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Steven Sater makes a triumphant return to the podcast to catch up on a whirlwind few years that have taken him all over the world. In a wonderfully candid conversation, he opens up about the upcoming, highly anticipated Off-Broadway revival of Spring Awakening with Sea View, helmed by director Danya Taylor and choreographer Celia Robson Hall. Steven shares his deep passion for writing for young performers, discovering new talent through open calls and TikTok, and why he believes it is vital to take the emotional lives of teenagers seriously in musical theatre. He also reflects on how the show continues to deeply impact new generations of fans who were not even born when it first premiered on Broadway. The heart of the chat dives into Steven's newest passion project, the black comic murder mystery musical Murder at the Gates, written alongside collaborator James Bourne. He gives us a thrilling, exclusive sneak peek at the tracks "Fuckin' Scream" and "A Fine Rigor Mortis" from the upcoming concept album, featuring an all star cast including Gaten Matarazzo, Milo Manheim, Mason Alexander Park, Ramin Karimloo, and a whole bunch more. From hilarious memories of a playful debate with Stephen Sondheim over whether a murder mystery musical could actually work, to navigating the heartbreaking collapse of a previous workshop, Steven pulls back the curtain on the grueling, beautiful ten year journey of bringing an entirely original musical score to life. Steven Sater is a Tony, Grammy, and Olivier Award winning playwright, lyricist, and screenwriter. He is best known for his landmark collaboration with composer Duncan Sheik on Spring Awakening, as well as his acclaimed work on Alice by Heart and Nero. His upcoming projects include the new musical Murder at the Gates and a major new revival of Spring Awakening. This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for the day. Connect with Steven: Listen to the entire Fuckin' Scream track Follow @murderatthegates (check the link in bio for the way to get the entire album) Steven on IG: @stevensater Steven on TikTok: @steven_sater Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon and watch video versions of the episodes: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
James Fritz's award-winning drama about the UK prison system returns with two contrasting stories of release, told from the perspective of prisoners and staff alike.In this first episode, a prisoner (who listeners met in Series 1) leaves with his paperwork signed and a discharge grant in his pocket, convinced his prayers have been answered. What he doesn't know is that a single clerical error, buried for years in a box of court paperwork, means he should never have been let out at all. As an overstretched prison scrambles to find him, the press whips up a manhunt and ministers demand a name, one question echoes from the courtroom to Whitehall: how could something like this happen?Written by James FritzLee ..... Carl Prekopp Yas ..... Yasmin Mwanza Clare ..... Maddy Lenny Jenny ..... Emma Handy Carly ..... Laura Dos Santos Rihanna ..... Rebekah Murrell Prison Director ..... Ben Crowe The Box Officer ..... Harry Myers Toby/Reverend ..... Joe Jameson Minister ..... Ian Dunnett JnrProduction Team: Producer and Director, Tracey Neale Sound Design, Keith Graham, Sam Dickinson and Andrew Garrett Production Co-Ordinator, Ben HollandsA BBC Studios production.James Fritz has won the Imison and Tinniswood Awards, Best Single and Best Series at the Audio Drama Awards, and Gold and Bronze at the ARIAs. For his theatre work he has won the Critics' Circle Award and the Bruntwood Prize, and was nominated for an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre. He is under commission to the RSC, on attachment to the National Theatre, and is currently writing a TV drama and adapting his play The Flea into a feature film.
James Fritz's award-winning drama about the UK prison system returns with two contrasting stories of release, told from the perspective of prisoners and staff alike.In this first episode, a prisoner (who listeners met in Series 1) leaves with his paperwork signed and a discharge grant in his pocket, convinced his prayers have been answered. What he doesn't know is that a single clerical error, buried for years in a box of court paperwork, means he should never have been let out at all. As an overstretched prison scrambles to find him, the press whips up a manhunt and ministers demand a name, one question echoes from the courtroom to Whitehall: how could something like this happen?Written by James FritzLee ..... Carl Prekopp Yas ..... Yasmin Mwanza Clare ..... Maddy Lenny Jenny ..... Emma Handy Carly ..... Laura Dos Santos Rihanna ..... Rebekah Murrell Prison Director ..... Ben Crowe The Box Officer ..... Harry Myers Toby/Reverend ..... Joe Jameson Minister ..... Ian Dunnett JnrProducer and Director, Tracey Neale Sound Design, Keith Graham, Sam Dickinson and Andrew Garrett Production Co-Ordinator, Ben HollandsA BBC Studios production.James Fritz has won the Imison and Tinniswood Awards, Best Single and Best Series at the Audio Drama Awards, and Gold and Bronze at the ARIAs. For his theatre work he has won the Critics' Circle Award and the Bruntwood Prize, and was nominated for an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre. He is under commission to the RSC, on attachment to the National Theatre, and is currently writing a TV drama and adapting his play The Flea into a feature film.
