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

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

October 31, 2023 S9 Ep9 (ft. Matthew Harvey): Bill Kenwright, Side Show, Come From Away, Kerry Ellis Tour, Sharon Rose song + more!
Actor and composer Matthew Harvey returns to co-host The West End Frame Show!

In this episode Andrew and Matthew discuss the latest news about Side Show starring Rachel Tucker and Louise Dearman, Come From Away and Kerry Ellis, plus there's an exclusive first listen to the song "One Two Three" performed by Sharon Rose from Matthew's new album Whatever Happens Next. Andrew and Matthew also pay tribute to producer Bill Kenwright who has passed away after long illness.

As an actor, Matthew's credits include Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Violet and Murder Ballad. Last year he joined the cast of Kinky Boots at the Queens Theatre Hornchurch as an emergency swing and cover for Charlie Price.

As a writer, Matthew's song cycle Now Or Never premiered during lockdown in a digital, one take production. One of the songs "The Road" was a finalist in the 2021 Stiles and Drew Best New Song Prize.

He is about to release his debut album Whatever Happens Next on 20th November. Supported by Help Musicians, the album original songs from five of Matthew's musicals with an all-star West End cast including the likes of Hadley Fraser, Tyrone Huntley, Alexia Khadime, Emma Kingston, Sharon Rose, Courtney Stapleton and more.

Visit Matthew's website, www.matthewharveymusic.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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43 min
October 23, 2023 S9 Ep8 (ft. Crystal Nicholls): Haydn Gwynne, Musical Con, Dear England, My Son's A Queer, The Ocean at the End of the Lane + more!
Crystal Nicholls (The Lion King / wellness coach) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Crystal discuss Musical Con 2023 (ExCel Centre), Dear England (Prince Edward Theatre), The Ocean at the End of the Lane (Duke of York's Theatre) and I Have A Dream (ITV) as well as the latest news about My Son's A Queer's Broadway transfer, Rehab The Musical, West End Musical Christmas, & Juliet and more. They also pay tribute to West End legend Haydn Gwynne who has passed away aged 66.

Crystal started out as a performer, working across stage and screen. She spent six years at the Lyseum Theatre in the West End production of The Lion King.
Crystal is now a wellness and health coach for West End performers. She’s currently working with the dancers in Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, with students at The Dang and is a member of Applause for Thought where she delivers regular mental health and wellbeing sessions to support various West End performers.

Visit Crystal's website www.crystalnicholls.com and follow her on Instagram @crystal_nich

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.
55 min
October 16, 2023 S9 Ep7 (ft. Marianka Swain): Sunset Boulevard starring Nicole Scherzinger, Choir Boy, Moulin Rogue, Wicked, Tinker Bell The Musical + more!
Arts journalist Marianka Swain returns to co-host The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Marianka discuss Sunset Boulevard (Savoy Theatre), Choir Boy (Bristol Old Vic), Moulin Rogue (Piccadilly Theatre) and Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre) as well as the latest news about 13 Going On 30, Tinker Bell The Musical, Shucked and lots more.

Marianka is a London-based arts journalist. She writes about theatre, dance, TV, film, books and more for publications like the Telegraph, London Theatre, The i Paper and Musicals magazine. She also live-blogs Strictly Come Dancing for the Telegraph.

For more information, visit www.mkmswain.com or follow Marianka on Instagram/X @mkmswain

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.
1 hr 4 min
October 09, 2023 S9 Ep6 (ft. Angeline Bell): Mean Girls, Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, Flowers for Mrs Harris, Starter for Ten, Death Note cast album + more!
Angeline Bell (Matilda / Mary Poppins) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Angeline discuss Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends (Gielgud Theatre) and Flowers For Mrs Harris (Riverside Studios) as well as the latest news about the Just Stop Oil protests, Mean Girls, the Tony Awards and lots more.

