He’s the remarkable stage actor currently leading as King II Targaryen in the world premiere of Game of Thrones: The Mad King at the RSC in Stratford. 

Based on the novels by George R. R. Martin and adapted for the stage by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke, the play marks a milestone moment for the globally-adored franchise – and celebrates a new chapter in the world of possibilities for major theatrical epics. But how do you bring this extraordinary tale to life each and every night on stage? 

Well lets find out as just moments before he takes to the stage at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in this world premiere production, we dive deep on the wondrous world of Game of Thrones: The Mad King, including making his RSC debut, building a beloved character up in a new chapter – and why his pursuit of truth in a world of madness has been one of his favourite theatrical endeavours so far.

Plus, we celebrate the genius of George R. R. Martin, his visit to see the show on two separate occasions – and how this has turned out to be George’s favourite version of the infamous Iron Throne.

We also acknowledge the global love of fans embracing new faces inside the world of Game of Thrones, what it’s really like seated up that famous Throne - and how he’s gone from being a newbie to certified fan in the GOT universe. 

An epic of all epics? Sounds about right for The Mad King…

Host: William J Connolly

Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell

www.rsc.org.uk

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Enter centre stage… a legend.

With an extraordinary 11 Grammy nominations, 3 Emmy nominations and a Tony nomination to her name, Vanessa Williams has broken boundaries and captivated audiences for decades. From chart-topping music to unforgettable roles across film, television and stage, she has become the definition of hard work, soaring talent and undeniable stage presence.

Currently originating the ultimate boss from hell in the official stage adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada, it’s time to check in at Runway and celebrate her final chapter as Miranda Priestly — ahead of her major live solo show, which begins touring next February.

Direct from her home, we reflect on her milestone journey at the Dominion Theatre, why performing in the West End is a dream come true, how London has embraced her — and why she is proud to dive deeper into and explore more of the most famous fashion boss of all time.

Plus, we talk all things Sir Elton John and Jerry Mitchell, her soaring love for co-star Matt Henry, and why everything is iconic at Runway — from her entrance and those quotable lines to all that fashion.

And with friends, industry peers and colleagues including Chita Rivera, Stephen Sondheim, Luther Vandross, Hal Prince and Barbara Cook (to name but a few!), we celebrate a life on stage that has allowed Vanessa to flourish and shine — and why she has never taken a moment of it for granted.

And above all else, why you should NEVER measure yourself by the opinion of others.

It’s time to enter the House of Vanessa — legends only edition.

Host: William J Connolly

Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell

devilwearspradamusical.com

vanessawilliamslive.co.uk

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She’s the kick-ass London stage star that’s currently making her acting debut as Katniss Everdeen in the original production of The Hunger Games: On Stage – a show adapted by Conor McPherson and directed by Matthew Dunster.

From the thrill of shocking fan reactions to misbehaving props and the “insane” live experience and theatricals, we dive into life inside the of the new Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre and why there’s no other theatrical world like it.

Plus we talk about the books and what Jennifer Lawrence did so perfectly on the big screen, the thrill of meeting  original author Suzanne Collins and how you build up a role that is equal parts script, and superhero with the level of extra physicality and stunt work required. 

And, you never truly lose the feeling of being a fan of this world - even when you become its newest soaring star. 
Host: William J Connolly

Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell

thehungergamesonstage.com

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He’s the Tony and Olivier-recognised writer that’s penned some of the most impactful pieces of work of the last 20+years. 

From Glorious! to End of the Rainbow and now Allegra - alongside many, many others – his work has brought soaring female-led stories to the forefront of our industry, often with an added live music element, too.

To mark the final performances of his new hit Allegra – led by Dame Maureen Lipman - we dive into life back in the West End and why there’s a power in writing for comedic joy, being reunited with Maureen after their legendary work on Glorious! and how personal loss in his life was the unexpected real-world inspiration for his new show.

We also talk all things End of the Rainbow, having leading stars like Tracie Bennett and most recently Jinkx Monsoon play the leading role, and why the show is more of a comedy than people expect - even through the tears and struggles - and, he reveals how, in one rather peak period in his life, he actually wrote both Glorious! And End of the Rainbow within the same 6-months period. 

