The WhatsOnStage Podcast

By Sarah Crompton & Alex Wood

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Category: Performing Arts

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Subscribers: 14
Reviews: 0
Episodes: 218

Description

WhatsOnStage managing editor Alex Wood and chief theatre critic Sarah Crompton host a weekly podcast 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. From musicals, to plays, to immersive shows, to interviews with the biggest stars, there's something for everyone!

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Episode Date
153. Bonus episode: Bumper interview bonanza with Hayley Atwell, Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Rebecca Lucy Taylor
Mar 30, 2026
152. What kind of plays win prizes?
Mar 27, 2026
151. Bonus episode: Into the Woods has a new Witch and we meet her
Mar 25, 2026
150. The Best Plays of the Century Part Three: the years 2004/5
Mar 20, 2026
149. Bonus episode: John Proctor is the Villain stars Sadie Soverall and Dónal Finn talk the eagerly anticipated UK premiere
Mar 18, 2026
148. Awards Season: Timothée Chalamet, the Oliviers and the Oscars
Mar 13, 2026
147. Bonus episode: Backstage at the WhatsOnStage Awards with Stephen Fry, James Graham and the Paddington team
Mar 11, 2026
146. Into the Woods, Fiddler on the Roof and Broken Glass with director Jordan Fein
Mar 06, 2026
145. Bonus episode: Musical theatre powerhouse Maimuna Memon on Manic Street Creature, career pressure and not being a lawyer
Mar 04, 2026
144. We predict the Oliviers nominations – and have thoughts about the BAFTAS
Feb 27, 2026
143. Bonus episode – Wicked: For Good's Dorothy steps out of the shadows and tells all
Feb 25, 2026
142. We have a lot to say about Dracula with Cynthia Erivo
Feb 20, 2026
141. Bonus episode: Andor star Elizabeth Dulau on playing George Eliot and the Star Wars universe
Feb 18, 2026
140. The Best Plays of the Century Part 2: The Years 2002/03
Feb 13, 2026
139. Bonus episode: Ben Platt and Mark Sonnenblick on their London musical UK premiere
Feb 09, 2026
138. Godot, Slow Horses and why all TV actors should work on the stage
Feb 06, 2026
137. Bonus episode: Newly announced Jonathan Larson Project cast talk the legacy of the RENT composer
Feb 04, 2026
136. The Traitors on stage! Cate Blanchett! Sandra Oh!
Jan 30, 2026
135. Bonus episode: About time – with Jamie Muscato and Sharon Rose from One Day, and Billy Crudup and Denise Gough from High Noon
Jan 28, 2026
134. Bonus episode: Beverley Knight and Ntombizodwa Ndlovu on bringing Marie and Rosetta to the West End
Jan 26, 2026
133. The Best Plays of the Century Part 1: The Years 2000/01
Jan 23, 2026
132. Why can theatre be so terrifying?
Jan 16, 2026
131. Bonus episode: The cast of American Psycho let us into the rehearsal room
Jan 14, 2026
130. Why are we so obsessed with Shakespeare?
Jan 09, 2026
129. Bonus episode: Robert Aramayo and Rosie Sheehy on building a marriage at the Royal Court
Jan 07, 2026
128. Theatre to watch in 2026: from Arcadia to Kimberly Akimbo, from Cynthia Erivo to Josh O’Connor and Tilda Swinton
Jan 02, 2026
127. Bonus episode: Jack Holden on the five-star KENREX
Dec 29, 2025
126. Who are the theatre names ready to make a splash in 2026
Dec 26, 2025
125. Bonus episode: Producer Kenny Wax on Top Hat dancing back into London, the meteoric rise of Six and the merry success of Mischief
