Episodes

  • Special Episode: Joy Woods

    Special Episode: Joy Woods
    Sep 18 2025
    The Tony nominee and Broadway leading star on heading to UK shores to star in Songs For A New World: The 30th Anniversary Concert - conducted by none other than Jason Robert Brown. We also talk all things Gypsy on Broadway, her history-making, Tony-celebrated time as Louise in that production (including a special guest question from actual Laura Benanti!) and the “honour” of having a front row seat to Audra McDonald’s performance as Rose. We also dive into the hard reality of fierce expectation thanks to her global virtual moments and how crippling that can really be, why the phenomenon of “the hardest song I’ve ever sung” with My Days in The Notebook wasn’t as easy ride as you’d first expect - and why she wants to move past the need for “pretty” vocals and focus on both heart and story, together. Plus, why showing up and doing your best counts for everything! Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell lambertjackson.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • Special Episode: Matt Henry

    Special Episode: Matt Henry
    Sep 18 2025
    The history-making Olivier winner and London stage star on bringing his own touch of magic to fashion icon Nigel in The Devil Wears Prada stage adaption, collaborating with musical legends like Sir Elton John, Jerry Mitchell and Vanessa Williams, and why life at Runway is anything but a bore. Plus we celebrate the release of the Original West End Cast Recording, transferring his moving song Seen from stage to studio and why the importance of that very song isn’t ever lost on him. We also revisit his historic Olivier win, how Not My Fathers Son from Kinky Boots opened up a conversation between audience and artist about the power of difference - and why The Actors House remains one of his proudest achievements. Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell devilwearspradamusical.com theactorshouse.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins
  • S12 Ep1: Andy Nyman

    S12 Ep1: Andy Nyman
    Sep 17 2025
    The West End leading man and genius of the acting world on leading the new West End production of The Producers as Max Bialystock, the vitality of the show to a 2025 audience and the honour of joining a league of legends that have played Max before. Plus, we explore the unmatched brilliance of Mel Brooks, why the joy of this world - and his time in Hello, Dolly! Last summer at the Palladium - was and remains a tonic to him, as much as he knows it does for the audience. And, we explore his standout role in Fiddler on the Roof, crediting an audience with intelligence and - thanks to his star-turn in the Wicked movie – he’s Hot 100. Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell theproducersmusical.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • Special Episode: Laura Benanti

    Special Episode: Laura Benanti
    Sep 12 2025
    The Tony-winner and our favourite funny soprano on why “Mother is Marmee” in Jo - The Little Women Musical and its thrilling new album recording, the upcoming 20th anniversary of The Wedding Singer and her legendary star-turn as Louise in Gypsy opposite Patti LuPone. We also dive into making dreams a reality when leading in My Fair Lady, her exquisite run at the Edinburgh Fringe with Nobody Cares (including upcoming US dates!) and the one piece of advice the late Stephen Sondheim shared, that stays with her even today. Plus, why living in a world that is looking constant external validation isn’t good for any of us, how cast albums help keep the legacy of her work alive often decades after the final curtain has fallen – and why all might seem one great laugh for the world's best Melania Trump impersonator, but it comes with a side dose of uncomfortable reality, too. Funny sopranos, assemble! Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell laurabenanti.com jothemusical.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • S11 Ep11: Bella Brown

    S11 Ep11: Bella Brown
    Aug 25 2025
    To celebrate her final scheduled show as Alternate Eva and remarkable performance as The Mistress in Jamie Lloyd’s acclaimed production of Evita at the London Palladium, its breakout star reflects on a milestone chapter in her career. We dive into performing the iconic Another Suitcase in Another Hall nightly, the significance of her now-signature stage bob (and why she’s letting YOU the audience name it), and her unexpected journey from ensemble member to leading star. We also explore the impact of Jamie Lloyd’s visionary direction for The Mistress, along with the evolving role of social media in shaping the stage experience for 2025 — for both performer and audience alike. She also opens up about battling imposter syndrome when stepping into her first confirmed performance as Eva in place of “titan” Rachel Zegler, and how she found strength in the love of Rachel, her cast mates and the audiences who showed up in their thousands. And when her Don’t Cry for Me Argentina performance soared past 2M views in one viral clip, how what began as a daunting challenge became a career-defining moment. Plus, we dive into social media to read through your comments as the love comes pouring in. From Insta moments to viral TikTok's, the internet has spoken: Bella Brown > everything. Supremacy unlocked. Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell evitathemusical.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • S11 Ep10: Georgie Buckland

    S11 Ep10: Georgie Buckland
    Aug 18 2025
    She’s the exquisite stage actor and vocalist on the creative joy of originating Andy in the Elton John-penned stage adaption of The Devil Wears Prada, her continuing obsession with Anne Hathaway and why iconic lines, serving camp and understanding the power of laughter helped carve out her take on Andy. We also explore the thrilling creative journey of developing a script and navigating changes during previews, her £3,000 fashion looks in the show and the unexpected challenges of the fashion world and how commentary from audiences about her appearance and size has been a fight she didn’t quite expect. Plus we dive into the genius of Jerry Mitchell, having Sir Elton John as a colleague and collaborator, and why she is not afraid to slay! Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell devilwearspradamusical.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    49 mins
  • S11 Ep9: Marisha Wallace

    S11 Ep9: Marisha Wallace
    Aug 11 2025
    The 2x Olivier nominee on her history-making performance as Sally Bowles in Cabaret on Broadway - a role she reprises direct from the West End opposite Billy Porter - the joyful challenge of mastering the British accent and why she is fully standing in her power. We also talk about overcoming both the doubt and the haters to keep standing tall, originating in Waitress alongside Sara Bareilles and the late Gavin Creel – and why she hopes her roles in Oklahoma! and Guys & Dolls has helped usher in a more inclusive space for everybody to be seen and heard. Plus, how almost ten years in London all started with what should have been a brief few weeks standing in as Effie White in Dreamgirls and why her new album Marisha Wallace: Live In London is a celebration of the journey so far - and why you should never give up! Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell slinky.to/MarishaLiveinLondon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins
  • S11 Ep8: Jess Folley

    S11 Ep8: Jess Folley
    Aug 4 2025
    The music writer and vocal slayer on leading the London stage adaptation of Burlesque at the Savoy Theatre as Ali Rose, the thrill of singing signature songs like Tough Lover, Express and Bound to You live each performance (alongside many incredible new songs written exclusively for the musical!) and how there’s no faking it when you’re serving for the gods in a role like this.We also dive into beginning her writing journey with the show at 19, performing Ali live on stage in front of the OG movie star and her vocal idol Christina Aguilera and why she’s here to honour with great love what came before. Plus, we take a little lesson in the history of Burlesque, working with exciting artists like her co-star and director Todrick Hall and why she's proud to sing LOUD! Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell burlesqueonstage.com Welcome to eleven. The official theatre podcast that brings the biggest stars and creatives together in one place to discuss life in the arts. Follow eleven on social media via @elevenpodcast and via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elevenpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 mins