Plus, he lets us into his mind on everything from inspiration and ideas to story and construction on the page, how he continues to write two or three plays each and every year, and why sometimes not having a plan is “good” for the writing journey.

Host: William J Connolly

Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell

allegraplay.com

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Tina Sinatra isn’t sure if the pride will land first, or the tears. At the point of which we connect, it’s the latter. 

Sat in her hotel room just hours before the West End premiere of a musical that honours the life of her parents - promising to “sustain him and honour him” when talk turns to her rather famous father, Frank - there’s a cocktail of emotions and pressure starting to build. 

With a book by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro and directed and choreographed by Olivier Award-winner and three-time Tony Award-winner, Kathleen Marshall, the daughter of one of the most famous men in music history knows the story of her family and how much they mean to music lovers throughout the generations - and is ready to introduce them to a new offering; Sinatra: The Musical, a show about the music, the man and showing the world just how strong her mum really was.

Having its premiere now in London, a city that she reveals was Frank’s second favourite to play of anywhere across the globe - we all know where the first is! – Tina explains why this is a chapter she wants fans to throw their arms around, saying that she is “so happy” with the results of the musical.

Guaranteeing that it shows Frank’s life in both the good and the ugly, the emotion of seeing her parents lives play out on stage with real humans and the added punch of the songs evokes “cheers they (her parents) hear in heaven” from those lucky enough to sit in the audience and go on this wild ride together. 

And the task of becoming Frank? That’s the job of Joel Harper-Jackson, a leading man that she calls as “phenomenal” as her father - tears returning once again to her eyes. 

So what’s it like to have the life of your family brought to the stage in a BIG and roaring West End musical? Well… emotional pride might be the best way to describe it all, as Tina Sinatra does here in this rather special episode of eleven.

Host: William J Connolly

Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell

Photography by: Gareth Cattermole

sinatramusical.com

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He’s the stage and screen actor that’s earned himself a wealth of fans from across both mediums thanks to his varied and detailed work, with projects like Bridgerton 2, Benediction, Black Beauty, Mrs Wilson, Derry Girls, What It Feels Like For A Girl, Ghosts, Lord of the Rings, Archie, Sweetpea and Wife, to name but a few.

And now, he’s stepping into his first principal stage role to star in Tom Wright’s new play Please Please Me, which plays at the Kiln Theatre until 29th May. 

So here, in an exclusive conversation recorded just as the show began its life at the Kiln Theatre, we dive into the magic of bringing a story like Please Please Me to the stage, including exploring the “complicated” life of Brian Epstein - the unsung, gay legend and ‘Fifth Beatle’.

We also explore the safety of not having an audience all the way to the thrill of a sold-out one, the power of literature and research in building an understanding of the past and how music helps bring people together.

Plus, how he loves jumping between stage and screen to apply his craft to both, becoming a student to leading industry peers and why he wanted to push himself out of his safety zone and honour the legacy of this remarkable music pioneer.
Host: William J Connolly

Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell

kilntheatre.com

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She’s the newly-crowed Olivier winner and certified West End leading star that’s currently delivering the performance of a lifetime as Millicent Clyde in the original London cast of Paddington: The Musical at the Savoy Theatre.

From her time rising through the ranks to starring roles in Hadestown, Cinderella, Death of a Salesman, Murder Ballad and many, many others, she’s earned herself a career on the stage like no other. 

In this exclusive conversation direct from her home, we reflect on stepping into the darkness to spend her days hunting down the most famous bear of all of London as Millicent Clyde in Paddington: The Musical, and why there’s joy in those Pretty Little Dead Things.

Plus, we celebrate the unmatched response to the show, how it’s “tough” to be mean to Paddington on stage when he’s looking directly into your eyes - somebody she describes as “the most perfect specimen” - and why there are cheers and tears every night when the little guy makes his first entrance. 

We also explore the joyful complexities of being a working mum in her 40s in the arts, the “wonder” of singing Anais Mitchell in Hadestown and why Paddington stands for “everything that’s right in the world”.

Note: This episode was recorded before Victoria was crowned with her recent Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical.

