Shem is currently starring as Caladar in the world premiere of Vanara.Following its workshop performances and concept album, Vanara is being staged at the Hackney Empire. The musical is written by Tony Cucchiara, Gianluca Cucchiara, Andrew James Whelan and Michael Conley. This production is directed by Adam Lenson and Eleesha Drennan, who also serve as dramaturg and choreographer respectively.Later this year, Shem will star as CC in the first ever UK tour of Dreamgirls which kicks off at the Liverpool Empire on 14th December. Having graduated from Arts Ed during the pandemic, Shem made his professional debut alongside Cedric Neal, Rachel Tucker, Rachel John & Ramin Karimloo in the digital production of Songs For A New World by Jason Robert Brown. He reprised his performance when the musical was staged at the London Palladium and was due to continue with the show for its run at the Vaudeville Theatre, which was sadly cancelled due to a lockdown.   He also appeared in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber at Leicester Curve directed by Nikolai Foster.   Vanara runs at the Hackney Empire until Sunday 31st October 2021 before embarking on a UK tour in 2022.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

In The Frame: Theatre Interviews from West End Frame

S5 Ep15: Shem Omari James, Caladar in Vanara & CC in Dreamgirls

Lucie is starring in the UK tour of Waitress, reprising her performance from the West End production (Adelphi Theatre). Based on the 2007 movie written by Adrienne Shelly, Waitress has music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles with book by Jessie Nelson. Directed by Diane Paulus with choreography by Lorin Latarro, Waitress has garnered multiple awards and nominations in both America and the UK.Lucie burst onto our screens in the 2009 series of The X Factor (ITV) and has gone on to become one of the most renowned leading ladies in theatreland. Lucie made her West End debut as Cosette in Les Misérables (Queens Theatre). Her credits include: Meat in We Will Rock You (International Arena Tour), Victoria in American Psycho (Almedia Theatre), Molly in Ghost (Asian Tour), Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (Leicester Curve & UK Tour), Holly in The Wedding Singer (UK Tour), Maureen in Rent (St James Theatre & UK Tour), Lou in Girlfriends (LMTO), Heidi in Title Of Show (Digital Production), The Ghost Of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol (Dominion Theatre) and most recently she returned to Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre) to play Fantine in the concert production. In 2017, Lucie represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine. In 2020, Lucie performed a live concert to a sold-out audience at London’s Adelphi Theatre. Accompanied by the London Musical Theatre Orchestra, the concert was recorded for a live album "Lucie Jones: Live at The Adelphi". It was recently announced that Lucie will be completing her run in Waitress in December. After leaving Waitress, Lucie will perform two Christmas concerts at St David’s Hall in Cardiff on Monday 13th December and at the West End’s Her Majesty’s Theatre on Tuesday 14th December.  You can see Lucie in Waitress until Saturday 4th December. Visit www.waitressthemusical.co.uk for tour dates and tickets. For more info about her Christmas concerts, visit www.cuffeandtaylor.com.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

S5 Ep14: Lucie Jones, Jenna in Waitress

Marc Antolin is preparing to play Leo Matienne in RSC&apos;s new musical The Magician&apos;s Elephant.Adapted from Kate DiCamillo&apos;s novel, The Magician&apos;s Elephant has book & lyrics by Nancy Harris and music & lyrics by Marc Teitler. The production is directed by Sarah Tipple.The Magician&apos;s Elephant marks Marc&apos;s return to the RSC, having originated the role of Rudolpho in Matilda The Musical.Just a few of Marc&apos;s credits include The Music Man, Singin’ in the Rain & Amadeus (Chichester), Taken At Midnight  (Chichester & Theatre Royal Haymarket), Imagine This (New London Theatre), Hello Dolly & Into The Woods (Regent’s Park), From Here To Eternity (Shaftesbury Theatre), The Trial (Young Vic), Peter Pan (National Theatre), Twelth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe), Romantics Anonymous (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Bristol Old Vic & US tour) and Camelot (Watermill). Additionally, Marc was nominated for an Olivier Award for his performance as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.This episode was recorded in-person at the RSC&apos;s studios in London.The Magician&apos;s Elephant runs at the RSC&apos;s Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon from Monday 18th October until Saturday 1st January. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