It was announced yesterday that PADDINGTON The Musical, the multi-Olivier Award winning West End smash hit, would officially transfer to Broadway, opening at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in Spring 2027.The stage adaptation of the Michael Bond story and the STUDIOCANAL films is directed by Luke Sheppard (The Little Big Things, Starlight Express) with Tom Fletcher and Jessica Swale having written the score and book respectively. The West End production stars Arti Shah and James Hameed, who jointly perform the role of Paddington Bear, with a supporting cast including Adrian Der Gregorian, Amy Ellen Richardson, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Bonnie Langford, Tom Edden, Brenda Edwards, Amy Booth-Steel, Teddy Kempner, and more.As the New York transfer is announced, theatre fans have been quick to question whether Broadway's audiences will receive Paddington as warmly as London's did, prompting some consideration of the show's potential success at the box office and the Tony Awards...check out Mickey-Jo's free substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction02:47 | the Broadway details11:31 | who will be in it?15:13 | could it win the Tony?24:55 | will it be a hit?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 95,000 subscribers. 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 in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. 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, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lindsey Ferrentino is a playwright who was named Variety's 2025 "Broadway Stars to Watch" as she premiered two shows on Broadway this season with The Fear of 13 and The Queen of Versailles. Her work includes the Olivier Award-nominated play The Fear of 13 (Donmar Warehouse, London); Ugly Lies the Bone (Roundabout Theatre, New York; National Theatre, London, over 100 productions worldwide); Amy and the Orphans (Roundabout, The Arc Prize for Entertainment Excellence), This Flat Earth (Playwrights Horizons) and The Year to Come (La Jolla Playhouse). As a screenwriter, Lindsey has various projects in development with Netflix and Sony Pictures and was named "Hollywood's Hottest Ticket" by The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.instagram.com/lindseyferrentino/ https://www.instagram.com/fearof13broadway/ https://lindseyferrentino.com/?utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnNhH6iPguq4U6pKcmPPUSAS8ob2PAXijA3LiJfk2T6oUVfr8BIiASAtKhi7g_aem_VRUhwyy017XnErtb02lWDQ
YA masters Krystal Sutherland (The Invocations), Joanna Nadin (author of 90+ books for children and adults) and Moira Buffini (Songlight) on hooking teen readers from the very first page, plotting methods that tame a whole novel, and why stories matter so much to young people. You'll learn What sparks the magic system of a supernatural thriller. What it means to find your writing home, and how to know when you've arrived. Why readers decide within the first ten pages, and how visceral detail keeps them hooked. A pantser's case for careful plotting when you're juggling multiple points of view. The most common mistake adults make when writing for young readers. What screenwriters know about tight writing, and what teen TV can teach you about voice. Why treating writing as a job, not a calling, makes rejection survivable. Whether writers should think about their audience. How writing toward a feeling, not a plan, creates cliffhangers you don't see coming. Episode Links #105: Krystal Sutherland #61: Joanna Nadin #179: Moira Buffini About the Guests Krystal Sutherland is the New York Times and indie bestselling author of House of Hollow, A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares and Our Chemical Hearts, which was adapted into a film by Amazon Studios. Her books have been published in more than twenty countries and nominated for the Carnegie Medal and YA Book Prize, among others. Her latest YA novel, The Invocations — the centerpiece of this conversation — won the 2025 Prime Minister's Literary Award for young adult literature. Originally from Australia, she has lived on four continents and currently calls London home. Joanna Nadin has written more than 90 books for children and adults, including the Rachel Riley series, the Penny Dreadful series, and the Sunday Times bestselling Worst Class in the World series. She holds a doctorate in adolescent identity and YA literature and is an Associate Professor in Creative Writing at the University of Bristol. Her books have garnered a number of prizes including the Fantastic Book Award and the Surrey Book Award, and she has been shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, the Booktrust Best Book Award, the Telegraph Sports Book of the Year, the Hearst Big Book Awards, and Queen of Teen. She has been nominated six times for the CILIP Carnegie Medal, including for Everybody Hurts and for Joe All Alone, which was made into a BAFTA-winning and Emmy-nominated BBC drama series. Moira Buffini is an Olivier Award–winning UK playwright and BAFTA-nominated screenwriter, writing many plays for the National Theatre and the West End. Films include Tamara Drewe, Jane Eyre, Byzantium, and The Dig. She cocreated and was showrunner of Hulu's Harlots. Her YA debut Songlight — the first in The Torch Trilogy — won the 2025 YA Book Prize, and its sequel Torchfire is out now. She lives in London. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers' Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS' SALONTwitter: twitter.com/WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you're enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!
Send us Fan MailAs Rajiv Joseph's Archduke prepares to open at the Royal Court Theatre, Olivier Award winner Chris Walley sat down with us for an intimate discussion on his craft and his upcoming return to the stage. The show looks at key events and the lives of those involved in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. We hear Chris talk about the biting humour in Rajiv Joseph's script and the vigour required working in Lyndsey Turner's rehearsal room. Indeed, the upcoming production assembles together a top tier cast and creative team that includes legendary designer Es Devlin, costumes from Evie Gurney and actors Janice Connolly and Marc Wooton.In this new interview with Chris Walley, we hear him talk about his love for theatre and performing on stage. We hear him reflect on his recent stage successes such as Orphans - a play he'd been yearning to do since his teenage years. Indeed his recent stage ventures has seen him star in some of the most memorable productions of recent years including Juno and the Paycock opposite Mark Rylance and of course the towering Portia Coughlan at the Almeida Theatre, starring opposite Alison Oliver. It's a fascinating insight into one of the most exciting actors on the theatre scene right now and it will be fascinating to see what Chris Walley does next in the years to come.Archduke runs at Royal Court Theatre from 20 June - 25 July.
Award-winning actor Kristin Scott Thomas talks to John Wilson about her career and cultural influences. After a breakthrough role in the Evelyn Waugh film adaptation of A Handful Of Dust, she became a global star with Four Weddings and a Funeral in 1994. Two years later, was Oscar nominated for The English Patient directed by Anthony Minghella. Her screen roles in the years since have included Gosford Park, The Horse Whisperer and more recently Rebecca and on television, Slow Horses. She has just made her debut as a director and screenwriter with My Mother's Wedding, inspired by her real life family story. Her extensive theatre credits include Chekhov's The Seagull, for which she won an Olivier Award, and she played The Queen in Peter Morgan's drama The Audience. Kristin Scott Thomas has also enjoyed a distinguished stage and film career in France, where she was awarded the Legion of Honour in 2005. In 2014 she was made a Dame for services to drama. Producer: Edwina Pitman