Dec 23, 2025
124. What were the best stage shows of 2025?
Dec 19, 2025
123. Bonus episode: Michael Harrison on ten years of panto at the Palladium
Dec 16, 2025
122. Giants and horses and bears – why do puppets cast such a powerful spell?
Dec 12, 2025
121. Bonus episode exclusive: Meet agents from the Operation Mincemeat tour!
Dec 08, 2025
120. Maria Friedman on the great risk of her Merrily We Roll Along movie and her dear friend Stephen Sondheim
Dec 05, 2025
119. A warm welcome for Paddington
Dec 01, 2025
118. Meeting John Le Carré, writing about death and some advice for young writers
Nov 28, 2025
117. Paul Hilton on finding his own Scrooge, saving the Oldham Coliseum and why it’s good to cry at the theatre
Nov 26, 2025
116. Is Wicked: For Good good or bad?
Nov 21, 2025
115. Bonus episode: The Wicked movie's casting directors explain the secrets to their success
Nov 19, 2025
114. Alan Cumming on his Pitlochry season, being a voluntary artistic director and experiences on the all-male Company
Nov 17, 2025
113. The Hunger Games - and Ian McKellen, Helen Mirren and some hopes for the future of arts in education
Nov 14, 2025
112. Bonus episode: Caissie Levy and Jack Wolfe have a perfect loving family reunion
Nov 10, 2025
111. The pick of the best Christmas shows - and a celebration of Richard Burton
Nov 07, 2025
110. Bonus episode: We meet the team behind Paddington Bear!
Nov 03, 2025
109. Bonus episode: West End producer Colin Ingram reflects on 20 years of his company, the star casting debate and how the West End ecosystem is changing
Oct 31, 2025
108. Exclusive interview: John Proctor is the Villain, Tilda Swinton and a huge 70th birthday party – David Byrne on his new Royal Court season
Oct 28, 2025
107. Chris Pine, Keanu Reeves and the effects of star casting
Oct 24, 2025
106. Bonus episode: Andy Nyman and Marc Antolin have a very special announcement...
Oct 20, 2025
105. The report the theatre world can't ignore: Women's health in the spotlight with special guest Emily Vaughan-Barratt
Oct 17, 2025
104. Bonus episode: How to adapt a classic musical into a film
Oct 15, 2025
103. What is the secret to Les Misérables' success?
Oct 10, 2025
102. How one venue is bringing Hope to regional theatres
Oct 08, 2025
101. The magic of rain on stage, the greatness of Brendan Gleeson and the start of the National Theatre’s new regime
Oct 03, 2025
100. Bonus episode: Rachel Zegler, Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher join us for a red carpet special!
Sep 30, 2025
99. Why Jane Austen finds herself at home in modern Essex
Sep 26, 2025
98. Bonus episode: Rob Madge and Sophie Drake bring a classic into the 21st century
Sep 24, 2025
97. Exclusive: Indhu Rubasingham and Nima Taleghani on why they’ve put the god of theatre on stage at the National Theatre
Sep 19, 2025
96. Children will listen: Kate Fleetwood talks playing the Witch in Into the Woods
Sep 16, 2025
95. The best autumn theatre part two
Sep 12, 2025
94. Bonus episode: Podcast chaos with Lucie Jones, David Hunter and the writers of 13 Going On 30
Sep 10, 2025
93. Emma Rice starts a new chapter – and wants to solve the touring problem
Sep 05, 2025
92. Kyle Soller talks Romans, bringing Albee to Star Wars and what to do about modern-day men
Sep 03, 2025
91. The best autumn theatre part one: from Bacchae to Romans, from Joe Locke to Alicia Vikander
Aug 29, 2025
90. Bonus episode: Tony Award winner Laura Benanti explains why nobody cares
Aug 27, 2025
89. Is stage door etiquette getting worse?
Aug 22, 2025
88. Bonus episode: What happens when your press night goes wrong?
Aug 20, 2025
87. Why Liam Gallagher is wrong about festivals
Aug 15, 2025
86. Bonus episode: Bridgerton star Luke Newton talks returning to the stage – and why it is his safe space
Aug 12, 2025
85. Who’s getting married in the morning?
Aug 08, 2025
84. Bonus episode: Rosalie Craig talks Good Night, Oscar, working alongside Sean Hayes and an actor-musician Company with Jonathan Bailey
