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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

40:32

Theatre to watch in 2026: from Arcadia to Kimberly...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2026/01/02

As the new year arrives, Alex and Sarah look forward to some of the exhilarating theatrical treats in store which range from Aidan Turner’s return to the stage opposite Lesley Manvill in Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the National Theatre to Mischief Theatre’s first musical Thespians and the Royal Court’s 70th anniversary season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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27:47

Bonus episode: Jack Holden on the five-star KENREX

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/12/29

Jack Holden had a runaway hit with Cruise back in 2021, one of the first new shows to rock the West End after the final lockdown. He's been pretty much non-stop since then – with new five-star show Kenrex opening to dazzling notices and audience acclaim in Sheffield. That show now begins a second London season, this time at The Other Palace in central London. It comes off the back of an assured stage version of The Line of Beauty, based on Alan Hollinghurst Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

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32:50

Who are the theatre names ready to make a splash in 2026

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/12/26

With 2026 fast approaching, Sarah and Alex thought they’d run through some of the names expected to make a splash over the coming 12 months – from directors, to writers, to stage stars – there are some very exciting people making very exciting theatre across the country. We touch on a trendy new production of a David Hare classic, the return of the fist-pumping musical Sylvia and the indomitable rise of playwright Ava Pickett. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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48:59

Bonus episode: Producer Kenny Wax on Top Hat dancing...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/12/23

If you haven't heard of Kenny Wax, we are fairly certain you know some of his shows –a mastermind behind building brands from the ground up, he has steered productions like The Play That Goes Wrong and SIX to international acclaim. This Christmas, he has five shows running concurrently in the heart of the capital –on top of the previous two, Top Hat is dazzling at the Southbank Centre, Christmas Carol Goes Wrong is a sell-out seasonal sensation and Just For One Day is rockin' all over Shaftesbury

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40:44

What were the best stage shows of 2025?

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/12/19

In our final main episode before Christmas, Alex and Sarah discuss their favourite shows of 2025, from Golden Globe winners on Palladium balconies to animatronic bears reducing thousands of punters to tears. With names like Bryan Cranston, Cate Blanchett, Brendan Gleeson, Rosamund Pike and Samira Wiley leading top-tier productions, there's a whole lot to chew on. The pair also pick out their favourite new plays, revivals and names that really made a splash in 2025 – and what it might all mean for

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38:17

Bonus episode: Michael Harrison on ten years of panto...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/12/16

Few producers are as intrepid as Michael Harrison – steering hits like Evita, Hello, Dolly!, Starlight Express, Gypsy, Titanique and The Bodyguard. But one centrepiece of his producing portfolio is the Palladium pantomime – the crown jewel of the London panto season and renowned for its big sets, big laughs and big innuendo count (courtesy of one Julian Clary). Alex Wood heads to MHE towers to discuss ten years of panto back at the Palladium – and why Michael considers himself the worst usher to

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39:34

Giants and horses and bears – why do puppets cast...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/12/12

Sarah has ventured into Giant Country (otherwise known as Stratford-upon-Avon) for the opening night of the RSC's stage version of The BFG, sparking a series of thoughts about why puppets have such a profound effect on audiences.This comes mere weeks after the critics raved about the stage production of Paddington. Speaking of the much-loved Bear, the Paddington musical was the runaway smash for the audience-driven WhatsOnStage Awards shortlist – which saw theatregoers across the nation pick their

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27:05

Bonus episode exclusive: Meet agents from the...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/12/08

In a little casting exclusive, Alex Wood reveals two of the agents tackling the multi-award-winning musical Operation Mincemeat, which kicks off its first ever tour in February 2026. Based on the true story of a plot to con the Nazis during World War Two, it also continues its run in the West End at the Fortune Theatre. So sit back, pour a glass of sangria and see who’s born to lead! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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48:22

Maria Friedman on the great risk of her Merrily We...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/12/05

Merrily We Roll Along has landed in cinemas worldwide, providing a unique take on the multi-award-winning Broadway production, first seen in London, with Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe and Lindsay Mendez. Friedman maps out her incredible journey with the material and how she transformed the stage show for the big screen. Plus, she explains why changing keys to suit performers should never be discouraged and why you should avoid showing feet when filming on stage! Hosted on Acast. See

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45:05

A warm welcome for Paddington

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/12/01

Hopping onto a remote recording at the earliest opportunity, Sarah and Alex discuss the legacy of the late, great Tom Stoppard – following the news of his passing on Saturday night. In an episode of two halves, this is accompanied by a reflection on the glorious response to Paddington The Musical, which received a deluge of glowing reviews following its Sunday night world premiere. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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42:08

