MusicalTalk - The UK's Independent Musical Theatre Podcast

Edward Easton never imagined his next role would see him leading a musical. With no previous musical theatre experience, taking on One Man Musical was a genuine leap of faith - but one that quickly proved to be worth it.

Nick and he chat about learning the music, finding confidence in a new genre, working with Flo & Joan and making an established role his own.

You can see Edward in the role of portraying the superstar Lord (and we don't mean Jesus Christ) at the Edinburgh Fringe!

What do you get when you combine theatre, spectacular puppetry, conservation, comedy and a whole host of incredible animals? Nick Hutson finds out as he chats with Craig Crowton, the creative force behind The Animal Guyz.

Craig discusses how the show evolved from a passion for wildlife into an exciting theatrical experience that has delighted family audiences across the UK. Discover how larger-than-life animal puppets, music, audience participation and an important environmental message come together to create an unforgettable live event. Nick and Craig also explore the challenges of touring, creating believable animal characters for the stage and why entertainment can be a powerful tool for inspiring the next generation of conservationists.

Check them out at www.theanimalguyz.com

MusicalTalk continues its exploration of the many and varied ways that war and conflict can be portrayed in the world of musical theatre. This week, Thos revisits a remarkable piece of verbatim musical theatre (itself a rare and unusual form) created to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, which explored 100 years of the British involvement in battle through the musicalisation of real testimony from actual participants. And as the video of the show remains viewable on YouTube, it's a musical you can still watch as well as hear all about.

Join Thos as he continues his look at the amazingly varied way that musical theatre has approached war and its consequences. This week he revisits Enigma, a show about the American experience of wartime code-breaking and the real life (and death) consequences of doing it. With songs and music from the piece, hear composer, Hedda Rustad Carlsen and Thos discuss this all female written and acted show which throws a light on a long overlooked area of American wartime history. An enigma no more!

One of the many paradoxes of war is that it often generates a surprisingly rich cultural output and when musical theatre decides to tackle the subject, the results can be rewarding - and varied! Just look at Blitz, Oh What A Lovely War and Bedknobs and Broomsticks to see three utterly different ways of tackling conflict and death in a musical. And it doesn't stop there! So join Thos as he sits down with the three people behind the touching but raw story of Alfie, the boy who went to war - and find out why this grounded musical drama was as good as it was in an episode that answers the old question: What's it all about, Alfie?

On this week's episode of MusicalTalk, Nick and Robert dive into a trio of very different theatrical experiences!

Robert shares his thoughts on London's lagest mega-hit musical: Paddington.

We revisit the gloriously irreverent Avenue Q, discussing its enduring appeal, razor-sharp humour and whether its once-shocking material lands differently with modern audiences.

We also explore the hilarious and affectionate documentary spoof Original Cast Album: Co-Op — a loving parody inspired by the legendary recording sessions of Company.

Colm and Thos are back to discuss two more diverse musical theatre gems from Colm's recent visit to Broadway: Ragtime and Maybe Happy Ending - one musical looking back - and one looking forward. They also discuss changing attitudes to taste and tastelessness in musicals - including the Doctor Crippen musical, Belle, and, perhaps surprisingly to a modern eye, the Titanic story itself - as well as more modern musical parodies like Titanique. And is what was right with Ragtime in the 1990s now its main weakness in the 2020s? All this and more in a jam packed in-depth episode (Warning: contains spoilers for Maybe Happy Ending)

The Great White Way is still the centre of the musical theatre universe, and so it's no wonder that Colm's been filling his Broadway boots and is bursting to talk about it. In this episode he sits down with Thos for an in-depth chat about just two of the shows he saw on a recent visit there - High Spirits, the 1964 musical adaptation of Noel Coward's comedy, Blithe Spirit, and that perennial favourite, The 25th Annual Putman Country Spelling Bee. With insights into the art of adaptation and an investigation into how the political and geographic context can change interpretation, you'll enjoy this fascinating episode. Warning - may contain guttersnipes!

On this episode of MusicalTalk, Nick Hutson experiences a cultural phenomenon for the very first time: High School Musical. Joining him is Hannah, a devoted fan who knows every beat, lyric, and basketball move.

As the film unfolds, Nick reacts in real time—questioning, analysing, and occasionally surrendering to the infectious charm—while Hannah offers insight, enthusiasm, and gentle (or not-so-gentle) persuasion. Expect sharp musical observations, affectionate debate, and plenty of laughter as newcomer meets superfan.

Nick revisits Avenue Q at the Shaftesbury Theatre for its 20th anniversary—and discovers a show that's traded shock value for something warmer, wiser, and unexpectedly nostalgic.

In this episode, he explores how Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx's irreverent musical holds up in 2026, from updated references (AI, Trump, and Spotify playlists) to subtle staging tweaks and musical refreshes. There's discussion of what still lands, what's softened with time, and whether the show's once-edgy humour can—or should—still provoke.

Along the way, Nick reflects on seeing the show through a different lens two decades on, highlights standout performances (including an impressive turn from Emily Benjamin), and considers why Avenue Q continues to resonate with both returning fans and a brand-new audience.