The WhatsOnStage Podcast

New Episode 184 July 16, 2026 Played

Bonus episode: No sooner Shed than done – producer Francesca Moody on her Edinburgh projects

Producer Francesca Moody has brought some iconic shows to the stage: Fleabag, Baby Reindeer and Weather Girl amongst their number. This year, she’s taking three new productions to the Edinburgh Fringe, even working with partners like Global Creatures, the minds behind the Moulin Rouge! and Muriel’s Wedding musicals. Shedinburgh will also be shooting down south to the Young Vic for a London spell, in a big step forwards for the artist-led project. Moody also reflects on her programming strategy and always developing work with a long life in mind.

Edinburgh Festival Edinburgh Fringe Francesca Moody Shedinburgh

New Episode 182 July 13, 2026 Played

Jesus Christ Supersized + Sarah talks Pride

What’s the buzz? Our main episode has landed a few days early to coincide with the opening night of Jesus Christ Superstar at The London Palladium! Sarah and Alex discuss Sam Ryder’s performance and the show’s ability to awe on the largest stages. Elsewhere, it was a big, bold, exciting opening for Pride at the National Theatre, while Sarah and Alex mull over big news stories from the NT, RSC and Bridge.

Andrew Lloyd Webber Jesus Christ Superstar National Theatre Pride Sam Ryder The London Palladium

Episode 181 July 7, 2026 Played

Russell Tovey in The Guilty, art by actors, and memories of Tom Stoppard

Actress Nancy Carroll returns to the podcast while Alex Wood takes a break. She and Sarah talk about their theatre outings to The Guilty at the Donmar Warehouse and Springwood with Robert Lindsay at Hampstead and the MAMA (Many Actors Make Art) exhibition Nancy is organising. Plus as a theatre is named the Stoppard, Nancy reveals his favourite thing in rehearsals – and why Arcadia is a perfect play.

Episode 180 June 30, 2026 Played

Bonus episode: It’s A Midsummer Night’s Hot Mess as we bring the heat in a two-parter

Welcome to this bonus episode of the WhatsOnStage Podcast! In a double bill, we head first to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre to hear from three of the cast members of A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Jenny Rainsford, Terique Jarrett and Mary Malone. The trio explain why Shakespeare’s comedy is such a tried-and-tested hit at the beautiful outdoor venue.  Secondly, we hop to The Other Palace for the return of hit musical Hot Mess, which is currently celebrating a well-received second and expanded run at the central London venue.

Episode 179 June 26, 2026 Played

The Best Plays Of The Century Part Six: the years 2010/11

We’ve hit the 2010s! Sarah and Alex continue their odyssey through the top plays of the century, which in this episode has two central themes: plays about climate catastrophe and the gargantuan success of the Royal Court under Dominic Cooke. At the same time, playwrights like Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and Alice Birch are entering the mix… while Laura Wade correctly predicts Partygate a decade early. And James Corden brings some cheer with One Man, Two Guvnors.

Episode 178 June 24, 2026 Played

Bonus episode: RSC’s former artistic director Gregory Doran on Venus and Adonis + new book Walking Shadow

Gregory Doran stops by on this bonus episode to discuss his production of Shakespeare’s Venus and Adonis, performed by puppetry and narrated by Simon Russell Beale. As part of the chat, Doran also dives into the prompts behind his new book Walking Shadow, based on diary entries and experiences following the death of his husband, the legendary actor Antony Sher.  

Episode 177 June 19, 2026 Played

The art of naming theatres, and will Paddington work on Broadway

Awards season may be over but the theatre news does not slow down! James Graham is back with a brand new play landing direct in the West End, while news from New York sees that indomitable bear Paddington making its furry way to Broadway. Also – Judi Dench will have a theatre named after her, and there’s great news from the Bush as part of its 2026 season. Plus, Sarah mulls over what she thinks of the Traitors being turned into a five-part-cycle stage play experience.

James Graham Judi Dench paddington The Traitors

Episode 176 June 16, 2026 Played

How The Traitors will work on stage

In this bonus episode of the WhatsOnStage Podcast, Alex sits down with Stephen Lambert, one of the masterminds behind the hit TV series The Traitors, as well as writer John Finnemore and director Rob Hastie, who explain how exactly they plan to bring The Traitors to the stage – in a multi-show experience like nothing else seen in the West End.