Aug 06, 2025
83. Has the New York Times sent shockwaves through the theatre world?
Aug 01, 2025
82. Bonus episode: How do we build theatre audiences of the future?
Jul 30, 2025
81. Burlesque's turbulent arrival in the West End – and directors arguing with their reviewers
Jul 25, 2025
80. Bonus episode: Three Elphabas talk the new world of Wicked – and what the show’s legacy means
Jul 23, 2025
79. What are the hits and who are the stars of tomorrow?
Jul 18, 2025
78. Bonus episode: Natasha Hodgson and Alex Young go head-to-head in an Operation Mincemeat special
Jul 16, 2025
77. What's the point of an interval? And why are we spraying vodka backstage?
Jul 11, 2025
76. Bonus episode: What does an actor-musician musical even mean?
Jul 09, 2025
75. Rachel Zegler, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more discuss Evita's secrets
Jul 04, 2025
74. Is Evita the show of the summer? And if not, what is?
Jul 02, 2025
73. Why seeing a play from the cheap seats can change your life - with special guest playwright Beth Steel
Jun 27, 2025
72. Bonus episode: Special guest Katie Brayben on the magic of returning to a role
Jun 20, 2025
71. Will social media be the end of theatre critics? And are there too many standing ovations?
Jun 18, 2025
70. Behind the scenes at Jamie Lloyd’s Evita
Jun 13, 2025
69. Bonus episode: What happens when you win a Tony Award? With Sarah Snook, Jak Malone, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more
Jun 11, 2025
68. Special guest Sonia Friedman talks career-firsts, the hardest shows she's worked on and why Broadway's model is broken
Jun 06, 2025
67. Bonus episode: A gigantic new London theatre made for musicals, with special guest Rosemary Squire
Jun 04, 2025
66. A final theatre season to rule them all
May 30, 2025
65. Why British theatres are on the brink of going bust
May 23, 2025
64. Bonus episode: Special guest Hadley Fraser on juggling a West End show, solo concert and gardening!
May 21, 2025
63. How do you stage an unfinished musical?
May 16, 2025
62. The best shows to see this summer - from Stereophonic to Jesus Christ Superstar
May 09, 2025
61. Bonus episode: Jamie Lloyd, Tom Francis and Jak Malone discuss their Tony nominations!
May 02, 2025
60. The National Theatre begins a huge new chapter – but what should audiences expect?
Apr 29, 2025
59. Greatest theatre feuds in history, warm-up games and swings, covers and more decoded in our latest Q&A episode
Apr 25, 2025
58. How Oklahoma! changed my life - with special guest Anoushka Lucas
Apr 18, 2025
57. Is London theatre in rude health?
Apr 16, 2025
56. Everything you didn't see at the Olivier Awards
Apr 11, 2025
55. Bonus episode: Michael Sheen and Russell T Davies discuss their latest collaboration
Apr 07, 2025
54. Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss talk Six The Musical Live - the new film of their hit show
Apr 04, 2025
53. Special guest Sir Tim Rice talks Chess returning to Broadway, writing songs with Elton John - and what it’s like to be working with Andrew Lloyd Webber again
Mar 28, 2025
52. Special guest Samantha Barks talks Les Mis, Frozen on Disney Plus and Oliver!
Mar 24, 2025
51. Special guest James Graham on Gareth Southgate, male role models and why his next play is about the collapse of the global economy
Mar 21, 2025
50. What’s hot on Broadway?
Mar 14, 2025
49. Bonus episode: the cast of Operation Mincemeat on their Broadway debuts
Mar 11, 2025
48. Why are there never enough loos in theatres and do shows close in previews?
Mar 07, 2025
47. We need to talk about the Oliviers nominations
Mar 05, 2025
46. Are stars ruining - or saving - the theatre?
Feb 28, 2025
45. Bonus episode: Interviews with Jonathan Bailey, Hayley Atwell, Tom Hiddleston, Mason Alexander Park and Jamie Lloyd in a Shakespeare bonanza!
Feb 25, 2025
44. Why is everyone obsessed with awards?
Feb 21, 2025
43. How to solve a problem like Ophelia
Feb 14, 2025
42. Bonus episode: Imelda Staunton, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more talk WhatsOnStage Awards wins
