The West End Frame Show: Theatre News, Reviews & Chat

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The West End Frame Show: Theatre News, Reviews & Chat episodes

December 19, 2023 S9 Ep16 (ft. Shakira Simpson): Paddington, Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert, Indhu Rubasingham, TodayTix, Samantha Barks + more!
Shakira Simpson (Six Tour / Legally Blonde) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Shakira discuss My Favourite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert (Theatre Royal Drury Lane) as well as the latest news about Paddington The Musical, Opening Night, Indhu Rubasingham, Samantha Barks, the TodayTix shop and lots more.

Shakira worked as a child, playing Young Nala in The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre) and Margaret in Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace Theatre).

After training at Urdang, Shakira made her adult debut as a swing in the West End revival of Hairspray (London Coliseum). Her theatre credits also include swing and dance captain in the original cast of Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World (UK Tour), swing in Legally Blonde (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and Baby Bear in Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Mayflower Southampton).

Shakira is currently the super swing and dance captain in the UK & Ireland tour of Six The Musical and has already played all six queens.
Follow Shakira on Instagram: @s.simpsson

For Six tour dates and tickets, visit www.sixthemusical.com.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins.
@AndrewTomlins32

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Email: [email protected]
Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.
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46 min
December 18, 2023 BONUS (ft. Savanna Jeffrey & Tara Boom): Stratford East Panto & La Clique
We're bringing you a festive bonus episode with Savanna Jeffrey (Stratford East Panto / Get Up Stand Up) and Tara Boom (La Clique).

Savanna Jeffrey is currently playing Winnie the Moo in Jack and the Beanstalk at Stratford East.

Bith book and lyrics by Anna Jordan, Jack and the Beanstalk has music and lyrics by Stratford East pantomime veteran Robert Hyman and is directed by Denzel Westley-Sanderson.

Savanna's theatre credits include the West End productions of The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre) and Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical (Lyric Theatre).

Jack and the Beanstalk runs at Stratford East until 6th January 2024. Visit www.stratfordeast.com for info and tickets.

Tara Boom is starring in La Clique at Christmas in Leicester Square.

Born at the Edinburgh Festival in 2004 and subsequently travelling the world to international acclaim, La Clique is widely regarded as the original Spiegeltent cabaret show that created a genre of its own.

Tara is a foot-juggling, hula hooping, clown-tastic circus and cabaret star from Australia.

La Clique runs at Christmas in Leicester Square until 6th January 2024. Visit www.lacliquetheshow.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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
32 min
December 12, 2023 S9 Ep15 (ft. Mitchell Zhangazha): Hamilton Tour, Pacific Overtures, Mamma Mia I Have A Dream, Red Pitch, Very Very Bad Cinderella + more!
Mitchell Zhangazha (Ain't Too Proud / Dear Evan Hansen) returns to co-host The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Mitchell discuss Hamilton (UK Tour, Manchester Palace Theatre), A Very Very Bad Cinderella (The Other Palace Studio) and Pacific Overtures (Menier Chocolate Factory) as well as the latest news about Mamma Mia I Have A Dream, the WhatsOnStage Awards, Here You Come Again, Red Pitch and more.

Mitchell was last on The West End Frame Show two years ago whilst he was understudying Evan and Jared in the West End production of Dear Evan Hansen (Noel Coward Theatre), for which he won the Best Understudy or Swing Award at the Black British Theatre Awards.

He went on to play Dick & Others in Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol (Southbank Centre) before playing Eddie Kendricks in the West End premiere of Ain’t Too Proud (Prince Edward Theatre).

Mitchell's credits also include understudy Goldie Wilson in the world premiere of Back To The Future (Manchester Opera House), Our Lady of Kibeho (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Stevie Wonder & understudy Berry Gordy in Motown The Musical (Shaftesbury Theatre), Little Moe in Five Guys Named Moe (Edinburgh Fringe) and Curly in Peter Pan (West End).

Mitchell worked extensively as a child, playing Young Simba in The Lion King (West End) and Young Michael Jackson in Thriller Live (West End and UK & Europe tours), whilst also appearing in the original West End cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (London Palladium), Caroline Or Change (National Theatre), Porgy and Bess (West End) and Oliver (Theatre Royal Drury Lane).

