Call To Stage with Amber Davies

Fresh off the back of standout reviews for her portrayal of Lois in Kiss Me, Kate at London's Barbican Theatre, the theatre world is finally giving Georgina Onuorah her flowers. Alongside her latest critically acclaimed performance, she also played Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton and Ado Annie in the Olivier-award winning retelling of Oklahoma! in the West End.

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Georgina talk about discovering theatre as a career path, winning the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Scholarship, the importance of resilience and her work in Bad Cinderella, Oklahoma! and The Wizard of Oz.

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We are joined by a true legend of the theatre! Having grown up in Manila, Joanna Ampil auditioned at an open call for the original production of Miss Saigon - and, despite having no experience - landed the lead role of Kim and was flown to London to open the show at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Since then, Joanna has played the most desired roles in the West End including both Éponine and Fantine in Les Miserables, Mimi in Rent, Grizabella in Cats and played Mary Magdalene in the revival of Jesus Christ Superstar. She currently stars as Carlotta in The Phantom of The Opera at His Majesty's Theatre.

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Joanna talk about the difference between theatre audiences worldwide, navigating different singing styles, being the first person of colour to play Fantine in Les Mis and the incredible story behind her breakthrough.

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With over a decades experience in the West End, Frances Mayli McCann has just about done in all. Having been nominated for an Olivier Award and a WhatsOnStage Award (including one for Best Performer in a Musical), Frances made her West End debut in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre and has gone on to play the titular roles in Bonnie & Clyde and Heathers in the West End, as well as roles in Les Misérables and Here Lies Love at the National Theatre.

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Frances cover everything from breaking out in Bonnie and Clyde to her early TV work in River City and Britannia High. Frances also shares her experience training at Glasgow Academy of Musical Theatre Arts and the differences between working on stage and screen.

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WhatsOnStage Award winner? Tick! In the SIX family? Tick! An inspiring story from a dedicated performer? Triple Tick! From being in the Ensemble in Kinky Boots in the West End, to understudying for Evita at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, portraying Catherine of Aragon in the UK Tour of Six and even a stint on ITV's The Voice... Lauren Drew has done it all (including winning a WhatsOnStage Award for the Regents Park Open Air Theatre production of Legally Blonde).

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Lauren talk about training at Mountview, her stint on The Voice during COVID-19, performing Fantine in Les Misérables for Claude-Michel Schönberg and touring Six across the UK.

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From Wicked to Mamma Mia, Hello Dolly to Mary Poppins, Half A Sixpence, Crazy For You and Kiss Me Kate, Charlie Stemp is undoubtedly one of the West End's hottest stars. Having been discovered by Sir Cameron Mackintosh and selected to take leading man status in the West End production of Half A Sixpence, Charlie has performed everywhere from the London Palladium to Broadway. He has even been nominated for three Olivier Awards... and won a WhatsOnStage Award!

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Charlie talk about training at Laine Theatre Arts, the differences between West End and Broadway, starring opposite Zizi Strallen as Bert in Mary Poppins and gaining the support of Sir Cameron Mackintosh.

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She is one of the West End's most loved actors (and Olivier Award and WhatsOnStage Award-nominated at that!)... this week we're joined by Zizi Strallen! From her acclaimed performance as Mary Poppins on tour and at the Prince Edward Theatre to the National Theatre's Follies and a stand-out run in Strictly Ballroom at the Piccadilly Theatre, over the past decade Zizi has become one of London's most celebrated leading ladies.

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Zizi talk about growing up in a theatre family, her experience at the Royal Variety Performance, playing Mary Poppins and Zizi's role in the star-studded Cats film.

You can catch Zizi Strallen in Oklahoma In Concert! at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th August: https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/rodgers-hammersteins-oklahoma/

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Are we seeing deja vu... or is this TWO Vivian Ward's? This week's guest didn't just originate the role in the West End production of Pretty Woman - she also originated the roles of Katherine Howard in the West End production of SIX The Musical and Daniela in the London production of In The Heights (at the King's Cross Theatre). That might sound like a lot of originating, but it's all in a days work for this Olivier Award-nominated triple-threat.

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Aimie Atkinson talk about going from dance lessons to centre stage, originating major West End roles and the importance of persistence, and supportive friendships, in theatre.

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From Hairspray to Hamilton, Jordan Benjamin is in the spotlight in some of the West End's most talked about shows. Currently appearing as John Laurens & Phillipp Hamilton in the West End production of Hamilton, he also starred in the acclaimed, Olivier Award winning production The Little Big Things as well as Back To The Future... where he met his friend, Amber Davies.

In this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Jordan talk about meeting his girlfriend on-stage (and her Olivier Award win), landing a role in Hamilton, his audition process and, of course, his pre-show ritual.

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This is not a drill... we got Alice Fearn on the podcast! Having occupied some of the West End's most iconic roles - from nearly three years as Elphaba in Wicked, to Rapunzel in the Regents Park Open Air Theatre production of Into The Woods as well as Beverley Bass in the critically acclaimed Come From Away - Alice Fearn has undoubtedly cemented herself in West End history.

In this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Alice talk about playing characters based on real people (and meeting them!), the challenges of playing Elphaba, accepting older characters as she prepares to play Heidi Hansen in the UK Tour of Dear Evan Hansen and the events that led to Ariana Grande following her on Instagram!

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Her name is Georgina Castle, and she is a massive deal. Currently your Regina George in Mean Girls in the West End, Georgina is firmly one of the West End's most exciting rising stars. Over the past few years, she has played key roles in the West End productions of Dirty Dancing, Elf The Musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber's CINDERELLA and 9 To 5 The Musical, alongside our very own Amber Davies.

In this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Georgina recount their six-year friendships and the highlights of Georgina's vibrant career. They also dig into audition processes as well as your listener-submitted questions.

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