Up Close with Carlos Tseng

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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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For many people, Thomas Coombes will be best known for playing Officer Daniel in the hit Netflix series: Baby Reindeer but Thomas Coombes has had a truly remarkable career prior to the show. During his career, he has tacked Shakespeare at the Globe, playing Gratiano/Prince of Arragon in The Merchant of Venice and has also played Oswald in King Lear at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre. On screen Thomas has also taken on roles in Eastenders as well as Star Wars spin-off The Acolyte. Now, he is returning to the stage for the first time since lockdown began in the West End transfer of the Death of England plays, playing Michael, a role that was originated by Rafe Spall at the National Theatre. This also marks the first time he's performed in a one-person show and he talks to us about the challenges of playing in the round in Clint Dyer and Roy Williams' fast-paced thriller on Modern Britain.

In a remarkable new interview, Thomas Coombes reflects over the last few years which has seen him take on roles in Baby Reindeer, Slow Horses and The Acolyte. Now as he continues his run as Michael, he sits down with us to talk about the importance of representation of working class people and their stories. Early on in his career, he won an Offie for his performance as Paul in 'Barbarians', a revival of Barry Keefe's play about youth unemployment and the consequences of that. As Michael now, Thomas Coombes is once again exploring how society influences a man's beliefs and how one's ideology can manifest itself into violence and prejudice. The plays very much reinforce some of the harsher realities of Modern Britain and the divisions that exist, but Thomas also tells us about the humour the show carries and how he hopes that audiences will be able to have a laugh as well as a think about the state of the nation today.

Death of England: Michael is currently running at @SohoPlace and will run in rep with Death of England: Delroy and Death of England: Closing Time this Summer.

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For Musical Theatre fans, Sally Ann Triplett is the definition of a West End leading lady having taken on principal roles in Chicago, Mamma Mia! and Billy Elliot. She is now currently playing Fraulein Schneider in the multi-award winning production of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in the Playhouse Theatre. Since the show opened in 2021, various stars have tread the boards at the newly renovated theatre including Jessie Buckley, Cara Delevigne, Fra Fee and Aimee Lou Wood. In the current cast, Sally Ann is starring opposite Rhea Norwood and Layton Williams who star as Sally Bowles and the Emcee respectively.

In this brand new interview, Sally Ann Triplett discusses why this production of Cabaret has ended up being such a hit with audiences. Having previously played Sally Bowles herself and also played Fraulein Schneider in the Lido 2 Paris' production earlier, she opens up about her love for the show as well as for Kander and Ebb. In our interview, Sally Ann also opens up about how the industry has changed over the years, noting the increasing presence of phones and connections slowly disappearing in companies. We also talk about the shortage of roles for women and why she's been able to work so consistently over the course of her career, having recently originated the role of Gran in Dave Molloy's The Witches, marking a triumphant return to the National Theatre following her spellbinding run as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes; as well as leading a production of Billy Elliot at Leicester Curve as well. It's a fascinating discussion as Sally Ann reveals her insights into what it's really like to be one of the West End's finest leading ladies.

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club is currently running until 31st May 2025 with tickets on sale now!

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After earning widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Cassie in Leicester Curve's production of A Chorus Line, Carly Mercedes Dyer is about to return to the iconic role two and a half years later. This time, the production will also head on a UK tour visiting various cities around the country including a run at Sadler's Wells in London. Since her Oliver nominated performance in Anything Goes, Carly has become one of the most sought after performers on the UK Theatre stage. Last year, she took on the role of Lynette Fromme in Assassins at Chichester and most recently also led the UK tour of The Drifters Girl. 

In this brand new interview, Carly Mercedes Dyer talks to us about her experience returning to Leicester and to the role of Cassie. We hear her talk about her experience working in the ensemble of shows like Dreamgirls and Chicago before going on to play principal roles like Anita in West Side Story and Cassie in A Chorus Line. We also talk about her collaboration process with the rest of the cast and she speaks openly for her admiration for Nikolai Foster and Ellen Kane, acknowledging their generosity in the room when reimagining such beloved classics. As she begins to prepare to head back out on the road, she also tells us about the importance of looking after yourself especially when doing such a physically demanding show. It's a lovely conversation, listening to Carly look back over various milestones in her career and we look forward to seeing A Chorus Line too.

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Over the last year. Joaquin Pedro Valdes has proved himself to be one of the most sought after West End performers. Last year, he starred in the sold out concerts of Death Note, made his Menier Chocolate Factory debut in the highly acclaimed revival of Pacific Overtures and is now about to return to the Menier for an eagerly anticipated revival of The Baker's Wife. Originally hailing from the Philippines, Joaquin takes time to talk to us about his move to London to make his career here after already establishing a successful career in his home country before joining the international tours of The Lion King and The King & I. Since arriving in London, he also starred in the premiere productions of Killing the Cat and Then, Now & Next and we can expect more exciting projects from Joaquin going forwards.

In this special interview, Joaquin Pedro Valdes tells us about the journey he's made over the last few years and the joy he's found since arriving in London. He acknowledges the renowned talent that's based in the UK and the competition he's found himself facing whilst remaining inspired by his peers. He also pays tribute to his wife and his loved ones for continuing to support him in his career advancements. Now as he approaches the role of Dominique, Joaquin also tells us about his personal approach to tackling characters and why it feels like a masterclass working with this company at the Menier. Indeed, the show will see him starring opposite the likes of West End veterans: Clive Rowe, Josefina Gabrielle and Finty Williams. Composer Stephen Schwartz has also been in rehearsals to talk about the show and Joaquin shares his excitement at getting to continue working with so many great talents. It’s a very candid interview too and we hear Joaquin speak openly with heartfelt candour throughout our conversation.

The Baker’s Wife runs at Menier Chocolate Factory from 6 July - 14 September.

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