S5 Ep13: Marc Antolin, Leo Matienne in RSC's The Magician's Elephant

Olivier-Award-winning and Tony-Award-nominated performer Jenna Russell is currently preparing for her first large solo concert at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 7th November 2021. Jenna will perform some of her favourite songs and material from some of the roles she has played, with a live band helmed by her friend, and musical director, Nigel Lilley.Jenna most recently starred as the title role in Piaf (Nottingham Playhouse/Leeds Playhouse) and Celebrating Sondheim (Chichester Festival Theatre). Jenna has played so many iconic roles in so many iconic productions! Just a few of her performances have included Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls (Piccadilly Theatre), Dot in Sunday In The Park With George (West End & Broadway), Helen in Fun Home (Young Vic), Francesca in The Bridges of Madison County (Menier Chocolate Factory), Mephistopheles in Doctor Faustus (Duke Of York&apos;s), Little Edie in Grey Gardens (Southwark Playhouse), Woman 2 in Songs For A New World (St James Theatre), Rose in Di and Viv and Rose (Vaudeville Theatre), Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown (St James Theatre/Apollo Theatre), Mary Flynn in Merrily We Roll Along (Menier Chocolate Factory/Harold Pinter Theatre) & Baker&apos;s Wife in Into The Woods (Regent&apos;s Park Open Air Theatre).Jenna played Michelle Fowler in EastEnders (BBC), with her other television appearances including the BBC’s Born and Bred, Call the Midwife & Death in Paradise and ITV’s Midsomer Murders & Home To Roost as well as being the performer of the theme tune to the sit-com Red Dwarf.In this episode, Jenna discusses preparations for her solo show, the challenge of learning Piaf and the time she saved a performance of Les Mis... plus lots more!For tickets to Jenna&apos;s solo show, visit www.cadoganhall.com.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

S5 Ep12: Jenna Russell, West End icon

Shobna can currently be seen in Going The Distance, a new digital comedy by Henry Filloux-Bennett and Yasmeen Khan. Directed by Felicity Montagu, Going The Distance is a co-production from the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Oxford Playhouse, The Dukes and The Watermill Theatre. The cast also includes Sara Crowe, Nicole Evans, Sarah Hadland, Merch Husey, Matthew Kelly, Emma McDonald and Penny Ryder with Stephen Fry as the Narrator. Going The Distance is available to stream until 17th October via www.goingthedistanceplay.com.Shobna can currently be seen on screen as Ray in the film adaptation of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. She previously played the role in the musical&apos;s West End production, and is currently reprising her performance on the UK tour.Next year Shobna will be starring alongside Christina Bianco in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice on tour.  Shobna became a household name for her role as Anita in Victoria Wood’s Dinnerladies and as Sunita in Coronation Street.  Just a few of her theatre credits include: Cinderella (Lyric Hammersmith), Richard II (The Globe), Anita & Me (Birmingham Rep/Touring Consortium), Grease (Leicester Curve) and she played Tanya in the Mamma Mia! International Tour.Shobna recently wrote her debut book Remember Me.You can see Shobna on tour in Jamie until January 2022. The Jamie movie is out now on Amazon Prime.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

S5 Ep11: Shobna Gulati, Ray in Everybody's Talking About Jamie

Akeem is currently starring as Seaweed J. Stubbs in the UK touring production of Hairspray The Musical.Prior to Hairspray, he understudied Stevie Wonder in the UK tour of Motown The Musical. In this episode, Akeem discusses his path into the industry, why Seaweed is his dream role and lots more!Hairspray is currently touring through to April 2022. Visit www.hairsprayuktour.com for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

S5 Ep10: Akeem Ellis-Hyman, Seaweed in Hairspray

West End legend Rachael Wooding is currently starring as Kit De Luca in Jerry Mitchell&apos;s production of Pretty Woman at the Savoy Theatre.Pretty Woman features original music and lyrics by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, a book by Garry Marshall and the film’s screenwriter J.F. Lawton.Early in her career Rachael starred as Meat in We Will Rock You (Dominion) and later returned to play Scaramouche in the musical’s closing West End cast.  Just a few of Rachael&apos;s credits include: Eva in Evita (UK Tour), Amber in the original West End cast of Hairspray (Shaftesbury), Ariel in Footloose (UK Tour), Kristine in A Chorus Line (Crucible), Serena in Fame (West End), Pearl in Starlight Express (Germany) and Mary in Jersey Boys (West End).Some of her most recent credits include: alternate Alice in Wonderland (UK Tour), Joanne in Fat Friends The Musical (UK Tour) and Standing at the Sky’s Edge (Crucible). Pretty Woman is booking at the Savoy Theatre until Saturday 2nd April 2022. Visit www.prettywomanthemusical.com for info and tickets.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

