In The Frame: Theatre Interviews from West End Frame

Daniel Bravo is playing Aaron Samuels in the West End production of Mean Girls.

Having premiered on Broadway in 2018, Mean Girls opened in London earlier this year. Tina Fey adapted the show from her 2004 film, collaborating with Jeff Richmond who composed the music and Nell Benjamin who wrote the lyrics. The show is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw.

Earlier this year Daniel starred as Sebastian Valmont in the London premiere of Cruel Intentions at The Other Palace.

His other theatre credits include: Suddenly Last Summer (The English Theatre Frankfurt), Witness for the Prosecution (London County Hall), Speak (Rose Theatre/Paines Plough), Little Sausage (The Other Palace Studio), Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens (King’s Head Theatre) and Look Who’s All Grown Up (The Space).

In this episode Daniel discusses all things Mean Girls. He also reflects on Cruel Intentions, discusses his path into theatre and shares why he's excited to be doing musical theatre... and lots more pops up along the way!

Mean Girls is booking at the Savoy Theatre until 6th April 2025. Visit www.london.meangirlsmusical.com for info and tickets.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins 
@AndrewTomlins32 

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Email: [email protected]
Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Michael Ahomka-Lindsay is back In The Frame!

After leaving medical school to pursue a career as an actor, Michael trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He made his professional debut as Benny in Luke Sheppard’s production of Rent at the Hope Mill Theatre and then toured as Maugrim in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

Michael last featured on the podcast after starring as Emmett in Lucy Moss’ revival of Legally Blonde at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. After performing in To The Streets for Birmingham Hippodrome, Michael originated the role of Jack Kelly in the reimagined UK premiere of Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre and played David in the highly acclaim production of Choir Boy at Bristol Old Vic.

Michael is currently coming to the end of his run as Clifford Bradshaw in the West End revival of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club and is rehearsing for the European premiere of Reverberation by Matthew Lopez at the Bristol Old Vic.

Michael came into the podcast booth to discuss everything he's been up to over the past two years. He reflects on all-things Newsies, explains why Choir Boy was such a special job and talks about going straight from Cabaret to Reverberation, and lots more pops up along the way.

Michael plays Cliff in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club until 21st September and stars in Reverberation at the Bristol Old Vic 2nd October - 2nd November 2024.

Follow Michael on Instagram: @michaelahomka_

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins 
@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]
Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Aimée Fisher is In The Frame!

After graduating from ArtsEd, Aimée made her professional debut as cover Fantine in the West End production of Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre).

She went on to understudy Elphaba in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre), Jenna/Dawn in Waitress (UK & Ireland Tour) and Jovie in Elf (Dominion Theatre). Aimée also played Joelle and understudied Rita in the London revival of Groundhog Day (Old Vic).

In this episode, Aimée discusses her path into the industry, understudying some of the most iconic roles in musical theatre and she speaks candidely about navigating periods of time without performing work... and there's lots more along the way.

Follow Aimée on Instagram: @aimeelynfisher 

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins 
@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]
Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Sharon Sexton is back in the frame!

Sharon is currently starring as the alternate Janis in A Night With Janis Joplin. Following a run on Broadway and various tours, the show is making its West End premiere at the Peacock Theatre.

Sharon is celebrated for her iconic performance as Sloane in Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s musical Bat Out Of Hell. Sharon originated the role during its original runs at the Manchester Opera House, London Coliseum and Dominion Theatres. Sharon later reprised her performance as Sloane in the Toronto production and recent UK/International tour. Later this year she will once again return for the musical's new tour. Since the beginning, Sharon has played Sloane opposite her husband Rob Fowler as Falco.

Sharon’s other theatre credits include playing Donna in the UK & international tour of Mamma Mia! as well as the West End productions of Billy Elliot and The Commitments.  

Alongside her theatre work, Sharon is well known for her cabarets and concerts; her shows with Rob have won awards whilst she also has an acclaimed one woman show based on the life of Liza Minnelli. Most recently Sharon starred in and produced the concert tour of Defying Gravity: West End Woman.

In this episode, Sharon discusses finding her Janis voice, returning to Bat Out Of Hell and why she has always been a hustler... plus lots more.

A Night With Janis Joplin runs at the Peacock Theatre until 28th September 2024. Visit www.anightwithjanisjoplin.com for info and tickets.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins 
@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]
Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Gerardine Sacdalan is starring as Juliet in And Juliet. Following its triumphant West End run and ongoing Broadway engagement, And Juliet is touring the UK and Ireland for the first time.

And Juliet flips the script on the greatest love story and asks, what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of iconic pop anthems by Max Martin. The show features hits such as  “…Baby One More Time,”  “Roar,” “Since U Been Gone,” “It’s My Life,” “I Want It That Way,” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”.

After training at Urdang, Gerardine made her professional debut as Sandra Beaumont in Made In Dagenham In Concert at the London Palladium.

In this episodes Gerardine discusses auditioning for And Juliet, conquering such a demanding role and why - as an Asian woman in musical theatre - playing Juliet is such a big deal. Gerardine also reflects on her path into theatre and lots more along the way.

And Juliet tours the UK & Ireland until June 2025. Visit www.andjulietthemusical.co.uk for info and tickets.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins 
@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]
Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Samuel Edwards is In The Frame!

Most recently, Sam played Stuart in the original West End cast of Mrs Doubtfire (Shaftesbury Theatre) and starred as Billy Crocker in Kathleen Marshall’s revival of Anything Goes (Barbican Centre).

