Stalls to Stage

Welcome to Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it.

My guest this week is a performer who was part of the original broadway cast of The Addams Family, is a grammy award winner for his work in Akhnaten, and he has performed around the world in some of the most prestigious opera houses on the planet, being named the Most Innovative Opera Singer of 2019 by The Classical Post. He has also had success in the world of TV, appearing in shows like The Blacklist, 30 Rock, and Law & Order: Organised Crime. He has been dazzling audiences in London since February as the West End’s original Hades in Hadestown, a role which he wraps up this weekend! Join me for chat with Zachary James.

My guest this week is a performer who has been all over the world with his career, from his home in Australia, to the USA, to Germany, and of course the UK. He’s been in some of the best loved shows, playing some truly iconic characters in the world of musical theatre, including Frank n Furter in Rocky Horror, Elder Price in Book of Mormon, Bob Gaudio in one of my absolute favourite shows Jersey Boys, and right now he is touring the UK as Corny Collins in Hairspray. Join me for chat with Declan Egan.

Welcome to Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it.

My guest this week has been gracing stages for well over a decade now, though you may know him better from his work in TV and Film. Eastenders, Hollyoaks, Doctor Who, he has been in some of our most iconic British shows, and most recently led the smash hit Netflix production everyone was talking about, Supacell. Right now you can see him at the Duke of York’s Theatre alongside Heather Agyepong in Shifters, running until October 12th. Join me for chat with Tosin Cole.

Welcome to Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with lovers and makers of theatre to chat all about it. This week I am joined by a writer who I first met a little over a year ago at Musical Bites at The Other Palace, where his musical Vinnie and Paul - that tells the tale of Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin - was getting a little showcase. I loved what I saw, it was unique, funny, devastating in moments, and crucially for a musical, the songs were really good! Join me for chat with Neil Bastian.

On this week’s episode, B is joined by one of the West Ends finest talents, who has been treading the boards since he was 4 years old, a seasoned pro and he’s not even 30 yet! If you saw The Lion King in 2005/2006 he may have been your Young Simba, but more recently you may have seen him as Eddie Kendricks in Ain’t Too Proud, alternate Evan in Dear Evan Hansen, or right now as Middle Michael in MJ The Musical at the Prince Edward Theatre.

Join me for chat with Mitchell Zhangazha.

On this week’s episode, B is joined by one of the UK’s most shining talents from both stage and screen. You may know him as Kwame in the smash hit TV show I May Destroy You, or as George in Sky TV’s The Lazarus Project. Or perhaps on stage with the RSC in Hamlet or King Lear. In the last couple of years he’s been in A Number at The Old Vic, The Effect at National Theatre which also transferred to New York earlier this year. And right now you can see him @sohoplace as Delroy in Death of England: Delroy.

Join me for chat with the incredible, Paapa Essiedu.

We did it Joe, we’re going to the White House*

In which the White House is us living up to our name, and finally giving you a guest from the stage! I am joined by actor, writer, musician, generally rather wonderful Anoushka Lucas. In the last few years you may have seen her as Laurey Williams in Oklahoma at the Young Vic or Wyndham’s, Katherine/Gower in Henry V at Donmar Warehouse, Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible at The Crucible, or in her own one woman show Elephant at Bush Theatre.

We had a lot of fun diving into the shows we’ve seen, theatre news, her topic of choice - transparency around the economics of Theatre, and what she’s got coming up.

Settle in, and join us for some chat!

Welcome to episode 4! Thanks for returning, or joining us for the first time, it’s good to have you with us!

For this episode l'm joined by the wonderful Rachel of Rachelreviewed. A super fun, exciting and insightful voice in the theatre space, and also a HUGE champion of Black theatre.

In the episode, we cover Rachel’s first, last, and favourite shows, we touch on what we’ve seen recently and both get a little controversial, shared our thoughts on James Corden’s football delay, all before the big topic this week: the Black British Theatre Awards, and our predictions for who is going to do well.

Give us a listen, I hope you enjoy!

Have you ever found yourself wondering "sorry but why is there like 50 theatre royals what is going on with that please?"

Or have you ever lowkey (highkey) felt like UK society seems to take straight plays way more seriously as an art form than musical theatre and wondered why that is?

How surprised would you be if I said the answer to both is the same, and it starts with civil war?

Every day is a school day huns, so give me 5 minutes of your time and you'll know a little more about UK Theatre History! And if you listen closely you'll even hear a little nugget of news about what's going into Drury Lane when Frozen takes its final bow later this year.

Welcome back! Thanks for returning, or joining us for the first time.

For episode two I'm joined by a friend from the stalls, Perry, who you may know from his work as a presenter, pop culture connoisseur, and theatre content online as Perry Presents. He's a total delight and on the episode, we cover Perry's first, last, and favourite shows, we wax poetic about great staging at Hills of California, officially launch the campaign for Billy Elliot back on the West End, delve into our thoughts on Jamie Lloyd's Romeo & Juliet, and so much more. All before we get to Perry's Topic: When oh when will we see Rocketman on stage?

Give us a listen, I hope you enjoy!