S5 Ep9: Rachael Wooding, Kit De Luca in Pretty Woman

Molly is starring in the West End production of The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown at the Garrick Theatre!Molly made her professional debut understudying Joanna in Sweeney Todd at the London Colesium. Her other credits include Fiddler on the Roof (Grange Park Opera/Royal Albert Hall), Betty in Sunset Boulevard (UK Tour/Curve Digital Production) and Wasted (Southwark Playhouse). Molly  understudied Clara in The Light in The Piazza at the Royal Festival Hall, and returned to the production when it transferred to LA and Chicago. Molly first played Cathy when Jonathan O’Boyle’s new actor musician production of The Last Five Years premiered at the Southwark Playhouse in March 2020, weeks before theatres were shutdown due to the pandemic. The production returned for another run in October and was filmed for Broadway HD… and now it has transferred to the Garrick Theatre for a limited West End engagement!The Last Five Years runs at the Garrick Theatre until Sunday 17th October 2021.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

S5 Ep8: Molly Lynch, Cathy in The Last Five Years

Landi Oshinowo is starring as Mrs Phelps in Matilda The Musical which resumes its record-breaking West End run at the Cambridge Theatre from Thursday 16th September 2021.Landi was part of the original cast of Sister Act (London Palladium), understudying Deloris. She went on to star as Dragon/Ugly Duckling in the original West End production of Shrek The Musical (Theatre Royal Drury Lane). Most recently she played Jarene in The Color Purple (Leicester Curve/Birmingham Hippodrome).Landi&apos;s other credits include: Nell in Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Mercury Colchester/Southwark Playhouse); Widow Zuma in A Little Princess (Royal Festival Hall); The Witch/Jenny Hill in Big Fish (The Other Palace); Hattie in Kiss Me Kate (Welsh National Opera); Joyce Heath in Barnum (UK tour); Miss Sherman in Fame (UK tour); understudy Sargent in The Light Princess (National Theatre); Poopsie in The Pajama Game (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Rafiki/Nala in The Legend of Lion King (Euro Disney). She also appeared on I’d Do Anything  (BBC). Matilda The Musical runs at the Cambridge Theatre, visit www.uk.matildathemusical.com for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

S5 Ep7: Landi Oshinowo, Mrs Phelps in Matilda The Musical

Olivier winner Clive Rowe recently look over as Jethro in the West End production of The Prince of Egypt at the Dominion Theatre. Clive won the 1997 Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for Guys and Dolls. He was nominated for an Olivier Award in 2009 for outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre for Mother Goose at the Hackney Empire and in 1993 for Best Supporting Performance in Carousel.Just a few of his recent theatre credits include: Sweet Charity (Donmar Warehouse), Blues in the Night (Kiln Theatre), In the Willows (UK tour), Guys and Dolls (Royal Albert Hall), Me and My Girl (Chichester), The Light Princess (National Theatre), The Hothouse (Trafalgar Studios), The Ladykillers (West End / UK tour), Kiss Me Kate (Chichester / The Old Vic), No Naughty Bits (Hampstead Theatre), The Wiz (Birmingham Rep / West Yorkshire Playhouse) and Company (Donmar Warehouse).Clive is renowned for his pantomime appearances and this Christmas he will return to the Hackney Empire in Jack & The Beanstalk which runs 20th November - 2nd January 2022.His screen credits include: Tracy Beaker, The Evermoor Chronicles, So Awkward, The Kennedys, All The Small Things, Doctor Who and Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast. Clive stars as Jethro in The Prince of Egypt at the Dominion Theatre until Saturday 16th October 2021. The musical is currently booking to Saturday 8th January 2022.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

S5 Ep6: Clive Rowe, Jethro in The Prince of Egypt

Ben Joyce is starring as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys which has returned to the West End at the Trafalgar Theatre.  Ben recently graduated from Mountview, making him one of the youngest actors to ever play Frankie in Jersey Boys history! Ben discusses Jersey Boys&apos; big return to the West End, how it feels to be taking on such an iconic role, his path into Musical Theatre and lots more! Jersey Boys is currently booking at the Trafalgar Theatre until Sunday 2nd January 2022. Visit www.jerseyboysmusical.co.uk for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

