The WhatsOnStage Podcast

By Sarah Crompton & Alex WoodTV & Film Society & Culture Arts Performing Arts

The WhatsOnStage Podcast episodes

July 23, 2025 80. Bonus episode: Three Elphabas talk the new world of Wicked – and what the show’s legacy means
In a special midweek episode, three former Elphabas – Louise Dearman, Kerry Ellis and Rachel Tucker – come together to discuss the legacy of Wicked and the new surge in love for the franchise after the release of the hit film. The trio will be appearing together for a special concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane at the end of August, and have used this opportunity to reflect on the lasting legacy of the production, and how it set the blueprint for the modern musical – and its very devoted fanbase.
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33 min
July 18, 2025 79. What are the hits and who are the stars of tomorrow?
As the Edinburgh Festival approaches Sarah and Alex cast their eye over the listings to see if they can pick the hottest shows and the most promising futures. Plus a WhatsOnPage bonus of their holiday reading lists.
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46 min
July 16, 2025 78. Bonus episode: Natasha Hodgson and Alex Young go head-to-head in an Operation Mincemeat special
Alex and Sarah will be back on Friday, but in the meantime we’ve dedicated an episode to a British show that continues to conquer both sides of the Atlantic, having been crowned the 2024 Best New Musical at both the WhatsOnStage and Olivier Awards in London and receiving four Tony nominations (winning one) in New York – Operation Mincemeat. We paired up co-creator and original cast member Natasha Hodgson (now performing at the Golden Theatre in NYC) with current West End company member Alex Young, who both play the role of Ewen Montagu (and others) in the SpitLip musical comedy.
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21 min
July 11, 2025 77. What's the point of an interval? And why are we spraying vodka backstage?
On this week's episode of the WhatsOnStage Podcast, Sarah and Alex plunder the letter bag to tackle some tantalising listener questions – with subjects ranging from cleaning costumes (very topical in the ongoing heatwave!) to the importance of intervals. Finally, they take a trip down memory lane to think about productions they'd love to have seen from years gone by.

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36 min
July 09, 2025 76. Bonus episode: What does an actor-musician musical even mean?
With Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar celebrating a lengthy summer run at the award-winning Watermill Theatre in Newbury, Alex Wood popped into the rehearsal room to find out how the show is being performed by a group of actor-musicians - transplanting the tunes and placing them slap bang in the heart of the action.
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15 min
July 04, 2025 75. Rachel Zegler, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more discuss Evita's secrets
As we put out our main episode two days early (go back and give it a listen!) – here's something to take you through the weekend. In what is our last episode on Evita for a while (we promise), we sit down with star Rachel Zegler and team behind the new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Evita at The London Palladium. They spill the beans on that infamous balcony scene, the chance to revitalise classic musicals for new audiences, that staggering choreography and what the future might hold for the show...
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18 min
July 02, 2025 74. Is Evita the show of the summer? And if not, what is?
In an excitable episode (fuelled by the heatwave), Sarah Crompton and Alex Wood unite to chew over Jamie Lloyd's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Evita, starring Golden Globe winner Rachel Zegler – now that the embargo has lifted. After that, the pair discuss other shows that have wowed them in recent weeks – including a surprise and special hit in the form of Intimate Apparel at the Donmar Warehouse.

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37 min
June 27, 2025 73. Why seeing a play from the cheap seats can change your life - with special guest playwright Beth Steel
As her brilliant play Till the Stars Come Down transfers to the West End, playwright Beth Steel talks to Sarah about her unexpected discovery of theatre and the mental blocks and financial obstacles that stop working class voices being heard
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34 min
June 20, 2025 72. Bonus episode: Special guest Katie Brayben on the magic of returning to a role
With this week's main episode coming out two days early, special guest Katie Brayben joins Alex Wood for a Friday chitchat. The two-time Olivier Award-winner will be returning to the role of Elizabeth in the hit Bob Dylan musical Girl from The North Country, now playing once more at the Old Vic in London. Other topics include Brayben's time in Tammy Faye, the state of new musicals and the problems performers face with social media.
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33 min
June 18, 2025 71. Will social media be the end of theatre critics? And are there too many standing ovations?
It's a two-part episode as Alex and Sarah reunite after a few weeks out in the wild! Social media is all abuzz with clips of Rachel Zegler's performance of "Don't Cry For Me Argentinia" in Evita at The London Palladium. The only ones not talking about it? Theatre critics – who have to wait until early July to give their verdicts on the show. With weeks of embargoes, are critics having a tough time either cutting through the social media noise, or even being able to say anything before a show's initial excitement has died down? Separately, Sarah has some thoughts on the increasing trend towards the obligatory standing ovation – do more audiences need to sit down and stop rocking the boat?
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44 min

About The WhatsOnStage Podcast

From the publisher's feed

WhatsOnStage managing editor Alex Wood and chief theatre critic Sarah Crompton host a weekly podcast on all things theatrical. News, views, frank exchanges and lists offer an unmissable guide to…