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Following her smash hit debut play Farm Hall, Katherine Moar is returning to Jermyn Street Theatre with her latest play: Ragdoll, based on the Patty Hearst trial. With just 4 actors, the play takes audiences to the centre of the celebrity, violence, and scandal of 1970s America. Focused on the power dynamics between "the heiress" and her lawyer Robert, the play also takes audiences to 2017 where Robert faces a trial of his own in the court of public opinion. We see stark parallels between events of today and that of the 1970s and Katherine Moar carefully crafts characters provide audiences with food for thought.

In this new interview, Katherine Moar talks to us about her experience of bringing her plays to the stage whilst also pursuing a PhD in History. We reflect on the success of Farm Hall  which transferred from Jermyn Street to a UK wide tour before playing in the West End. During our conversation, Katherine shares with us the challenges of being a new writer and shares her hopes that the theatre ecosystem would evolve to champion new writers into becoming established writers. It will be interesting to see if Ragdoll follows the same success as Farm Hall and we look forward to seeing more of Katherine's works being staged in the future.

Ragdoll runs at Jermyn Street Theatre until 15 November 2025.

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After graduating from RADA, James McArdle became a darling of the National Theatre appearing in landmark productions of Platonov, James I and Angels in America, all in a relatively short span of time. Since then, James McArdle has established himself as one of the most compelling actors on stage and screen. Now, he returns to the Olivier stage for the first time since 2019 for newly appointed Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham's inaugural show: a new adaptation of Euripides' Bacchae by Nima Taleghani. In the show, James takes on the role of Pentheus in a show which has been radically revamped for modern audiences. Taleghani's version includes rap verses and a thumping beat which helps build the tension of the piece that leads viscerally into the ultimate tragedy of the piece.

In this brand new interview, James McArdle reflects on his numerous successes at the National Theatre and why it feels so fitting returning to the Olivier stage after a few years away. Indeed his last National Theatre project saw him taking on the title role in Peter Gynt, a thrilling update on Ibsen's original text where audiences saw James lead a 4 hour show with immense energy. Throughout our conversation, he also pays homage to Jonathan Kent who he describes as mentor who has helped shape him into the actor he is today. In our interview, we also touched on his critically acclaimed performances in Angels in America, Platonov and The Tragedy of Macbeth at the Almeida where he shares insights into his working relationship with Saoirse Ronan and also fight director Kate Waters who he reunited with on Bacchae. It's a fascinating conversation with one of the most exciting actors on stage and screen working today and it seems there's still more that we can look forward to.

Bacchae runs in the Olivier Theatre, National Theatre until Saturday 1st November 2025.

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After a triumphant run at Nottingham Playhouse and at the Young Vic, Alec Boaden is returning to 'Punch' for it's West End run at the Apollo Theatre. In the show, Alec multi-roles several characters opposite a cast that includes Julie Hesmondhalgh, Tony Hirst and David Shields as Jacob Dunne. The show tells the extraordinary true story of Jacob Dunne, a regular lad from Nottingham whose impulsive punch led to fatal consequences. When he leaves prison, Jacob meets with Joan and David – the parents of his victim James – a meeting that would profoundly change both of them. Since the show premiered, Jacob's story has rippled worldwide with audiences deeply touched by his successful rehabilitation.

In this brand new interview with Alec Boaden, he tells us about his journey from Television Workshop to training at one of the world's leading drama schools to making his professional stage debut in a five-star rated James Graham play. We hear him talk about his affection for his Nottingham roots and how that's shaped him into the actor he is today. During our conversation, he also reveals that he'll be understudying David Shields in the lead role. After concluding Punch's run at the Young Vic, Alec took on the role of Jude in Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's revival of Noughts & Crosses, an adaptation of Malorie Blackman's bestselling novel. Alec won praise from critics and audiences for his dark portrayal of one of the show's central characters and he tells us about the important responsibility of humanising these darker characters. It's an endearing conversation where he also shares his love for his class at Guildhall as he also tells us about his hopes for his career moving forwards.

Punch runs at the Apollo Theatre, London from 22 October - 29 November with tickets on sale NOW!

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After earning an Ian Charleson Award nomination for her Hermia in the Bridge Theatre's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Isis Hainsworth has continued to take on some of Shakespeare's best loved roles and is now preparing to take on the role of Isabella in Measure For Measure for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Here Isis will be making her RSC debut where she's set to star alongside a stellar cast that includes the likes of Tom Mothersdale, Oli Higginson and Emily Benjamin. The production will also see rising star director Emily Burns return to the RSC following her five-star rated Love's Labour's Lost last year also at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. As a lesser-performed Shakespeare play, this is set to be a must-see show of the season with the RSC continuing it's latest season of shows. 

In this new interview, Isis Hainsworth opens up about her humble beginnings as an actress to being named a Screen International Star of Tomorrow in 2022. As she continues rehearsals for Measure For Measure, we hear her talk about her love for acting and the joy of returning to the theatre following her recent widely acclaimed performances in Romeo and Juliet and The House of Bernada Alba, both directed by Rebecca Frecknall. Indeed, we hear Isis speak affectionately about the directors she's gotten to work with and she highlights her admiration for Emily Burns for taking a bold approach to Measure For Measure, stripping parts of the text back whilst remaining faithful to the story. It's an endearing conversation throughout and it seems Isis is unlikely stop anytime soon as she continues to charm audiences and peers alike.

Measure For Measure runs at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 13 September - 25 October with tickets on sale now!

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For over 20 years, Samuel Barnett has established himself as one of the most compelling actors on the UK stage. His latest role sees him multi-roling over 15 characters in Caroline Bird's 'The Last Stand of Mrs Mary Whitehouse'. The role sees him making his Nottingham Playhouse debut where he will act opposite Maxine Peake in the title role. The new play reintroduces Mary Whitehouse to audiences, exploring her campaign to uphold British conservatism as well as the root of her controversial beliefs.

In this new interview, Samuel Barnett talks about his real life memories of Mary Whitehouse and why he felt this play felt particularly relevant today. Over the course of our conversation, he looks back on some of his most memorable performances including playing 2 of Shakespeare’s women as well as of course originating the role of Posner in ‘The History Boys’. We hear him talk about his love for acting as he shares with us his excitement at making his Nottingham Playhouse debut, insights into his relationship with Artistic Director Adam Penford and more!

The Last Stand of Mrs Mary Whitehouse runs at Nottingham Playhouse from 5 September - 27 September.

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After finishing a run of 'Stalled' earlier this year at the King's Head Theatre, Josie Benson is now about to appear another UK musical theatre premiere: 'The Harder They Come' at Theatre Royal Stratford East. The show is an adaptation of the cult classic film of the same name and brings together a top tier creative team including director Matthew Xia and writer Suzan-Lori Parks. The production also marks a welcome return to Stratford East for Josie Benson who first worked at the audience-favourite theatre 25 years ago in 'Make Some Noise'. Since then, she's performed in some of the West End's biggest shows including 'Phantom of the Opera' and 'Mamma Mia!'. The show will also reunite Josie with Jason Pennycook with whom she worked with on 'Porgy and Bess' in the West End.

In this new interview, Josie Benson sat down with us to talk about this eagerly anticipated new musical which promises to transport audiences to Kingston, Jamaica. The film is famously credited for bringing Reggae to the music and Josie tells us how the music that features in this new production will dazzle audiences looking for a great night out. With tickets selling fast, Josie urges our listeners to book quickly before the run sells out. Over the course of the conversation, we also reflect on how the theatre industry has evolved to become more diverse and inclusive of professionals from different backgrounds. It seems like the perfect time to be revisiting the story of 'The Harder They Come' and it looks like audiences will be treated to an excellent evening of theatre when they see the show.

The Harder They Come runs at Theatre Royal Stratford East from 13 September - 25 October with tickets on sale now!

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When Jasper Talbot graduated from RADA last year, he was quickly whisked off to Chichester to play Mick Jagger in Chichester Festival Theatre's production of Redlands. Now, he is starring opposite Rosamund Pike in the five-star rated  production of Inter Alia at the National Theatre. In the show, he plays Henry, Judge Phillips' awkward yet relatable teenage son. The show has been described as a companion piece to Suzie Miller's Prima Facie which won Oliviers for Best Play and Best Actress for Jodie Comer. Inter Alia can be seen as an evolution of Suzie Miller's writing with the introduction of more characters and the reunites much of the team from Prima Facie.

