In this week's episode from Podstream Studios in New York, Dr James Lovelock talks to actors Evan Kinnane and Ben Jackson Walker about LGBTQ+ representation on Broadway and beyond. We talk about Evan's role as Marc Hall in the 2020 production of The Louder We Get at Theatre Calgary in Canada, and about Ben's current role as Romeo in & Juliet as well as our hopes and dreams for queer musical theatre in the future.

Follow Evan on Instagram here.

Follow Ben on Instagram here.

Follow James on Instagram here.

'This Dance Is For You' from The Louder We Get

www.queermusicals.com

This episode was recorded at Podstream Studio in New York and engineered by Desta Wondirad (thanks Desta!)

In this episode, Dr James Lovelock is joined by Oliver Houser, the writer of XY and She Reached For Heaven. We talk about intersex representation in musical theatre, and the writing and development process of XY as a queer musical.

Oliver's website is here and you can follow him on Instagram here.

You can follow James on instagram here.

www.queermusicals.com

This episode was recorded at Podstream Studio in New York and engineered by Desta Wondirad (thanks Desta!)

In our first episode of Series 2, we are joined by Layton Williams (Everybody's Talking About Jamie, Bad Education) and Liam Mower (Matthew Bourne's New Adventures, Cats). Liam and Layton both played the title role in the original West End production of Billy Elliot The Musical before reconnecting in a touring production of The Car Man in 2015. We talk about their experiences as child actors, queer representation across dance, theatre and television, and the importance of their friendship group in maintaining a queer community.

Follow us on Instagram and check out our website www.queermusicals.com for more information.

Layton Williams: Instagram profile

Liam Mower: Instagram profile

Dr James Lovelock: Instagram profile

On Saturday 8th July, we launch our second series of Represent, the queermusicals.com podcast about LGBTQ+ representation in musical theatre and beyond. Dr James Lovelock is joined by a different guest panel every week to discuss how queer actors and creatives are changing the musical theatre industry and allowing LGBTQ+ people to see themselves - and be themselves.

Featuring Layton Williams and Liam Mower (Billy Elliot The Musical), Joe Foster, Jaz Terry and Aaron Shales (& Juliet), and Robin Simões da Silva and Teddy Hinde (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) with further guests to be announced.

Theme music: 'Sky Pop - Electronic Dance Music' by JuliusH

This podcast is funded by the University of Wolverhampton.

For our final episode of the series, we speak to the lovely Jo Foster (they/them) and Liam McEvoy (he/they) from the recent Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production of Legally Blonde about their experiences of playing the Legally Blonde dogs Bruiser and Rufus. We chat about being birthday twins, the power of Annie the musical, and Jo’s recent casting as May in & Juliet.

#legallyblonde #lgbt #lgbtq #musicals #musicaltheatre #regentspark #oat #rent #hopemilltheatre #julietmusical #shaftesbury #nonbinary #anniemusical

Jo Foster is appearing as May in & Juliet at the Shaftesbury Theatre from Monday 26th September - tickets here.

Liam McEvoy is appearing in Aladdin at the Aylesbury Waterside from 2nd December until 2nd January - tickets here.

This episode features Alice Croft and Evie Rose Lane, who both appeared in the recent production of But I'm A Cheerleader at the Turbine Theatre. We discuss But I'm A Cheerleader, GradFest and the importance of letting people be themselves within the industry. #lesbian #female #queer #representation #butimacheerleader #gradfest #liamgartland #taniaazevedo #alicecroft #evieroselane

This episode was recorded back in June when I visited Los Angeles for the East West Players production of Interstate: A New Musical. I spoke to the writers Melissa Li and Kit Yan, and actors Jupiter Lê (Dash) and Jaya Joshi (Henry) about their heroes and inspirations, their connection to the narrative and some of the key songs from the musical.

Interstate is an Asian-American pop-rock poetry musical that follows Dash, a transgender spoken word performer who becomes internet-famous along with his best friend Adrian, a lesbian singer-songwriter. Fueled by the allure of fame and a desire to connect with their community, the band embarks on a road trip across America for their first national tour. Their fiercely political and deeply personal music touches Henry, a transgender teenage boy living in small-town middle America, and he finds solace in their art as he struggles with his own identity and family.

Listen to 'Loser Dumplings' here and 'I Don't Look' here.  You can find out more about Interstate here.

