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PODCAST

The WhatsOnStage Podcast

Sarah Crompton & Alex Wood

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 what’s happening on stage (and in film and on television) now, in the past and in future. From musicals, to plays, to immersive shows, to interviews with the biggest stars, there"s something for everyone! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

arts performing arts

All Episodes

48:05

Burlesque's turbulent arrival in the West End – and...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/07/25

Sarah is still swanning it up in bella Italia (the country, not the restaurant), so Alex has brought in TheaterMania's editor-in-chief David Gordon to comb through two big stories in theatre this week. First of all, the turbulent Burlesque the Musical has had its opening night at the Savoy Theatre, with Alex giving his verdict on the production – and whether or not the behind-the-scenes controversy was over-sensationalised. Then – David reflects on his trip to Williamstown Theatre Festival in

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32:13

Bonus episode: Three Elphabas talk the new world of...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/07/23

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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45:24

What are the hits and who are the stars of tomorrow?

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/07/18

As the Edinburgh Festivalapproaches 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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21:00

Bonus episode: Natasha Hodgson and Alex Young go...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/07/16

Alex and Sarah will be back on Friday, but in the meantime we’ve dedicated an episode to a British show that continues to conquerboth 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,

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35:18

What's the point of an interval? And why are we...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/07/11

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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14:50

Bonus episode: What does an actor-musician musical...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/07/09

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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17:42

Rachel Zegler, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more discuss...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/07/04

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

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36:56

Is Evita the show of the summer? And if not, what is?

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/07/02

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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33:26

Why seeing a play from the cheap seats can change...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/06/27

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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32:32

Bonus episode: Special guest Katie Brayben on the...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/06/20

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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43:05

Will social media be the end of theatre critics? And...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/06/18

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

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45:43

Behind the scenes at Jamie Lloyd’s Evita

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/06/13

As Rachel Zegler prepares to take on the role of Eva Peron in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s ageless classic, Sarah sets out to find out more about the London Palladium production.Plus what was it like working with Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell and how did they cope with the crowds mobbing Sunset Boulevard in New York Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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15:41

Bonus episode: What happens when you win a Tony...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/06/11

Sunday night saw the winners crowned at the Tony Awards in New York. While new musical Maybe Happy Ending may have been the big winner, there were plenty of awards dished out to UK-originating shows, includingOperation Mincemeat, Stranger Things: The First Shadow and more! We hear from all of them… while Andrew Lloyd Webber explains why a Sunset Boulevard film may not be happening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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37:24

Special guest Sonia Friedman talks career-firsts, the...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/06/06

Description: With Tony Award-winning record breaker Stereophonic in previews in the West End, chief critic Sarah Crompton and managing editor Alex Wood hopped over to Sonia Friedman Productions offices to talk to Friedman in a wide-ranging interview. Topics included what makes new writing so enticing, why the Broadway model is so hard and why Broadway box office reporting is causing headaches all round. Plus how she's trying to find the next generation of audiences with Hugh Jackman, and why the

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10:18

Bonus episode: A gigantic new London theatre made for...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/06/04

In a bonus midweek episode, WhatsOnStage’s editor-in-chief Alex Wood made the trip to the gigantic Olympia event space, home to the new Olympia Theatre. Currently in construction, the Olympia is due to open to the public in 2027. Alex had a word with Rosemary Squire, the co-founder of operator Trafalgar Entertainment, about what theatregoers can expect from the 1575-seat venue: including 100 toilets, a huge playing space and top class amenities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more

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32:16

A final theatre season to rule them all

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/05/30

In the week director Rupert Goold announced his farewell programme at the influential Almeida Theatre, Sarah and Alex talk about why his choices reflect his bold approach - and outline the excitements in store. And as Patti Lupone stirs controversy, can the old-fashioned, no holds barred interview survive? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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42:03

Why British theatres are on the brink of going bust

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/05/23

As a new report highlights the crisis in British theatres, Sarah and Alex reveal the depth of the difficulties caused by standstill subsidy and rising costs and in particular the challenges for regional theatre and touring Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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27:03

Bonus episode: Special guest Hadley Fraser on...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/05/21

In a mid-week bonus episode, West End star Hadley Fraser discusses his array of new endeavours, including a brand new album, a major solo concert at Cadogan Hall and appearing nightly in the West End in The Deep Blue Sea. He also chats about gardening, parenting and his daughter’s reaction to seeing him as a king in Disney’s Snow White. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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45:22

How do you stage an unfinished musical?

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/05/16

Sarah Crompton and Alex Wood dive headfirst into Stephen Sondheim and David Ives' Here We Are, wading through the history and themes of the show as it makes its European premiere at the National Theatre. After that, they swim through a wellspring of topics including the Young Vic's exciting new season (with four of Sarah's favourite directors involved) and Cynthia Erivo's fang-tastic West End return in Dracula. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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35:54

The best shows to see this summer - from Stereophonic...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/05/09

Sarah and Alex get out their diaries to do some planning for some of the most exciting events in the months ahead from Eugene O’Neill to Shucked and from the reopening of Theatr Clwyd to a late Shakespeare revival in Stratford Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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