Conversation has once more turned to audience behaviour and theatre etiquette after Rosamund Pike spoke out about texting during a performance of Inter Alia.Pike, after completing her Olivier Award winning performance in the West End play, returned to the stage in order to beseech the audience not to pierce the trust between actor and audience.The question, then, is whether audience behaviour can be wholly dictated by those onstage, what constitutes disrespect and how do we combat a decreasing capacity for interpersonal empathy in the stalls?check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction03:25 | what happened?14:34 | is there more to it?25:24 | conclusion 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 95,000 subscribers. 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 in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. 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, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjardeng MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands for another audio described theatre review.This time we have what is becoming a bit of a cult musical as the UK tour of ‘Operation Mincemeat' visited the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham with description by Professional Audio Describer Theo Hornsby-Walsh. About ‘Operation Mincemeat'Operation Mincemeat is the 2024 Olivier Award-winning Best New Musical. It's London's biggest hit with 88 Five-Star reviews, making it the best-reviewed show in West End history. THE YEAR IS 1943 AND WE'RE LOSING THE WAR. LUCKILY, WE'RE ABOUT TO GAMBLE ALL OUR FUTURES ON A STOLEN CORPSE. Singin' in the Rain meets Strangers on a Train, Noel Coward meets Noel Fielding, Operation Mincemeat is the fast-paced, hilarious and unbelievable true story of the twisted secret mission that won us World War II. The question is, how did a well-dressed corpse wrong-foot Hitler?To find out more about ‘Operation Mincemeat' and the UK tour do visit -https://operationmincemeat.com/tour/uk/ (Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB' written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio' is written in black in a smaller font)
British comedy icon Catherine Tate has donned the bratty curls of Mary Todd Lincoln in the hit comedy play Oh, Mary!Tate stars in the West End production at the Trafalgar Theatre, which opened last year starring Mason Alexander Park, and recently won an Olivier Award for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play.After seeing a recent gala night performance, here are Mickey-Jo's thoughts about Catherine's performance as Mary, the show's slightly updated supporting cast, and his evolving feelings about the play itself...check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction04:44 | Catherine Tate as Mary13:45 | the supporting cast19:29 | conclusionAbout 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 95,000 subscribers. 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 in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. 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, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Michael Berresse went straight from high school to performing at Disneyland, then at Walt Disney World, and then Tokyo Disneyland. From there, he moved to New York, where he's appeared in over 7,000 performances of 11 Broadway shows. Michael made his Broadway debut in the 1990 revival of Fiddler on the Roof. He was nominated for a Tony and Olivier Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his work as Bill Calhoun in Kiss Me Kate. He also starred in Chicago (first as Fred Casely and later as Billy Flynn), Guys and Dolls, Carousel, Damn Yankees, The Light in the Piazza, the revival of A Chorus Line as Zach, and The Cher Show where he played the roles of Bob Mackie, Robert Altman, and Artie.Also on Broadway, Michael directed and choreographed the musical, [title of show], for which he was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award and a recipient of off-Broadway's Obie Award.On film, Michael stalked Russell Crowe in State of Play, rescued Haley Joel Osment in A.I. Artificial Intelligence directed by Steven Spielberg, and offed Albert Finney in The Bourne Legacy. He also appeared as himself in the documentary film Every Little Step, which follows the casting process of the production of A Chorus Line.He's also fallen into the orchestra pit on Broadway…twice…and, of course, Michael and Scott talk about that.Enjoy this interview with the incredible Michael Berresse!Email: TheMouseAndMePodcast@gmail.comSupport: www.patreon.com/themouseandmeFB and Instagram: “The Mouse and Me”Music by Kevin MacLeod from https://incompetech.filmmusic.io
From landmark releases to hidden treasures, director Mark Cousins on his 16-hour epic The Story of Documentary Film, which is screening at the Cannes Film Festival this week. A hundred years since Virginia Woolf published her essay On Being Ill, writer Darcey Steinke is presenting a newly commissioned work in response at the Charleston Festival this week. She joins us alongside poet and BBC New Generation Thinker Jade Cuttle to discuss the challenges of writing about pain and sickness, as well as the most visceral examples in literature.And with a raft of stage musical productions inspired by films opening around the country, Tony and Olivier Award-winning director John Tiffany, whose production Once is at Pitlochry Festival Theatre later this month and critic David Benedict discuss why certain scripts are deserving of multiple incarnations. Presenter: Kirsty Wark Producer: Mark Crossan
Stories of superstitious drinks and a cheese grudge. Paapa Essiedu is a highly acclaimed actor, known for his work across stage and screen. After attending Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Paapa joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, making his debut in The Merry Wives of Windsor at the age of 22. Other stage credits include Death of England: Delroy, The Effect and, most recently, All My Sons, a performance which saw him win an Olivier Award. Paapa joins Nick and Angela to talk about two TV projects, including Falling, where he plays a priest who falls in love with a nun, portrayed by former Dish guest Keeley Hawes. The show is the first love story written by Jack Thorne, whose credits include Adolescence, His Dark Materials, Toxic Town and Skins. Falling is available to stream and watch live on Channel 4 from May 19. You'll also see Paapa in Babies, opposite Siobhán Cullen, as a couple struggling through the experience of pregnancy loss. The series, available on BBC iPlayer, has garnered praise for the poignant handling of its subject matter. It's an episode with a chilli kick, with big-batch spicy margaritas to get things started and then spicy prawn tacos with rhubarb & scotch bonnet salsa to keep things going. The tacos are a recipe by Ixta Belfrage, which is paired by our wine experts with a glass of Tohu Sauvignon Blanc Awatere Valley. Paapa is a huge fan of big bold flavours, including Thai and Mexican cuisine, and there's also plenty of love for fresh tomatoes and, thanks to his recent theatre run, white chocolate matcha lattes. And, after recently taking up cooking classes, what skills can Paapa glean from watching Angela in the kitchen? You can watch full episodes of Dish on YouTube and on Spotify. All recipes from this podcast can be found at waitrose.com/dishrecipes The recipe for the spicy prawn tacos with rhubarb & scotch bonnet salsa was created for Waitrose by Ixta Belfrage For chocolate mousse inspiration, mentioned at the end of the episode, check out this recipe by Martha Collison. A transcript for this episode can be found at waitrose.com/dish If you want to get in touch with us about anything at all, contact dish@waitrose.co.uk Dish from Waitrose is made by Cold Glass Productions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sam Tutty stars with Christiani Pitts in the hit Broadway musical Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York). This romantic comedy was nominated for eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Leading Actor for Sam, who makes his Broadway debut in the show. His other credits include Dear Evan Hansen on the West End, which earned him an Olivier Award for his performance as Evan Hansen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Broadway star and Olivier nominee Sierra Boggess is In The Frame!Sierra is preparing to return to London for a one-night-only concert at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.She is one of Broadway and the West End's most beloved sopranos, best known for originating the role of Ariel in Disney's The Little Mermaid on Broadway, for which she received Drama Desk and Drama League nominations, as well as the Broadway.com Audience Award for Favourite Female Breakthrough Performance.Sierra has a long history with The Phantom of the Opera, having played Christine Daaé on Broadway and in London for the special 25th anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall. She also originated the role of Christine in Love Never Dies in the West End, receiving an Olivier Award nomination for her performance.Her many other credits include Fantine in the West End production of Les Misérables alongside Broadway productions of Master Class, School of Rock, Harmony and It Shoulda Been You. Sierra has also performed concerts across the world, including appearances at the BBC Proms, Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.In this episode Sierra discusses her return to London and her incredible concert career. She also reflects on her journey through theatre, the pressures of playing iconic roles such as Ariel and Christine, social media, sustaining longevity in the industry and lots more.Sierra performs at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Sunday 31st May. Visit www.lwtheatres.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.