Today's guest is Matthew Koon, a multi-hyphenate millenial performer and writer. Matthew was the first Chinese actor to play Billy Elliot in the West End in March 2006, and he recently completed over eight years as first soloist with Northern Ballet. We talk about East Asian and queer representation in ballet, film and theatre, and how queer identities can intersect and evolve through our art. #chinese #eastasian #lgbtq #queer #musicals #ballet #billyelliot #sandrao #drewmconie #northernballet #merlin #greatestday

In today's episode, we talk to Terique Jarrett and Elander Moore about queer and black representation in theatre and musicals. We discuss Terique's role in Daddy: A Melodrama by Jeremy O.Harris at the Almeida Theatre, and Elander's performances in The Barbershop Chronicles by Inua Ellams and The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer at the National Theatre and on tour.

I met Terique and Elander accidentally at Legally Blonde at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre so we talk about representation in this production as well as mentioning Elander's spoken word performances and Terique's connection to the TV series Hustle.

You can follow Elander's Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/elander1000.

Don't forget to check out our website www.queermusicals.com for more information about LGBTQ+ representation in musical theatre.

Music: 'Sky Pop - Electronic Dance Music' by JuliusH, 'Motivational Ident (Main)' by DaddysMusic

In our first episode, we are joined by Allie Daniel and Iz Hesketh. Allie and Iz appeared in the Hope Mill production of Rent and the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production of Legally Blonde, both of which featured a queer and diverse cast and creative team.

We discuss how trans and non-binary actors are foregrounded in these productions, and how we can continue to support trans and non-binary people in the musical theatre industry. We focus on intersections between queer people and women of colour, as well as highlighting the importance of creating queer spaces within theatre.

Allie is currently appearing in Happy Meal by Tabby Lamb at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh and then on tour through August and September.

You can donate to Allie's GoFundMe here.

Find out more about productions such as Interstate: A New Musical and Unicorn on our website www.queermusicals.com.

Music: 'Sky Pop - Electronic Dance Music' by JuliusH, 'Motivational Ident (Main)' by DaddysMusic

On Friday 5th August, queermusicals.com launches a new podcast that explores LGBTQ+ representation in musical theatre and beyond. Dr James Lovelock is joined by a different guest panel every week to discuss how queer actors and creatives are changing the musical theatre industry and allowing LGBTQ+ people to see themselves - and be themselves.

Featuring Terique Jarrett, Elander Moore, Alice Croft, Evie-Rose Lane, Liam McEvoy and Joe Foster.

Theme music: 'Sky Pop - Electronic Dance Music' by JuliusH

This week's episode comes from New York's Podstream Studios, where James Lovelock chats with the amazing L Morgan Lee about her recent performance as Nina-Mae in A Complicated Woman at Goodspeed Musicals and her involvement in workshopping the new musical version of The Danish Girl.

You can find out more about L Morgan on her website and her instagram page.

James Lovelock's instagram page is here.

www.queermusicals.com

This episode was recorded at Podstream Studio in New York and engineered by Desta Wondirad (thanks Desta!)

In this episode, Dr James Lovelock chats to Jessica Aubrey and Joshua Clemetson from Wicked about their experiences as queer people in the musical theatre industry. We discuss Jessica's work on But I'm A Cheerleader and Joshua's ambition to be the first octagenerian Lola in Kinky Boots.

TW: Conversion therapy

You can follow Jessica on Instagram here.

You can follow Joshua on Instagram here.

You can follow James on Instagram here.

www.queermusicals.com

This episode was funded by the University of Wolverhampton.

In today's episode, Dr James Lovelock talks to Elizabeth Ayodele (Standing At The Sky's Edge) and Madeline Charlemagne (Hadestown) about the representation of black, working class women in musical theatre and the importance of diverse education in drama schools.

You can follow Elizabeth on Instagram here and Madeline on Instagram here.

Find out more about Open Door here.

Standing At The Sky's Edge is at the Gillian Lynne theatre until Saturday 3rd August - tickets are available here.

Hadestown is playing at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue - tickets are available here.

You can follow queermusicals on Instagram here and Dr James Lovelock on Instagram here.

www.queermusicals.com

This episode's guest is director Tania Azevedo. Tania has directed several new musicals with LGBTQ+ characters including But I'm A Cheerleader, Mayflies and A Mother's Song as well as working as an associate director on & Juliet and Heathers.

In this episode, we discuss Tania's work along with LGBTQ+ representation in the musical theatre industry.

The podcast is hosted by Dr James Lovelock.

You can find Tania's website here.

Don't forget to follow us @queer.musicals on Instagram and Facebook!

In this episode, I am joined by David Cumming and Zoe Roberts from Spitlip to discuss the fabulous smash-hit West End musical Operation Mincemeat. We talk about how the show has been shaped by the perspectives of its creative team (and actors) to represent women and LGBTQ+ people in a story that is dominated by male characters, and we explore how the real life characters and their legacies have inspired a new generation of musical theatre fans.