In this brand new interview, Jasper Talbot reflects on the last year and opens up about the challenges of being an emerging young actor. He talks to us about graduating RADA where he made lifelong friends with many of his cohort and entering an industry that is often full of uncertainty. He shares with us some key memories along the way that has kept excited about his career ahead as Inter Alia continues performances at the Lyttleton Theatre, something he describes as a big tick for him too. Throughout our conversation, Jasper remains candid about his experiences as a young actor still finding his way, learning from actors in rehearsals and in workshops. It'll be interesting to see what he does next as he cements his status as rising star to watch on stage.

Inter Alia is playing at the Lyttleton Theatre, National Theatre until 13th September. The play will also be broadcast to UK cinemas on NT Live from 4 September and worldwide from 25th September

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Whilst Brigadoon continued rehearsals, Cavan Clarke sat down with us to discuss the eagerly anticipated revival of Lerner & Leowe's beloved musical. The production also marks an exciting return for Cavan to Regent's Park Open Air Theatre following his acclaimed performance as Mercutio in Kimberley Syke's production of Romeo & Juliet in 2021. Brigadoon has often been described as one of the greatest musicals to come out of the Golden Age of Musicals, and has been much missed in London after experiencing a 20 year absence from the UK stage. In Drew McOnie's production, Cavan Clarke plays Jeff Douglas, a pleasure seeker and companion to Tommy Albright who arrive at the Scottish Highlands in the middle of World War II. The show's been adapted by Rona Munro and we hear Cavan talk about her updates to this classic show and what audiences can perhaps expect from this new production

In our interview, Cavan Clarke talks to us about making his professional musical theatre debut having long been a fan of musicals himself. During our conversation, we looked back on some of his career highlights including playing Mercutio at Regent's Park, and his work on the landmark production of Small Island at the National Theatre. We hear him talk about the challenges of being a jobbing actor too and the sacrifices one sometimes has to make in order to make ends meet. We also talk to Cavan about his relationship with rising star Jack Wolfe, and how he hopes to work together on a project in the future. It seems like an exciting time for Cavan Clarke and we hope this won't be the last time he features in a musical too.

Brigadoon runs at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre from 2 August - 20 September 2025 with tickets available now.

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Michael Lin has been in the ensemble of some of the biggest shows in recent years including 'Anything Goes' at the Barbican, 'Hello, Dolly' at the London Palladium and is now back at the iconic venue for Jamie Lloyd's 'Evita'. Having previously collaborated on the hugely acclaimed 'Sunset Boulevard' at the Savoy Theatre, Michael Lin tells us about the joy of getting back into rehearsals with Jamie Lloyd and with Fabian Aloise, the choreographer for 'Evita' and how dance plays an integral part to this latest production. He reveals how he was previously cast for Jamie Lloyd's transfer of 'Evita' at the Barbican, after the show received rave reviews from critics at Regent's Park, so joining the company has felt particularly wholesome for him.

Having started his career in Asia, performing in cities like Hong Kong, Michael Lin talks to us about his journey going from Asia to London's glittering West End. We hear him talk about his hopes for playing more principal roles as well in the future having previously played the title role in 'Pippin' and covered lead roles in 'Oklahoma' and 'Anything Goes'. As he continues performances for 'Evita' however, he tells us about the joy of getting to work with this particular company and how he's been able to learn from his peers, including Rachel Zegler who he films on camera for this production.

'Evita' runs at the London Palladium until 6th September 2025.

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After premiering in the Ustiniv Studio at Theatre Royal Bath in 2022, SHOWMANISM is making its London premiere at Hampstead Theatre. The show has been described as  a kaleidoscopic journey through theatre and its history, and will also mark Dickie Beau's fourth venture into Hampstead Theatre, a place which he describes fondly as his latest show prepares to open. Indeed, it was only earlier this year when he was starring opposite Simon Russell Beale in an acclaimed revival of 'The Invention of Love'. In this way, it seems that there will likely be an ongoing partnership between him and the theatre, with Hampstead's audiences continuing to be blown away by his performances.

In this brand new interview with Dickie Beau, he tells us about the origins of SHOWMANISM and how he began by thinking of theatres as sacred, communal spaces. We talked about his unique process of using technology in his shows as he transforms himself into various esteemed actors including Sir Ian McKellen and Fiona Shaw. Over the course of our conversation, Dickie opens up about his love for actors and for live theatre before discussing his hopes for how audiences will come away from the show having had a fundamentally human experience.

SHOWMANISM opens at Hampstead Theatre on 18 June and runs till 12 July 2025.

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After a few years living in the US, Ashley Day is preparing to make a highly anticipated return to the UK stage at Manchester Opera House in Come Fall in Love - the Musical, an adaptation of DDLJ. The exciting new musical boasts a top tier creative including book & lyrics by Olivier Award winner Nell Benjamin, music by legendary composers Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani and choreography by Olivier, Tony and Emmy Award winner Rob Ashford. The show will see Ashley taking on the role of Roger (Rog), a party-going, laid back guy opposite Jena Pandya's more serious Simran. Come Fall in Love is based on a record-breaking phenomenon that has taken India and the Middle East by storm, and this new adaptation is expected to have a similar effect when it arrives on the Manchester stage.

In this brand new interview, Ashley Day sits down with us to tell us why this felt like the perfect project to reintroduce himself to musical theatre audiences. Having started his career 20 years ago in Matthew Bourne's The Nutcracker and as part of the original company of Mary Poppins, Ashley Day is known in the musical theatre community as one of a few true triple threats. Over the last 2 decades, he's taken on leading roles in shows like The Book of Mormon, An American in Paris and 42nd Street. In more recent years, Ashley was also a series regular in Dynasty and in our interview he opens up about his love life and how his recent marriage to fellow actor Adam Kaplan has changed him for the better. We also get to hear Ashley reflect on his remarkable career leading up to this point and discuss how the industry has transformed over his time working as one of the West End's most charming leading men. It's a fascinating conversation and we hope it won't be too long until we see Ashley Day treading the boards on UK shores in another hit show.

Come Fall in Love opens at Manchester Opera House on 29th May and runs till 21 June 2025.

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Over a long career in musical theatre, Matthew Seadon-Young has performed in some of the most acclaimed productions in recent history including Marianne Elliott's gender-swapped 'Company' and Jamie Lloyd's hit production of 'Urinetown'. His latest venture sees him playing con-man Gordy in the UK premiere of 'Shucked' at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. In our interview, Matthew shares with us his excitement at making his Regent's Park debut and at the start of Drew McOnie's tenure as Artistic Director. 'Shucked' was a huge success on Broadway and audiences are eagerly anticipating the transfer of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally's joyful musical.  Jack O'Brien also makes his directorial debut at Regent's Park, and we hear Matthew talk about how the show has been adapted for the great outdoors.

In this new interview with Matthew Seadon-Young, he shares his insight into the craft of carving out a career in musical theatre. Indeed since leaving Mountview, he's been seen in 'Les Miserables' and 'Billy Elliot' on the West End, 'Rockets and Blue Light' at the National Theatre and Manchester Royal Exchange as well as more recently 'The Baker's Wife' at the Menier Chocolate Factory. As an ever-evolving creative, it's been great seeing how he's continued to prove how versatile a performer he is. It will be interesting to see what productions he finds himself attached to in the future, but it seems certain that he will continue expanding his CV with new shows and revivals. As 'Shucked' prepares to open, Matthew sounds like he is in a good place and excited to keep finding new challenges.

Shucked runs at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre from 10th May - 14 June.

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Shortly after finishing her final show at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Imogen Elliott delivered a Stage Debut Award nominated performance as Sally Middleton in The Voice of the Turtle at Jermyn Street Theatre. She is now on tour with Belinda Lang and Honeysuckle Weeks in Anne Marie Casey's adaptation of Little Women. In the short time since she graduated, Imogen Elliott has garnered glowing reviews for her strong stage presence and continues to impress audiences with her remarkable charm and talent. Later this summer, she'll also be playing Phoebe in As You Like It at Theatre Royal,as part of Ralph Fiennes' season at Theatre Royal, Bath.