Angeline's theatre credits include Disney’s Aladdin and Mary Poppins (both at the Prince Edward Theatre). Most recently she was in Matilda (Cambridge Theatre), understudying Mrs Phelps and Mrs Wormwood.

In addition to other performing work, Angeline is an award winning teacher, having picked up Best Teacher at the 2019 Black British Theatre Awards. She is a permanent faculty member at Urdang.

Additionally, Angeline's son, Maddison Tyson, is currently making his West End debut in Hamilton, making them a mother and son West End powerhouse duo!

In this episode Angeline talks about putting her theatre career on hold to raise her son and what it was like to reenter the industry later in life. She also discusses balancing performing with teaching, being the first black Mrs Wormwood and lots more.

Follow Angeline on Instagram: @thtgirlangeline

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
October 02, 2023 S9 Ep5 (ft. Jairus McClanahan): 13 Going On 30, The Twiggy Musical, Some Like It Hot, Derren Brown's Unbelievable, Live Aid musical + more!
Jairus McClanahan (Raymond Hill in Tina) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Jairus discuss Close Up: The Twiggy Musical (Menier Chocolate Factory) and Derren Brown's Unbelievable as well as the latest news about Some Like It Hot, 13 Going On 30, Amber Davies, the Live Aid musical Just For One Day and lots more.

After growing up in South Carolina, Jairus moved to London to do a masters at the Royal Academy of Music. He made his West End debut as a swing in The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre) before show jumping straight into Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Aldwych Theatre) where they are playing Raymond Hill whilst also covering Ike Turner.

Follow Jairus on Instagram: @jairusjmac

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.
53 min
September 25, 2023 200th Episode (ft. Luke Suri): Starlight Express, Rebecca, Cake, A Chorus Line, Darren Criss, Stranger Things + more!
Luke Suri (Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Luke discuss Rebecca (Charing Cross Theatre) and Cake: The Marie Antoinette Playlist (Apollo Theatre) as well as the latest news about Starlight Express, A Chorus Line, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, The Baker's Wife, Hamilton and lots more.

Luke previously did an episode of our interviews podcast In The Frame, discussing his journey from performing at holiday parks, hotels and onboard cruise ships across the world through to making his UK theatre debut.

Luke went viral during the pandemic which led to him finding an agent and being cast as the alternate Frankie Valli in the UK & Ireland tour of Jersey Boys. Last year he transferred to the West End production of Jersey Boys at the Trafalgar Theatre, as London's full-time Frankie Valli.

Follow Luke on Instagram: @lukesuri

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.
58 min
September 18, 2023 S9 Ep3 (ft. Nate Simpson): The Little Big Things, The Devil Wears Prada, Police Cops, Back To The Future, The Songbook of Marvin Gaye + more!
Nate Simpson (Get Up Stand Up / Motown) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Nate discuss The Little Big Things (@SohoPlace), Police Cops (Southwark Playhouse Borough) and Back To The Future (Adelphi Theatre) as well as the latest news about The Devil Wears Prada, The Watermill Newbury, Love Birds by Robert J Sherman, Babies The Musical and lots more.

In the world of theatre, Nate played Intermediate Bob Marley in the original West End cast of Get Up Stand Up (Lyric Theatre). His other credits include understudying Berry Gordy, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder in the West End production of Motown (Shaftesbury Theatre), playing Simba in The Lion King (Disneyland Paris) and playing Nat King Cole in The Crooners (UK Tour).

Nate has also worked extensively in the world of music; he has performed with lots of artists including Jessie J, Boy George and Beverley Knight. He has released EPs and performed all over the world on various cruise ships. Nate made it to the final six boys on The X Factor (ITV) in 2016 and appeared on Eurovision You Decide (BBC) in 2017.

Nate is currently on tour across the UK, headlining his own show The Songbook of Marvin Gaye which kicked off in August and continues through to 2024.

In this episode Nate reveals big plans for his show; he also delves into balancing his theatre career with music and speaks openly about the aftermath of a major accident and how it made him reevaluate his career decisions.

