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

It's almost time for a new season of The West End Frame Show, so we're bringing you up to speed with this summer's hottest shows!

In part one of this catchup episode, Andrew is joined by theatre journalist Lisa Martland to discuss Next To Normal (Donmar Warehouse), La Cage aux Folles (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre), Miss Saigon (Sheffield Crucible) and In Dreams (Leeds Playhouse).

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.

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We're back for a special episode about Searchlight Pictures’ brand new feature film Theatre Camp which is released in UK cinemas this Friday 25th August.

Created by Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman and Ben Platt, Theatre Camp started life as a short film. The movie follows what happens when the owner of an upstate New York Theatre Camp falls into a coma, leaving her non-stagey son to run the camp which is going through financial difficulties.

Theatre Camp won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble at Sundance Film Festival where it premiered earlier this year.

In this episode, join West End Frame Editor Andrew Tomlins for a debrief about all-things Theatre Camp ahead of a special interview with Nick Lieberman who co-directed the movie with Molly Gordon.

Theatre Camp can be seen in UK cinemas from Friday 25th August 2023. 

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In this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival round-up, West End Frame Editor Andrew Tomlins discusses Boy Out The City, Public, Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder, Annabel Marlow: Is This Okay, Four Felons & A Funeral and Chriskirkpatrickmas.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins.
@AndrewTomlins32 

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Email: [email protected]
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For the final episode of the season, Billy Nevers (& Juliet / Groundhog Day) returns to co-host The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Billy discuss a mystery EdFringe show as well as the latest theatre news about Bat Boy, Kin, Great Gatsby and lots more.

Billy is currently playing Fred in the London revival of Groundhog Day (Old Vic). His theatre credits include: Jesus Christ Superstar (Barbican/Regent’s Park Open Air), Wonderful Town (Opera Holland Park), Turn Up, The Color Purple in Concert, Overture (Cadogan Hall) and Wonderful Town (Opera Holland Park).

Billy was nominated for Outstanding Performance in a Musical at the 2022 Black British Theatre Awards for his performance as Store Manager and Dewey in the London revival of Legally Blonde (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre).

Billy was part of the original cast of & Juliet in Manchester and in the West End; last year he returned to the show as Francois.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins.
@AndrewTomlins32 

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Email: [email protected]
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In today's bonus episode we're joined by Jon Brittain and James Howard.

First up we're joined by Jon Brittain who has written the book, co-written the lyrics and co-directed Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder! which is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it was a huge hit last year. The new expanded version will also tour to Bristol and Manchester.

Jon Brittain is a playwright, comedy writer and director. His critically acclaimed play Rotterdam won an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre in 2017, he went on to direct Richard Gadd's debut play Baby Reindeer, which won the same award in 2020.

Jon's other work includes the cult hit shows Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho and Margaret Thatcher Queen of Game Shows, the Fringe First Award-winning A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad), and the UK Theatre Award-winning Billionaire Boy: The Musical.

He directed both of John Kearns’s Fosters Award winning shows Sight Gags for Perverts and Shtick as well as shows for Tom Allen, Mat Ewins, Tom Rosenthal and others. He co-wrote a dozen episodes of Cartoon Network's The Amazing World of Gumball and was a staff writer on seasons 3 and 4 of The Crown and he is currently writing a new sitcom for Apple.

Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder! runs Underbelly at the Edinburgh Fringe 2nd – 27th August before touring to Bristol Old Vic 13th – 30th September and Home Manchester 5th - 21st October. Visit www.kathyandstella.com for info and tickets.

Later we speak to James Howard who plays Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre. The production is celebrating its seventh birthday in the West End, and James has been in the show since it opened.

James' theatre credits include Brave New World (Northampton Theatre Royal/Touring Consortium); Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, Mojo, The Drunks, King Lear, Morte D’Arthur (RSC); Twelfth Night, Ivanov (Donmar Warehouse in the West End); Not About Heroes (Blackeyed Theatre Company); Antony and Cleopatra (Royal Exchange);The Duchess of Malfi (NT). 

His film credits includes: Survivor, The Theory of Everything, Shoot on Sight, The Oxford Murders and Penelope whilst his television work includes Black Mirror, Dark Matters, Doctors, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, Skins, Midsomer Murders, The Bill, Broken News, Spooks, Inspector Lynley Mysteries and Dream Team.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is booking at the Palace Theatre until 19th May 2024. Visit www.uk.harrypottertheplay.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.  