It was recently announced that the West End revival of EVITA starring Rachel Zegler, and directed by Jamie Lloyd will transfer to Broadway, with further information to be confirmed.One thing we do know, however, is that the Olivier Award winning actress will not be singing 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' from an exterior balcony to an outdoor crowd as she did nightly at the London Palladium.With no confirmation of how this number will be staged when the show arrives in New York, Mickey-Jo is speculating about what the Broadway version might look like and how it will potentially impact the show...•00:00 | introduction02:26 | the balcony problem07:08 | other approaches?12:31 | what if she sang it on stage?16:37 | conclusionAbout 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 95,000 subscribers. 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 in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. 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, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The one-man show 'Kenrex' tells the true story of Ken Rex McElroy, a man so hated in his small Missouri town that he was murdered by a vigilante mob... who refused to say who had done it. The show is performed entirely by Jack Holden, who plays over 30 characters over the course of the play. Holden recently won the Olivier Award for his performance. Holden joins to discuss the show, running now at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. Photo by Manuel Harlan
A welcome meal for the star amidst her West End run. Rosamund Pike is the latest theatre actor to visit us in the middle of a hectic show schedule, with a performance at London's Wyndham's Theatre to follow her visit to Dish. In Inter Alia, Rosumund stars as Jessica Parks, a London Crown Court Judge balancing work, motherhood and friendship. It's an incredible central performance that earned Rosamund an Olivier Award for Best Actress, just a few days before we sat down to record. Rosamund, celebrated for her roles in Pride & Prejudice, Die Another Day, Gone Girl and I Care A Lot, also has a new film on the horizon; Ladies First is a fantastical comedy where a misogynistic CEO Damian (Sacha Baron Cohen) finds himself in a world dominated by women, with Alex, played by Rosamund, as his boss. Ladies First is coming to Netflix on 22 May. Angela serves Rosamund a beautiful dish of roast trout with brown butter alongside freshly cooked asparagus. The meal is perfectly paired with a glass of The Ned Pinnacle Sauvignon Blanc. Rosamund, a keen cook, is delighted with a hot plate of food at a time when her pre-show meals are dominated by cold salads - and the occasional sardine… With a wide ranging career on stage and on film, we get some brilliant tales of life on-set from Rosamund, including dark chocolate energy boosts, and the value of co-stars who double up as mixologists. You can watch full episodes of Dish on YouTube and on Spotify. All recipes from this podcast can be found at waitrose.com/dishrecipes A transcript for this episode can be found at waitrose.com/dish If you want to get in touch with us about anything at all, contact dish@waitrose.co.uk Dish from Waitrose is made by Cold Glass Productions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Marc Bruni is one of the world's greatest musical stage directors - on Broadway, London's West End, South Korea, Australia and everywhere else. Here's all you need to know. He directed the Tony, Grammy, Drama League and Olivier Award-winning show Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, about the life and career of the extraordinary Carole King. He's also the director of the current Broadway hit - The Great Gatsby. And he's got a slew of other credits too including Billie Jean, Bull Durham, Guys and Dolls, Bye Bye Birdie, The Music Man and many more. My featured song is “Stockbridge Fanfare”, from the album East Side Sessions by my band Project Grand Slam. Spotify link. —----------------------------------------------------------- The Follow Your Dream Podcast:Top 1% of all podcasts with Listeners in 200 countries! Click here for All Episodes Click here for Guest List Click here for Guest Groupings Click here for Guest Testimonials Click here to Subscribe Click here to receive our Email Updates Click here to Rate and Review the podcast —---------------------------------------- CONNECT WITH MARC:www.marcbruni.com —---------------------------------------- ROBERT'S NEWEST RELEASE:“MI CACHIMBER ALL STARS” is the new, expanded version of Robert's single, “Mi Cachimber”, which he wrote for his father. Featuring Camila Cortina on Rhodes and Xito Lovell on trombone in addition to Benny Benack III and Dave Smith on flugelhorn, and Project Grand Slam's rhythm section. CLICK HERE FOR OFFICIAL VIDEO CLICK HERE FOR ALL LINKS —-------------------------------------- ROBERT'S RECENT RELEASE: “MA PETITE FLEUR STRING QUARTET” is Robert's latest release. It transforms his jazz ballad into a lush classical string quartet piece. Praised by a host of classical music stars. CLICK HERE FOR YOUTUBE LINK CLICK HERE FOR ALL LINKS —---------------------------------------- Audio production: Jimmy RavenscroftKymera Films Connect with the Follow Your Dream Podcast: Website - www.followyourdreampodcast.comEmail Robert - robert@followyourdreampodcast.com Follow Robert's band, Project Grand Slam, and his music: Website - www.projectgrandslam.comYouTubeSpotify MusicApple MusicEmail - pgs@projectgrandslam.com
In this episode of the Film Ireland podcast, Gemma Creagh sits down with Dungannon actor Fra Fee to chat about his impressive catalogue of work that spans stage, film & TV, while delving into those key moments that shaped his career.From his breakout screen role as Courfeyrac in Les Misérables to performances in local films including Animals & Boys From County Hell, Fra has built a strong presence on screen, balancing indie projects against large-scale productions like Hawkeye on Disney+ & Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon.Now, Unchosen is available to stream on Netflix, in which he plays the enigmatic & manipulative Sam. Fra discusses his approach to this complex, morally ambiguous role, the contrast in working across different mediums, & how he develops a character from script to performance.This podcast has been made possible with the support of the Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland Stakeholders Fund.Listen now to the podcast on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast & Amazon, subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts or watch the original recording back:https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-actor-fra-fee-unchosen-rebel-moon-hawkeyeAbout Fra FeeImmediately after graduating from the Royal Academy of Music, Dungannon actor Fra landed a role in the West End production of Dirty Dancing. Since then, he has worked consistently across stage & screen. Recently, Fra Fee starred in the leading role of Emcee in the Olivier Award-winning production of Cabaret in the West End. Fra also appeared in Jez Butterworth's critically acclaimed run, The Ferryman at the Royal Court Theatre, London's West End & on Broadway. Fra won the 2018 WhatsOnStage Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Play, for his role in the show. Fra's other theatre credits include Translations & As You Like It, both at the National Theatre, the World Premiere of The Wind in the Willows, & the title role in Candide at the Menier Chocolate Factory. On screen, Fra is known for his portrayal of Courfeyrac in Tom Hooper's film adaptation of Les Misérables. In 2021, he appeared as Kazi in the Disney+ series Hawkeye, which is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He worked with director Zack Snyder, starring as Balisarius in Rebel Moon Part 1 & 2. He also had roles in Animals, Boys From County Hell, Pixie & The Laureate.UnchosenAll six episodes are available to stream on Netflix now.Molly Windsor & Asa Butterfield (Sex Education) star alongside Christopher Eccleston, Siobhan Finneran, & Fra in the series from Intergalactic writer/creator Julie Gearey. This psychological thriller takes viewers behind the closed doors of a fictional conservative religious sect.Unchosen follows Rosie, who lives in a cloistered Christian community with her husband, Adam (Butterfield) & their daughter. The fateful arrival of the mysterious Sam, an escaped prisoner, throws into relief the reality & restraints of Rosie's world: Perhaps her hidden religious community doesn't have her best interests at heart. As cracks begin to appear in Rosie & Adam's marriage, Sam presents himself as Rosie's savior. But with his dark criminal past, where does the greatest danger lie - with the cult, or with Sam?Sam is an escaped convict who was arrested as a teen for a deadly crime. He quickly integrates himself into the fellowship & uses his powers of coercion to become a pillar of the community. While balancing an affair with Rosie & flirtation with Adam, Sam lives in fear of being sent back to prison. “He is fiercely intelligent, highly manipulative, & able to get what he wants by abusing other characters' insecurities or their weaknesses,” Fee tells Tudum. “A lot of the time, I don't think it's necessarily premeditated. He's just very reactionary & a real survivor.” Figuring out how to play Sam was a lesson in embracing the grey areas. Because the character's intentions were often murky & complex, Gearey encouraged Fee to never “fully dot the i's or cross the t's” in scenes. “There always had to be room for an alternative intention,” Fee explains. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd, Lenny Abrahamson, M. Night Shyamalan, John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser, Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky, and Terence Davies, alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today.So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lighting Designer extraordinaire, Aideen Malone, tells Oliver about her Olivier Award win.
Theatre director and writer Robert Icke talks to John Wilson about his formative creative influences. Described by Variety magazine as ‘the great hope of British theatre' and with his radical new versions of classic plays, Icke has built a reputation for revelatory productions. Born in Stockton on Tees in 1986, he made his name in 2015 with an epic new version of the Greek tragedy Oresteia, which he had adapted himself. It won several awards and, at 29, Icke became the youngest ever recipient of the Best Director award at the Olivier Awards. More acclaim followed for his 2017 production of Hamlet, starring Andrew Scott, his adaptation of the Arthur Schnitzler play The Doctor, and his new version of Oedipus which transferred to Broadway in 2025. His latest West End production is Romeo and Juliet, starring Sadie Sink of Stranger Things fame. Producer: Edwina Pitman
Natasha Hodgson is a British writer, performer, and composer for theatre, television, and audio. As a co-founder of the theatre company Spit-Lip, she co-created, co-wrote, and co-composed Operation Mincemeat, the wildly inventive musical that began life at the New Diorama Theatre in 2019 before evolving through multiple runs to become a West End phenomenon.In 2024, the show won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, with my guest also nominated for Best Actress for her performance as Ewen Montagu. In 2025 she continued the role on Broadway, where the production opened to critical acclaim and multiple Tony nominations. Alongside her theatre work, she has written for television series including Don't Hug Me I'm Scared, The Amazing World of Gumball, and Bravest Warriors, and created the acclaimed BBC Sounds comedy series The Sink. Across stage and screen, her work combines sharp wit, musical invention, and a flair for ensemble storytelling.Why on Earth Have I Seen the Same Broadway Show 13 Times? An Investigation - Taffy Brodesser-Akner, New York Times Magazine.Operation Mincemeat Official WebsiteBecome a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsoleTake the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
McFly front man and children's author Tom Fletcher has returned to his first love - musical theatre - penning the songs for Paddington the Musical which has just got its sticky paws on seven prestigious Olivier Awards. Born in Harrow north west London, Fletcher took inspiration from a family love of musical theatre and it wasn't long before he was treading the boards, performing the role of Oliver in the West End at the age of 10. He went on to the prestigious Sylvia Young theatre school where he also met his future wife Giovanna. In his late teens he auditioned to join the band Busted where he was briefly accepted before being told his services were no longer needed. But so impressed were the record label with his musical ability they decided to create another band and McFly was born.He's also sold millions of books, many of which he co-wrote with bandmate Dougie Poynter.Mark Coles looks back at Tom's life and career so far.Producers: Ben Carter and Tom Gillett Social media producer: Grace Braddock Editor: Justine Lang Sound mix: Neil Churchill Production co-ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge
Mickey-Jo recently attended the West End opening night of INTER ALIA at the Wyndham's Theatre, a show he had already given a ★★★★★ review to.The play, written by Suzie Miller, premiered last year at the National Theatre and stars Rosamund Pike in an Olivier Award winning performance under the direction of Justin Martin.Here's what Mickey-Jo thought upon his return to the production, and the details he newly noticed in the writing, direction, and performances.check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com• 00:00 | introduction02:17 | the direction 12:33 | the writing 20:43 | the performances 27:48 | conclusionAbout 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 95,000 subscribers. 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 in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. 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, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
John Wilson talks to the Australian born opera singer Danielle de Niese. A soprano renowned for her vibrant stage presence, she made her professional operatic debut with the Los Angeles Opera at the age of 15 and, and four years later she became one of the youngest singers to perform at Metropolitan Opera in New York. Her international breakthrough came in 2005 at the Glyndebourne Festival, where her performance as Cleopatra in Handel's Giulio Cesare established her as a major operatic star. Since then she has sung leading roles at opera houses around the world, specialising particularly in Baroque repertoire, and has recorded six studio albums of music by composers including Handel and Mozart. She is the recipient of the 2026 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera.Producer: Edwina Pitman
Olivier winner Eleanor Worthington-Cox is starring as Cilla Black and Cynthia Powell, John Lennon's first wife, in the world premiere of Tom Wright's play Please Please Me at the Kiln Theatre. Directed by Amit Sharma, the play tells the story of Brian Epstein, the influential manager often described as the “fifth Beatle”.Eleanor won an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical when she was one of the original Matilda Wormwoods in the West End production of Matilda The Musical.As a child, her credits also include: Chorus in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Liverpool Empire), Jean Louise “Scout” Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre), Blousey Brown in Bugsy Malone (Lyric Hammersmith) and Jess in Tomcat (Southwark Playhouse).More recently her theatre credits have included: Phaedra Cox in Jerusalem (Apollo Theatre), Lily in The Secret Life of Bees (Almeida Theatre), Alexandra Giddens in The Little Foxes (Young Vic), Hero in Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company) and Mary Page Marlowe in Mary Page Marlowe (The Old Vic).Eleanor starred as Natalie Goodman in Next to Normal at the Donmar Warehouse and in the West End at the Wyndham's Theatre, receiving an Olivier nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role In a Musical. The production was filmed and has been released internationally to huge acclaim. She has worked across film and television too, with projects including Maleficent, Cucumber, The Enfield Haunting, Hetty Feather, Action Point, Britannia, Gwen, The Irregulars and About A Bell.Recorded during a break from rehearsals, in this episode Eleanor discusses all-things Please Please Me including how she's perfecting her portrayal of Cilla and why it's important for her to champion queer storytelling. She also reflects on the impact of Next To Normal, and her journey from Matilda to sustaining a career across stage and screen. Please Please Me runs at the Kiln Theatre until 29th May. Visit www.kilntheatre.com 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.