Follow Mitchell on Instagram: @mitchzhangazha

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.
56 min
December 05, 2023 S9 Ep14 (ft. Luke Bayer): Evita, To Wong Foo, Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Tosh Wanogho-Maud's solo show, Sister Act + more!
Luke Bayer (Diva: Live From Hell / Everybody's Talking About Jamie) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Luke discuss Tosh Wanogho-Maud's debut solo show Songs & Stories (Piano Smithfield), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Lyric Theatre), To Wong Foo (Hope Mill Theatre) and Evita (Curve Leicester) as well as the latest news about Sister Act, the National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals, The Big Life, Lea Salonga's tour and lots more.

Luke was the original Jamie understudy in the West End premiere of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Apollo Theatre). His theatre credits also include: Robbie in Soho Cinders (Charing Cross Theatre), Mark in Rent (Hope Mill Theatre), Fiver (Southwark Playhouse) and Millennials (The Other Palace).

Most recently Luke won an Offie Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for starring in the one-person show Diva: Live From Hell (Turbine Theatre) and played Musidorus in the European premiere of Head Over Heels (Hope Mill Theatre).
Luke is always busy doing concert work, and is playing a solo show at Crazy Coqs on Monday 5th February 2024. Visit www.brasseriezedel.com for tickets.

Follow Luke on Instagram: @lukebayer

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.
43 min
November 28, 2023 S9 Ep13 (ft. Jak Malone): The Witches, Gwyneth Paltrow musicals, For Black Boys, Elf The Musical, Operation Mincemeat + more!
Jak Malone (Operation Mincemeat) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!
Andrew and Jak discuss The Witches (National Theatre) and Elf The Musical (Dominion Theatre) as well as the latest news about For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy, two Gwyneth Paltrow skiing musicals, Wicked casting, Operation Mincemeat's plaque for Hester Leggatt and lots more.

Jak's theatre credits include A Clockwork Orange (Liverpool Everyman), Diva: Live From Hell (Jack Studio Theatre) and Max & Ivan: Fugitives (Storyglass Podcasts).

Jak is currently starring in Operation Mincemeat at the Fortune Theatre which continues to take the West End by storm. He has been with the show since its premiere in 2019 at the New Diorama Theatre.

In the show, Jack plays Hester Leggett, Bernard Spilsbury, Captain Jewell, Willie Watkins, Ivor Montagu and others; he has received tremendous acclaim for his performance.

Follow Jak on Instagram: @jakmalone_

Operation Mincemeat is booking at the Fortune Theatre until 15th June 2024. Visit www.operationmincemeat.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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
49 min
November 21, 2023 S9 Ep12 (ft. Jacob Fowler): Two Strangers, Hadestown, Dear Evan Hansen, The Play That Goes Wrong, Tammy Faye + more!
Jacob Fowler (Heathers / Cinderella) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Jacob discuss Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) (Kiln Theatre), Super You In Concert (Lyric Theatre) and The Play That Goes Wrong (Duchess Theatre) as well as the latest news about Hadestown, Dear Evan Hansen, Tammy Faye, Next To Normal and lots more.

Jacob joined Heathers in 2021, understudying JD at The Other Palace and went on to takeover the role. Jacob returned to Heathers this year, reprising his performance as JD for the musical's 2023 UK tour which recently completed its run.

Jacob won the 2020 BBC reality show Little Mix: The Search and went on to support Little Mix on their Confetti Arena Tour. His theatre credits also include playing Prince Topher in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (Hope Mill Theatre), Bobby in Dreamboats and Petticoats (UK Tour), Mohr in Vanara: The Legend (Hackmey Empire), Hunter in In Pieces (Turbine Theatre) and Kings Of Broadway (Palace Theatre).

Next year Jacob is reuniting with Grace Mouat - who he starred opposite in Cinderella - in the brand new musical Before After at the Southwark Playhouse.

Follow Jacob on Instagram: @thejacobfowler

Before After runs at the Southwark Playhouse 7th February – 2nd March 2024. Visit www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk for info and tickets.

You can hear Jacob on season seven of In The Frame.

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.
59 min
November 15, 2023 BONUS (ft. Jean-Luke Worrell & Bernie Dieter): Peter Pan Goes Wrong & Club Kabarett
We're bringing you a bonus episode with Jean-Luke Worrell (Peter Pan Goes Wrong / A Strange Loop) and Bernie Dieter (Club Kabarett).

Jean-Luke Worrell is currently playing Francis in Peter Pan Goes Wrong. Michief's show is back for a UK tour and West End run.

