Will social media be the end of theatre critics – and are there too many standing ovations?

Welcome to this week’s instalment of the WhatsOnStage Podcast!

It’s a two-part episode (and being released two days early!) 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 initial excitement has died down?

Separately, Sarah has some thoughts on the increasing trend towards the obligatory standing ovation – do more audiences need to sit down and stop rocking the boat?

This week’s episode is sponsored by the award-winning, internationally acclaimed performance collective Briefs, who are back – and they’re baring everything – at HERE at Outernet from 2 to 20 July. Expect outrageous drag, thrilling circus acts, sizzling burlesque, and laugh-out-loud comedy – all packed into one wild, high-energy show. Tickets start at just £25, or go VIP and get up close in the splash zone… if you dare. Don’t wait – this is the only London run and it’s going to be big, bold, and very Brief. Grab your tickets now.

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