Last week, Mickey-Jo attended the opening night performance of Henrik Ibsen's A DOLL'S HOUSE at the Almeida Theatre in London, in a new translation by Anya Reiss.This strikingly modern take on the classic play stars Olivier Award winner Romola Garai as Norma and Tom Mothersdale as Torvald, under the direction of Joe Hill-Gibbins.Check out what Mickey-Jo thought of the new script, the performances, and the bold choices made by this revival...check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction01:48 | this adaptation10:56 | creative choices15:51 | performances21:46 | conclusionAbout 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 95,000 subscribers. 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 in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. 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, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It was a huge night at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday as the Olivier Awards took place – with seven awards going to the much-loved Paddington The Musical. Elsewhere there were wins for Rachel Zegler, Into the Woods, Rosamund Pike, Jack Holden, James Graham and more – all of whom you can now hear in action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins hosts a solo episode of The West End Frame Show!Andrew debriefs this year's Olivier Awards (Royal Albert Hall) and Lesley Manville's interview about filming during curtain calls. He also discusses the London transfer of I Was A Teenage She Devil (The Other Pale Studio) as well as the latest theatre news about Paddington's extension, Into The Woods' West End transfer, new Cabaret casting and Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical... plus lots more. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening!Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Last night, the 2026 Olivier Awards were held at the Royal Albert Hall in London, celebrating an outstanding year of achievement in the theatre industry.The winners include Paddington the Musical, which picked up the most awards as well as the revivals of Into the Woods, Evita, and All My Sons and the new plays Punch, Kenrex, and Inter Alia.Check out Mickey-Jo's reactions to this year's winners, his thoughts from inside the ceremony about its performances and presentation, and what we can expect about the future of the Olivier Awards and the Tony Awards...check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction / vlog04:53 | winner reactions14:06 | ceremony / performances 26:33 | thoughts on the futureAbout 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 95,000 subscribers. 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 in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. 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, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Grace Juarez delivers the latest entertainment news, including:- Paddington: The Musical earning multiple awards at the Olivier Awards.- Mixed reviews of Euphoria Season 3 premiere. - Britney Spears admitting herself into a treatment facility.
After decades shaping St. Louis theater, STAGES St. Louis co-founder Jack Lane has stepped into a new spotlight. Following the 2023 death of his husband and creative partner Michael Hamilton, Lane reflects on grief, legacy and what it means to keep moving forward. Now 69, he's shifting from behind-the-scenes support to lead producer, with four Tony Awards already to his name and a new Olivier Award nomination for a revival of “Evita.” At the same time, his musical “The Karate Kid,” which debuted in Kirkwood, is launching a U.K. tour. STLPR's Jeremy D. Goodwin talks with Lane about his path from St. Louis to Broadway and London.
With the 2026 Olivier Awards fast approaching, Mickey-Jo and his stagey fiancé @AeronJames are finally sharing our predictions for the upcoming ceremony.Check out which productions, actors, and creatives we think (and hope) will win next weekend from nominees including Paddington the Musical, Into the Woods, Kenrex, 1536, All My Sons, Evita, Inter Alia, and more.Check out today's new video for their thoughts and make sure to comment down below with all of yours!•00:00 | introduction01:57 | productions14:04 | creatives30:04 | performances 48:32 | conclusionAbout 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 95,000 subscribers. 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 in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. 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, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jessie Buckley is an actor and singer. She recently won a BAFTA and a Golden Globe Award for her critically acclaimed role playing Shakespeare's wife Agnes in Chloé Zhao's film Hamnet. Her performance has also garnered her an Academy Award nomination.Jessie won an Olivier Award for her portrayal of Sally Bowles in a 2021 West End revival of Cabaret. Her breakout film role came in 2018 when she played an aspiring country music singer in the musical Wild Rose.Jessie was born in Killarney in County Kerry to creative parents. Her mother trained as a singer and harpist and her father, who ran a guest house when she was growing up, writes poetry. As a child Jessie and her siblings put on Irish dancing performances for people who stayed in the guest house.In 2008 she appeared in the BBC talent show I'd Do Anything – the televised search to find a Nancy for a West End production of Oliver! Jessie came second in the competition and afterwards Sir Cameron Mackintosh, one of the judges, sent her on a Shakespeare workshop at RADA which she says changed her life.She made her professional stage debut as Anne Egerman in the 2008/2009 revival of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music at London's Menier Chocolate Factory. In 2010 she stepped away from professional work and enrolled at RADA where she studied for three years.After graduating she performed on stage, screen and television. She received her first Oscar nomination playing opposite Olivia Colman in the 2021 film the Lost Daughter. Jessie lives in Norfolk with her husband and their baby daughter.DISC ONE: Samhradh Samhradh - The Gloaming DISC TWO: O Holy Night. Composed by Adolph Adam and performed by Marina Cassidy DISC THREE: Who Knows Where the Time Goes (Live at Philharmonic Hall, New York, NY - October 1969) - Nina Simone DISC FOUR: Troy - Sinéad O'Connor DISC FIVE: Send In the Clowns – Judi Dench DISC SIX: Shobis Galoba (Christmas Song) - Basiani Ensemble DISC SEVEN: The Red Shoes - Kate Bush DISC EIGHT: Old Note - Lisa O'NeillBOOK CHOICE: The Complete Poems of Tim Buckley LUXURY ITEM: Jessie's own bathtub and bath salts CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Samhradh Samhradh - The Gloaming Presenter: Lauren Laverne Producer: Paula McGinley
