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In a decades spanning career, Lia Williams has established herself as one of the most prominent actresses working today. At the start of her career, Lia was already working with the likes of David Hare, Alan Ayckbourn and Harold Pinter, with whom she would go on to share a long working relationship and friendship. On screen, some of her many highlights have included playing Wallis Simpson in The Crown and more recently Paula Vennels in Mr Bates vs The Post Office. In recent years, we've also seen her prove herself to be a terrific director, finding herself at the helm on various short films and later also directing highly acclaimed productions of Ashes to Ashes and Doubt: A Parable. Some of Lia's upcoming projects include a new TV adaptation of The Day of the Jackal and also reprising her role in the highly acclaimed BBC drama: The Capture.

In this exclusive interview to mark 100 episodes of our podcast series, Lia Williams sits down to look back over her illustrious career. We hear her talk about her early career, finding her way through challenging roles like Kyra in Skylight, acting opposite Michael Gambon as well as playing Carol in Oleanna opposite David Suchet. We also get to hear her talk about her experiences of alternating roles with Juliet Stevenson and Kristin Scott-Thomas on the highly acclaimed productions of Mary Stuart and Old Times. Over the course of our conversation, Lia tells us about how the acting profession has changed during her career and talks us through her transition into becoming a well-respected director as well. In this very candid conversation, Lia reflects on the various roles that she's played and takes some time to also discuss her relationship with son and fellow actor: Joshua James, with whom she starred with in The Vortex last year. It's a fascinating insight into one of our greatest leading ladies and we look forward to seeing how her career continues to evolve in the future.

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Following the publication of his debut novel: Speaker, Cai Cherry has continued to advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and in wider society. More recently, Cai also qualified as a New York Attorney in Public Law and continues to carve out an impressive career at global Law firm DLA Piper in London. This year, Cai was also shortlisted as a Top 12 Diversity Hero by the British LGBT Awards for his continued advocacy for the LGBTQI+ community and the Disabled community too. Alongside these achievements, he has also been assisting in writing a book on Freedom of Speech with Lord Neuberger and Amal Clooney. His book Speaker was written to be a "manifesto of his misery" but has become a source for inspiration for readers, who found solace in his sincere authenticity and sense of humour.

In this exclusive new interview, Cai Cherry opens up about his struggles and insecurities as well as what drives him to continue to champion his peers and call out bad behaviour. He details experiences he's faced since coming out as queer and being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease, telling us about the microaggressions and inappropriate conduct he's observed over the years. It's a fascinating conversation as he also talks to us about the hundreds of pro-bono hours he's done for Rainbow Migration, a charity supporting LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum in the UK. Moreover, profits from his book will go towards the charity with Cai reflecting on how he quickly identified himself with the individuals that Rainbow Migration try to support. It's a fascinating conversation with one of the biggest movers and shakers in the City, and we look forward to seeing where Cai ends up in the coming years.

Speaker is available to buy in physical and digital editions NOW!

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After finishing a 5 star rated run in the Swan Theatre at Stratford-Upon-Avon, Dee Ahluwalia is returning to the role of Karim in The Buddha of Suburbia, now about to play the Barbican in London. The show is an adaptation of the bestselling novel by Hanif Kureishi, a story of a South London boy growing up with and English mother and Pakistani father discovering himself as he comes to adulthood. The Buddha of Suburbia marks only Dee's second play after a steady career on screen in shows such as A Gentleman of Moscow and Sex Education for Netflix.

In this new interview, Dee Ahluwalia opens up about how he connected with Karim, and his excitement around bringing this show to London. We hear him discuss what it was like working with Emma Rice and the Royal Shakespeare Company team, finding innovative ways of bringing Hanif's story to the stage. We also hear Dee look back at his first play: Our Generation which similarly won 5 star raves from critics and audiences alike for giving voice to a generation that struggled through Brexit and the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's a fascinating conversation that we have and we look forward to seeing what else Dee has lined up for the future, whether it be on stage or on screen.

The Buddha of Suburbia runs at the Barbican Theatre from 22nd October - 16 November with tickets on sale now! 