Meeting John Le Carré, writing about death and some...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/11/28

Sarah goes to @sohoplace to talk to writer David Eldridge about his two plays running in London at the moment: End at the National Theatre, the completion of his relationships trilogy, and The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, the first adaptation of a John Le Carré novel for the stage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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32:28

Paul Hilton on finding his own Scrooge, saving the...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/11/26

As he approaches press night, we check in with award-winning actor Paul Hilton, who is getting his Scrooge on this Christmas at the Old Vic. He reflects on finding his own way into the iconic miser, and what drew him to Jack Thorne’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic after initially turning the role down. More broadly, he reflects on his career: bringing The Inheritance to New York after its landmark London moment, and the work he did helping to save Oldham Coliseum. He also expresses a great

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42:35

Is Wicked: For Good good or bad?

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/11/21

Alex has been to see Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo to bring the Wicked story to its conclusion. And Sarah has been scouring the theatre listings to find alternatives to Christmas jollity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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33:38

Bonus episode: The Wicked movie's casting directors...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/11/19

With Wicked: For Good soaring into cinemas this week, editor-in-chief Alex Wood sat down with the two-part big-screen adaptation's casting directors – Bernie Telsey and Tiffany Little Canfield – to discuss how they assembled such a rich and varied ensemble for the blockbuster franchise. The duo, with a long history of casting on stage and screen, shared their proudest moments during a very protracted casting process – and how they felt watching the now-famous Jonathan Bailey dressing room audition

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30:57

Alan Cumming on his Pitlochry season, being a...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/11/17

Trailed last week in our main episode, editor-in-chief Alex Wood sits down with Alan Cumming, who has just announced a jam-packed, star-studded first season at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. He may not be taking a salary, but he isn't taking his time either – delivering a huge bill of shows with strong international names. He also discusses his time workshopping the all-male Company under the direction of John Tiffany, and what he hopes to achieve for the much-loved Scottish venue. Hosted on Acast. See

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37:04

The Hunger Games - and Ian McKellen, Helen Mirren and...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/11/14

What a week Sarah Crompton and Alex Wood have had! Not only did they have a trip to Panem to sample the stage adaptation of The Hunger Games (the results left a lot to chew on), but Sarah's been down to Middle Temple Hall to celebrate a brand new initiative to help make Shakespeare more accessible in schools, courtesy of the Foyle Foundation and the RSC (with a helping hand from Helen Mirren, Adjoa Andoh and Ian McKellen). Meanwhile, Alex has been chatting all things new seasons with Alan Cumming,

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34:07

Bonus episode: Caissie Levy and Jack Wolfe have a...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/11/10

In this WhatsOnStage Podcast special, two of the stars of the Donmar Warehouse production of Next to Normal – Caissie Levy and Jack Wolfe – reunite as they both take on Broadway at the same time. The pair are currently starring in separate shows – Levy as Mother in the critically lauded revival of Ragtime, Wolfe in the role Orpheus in the much-loved Hadestown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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38:20

The pick of the best Christmas shows - and a...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/11/07

Sarah and Alex have been watching Mr Burton, the film about Richard Burton’s early life starring Toby Jonesthat gets its TV on BBC on the centenary of his birth. And also Wild Genius, a documentary about this fascinating man who changed the course of acting and of celebrity. They’ve also begun to choose the most promising Christmas shows including BFG at Stratford, and Sherlock and the 12 Days of Christmas which reunites Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for

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20:14

Bonus episode: We meet the team behind Paddington Bear!

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/11/03

In this bonus episode, editor-in-chief Alex Wood chats to James Hameed and Arti Shah - the two performers who sent social media into meltdown on Saturday night when the musical version of Paddington had its first preview. Alongside the creatives, Shah and Hameed details the long process required to make Paddington work - and how it has been rehearsing for such an eagerly anticipated show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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39:18

Bonus episode: West End producer Colin Ingram...

The WhatsOnStage Podcast ·

2025/10/31

On this bonus episode, we’re joined by one of the most prolific producers in the business – Colin Ingram. He’s the award-winning mind behindBack to the Future: The Musical,Ghost, andGrease The Musical, and this year marks the 20th anniversary of his company, Colin Ingram Limited. In our podcast he weighs in on the star casting debate, the future of the West End, his turbulent time with balloons at Les Misérables anniversary concert and what drives him onwards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

en

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