Operation Mincemeat

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?

Tickets available here

Follow Operation Mincemeat on Instagram and Twitter

Follow Spitlip on Instagram and Twitter

Follow David on Instagram and Twitter

Follow Zoe on Instagram and Twitter

For more information about Dr James Lovelock and his research, go to www.queermusicals.com or follow queer.musicals on Instagram.

Tickets for fantasies come true - the queermusicals.com concert are available here.

In this episode, I chat with Roshani Abbey (& Juliet, Hamilton) and Flora Leo (Show & Tell, The Lightning Road, Stiles and Drewe Best New Song winner) about female queer representation in musical theatre and television. We discuss Triangularity, one of Flora's current writing projects as we explore new ways to tell queer stories that challenge the harmful tropes and stereotypes in queer representation.

Follow us on Instagram and check out our website at www.queermusicals.com for more information.

Find out more about Triangularity on Flora Leo's Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@FloraLeoProductions

Check out Roshani's website here and Flora's website here.

Today's guests are Robin Simões da Silva and Teddy Hinde from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We chat about audition processes, the opportunities for trans men in industry and Robin's musical Brother as well as the importance of queer-led companies and shows in musical theatre.

Follow us on Instagram and check out our website at www.queermusicals.com for more information.

Robin Simões da Silva's instagram

Teddy Hinde's instagram

This episode features Jo Foster, Jaz Terry and Aaron Shales, the three actors who most recently played and covered May in & Juliet in the West End. We discuss their different experiences of playing a character who is exploring gender throughout the musical, and how each actor connected with this iconic role. We also touch on different intersections with race and sexuality, and imagine a future for queer characters in musical theatre post-Juliet.

Follow us on Instagram and check out our website at www.queermusicals.com for more information.

Jo Foster's instagram

Jaz Terry's instagram and GoFundMe

Aaron Shales' instagram

Welcome to Represent, the queer musical theatre podcast. My name is Dr James Lovelock, and I’m an academic and a huge musical theatre fan exploring the representation of all things queer in the musical theatre industry.

My guest today is the extraordinary actor and writer Lauryn Redding. Lauryn appeared as Nikki in the gorgeous West End musical Standing At The Sky’s Edge, and was the first writer and performer to open a show at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester after the pandemic with the wonderfully titled Bloody Elle. We discuss Lauryn’s current project Jack, based on the diaries of Anne Lister, and recent television role as Mel in Smoggie Queens, as well as exploring our hopes for female queer representation in musical theatre in the future.

Links

Lauryn Redding - Instagram Tiktok 

Dr James Lovelock - Instagram

Represent the queer musical theatre podcast - Instagram

Lauryn performs 'Open Up Your Door' from Standing at the Sky's Edge 

Standing at the Sky's Edge album and script

Bloody Elle album, script and 2021 trailer

Smoggie Queens on BBC iPlayer

Signal Musicals YouTube channel

Otherland script and trailer

I Kissed A Girl on BBC iPlayer

The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs script and trailer

Welcome to Represent, the queer musical theatre podcast. My name is Dr James Lovelock, and I’m an academic and a huge musical theatre fan exploring the representation of all things queer in the musical theatre industry.

My guests today are the extraordinary writer Chris Bush and the fabulous actor and workshop queen Beth Hinton-Lever. Beth recently appeared in Chris’ play Otherland at the Almeida Theatre, which follows the post break-up relationship between Harry, who has recently come out as a trans woman, and Jo, who is preparing to be a mother. We talk about trans, queer and disability representation as well as exploring Chris’ beautiful musical Standing At The Sky’s Edge, Beth’s West End debut in Hadestown and an epic community musical called The Doncastrian Chalk Circle.

Links

Chris Bush's instagram

Beth Hinton-Lever's instagram

James Lovelock's instagram 

Standing at the Sky's Edge website

Buy the Standing at the Sky's Edge script from Nick Hern Books

'As the Dawn Breaks' and 'Tonight the Streets Are Ours' from Standing At The Sky's Edge (press preview)

Listen to the Standing at the Sky's Edge soundtrack on Spotify or Apple Music

Otherland website

Buy the Otherland script from Nick Hern Books

The Doncastrian Chalk Circle website

Other new LGBTQ+ theatre / musical theatre discussed in this episode

After the Act website

Oregon Shakespeare Festival 2018 production of Oklahoma! - website

One of Them Ones website

One of Them Ones script

Welcome to Represent, the queer musical theatre podcast.