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After recently winning an Olivier for his chilling performance as Putin in 'Patriots', Will Keen is returning to the RSC in Stratford-Upon-Avon for the first time since 'Prince of Homburg' in 2002. In Tim Carroll's exciting new production of 'Othello', Will Keen will star as Iago opposite John Douglas Thompson, Juliet Rylance and Anastasia Hille. Having worked with Tim on a various productions over the years, Will is also reuniting with Anastasia Hille following their acclaimed performances as the eponymous characters in 'Macbeth' at the Barbican. In recent years, Will has established himself as one of the most distinguished actors in the theatre industry, regularly performing on some of the most prestigious stages including the Almeida Theatre, National Theatre and the Royal Court Theatre.

In our new interview, Will Keen sits down with us to share his excitement around getting to play one of Shakespeare's most demanding roles. We talk about the timelessness of Shakespeare's work and why we need to keep his work at the heart of the curriculum. As he continues preparing to play Iago, we hear him discuss his process of familiarising himself with a character and immersing himself into the world of the play. He shares his praise for his fellow actors as well as his hopes for what this new production will provide audiences. Later on in our conversation, we also talk about his experience working with his daughter, Dafne Keen and how it's been watching her flourish into one of the industry's fastest rising stars. It's a fascinating conversation overall and we look forward to seeing Will Keen's Iago in the RSC's new production of the show.

'Othello' runs at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon from 11 October - 23rd November.

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10 years after the first performance of CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation, the show is returning for its 10th anniversary tour. Earlier this year, the show played a sold out performance at Wilton's Music Hall and the show is about to play second performance in the historical venue. Ahead of this second date, Lee Apsey took some time out to talk to us about the show's evolution going from playing the Old Red Lion Pub to the Edinburgh Fringe and now Wilton's. We look back over the last 10 years and discuss what makes improv still a great art form.

In this new interview with Lee Apsey, we hear the writer director actor producer talk about his love for performance and engaging with audiences across stage and screen. In recent years, he's also explored the world of musical theatre with Your Flaws the Musical. Perhaps surprisingly, he tells us how he is naturally a very structured person and improv was a way to loosen up his writing and working style. Of course, his talents have since led him to play a number of seasons in Edinburgh and CSI continues to garner 5 star reviews to this day.

CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation runs at Wilton's Music Hall on 28th September with tickets on sale now. More details available on Lee Apsey's webiste.

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After a short break from the National Theatre, Zubin Varla is returning to the South Bank for Tanika Gupta's new play: A Tupperware of Ashes. This will mark Zubin's first show back at the Dorfman Theatre since The Enchantment and we hear Zubin talk about his love for the National Theatre having performed on all 3 stages during his illustrious career. Last year, he was at the Olivier for Odyssey with Public Acts and prior to this he's also appeared in productions of The Life of Galileo, Attempts On Her Life and Dara. Over the course of recent years, he's continued to take on a multitude of roles ranging from Monk in Dave Malloy's Ghost Quartet, Thersites in Troilus and Cressida and won an Olivier for his performance as Jerry Falwell in Tammy Faye.

In a rare interview, Zubin Varla opens up about his love for rich, complex writing and the pleasures of getting to evolve as an actor. As he continues rehearsals for A Tupperware of Ashes, he tells us about his love for collaboration with fellow actors and creatives when developing a new play. Indeed, in recent years, he's continued to explore both contemporary and classic texts from A Little Life to The Two Character Play to Fun Home. It's an extraordinary career which has taken him from the RSC to the Royal Court, Hampstead and now back to the National Theatre. 

A Tupperware of Ashes runs at the Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre from 25 September - 16 November. 

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After over 50 years working as an actress, Maureen Beattie is about to make her Hampstead Theatre debut in The Lightest Element, a brand new play by Stella Feehily. At the centre of the play is Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, one of 20th Century Science's most significant figures. Despite her great discoveries, she's remained a fairly elusive figure and this play sets out to give her the recognition that many of her male counterparts have since received. The show will be directed by Alice Hamilton, who Maureen describes fondly of as being the best type of director who listens to everyone in the room. We also hear her talk about her excitement around getting to perform in Hampstead Theatre, having been a regular theatregoer there since it's early beginnings.

In this new interview, Maureen Beattie talks about this exciting new play, shining a light on a truly fascinating figure who has remained out of the social consciousness. As former President of Equity, she also talks to us about the changes that have taken place over the course of her career, providing more opportunities for women and the introduction of safe spaces in rehearsal rooms. Last year, Maureen also returned to the RSC to play Celia in a cast of veteran actors production of As You Like It, opposite the likes of Geraldine James and Malcolm Sinclair. A veteran actress herself, her career has taken her from the RSC to the National Theatre to the Old Vic and the Royal Court.

