Joel Montague is playing Buddy in Elf The Musical.

Elf has returned to the West End for a Christmas run at the Aldwych Theatre. Joel is playing Buddy opposite his wife, Carrie Hope Fletcher, who is playing Jovie.

Joel recently finished playing George Wilson in The Great Gatsby (London Coliseum) and earlier this year completed his reign as London’s longest-serving King George III in Hamilton (Victoria Palace Theatre).

His other theatre credits include: Harvey Goldsmith in Just For One Day (Old Vic), Amos Hart in Chicago (UK Tour), Ogie in Waitress (Adelphi Theatre), Mendel in Falsettos (The Other Palace), Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls (Théâtre Marigny, Paris), Kiss Me Kate (Sheffield Crucible), Kevin in Fat Friends (UK Tour), alternate Dewey Finn in School of Rock (New London Theatre), Eddie in Funny Girl (Savoy Theatre/Menier Chocolate Factory), The Producers (UK Tour), Urinetown (Apollo Theatre/St James Theatre), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (UK Tour), Sister Act (UK Tour) and Billy Elliot (West End).

In this episode, Joel discusses all-things Elf and how he's coping with the demands of playing Buddy. He also talks about the killer cast of Gatsby, what it was like to leave Hamilton after such a long run and he reflects on some of his earlier jobs like Urinetown and Funny Girl. Joel also discusses what it was like to work with Cynthia Erivo when she played Deloris in the Sister Act UK tour.

Elf The Musical runs at the Aldwych Theatre until 3rd January 2026. Visit www.elflondon.com for info and tickets.

This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins 

@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]

Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

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Baylie Carson is starring as Oceon in the UK premiere of Ride The Cyclone.

With book, music and lyrics by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, Ride The Cyclone has become a cult favourite with a huge online following. Lizzi Gee has directed and choreographed the show which begins performances tonight (14th November) at the Southwark Playhouse.

Baylie is from Australia, and has performed in many Australian productions including The Boy From Oz, Bring It On and Lazarus. They also competed in The Voice Australia.  

After performing in the Australian production of Jagged Little Pill, Baylie moved to the UK and made their West End debut as Anne Boleyn in Six The Musical (Vaudeville Theatre). They went on to be in the original West End cast of Mean Girls (Savoy Theatre) covering Janis. Most recently Baylie performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Midnight At The Palace.

Recorded during a break from rehearsals, in this episode Baylie talks about the excitement surrounding Ride The Cyclone and what it’s like to be opening such a hyped up show. Baylie also reflects on their time in Six and Mean Girls and talks about being non-binary and working in theatre… as well as their epic journey from Australia to London.

Ride The Cyclone runs at the Southwark Playhouse until 10th January 2026. Visit www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk for info and tickets.

This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins 

@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]

Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

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Diego Andres Rodriguez is In The Frame!

Diego is part of the all-star cast of the brand new musical Roam which is being staged for a one-night concert.

Roam will play the Shaftesbury Theatre later this month, directed by Rupert Hands. The show centres on a nomadic clan whose caravan breaks down en route to a sacred festival, forcing them to confront past traumas, family rivalries, identity and legacy, featuring a high-voltage rock-pop-Romani-fusion score by Alexander Sage Oyen.

Diego made his professional debut as Artie and understudy for Joe Gillis in Jamie Lloyd's Broadway transfer of Sunset Boulevard.

Earlier this year he made his West End debut as Che in Evita at the London Palladium. Diego performed alongside Rachel Zegler in the sell-out show, which was also directed by Jamie Lloyd.

In this episode, Diego discusses all-things Roam as well as his whirlwind couple of years with Sunset and Evita, and why he has fallen in love with London.

Roam plays the Shaftesbury Theatre on 23rd November. Visit www.roammusical.com for info and tickets.

This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins 

@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]

Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

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Ash Hunter is playing Billy in the premiere of The Meat Kings! (Inc.) of Brooklyn Heights by Hannah Doran at the Park Theatre.