Jean-Luke previously worked with Michief when he did The Comedy About a Bank Robery in the West End at the Criterion Theatre. His other theatre credits include Cluedo on tour and most recently he was an understudy in the London transfer of A Strange Loop at the Barbican Centre.

Peter Pan Goes Wrong runs in the West End at the Lyric Theatre 23rd November - 14th January 2024 and tours the UK until April 2024. Visit www.peterpangoeswronglive.com for info, tour dates and tickets.

Kabarett superstar (aka the mistress of mayhem) Bernie Dieter is back in London with her show Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett.

Renewed worldwide, the show features a live band and some of the world’s best circus, cabaret and sideshow acts at their "provocative" best. Club Kabarett is the first production at the newly reopened and renamed Underbelly Boulevard Soho.

Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett runs at Underbelly Boulevard Soho until 6th January 2024. Visit www.underbellyboulevard.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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
33 min
November 14, 2023 S9 Ep11 (ft. Maliq Henry): Sunset Boulevard starring Rachel Tucker, The Time Traveler's Wife, Treason, Opening Night, Babies + more!
Maliq Henry (Bird College graduate) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Maliq discuss Sunset Boulevard starring Rachel Tucker (Savoy Theatre), The Time Traveler's Wife (Apollo Theatre), Treason (UK Tour, Alexandra Palace Theatre), Six (Vaudeville Theatre) and Babies In Concert (Lyric Theatre) as well as the latest news about Opening Night starring Sheridan Smith, Drew McOnie, Standing at the Sky's Edge and lots more.

Maliq graduated from Bird College in 2020. His credits whilst training include: Dog Boy in Side Show, Brooklyn in Bring It On, Wars, Yin & Yang, Lucky Stiff and Destinations. His screen credits include The Media Files (MTJ Media) and The Winning Household (DRP Productions).

Follow Maliq on Instagram: @maliqhenry

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.
50 min
November 07, 2023 S9 Ep10 (ft. Evelyn Hoskins): Burlesque, Stephanie J Block, Bat Boy, Aaron Tveit & Sutton Foster join Sweeney Todd, Kin + more!
Evelyn Hoskins (42 Balloons / Waitress) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Evelyn discuss Stephanie J Block's concert (Cadogan Hall), Bat Boy (London Palladium) and Kin (Theatro Technis) as well as the latest news about Sweeney Todd, Burlesque, Musical Con, the Black British Theatre Awards and lots more. They also pay tribute to Friends actor Matthew Perry.

Evelyn starred as Thea in the original London production of Spring Awakening at the Lyric Hammersmith and in the West End.

Just a few of her theatre credits include playing Wendy in Peter Pan (US Tour), the title role in Carrie (Southwark Playhouse), Maureen in Mrs Henderson Presents (Toronto) and Dawn in Waitress (West End / UK Tour).

In addition to playing Liesl in The Sound of Music LIVE (ITV), Evelyn has worked extensively on screen.
Evelyn most recently played Louise in Gypsy (Mill At Sonning). Last year she played Carol in 42 Balloons for its developmental performances in the West End. Next year she’s reprising her performance in the musical’s fully staged premiere at The Lowry in Salford. She's also about to star in Susie McKenna’s pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk at the Broadway Theatre in Catford this Christmas.

42 Balloons runs at The Lowry 18th April – 19th May. Jack at the Beanstalk runs at the Broadway Theatre in Catford 13th – 31st December.

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.
52 min
November 01, 2023 The Vocal Injury Episode (ft. Dane Chalfin)
Join Voice Coach and Rehabilitation Specialist, Dane Chalfin, for a special episode about vocal injury.

In this episode, Dane discusses his own vocal injury and the stigma surrounding vocal injury within the theatre industry.

Dane is is a Voice, Singing and Performance Coach, Voice Rehabilitation Specialist, Director and Author.

In theatreland, Dane has coached principal performers in the majority of shows in the West End and further afield. Dane has also worked across television and film as well as in the music industry. He has written multiple books and contributed to many magazines and newspepers alongside charity work and roles in education.

Dane has been working in voice clinics since 2003; he has had contracts with the NHS and worked as a private consultant for many ENT clinics.

For more information about Dane and his work, visit www.danechalfin.com.

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.
52 min

About The West End Frame Show: Theatre News, Reviews & Chat

From the publisher's feed

Your weekly stagey catchup! Join West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins, and industry co-hosts for a round-up of the latest theatre news and reviews. Special guests include West End performers,…