In just a few weeks, the West End Theatre community will celebrate the annual Olivier Awards in London, while many of Broadway's most exciting new shows are opening in anticipation of the Tony Awards in New York.Though these two ceremonies and institutions seem to be comparable counterparts, there has always been distinct differences between them, beyond their geography.Today, as a frequent West End and Broadway theatregoer, Mickey-Jo will be talking through what makes the Tony Awards and Olivier Awards different, from their categories and eligibility to their history and industry impact...check out Mickey-Jo's brand new free substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction02:27 | history / logistics14:02 | categories / eligibility28:02 | impactAbout 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 95,000 subscribers. 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 in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. 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, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjardeng MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands for another audio described theatre review.This week Vidar and Toby chat about the 10th anniversary of Matthew Bourne's The Red Shoes as the 20226 tour visited the Birmingham Hippodrome with description by Professional Audio Describer Caroline Burn.About Matthew Bourne's The Red Shoes The double Olivier Award-winning smash hit returnsA timeless fairytale and Academy Award-winning movie, The Red Shoes has captivated audiences and inspired generations of dancers with its powerful tale of obsession, possession and one girl's dream to be the greatest dancer in the world. Victoria Page lives to dance but her ambitions become a fierce struggle between the two men who inspire her passion.Matthew Bourne's magical double Olivier Award-winning production of the legendary Powell and Pressburger film is set to a score orchestrated by Terry Davies, featuring the mesmerising music of golden-age Hollywood composer Bernard Herrmann, with sumptuous designs by Lez Brotherston (set and costumes), Paule Constable (lighting) and Paul Groothuis (sound).An intoxicating drama where life imitates art with fateful consequences, The Red Shoes will dazzle your senses and break your heart.For more about Matthew Bourne's The Red Shoes and the 2026 tour do visit the following pages of his company website - https://www.new-adventures.net/the-red-shoes#overview (Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB' written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio' is written in black in a smaller font)
Tom Major (Rodney in Only Fools & Horses) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Tom joins Andrew Tomlins (West End Frame's Editor) to discuss Jamie Muscato's concert (Theatre Royal Drury Lane) as well as the latest news about Love Never Dies, Lea Michele, Ride the Cyclone and more. Tom made his professional debut as Rodney in Only Fools and Horses on tour and at the Eventim Apollo. Over Christmas he played Prince Charming in Cinderella at the Richmond Theatre directed by Gary WilmotTom trained at ArtsEd where he played Rodger in Rent and also sang in the choir for Pippin at Drury Lane and for the Olivier Awards at the Royal Albert Hall.Follow Tom on Instagram: @tommajorr This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening!Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's the first episode of series 5 and our guest is comedian Ross Noble! Ross first burst onto the scene in the 1990s, quickly becoming a cult favourite thanks to his wildly unpredictable stand-up style, before going on to become a familiar face on TV through shows like Have I Got News For You, QI, Top Gear and his own series such as Ross Noble Goes Global and Freewheeling. Aside from his comedy career, Ross has also branched out into acting, having earned himself an Olivier Award nomination for his role as Igor in the Mel Brook's musical Young Frankenstein. To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, monthly newsletters, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm/ For enquiries, questions or anything else, email - dane@lockitin.studio Follow us on socials: Scarred For Life - Facebook / Instagram Production Company - Lock It In Studio Andy Bush - Twitter / Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ann Marcuson and Elliot Mackenzie are playing Mrs Winthrop and Dickon in The Secret Garden at York Theatre Royal.Marking the first major UK staging the musical in over a decade, John Doyle is directing this actor-musician production and working alongside Catherine Jayes as Musical Supervisor and Orchestrator.Ann and Elliot are reuniting onstage for this production, having previously performed together in the West End cast of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button which won the 2025 Olivier Award for Best New Musical.Ann's theatre credits include: These Demons (Theatre503), Two Ladies (Bridge Theatre), The Mighty Walzer (Royal Exchange Theatre), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (National Theatre/Gielgud Theatre), The Family Reunion (Donmar Warehouse), I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls (Watermill Theatre/Tricycle Theatre), Bloodhound, The Glass Slipper (Northern Stage), Little Wolf's Book of Badness and Hard Love (Hampstead Theatre).Elliot's theatre credits include: Lord of the Rings, Whistle Down the Wind (Watermill Theatre), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (UK tour), Million Dollar Quartet (UK tour/India tour), The Misadventures Of Pinocchio, Dick Whittington, Aladdin (Queen's Theatre Hornchurch), Zog (Rose Theatre Kingston/UK tour) and A Christmas Carol (Rose Theatre Kingston).In this episode, Ann and Elliot discuss what it has been like to work on The Secret Garden, the art of actor-musicianship and their whirlwind journey with Benjamin Button.The Secret Garden runs at York Theatre Royal until 4th April. Visit www.yorktheatreroyal.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.
