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

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

December 06, 2022 S7 Ep13: The Wizard Of Oz, Guys & Dolls, Bake Off musical, Crazy For You, 42 Balloons, Musical Con 2023 + more!
West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins, flies solo for this week's episode.

Andrew discusses The Wizard of Oz (Curve Leicester), 42 Balloons (Vaudeville Theatre) and Mother Goose (Hackney Empire) as well as the latest news about Guys & Dolls, The Great British Bake Off musical, Newsies, Come From Away, Once Upon A One More time 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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23 min
November 29, 2022 S7 Ep12: Matilda Movie, Ain't Too Proud casting, Elf, The Light in the Piazza, Nalton & Tudor + more!
This week, Andrew is all alone for a solo episode of The West End Frame Show!

Andrew discusses Matilda The Movie (Netflix), Elf The Musical (Dominion Theatre), But I'm A Cheerleader (Turbine Theatre), Nalton & Tudor LIVE (Live At Zedel) and The Light in the Piazza in Concert (Alexandra Palace Theatre) as well as the latest news about Ain't Too Proud, Joseph in Toronto, The Mousetrap and lots more.

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.
31 min
November 22, 2022 S7 Ep11 (ft. Taofique Folarin): A Christmas Carol, The Book of Mormon tour, Glory Ride, Mrs Doubtfire, Operation Mincemeat + more!
Taofique Folarin (ensemble in Moulin Rouge) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew & Taofique discuss Glory Ride (The Other Palace), A Christmas Carol (Old Vic) and The Book of Mormon (UK Tour, Glasgow Theatre Royal) as well as the latest news about Mrs Doubtfire, Operation Mincemeat, Happy Meal, Wicked and lots more.

Taofique recently joined the West End production of Moulin Rouge at the Piccadilly Theatre, as part of the ensemble and understudy for Toulouse and Santiago.

Earlier this year, Taofique led the cast of Proud at the King’s Head Theatre before going on to appear in the premiere of 101 Dalmatians The Musical as a swing, at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

In the West End, Taofique has appeared in The Lion King (Lyceum / Hamburg), Avenue Q (Gielgud / Noel Coward) and Three Little Pigs (Palace / Australian Tour).

His other extensive theatre credits include: Instrumental and Safe (Hackney Empire), Norma Jean is Dead (Above the Stag), Body Talk (The Vaults), Fagamuffin (Bush), One Love (Birmingham Rep), Five Guys Named Moe (English Theatre Frankfurt), Fame (UK and International Tour), Peter Pan (Adelphi), Dick Whittington (Birmingham Hippodrome) and The Cripple of Inishmaan (Landor).

On screen Taofique has worked on Sanderton (Sky), The Holiday (NBC), The Grass is Always Grindr (Amazon Prime), Life Begins (BBC) and Thrive.

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.
44 min
November 15, 2022 S7 Ep10 (ft. Alex Parker): Alexia Khadime & Lucy St Louis in Wicked, The Woman In Black, Strictly Ballroom, WhatsOnStage Awards + more!
Musical Director, Producer and Writer Alex Parker (My Fair Lady / The Light in the Piazza) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Alex discuss Strictly Ballroom (New Wimbledon Theatre, UK Tour) and the WhatsOnStage Awards, as well as the latest news about Wicked casting, The Woman in Black closing, the Nanny McPhee musical and lots more.

Alex is currently the musical director for the UK & Ireland tour of My Fair Lady directed by Bartlett Sher.

Additionally, Alex is currently producing and musical directing a concert staging of The Light in the Piazza at the Alexandra Palace Theatre on 27th November with an all-star cast including Elena Shaddow, Amara Okereke, Jordan Luke Gage, Rebecca Lock and Amy Di Bartolomeo.

Alex made a splash on the theatre scene when he produced and musical directed the London premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Putting It Together at the St James Theatre (now The Other Palace) starring Janie Dee.
Most recently he produced and musical directed Wonderful Town at Opera Holland Park, Gypsy starring seven Roses at the Alexandra Palace Theatre, Sunset Boulevard at Alexandra Palace Theatre & Royal Albert Hall and his own musical AmDram at Leicester Curve.
Alex has also produced and musical directed A Little Night Music on two occasions, at the Palace Theatre in the West End and Opera Holland Park.
Alex was the musical director for Mame at the Hope Mill Theatre, The Color Purple at Leicester Curve and My Left Right Foot for the National Theatre of Scotland. Other shows that he has worked on include Sweet Charity, Barnum, Secret Diary of Adrain Mole, Wonderland, Working, Les Misérables, Stephen Ward, The Pajama Game, Soho Cinders and so much more. The list is endless!
The Light in the Piazza is staged at the Alexandra Palace Theatre on 27th November 2022. Visit www.alexandrapalace.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.
51 min
November 09, 2022 BONUS (ft. Ope Sowande & Scarlet Gabriel): Mother Goose at Hackney Empire & Mamma Mia! The Party
We're bringing you a bonus episode of The West End Frame Show, with special guests Ope Sowande (Moulin Rouge/The Lion King) and Scarlet Gabriel (Waitress/Six).