After making his West End debut understudying Sam Wheat in Ghost The Musical, Sam covered Enjolras in Les Misérables, Rolf in The Sound of Music (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre) and Fiyero in Wicked (Apollo Victoria). Impressively, Sam took over as Fiyero in Wicked's UK & Ireland Tour and returned to the West End production of Les Misérables to star as Enjolras. He also returned to Ghost as Carl (Asia Tour). 

Some of Sam's additional theatre roles include Sonny in the UK premiere of Xanadu (Southwark Playhouse) and Ozzie in On The Town (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre). On screen he has appeared in Ted Lasso, Brave New World, Doctors and Hollyoaks.

In this episode, Sam discusses how overwhelming it was to make his West End debut understudying Richard Fleeshman in Ghost, his trend of returning to shows and how he almost missed out on playing Billy Crocker... plus lots more!

Follow Sam on Instagram: @samjedwards 

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins 
@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]
Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Hannah Bristow is playing Chava in the London revival of Fiddler on the Roof. 

Directed by Jordan Fein, the musical is running at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Fiddler on the Roof has book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick.

Having trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Hannah's theatre credits include: As You Like It (RSC), Antisemitism: A (((Musical))) (Camden People's Theatre), Five Children & It (Egg Theatre Bath), Much Ado About Nothing (Tobacco Factory), Napoli, Brooklyn (Park Theatre/UK Tour), Jane Eyre (National Theatre/UK Tour), Kindertransport (Queens Theatre/Theatre de la Ville, Luxembourg), Rudolf (Pins and Needles Productions/Midlands Arts Centre), Who Cares (LUNG Theatre/The Lowry), Romeo and Juliet (Southwark Playhouse/Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre), The Trojan Women (Bristol Old Vic) and Playhouse Creatures (Tobacco Factory Theatres). 

On screen, Hannah has appeared in A Small Light (Disney) and The Man That Fell To Earth (CBS/Paramount). 

Fiddler on the Roof runs at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre until 28th September 2024. Visit www.openairtheatre.com for info and tickets.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins 
@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]
Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Fresh from his run in For Black Boys, Posi Morakinyo is In The Frame!

After training at Italia Conti, Posi made his professional debut in Madagascar The Musical (UK & International Tour). He went on to make his West End debut as Raymond and understudy Ike in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Aldwych Theatre) before playing Thembi Mandela in the premiere of Mandela (Young Vic).

Posi was part of the original West End cast of Ain’t Too Proud (Prince Edward Theatre), playing Dennis Edwards and understudying David Ruffin.

Most recently Posi starred as Midnight in the second West End run of For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy  (Garrick Theatre) by Ryan Calais Cameron.

In this episode Posi discusses his path into theatre, learnings from his career so far and why For Black Boys flipped his ambitions... plus lots more along the way!

This episode features a guest contribution from Richard Mulholland.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins 
@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]
Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Olivier nominee Zizi Strallen is our special guest for the 250th episode of In The Frame!

Zizi is starring as Laurey in the 80th anniversary concert production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, playing opposite Phil Dunster. The concert is directed and choreographed by Bill Deamer with the London Musical Theatre Orchestera playing the full 28-piece orchestrations.

Later this year Zizi will reprise her performance as the title role in Cake: The Marie Antoinette Playlist which opens at The Other Palace in September.

Zizi received an Olivier nomination for starring as the title role in the West End revival of Mary Poppets, reprising her performance from the musical’s tour. For Matthew Bourne's New Adventures she has played Lana/Delores in The Car Man and Betty/Vivian in Cinderella.

Some of Zizi's other theatre credits include Fastrada in Pippin In Concert (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Betty in Sunset Boulevard (Alexandra Palace & Royal Albert Hall), Fran in Strictly Ballroom (Piccadilly Theatre), Young Phyllis in Follies (National Theatre), Demeter in Cats (London Palladium), Penny in Hairspray & Mona in Chicago (Leicester Curve), Meg in Merrily We Roll Along (Menier Chocolate Factory & Harold Pinter Theatre), Rock Of Ages (Shaftesbury & Garrick Theatre), The Music Man (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Dirty Dancing (Aldwych Theatre).

In this episode Zizi discusses why she jumped at the chance to be in Oklahoma!, mourning Mary Poppins and navigating her own path in theatre, plus lots more along the way.

Oklahoma! runs at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 19th and 20th August 2024. Visit www.lwtheatres.co.uk for info and tickets. 

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins 
@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]
Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Collette Guitart is an Alternate Lead in Why Am I So Single?

Why Am I So Single? is a "big fancy" musical by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss who wrote Six The Musical. Following public workshop performances last year, Why Am I So Single? will premiere in the West End at the Garrick Theatre with previews from 27th August.

As an alternate, Collette will play one of the lead roles once a week and be on standby to cover holiday and illness.

Collette's early theatre credits include Rip It Up (Garrick Theatre), Bat Out Of Hell (Dominion Theatre), Wonderland (UK Tour) and 27 (Cockpit Theatre). 

Collette was an understudy and super swing in the West End production of Six The Musical between 2019 and 2021, playing all six queens regularly at the Arts, Lyric and Vaudeville Theatres. She went on to cover Anne in & Juliet (Shaftesbury Theatre) and was recently in the original casts of Rock Follies (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Just For One Day (Old Vic). Collette's screen credits include Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and Wicked.

Why Am I So Single? begins performances at the Garrick Theatre from 27th August 2024. Visit www.whyamisosingle.com for info and tickets. 

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins 
@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]
Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.