In this exclusive interview with Imogen Elliott, we talked about her experience training alongside a dazzling year group of actors at Guildhall to making her professional debut last year. Indeed, many of her classmates have since made their professional debuts in acclaimed productions at the likes of the National Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe, Menier Chocolate Factory. For Imogen, she feels humbled and grateful to have been able to work with so many brilliant talents and says she still feels inspired by the people she's gotten to be surrounded by. In our interview, we hear how she's connected with characters like Amy March and Sally Middleton, and share her love for Shakespeare as she gets ready for As You Like It. There's an incredible sense of wisdom and humility in the way she talks about her experiences so far and we look forward to seeing what she does next.

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At the age of 10, Eleanor Worthington-Cox made history as the youngest Olivier Award winner for her performance as the eponymous character in Matilda the Musical. A decade on, she has established herself as one of the most versatile young actresses on the West End, recently securing a second Olivier nomination for her role in Next to Normal. Now, she has reunited with her Next to Normal director Michael Longhurst to take on the role of Hero in his production of Much ado About Nothing with the Royal Shakespeare Company. The show marks the first time Eleanor has worked at the RSC since her time with Matilda, and we spend some time discussing why this show means so much to her.

In this brand new interview, Eleanor Worthington-Cox tells us about rehearsals for Much ado About Nothing and the experience of returning to the RSC as an adult following the tremendous success she had with Matilda. Earlier in the year, she finished a run of The Little Foxes at the Young Vic Theatre, starring opposite Anne-Marie Duff. It seems amazing that after such a gritty American drama that she's now turning to one of Shakespeare's most well known comedies, but she assures us that the production will still turn to more poignant subjects. Indeed, Michael Longhurst's production reimagines the show into the world of football, WAGs and social media, and so it seems likely we'll get to see another thundering performance from Eleanor Worthington-Cox. During our conversation, she tells us about her own relationship with social media and how she's become more weary of the various platforms available now and how apparent contemporary issues are in the show when relating it to Hero's slander. 

Much ado About Nothing runs at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre until 24th May with tickets available now!

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In her decades spanning career, Cassidy Janson has lit up all corners of the London theatre scene. From the Landor Theatre to the Menier Chocolate Factory to understudying Elphaba in Wicked to winning an Olivier for her role as Anne Hathaway in & Juliet, Cassidy Janson is a definitive West End leading lady. Having performed in concerts for some 10 years, she has established herself as a singer and songwriter as well as a bona fide West End star. Her most recent credits include Jerry's Girls, Florence in Chess and Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. 

Ahead of her special concert at the Vaudeville Theatre as part of the Westway Sessions, Cassidy Janson sat down to talk about her love for gigging and how a meeting with a jive band led to her performing all around the world, introducing her to new audiences everywhere. In our conversation, Cassidy looks back at milestone moments like taking over the lead role in Beautiful and also originating parts in shows like & Juliet and Lend Me a Tenor. She looks back at her time in off-West End hits like Dessa Rose fondly and we hear her thoughts on how the industry has changed over the years as well as whether or not audience etiquette has gotten worse too. It's a fascinating exchange and we look forward to what Cassidy Janson has to offer in the next few decades of her career.

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As Shanghai Dolls prepares to open at the Kiln Theatre, Gabby Wong sat down with us to talk about Amy Ng's new show that depicts the friendship turned rivalry between Sun Weishi and Jiang Qing, later Madame Mao. At a time where we are seeing more Asian representation on stage and screen, and with China continuing to make a strong presence in the news, we were treated to a fascinating conversation about modern Chinese history and what this period tells us about China today. The new play which opens at the Kiln Theatre presents us with an often untold history viewed through a female lens.

In this brand new interview with Gabby Wong, we hear her talk about the process of discovering Jiang Qing's journey into becoming Madame Mao . Gabby also tells us about the experience working with Katie Posner on developing the character in rehearsals, and the challenges of doing a two-hander which sees her reunited with Millicent Wong who plays Sun Weishi. During the course of our conversation, we hear Gabby talk about how the industry has changed for Asian actors and how opportunities have widened in recent years. Jiang Qing / Madame Mao will also be the first time we see Gabby Wong play a historical Chinese character on stage and we hear her reflect on her career which has seen her take on Shakespeare, contemporary drama and work on screen too. It's a fascinating discussion and we look forward to seeing Shanghai Dolls when it opens at the Kiln Theatre this Spring.

Shanghai Dolls runs at Kiln Theatre from 3rd April - 10th May with tickets on sale now.

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Following on from his 40th birthday concert at the London Palladium, Lee Mead is returning to the West End to open The Westway Sessions at the Vaudeville Theatre. The first of this series of intimate concerts will see Lee Mead perform crowd-pleasers from his illustrious career that has seen him take on key roles in some of the West End's biggest shows. His latest EP: The Best of Me has been popular with Lee's fans and follows on from a number of recordings over his career which has seen him record West End favourites, contemporary hits as well as original songs. As well as starring in shows like We Will Rock You, Sister Act and Wicked, Lee Mead has also been playing solo concerts on tour around the UK and internationally. Later this year, he will also be embarking on The Phantoms tour with Luke McCall and Aaron Pryce-Lewis.

In this brand new interview, Lee Mead sits down to discuss what audiences can expect from his upcoming show as well as his relationship with Westway founder Rhydian Roberts. He tells us about his love for performing and looks back at his time on Any Dream Will Do which saw him play to audiences of millions each week as he competed and won the role of Joseph at the London Palladium. It's been a remarkable career so far as he's continued to tour regularly as well as return to the West End to star in major shows. During our conversation, he also tells us about how the industry has changed over the years and what advice he would give to aspiring young performers today.

Lee Mead performs The Westway Sessions at the Vaudeville Theatre on Monday 10th March with tickets available NOW!

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In a decades spanning career, Lia Williams has established herself as one of the most prominent actresses working today. At the start of her career, Lia was already working with the likes of David Hare, Alan Ayckbourn and Harold Pinter, with whom she would go on to share a long working relationship and friendship. On screen, some of her many highlights have included playing Wallis Simpson in The Crown and more recently Paula Vennels in Mr Bates vs The Post Office. In recent years, we've also seen her prove herself to be a terrific director, finding herself at the helm on various short films and later also directing highly acclaimed productions of Ashes to Ashes and Doubt: A Parable. Some of Lia's upcoming projects include a new TV adaptation of The Day of the Jackal and also reprising her role in the highly acclaimed BBC drama: The Capture.

In this exclusive interview to mark 100 episodes of our podcast series, Lia Williams sits down to look back over her illustrious career. We hear her talk about her early career, finding her way through challenging roles like Kyra in Skylight, acting opposite Michael Gambon as well as playing Carol in Oleanna opposite David Suchet. We also get to hear her talk about her experiences of alternating roles with Juliet Stevenson and Kristin Scott-Thomas on the highly acclaimed productions of Mary Stuart and Old Times. Over the course of our conversation, Lia tells us about how the acting profession has changed during her career and talks us through her transition into becoming a well-respected director as well. In this very candid conversation, Lia reflects on the various roles that she's played and takes some time to also discuss her relationship with son and fellow actor: Joshua James, with whom she starred with in The Vortex last year. It's a fascinating insight into one of our greatest leading ladies and we look forward to seeing how her career continues to evolve in the future.

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Following the publication of his debut novel: Speaker, Cai Cherry has continued to advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and in wider society. More recently, Cai also qualified as a New York Attorney in Public Law and continues to carve out an impressive career at global Law firm DLA Piper in London. This year, Cai was also shortlisted as a Top 12 Diversity Hero by the British LGBT Awards for his continued advocacy for the LGBTQI+ community and the Disabled community too. Alongside these achievements, he has also been assisting in writing a book on Freedom of Speech with Lord Neuberger and Amal Clooney. His book Speaker was written to be a "manifesto of his misery" but has become a source for inspiration for readers, who found solace in his sincere authenticity and sense of humour.

