The WhatsOnStage Podcast

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

The WhatsOnStage Podcast episodes

December 19, 2023 46. (ATASTTC) Love , music and the cold war. Plus the appointment of Indhu Rubasingham to the National Theatre
Nancy and Sarah hail the appointment of Indhu Rubasingham as artistic director of the National Theatre. And talk about Rock N Roll, which Nancy is performing at Hampstead Theatre, and Cold War, which Sarah has just seen at the Almeida, and why love, music and the cold war are a potent mix. Plus some surprising heckling and how Nancy coped.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
27 min
December 07, 2023 45. (ATASTTC) Technical Rehearsals and the power of women on stage
As Nancy gets ready for the press night of Rock n Roll at Hampstead she explains what really happens at a technical rehearsal - while Sarah reports back on a week of theatre viewing that included Macbeth, The House of Bernarda Alba and Annie Baker's Infinite Life. Plus: how women are taking over the National Theatre and our excitement about being a podcast pick in Radio Times.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
33 min
November 28, 2023 44. (ATASTTC) What makes a Christmas show feel good?
Swept on a wave of sugary excitement, Nancy and Sarah talk about Christmas shows - for many people their one theatre treat of the year. What qualities do they need to ensure that the outing goes with a swing? And why does it help critics to be allowed to take a guest?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
32 min
November 15, 2023 43. (ATASTTC) What makes a classic?
As Nancy begins rehearsals for a new production of Tom Stoppard's Rock 'N' Roll, she and Sarah discuss the whole idea of revivals, why some plays seem more popular than others, what directors bring to the table and how much expectation plays a part in enjoyment. Plus why she nearly ended up rehearsing from an airport.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
37 min
October 31, 2023 42. (ATASTTC) Hurrah for the National Theatre!
As the Royal National Theatre celebrates its 60th anniversary Nancy and Sarah look back at productions they have loved, productions they wish they had seen - and talk about the building's importance in our cultural life
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
47 min
October 20, 2023 41. (ATASTTC) Noel Coward and Private Lives - ft Patricia Hodge
To mark 50 years since Noel Coward's death, the great Patricia Hodge, currently starring in Private Lives at the Ambassador's Theatre in in London, joins Nancy and Sarah to discuss Coward's writing and his influence - with special reference to Oliver Soden's magnificent new biography Masquerade, and a new documentary Mad About the Boy. She shares her insights into performing Coward and explains why Harold Pinter revered him.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
33 min
October 09, 2023 40. (ATASTTC) Good news on star ratings - and thoughts on Andrew Scott's Vanya
Nancy and Sarah are celebrating because WhatsOnStage, where Sarah is theatre critic, is going to move the stars to the bottom of the page, to encourage people to read reviews as well as look at ratings. It's a decision that recognises that you can't sum up a play simply by giving it a mark out of five. Plus: we look at two revivals that definitely can't be summed up in that way - a thoughtful new production of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion at the Old Vic and Andrew Scott's revelatory one-man Vanya.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
32 min
September 18, 2023 39. (ATASTTC) Can star ratings be improved?
Sarah and Nancy went to see A Mirror at the Almeida Theatre, London, starring Jonny Lee Miller, Micheal Ward, Tanya Reynolds and Geoffrey Streatfeild. This thought-provoking new play by Sam Holcroft, directed by Jeremy Herrin, got us talking about how to write reviews, about the difficulties of star ratings - and about Nancy's teenage encounter with Jonny Lee Miller.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
29 min
September 05, 2023 38. (ATASTTC) Feel-everything musicals and why they work
The opening of Next to Normal at the Donmar Warehouse - a musical about bi-polar illness - prompts a conversation about the need for honesty on stage and whether there's a difference between US and British musicals. Plus Sarah reveals why she finally got Brecht and Nancy talks about her love of big songs in small spaces.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
32 min
August 22, 2023 37. (ATASTTC) End of summer catch up
Nancy and Sarah are back after their summer holidays with a lot to talk about, including Sarah's visit to the Edinburgh Festival, the inspirational qualities of the late director Michael Boyd, and Nancy's unexpected trip to Downing Street
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
35 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…