S5 Ep5: Ben Joyce, Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys

Olivier Award winner Cassidy Janson will soon be seen as Virginia Woolf in Well-Behaved Women at Cadogan Hall in September. A new song cycle by Carmel Dean, Well-Behaved Women is an ode to the fierce famous females from history. These stories of courage, strength and resilience are memorialized through a range of musical styles from rock and jazz to country.  Cassidy recently won the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for her performance as Anne in the West End premiere of & Juliet. She will soon reprise her performance when & Juliet returns to the Shaftesbury Theatre from 24th September 2021. Cassidy&apos;s theatre credits also include: Mollie Ralston in The Mousetrap (St Martin&apos;s Theatre),  Aldonza/ Dulicinea in Man of La Mancha (Coliseum), Florence in Chess (Coliseum), Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aldwych), Ruth in Dessa Rose (Trafalgar Studios), Paquette in Candide (Menier Chocolate Factory), Maggie Saunders in Lend Me A Tenor (Gielgud), Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut in Avenue Q (Gielgud), standby Elphaba in Wicked (Apollo Victoria) and Susan in Tick, Tick... Boom! (Menier Chocolate Factory). In this episode, Cassidy discusses her Olivier win, why she said yes to Well-Behaved Women and her new relationship with Uber Eats... plus lots more! Well-Behaved Women is staged at Cadogan Hall on Friday 3rd September 2021. Visit www.cadoganhall.com for info and tickets.  Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

S5 Ep4: Cassidy Janson, Anne in & Juliet

Cedric Neal is originating the role of Goldie Wilson in Back To The Future The Musical.Based on the 1985 film, Back To The Future has a book by Bob Gale, featuring 16 new songs with music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, with additional songs from the film including The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode.Cedric’s Broadway credits include After Midnight and Porgy and Bess. He has worked extensively within US regional theatre, including a turn as Jimmy in Dreamgirls.He made his UK theatre debut as Sporting Life in Porgy and Bess at the Regent&apos;s Park Open Air Theatre before going on to originate the role of Berry Gordy in the West End production of Motown The Musical. His credits also include Chess (London Coliseum), Jesus Christ Superstar (Open Air Theatre), The View Upstairs (Soho Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Dominion Theatre) and Songs For A New World (London Palladium).Back To The Future begins performances at the Adelphi Theatre on Friday 20th August and is currently booking to 13th February 2022. Visit www.backtothefuturemusical.com for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

S5 Ep3: Cedric Neal, Goldie Wilson in Back To The Future

Christina is starring as Veronica in the West End production of Heathers at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Heathers previously enjoyed two record-breaking seasons, launching at London’s The Other Palace and transferring to the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2018. It has now returned to the West End, in addition to launching a UK tour. Christina’s theatre credits include understudying Magnolia in Show Boat (Sheffield / West End), playing Johanna in Sweeney Todd (Derby Theatre / Mercury Theatre), Sharon in Finian’s Rainbow (Union Theatre) and Christine in a concert staging of The Phantom of the Opera (Guernsey). Christina created the role of Raven in Bat Out Of Hell, playing the role in Manchester, the West End and New York. Most recently she has ventured into the world of screen, working on a plethora of exciting projects. Heathers runs at the Theatre Royal Haymarket until 11th September 2021. Visit www.heathersthemusical.com for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

S5 Ep2: Christina Bennington, Veronica in Heathers

Jodie is currently reprising her performance as Emma in the UK touring production of Tell Me On A Sunday by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black. Directed by Paul Foster, this production originally ran at the Watermill Theatre.In 2008 Jodie won I’d Do Anything (BBC) and went on to play Nancy in the West End revival of Oliver. Her other West End credits include One Man Two Guvnors, Spamalot and A Taste of Honey. Jodie&apos;s other theatre credits include Abigail’s Party, Shirley Valentine, Annie, Fat Friends and Calamity Jane. During the pandemic Jodie co-wrote Cinderella: The Socially Distanced Ball which ran at the Turbine Theatre.Tell Me On A Sunday is back on tour from Tuesday 10th August in Nottingham, before visiting Sheffield, Colchester, Edinburgh, Leicester, Salford and Bury St Edmonds before wrapping up in Guildford in November.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening!Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

S5 Ep1: Jodie Prenger, Emma in Tell Me On A Sunday

In The Frame is West End Frame's theatre interviews podcast. Each week, West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins, sits down with a different theatrical name for a candid conversation. Guests include actors, producers, choreographers plus more! New episodes drop every Friday.

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In The Frame: Theatre Interviews from West End Frame

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