The Meat Kings! (Inc.) of Brooklyn Heights is Hannah’s debut play and won last year’s Papatango New Writing Prize. Ash’s character is a young man who steals steaks to pay for his mother’s cancer treatment, it’s described as a "darkly funny, moving exploration of family, survival and the failing American Dream".

Ash was in the original West End cast of Hamilton as the alternate Alexander Hamilton, and he went on the take over and play the role full-time.

Some of his recent stage roles include Heathcliff in Emma Rice’s production of Wuthering Heights at the National Theatre and the title role in Macbeth at the Leeds Playhouse. He played Nick in Grenfell: In The Words of Survivors at the National Theatre and in New York at St Ann’s Warehouse. 

Alongside lots of other theatre work, Ash has worked extensively on screen.

In this episode, Ash discusses why The Meat Kings! (Inc.) of Brooklyn Heights made him want to return to the stage. He also reflects on his musical theatre era in Hamilton and the impact of his journey with Grenfell: In The Words of Survivors.

The Meat Kings! (Inc.) of Brooklyn Heights runs at the Park Theatre until 29th November. Visit www.parktheatre.co.uk for info and tickets.

This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins 

@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]

Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

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Recorded in July, this is a previously unreleased section of Aimée Fisher and George Crawford's recent episode of In The Frame.

In this bonus section, Aimée discusses her auditions for Paddington The Musical and why she's excited to be part of her first original cast of a new musical. [Please note this was recorded before rehearsals or performances of Paddington had begun]. Scroll back in your podcast feed to listen to the full episode, released on 29th August.

Paddington The Musical runs at the Savoy Theatre.

Follow Aimée @aimeelynfisher and George @georgeygriff

This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins 

@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]

Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

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C.J. Borger is playing Goldie Wilson and Marvin Berry in the West End production of Back To The Future The Musical at the Adelphi Theatre. 

Having opened in London in 2021, Back To The Future has a book by Bob Gale and new music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, alongside additional songs from the film including ‘The Power of Love’ and ‘Johnny B. Goode’. Back To The Future marks C.J.'s West End debut and for his performance, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical at this year’s Black British Theatre Awards.

C.J. is from the US and began his career as a child on Broadway, where he played Young Simba in The Lion King, Henry in Finian’s Rainbow and he was Young Lola in the original workshop of Kinky Boots. He has done some cruise contracts, performed with Kristin Chenoweth at one of her Broadway concerts and performed in Ghost In Concert at the Adelphi Theatre. 

Recorded in his dressing room, in this episode C.J. discusses why he's having a blast in Back To The Future, his move to the UK and being a child star on Broadway... plus lots more.

Back To The Future is booking at the Adelphi Theatre until 12th April 2026. Visit www.backtothefuturemusical.com for info and tickets.

This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins 

@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]

Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

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

Anna-Jane Casey is back In The Frame!

Anna-Jane is currently rehearsing Victoria Wood's Acorn Antiques The Musical, which is playing two performances at the Manchester Opera House and one performance in the West End at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Anna-Jane is playing Miss Bonnie alongside an all-star cast including Katherine Kingsley, Gina Beck, Ria Jones, Rob Madge, George Crawford and many more. The show is produced by the Hope Mill Theatre.

Next year she’s set to star in the UK revival of Kiss Of The Spiderwoman, which plays Curve Leicester’s Studio before visiting Bristol and Southampton. Earlier this year she played Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd in Dublin and she continues to maintain a very busy concert career.

Anna-Jane is beloved for being in so many shows – and lots of original casts including Children Of Eden, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Out Of The Blue and Grease. She played Rumpleteazer in Cats; Buffy, Dinah and Pearl in Starlight Express; Anita in West Side Story; Velma Kelly in Chicago; and the title role in Sweet Charity.

A few recent roles Anna-Jane has played include Lady of the Lake in Spamalot, Mrs Wilkinson in Billy Elliot, Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun, Annie Clarke in Calendar Girls, Mrs Burke in Girl From The North Country and Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers – as well as Cilla Quack, alongside Sir Ian McKellen, in Mother Goose.

Anna-Jane was last In The Frame four years ago whilst starring in the West End revival of Cabaret as Fraulein Kost and Fritzie.