In this exclusive new interview, Cai Cherry opens up about his struggles and insecurities as well as what drives him to continue to champion his peers and call out bad behaviour. He details experiences he's faced since coming out as queer and being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease, telling us about the microaggressions and inappropriate conduct he's observed over the years. It's a fascinating conversation as he also talks to us about the hundreds of pro-bono hours he's done for Rainbow Migration, a charity supporting LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum in the UK. Moreover, profits from his book will go towards the charity with Cai reflecting on how he quickly identified himself with the individuals that Rainbow Migration try to support. It's a fascinating conversation with one of the biggest movers and shakers in the City, and we look forward to seeing where Cai ends up in the coming years.

Speaker is available to buy in physical and digital editions NOW!

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After finishing a 5 star rated run in the Swan Theatre at Stratford-Upon-Avon, Dee Ahluwalia is returning to the role of Karim in The Buddha of Suburbia, now about to play the Barbican in London. The show is an adaptation of the bestselling novel by Hanif Kureishi, a story of a South London boy growing up with and English mother and Pakistani father discovering himself as he comes to adulthood. The Buddha of Suburbia marks only Dee's second play after a steady career on screen in shows such as A Gentleman of Moscow and Sex Education for Netflix.

In this new interview, Dee Ahluwalia opens up about how he connected with Karim, and his excitement around bringing this show to London. We hear him discuss what it was like working with Emma Rice and the Royal Shakespeare Company team, finding innovative ways of bringing Hanif's story to the stage. We also hear Dee look back at his first play: Our Generation which similarly won 5 star raves from critics and audiences alike for giving voice to a generation that struggled through Brexit and the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's a fascinating conversation that we have and we look forward to seeing what else Dee has lined up for the future, whether it be on stage or on screen.

The Buddha of Suburbia runs at the Barbican Theatre from 22nd October - 16 November with tickets on sale now! 

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After recently winning an Olivier for his chilling performance as Putin in 'Patriots', Will Keen is returning to the RSC in Stratford-Upon-Avon for the first time since 'Prince of Homburg' in 2002. In Tim Carroll's exciting new production of 'Othello', Will Keen will star as Iago opposite John Douglas Thompson, Juliet Rylance and Anastasia Hille. Having worked with Tim on a various productions over the years, Will is also reuniting with Anastasia Hille following their acclaimed performances as the eponymous characters in 'Macbeth' at the Barbican. In recent years, Will has established himself as one of the most distinguished actors in the theatre industry, regularly performing on some of the most prestigious stages including the Almeida Theatre, National Theatre and the Royal Court Theatre.

In our new interview, Will Keen sits down with us to share his excitement around getting to play one of Shakespeare's most demanding roles. We talk about the timelessness of Shakespeare's work and why we need to keep his work at the heart of the curriculum. As he continues preparing to play Iago, we hear him discuss his process of familiarising himself with a character and immersing himself into the world of the play. He shares his praise for his fellow actors as well as his hopes for what this new production will provide audiences. Later on in our conversation, we also talk about his experience working with his daughter, Dafne Keen and how it's been watching her flourish into one of the industry's fastest rising stars. It's a fascinating conversation overall and we look forward to seeing Will Keen's Iago in the RSC's new production of the show.

'Othello' runs at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon from 11 October - 23rd November.

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10 years after the first performance of CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation, the show is returning for its 10th anniversary tour. Earlier this year, the show played a sold out performance at Wilton's Music Hall and the show is about to play second performance in the historical venue. Ahead of this second date, Lee Apsey took some time out to talk to us about the show's evolution going from playing the Old Red Lion Pub to the Edinburgh Fringe and now Wilton's. We look back over the last 10 years and discuss what makes improv still a great art form.

In this new interview with Lee Apsey, we hear the writer director actor producer talk about his love for performance and engaging with audiences across stage and screen. In recent years, he's also explored the world of musical theatre with Your Flaws the Musical. Perhaps surprisingly, he tells us how he is naturally a very structured person and improv was a way to loosen up his writing and working style. Of course, his talents have since led him to play a number of seasons in Edinburgh and CSI continues to garner 5 star reviews to this day.

CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation runs at Wilton's Music Hall on 28th September with tickets on sale now. More details available on Lee Apsey's webiste.

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After a short break from the National Theatre, Zubin Varla is returning to the South Bank for Tanika Gupta's new play: A Tupperware of Ashes. This will mark Zubin's first show back at the Dorfman Theatre since The Enchantment and we hear Zubin talk about his love for the National Theatre having performed on all 3 stages during his illustrious career. Last year, he was at the Olivier for Odyssey with Public Acts and prior to this he's also appeared in productions of The Life of Galileo, Attempts On Her Life and Dara. Over the course of recent years, he's continued to take on a multitude of roles ranging from Monk in Dave Malloy's Ghost Quartet, Thersites in Troilus and Cressida and won an Olivier for his performance as Jerry Falwell in Tammy Faye.

In a rare interview, Zubin Varla opens up about his love for rich, complex writing and the pleasures of getting to evolve as an actor. As he continues rehearsals for A Tupperware of Ashes, he tells us about his love for collaboration with fellow actors and creatives when developing a new play. Indeed, in recent years, he's continued to explore both contemporary and classic texts from A Little Life to The Two Character Play to Fun Home. It's an extraordinary career which has taken him from the RSC to the Royal Court, Hampstead and now back to the National Theatre. 

A Tupperware of Ashes runs at the Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre from 25 September - 16 November. 

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After over 50 years working as an actress, Maureen Beattie is about to make her Hampstead Theatre debut in The Lightest Element, a brand new play by Stella Feehily. At the centre of the play is Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, one of 20th Century Science's most significant figures. Despite her great discoveries, she's remained a fairly elusive figure and this play sets out to give her the recognition that many of her male counterparts have since received. The show will be directed by Alice Hamilton, who Maureen describes fondly of as being the best type of director who listens to everyone in the room. We also hear her talk about her excitement around getting to perform in Hampstead Theatre, having been a regular theatregoer there since it's early beginnings.

In this new interview, Maureen Beattie talks about this exciting new play, shining a light on a truly fascinating figure who has remained out of the social consciousness. As former President of Equity, she also talks to us about the changes that have taken place over the course of her career, providing more opportunities for women and the introduction of safe spaces in rehearsal rooms. Last year, Maureen also returned to the RSC to play Celia in a cast of veteran actors production of As You Like It, opposite the likes of Geraldine James and Malcolm Sinclair. A veteran actress herself, her career has taken her from the RSC to the National Theatre to the Old Vic and the Royal Court.

The Lightest Element runs at Hampstead Theatre until 12 October.

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After a few years away from the Olivier stage, Jordan Metcalfe is back at the National Theatre preparing to play one of the biggest roles of his career to date. In Lyndsey Turner's new production of Coriolanus, Jordan will be playing Brutus opposite David Oyelowo's Caius Martius. A well-versed Shakespeare thespian himself, this will be his second Shakespearean role this year after playing the playful Boyet in Love's Labour's Lost at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Previous roles have also included Romeo in Romeo and Juliet as well as the Clown in The Winter's Tale.  

In a brand new interview, Jordan Metcalfe discusses the pressures of playing a role like Brutus and tells us what it's like stepping out onto the Olivier stage. Having started out as a child actor, he also tells us about his journey as an actor, heading to drama school and then graduating to roles at the RSC and the National Theatre. He tells us about how he's watched the industry evolve over the years, becoming more inclusive to those from less advantageous backgrounds as well as to those from other ethnic backgrounds too. We hear him talk about his love for other actors and the joy of getting to play a diverse set of characters from Roy Faulkland in Jack Absolute Flies Again to Brutus in Coriolanus. It's a fascinating conversation and should encourage everyone to go and see his performance when the show opens.

Coriolanus runs at the National Theatre from 11th September - 9 November and tickets on sale NOW.