The Lightest Element runs at Hampstead Theatre until 12 October.

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After a few years away from the Olivier stage, Jordan Metcalfe is back at the National Theatre preparing to play one of the biggest roles of his career to date. In Lyndsey Turner's new production of Coriolanus, Jordan will be playing Brutus opposite David Oyelowo's Caius Martius. A well-versed Shakespeare thespian himself, this will be his second Shakespearean role this year after playing the playful Boyet in Love's Labour's Lost at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Previous roles have also included Romeo in Romeo and Juliet as well as the Clown in The Winter's Tale.  

In a brand new interview, Jordan Metcalfe discusses the pressures of playing a role like Brutus and tells us what it's like stepping out onto the Olivier stage. Having started out as a child actor, he also tells us about his journey as an actor, heading to drama school and then graduating to roles at the RSC and the National Theatre. He tells us about how he's watched the industry evolve over the years, becoming more inclusive to those from less advantageous backgrounds as well as to those from other ethnic backgrounds too. We hear him talk about his love for other actors and the joy of getting to play a diverse set of characters from Roy Faulkland in Jack Absolute Flies Again to Brutus in Coriolanus. It's a fascinating conversation and should encourage everyone to go and see his performance when the show opens.

Coriolanus runs at the National Theatre from 11th September - 9 November and tickets on sale NOW.

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After previously playing Lazar Wolf in Bartlett Sher's acclaimed 2015 Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof, Adam Dannheisser has returned to the world of Anatevka in Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's production to great acclaim, whilst also making his London theatre debut as Tevye. As a seasoned performer on Broadway, he tells us how Tevye was always a dream role and that Fiddler on the Roof has remained a favourite show of his over the years. Having previously also worked in New York's Delacorte Theatre in Central Park, he also tells us about the joy of getting to put on a show outdoors where you're one with nature with the audience. He praises the direction that Jordan Fein also takes with his reimagining of the classic show, finding new clarity in a show that everybody knows and loves. Indeed, the show has won over critics and audiences for it's stunning presentation of a story of family, tradition and persecution at a time where these themes couldn't feel more relevant.

In this brand new interview, Adam Dannheisser tells us about the joy and challenge of playing Tevye, and how he feels really connected to this part today. During the course of our conversation, he also tells us about his love for London and the wonderful change it is from working in the United States. We hear him fondly recall memories of being from a Jewish family and how he is channelling his grandfathers in his portrayal of Tevye. He also has a lot of praise for his fellow cast members, remarking upon their incredible talent as a company whilst also noting their generosity of spirit as a cast. The community feel translates impeccably in this production as audiences watch this uplifting and heartbreaking story unfold in the beautiful Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.

Fiddler on the Roof runs until 27th September with tickets available NOW.

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After an 18 year break from the RSC, Ian Hughes has returned to the role of Sir Hugh Evans in Blanche McIntyre's critically acclaimed production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. The production forms part of Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey's opening season as joint Artistic Directors of the RSC, where there seems to be a renewed buzz about the company and the work that is being produced in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Ian's last outing at the RSC was as Sir Hugh Evans in Merry Wives: The Musical, but he has since continued to tread the boards and made various appearances on screen in an array household titles. The Merry Wives of Windsor gives audiences an opportunity to see Ian back somewhere he love though and it was fantastic getting to hear him talk about his history with this beloved institution. 

In this exclusive interview, Ian Hughes looks back on his career, starting out his career without training at an elusive drama school and then becoming the first ever winner of the Ian Charleson Award. His first outing to the RSC came about in the early 1990s where he has since taken on roles in King Lear, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and more working alongside RSC greats such as Gregory Doran and Adrian Noble. It's an extraordinary career that has also taken him to commercial musicals like The Lion King, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Les Miserables. Never one to be pigeonholed, Ian has also had a career on screen taking part in shows such as Masters of the Sky, Doctor Who and Gavin and Stacy. In our interview, he shares how he's managed to carve out such a varied career working with so many luminaries in the industry but remains humble about the opportunities he's received too. 

The Merry Wives of Windsor is currently running at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon until 7th September with tickets available now!

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