My name is Dr James Lovelock and I'm an academic and a huge musical theatre fan, exploring the representation of all things queer in the musical theatre industry. My guests today are the fabulous writer and director Robyn Grant and her astoundingly versatile collaborator Allie Dart, who is currently appearing in the comedy about spies at the Noel Coward Theatre. Robyn and Allie are the Victoria Wood and Julie Walters of our time, appearing together in the hit musical parodies Unfortunate, The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch and Wolverine, among many other productions. Today we discuss the art of collaboration, creating inspiring rehearsal rooms and Robyn's current project, Medusa.

Links

Robyn Grant's Instagram and website

Allie Dart's Instagram

Dr James Lovelock's Instagram

Series Instagram and website

New Musicals

Unfortunate the untold story of Ursula the Sea Witch - a musical parody Trailer Instagram Spotify Apple Music

Shipton: A New British Folk Musical Instagram MT Spotlights

Tickets

Buy tickets for Unfortunate the untold story of Ursula the Sea Witch - a musical parody at the Lowry Theatre in December

Find out more about The Comedy About Spies.

Welcome to Represent, the queer musical theatre podcast.

My name is Dr. James Lovelock and I'm an academic and a huge musical theatre fan, exploring the representation of all things queer in the musical theatre industry.

My guest today is the iconic River Medway, star of RuPaul's Drag Race season three in the UK, and more recently a leading lady as Ariel in the outrageous musical parody Unfortunate, the untold story of Ursula the Sea Witch. We discuss River's unique pathway to representing their authentic self in musical theatre and talk about their upcoming role as Jem in Here and Now, the Steps musical.

Links

River Medway's Instagram

Represent - the queer musicals podcast Instagram

New musicals

Unfortunate the untold story of Ursula the Sea Witch - a musical parody Trailer Instagram Spotify Apple Music

House of Cleopatra - Instagram Spotify (original version) Apple Music (original version)

Here and Now - The Steps Musical - Trailer Website Instagram

Tickets

See River in the UK tour of Here and Now - The Steps Musical

See Unfortunate the untold story of Ursula the Sea Witch - a musical parody at the Lowry Theatre in December

Welcome to Represent, the queer musical theatre podcast.

My name is Dr. James Lovelock, and I'm an academic and a huge musical theatre fan, exploring the representation of all things queer in the musical theatre industry.

Our guests today are the effervescent Joshian Angelo Omaña and the fabulous Finton Flynn, who both appeared in the UK tour of Everybody's Talking About Jamie in 2024.

We explore Joshian and Finton's experiences in the industry, including Joshian's performance as a fridge, a double-denim-wearing museum curator, and a bee in Why Am I So Single, and Finton's concert appearances as one of Lola's angels in Kinky Boots, and as a porn star in Shooting Star, a new musical.

As always, you can follow us on your favourite podcast platform, and don't forget to share this episode on social media.

Links

Joshian's instagram

Finton's instagram

James Lovelock's instagram 

Represent podcast instagram and website

New Musicals

Everybody's Talking About Jamie website Spotify Apple Music

Why Am I So Single? website, instagram, Spotify and Apple Music

The Parent Agency website

Shooting Star website  excerpts

Welcome to Represent, the queer musical theatre podcast.

My name is Dr. James Lovelock and I'm an academic and a huge musical theatre fan exploring the representation of all things queer in the musical theatre industry.

Our guest today is the wonderful and versatile actor, dancer and superstar swing Owen McHugh, who recently appeared in the fabulous Why Am I So Single? at the Garrick Theatre.

We discussed what the show means to us and how it created an inclusive space for its sparkling ensemble and we also explore some of Owen's other projects including But I'm a Cheerleader and Like a Rat.

There's also a very detailed analysis of how to gender bins and curtains when rehearsing for a West End show.

As always you can follow us on your favourite podcast platform and don't forget to share this episode on social media.

Links

Owen McHugh's instagram

James Lovelock's instagram 

Represent podcast instagram and website

New musicals

Why Am I So Single? website, instagram, Spotify and Apple Music

But I'm A Cheerleader instagram and YouTube channel

'Wrestling' from But I'm A Cheerleader

Like A Rat - workshop promo

Television Shows

What It Feels Like For A Girl on BBC3

Love and Rage: Munroe Bergdof on Apple TV

Welcome to Represent, the queer musical theatre podcast. My name is Dr. James Lovelock, and I'm an academic and a huge musical theatre fan exploring the representation of all things queer in the musical theatre industry.