Recorded during a break from rehearsals, in this episode Anna-Jane shares all the gossip about Acorn Antiques, including her connection to Victoria Wood. She also discusses why she's loving this busy chapter and how she’s learned to navigate all the different sides of this crazy industry.

Acorn Antiques The Musical plays the Manchester Opera House on 2nd and 16th November (www.atgtickets.com) and the Shaftesbury Theatre on 9th November 2025 (www.shaftesburytheatre.com).

Kiss Of The Spiderwoman opens at the Leicester Curve on 3rd April 2026.

This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins 

@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]

Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

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

Erin Caldwell is In The Frame!

Erin made her West End debut in Pretty Woman at the Savoy Theatre. She went on to star as Veronica Sawyer in the London production of Heathers at The Other Palace before playing Jane Seymour in the UK and International Tour of Six. After leaving the show, Erin made an emergency return and for one night only played Seymour in the West End production at the Vaudeville Theatre.

Erin spent her summer back at The Other Palace, starring as Constanze in the premiere of Saving Mozart.

In this episode, Erin reveals why she battled with her confidence after leaving drama school, how she navigated such demanding roles in Heathers and Six and how her perspective of her career and success has evolved in recent years.

Follow Erin on Instagram: @erincaldwellxox

This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins 

@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]

Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

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

Allyson Ava-Brown is starring as Nell/Elizabeth in Coven.

Described as a "scorching" new musical, Coven is based on England’s most notorious witch trials. The show kicks off its run at the Kiln Theatre later this month for a limited two-month run. Coven is written by Rebecca Brewer and Daisy Chute, with the production directed by Miranda Cromwell.

Allyson most recently has a lengthy run as Angelica Schuyler in the West End production of Hamilton (Victoria Palace Theatre). Her other theatre credits include Glinda/Evillene in The Wiz (Birmingham Rep/West Yorkshire Playhouse) and Fantine in Les Miserables (Queens Theatre) as well as A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Lyric Hammersmith), 23.5 Hours (Park Theatre), The Quiet House (Birmingham Rep/Park Theatre), Etienne Sisters, Dangerous Lady and Crowning Glory (Stratford East), Snakes and Ladders (UK tour) and Julius Caesar, The Tempest, Antony and Cleopatra (RSC/Tour/West End). Allyson has also worked at the National Theatre, Park Theatre, Watford Palace Theatre, Yorkshire Playhouse, Liverpool Playhouse, Theatre503, Riverside Studios and Hackney Empire.

Recorded after a busy day of rehearsals, in this episode Allyson discusses all-things Coven. She also talks about her relationship with singing and musical theatre, why being in Les Miserables was a challenging time and the impact of her run in Hamilton.  

Coven runs at the Kiln Theatre 31st October - 20th December. Visit www.kilntheatre.com for info and tickets.

Watch the video of Allyson performing Care from Coven here: https://youtu.be/VHIvS5KKmGA?si=AX1DafugwwxcRlt9

This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins 

@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]

Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

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

Ore Oduba is starring as Dr Frederick Frankenstein in the UK revival of Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein.

Directed and choreographed by Nick Winston, Young Frankenstein is running at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester to mark the venue's 10th anniversary year. 

Ore kicked off his career as a broadcaster, hosting a plethora of TV shows. In 2016 he was voted as the winner of the fourteenth series of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Ore has since ventured into the world of theatre and has built up an incredible CV of stage roles. He has played Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Happy Man/Mr Thompson in Pretty Woman and Brad Majors in the 50th anniversary production of The Rocky Horror Show. Ore has also played Teen Angel in Grease, and this summer starred as Stuart Piper in the world premiere of the Peter James thriller Picture You Dead. He made his West End debut as Aaron Fox in Curtains.

Recorded in the rehearsal room for Young Frankenstein, in this episode Ore discusses why Dr Frederick Frankenstein is the hardest role he's played to date and why he's relishing every moment. Ore also takes a deep dive into his transition from TV presenting to working in musical theatre, including how and why he redefined his own definition of success.

Young Frankenstein runs at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester 10th October - 30th November 2025. Visit www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk for info and tickets.

This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins 

@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]

Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

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