You can see Nate next in The Songbook of Marvin Gaye at the Millfield Theatre in Edmonton on 20th October. Follow @natesimpsonlive to stay up-to-date with tour dates and info.

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
September 11, 2023 S9 Ep2 (ft. Myles Hart): Why Am I So Single?, Death Note, New West End Queens, Moulin Rouge, Wicked Tour + more!
Myles Hart (The Doctor in The Book of Mormon) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Myles discuss Why Am I So Single? (Lilian Baylis Studio), Death Note (Lyric Theatre), A Strange Loop (Barbican Centre) and Everybody's Talking About Jamie (The Lowry, UK & Ireland Tour) as well as the latest news about Moulin Rouge, Wicked, Six, Disney's Aladdin and lots more.

Myles is about to complete his six-year run in the West End production of The Book of Mormon at the Prince Of Wales Theatre. He originally joined the cast in 2017 as a swing before taking over as The Doctor.

Having trained at Urdang, Myles has performed at sea with P&O as a lead vocalist, danced at the Brit Awards and appeared in Duncton Wood at the Union Theatre.

Myles is the host of Get The Belt podcast which is all about pop culture, society and black excellence. It's described as “a weekly dose of unapologetically raw, black, unfiltered and relatable entertainment”. Myles can regularly be heard on various radio shows participating in panel discussions.

Follow Myles on Instagram: @myleshart

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.
54 min
September 04, 2023 S9 Ep1 (ft. Simon Bailey): Guys & Dolls, Once Upon A One More Time, The Odyssey, Ain’t Too Proud, Chase + more!
We're back for a brand new season of The West End Frame Show with Simon Bailey (Moulin Rouge / The Third Man) in the co-host seat.

Andrew and Simon discuss Guys & Dolls (Bridge Theatre), The Odyssey: Episode 5 - The Underworld (National Theatre), Ain't Too Proud (Prince Edward Theatre) and Chase - The Table Read (The Other Palace Studio) as well as the latest news about Once Upon A One More Time, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), A Very Very Bad Cinderella, Declan Bennett's Boy Out The City and lots more.

Simon is currently playing Crabbit and Harry Lime in the world premiere of The Third Man (Menier Chocolate Factory) having recently played The Duke in the original West End cast of Moulin Rouge (Piccadilly Theatre).

Later this month Simon is presenting an interactive concert called Dukebox at The Other Palace Studio which will give the audience control over the setlist.

Some of Simon's theatre credits include: Ram's Dad / Big Bud Dean / Coach Ripper in Heathers (Theatre Royal Haymarket & London Workshop), Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys (Piccadilly Theatre & UK Tour), Liam O’Deary in I Can’t Sing! (London Palladium), Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (Gillian Lynne), Tom Watson/Officer Starnes in Parade (Southwark Playhouse), understudy Galileo in We Will Rock You (Dominion), Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s), Enjolras in Les Misérables (Queens), Passion (Donmar Warehouse) and Romeo & Juliet The Musical (Piccadilly).

You can see Simon in Dukebox at The Other Palace Studio on Sunday 17th September 2023. Visit www.theotherpalace.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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
48 min
August 29, 2023 The Catchup Episode: The SpongeBob Musical, Dear England, A Strange Loop, Cabaret, A Little Life & Jersey Boys (ft. Lisa Martland) - Part 2
We're back with part two of our summer catchup episode!

Andrew and theatre journalist Lisa Martland discuss The SpongeBob Musical (Southbank Centre), Dear England(National Theatre), A Strange Loop (Barbican Centre), Cabaret (Kit Kat Club, Playhouse Theatre), A Little Life (Savoy Theatre) and Jersey Boys (Trafalgar Theatre).

Having spent many years at The Stage – including five years as Deputy Editor – Lisa is the Founding Editor of one of the UK’s top theatre websites, Musical Theatre Review which is currently celebrating its tenth anniversary. Lisa is also Sub-Editor for Musicals Magazine.

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

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,…