Ope Sowande is preparing to play Jack Goose in Mother Goose, this year's pantomime at the Hackney Empire, directed by and starring Clive Rowe.

The pantomime Mother Goose was first created for Hackney Empire regular and Music Hall legend Dan Leno, who first played the title role in 1902. 120 years on, Hackney are proud to present the mother of all pantomimes to conclude their 120th birthday year.

Ope previously understudied Simba in the international tour of The Lion King and recently was a swing in the original West End cast of Moulin Rouge (Piccadilly Theatre).

Ope discusses why he's delighted to be doing panto in Hackney, how it felt to say goodbye to Moulin Rouge and being inspired by his best friend and fellow performer Jordan Shaw.

Mother Goose runs at the Hackney Empire 19th November - 31st December. Visit www.hackneyempire.co.uk for info and tickets.

Scarlet Gabriel is currently playing Debbie in Mamma Mia! The Party at the O2.

Created by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus, Mamma Mia! The Party is described as a "unique and magical experience" , bringing all ABBA’s hits to life whilst giving guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in a musical extravaganza, a four-course Greek feast and an ABBA disco.

Just a few of Scarlet's theatre credits include: Clara/understudy Oda Mae Brown in Ghost The Musical (Asia Tour), Milan Stage Manager/understudy Trish in Kinky Boots (UK & Ireland Tour), Anna of Cleve in Six The Musical (NCL Bliss) and, most recently, Nurse Norma and understudy Becky in Waitress (UK & Ireland Tour).

Scarlett discusses what it was like to join Mamma Mia! The Party, why it's important for her to create opportunities for herself outside of performing and her unfinished business with Six The Musical.

Mamma Mia! The Party is booking at the O2 until 30th April 2023. Visit www.mammamiatheparty.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.
36 min
November 08, 2022 S7 Ep9 (ft. Ksenya Gray): Bonnie & Clyde casting, Hairspray, Corey English is Doc Brown, Broadway updates, Arts Council funding + more!
Social media manager Ksenya Gray returns to co-host The West End Frame Show!

This week's episode focusses on the latest news from the West End and beyond; Andrew and Ksenya discuss Bonnie & Clyde casting, Hairspray at Kilworth House and Corey English joining Back To The Future, as well as the latest from Broadway.

Additionally, Andrew and Ksenya delve into the reported changes UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is planning to make to the 2010 Equality Act, impacting legal protections for trans and non-binary people from discrimination, as well as the theatre companies and institutions that have lost out on funding from the Arts Council.

Ksenya runs the social media company Storytellers UK, most recently she has worked with the London Musical Theatre Orchestra on their concert season at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane as well as Audra McDonald's show at the London Palladium. Visit www.storytellersuk.net for more info and follow Ksenya on Instagram: @ksenya.gray.

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.
42 min
November 01, 2022 S7 Ep8 (ft. Allie Daniel): Tammy Faye, Bonnie & Clyde, The SpongeBob Musical, Grease, Roles We'll Never Play + more!
Allie Daniel (Legally Blonde / Happy Meal) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Allie discuss Tammy Faye (Almedia Theatre) and Grease (Dominion Theatre) as well as all the latest news about Bonnie & Clyde, The SpongeBob Musical, Anna Jane Casey in Mother Goose and lots more.

Allie's credits include: The Secret Society of Leading Ladies (Barn Theatre - Digital), Disenchanted (West End Musical Productions - Digital), Rent (Hope Mill Theatre), Millennials (Turbine Theatre - MT Fest) and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (UK Tour).
She most recently played Courtney and was part of the ensemble of Lucy Moss’ revival of Legally Blonde at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre before starring in the premiere of Tabby Lamb’s two hander play Happy Meal, which played a sell out run at the Edinburgh Fringe before embarking on a UK tour.