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After previously playing Lazar Wolf in Bartlett Sher's acclaimed 2015 Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof, Adam Dannheisser has returned to the world of Anatevka in Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's production to great acclaim, whilst also making his London theatre debut as Tevye. As a seasoned performer on Broadway, he tells us how Tevye was always a dream role and that Fiddler on the Roof has remained a favourite show of his over the years. Having previously also worked in New York's Delacorte Theatre in Central Park, he also tells us about the joy of getting to put on a show outdoors where you're one with nature with the audience. He praises the direction that Jordan Fein also takes with his reimagining of the classic show, finding new clarity in a show that everybody knows and loves. Indeed, the show has won over critics and audiences for it's stunning presentation of a story of family, tradition and persecution at a time where these themes couldn't feel more relevant.

In this brand new interview, Adam Dannheisser tells us about the joy and challenge of playing Tevye, and how he feels really connected to this part today. During the course of our conversation, he also tells us about his love for London and the wonderful change it is from working in the United States. We hear him fondly recall memories of being from a Jewish family and how he is channelling his grandfathers in his portrayal of Tevye. He also has a lot of praise for his fellow cast members, remarking upon their incredible talent as a company whilst also noting their generosity of spirit as a cast. The community feel translates impeccably in this production as audiences watch this uplifting and heartbreaking story unfold in the beautiful Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.

Fiddler on the Roof runs until 27th September with tickets available NOW.

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After an 18 year break from the RSC, Ian Hughes has returned to the role of Sir Hugh Evans in Blanche McIntyre's critically acclaimed production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. The production forms part of Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey's opening season as joint Artistic Directors of the RSC, where there seems to be a renewed buzz about the company and the work that is being produced in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Ian's last outing at the RSC was as Sir Hugh Evans in Merry Wives: The Musical, but he has since continued to tread the boards and made various appearances on screen in an array household titles. The Merry Wives of Windsor gives audiences an opportunity to see Ian back somewhere he love though and it was fantastic getting to hear him talk about his history with this beloved institution. 

In this exclusive interview, Ian Hughes looks back on his career, starting out his career without training at an elusive drama school and then becoming the first ever winner of the Ian Charleson Award. His first outing to the RSC came about in the early 1990s where he has since taken on roles in King Lear, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and more working alongside RSC greats such as Gregory Doran and Adrian Noble. It's an extraordinary career that has also taken him to commercial musicals like The Lion King, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Les Miserables. Never one to be pigeonholed, Ian has also had a career on screen taking part in shows such as Masters of the Sky, Doctor Who and Gavin and Stacy. In our interview, he shares how he's managed to carve out such a varied career working with so many luminaries in the industry but remains humble about the opportunities he's received too. 

The Merry Wives of Windsor is currently running at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon until 7th September with tickets available now!

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For many people, Thomas Coombes will be best known for playing Officer Daniel in the hit Netflix series: Baby Reindeer but Thomas Coombes has had a truly remarkable career prior to the show. During his career, he has tacked Shakespeare at the Globe, playing Gratiano/Prince of Arragon in The Merchant of Venice and has also played Oswald in King Lear at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre. On screen Thomas has also taken on roles in Eastenders as well as Star Wars spin-off The Acolyte. Now, he is returning to the stage for the first time since lockdown began in the West End transfer of the Death of England plays, playing Michael, a role that was originated by Rafe Spall at the National Theatre. This also marks the first time he's performed in a one-person show and he talks to us about the challenges of playing in the round in Clint Dyer and Roy Williams' fast-paced thriller on Modern Britain.

In a remarkable new interview, Thomas Coombes reflects over the last few years which has seen him take on roles in Baby Reindeer, Slow Horses and The Acolyte. Now as he continues his run as Michael, he sits down with us to talk about the importance of representation of working class people and their stories. Early on in his career, he won an Offie for his performance as Paul in 'Barbarians', a revival of Barry Keefe's play about youth unemployment and the consequences of that. As Michael now, Thomas Coombes is once again exploring how society influences a man's beliefs and how one's ideology can manifest itself into violence and prejudice. The plays very much reinforce some of the harsher realities of Modern Britain and the divisions that exist, but Thomas also tells us about the humour the show carries and how he hopes that audiences will be able to have a laugh as well as a think about the state of the nation today.

Death of England: Michael is currently running at @SohoPlace and will run in rep with Death of England: Delroy and Death of England: Closing Time this Summer.

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For Musical Theatre fans, Sally Ann Triplett is the definition of a West End leading lady having taken on principal roles in Chicago, Mamma Mia! and Billy Elliot. She is now currently playing Fraulein Schneider in the multi-award winning production of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in the Playhouse Theatre. Since the show opened in 2021, various stars have tread the boards at the newly renovated theatre including Jessie Buckley, Cara Delevigne, Fra Fee and Aimee Lou Wood. In the current cast, Sally Ann is starring opposite Rhea Norwood and Layton Williams who star as Sally Bowles and the Emcee respectively.

In this brand new interview, Sally Ann Triplett discusses why this production of Cabaret has ended up being such a hit with audiences. Having previously played Sally Bowles herself and also played Fraulein Schneider in the Lido 2 Paris' production earlier, she opens up about her love for the show as well as for Kander and Ebb. In our interview, Sally Ann also opens up about how the industry has changed over the years, noting the increasing presence of phones and connections slowly disappearing in companies. We also talk about the shortage of roles for women and why she's been able to work so consistently over the course of her career, having recently originated the role of Gran in Dave Molloy's The Witches, marking a triumphant return to the National Theatre following her spellbinding run as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes; as well as leading a production of Billy Elliot at Leicester Curve as well. It's a fascinating discussion as Sally Ann reveals her insights into what it's really like to be one of the West End's finest leading ladies.

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club is currently running until 31st May 2025 with tickets on sale now!

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After earning widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Cassie in Leicester Curve's production of A Chorus Line, Carly Mercedes Dyer is about to return to the iconic role two and a half years later. This time, the production will also head on a UK tour visiting various cities around the country including a run at Sadler's Wells in London. Since her Oliver nominated performance in Anything Goes, Carly has become one of the most sought after performers on the UK Theatre stage. Last year, she took on the role of Lynette Fromme in Assassins at Chichester and most recently also led the UK tour of The Drifters Girl. 

In this brand new interview, Carly Mercedes Dyer talks to us about her experience returning to Leicester and to the role of Cassie. We hear her talk about her experience working in the ensemble of shows like Dreamgirls and Chicago before going on to play principal roles like Anita in West Side Story and Cassie in A Chorus Line. We also talk about her collaboration process with the rest of the cast and she speaks openly for her admiration for Nikolai Foster and Ellen Kane, acknowledging their generosity in the room when reimagining such beloved classics. As she begins to prepare to head back out on the road, she also tells us about the importance of looking after yourself especially when doing such a physically demanding show. It's a lovely conversation, listening to Carly look back over various milestones in her career and we look forward to seeing A Chorus Line too.

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Over the last year. Joaquin Pedro Valdes has proved himself to be one of the most sought after West End performers. Last year, he starred in the sold out concerts of Death Note, made his Menier Chocolate Factory debut in the highly acclaimed revival of Pacific Overtures and is now about to return to the Menier for an eagerly anticipated revival of The Baker's Wife. Originally hailing from the Philippines, Joaquin takes time to talk to us about his move to London to make his career here after already establishing a successful career in his home country before joining the international tours of The Lion King and The King & I. Since arriving in London, he also starred in the premiere productions of Killing the Cat and Then, Now & Next and we can expect more exciting projects from Joaquin going forwards.

In this special interview, Joaquin Pedro Valdes tells us about the journey he's made over the last few years and the joy he's found since arriving in London. He acknowledges the renowned talent that's based in the UK and the competition he's found himself facing whilst remaining inspired by his peers. He also pays tribute to his wife and his loved ones for continuing to support him in his career advancements. Now as he approaches the role of Dominique, Joaquin also tells us about his personal approach to tackling characters and why it feels like a masterclass working with this company at the Menier. Indeed, the show will see him starring opposite the likes of West End veterans: Clive Rowe, Josefina Gabrielle and Finty Williams. Composer Stephen Schwartz has also been in rehearsals to talk about the show and Joaquin shares his excitement at getting to continue working with so many great talents. It’s a very candid interview too and we hear Joaquin speak openly with heartfelt candour throughout our conversation.