Host: William J Connolly

Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell

paddingtonthemusical.com

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He’s the Tony-recognised director and king of LOL that’s helped bring to life some of the funniest pieces of theatre and film - from Shrek: The Musical to Pitch Perfect, all the way to Sisters, starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler and his Tony-winning smash-hit show Avenue Q- which now celebrates 20+ years since its first off-Broadway opening back in 2003.
Now the famous singing puppets return to London with a special 20th-anniversary West End production, brought together by the original Broadway creative team.
In this exclusive conversation direct from London, Avenue Q’s original director reflects on the power of singing puppets, tackling topics that seem off-limits until you’ve a furry friend by your side, and what the first reactions were like to the show back in 2003 - including the puppets getting down and dirty in You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want (When You’re Makin’ Love).
Plus, the rare task of revisiting a show 20+ years later, updating his material for a new 2026 audience and how Lucy, The Slut’s now infamous performance of Special for the then Prince Charles came about. 

We also dive into key moments from his career including mounting Shrek: The Musical for Broadway (farting ogres and all), working with Reese Witherspoon on the upcoming Legally Blonde prequel series Elle, and why he shares our collective excitement at the new Murder She Wrote adaptation starring Jamie Lee Curtis as iconic mystery writer Jessica Fletcher, which he is set to also direct.

Anybody for a bit of puppet love?

Host: William J Connolly

Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell

avenueqmusical.co.uk

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She’s the Grammy-winning music powerhouse that’s been the soundtrack to our lives for more than two decades and produced some of the most moving music offerings of all-time – few greater than her Tony-recognised musical Waitress, which took New York by storm when it first began performances back in 2016. 

Now, in an exclusive conversation marking the 10th anniversary of the show’s Broadway debut — and as a thrilling new touring production moves audiences across the UK — its Tony-nominated composer reflects on the life-changing journey of writing for Jenna, the pie-maker with a heart of gold.

So direct from Stateside and taking a break from her time in the studio, we deep dive into the original creations of Waitress in this 14-year journey; including overcoming imposter syndrome while writing her first Broadway musical, writing soaring anthems like She Used to Be Mine, Soft Place To Hand and What Baking Can Do — and the honour of bringing Adrienne Shelly’s beloved story to the stage with a history-making creative team.

We also discuss the emotional impact of Jessie Mueller’s original performance, how developing the role with her gave the composer the courage to step into Jenna’s shoes herself and understanding the value of feeling uncomfortable when creating new art.

And she celebrates the power of new storytelling for her show with new faces and new audiences as Waitress tours the UK in this 10th anniversary year. 

Sugar. Butter. Sara.

Host: William J Connolly

Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell

waitressthemusical.co.uk

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She’s the two-time Tony nominee and all-round Broadway icon that’s cemented herself as one of the greatest to treat the boards.

From her star turns in Smash, 9 to 5: The Musical, Wicked, Noises Off and, of course, as Madeline Ashton most recently in Death Becomes Her, comedy, high-belting and joy comes as second nature to her - thrilling audiences and earning her a global army of fans.

And now, she’s coming to the UK this May for a series of solo concerts - marking her return to these shores for the first time since 2018, playing the iconic Theatre Royal Drury Lane. 

So with her best British accent at the ready and direct from her home Stateside, we discuss life post Death Becomes Her as she celebrates the hardest role of her life - her words, not mine - and why Madeline Ashton is the character she now feels closest to - plus, we go deep on the non-stop nature of a leading a comedy-led role like Madeline, the online discourse around audience members filming in the theatre as she explains it can feel like a “violation” to the performers on stage, and she reveals just how her now viral improv wedding moments – including the now brilliant Jet 2 and Grindr ‘brup’ – came about. 

We also talk about the growing love and legacy of Smash, how her performance of Thank Goodness in Wicked being shared online has become an unexpected throwback to her time as Glinda, and how performing for superstars like Beyoncé and Dolly Parton was the greatest of honours.

Plus, for those lucky enough to have a ticket for her now two sold out London shows this May, she shares a peak into new songs in an epic set list of hits that she’s honoured are now associated with her - in a show she promises you will leave “knowing that we are best friends”.

And why above it all, she remains true to her life mantra, by always doing it always for the gaze…

Host: William J Connolly

Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell

lwtheatres.co.uk

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