Today, we're shining a spotlight on a performer who has become one of the most vital voices in British theatre. Fresh from her Olivier Award win for Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 and her captivating turn in Standing at the Sky's Edge, Maimuna Memon is returning to the stage with the show that truly defined her as a powerhouse creator. She's bringing her hit gig-theatre musical, Manic Street Creature, to the Kiln Theatre for a strictly limited run this March. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With the WhatsOnStage Awards nine days away, the Oliviers nominations six days away, the BAFTAS five days ago and the Critics Circle nominees now revealed, it feels like the right time to spend a long time discussing awards – their intricacies, their politics and, when controversy arises, what can be done to solve problems. Then, Sarah and Alex try their best to predict who might get nominated for an Olivier Award on Thursday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Art critic Louisa Buck and writer Chris Power giving their verdicts on Tracey Emin: a second life at Tate Modern. This landmark exhibition spans 40 years and includes famous works such as My Bed to recent paintings and bronzes which are on display for the first time.They will also be reviewing the Oscar nominated film Sirât - which tells the story of a father travelling the Moroccan desert with ravers in the hope of finding his missing daughter.And they discuss Bird Grove, a play which tells the story of Mary Ann Evans before she became George Eliot.Plus Tom interviews Linda Tolhurst, the National Theatre's Stage Door Keeper who is receiving the Industry Recognition Award at the Olivier Awards this year.Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe Producer: Claire Bartleet
Sam Tutty is an Olivier Award winning actor and singer. Following his graduation from drama school he originated the role of Evan in the Tony Award Winning Musical, DEAR EVAN HANSEN, in the West End. His performance garnered widespread acclaim from critics, eventually going on to receive numerous awards, including Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the WhatsOnStage Awards, Most Promising Newcomer at the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards and a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in Leading Role in a Musical in 2020. Being aged 22 at the time, he is one of the youngest winners of this prestigious theatrical award in history. Following its sell-out run at The Kiln Theatre, Sam transferred the role Dougal in the new two-hander musical ‘TWO STRANGERS' to the Criterion Theatre in the West End, directed and choreographed by Tim Jackson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nick Warburton's comedy drama returns. It takes us to the Fens and the Platters' boatyard nestled on the river.The Platter community is an eccentric one and at its heart is the chaotic pairing of Pat and his sister Libby. Libby, after a long absence, appears to be back to stay and so does Ravi, the newcomer, who Libby took under her wing. Can they all muddle along together in harmony? Possibly but there are hidden Platter secrets still waiting to be uncovered.Libby ..... Monica Dolan Pat ..... Oliver Chris Ravi ..... Waleed Akhtar Greg ..... Django BevanDirected by Tracey NealeThis second story, narrated by Pat, kicks off with a crisis: Martine, the boatyard Manager (who had a fear of water) has walked out. Her shock departure presents Pat with a problem. Either he runs the boatyard himself or employs someone else. Either idea makes him anxious.Libby proposes a plan. Both her and Ravi will apply for the job. She'll ensure Ravi gets it. Although Ravi has experience (he hasn't) and bristles with good ideas (daydreams), is this ever going to work out for the best?There are gorgeous trips along the river and over to Blake's Island. Plans need to be made to thwart a troublesome visitor. But there are unresolved issues and hidden secrets between Pat and Libby that need to be uncovered.The Writer: Nick Warburton's wonderful, gentle touch with family dramas is no secret to Radio 4 listeners, as shown in Mardle Fen, Holding Back the Tide, Downstream, and The Archers.The Cast: Monica Dolan (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Sherwood, The Change) Oliver Chris (Rivals, My Lady Jane) Waleed Akhtar (Won an Olivier Award for his play 'The P Word') Django Bevan (2025 BBC Carleton Hobbs winner)Producer & Director: Tracey NealeTechnical Producers: Keith Graham and Sam DickinsonProduction Co-Ordinators: Sara Benaim and Clare EwingThis drama was originally broadcast on BBC Radio 4.
[REBROADCAST FROM Apr 1, 2025] The Olivier Award-winning musical "Operation Mincemeat" was a sensation on London's West End, before landing on Broadway along with its original cast. But after Feb. 22, they'll be passing the torch to an all-American cast. The show is based on the true story of a daring and implausible British intelligence mission to trick the German forces. David Cumming, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoe Roberts, who co-wrote and star in the musical, discuss the show.Photo by Julieta Cervantes
Award-winning actor Sir Jonathan Pryce talks to John Wilson about his cultural influences and career. He made his name with the 1975 Trevor Griffiths play Comedians, his role as a stand-up comic winning him a Tony Award after it moved to Broadway. He won an Olivier Award for a landmark production of Hamlet in 1980, and another Tony for his role as The Engineer in Miss Saigon. His huge and diverse list of film credits include Terry Gilliam's 1985 dystopian drama Brazil, the musical Evita alongside Madonna and, an Oscar nominated performance as Pope Francis in The Two Popes. And he's been increasingly prolific in the age of television streaming with acclaim for his roles in Game Of Thrones, The Crown, Taboo, Slow Horses and Wolf Hall. He was knighted for services to drama in 2021.Producer: Edwina PitmanArchive used: Listen With Mother, BBC Home Service, 7 February, 1950 Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary?, Whitehall Theatre, BBC1, 1940s Protests on Broadway, 6 April 1991 Comedians by Trevor Griffiths, 2nd House, BBC2, 15 March 1975 Jonathan Pryce in Hamlet, The Southbank Show, ITV, 1988 Brazil, Terry Gilliam, 1985
Playwright and BAFTA-nominated screenwriter Moira Buffini on moving between theatre, film, and fiction, writing for yourself instead of the market, and shaping structure by rewriting toward the ending you want readers to feel. You'll learn:Why “you are the audience” can be a practical rule for cutting through market noise and writing with conviction. A useful way to handle reviews and outside opinions without letting them steer the work. How to build story momentum when you can't fully plot ahead, and why not knowing the next move can be a strength. A structure approach based on “writing toward a feeling” at the end, then layering drafts until the story clicks. What discipline looks like when you're writing big worlds in prose, and how constraints can keep you from getting lost. How a dramatist's instincts (plot, structure, obstacles) can transfer into long-form fiction and help sustain narrative drive. A grounded reminder about the “mundane” day-to-day of being a professional writer, and why that doesn't cancel the magic. The practical foundations she names for keeping your mind working (sleep, movement, and treating the body as part of the instrument). What it can take to keep writing alongside caring responsibilities, and why persistence is often the hardest part. The simplest career advice she returns to: don't accept the story that you “can't,” and keep putting in the hours. Resources & Links:
Broadway star Marisha Wallace (Cabaret) joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss her internationally-acclaimed career as a musical theatre performer and the kindness that powers it. This episode touches on: - How Marisha says she manifested her entire journey in the arts. - Life-changing acts of kindness from Disney's Aladdin to Billy Porter in Cabaret. - The importance of representation in iconic theatre works like Cabaret and much more. MARISHA WALLACE has earned Olivier Award nominations for Guys and Dolls (Miss Adelaide) and Oklahoma! (Ado Annie). She's captivated London audiences as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray, originated Becky in Waitress, and made her West End debut as Effie White in Dreamgirls. Marisha received widespread critical acclaim for her performance as Sally Bowles in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, London, with many critics hailing it as her career-defining role. She reprised this role on Broadway, and her performance was featured as one of the 16 best theatre moments of 2025 by the New York Times. She headlined a solo concert at the Adelphi Theatre, with her live album. Her powerhouse voice and magnetic presence have led to multiple performances for His Majesty the King and The Royal Family Follow Marisha: @marishawallace Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul youtube.com/@artofkindnesspodcast Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Got kindness tips or stories? Want to just say hi? Please email us: artofkindnesspodcast@gmail.com Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices