Actor Paul Bazely joins us to talk about The Father and the Assassin, at the National Theatre. He tells us about the challenges of playing one of the 20th century’s most recognisable figures, Mahatma Gandhi.Our reviews this week are God of Carnage at the Lyric Hammersmith, and Red Pitch, starring Sex Education’s Kedar Williams-Stirling, at the Bush Theatre.Plus, how will the National Theatre celebrate its 60th in October? And what we know about The Devil Wears Prada the musical, which is coming to the West End in 2024.Keep up to date all the time and read our latest reviews and news here.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Evening Standard Theatre Podcast

The Father and the Assassin’s Paul Bazely, plus Red Pitch & God of Carnage reviews

Stage and film royalty Sir Ian McKellen and Roger Allam join us this week for their play Frank & Percy at The Other Palace. Allam describes the show as a 'gay rom com' but it ‘will appeal to anyone’, says McKellen. This episode is dedicated to an uninterrupted wide-ranging conversation, with the pair covering the audience behaviour, freedom of speech, the sadness and fear around ageing and the price of theatre tickets.Plus, both their appearances in Les Misérables, what they think of Dolly Parton (yes, really), and much more.For all the latest reviews and news head to standard.co.uk/culture/theatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Ian McKellen and Roger Allam: a special edition

Succession writer Miriam Battye and award-winning director Katie Posner join us to talk about their new show A Strategic Love Play at the Soho Theatre. They reveal their worst dates, why they think the pursuit of romance can be so exhausting, and discuss how the lack of funding and arts in schools is blocking many young writers.We review I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical at Wilton’s Music Hall, and Candy at Park Theatre.Plus, if a critic judges the content of a show on personal opinion, is it censorship? Also, on-sale tickets for Spirited Away at the London Coliseum.For all the latest news and reviews visit standard.co.uk/culture/theatre. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Strategic Love Play creators, plus I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical + Candy reviews

Olivier-nominated Gabrielle Brooks joins us from the Kiln Theatre to talk about her role in Mlima’s Tale by Lynn Nottage – and the “magic” of how the production brings an elephant to life in this heartbreaking story about the ivory trade. She tells us about going from Grange Hill to performing in the West End’s biggest musicals and about her recent turn as Bob Marley’s wife Rita in Get Up, Stand Up! Plus much more…For our first review, it’s Next to Normal at the Donmar warehouse. This musical which deals with issues of mental illness stars Caissie Levy – the original Elsa in Frozen on Broadway – and Jamie Parker, a previous guest on the podcast when he starred in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (listen here) Second up, we review A Mirror at the Almeida. This knotty, tricksy tale about writing, oppression and censorship stars Jonny Lee Miller, Top Boy’s Micheal Ward and Sex Education’s Tanya Reynolds. And it certainly caused some division between our reviewers.Finally, we discuss London Theatre Week 2023, and given the chance of grabbing cheap tickets what we want to see and what we think you should see, plus the nominations for the Stage Debut Awards are out…So join us once again for the weekly guide on what’s big in London theatre.For the latest news head to https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gabrielle Brooks on Mlima’s Tale, reviews of Next to Normal and A Mirror

Shaun Escoffery and George Asprey, who play Mufasa and Scar in Disney's The Lion King, join us at London's Lyceum Theatre to chat about their incredible 15 years in the West End musical.They discuss their funniest moments, the costumes, rolling around and practising Brazilian jiu-jitsu before shows, and their reaction to finding out their children would be born in the same week (and breaking the news to the company manager).We review The Effect at the National Theatre, written by Lucy Prebble and directed by Jamie Lloyd. The play stars Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) and Taylor Russell (Lost in Space).For our second review, why we're not sold by The Wizard of Oz at the Palladium. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, this musical stars Georgina Onuorah as Dorothy, Jason Manford as The Cowardly Lion and Ashley Banjo as The Tin Man.Plus, what we make of Self Esteem and Jake Shears taking on Cabaret, the rest of our La Cage aux Folles review, and we discuss the burnout and stress theatre owners are facing.Check out Tim Bano's first 5-star review from this year's Edinburgh Fringe: Woodhill at Summerhall.For all the latest news visit: https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Lion King’s Scar and Mufasa on 15 years of friendship, plus Taylor Russell in The Effect & The Wizard of Oz reviews