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It's the penultimate episode of the season and Andrew flies solo to discuss Crazy For You (Gillian Lynne Theatre), Halls (Turbine Theatre) and A Strange Loop (Barbican Centre) as well as the latest news about Ain't Too Proud, New York New York, I Should Be So Lucky, Rachelle Ann Go and lots more.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins.
@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

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

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Jennifer Caldwell (Anne Boleyn in Six / I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Jennifer discuss The Wizard of Oz (London Palladium), Tina (Aldwych Theatre) and Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre) as well as the latest news about the Wicked movies, the Les Misérables world arena tour, Sinatra The Musical and lots more.

Jennifer is currently in rehearsals for I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical by Alexander S. Bermange. The show is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer ahead of a London run at Wilton’s in an expanded production which includes new songs.

Jennifer's theatre credits include: American Idiot (UK & Ireland tour), Knights of the Rose (Arts Theatre), Million Dollar Quartet (UK & Ireland and Indian tours), understudy Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical (UK & Ireland Tour) and understudy Sophie in Mamma Mia! (Prince of Wales / Novello Theatre).

In 2019 Jennifer joined Six The Musical as the alternate Boleyn and Howard on tour across the UK and Ireland. She hit swingo – playing all Six Queens – and transferred to the West End production as an emergency cover for a limited run.

In 2021 Jennifer took over as Anne Boleyn full-time on tour in Six and also took the show to South Korea.

I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical runs at The Gilded Baloon at the Museum at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival 3rd – 27th August. The show then runs in London at Wilton’s 29th August – 9th September.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins.
@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

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

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Bryony Duncan (understudy Éponine in Les Misérables) returns to co-host The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Bryony discuss We Will Rock You (London Coliseum) and Tarantino Live (Riverside Studios) as well as the latest news about Pretty Woman, Back To The Future, Maimuna Memon's Manic Street Creature and lots more. 

Having trained at Mechanic Performing Arts, Bryony went on to play Geraldine in Doctor TV & The Zombies at the Leeds Playhouse before setting sail as a lead vocalist for TUI Cruise Line. She then joined the original Bliss cast of Six The Musical for Norwegian Cruise Line. Bryony was originally a swing for Boleyn, Seymour and Howard but took over as Katherine Howard during the contract.

After the lockdowns, Bryony returned to Six as a Universal Swing for the West End and UK touring productions. She stayed with the West End company as a Super Swing when Six transferred to the Vaudeville Theatre.

Bryony is currently in the West End production of Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre as an ensemble member and the first cover for Éponine.

Follow Bryony on Instagram: @bryonyduncan 

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins.
@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening!

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

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We're back with a bonus episode featuring Rhashan Stone (All About Eve / Into The Woods) and Elexi Walker (I Think We Are Alone / She Ventures and He Wins ).

Rhashan Stone is playing Tambo in the UK premiere of Tambo & Bones. Written by Dave Harris and directed by Matthew Xia, the show is running at the Theatre Royal Stratford East.

Tambo & Bones laughs through our past, blows the roof off our present and imagines an explosive future for our world... and for theatre.

Some of Rhashan's theatre credits include All About Eve and Cheek By Jowl’s As You Like It (Noel Coward Theatre), Simply Heavenly (Trafalgar Studios), Five Guys Named Moe (Lyric Theatre) and the recent revival of Into The Woods (Theatre Royal Bath). He has worked extensively on stage and screen.

Tambo & Bones runs at the Theatre Royal Stratford East until 15th July 2023. Visit www.stratfordeast.com for info and tickets.

Elexi Walker is playing Mary Tuck in Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-written by Carl Grose at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.

Directed by Melly Still, this new take on the classic tale of Robin Hood is set in a desperate, divided kingdom where only the truly cunning can outwit the sheriff’s terrifying wrath.

Some of Elexi's theatre credits include A Christmas Carol (Rose Theatre), I Think We Are Alone (Frantic Assembly), She Ventures and He Wins (Young Vic) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Rose Theatre).

Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-written runs at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre until 22nd July. 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.  

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Chris Fung (Frozen / Evita) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Chris discuss Groundhog Day (Old Vic), A Strange Loop (Barbican Centre) and Then, Now & Next (Southwark Playhouse) as well as the latest news about Aspects of Love, Frozen, the Olivier Awards and lots more.

Chris' stage credits include the West End productions of Frozen and Cyrano de Bergerac as well as Jamie Lloyd’s revival of Evita at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and the Australian tour of The King and I.

Chris is currently producing and preparing to star in his debut play The Society for New Cuisine which will run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer.

The Society for New Cuisine runs at Underbelly Cowgate 3rd – 27th August. Visit www.underbellyedinburgh.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.