. Caroline Kay. Amy Matthews. Courtney Stapleton. Boulevard Theatre. To book: https://boulevardtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/finale-andrew-patrick-walker/

Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester is continuing its run of revivals of musicals with the Jerry Herman show Mame, starring Tracie Bennett, Tim Flavin and Harriet Thorpe. During the Manchester run, BTG editor David Chadderton sat in the theatre with Harriet—well known to TV audiences for her comedy roles such as Carole The Brittas Empire and Fleur in Absolutely Fabulous, but with stage musical credits including Mamma Mia and Wicked—and spoke about her role as Mame’s bitchy actress friend Vera in the show, about working at Hope Mill and about her background in TV comedy and theatre. Mame runs at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester from 28 September until 9 November 2019. It can also be seen at Royal and Derngate Theatre in Northampton from 7 to 11 January and Salisbury Playhouse from 21 to 25 January 2020. (Production photo of Harriet Thorpe, credit: Pamela Raith)

Translations. The National Theatre. Kinky Kabaret. Freedom. Duane Lamonte. Cocoa Divine. Abi Carter Simpson. YLR. Jessica Lovelock. Miles Anthony. Shanice Kudita. Becca Folkes‬. Stefan Mahendra. Jermaine Jackman. Afterglow at the Waterloo East. Mame. Hope Mill Theatre. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The Union Theatre. The Niceties. The Finborough Theatre. Sink the Pink.

It's a huge News and Reviews show today and again rambling is kept to a minimum. Richard reviews Preludes and Falsettos, and Cliff talks about the live screening of Fleabag this week. After some sad news about early show closures in the last few episodes at last there is some good news on that score. There is a stack of news this week from new shows, suggested shows and lots of casting news. And our number one fan Elaine gives us a one word review of Peter Gynt at the National Theatre, which has got us thinking. Send in your one word reviews and we will read them out. There may even e a small prize!mail@stagedoorcast.co.uk

In today’s Encore Meets episode, we meet television and theatre star, Tracie Bennett. Tracie is currently in rehearsals for Jerry Herman’s Mame which will open at the Hope Mill Theatre on 27th September 2019. Encore Meets – an Encore Radio podcast series. Go backstage in the West End, Broadway and beyond with Encore Radio’s exclusive theatre interviews.

‪We chat about The Big Smoke Festival Live At Zedel. Stephen Schwartz. Hope Mill Theatre. Pippin. Southwark Playhouse. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Alice Fearn. Jerry Mitchell. Darren Carnall. Urdang Academy. D&B Academy. Ian Stroughair. Nick Hayes. Nick Barstow. Jack Cherry. ‬Vicki Lee Taylor. Katy Lipson. From Page to Stage. P!nk. Hairspray.

This week we chat with TV and stage stage, Harriet Thorpe, about the UK revival of Mame at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester as well as stage and screen star, Jason Kravitz, about Off The Top! at London's Crazy Coqs. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

VLOG 6 Ft. Chris Clegg. Steph Parry. Ellisa Churchill. The cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. I talk about The Show Goes On at the Pianoworks West End. Layton Williams, Haley Tammadon, Shane Richie and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Can Can at the Union theatre and Adam Haigh. Maggie Smith and the Bridge theatre. Oklahoma at Chichester Festival Theatre, Josie Lawrence and Amara Okereke. Mt Fest UK at The Other Palace and Paul Taylor Mills, Luke Bayer, Evelyn Hoskins, Richard Thomas, Will Burton, and Kane Oliver Parry. Bad Girls the Musical. An Evening With Stephen Schwartz at the Hope Mill Theatre. And Six the Musical.

That Stagey Blog Meets Ryan Anderson I talk to Ryan about his roles in We Will Rock You. Hair. Mary Poppins. Beautiful Thing. Bat out of Hell. And Grindr the Opera. As well as the Hope Mill Theatre. Above the Stag and the Offies. He also talks about the people who have inspired him, Jonathan Harvey, Christian Lunn. Patrick Sullivan. Oliver Tompsett. And discuss LGBT theatre and mental health and his upcoming solo cabaret at the Space.

We interviewed founders of Hope Mill Theatre in Ancoats in Series 1, and for Series 2 we are now interviewing their technical manager Alice Longson. After studying drama at university, Alice got into stage managing, and started working more generally in the technical side of theatre. At only 22, she was appointed technical manager at Hope Mill. In this episode, she reflects on her work and her career so far, as well as giving us her thoughts on Manchester and sharing her aspirations for the future - mainly to work in New York at some point!

Hope Mill Theatre is in its third year and has had success after success. In January it was awarded Best Fringe Theatre by The Stage. It produces its own musicals, big shows with high production values, made and rehearsed in Manchester. Several of these have transferred to the West End, including Yank and Pippin. Sophie speaks to owners Joe & Will about what made them open a new venue in Manchester, and where the theatre is heading next.   

Producer Katy Lipson has been behind some of the most talked about productions of the last few years. As artistic director of the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester she has produced a catalogue of shows, some of which have gone on to transfer to London, including Yank!, Hair and Pippin.    She’s a big supporter of new material having produced From Page to Stage, a season of new musicals, as well as the UK premieres of Yank!, Toxic Avenger the musical and The Addams Family.    In this episode we talked about her ambitions for new material, the shows she’d love to revive and her friendship with Broadway composer and lyricist Andrew Lippa. She also used this interview to call on venues like the Royal Court, Young Vic and National Theatre to support and produce more new musicals.     Katy’s production of Pippin is currently running at the Southwark Playhouse in London until 24th March.

In November 2015, a new fringe theatre opened up in Ancoats, Manchester with the ambition of presenting full-scale commercial productions of musicals. Created by musical theatre performers Joseph Houston and William Whelton, Hope Mill Theatre has since won multiple local and national awards, transferred productions to London and been named in The Stage 100, a list of the most influential people in the whole of UK theatre from The Stage newspaper. In the middle of January 2018, during auditions for Spring Awakening, one of three major musical productions so far announced by Hope Mill Theatre for this year, BTG editor David Chadderton spoke to Joe about the creation, ideals and future plans of this remarkably successful new venue.