My guests today are the amazing Jordan Cambridge-Taylor and the fabulous Olivia O'Connor from the recent production of Why Am I So Single at the Garrick Theatre. We discuss the casting process for the show, find out what made the rehearsal room so welcoming, and explore why this show means so much to its audiences. We also look at non-binary and plus-size representation in musical theatre, as well as finding out about what the Pineapple Studios' Lost Property box contains for emergency audition situations.

Links

Jordan Cambridge-Taylor's instagram

Olivia O'Connor's instagram and TikTok

Dr James Lovelock's instagram

Podcast instagram and website

2008 Stuttgart production of Wicked

'For Good' - Willemijn Verkaik and Jana Stelley

'Popular' - Jana Stelley

Welcome to Represent, the queer musical theatre podcast.

My name is Dr James Lovelock, and I'm an academic and a huge musical theatre fan, exploring the representation of all things queer in the musical theatre industry.

This week we are talking to the genius writer that is Yve Blake, and the genius performer that is Mary Malone.

Mary appeared as Jules in Yve's musical Fangirls at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre last year, and recently workshopped Yve's news show Mackenzie, which is a retelling of Macbeth as a child television star.

In this episode, we discuss female, queer, and trans representation in musical theatre, and explore how to make a welcoming creative space for queer performers.

As always, you can follow us on your favourite podcast platform, and don't forget to share this episode on social media.

Links

Yve's instagram

Mary's instagram

James Lovelock's instagram 

Represent podcast instagram and website

New Work

Fangirls - website instagram Spotify Apple Music

A Transgender Woman On The Internet Crying - Spotify Apple Music

Mel and Sam (writers of Doof) - Podcast Tiktok

Gillian Cosgriff (writer of The Fig Tree) - instagram 

piss/CARNATION - Instagram

Fox Hunt - Royal Court 

to Represent, the queer musical theatre podcast.

My name is Dr. James Lovelock, and I'm an academic and a huge musical theatre fan exploring the representation of all things queer in the musical theatre industry.

My guests today are West End leading man Zheng Xi Yong and West End leading they-dy Jo Foster, who have just finished starring in Fourplay at the Kings Head’s Theatre.

In this episode, we discuss queer, Asian and non-binary representation in Your Lie in April and Why Am I So Single, and start an entirely unsubstantiated rumour that Jason Robert Brown is planning a musical adaptation of the CBeebies show In The Night Garden.

As always, you can follow us on your favourite podcast platform, and don't forget to share this episode on social media.

Links

Jo's instagram

Zheng Xi's instagram

James's instagram 

Represent podcast instagram and website

New work

Why Am I So Single? website, instagram, Spotify and Apple Music

Your Lie In April instagram Spotify and Apple Music

Fourplay instagram

Welcome to Represent, the queer musical theatre podcast.

My name is Dr. James Lovelock and I'm an academic and a huge musical theatre fan, exploring the representation of all things queer in the musical theatre industry.

Today's guests are the iconic Gracie McGonigal and the extraordinary Ashley Goh, who met during a production of the new musical The Phase at the Vaults Festival.

Since then, Gracie has wowed us with her performances as Lily in Fangirls at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, and Ashley has imparted her wisdom as Alex in Babies at the Other Palace.

We discuss the importance of queer spaces, the joys of workshopping, and our hopes for the future of musical theatre.

As always, you can follow us on your favourite podcast platform, and don't forget to share this episode on social media.

Links

Gracie's instagram

Ashley's instagram

James Lovelock's instagram 

Represent podcast instagram and website

New Work

The Phase - website instagram 

Fangirls - website instagram Spotify Apple Music

Babies - website instagram Spotify Apple Music

Shipton: A New British Folk Musical Instagram MT Spotlights

Asian Pirate Musical - website instagram Spotify Apple Music

Weird - website instagram

You're listening to Represent, the queer musical theatre podcast.

My name is Dr. James Lovelock and I'm an academic and a huge musical theatre fan exploring the representation of all things queer in the musical theatre industry.

In this episode we are joined by Georgina Coram and Lucy Mackay from the cast of the Sheffield-based musical Gwenda's Garage.

The musical is based on the stories of queer women who were involved in the real Gwenda's Garage in the 1980s and follows the characters through the political upheaval of Margaret Thatcher's Britain, including the enacting of Section 28 and the fight for the rights of queer people to adopt children.

As always you can follow us on your favourite podcast platform and don't forget to share this episode on social media.

Links

Tickets for Gwenda's Garage at the Southwark Playhouse

Georgina Coram on Instagram

Lucy Mackay on Instagram

Dr James Lovelock on Instagram

Queermusicals on Instagram and website