Episode 175 June 15, 2026 Played

Bonus episode: Adrian Lester and Susannah Fielding talk Cyrano de Bergerac and the Dartmouth Scar Experiment

Below is our interview with the two stars of the forthcoming West End transfer of Cyrano de Bergerac, Adrian Lester and Susannah Fielding, who will be returning to the roles of Cyrano and Roxane for the Noël Coward run of Edmond Rostand’s play, adapted by Simon Evans and Debris Stevenson. In the interview, the pair discuss reinterpreting the role of Roxane, why a nose had to be shown on stage and the different rhyming structure bedded into the text. Oh – and if you’re looking for the project Lester refers to, it’s the Dartmouth Scar Experiment.

Episode 174 June 11, 2026 Played

Can we solve the theatre etiquette problem once and for all?

What’s this? The main episode of the week coming out two days early? As the dust settles on another Tony Awards season, Sarah and Alex have a lot to chew on – topics include Brits thriving on Broadway, the sacrifices mothers have to make to succeed in the performing arts and, after an incident at Inter Alia, the mobile phone etiquette debate. If that’s not enough, they also pick the six summer shows they can’t wait to see – with shows in Manchester, Stratford-upon-Avon, London and Chichester (if you’re travelling south via the M6, M40, A3 and A27).

Episode 173 June 9, 2026 Played

High Cs on the high seas – Sarah has a nautical, musical adventure to New York

While Alex has been manning the fort back in London, Sarah has sailed over to the Great White Way for a small Broadway bonanza ahead of this weekend’s Tony Awards. She observes the “Miller moment” that seems to be ongoing with productions of Death of a Salesman, All My Sons and Broken Glass all making headlines over the last year. After sampling the best New York has to offer, she makes some predictions ahead of Sunday’s glitzy event.

Episode 172 June 4, 2026 Played

Bonus episode: New musicals special with Redcliffe team, Sam Tutty and Christiani Pitts

In this bumper episode, we are celebrating the world of new musicals with two great insights into the experience of staging new world. In the first part, we bring you our on-stage discussion with the music team of Redcliffe, Jordan Luke Gage’s brand new musical having its world premiere at Southwark Playhouse Borough. In part two, we head across the Atlantic to talk to Sam Tutty and Christiani Pitts, the two “strangers” bring baked goods to the masses in the five-star musical Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York), playing now on Broadway – ahead of this Sunday’s Tony Awards.

Episode 171 May 29, 2026 Played

The Best Plays Of The Century Part Five: the years 2008/9

As part of their long-running series, Alex and Sarah end the 00s with a bumper exploration of two pivotal years for playwriting this century – with Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem, Lucy Prebble’s Enron, John Logan’s Red, Lynn Nottage’s Ruined and so many more to mull over. But which plays will be Sarah’s top picks? And what have we forgotten from the month before?

Episode 170 May 27, 2026 Played

Bonus episode: Sara Bareilles on ten years of Waitress and new musical The Interestings

Ten years on from Waitress’ Broadway bow, we had a virtual chat with composer and lyricist Sara Bareilles to discuss the lasting and profound effect of the show, from its much-loved numbers to its now-instantly recognisable characters. What’s more, Bareilles is working on a brand new musical, and reflects on this new experience as she prepares to bring it to the stage.

Episode 169 May 27, 2026 37:11 Played

Are theatre tickets really getting cheaper?

In another busy week Sarah and Alex sit down to discuss whether Peter Schaffer’s Equus is really the Adolescence of its day – and how relevant Brecht’s warnings about totalitarianism and war still feel. Plus a new report on theatre pricing prompts some new thinking…

Episode 168 May 27, 2026 Played

Bonus episode: How a 70-seat West End studio theatre goes from strength to strength

In this episode, we take an exclusive look at Jermyn Street Theatre’s newly announced 2026 autumn season, including the UK premiere of Simon Stephens’ A Slow Fire and a revival of Richard Eyre’s Ghosts. We discuss what A Slow Fire might bring to London audiences following its Dublin premiere, and why Kwame Owusu’s direction of Ghosts continues the theatre’s commitment to developing emerging voices alongside established writers. We also explore the remarkable growth of Jermyn Street Theatre over the past decade, now operating as an intimate central London venue into a theatre increasingly attracting major writers, ambitious productions and a wider profile within the industry.

Episode 167 May 15, 2026 33:34 Played

Why does Ian McKellen have unfinished business with King Lear

Sarah and Alex have been ranging across the country, seeing shows in Bowness-on-Windermere and Brighton recently, but still find time to mull over the biggest news stories of the week – from the plans for Ian McKellen to return to the stage in a new version of King Lear at the Yard, and the National Theatre’s report into the impact of streamed theatre. Plus, Sarah reminisces about her favourite performers who have tackled the title role in Krapp’s Last Tape.

