Podcast appearances and mentions of Mark Shenton

Theatre critic Mark Shenton discovered his sexuality via a porn mag in Soho aged 16, that quickly turned into an addiction alongside sex addiction which escalated to him hiring porn stars by the hour. Now 12 years into his recovery, Mark found a way out of a living hell that ended in a deep, dark depression and a stark feeling of hopelessness. Mark Shenton is a very well known theatre critic but today he shows us his deeply personal and human side in, perhaps, my most raw and astoundingly honest interview yet. I cannot thank you enough for being so deeply candid to help people. Legend ❤️ More on Mark - Mark Shenton has been a full-blown theatre addict since the age of 14. He later found a way to monetise it — and get free tickets as well — by becoming a full-time professional theatre critic and commentator.  Born and raised in South Africa, he emigrated with his parents to England when he was 16, and attended Cambridge University where he read law (but spent most of his time reviewing and producing student theatre).  He later became editor of arts and entertainment at the Press Association and spent a year working in the offices of producer Cameron Mackintosh. In 2002 he went freelance and became a full-time writer, separately (and sometimes simultaneously) acting as theatre critic for WhatsOnStage, The Stage (where he was also an associate editor), the Sunday Express and londontheatre.co.uk for the next two decades. He also regularly broadcast on BBC London (radio and TV), as well as contributing to other outlets including LBC, Times Radio and Talk Radio. In 2022 he moved to West Sussex with his husband, and now writes a regular theatre newsletter which is published on his own website, ShentonStage.com. Topics - 0:00 Intro 3:45 Mark's rock bottom 8:35 Porn addiction 12:30 Porn addiction turns to sex addiction 24:00 Addiction to hiring porn stars 26:30 The consequences & sex addiction turns to love addiction 29:00 Why the addiction for Mark? 32:50 Is spirituality needed to recover? 32:40 Let's break the stigma! 36:50 My name's Mark and I'm a theatre addict 39:17 Actors mustn't read reviews! 47:25 How to heal the "empty" feeling? For anyone struggling with these topics Mark suggests reaching out to - SLAA - https://slaauk.org 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 Mark X - https://x.com/ShentonStage Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shentonstage 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/3WCXK5s YouTube - https://bit.ly/3Ytj4f7 Apple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQ

When you fall in love how do you know it's for real, and not just the result of chemicals in your brain? Lucy Prebble's play The Effect is back at the National Theatre - Tristan and Connie fall in love during a clinical trial for a new antidepressant and wonder if their passion is merely drug-fuelled. The Welsh band Adwaith play their online hit Fel I Fod (How To Be) – just before the Camarthen band appear at the National Eisteddfod. And could it be true that the art of criticism is dying? Theatre critic Mark Shenton believes it might be – but social media influencer Mickey-Jo Boucher says he's bringing in new audiences. Head critic and reviews editor at The Stage Sam Marlowe says the art of reviewing is evolving and there's room for both approaches. Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe Producer: Harry Parker

If there was a huge asteroid hurtling toward Earth threatening to destroy life as we know it and you could see one more show before you die, what would it be? It can be anything you want - a show you've seen before, one that you wish you'd seen, or something you've made up entirely. What would be YOUR Last Show on Earth? This is the podcast in which we ask a special guest the big, BIG question that nobody ever needed, or indeed, bothered to ask. Our guest this episode is Mark ShentonA true champion and lover of theatre who has seen a billion shows (probably), Mark Shenton originally read Law at Cambridge University but has been a full-time freelance London-based theatre critic and journalist since 2002. He has variously (and sometimes simultaneously) been chief theatre critic for the Sunday Express, The Stage, WhatsOnStage, What's On in London magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk, and also written for The Guardian, The Observer, Time Out and the Independent on Sunday during this time. He has taught at ArtsEd London in Chiswick on musical theatre history since 2012, as well as on the BA Acting course. He was until recently President of the Critics' Circle, and is also on the board of Mercury Musical Developments and the National Student Drama Festival (NSDF).Links:Official website https://shentonstage.com/Twitter @ShentonStageInstagram @shentonstageLiz Callaway performing https://youtu.be/TePrYSTxkQIGuys and Dolls (1982) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJI5S_u9q5gWestway Diner https://www.westwaydiner.com/Hosted by John Owen-Jones and Alistair BrammerMusic written by John Owen-Jones and Alistair BrammerMusic performed by John Owen-Jones, Alistair Brammer and John QuirkRecorded & edited by John Owen-Jones and Alistair BrammerA 2023 John Owen-Jones Associates Productionwww.johnowenjones.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show Down: Ep 1 - BKLYN The Musical. With Mark Shenton, Maryam Philpott, and Daz Gale #BKLYNMusical #LambertJacksonProductions #Review Welcome to Show Down. A new series where I bring together a panel of reviewers to discuss a show. Also available on