The Baker’s Wife runs at Menier Chocolate Factory from 6 July - 14 September.

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Joshua James is one of the most ravishing actors on the UK Theatre scene, taking on principal roles at the National Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe and the Royal Court Theatre. He is about to make his Arcola Theatre debut in Laura Walden's new play Some Demon, as a nurse working in an institution for people with eating disorders. Laura Waldren's won the prestigious Papatango Prize for her first play which Joshua calls one of the best pieces of new writing that he's read in many years. Following on from the run at the Arcola Theatre, the show will also transfer to the studio at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre where Joshua will also be making his debut there.

In our interview, Joshua James talks to us about the challenges of performing new writing and how to deal with sensitive subject matters such as eating disorders. He goes on to talk about the joy of getting to work on classic texts too having recently performed in landmark revivals of The Glass Menagerie and also The Vortex, where he starred opposite his real-life mother: Lia Williams. It's fascinating to hear him compare the experiences of working on existing texts compared to new work but he also tells us that it's important to approach classics afresh without holding them up with any particular reverence.  We hear him share his hopes for the future too as he continues to tackle thought-provoking work both in London and in the regions.

Some Demon runs at Arcola Theatre until 6th July and runs at Bristol Old Vic Theatre from from 9 - 13 July. 

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After starting out in Pop Music in the 1980s-1990s, Frank Wildhorn made a transition to Musical Theatre with his first hit show being Jekyl & Hyde. Now nearly 30 years on, Frank has written over 40 musicals including Bonnie & Clyde, Carmen and Camille Claudel. In more recent years, Frank has also been exploring the manga genre with his show Death Note winning Best Musical in South Korea before a series of sold-out concerts in the West End last year. This year, he's returned with another exciting new show: Your Lie in April, another adaptation of a popular Manga series which sold out 2 concerts at the prestigious Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The show is now due to return for a 12 week run at the Harold Pinter Theatre in the West End, with a cast led by Dean John Wilson and Zheng Xi Yong.

In this brand new interview with Frank Wildhorn, he talks about the development of Your Lie in April and Death Note, and why it feels so exciting to bring these shows to London with majority Asian casts. He tells us about his fondness for Japan and South Korea, and his appreciation for audiences in those regions who have really welcomed and celebrated his work. He credits his son for being a major driver in his involvement with these shows. We also hear him look back over his career, making the move from pop music to musical theatre and how he's managed to not get pigeonholed as an artist with him most recently composing the Danube Symphony that was premiered by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra at the Musikverein. It's a fascinating discussion with one of the most prolific composers working today and it'll be exciting to see what Frank brings next to London as he continues to work on a variety of projects.

Your Lie in April opens at Harold Pinter Theatre on 28th June and runs till 21st September.

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Last year, Jack Wolfe won huge critical acclaim for his role as Gabe in the Donmar Warehouse's production of Next to Normal earning a WhatsOnStage Award, the Critic's Circle Theatre Award for Most Promising Newcomer as well as an Olivier nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. He is about to reprise his award winning role in the West End transfer of the Pulitzer-Prize winning show at the Wyndham's Theatre, starring alongside the  same Donmar Warehouse cast who all return this Summer. Earlier this year, Jack also starred alongside the original London cast of Spring Awakening for a special 15th anniversary concert.  Here, he also tells us how much both shows meant to him  growing up and shares his excitement around getting to take part in these projects.

In this brand new interview, Jack Wolfe looks back over the last few years and reflects on the success he's found with projects like Next to Normal as well as Shadow and Bone and The Magic Flute.  He also opens up about his roots, growing up in Yorkshire as well as Wales, providing a glimpse into his warm, down-to-earth personality. Our interview also looks at some of his earlier work - playing Tobias in Sweeney Todd at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast and working on the premiere of The Magician's Nephew at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford. Our interview also shows Jack’s vulnerable side as he also takes time to talk about his mental health and struggles with anxiety. Still, he remains very grateful for the friends he’s made during this journey and shares his hope for more opportunities to work on exciting projects going forward. His enthusiasm is quite infectious too telling us about his favourite musicals growing up and his love for his peers in the industry. It’s a fascinating and heartwarming conversation which we hope you enjoy listening to.

Next to Normal runs at Wyndham’s Theatre from 18th June - 21st September.

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As the new season at Chichester continues to get underway, Jack Riddiford sat down with us to talk about the eagerly anticipated revival of Harold Pinter's The Caretaker. Often regarded as one of the greatest plays of the 20th Century, we talk about how the show has managed to stand the test of time, as well as about what it's like getting to approach the character of Mick. The Caretaker also marks Jack's Chichester debut as well as Artistic Director Justin Audibert's directing debut in Chichester too. In the latest revival of Pinter's seminal play, Jack will also star opposite Ian McDiarmid and Adam Gillen. 

In this new interview with Jack Riddiford, we talk about his approach to tackling complex roles like Mick and what makes Harold Pinter still such a towering figure in the theatre industry. In our interview, he also shares his excitement at getting to work in Chichester and  his love for intimate theatres like the Minerva Theatre where the show will be playing. Most recently, Jack starred as Mercutio in Rebecca Frecknall's production of Romeo and Juliet at the Almeida Theatre following their collaboration on The Duchess of Malfi, also at the Almeida in 2019 where he played Ferdinand. Jack has also starred in the West End runs of The Inheritance and Jerusalem, working alongside the likes of Vanessa Redgrave and Mark Rylance. Now as he starts his run in The Caretaker, he shares with us what he's learned over the years about being a good company member and the importance of being egoless in a rehearsal room

The Caretaker runs at Minverva Theatre from 8 June - 13 July

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After arriving onto the London theatre scene. Daniel Monks has established himself as one of the most exciting actors around. He is now currently back at the Donmar Warehouse in Benedict Andrews' adaptation of The Cherry Orchard. He was last seen on stage in Jamie Lloyd's acclaimed production of The Seagull where he played the iconic role of Konstantin opposite Emilia Clarke and Indira Varma. Now as Pyotr Trofimov, he is once again demonstrating his prowess as an actor to audiences, and it is likely we'll see more spellbinding performances from him in the future.

In this brand new interview with Daniel Monks, he talks to us about his London theatre career, looking back on highlights like The Normal Heart and The Seagull. He talks fondly of his time coming to London from Perth, Australia and the journey he has made from writing and directing to coming back to acting.  In our interview, Daniel also talks candidly about the ongoing struggles disable actors in the industry face, commenting specifically on the recent controversy around Shakespeare's Globe's casting of Michelle Terry in the role of Richard III. Still, he is encouraged by the progress made in London with actors like Lizzie Annis and Francesca Mills also delivering strong impacts on the industry. We also talk about the trailblazing directors he's worked with like Benedict Andrews and Jamie Lloyd who Daniel praises for having such courage to reimagine classic works. He also praises outgoing artistic director Michael Longhurst for his vision and openness to reimagining Richard III as Teenage Dick, bringing his talent to the consciousness of London audiences. It's a fascinating discussion and we look forward to seeing what else he does next in the future.

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In a decades spanning career, Danny Sapani has become one of the most revered actors of his generation. After recently starring in the titular role of King Lear at the Almeida Theatre, he is currently playing Walter "Pops" Washington in the UK premiere of Between Riverside and Crazy at the Hampstead Theatre. Having previously worked on the Hampstead stage in Anderson's English, Danny tells us about the full circle moment of getting work opposite his drama school: Central School of Speech and Drama. Having gained considerable success on screen in dramas such as Killing Eve, Harlots and The Crown, we also get to hear him talk about his love for theatre and the excitement around getting to work during a particularly exciting time for the industry.

In our interview, Danny Sapani talks to us about the parallels between Lear and Pops, and his love for the intellectual challenge of getting to play unlikeable characters. Between Riverside and Crazy sees him playing a retired policeman struggling to maintain control of his home, estranged from his son and dealing with demons from his past. The Pulitzer Prize winning play was first performed in 2014 in the United States and we hear Danny reflect on how the themes of the play are just as relevant now in a British context as they are in America. We also hear him talk about how the themes in the play speak to him in his current stage of life and share his gratitude to Stephen Adly Guirgis and Michael Longhurst for developing such a relevant piece of drama.