Episode 166 May 27, 2026 Played

Bonus episode: US stars Noah Galvin and Josh Radnor are bringing new writing to London

Alex sits down with the two stars of Hit Machine – Josh Radnor (known for playing Ted in How I Met Your Mother) and Noah Galvin (of The Good Doctor, Theater Camp and Dear Evan Hansen fame) – who will be performing at the Soho Theatre this summer. The new play by Jonathan Caren follows two estranged brothers, one a record mogul and the other an aspiring musician. It features original music by multi-Grammy Award winner Ben Harper with direction by Daniel Bailey. Why do the two US TV stars find themselves in London?

Episode 165 May 15, 2026 Played

Are the Tony nominations a warning sign for Broadway?

UK theatre fans had reason for cheer with Tuesday’s Tony nominations, with recognition for Sam Tutty, Layton Williams, Lesley Manville, Luke Evans, Mark Strong, Rob Icke and many more, but does the full list reflect something more concerning about the state of Broadway? Alex Wood and guest co-host David Gordon chew on the results and a very rocky season for the Great White Way. Regular hosts Sarah Crompton and Wood host a weekly series 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. The podcast can be listened to on various streaming platforms – including Apple Podcasts and Audible. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Episode 164 May 27, 2026 Played

Bonus episode: Lesley Manville, Sonia Friedman and Mark Rosenblatt respond to their Tony nominations

Yesterday saw the Tony Awards nominations being revealed – in a great moment for UK theatre, with 41 nominations. We chat to producer Sonia Friedman (Oedipus), star Lesley Manville (Oedipus) and writer Mark Rosenblatt (Giant) about the success of their respective shows – Friedman also reflected on a very exciting period coming up for her company as it prepares to open a wave of new productions.

Episode 163 May 27, 2026 Played

Celebs declare war on phones in theatres

In a packed week of theatre news Sarah and Alex discuss Cynthia Erivo halting a show to stop filming —and Lesley Manville declaring war on photos. Is technology ruining or helping theatre? Plus: troubled waters at The Bridge, Broadway transfers and whether theatre could learn something from ParkRun.

Episode 162 May 27, 2026 Played

Bonus episode: The man shaking up the West End with experimental work

On this week’s bonus episode, Alex chats to Omar Elerian, the director and adaptor of Kohlhaas, a brand new work making its world premiere in the first week of the Brighton Festival. Elerian is also the co-founder of There & Then, a new theatre company that will bring a starry West End season of White Rabbit Red Rabbit to the Duchess Theatre this summer, with stars including David Tennant, Riz Ahmed, Luke Thompson, Jodie Whittaker and David Harewood.

Episode 161 May 27, 2026 52:04 Played

The greatest plays of the century: part 4

In part four of the series, Sarah and Alex discuss the mighty War Horse, sublime new work from Complicité, incredible Scottish writing and blistering debuts. They also finally mull over the question – what actually is a play?

Episode 160 May 27, 2026 Played

Bonus episode: What is the future of new musicals?

Alex Wood comes to you from the Musical Theatre Conference 2026 at the Soho Theatre Walthamstow – a huge event that saw writers, producers and venue owners come together to mull over trends and issues facing the world of new musicals. We hear from Jethro Compton, one of the masterminds behind The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, about how his global perspective on making work has informed his process and helped him build a career.

Episode 159 May 27, 2026 Played

Are retooled classics muscling out new work?

A new version of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House gets Sarah and Alex thinking about new writing. Plus a stage musical of Thelma and Louise has been announced. How will that work? And a final mop up on the Oliviers.

Episode 142 February 20, 2026 Played

We have a lot to say about Dracula with Cynthia Erivo

The biggest opening of the year so far came this week in the form of Dracula, marking the return of Cynthia Erivo to the London stage. Sarah and Alex voice their opinions on the tech-heavy take on Bram Stoker’s bloody classic – but are there too many bells and whistles for this to work? Plus – Westeros is stage-bound – the podcasting pair break down the news of the new play, Game of Thrones: The Mad King.

Episode 141 February 18, 2026 Played

Andor star Elizabeth Dulau on playing George Eliot and the Star Wars universe

Fresh from wowing Disney audiences as Kleya in Andor, Elizabeth Dulau is playing the iconic poet George Eliot in Alexi Kaye Campbell’s brand new play Bird Grove, currently in previews at the Hampstead Theatre. We discuss the surprising facets of Eliot’s personality as well as the challenges faced with trying to bring such a revered literary figure to the stage. Beyond that, we also touch on Dulau’s experiences in the Star Wars universe – and how she imagines Kleya’s storyline continued.