The eager Carrie cast arrives in the Big Apple only to discover that very little has been done to address the show’s major problems, and that the show’s set has been lost in transit. But there is one major addition: Betty Buckley, a big-name Broadway star has joined the company. As the team nervously prepares for opening night, will New York audiences and critics be kinder to the show? We follow the journey from previews to press night to the shocking announcement that will shape Broadway history.  Join us on our social channels and share your feedback! Instagram Facebook Twitter Out for Blood is hosted by Holly Morgan and Chris Adams, edited by Tom Moores, with original music by Odinn Orn Hilmarson and artwork by Rebecca Pitt. Out for Blood is a proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks this week to Dean Pitchford, Linzi Hateley, Sally Ann Triplett, Charlotte D’Amboise, Georgia Otterson, Michelle Du Verney, Shelley Hodgson, Suzanne Thomas, Joey McKneeley, Kenny Linden, Eric Gilliom, Michelle Nelson Manne, Jeremy Sturt, Wendi Peters and Mark Shenton.  THIS WEEK’S LINKS: Bootleg audio from a rehearsal of Linzi Hateley joined by new co-star Betty Buckley, and bootleg video of Betty’s infamously epic performances of ‘Eve Was Weak’ and ‘When There’s No One’. A bootleg audio recording of the show on Broadway, and a bootleg video of Act 1. The only known (and very blurry) footage of ‘The Destruction’ on Broadway, from an unaired German documentary, shot from the control booth. “You could take your money and throw it”... some TV reviews of the Broadway production. It ain’t pretty, folks. Some very grainy footage of the cast backstage on their final day. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s shady feedback at the opening night party. Please note that we don’t own any of the content above and we’re not responsible for the content of third-party links – enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rehearsals for Carrie the Musical continue in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. But as the show hurtles towards its opening night, the cast soon feel like they’re working on two very different shows, and the frustration of the writing team grows as they’re cut out of the creative process.  Meanwhile, trouble is brewing behind the scenes as musical legend Barbara Cook begins to doubt that Carrie is the ideal vehicle for her big Broadway comeback, making her point known with a very un-subtle gift for Director Terry Hands. But is an on-stage accident on opening night enough to call a halt to all this nonsense? And finally, as the British critics file their reviews - is Carrie really ready for its big Broadway transfer? (Spoiler: it is not). Join us on our social channels and share your feedback! Instagram Facebook Twitter Out for Blood is hosted by Holly Morgan and Chris Adams, edited by Tom Moores, with original music by Odinn Orn Hilmarson and artwork by Rebecca Pitt. Out for Blood is a proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks this week to Dean Pitchford, Linzi Hateley, Sally Ann Triplett, Charlotte D’Amboise, Georgia Otterson, Michelle DuVernay, Shelley Hodgson, Suzanne Thomas, Joey McKneeley, Kenny Linden, Eric Gilliom, Michelle Nelson Manne, Audrey Lavine, Jeremy Sturt, Peter Mckintosh, Mark Shenton and Brice Stratford (yes, he really does have the same surname as this episode). THIS WEEK’S LINKS:  A video of Debbie Allen running a dance rehearsal for the song ‘Wotta Night’ at the RSC in Stratford. Terry Hands and Debbie Allen come together to rehearse the beginning of the prom sequence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjlPaachf7A. An on-stage tech rehearsal for ‘In’ at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.  The bootleg RSC archive video of the full Stratford edition of Carrie the Musical Please note that we don’t own any of the content above and we’re not responsible for the content of third-party links – enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Holly and Chris’s dreams come true as they chat with members of the original cast of Carrie the Musical over wine, including Charlotte D’Amboise (Chris), Sally Ann Triplett (Sue) and legendary OG Carrie White herself, Linzi Hateley, not to mention several members of the half-British, half-American ensemble and crew. The cast share their audition stories and their first experiences in the rehearsal room - including their memories of navigating the unusual choreographer/director pairing of Debbie Allen and Terry Hands - and describe what happens when you throw together 30 young, sexy musical theatre performers in a quaint English town full of pubs. We also investigate why the Royal Shakespeare Company got involved in all this chaos in the first place, and learn the truth about an infamous misunderstanding that will define the iconic design of this very unusual musical. Join us on our social channels and share your feedback! Instagram Facebook Twitter Out for Blood is hosted by Holly Morgan and Chris Adams, edited by Tom Moores, with original music by Odinn Orn Hilmarson and artwork by Rebecca Pitt. Out for Blood is a proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks this week to Dean Pitchford, Linzi Hateley, Sally Ann Triplett, Charlotte D’Amboise, Georgia Otterson, Michelle Du Verney, Shelley Hodgson, Suzanne Thomas, Joey McKneeley, Kenny Linden, Eric Gilliom, Michelle Nelson Manne, Jeremy Sturt, Wendi Peters and Mark Shenton. THIS WEEK’S LINKS: Mark Shenton’s excellent blog can be found at shentonstage.com. The RSC was inspired to develop Carrie after its first commercial musical Les Miserables was a hit in London and New York - clips from the original production (and here’s the legendary Linzi Hateley performing in it after leaving Carrie). Carrie co-producer Fritz Kurtz had found success transferring English mega-musicals to Germany including Starlight Express, which is still running. Terry Hands defends the unusual production model of Carrie in this 1988 Washington Post article. Imelda Staunton as a mature Dorothy in the RSC’s The Wizard of Oz Debbie Allen as Lydia Grant in Fame. The iconic Barbara Cook in the 1960 production of The Music Man. Darlene Love sings on Phil Spector’s Christmas (Baby Please Come Home). It may be January but we can still enjoy this. The talented Gene Anthony Ray dances in Fame. The Carrie Playbill, featuring the ensemble playing themselves. Please note that we don’t own any of the content above and we’re not responsible for the content of third-party links – enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interview with theatre critic and journalist, Mark Shenton (12/12/20)