Between Riverside and Crazy runs at Hampstead Theatre until 15 June.

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Since leaving RADA in 2016, Jamael Westman has led productions at the Royal Court, Shakespeare's Globe and of course took on the title role of Alexander Hamilton in Lin-Manuel Miranda's blockbuster musical in the West End's premiere cast. Now, he is starring in the National Theatre's production of London Tide, an adaptation of Charles Dickens' Our Mutual Friend by Ben Power with songs by PJ Harvey. The show is currently playing in the Lyttleton Theatre and is directed by Ian Rickson. In the show, Jamael plays Eugene Wrayburn, a character that he particular admires and feels proud to be playing alongside a delightful cast of actors that includes Peter Wight, Tom Mothersdale and Bella Maclean.

In this brand new interview, Jamael Westman speaks passionately about the importance of love and empathy in a world that feels increasingly apathetic. After starring in politically themed works like Hamilton and Patriots, he tells us about how he sees being an actor as a political act too and he encourages those around him to be more empathetic and show love to others. We hear him reflect on the parallels between Dickens' London and modern London where the gap between the rich and poor continues to widen. Still, he remains positive about the world we live and shares his hope that people will come away from his latest show wanting to take action and decrease inequality. He also tells us about his desire for diversity and representation in theatre, to showcase a London which he loves and comes from in the hope more diverse talent will enter the industry as well. It's a fascinating conversation which leaves you with plenty of food for thought and we hope you enjoy listening.

London Tide runs at Lyttleton Theatre, National Theatre until 22nd June.

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Since her debut in Godspell on tour in 1994, Anna Francolini has cemented herself as one of the most respected actresses on the UK stage. In a remarkable career now spanning 3 decades, she has since earned a TMA Award for Best Actress for playing the title role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and worked on landmark productions of both plays and musicals. Some of her most notable credits include working on acclaimed productions of Stephen Sondheim's musicals such as Sam Mendes' Company, Michael Grandage's Merrily We Rolle Along, both at the Donmar Warehouse as well as Jamie Lloyd's Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory. She is now currently starring as Olivia in William Shakespeare's classic comedy Twelfth Night (Or What You Will), working opposite the likes of Julie Legrand and Richard Cant, under the direction of RSC Associate Artist Owen Horsley.

In our interview, Anna Francolini talks candidly about the struggles of working in the theatre industry and tells us how grateful she is to be able to still find meaty roles 30 years since her debut. She tells us about her admiration for Shakespeare having previously worked on The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream to great acclaim although remains humble about her knowledge about approaching his work. We also hear her share her excitement at getting to play in Regent's Park Open Air Theatre for the first time and getting to share in the magic of outdoor theatre. Over her career, Anna has also gained considerable credits on screen too working on House of the Dragon, Vera and Roadkill just to name a few. Still, she remains committed to theatre and live audiences and we hope to see her continue to share her incredible theatrical talents for 30 more years.

Twelfth Night runs at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre until 8th June with tickets available NOW!

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After Love Sick won rave reviews during its run in San Francisco, the show is premiering in London under a new title: A Song of Songs. In this brand new interview, the show's creator Ofra Daniel talks to us about the experience of bringing this story to the Park Theatre. The show sees her character undergo an extraordinary journey of discovering sexual and personal desires after realising she has a secret admirer. The show will play in the Park200 theatre which Ofra describes as an incredible space because of the intimacy it offers to audiences so they feel immersed within this world too.

In this new interview with Ofra Daniel, we hear her reflect on her Middle Eastern roots and her interest in telling stories about relationships. She passionately tells us about her admiration for her fellow musicians and actors who are each able to bring a unique flare to this piece which blends Middle Eastern beat and flamenco rhythms. At a time when the world feels particularly divided, a magic seems to have been uncovered in the rehearsal space as people from all backgrounds are able to come together to create a show that truly celebrates diversity.

A Song of Songs runs at Park Theatre from 9 May - 15 June.

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2024 marks 10 years since Martin James Bartlett won BBC Young Musician of the Year and since then, he has garnered various accolades including the  inaugural Prix Serdang and the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Rosebowl. He most recently released his 3rd album, La Danse inspired by French music and regularly continues to perform around the world in solo recitals as well as a guest for various major orchestras. At home, Martin has also continued to share his love of food and cooking with his followers on social media and he tells us about his passion for culinary arts in our interview. With classical music also still under siege by critics for being "elitist", we hear him dismiss these remarks pointing out how many popstars charge high ticket prices for concerts whilst encouraging those new to the medium to be open to the art form.

In this brand new interview, Martin James Bartlett opens by reflecting over the last 10 years as a professional musician as he enters a transition phase from being a young artist to a more mature one. Many critics would point out that part of his charm has always been his maturity as both a performer and a gentleman, and it has been wonderful to see him grow into this role through his musical prowess. As he continues to showcase his ability to play a wide range of repertoire, we also get to hear him share advice for younger emerging performers, borrowing advice from heroes such as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. As classical music also continues to evolve too, we feel certain that Martin James Bartlett will be part of the future of classical music.

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In the last weeks of Opening Night, Hadley Fraser kindly sat down with us to talk about his experience with the show and to look back on some of his recent credits too. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Music, Hadley has proven himself to be one of the most versatile actors on the West End stage, taking on principal roles in both musicals and classic plays. Hadley has also worked extensively in regional theatre, championing venues like Chichester Festival Theatre, Sheffield Crucible and Manchester's Royal Exchange. During Josie Rourke's tenure at the Donmar Warehouse, he also worked closely with the Donmar team on a number of shows including Coriolanus, Saint Joan and City of Angels. The Donmar was also where he met his now-wife: Olivier nominee Rosalie Craig with whom they share a daughter. The couple still occasionally work together, most recently on a livestream of Stuart Matthew Price's Before After and we look forward to seeing the pair on stage again soon.

In this new interview, Hadley Fraser opens up about his experience as a performer and as a creative. He talks to us about his current experience of putting together Opening Night with Ivo Van Hove and discusses the importance of taking risks, even when in a difficult financial climate. He admits he was aware the show would split opinion but remained intrigued by the avant-garde director's vision of the show and shares his admiration for Wessex Grove Productions, Rufus Wainwright and Ivo Van Hove. As he prepares to take his final bows next month, he remains grateful for the time spent with this company as he looks ahead to life after Opening Night.

Opening Night runs at Gielgud Theatre until 18th May with tickets available NOW.

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Since her debut in Fiddler on the Roof, Molly Osborne has proven herself to be one of the most exciting actresses to hit the London theatre scene. Her latest role sees her playing Rosie in Stephen Unwin's Laughing Boy at Jermyn Street Theatre, based on Sara Ryan's true story of her search for justice after her son Connor died in care. Steven Unwin also directs this new show which will also include Janie Dee, Alfie Friedman and Forbes Mason in the cast. This will also the mark the first time Molly has starred in Jermyn Street Theatre having previously worked extensively at the Menier Chocoalate Factory as well as at Southwark Playhouse. Following the London run, the show will transfer to Theatre Royal, Bath where Molly will also be making her regional theatre debut.

In this new interview, Molly Osborne talks us through her career to date. Most recently, she starred in a 5 star production of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button alongside Jamie Parker. The production is due to transfer to the Ambassadors Theatre later in the year and we hear Molly reflect on her earlier roles in Fiddler on the Roof and Indecent. In a career that's only spanned 5 years, Molly Osborne has established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the theatre industry, taking on strong roles that she describes as inspiring to her, and helping forge a way for emerging talent too.

Laughing Boy runs at Jermyn Street Theatre on 25 April - 31 May before transferring to Theatre Royal, Bath from 4 - 8 June.

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After bursting onto the West End musical theatre scene in 2019 as the title character in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in Laurence Connor's acclaimed revival at the London Palladium, Jac Yarrow has become one of the West End's fastest rising stars. After recently concluding a Toronto run of Joseph and a critically acclaimed run of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends in the West End, Jac Yarrow is heading to Theatre Royal, Drury Lane to lead the 50th anniversary concerts of Pippin, taking on the title role.  Joining him will be a star-studded cast that includes Tony Award winner Alex Newell as the Leading Player and Olivier Award winner Patricia Hodge as Berthe; with Hodge previously playing Catherine in the original West End production of Pippin. In the upcoming concerts, Catherine will now be played by West End star Lucie Jones, with the cast supported by the London Musical Theatre Orchestra and a 50 member choir.