Frankie Bridge joins us to talk about her acting debut in 2:22 A Ghost Story, which is now on at the Apollo Theatre. Frankie tells us about her character, Lauren, and why it’s nice for her not to feel compared to Cheryl and Lily Allen - who played Jenny. She also tells us the future of her old band The Saturdays, why she thought she might end up advertising Cheestrings, and what her footballing husband Wayne Bridge said to her after her first performance.Despite press night being rained off, we discuss the musical La Cage aux Folles, now on at the Regents Park Open Air Theatre.This is directed by Artistic Director Tim Sheader, with a book by Harvey Fierstein and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman. You can also read our review here.We also review Word-Play at the Royal Court by Rabiah Hussain, directed by Nimmo Ismail: do words have cumulative power?Plus, we take a look at what’s happened in theatre this week, the theatre that's become home to brutal mosquitoes, and the new exhibition hosting theatre cartoons in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Frankie Bridge on 2:22 A Ghost Story acting debut, plus La Cage aux Folles and Word-Play reviews

West End and Broadway stars Charlie Stemp and Tom Edden join us to chat about the critically acclaimed musical Crazy For You. Charlie says it's "the hardest thing" he's ever done due to the many elements involved, including performing extremely physical choreography and comedy in perfect timing. They also discuss the challenges of their hilarious Marx Brothers-inspired mirror scene, and reveal what it was like working with Tony award-winning theatre director Susan Stroman.We review the National Theatre’s Bristol Old Vic Production of Dr Semmelweis at the Harold Pinter Theatre. It's written by Stephen Brown, directed by Tom Morris and starring Mark Rylance, who you’ll know from the BBC’s adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall and Christopher Nolan’s Second World War epic Dunkirk.Plus, we discuss Grenfell: in the words of survivors. A verbatim play, created from interviews with the residents at the heart of the Grenfell Tower fire, which killed 72 people. It's written by Gillian Slovo, stars Pearl Mackie and is on at the National Theatre.Also in this episode, we pay tribute to Tara Theatre AD and CEO Abdul Shayek, discuss Spirited Away coming to London Coliseum in 2024, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe: what theatre and comedy to book... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crazy for You’s Charlie Stemp & Tom Edden on perfect comedy timing, plus our reviews of Dr Semmelweis and Grenfell: in the words of survivors

School’s out for summer, so what’s good on the West End? Spitting Image & Have I Got News For You writer, John O’Farrell, joins us to talk about turning the iconic Mrs Doubtfire into a musical. He also discusses his work on the movie Chicken Run - and drops a few hints about the upcoming sequel.Following on from our interview with House of the Dragon’s Milly Alcock and Succession’s Caitlin Fitzgerald, who star in the show, we review The Crucible, the Arthur Miller play currently being staged by Lyndsey Turner at the Gielgud theatre.Plus, our thoughts on Beneatha’s Place at the Young Vic, written and directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah and led by Cherrelle Skeete, who starred in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - listen to our interview with her here. Also, all you need to know about what's been happening in Theatreland this week.For all the latest news and reviews visit standard.co.uk/culture Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mrs Doubtfire the musical & Chicken Run's John O'Farrell, plus The Crucible and Beneatha’s Place reviews

A love letter to old school American showbiz - we review Crazy for You, which is now on at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. This feet-tapping musical features the songs of George and Ira Gershwin, and it’s directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman.Cherrelle Skeete, star of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the Amazon original, Hanna, joins Nick Curtis to talk about her role in Beneatha’s Place, which is written and directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah. The show’s now on at the Young Vic.Plus, we discuss Michael R. Jackson’s A Strange Loop which is now on at the Barbican Theatre. You can hear our interview with Michael here.And what’s been happening this week? Which “rubbish” Shakespeare scene is going to be rewritten by comedian Stewart Lee for the RSC? Also, Cabaret is going to Broadway in spring 2024 and will be on at the August Wilson Theatre. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crazy for You the musical, Cherrelle Skeete on Beneatha’s Place, and A Strange Loop

To mark the halfway point of 2023, join Nick Clark and Nancy Durrant for this special episode showcasing the finest shows that have impressed them this year so far. You can find all the links to the full shows below, but theatrical amuse-bouches to tempt you with the best of the West End and beyond include:Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical Interview with the cast and creatorsOur reviewSheridan Smith in Shirley Valentine Shirley Valentine reviewThe Lehman Trilogy The Lehman Trilogy cast interviewOur reviewAccidental Death of an Anarchist Interview with Daniel RigbyOur reviewGroundhog Day Interview with Tim Minchin and Danny Rubin Our reviewDear England Dear England at the National Theatre reviewSleepova Our reviewSir Lenny Henry and Lynette Linton on August in EnglandInterview with Lenny & LynetteOur reviewFind all our latest reviews over at standard.co.uk/culture/theatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our 2023 Theatre highlights so far...