Mark is a London based theatre critic. More Info: Shentonstage.com

To start this weeks double whammy I interview arts journalist Mark Shenton   This week I will be discussing with Mark how to get into arts journalism, the importance of reviews and more. MARK SHENTON has been a leading London-based critic, commentator, columnist, interviewer and broadcaster on theatre for the last two decades. He has variously served as chief critic for the Sunday Express, WhatsOnStage, The Stage (also Associate Editor), LondonTheatre.co.uk and What’s On in London magazine, and has written for The Guardian, The Observer, The Times, Time Out and Attitude magazines, amongst others. In the US, he was long-time London correspondent to Playbill.com. He has curated and conducted live interviews for the Theatrical Guild with guests that have included Judi Dench, Simon Russell Beale, Michael Codron and more, and hosted platforms at the National with Stephen Sondheim, Peter Shaffer and David Henry Hwang, at the Donmar Warehouse with Derek Jacobi and Helen McCrory, and at Crazy Coqs with Tim Minchin and Anne Reid. For the last eight years he has taught classes at ArtsEd London on the history and appreciation of musical theatre to their first year BA students. He has co-authored Harden’s London theatre guide. As theatre emerges from it’s COVID-enforced hibernation, Mark is determined to continue to fly the flag for independent but dependable critical content, via his personal website ShentonStage and twitter @ShentonStage.

Join members of the cast and creative team as they discuss ENO’s brand new production of Verdi's Luisa Miller. Opera Preview is one of a number of events available exclusively to ENO Friends. To find out more about Friends events, please visit eno.org/eno-supporters-events. Hosted by Mark Shenton, the panel includes: Barbora Horáková (Director) Alexander Joel (Conductor) Elizabeth Llewellyn (Luisa) James Rosental (Choreographer) Olafur Sigurdarson (Miller)

Today we chatted with Broadway song and dance man, Jim Caruso about his new Christmas album and also caught up with theatre critic, Mark Shenton for our regular feature, Shenton Says. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Join members of the cast and creative team as they discuss ENO’s brand new production of Philip Glass's Orphée. Opera Preview is one of a number of events available exclusively to ENO Friends. To find out more about Friends events, please visit eno.org/eno-supporters-events. Hosted by Mark Shenton, the panel includes: Netia Jones (Designer) Nicholas Lester (Orphée) Geoffrey Paterson (Conductor) Nicky Spence (Heurtebise) Corinne Young (Wigs and Make-Up Manager)