Later this month month there will be a special staging of the concert series Roles We'll Never Play at The Other Palace to raise money for Allie, who is proudly trans, and her gender affirming surgeries. Any surplus money raised will be donated to a trans charity of her choice.

You can see this very special staging of Roles We'll Never Play - with the most insane line-up of West End talent - on Monday 28th November at 19.30 at The Other Palace. Visit www.theotherpalace.co.uk/roles-well-never-play-for-allie/ for info and tickets.

Follow Allie on Instagram: @thealliedaniel

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
October 24, 2022 S7 Ep7 (ft. Billy Nevers): Musical Con, Jordan Luke Gage's Concert, My Son's A Queer, MJ The Musical, Courtney Bowman joins Pretty Woman + more!
Billy Nevers (Francois in And Juliet) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Billy discuss Musical Con West End (ExCel Centre), My Son's A Queer (But What Can You Do?) (Garrick Theatre) and Jordan Luke Gage's Concert (Here At Outernet) as well as the latest news about MJ The Musical, Pretty Woman, The Great British Bake Off Musical and lots more.

Billy's theatre credits include ensemble and cover Simon in Jesus Christ Superstar (Barbican / Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), The Wreck in Wonderful Town (Opera Holland Park), The Color Purple in Concert (Cadogan Hall), Turn Up London (Digital) and An Intimate Evening with Kristen Chenoweth (London Palladium).

Billy was part of the original cast of And Juliet in Manchester and at the Shaftesbury Theatre as a swing before going on to play various roles – including Dewey and the Store Manager – whilst also understudying Emmet in Lucy Moss' London revival of Legally Blonde at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. For his performance, Billy was nominated for Outstanding Performance in a Musical at the 2022 Black British Theatre Awards.

Billy has recently returned to And Juliet, taking over the role of Francois.

And Juliet runs at the Shaftesbury Theatre until 25th March 2023.

You can see Billy's solo show at Piano Smithfield, London on Sunday 20th November. Visit www.shop.westwaymusic.com for info and tickets.

Follow Billy on Instagram: @billylukenevers

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
October 17, 2022 S7 Ep6 (ft. Maddison Bulleyment): Next To Normal, Angela Lansbury, Black British Theatre Awards, Fame Wh*re, Phantom of the Opera + more!
Maddison Bulleyment (Anne Boleyn in Six UK Tour/Lyric Hammersmith’s Jack and the Beanstalk) (they/them) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Maddie discuss Fame Wh*re (King's Head), The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's Theatre) and Choir Of Man (Arts Theatre) as well as the latest news about The Black British Theatre Awards, Next To Normal, Idina Menzel and lots more. They also discuss the sad passing of Dame Angela Lansbury.

Having trained at Central School of Speech and Drama, Maddie went on to play Carolyn in the UK premiere of The Bridges of Madison County at the Menier Chocolate Factory before starring as Anne Boleyn in the touring production of Six The Musical from October 2019 until March this year.

They are about to star as Jill in the Lyric Hammersmith’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk this Christmas.

Jack and the Beanstalk runs at the Lyric Hammersmith from 19th November until 7th January. Visit www.lyric.co.uk for info and tickets.

Follow Maddie on Instagram: @maddieroseb

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
October 10, 2022 S7 Ep5 (ft. Jordan Luke Gage): & Juliet, Theatre Cafe Diner, Newsies, Bad Cinderella, Collette Guitart, Sylvia, Wicked + more!
Jordan Luke Gage (Clyde in Bonnie & Clyde) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!

Andrew and Jordan discuss the opening of The Theatre Cafe Diner, & Juliet starring Collette Guitart, Billy Nevers & Joe Foster, Ruckus and Wicked as well as the latest news about Newsies, Bad Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, Rebecca Wickes and lots more.

Since making his theatrical debut as Marilyn in Taboo at the Brixton Clubhouse, Jordan Luke Gage has become one of the UK's biggest theatrical stars.

Jordan's West End credits include being the first replacement Strat in Bat Out Of Hell (Dominion), originating the role of Romeo in & Juliet (Manchester/Shaftesbury), starring as JD in Heathers (Theatre Royal Haymarket) and most recently he played Clyde in the UK premiere of Bonnie and Clyde (Arts).

Jordan is currently preparing for two sold out solo shows at the new venue HERE at Outernet on 23rd October ahead of playing Fabrizio Naccarelli in a concert staging of The Light in the Piazza at the Alexandra Palace Theatre on 27th November.

Follow Jordan on Instagram: @jordanlukegage

Jordan previously appeared on S6 Ep7 of our interviews podcast, 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.
53 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,…