Feb 12, 2025
41. Can critics spoil shows?
Feb 07, 2025
40. Bonus episode: Cameron Mackintosh, Matthew Bourne and more talk Oliver! in the West End
Jan 31, 2025
39. Special guests Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey on the RSC's gigantic plans for the year
Jan 29, 2025
38. The greatest stage disasters
Jan 24, 2025
37. The future of West End musicals, AI reviews and Michael Sheen's next move
Jan 17, 2025
36. Britain’s most haunted theatres, ghost lights, the future of the National and stage size headaches
Jan 10, 2025
35. Bonus episode: Sigourney Weaver and Jamie Lloyd talk Tempest
Jan 07, 2025
34. Will 2025 be a game-changing year for theatre?
Jan 02, 2025
33. Top tips for shows to see in 2025 - part one
Jan 01, 2025
32. Is Wicked the best stage-to-screen movie? What might beat it?
Dec 27, 2024
31. The best movies about theatre
Dec 25, 2024
30. What are the best stage shows of 2024?
Dec 20, 2024
29. Bonus episode! Wilde women Sharon D Clarke, Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́ and Eliza Scanlen discuss the National Theatre's Importance of Being Earnest
Dec 18, 2024
28. The ultimate theatre stocking fillers
Dec 13, 2024
27. The Sex Education effect
Dec 06, 2024
26. Santa vs Scrooge: top Christmas shows for all tastes
Nov 29, 2024
25. Bonus episode! The Wicked movie costume designer Paul Tazewell spills his spellbinding secrets
Nov 27, 2024
24. 164 years, 70 characters. Three actors. Three hours
Nov 22, 2024
23. Special guest Mason Alexander Park on The Tempest, The Sandman and The Emcee
Nov 15, 2024
22. Noël Coward was an angry young man
Nov 08, 2024
21. Return of the Actress
Nov 01, 2024
20. Will the West End rule over Broadway in 2025?
Oct 25, 2024
19. London theatre enters its tragic era
Oct 18, 2024
18. Look back in anger - or dismay?
Oct 11, 2024
17. Special guest James McArdle talks Tom Stoppard, Macbeth and how to save regional theatre
Oct 04, 2024
16. Ghastly or a joy? End of an era at the National Theatre
Sep 27, 2024
15. The wonder of Ian McKellen
Sep 20, 2024
14. Special guest Carrie Hope Fletcher talks love, motherhood and taking a new show on the road
Sep 13, 2024
13. What happens when critics get it wrong?
Sep 06, 2024
12. What are the unmissable shows this autumn?
Aug 30, 2024
11. Special guest Francesca Moody talks Fleabag, Fringe and the secret to stage success
Aug 23, 2024
10. Our favourite musical revivals
Aug 16, 2024
9. Who wins at Edinburgh?
Aug 09, 2024
8. Bernadette Peters: the Broadway legend on Sondheim, solo concerts and sharing a dressing room with dames
Aug 02, 2024
7. From Edinburgh Fringe to world domination?
Jul 26, 2024
6. Is Death of England the great state of Britain play? Ft Roy Williams and Clint Dyer
Jul 19, 2024
5. What happens when a show loses its star?
Jul 12, 2024
4. Is Andrew Lloyd Webber cool now?
Jul 05, 2024
3. Are musicals manipulative?
Jun 28, 2024
2. Tonys special: Light in a troubling time for Broadway + Sondheim's supremecy cemented
Jun 18, 2024
1. Performing rights, Operation Mincemeat and amateur theatre
Jun 14, 2024
65. (ATASTTC) And it's goodbye from Nancy
Jun 08, 2024
64. (ATASTTC) Tom Holland's Romeo and Ian McKellen's Falstaff
May 30, 2024
63. (ATASTTC) Food on stage - and guests for the dream dinner party
May 20, 2024
62. (ATASTTC) The secrets of learning lines - plus Machinal and Love's Labour's Lost
May 03, 2024
61. (ATASTTC) Last word on the Oliviers - and two new plays about friendship
Apr 20, 2024
60. (ATASTTC) Brian Cox, Patricia Clarkson, the Brontes - and why cutting the creative arts is mad
Apr 07, 2024
59. (ATASTTC) What's the point of critics if they can't agree?
Mar 30, 2024
58. (ATASTTC) Faith Healer, Keir Starmer and the arts, and the popularity of podcasts
Mar 24, 2024
57. (ATASTTC) A final word on the Oscars
Mar 15, 2024
56. (ATASTTC) Family sagas from Dear Octopus to The Simpsons
Mar 10, 2024
55. (ATASTTC) Hadestown, Matt Smith and the importance of speaking out
Feb 29, 2024
54. (ATASTTC) One Day and the appeal of romcoms
Feb 20, 2024
53. (ATASTTC) Is British theatre in crisis?
Feb 12, 2024
52. (ATASTTC) Merrily We Roll Along on Broadway ft Jonathan Groff
Feb 03, 2024
51. (ATASTTC) Oscar nominations - and the wonder of Jodie Foster
Jan 25, 2024
50. (ATASTTC) Putting up a fight ft Kombat Kate
Jan 17, 2024
49. (ATASTTC) The appeal of Father Brown
Jan 10, 2024
48. (ATASTTC) Looking ahead in 2024
Jan 02, 2024
47. (ATASTTC) Six top feel-good films to watch at Christmas
Dec 23, 2023
46. (ATASTTC) Love , music and the cold war. Plus the appointment of Indhu Rubasingham to the National Theatre
Dec 19, 2023
45. (ATASTTC) Technical Rehearsals and the power of women on stage
Dec 07, 2023
44. (ATASTTC) What makes a Christmas show feel good?
Nov 28, 2023
43. (ATASTTC) What makes a classic?
Nov 15, 2023
42. (ATASTTC) Hurrah for the National Theatre!
Oct 31, 2023
41. (ATASTTC) Noel Coward and Private Lives - ft Patricia Hodge
Oct 20, 2023
40. (ATASTTC) Good news on star ratings - and thoughts on Andrew Scott's Vanya
Oct 09, 2023
39. (ATASTTC) Can star ratings be improved?
Sep 18, 2023
38. (ATASTTC) Feel-everything musicals and why they work
Sep 05, 2023
37. (ATASTTC) End of summer catch up
Aug 22, 2023
36. (ATASTTC) Before and after Brideshead- ft Diana Quick - part two on women and great roles
Jul 21, 2023
35. (ATASTTC) Before and after Brideshead - ft Diana Quick - part one
Jul 04, 2023
34. (ATASTTC) Groundhog Day, Tom Stoppard - and why actors make art
Jun 18, 2023
33. (ATASTTC) Succession and acting on screen vs stage
Jun 06, 2023
32. (ATASTTC) The power of Puppets - ft Finn Caldwell
May 22, 2023
31. (ATASTTC) Dancing at Lughnasa and Brian Friel - ft Jo Stone-Fewings
May 10, 2023
30. (ATASTTC) Richard Burton and the appeal of Hamlet
Apr 30, 2023
29. (ATASTTC) Violence on stage
Apr 16, 2023
28. (ATASTTC) In praise of the matinee
Apr 03, 2023
27. (ATASTTC) Losing - and finding - your voice
Mar 24, 2023
26. (ATASTTC) Putting Women Centre Stage
Mar 09, 2023
25. (ATASTTC) Dog poo, creatives and critics
Feb 24, 2023
24. (ATASTTC) What happens in rehearsals?
Feb 09, 2023
23. (ATASTTC) A visit to the Circus ft Luke Hallgarten of Revel Puck Circus
Jan 31, 2023
22. (ATASTTC) What makes a great Christmas show?
Dec 21, 2022
21. (ATASTTC) Why the arts deserve government support
Dec 09, 2022
20. (ATASTTC) Best of Enemies ft Jeremy Herrin
Nov 26, 2022
19. (ATASTTC) Theatre for kids
Nov 12, 2022
18. (ATASTTC) First Nights - the triumphs and disasters
Nov 05, 2022
17. (ATASTTC) Food for thought ft Sarah Hemming
Oct 27, 2022
16. (ATASTTC) A life in theatre - ft David Hare
Oct 12, 2022
15. (ATASTTC) The funny thing about comedy
Oct 01, 2022
14. (ATASTTC) Much Ado About Much Ado
Sep 24, 2022
13. (ATASTTC) The Queen on stage and screen
Sep 13, 2022
12. (ATASTTC) Previews - what's the point?
Aug 29, 2022
11. (ATASTTC) Theatre in the open air - and on the road
Aug 13, 2022
10. (ATASTTC) The Edinburgh Festival
Aug 06, 2022
9. (ATASTTC) Closer 25 Years On - ft Patrick Marber
Jul 20, 2022
8. (ATASTTC) All about Christopher Marlowe
Jul 08, 2022
7. (ATASTTC) What's the point of theatre awards?
Jun 10, 2022
6. (ATASTTC) Do critics have to weigh their words?
Jun 03, 2022
5. (ATASTTC) The Ian Charleson Awards
May 22, 2022
4. (ATASTTC) Company, Oklahoma! and other great musicals - ft Rosalie Craig
May 14, 2022
3. (ATASTTC) Donald Trump and real people on stage
May 06, 2022
2. (ATASTTC) The Corn is Green
Apr 29, 2022
1. (ATASTTC) What's it like to get a no-star review?
Apr 05, 2022