Episodes

  • Burlesque's turbulent arrival in the West End – and directors arguing with their reviewers

    Burlesque's turbulent arrival in the West End – and directors arguing with their reviewers
    Jul 25 2025
    Sarah is still swanning it up in bella Italia (the country, not the restaurant), so Alex has brought in TheaterMania's editor-in-chief David Gordon to comb through two big stories in theatre this week. First of all, the turbulent Burlesque the Musical has had its opening night at the Savoy Theatre, with Alex giving his verdict on the production – and whether or not the behind-the-scenes controversy was over-sensationalised. Then – David reflects on his trip to Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts - where lines from a review spark public outcry from a production's director. Can creatives respond to reviews? And how does ALL of this play into what's happening at the New York Times?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    48 mins
  • Bonus episode: Three Elphabas talk the new world of Wicked – and what the show’s legacy means

    Bonus episode: Three Elphabas talk the new world of Wicked – and what the show’s legacy means
    Jul 23 2025
    In a special midweek episode, three former Elphabas – Louise Dearman, Kerry Ellis and Rachel Tucker – come together to discuss the legacy of Wicked and the new surge in love for the franchise after the release of the hit film. The trio will be appearing together for a special concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane at the end of August, and have used this opportunity to reflect on the lasting legacy of the production, and how it set the blueprint for the modern musical – and its very devoted fanbase.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    32 mins
  • What are the hits and who are the stars of tomorrow?

    What are the hits and who are the stars of tomorrow?
    Jul 18 2025
    As the Edinburgh Festival approaches Sarah and Alex cast their eye over the listings to see if they can pick the hottest shows and the most promising futures. Plus a WhatsOnPage bonus of their holiday reading lists.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    45 mins
  • Bonus episode: Natasha Hodgson and Alex Young go head-to-head in an Operation Mincemeat special

    Bonus episode: Natasha Hodgson and Alex Young go head-to-head in an Operation Mincemeat special
    Jul 16 2025
    Alex and Sarah will be back on Friday, but in the meantime we’ve dedicated an episode to a British show that continues to conquer both sides of the Atlantic, having been crowned the 2024 Best New Musical at both the WhatsOnStage and Olivier Awards in London and receiving four Tony nominations (winning one) in New York – Operation Mincemeat. We paired up co-creator and original cast member Natasha Hodgson (now performing at the Golden Theatre in NYC) with current West End company member Alex Young, who both play the role of Ewen Montagu (and others) in the SpitLip musical comedy.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    21 mins
  • What's the point of an interval? And why are we spraying vodka backstage?

    What's the point of an interval? And why are we spraying vodka backstage?
    Jul 11 2025

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


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    35 mins
  • Bonus episode: What does an actor-musician musical even mean?

    Bonus episode: What does an actor-musician musical even mean?
    Jul 9 2025
    With Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar celebrating a lengthy summer run at the award-winning Watermill Theatre in Newbury, Alex Wood popped into the rehearsal room to find out how the show is being performed by a group of actor-musicians - transplanting the tunes and placing them slap bang in the heart of the action.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    15 mins
  • Rachel Zegler, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more discuss Evita's secrets

    Rachel Zegler, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more discuss Evita's secrets
    Jul 4 2025
    As we put out our main episode two days early (go back and give it a listen!) – here's something to take you through the weekend. In what is our last episode on Evita for a while (we promise), we sit down with star Rachel Zegler and team behind the new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Evita at The London Palladium. They spill the beans on that infamous balcony scene, the chance to revitalise classic musicals for new audiences, that staggering choreography and what the future might hold for the show...

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    18 mins
  • Is Evita the show of the summer? And if not, what is?

    Is Evita the show of the summer? And if not, what is?
    Jul 2 2025

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


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    37 mins