This week we chat with Thriller Live! Director and author of My Life With Michael, director and choreographer, Gary Lloyd. We also have another of our fortnightly features, 'Shenton Says' where we chat with renowned theatre critic, Mark Shenton. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week we chatted with Steve Brinberg about his cabaret show, Simply Barbra that's coming to London's Crazy Cons. We also chatted with Mark Shenton for the first in our new fortnightly series, Shenton Says. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Join members of the cast and creative team as they discuss ENO’s brand new production of Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld. Opera Preview is one of a number of events available exclusively to ENO Friends. To find out more about Friends events, please visit eno.org/eno-supporters-events. Hosted by Mark Shenton, the panel includes: Mary Bevan (Eurydice) Lucia Lucas (Public Opinion) Ed Lyon (Orpheus) Emma Rice (Director) Sir Willard White (Jupiter) Please note the live musical performance has been removed from this recording.

Join members of the cast and creative team as they discuss ENO’s brand new production of Birtwhistle’s The Mask of Orpheus. Opera Preview is one of a number of events available exclusively to ENO Friends. To find out more about Friends events, please visit eno.org/eno-supporters-events. Hosted by Mark Shenton, the panel includes: Claire Barnett-Jones (Eurydice the Myth) Daniel Lismore (Costume Designer) James Henshaw (Second Conductor) Peter Hoare (Orpheus the Man) Daniel Norman (Orpheus the Myth)

“Arts without boundaries” is the mission statement of this multi-disciplinary, internationally-orientated powerhouse. Mark Shenton meets Toni Racklin, Head of Theatre, to get her perspective on the Barbican's place in the theatrical landscape - and to hear all about their phenomenal 2019 season.

In this very special podcast, we're on the Red Carpet at this year's Stage Debut Awards. We chatted with the musical theatre presenters, nominees and winners, including Adrienne Warren, Louis Gaunt, Jodie Prenger, Will Carey, Mark Shenton, Eleanor Kane, Eleanore Kane, Miriam Teak-Lee, Gus Gowland, Amara Okereke and Broadway Legend, Kelli O'Hara. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

“Casting is the nerve-centre of the theatre.” Mark Shenton goes behind the scenes of the National Theatre to speak to Head of Casting (and human-encyclopedia) Alastair Coomer.

On the eve of the 2018 Tony Awards, we talk with theatre critic Mark Shenton in New York, about this year's nominations and his predictions to win. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Join members of the cast and creative team as they discuss ENO’s World Premiere of Nico Muhly’s Marnie. Opera Previews is one of a number of events available exclusively to ENO Friends. To find out more about Friends events, please visit www. eno.org/eno-supporters-events. Panel includes: Martyn Brabbins (Conductor & ENO Music Director) Paul Cremo (Director of Opera Commissioning Program at The Met) Lesley Garrett (Mrs Rutland) Michael Mayer (Director) Nico Muhly (Composer) Hosted by Mark Shenton

This week we speak to top theatre critic and arts journalist Mark Shenton! Mark is a theatre critic, commentator and interviewer. He writes regularly for The Stage (including a daily blog), where he is an Associate Editor and also joint lead theatre critic. He also reviews for London Theatre Guide and is London correspondent for Playbill.com, for whom he writes daily news stories. He has conducted public platform interviews at the National Theatre, the Donmar Warehouse and Stratford East Theatre Royal. He is also currently chairman of the drama section of the Critic's Circle. So basically, in terms of arts journalists, Mark is as prolific as it gets! This episode was made because of you! A number of people messaged us on Twitter requesting an interview with a theatre critic, so here it is. If you want to hear from any one else in the industry then tweet us @insidewestend ! We give you this podcast completely free. If you've enjoyed it and you'd like to help us make future episodes then: 1. Visit:... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Visit London TALKS - Episode 7 - London news and reviews. West Ender Anthony Davis talks to bespoke London guide Sue Hillman from It's Your London about doing it all in a day. Theatre critic Mark Shenton talks Kinky Boots the musical. Plus Guy Fawkes night, The Lord Mayor's Show and Christmas Ice Rinks. Produced, written and presented by broadcaster Anthony Davis. Exclusive interviews, theatre and restaurant reviews, advice, facts and deals from the OFFICIAL London visitor guide. Going out, getting around and loving LONDON. A new episode every two weeks. Subscribe FREE at visitlondon.com, iTunes, audioBoom or wherever you get your podcasts from. #London #Reviews #Podcast #BonfireNight #LordMayorsShow #SomersetHouse #VisitLondon #LondonIsOpen #AutumnSeason #VisitLondonTalks