Double Tony Award-winning American playwright Michael R. Jackson joins us to chat about his Broadway show A Strange Loop, which is now on at London’s Barbican. The 2020 Pulitzer Prize winner tells us about the long journey to success, life as a theatre usher before fame, his irritation with Disney corporate rules, a “complex phone relationship” with American actor Tyler Perry, and his upcoming musical project based on the film Teeth.What did we think of Lily Allen in The Pillowman? Also starring Paul Kaye, the “miserable” play is written by Martin McDonagh and directed by Matthew Dunster.For our second review, it’s Accidental Death of an Anarchist, starring Daniel Rigby. Dario Fo’s 1970 political farce has been adapted by Tom Basden and is now on at the Theatre Royal Haymarket - but did it deserve a West End transfer? To hear Daniel Rigby’s interview in full, click this link.Also, what’s happening in stage news this week, Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James are to star in a new West End play, Lyonesse at the Harold Pinter Theatre.Plus, have theatre employers failed to learn lessons from Covid? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tony Award winner Michael R. Jackson on A Strange Loop, plus, reviews of The Pillowman and Accidental Death of an Anarchist

House of the Dragon’s Milly Alcock and Succession’s Caitlin FitzGerald join us at the Gieldgud theatre for The Crucible. The stars share what they love about the play, working with 17th-century language - which Milly describes as “like cooking with really good meat" - plus what they miss about home, how fame has changed their lives, and adopting London life.We review Dear England at the National Theatre, which stars Joseph Fiennes as Gareth Southgate and Gina McKee as Pippa Grange, sports psychologist and Head of People & Team Development at The Football Association from 2017 until 2019.We discuss School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. It’s written by Jocelyn Bioh, directed by Monique Touko, and is on at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.What’s been happening in theatre this week? Sarah Snook (Shiv from Succession) is to return to the UK stage in January for The Picture of Dorian Gray, and we share our top picks of shows coming to the West End.To hear our interview with Kate O'Flynn for All of It click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Milly Alcock & Caitlin FitzGerald on The Crucible, homesickness and London life

We're joined by the star of the hit BBC TV series' Eric and Ernie, award-winning comedian and actor, Daniel Rigby. He tells us about his new role in Accidental Death of an Anarchist, a play by Dario Fo and Franca Rame. He shares what it was like stepping away from comedy and how it felt to beat the likes of Matt Smith and Benedict Cumberbatch for a BAFTA.Our review of Groundhog Day is in and let's just say, it’s worth seeing again, and again, and again. To hear our interview with Tim Minchin and Danny Rubin click here.We discuss Romeo and Juliet at the Almeida in Islington, which stars Ted Lasso’s Toheeb Jimoh as Romeo, Metal Lord’s Isis Hainsworth as Juliet, and is directed by Rebecca Frecknall.Plus in our weekly theatre news, Rufus Norris steps down from the National Theatre, and we pay tribute to Oscar- winning actress and politician, Glenda Jackson, following the news of her death at the age of 87.To read our reviews and find the latest news visit standard.co.uk/culture/theatre. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daniel Rigby on Accidental Death of an Anarchist in the West End, plus Groundhog Day and Romeo & Juliet reviews!

Recorded from our new TV studio, this week’s reviews are Patriots at the Noël Coward Theatre - starring Tom Hollander and Will Keen - plus A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare’s Globe.We speak with actor Jamie Parker, who you’ll know from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and The History Boys. He joins us from Southwark Playhouse Elephant to talk about The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.This interview includes:How you reverse the age of Benjamin Button on stagePerforming as an adult Harry Potter - and what sold him on the prestigious roleHis time in The History Boys - and who he’s still mates with...Plus, we discuss news of British theatre director Tim Sheader taking over as artistic director at the Donmar Warehouse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harry Potter's Jamie Parker on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, plus Patriots & A Midsummer Night’s Dream reviews

We have an accidental Dickens special this week for you. Our review of Great Expectations starring and produced by Eddie Izzard at the Garrick Theatre, plus Bleak Expectations at the Criterion Theatre.For some non-Dickens relief, actor Kate O’Flynn joins us during rehearsals for All of It by Alistair McDowall at the Royal Court Theatre.Kate tells us what it’s like to bring the one-woman trilogy to the stage after the pandemic, how she’s approaching the production this time round, why she thinks “writing is a much braver thing to do than acting”, what it’s like to perform alongside Danny Dyer in Henpocolyspe! - and sharing their love for Harold Pinter.Plus, what’s been happening this week? We discuss the incredibly talented female playwrights behind the hit TV show Succession after its final episode, give our reaction to the West End theatre strike being called off, and is Drop the Dead Donkey returning on tour?You can hear our interview with Eddie Izzard by clicking here.For all our reviews and interviews visit standard.co.uk/theatre. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eddie Izzard's Great Expectations reviewed, plus Kate O'Flynn for All of It at the Royal Court

The theatre-goer’s essential guide to what – and who – is on the London Stage. Hear huge (and up-and-coming) names talk about their shows and catch the full reviews from our influential culture team before the theatres stick the quotes on their posters. Brought to you by the Evening Standard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The Evening Standard Theatre Podcast

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