Episodes

  • Bonus episode: How to adapt a classic musical into a film

    Bonus episode: How to adapt a classic musical into a film
    Oct 15 2025
    In this episode, we head to the US where editor David Gordon sits down with director Bill Condon to discuss his new movie version of Kiss of the Spider Woman. Together they explore his approach to adapting the acclaimed story for the stage, the themes of identity and survival, and the creative process behind bringing such an iconic work to life. It’s an insightful look at storytelling, collaboration and the enduring legacy of Kiss of the Spider Woman. David also chats to break-out star Tonatiuh about his role in the new flick.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    17 mins
  • What is the secret to Les Misérables' success?

    What is the secret to Les Misérables' success?
    Oct 10 2025
    To be or not to be - that is the question... Or is it "Do You Hear The People Sing?" As Les Misérables celebrates 40 years in the West End, Sarah and Alex reflect on the runaway success of the iconic musical that has enchanted audiences for decades. What does it say about the critics that they got it so wrong? Meanwhile, the National Theatre has opened a new production of Hamlet - laden with Easter eggs and references - and a standout performance that wowed Sarah!

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    41 mins
  • How one venue is bringing Hope to regional theatres

    How one venue is bringing Hope to regional theatres
    Oct 8 2025

    We’re heading to Manchester to celebrate a remarkable milestone. It’s been ten years since the Hope Mill Theatre first opened its doors, transforming a former textile mill into one of the country’s most respected independent producing houses.


    With just over 145 seats, it’s an intimate space that’s punched well above its weight — staging acclaimed revivals and brand-new work alike, and helping to launch careers both on and off stage. Its productions have included the award-winning Spring Awakening, Rent, Mame, and, later this month, the team are bringing Young Frankenstein to the Hope Mill stage. And looking ahead to 2026, they’re taking on their biggest project yet with High School Musical at The Lowry.

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    28 mins
  • The magic of rain on stage, the greatness of Brendan Gleeson and the start of the National Theatre’s new regime

    The magic of rain on stage, the greatness of Brendan Gleeson and the start of the National Theatre’s new regime
    Oct 3 2025
    Sarah and Alex catch up on the latest in a hectic season of theatre and talk about why The Weir by Conor McPherson really is one of the great plays of the past 50 years. And - actors getting wet is always irresistible, but does it just make you think about drainage?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    33 mins
  • Bonus episode: Rachel Zegler, Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher join us for a red carpet special!

    Bonus episode: Rachel Zegler, Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher join us for a red carpet special!
    Sep 30 2025
    In a little midweek episode, we bring you red carpet interviews from London and New York. On Sunday, Rachel Zegler picked up the Best West End Debut Performer award at The Stage Debut Awards in London for her performance leading Evita in the West End, while over in New York, the stars of the forthcoming production of Chess came together to discuss making all the right moves in the upcoming revival of the much-loved show.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    22 mins
  • Why Jane Austen finds herself at home in modern Essex

    Why Jane Austen finds herself at home in modern Essex
    Sep 26 2025
    As Jane Austen celebrates her 250th birthday, Ava Pickett has adapted Emma for the stage. She’s taken a radical approach. She talks to Sarah about why Austen is still the best portrayer of complex women, how hard it is to write comedy, the freedom of writing period drama and why the craft of women writers still isn’t recognised.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    42 mins
  • Bonus episode: Rob Madge and Sophie Drake bring a classic into the 21st century

    Bonus episode: Rob Madge and Sophie Drake bring a classic into the 21st century
    Sep 24 2025

    How do you bring a play into the present day? That’s the question facing playwright Rob Madge and director Sophie Drake, as they bring Brandon Thomas' 19th century gender-hopping farce into the present day. The show opens at the rustic, beautiful Watermill Theatre, and marks a first collaboration for the award-winning duo.



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    25 mins
  • Exclusive: Indhu Rubasingham and Nima Taleghani on why they’ve put the god of theatre on stage at the National Theatre

    Exclusive: Indhu Rubasingham and Nima Taleghani on why they’ve put the god of theatre on stage at the National Theatre
    Sep 19 2025
    Nima Taleghani is best known as Mr Farouk in Netflix’s Heartstopper. Now his first play - an adaptation of Euripides’ Bacchae - has become the first debut play in the Olivier theatre. And it opens his director Indhu Rubasingham’s first season as artistic director of the National Theatre. They talk to Sarah about making classics contemporary, rhyming verse and why theatre - like life - is best when it’s a little bit cheeky and a little bit risky

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