Visit London TALKS - Episode 3 - London news and reviews. The Mayor of London discusses his dream job with Anthony Davis. Soul Queen Beverley Knight talks London and theatre critic Mark Shenton reviews The Bodyguard. Plus the new walking Tube Map, William Kentridge at the Whitechapel Gallery and the Pearly Royal Family! Written and presented by West Ender Anthony Davis. Theatre and restaurant reviews, advice, facts and deals from the OFFICIAL London visitor guide. Going out, getting around and loving LONDON. A new episode every two weeks. Subscribe FREE at visitlondon.com, iTunes, audioBoom or wherever you get your podcasts from. #London #Reviews #Podcast #BeverleyKnight #SadiqKhan #TheBodyguard #VisitLondon #LondonIsOpen #AutumnSeason #VisitLondonTalks

Visit London TALKS - Episode 1 - London news and reviews. Illusionist Derren Brown talks London, theatre critic Mark Shenton talks Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Plus BFG Dream Jars, London's Burning exhibition and The View from the Shard goes green. Written and presented by London born broadcaster Anthony Davis. Theatre and restaurant reviews, advice, facts and deals from the OFFICIAL London visitor guide. Going out, getting around and loving LONDON. A new episode every two weeks. Subscribe FREE at visitlondon.com, iTunes, audioBoom or wherever you get your podcasts from. #London #Reviews #Podcast #DerrenBrown #HarryPotter #VisitLondon

Episode 25: Series 2: London news & reviews of Bugsy Malone and Titanic the Musical with Mark Shenton. Exclusive interview with Green London Assembly Member Sian Berry. Written and presented by Anthony Davis. #London #Reviews #Podcast

Episode 23: Series 2: London news and reviews of Hamilton with Mark Shenton, exclusive interview with author Elizabeth Day. Written and presented by Anthony Davis. #London #Reviews #Podcast

Episode 22: Series 2: London news and reviews of Showboat with Mark Shenton, Lizzie Mabbott on Pidgin and London life with author Will Self. Written and presented by Anthony Davis. #London #Reviews #Podcast

Episode 21: NEW Series 2: London news and reviews of Santo Remedio, The Flick at the National Theatre, interviews with Lizzie Mabbott and Mark Shenton. Written and presented by Anthony Davis. #London #Reviews #Podcast

Episode 16: London reviews, tips and deals. Reviews of the Regency Cafe and Thriller Live. Interview with theatre critic Mark Shenton and music from Soho giant Tim Arnold. Hosted by Anthony Davis. #London #Review #Podcast

Adam Penford talks to Mark Shenton about his revival of Alan Ayckbourn's A Small Family Business, working with Nicholas Hytner on One Man, Two Guvnors and his ambitions for the future. This is a recording of a live Platform event from April 2014.

Tony award-winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist David Henry Hwang talks to Mark Shenton about Yellow Face, which questions what race really means in our society. Yellow Face plays until 24 May: http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/yellow-face This is a recording of a live Platform event from May 2014.

West End star Liz Robertson tells us about the part she played in one of Mark Shenton's favourite's heckles and we had a good natter about whether it's necessary to reveal something of ourselves in what we say during our show.

Mark is one of the UK's most respected and prolific reviewers. He's passionate about theatre and loves discovering exciting new artistes. As for getting Mark along to review one of your shows, he says, “Don't be afraid to get in touch, I don't mind being pestered,” he says, “As long as you don't mind me saying no, I don't mind being asked.”

Art critic for The Times Rachel Campbell-Johnston profiles the work of Laure Prouvost, winner of the Turner Prize 2013. Theatre critic Mark Shenton and Dr Caroline Warman review a new staging of Leonard Bernstein's Candide, choreographed by former Royal Ballet star Adam Cooper. Writers Hermione Lee and Simon Garfield discuss the insight personal letters give into writers' lives and creative processes. And Night Waves reflects on how experimental band Can melded the ideas of Karlheinz Stockhausen and free jazz to revolutionise 60s' German pop.

Writer/director Alex Timbers and composer Michael Friedman discuss “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” their "emo" musical about the 7th President of the US. Also, UK critic Mark Shenton and London’s notorious West End Whingers review Broadway’s latest fare.