In this brand new interview with Jac Yarrow, we take a deep dive into his career so far, looking back at highlights like Joseph but also At Last, It's Summer at the Palladium last year and Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella at Cadogan Hall in 2019, also with the London Musical Theatre Orchestra. During our interview, Jac also talks candidly about his experience at ArtsEd following recent allegations into bullying and misconduct at the elite drama school. Although he admits he himself didn't experience anything abusive during his time, he acknowledges that other's experience may be different and entirely valid too. As he now approaches a new challenge with Pippin, he reflects on his time so far within the industry and shares his advice for emerging and graduate performers too.

Pippin - 50th Anniversary Concert run at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 29th and 30th April. Tickets on sale NOW!

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After over a decade in theatre, Olivier nominee Anoushka Lucas has established herself as one of the most exciting acts to arrive on the scene as a musician, actress and playwright. Her latest role sees her playing Elizabeth Proctor in Arthur Miller's The Crucible at Sheffield Crucible - also her first venture into regional theatre. Most recently, her debut play Elephant played to sold out crowds at Bush Theatre and her performance as Laurey in Oklahoma! at Young Vic Theatre earned her an Olivier nomination. As we entered this conversation, Anoushka talks us through her recent career highlights and shares her gratitude for all the experiences she's had so far as a creative.

In this brand new interview with Anoushka Lucas, we hear her talk about her transition from playing ingenue roles to playing more mature roles like Elizabeth Proctor. We hear her talk about her admiration for Anthony Lau coming to the Crucible and her observations on how different audiences are in Sheffield compared to in London. After graduating from University of Oxford with a degree in Russian and Italian, Anoushka's career journey has been pretty extraordinary taking her to Regent's Park to play Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar to playing opposite Kit Harrington in Henry V at the Donmar Warehouse to now The Crucible.  It's a fascinating conversation with plenty of good humour and we can't wait to see what she does next as she shares her hopes to play more strong female roles going forwards.

The Crucible runs till 30th March at Sheffield Crucible with tickets on sale NOW.

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After dazzling audiences last year as Willy Wonka in the UK tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Gareth Snook is preparing to make his Hampstead Theatre debut in April De Angelis' The Divine Mrs. S. The new play was recently shortlisted for the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn prize with Gareth describing the play to us as genuinely funny and moving. In the show, audiences will see him play multiple characters including writer James Boaden and the painter Thomas Lawrence - both significant figures in Sarah Siddons' life which he show is about. The show is directed by Anna Mackin, with Rachael Stirling playing the title role of Sarah Siddons.

In our interview, Gareth Snook opens up about his experience working on big musicals and his excitement at getting to originate a role for a brand new play. We also hear him talk of his admiration for Hampstead Theatre and their continued support for new writers and new plays during such a difficult climate for the industry as a whole. As one of only 2 male actors in the show, he also tells us about his admiration for for the women he's worked with in the past as well as the brilliant actors and creatives he's working with on The Divine Mrs. S. Since starting his career, Gareth has taken on roles in some of the best known productions in the West End including The Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard and Made in Dagenham so it was great to hear how much he is looking forward to performing in the gorgeously intimate space of Hampstead Theatre.

The Divine Mrs. S opens at Hampstead Theatre on 22nd March, running till 27th April with tickets on sale now!
 

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Victoria Hamilton-Barritt is one of the most acclaimed leading ladies on the West End scene today. After taking the West End by storm in the UK premiere of In The Heights, she has went on to tackle key roles in TheWild Party, Murder Ballad and Cinderella, earning Olivier award nominations for the latter two. Now, she is currently preparing to make her Charing Cross Theatre debut in the UK premiere of Bronco Billy, a musical adaptation of Clint Eastwood's 1980 Western, featuring a book by Dennis Hackin who also  wrote the screenplay. Here, audiences will get to see Victoria take on the role of Constance Lily, the wicked stepmother of Emily Benjamin's Antoinette Lily. Of course, this is not the first time Victoria has played a villain and throughout our interview, we hear her talk about her love for bringing out her naughtier side and how she goes about developing characters like Constance and the Stepmother in Cinderella.

In this brand new interview, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt shares her excitement at reuniting with Tarrin Callender after working together on The Odyssey at the National Theatre last Summer. As a long-time champion of new musicals, she tells us about the joy of getting to create a character and her passion for building comedy in an intimate venue like Charing Cross. We also hear her talk about the challenges of working in such a high pressure industry as she reflects on the juggle of being a West End performer and a mother to two young children. It's a fascinating conversation where we hear about some of the harsher realities of being a West End leading lady as well as the joys that come with the job. Indeed, Victoria happily admits to her love for playing villains and we can't wait to see what she does with Constance Lily in this new show.

Bronco Billy runs at the Charing Cross Theatre from 24 January - 7 April with tickets on sale now!

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Ahead of the opening of Exhibitionists at the new King’s Head Theatre, award winning writer Shaun McKenna sat down with us to talk about his brand new show and how it feels to have his work premiere at the theatres brand new home. After successful revival of his musical adaptation of The Lord of the Rings last year too, Shaun seems to be experiencing a new high in his career, working with many other celebrated names in the industry. In our interview, he talks to us about the joy of collaborating with Andrew Sickle on developing this comedy which he hopes will appeal not only to gay audiences but to all audiences who go to see it.

During the course of our conversation, we also hear Shaun McKenna reflect on his career. Having started out as an actor, he tells us why he left acting and pursued writing instead. Since then, he has worked as a playwright, lyricist and screenwriter. He has written both original works and adaptations and gives us a glimpse into his passion for the entertainment industry.

Exhibitionists opens at the Kings Head Theatre on 8 January and runs till 10 February!

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Olivier Award winner Elliot Levey was last at the Almeida for Nine Lessons and Carols, and before that in Three Sisters. Now, he has returned to London's top producing house in Cold War: Conor McPherson's adaptation of Pawel Pawlikowski's Oscar-nominated film. Over the course of his career, Elliot has established himself as one of the most recognised actors in British theatre. As Kaczmarek, he helps set up the story of Cold War, setting out the importance of traditional folk music in post-war Poland. Indeed, music plays a very important role in the story of Cold War and audiences are treated to a luscious score by Elvis Costello in this exciting London premiere.

In this brand new interview, Elliot Levey opens up about his career working with the likes of Rupert Goold and Elvis Costello, but he also talks about working with Mike Bartlett on Snowflake and his experience of working on unsuccessful pieces like Take Flight at the Menier Chocolate Factory. He tells us about his love for telling compelling stories and seeing audiences moved after a performance. With one of the most familiar faces on stage and screen, he remains constantly excited by new collaboration opportunities having worked with directors such as Stephen Frears, Rebecca Frecknall and even Madonna. Naturally a curious thinker, audiences continue to be delighted by his performances and it's likely we'll have more intriguing performances from him to look forward to.

Cold War runs at the Almeida Theatre until Saturday 27th January 2024.

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After winning the coveted role of Cilla Black in Bill Kenwright's tour of Cilla the Musical, Kara Lily Hayworth quickly became one of the industry's most exciting newcomers. After the tour finished, Kara took on the iconic role of Sally Bowles in Cabaret, working opposite Anita Harris and John Partridge. Over her career, Kara has also taken on the role of Maggie May in a production at Finborough Theatre and was also in Stand and Deliver at the King's Head Theatre. Most recently, she finished filming on Assassin's Guild with Stuart Brennan and is now regularly a feature guest in West End Sings... at The Crazy Coqs.

In this brand new interview, Kara Lily Hayworth looks back on her career highlights and also shares about how motherhood has changed her as a person. She talks fondly of her former co-performers and about the shows she's gotten to do so far. Kara also tells us about her hopes for the future as the industry continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic and we look forward to seeing what else she does next.

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