The West End Frame Show: Theatre News, Reviews & Chat

Imogen Bailey (Newsies / Shrek) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Imogen discuss the new Wicked cast (Apollo Victoria), Hannah Lowther's How Very Hannah podcast launch, Austenland (Savoy Theatre), Snow White starring Rachel Zegler (Disney) and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Aldwych Theatre) as well as the latest news about the Olivier Awards, 2:22 starring Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton, Sondheim’s The Frogs, The Addams Family, MTFest and more. Imogen's theatre credits include understudy Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical (Eventim Apollo / UK & Ireland Tour), original cast of Newsies (Troubadour Wembley Park), understudy Jan and Patty in Grease (Dominion Theatre), Shelly and understudy Tracy in Hairspray (London Coliseum) and Kate in Oklahoma! (Chichester Festival Theatre). She has also starred in multiple pantos in Weston-super-Mare and Portsmouth. Imogen is also a YouTuber, vlogging her experiences as a musical theatre performer. Follow Imogen on Instagram: @immie_b Check out Imogen's vlog: @imogenbailey2837 This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lisa Martland is BACK to co-host The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Lisa discuss Alexia Khadime and Lucy St. Louis' final performance in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre) and Big Night Of Musicals (BBC1) as well as the latest news about Mean Girls closing, Burlesque's West End transfer, Palladium Panto casting and lots more. Having spent many years at The Stage – including five years as Deputy Editor – Lisa Martland is a theatre journalist who has worked for theatrical publications such as Musical Stages, Musicals Magazine, Stage Faves and My Theatre Mates. She is the Founding Editor of www.MusicalTheatreReview.com. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Toyan Thomas-Browne (MJ / Shucked) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kitty Harris (Standby Ali in Burlesque) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Kitty discuss Bliss (Lilian Baylis Studio) and Mean Girls (Savoy Theatre) as well as the latest news about the Olivier Award nominations, Remember Monday representing Great Britain at Eurovision, The Greatest Showman musical, Musical Con, Christmas Carol Goes Wrong and lots more. Kitty was Standby Ali in the premiere of Burlesque The Musical (Manchester Opera House/Glasgow Theatre Royal). She also played Young Heather in Greatest Days (UK & Ireland Tour) and was in Calendar Girls (Mill At Sonning). Most recently Kitty played the title role in Cinderella (Blackpool Grand). Kitty is also a TikTok-er with over a million followers and over 40 million likes. Follow Kitty on Instagram/TikTok: @kittyharrisx This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shaun Kitchener (writer of Here And Now: The Steps Musical) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Shaun discuss Musicals By Candlelight (The Actors Church) and Back To The Future (Adelphi Theatre) as well as the latest news about Wicked's performance at the Oscars, The Hunger Games stage show, The Producers, Into The Woods, Six, Pop Off Michelangelo! and lots more. Shaun is a playwright and screenwriter... and also an occasional journalist and DJ! Shaun's plays have included Positive which ran at the Waterloo East and Park Theatres and All That which ran at the King’s Head and was nominated for multiple Offie Awards including Best Play. For television he is a core writer for Hollyoaks. In addition to further work on stage and screen, Shaun regularly writes about pop culture for Metro and in his newsletter Absolutely! via Substack. Shaun is the book writer of the Steps musical Here And Now which premiered last year at the Birmingham Alexandra and is embarking on a major UK & Ireland tour from August. Follow Shaun on Instagram: @shaunkitchenerbentley This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mickey-Jo Theatre and Aeron James co-host The West End Frame Show on West End Frame's 13th birthday! Andrew, Mickey-Jo and Aeron discuss Hadestown (Lyric Theatre) as well as the latest news about Cynthia Erivo hosting the Tony Awards and being cast in Jesus Christ Superstar, Moulin Rouge's performance on Dancing On Ice, Pippin, Ballet Shoes and more. Mickey-Jo is a stagey YouTuber, international theatre critic and the most recognisable London based theatre influencer. Aeron is a freelance theatre PR, but also a YouTuber and all-round stagey content creator. Mickey-Jo's live chat show MickeyJoTheatre: Live! is returning to The Phoenix Arts Club for three shows on 16th March, 20th April and 18th May. The shows will see Mickey-Jo joined by musical theatre stars for an evening of interviews, musical performances, games and more. Each show will also spotlight a musical theatre composer. Visit www.phoenixartsclub.com for info and tickets. Follow Mickey-Jo and Aeron on Instagram: @mickeyjotheatre @aeronjamesuk This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Andrew hosts a solo episode of The West End Frame Show. Andrew discusses If/Then (Savoy Theatre), Cabaret starring Billy Porter & Marisha Wallace (Kit Kat Club), Jane by Matt Nalton & Jodie Steele (Other Palace Studio) and My Mother's Funeral: The Show (Yard Theatre) as well as the latest news about Patti LuPone, The Great Gatsby, Come Fall In Love: The DDLJ Musical and more. Andrew also reports back after the cast change performance of Six (Vaudeville Theatre). This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins for a bonus Show Talk episode! In this episode, Andrew discusses And Juliet (New Wimbledon Theatre, UK Tour), Ghost The Musical (Wycombe Swan, UK Tour), Scissorhandz (Southwark Playhouse Elephant), Hadestown (Lyric Theatre) and Mrs Doubtfire (Shaftesbury Theatre). This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Frazer Woolcott (understudy Fiyero in Wicked) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Frazer discuss Play On (Lyric Hammersmith) as well as the latest news about Jenna Bainbridge's historic casting in Wicked on Broadway, Wicked's wins at the Critics Choice Awards, Hadestown casting, The Great Gatsby and lots more. Frazer recently understudied Fiyero in the UK & Ireland tour of Wicked. He graduated from ArtsEd in 2023 and his credits also include performing at the Olivier Awards and in Doctor Zhivago In Concert at the London Palladium. Follow Frazer on Instagram: @frazerwoolcott This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theatre journalist Lisa Martland joins West End Frame Editor Andrew Tomlins for a stagey catchup. Andrew and Lisa discuss Titanique (Criterion Theatre), Why Am I So Single? starring Collette Guitart (Garrick Theatre) and Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Donmar Warehouse). They also delve into some recent theatre news, from Six's cinema release and new West End cast members to Stereophonic's transfer to the West End and the original Hadestown cast reuniting in London. Plus, they celebrate Eva Noblezada's casting as Sally Bowles in Cabaret on Broadway. Andrew and Lisa also remember The Vivienne who tragically passed away earlier this month at the age of 32. Having spent many years at The Stage – including five years as Deputy Editor – Lisa Martland is the Founding Editor of one of the UK’s top theatre websites, www.musicaltheatrereview.com. Lisa is also Sub-Editor for Musicals Magazine. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with a special WICKED episode! Theatre journalist Lisa Martland (Musical Theatre Review) joins West End Frame Editor Andrew Tomlins to dive into the latest updates about the Wicked movie and stage production. First up, they break down all the big Wicked movie news—Oscar nominations (and snubs!), behind-the-scenes updates from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande on the highly anticipated new songs and the latest records the film has shattered. Plus, they share their own personal reflections on the film's journey so far. But that’s not all! Andrew and Lisa discuss the exciting West End cast changes, with Emma Kingston, Zizi Strallen and Carl Man stepping into the iconic roles of Elphaba, Glinda, and Fiyero. They also talk about Wicked London introducing an alternate Elphaba and the new Broadway casting news that Lencia Kebede and Allie Trimm are taking over as Elphaba and Glinda, with Lencia making history as Broadway’s first full-time Black Elphaba. 2025 is going to be positively emerald! This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join theatre and lifestyle blogger Rachel Agyekum and West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins, as they round up their top shows of 2024! Thank you for listening to The West End Frame Show in 2024 and for sharing your top shows of the year - we included as many of your contributions as possible in this episode. We're taking a little break in the New Year, but will be back in 2024 with lots more stagey catchups. Rachel founded Rachel Reviewed in 2022 and writes reviews for her website alongside creating reel reviews and other theatre-related content for Instagram and TikTok. This year she returned to MusicalCon, competing in Musical Mastermind at the ExCel Centre. Visit the Rachel Reviewed website www.rachelreviewed.com. You can also follow Rachel on Instagram via @rachelreviewed and @rachelagyefron. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Emmanuel Akwafo (Lyric Hammersmith Panto / For Black Boys) joins West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins, to round up their Top Performances of 2024! Andrew reveals his top five stage performances of the year and reads submissions from West End Frame listeners whilst Emmanuel shares his top five shows of 2024. Thank you for listening to The West End Frame Show in 2024 and for sharing your top performances of the year - we included as many of your contributions as possible. We're back on Saturday to round up our top shows of the year. Emmanuel is currently playing Widow Twerkey in Aladdin at the Lyric Hammersmith, marking his third pantomime at the venue. Emmanuel originated the role of Pitch in For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy by Ryan Calais Cameron, performing the show at the New Diorama Theatre, Royal Court Theatre and Apollo Theatre. His other theatre credits include: Narrator in Sappho (Southwark Playhouse), Amiens in As You Like It (Globe Theatre), Mr Martin in The Bald Soprano (Leicester Square Theatre) and Jay in The Spalding Suite (Southbank Centre). This year Emmanuel directed the sold out premiere of his debut play Limp Wrist and The Iron Fist at the Brixton House Theatre. Follow Emmanuel on Instagram: @eman.akwafo Aladdin runs at the Lyric Hammersmith until 5th January 2025. Visit www.lyric.co.uk for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Ross Harmon (Wicked / Heathers) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Ross discuss the latest updates about Wicked's Golden Globe nominations and Patrice Tipoki reprising her performance as Elphaba in the Australian production after leaving the show fourteen years ago. They also discuss the latest news about Jamie Lloyd's Evita, Freaky Friday, If/Then, Sondheim’s final musical Here We Are and lots more. Most recently Ross understudied Fiyero in the West End production of Wicked (Apollo Victoria). His theatre credits also include: Pierce in Half a Sixpence (Kilworth House), Taboo 20th Anniversary Concert (London Palladium), Sunset Boulevard (Royal Albert Hall), Kurt Kelly in Heathers (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Jared/Rock in the premiere of But I’m A Cheerleader (Turbine Theatre) and Sky in Mamma Mia! (Royal Caribbean). Ross is a singer/songwriter and has released multiple EPs which are available on streaming platforms, including his festive single 'What Christmas Means To Me'. He's also an established singing, acting and career coach. Follow Ross on Instagram: @rossharmon_ This is the last episode of the series, but stay tuned for our special end of year episodes for a round-up of our top performances and shows of 2024. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Olivier nominee Rachel John (Hamilton / The Big Life) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Rachel discuss The Devil Wears Prada (Dominion Theatre) as well as the latest news about the Hamilton tour, Choir Of Man, Figaro, Fawlty Towers, And Juliet and more. They also pay tribute to Kyle Birch who passed away aged 26 on 2nd December. Kyle was a musical theatre performer and friend of the podcast, having co-hosted The West End Frame Show twice. Andrew and Rachel share memories and send their love to Kyle's family and loved ones. Rachel is preparing to star alongside Oliver Tompsett, Joel Harper-Jackson and Rachael Wooding in Christmas By Candlelight at the Adelphi Theatre on 17th December. Rachel made her professional debut in The Legend of the Lion King at Disnleyland Paris and went on to join the West End productions of The Lion King and Sister Act. After understudying Meat and Killer Queen on the first UK & Ireland tour of We Will Rock You, Rachel transferred to the West End production as Meat, becoming the first black actor to play the role. Rachel's theatre credits also include Mimi in Rent (UK Tour), Felicia in Memphis (Shaftesbury Theatre), Nicki and understudy Rachel in The Bodyguard (UK & Ireland Tour / West End / Toronto), Mrs Neilsen in Girl From The North Country (West End / Toronto), The Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol (Old Vic) and Songs for a New World (London Palladium). Rachel released her debut solo album From My Lips To Gods Ear to huge acclaim. In 2017, Rachel originated the role of Angelica Schuyler in the West End premiere of Hamilton, receiving an Olivier nomination for her performance. She did an episode of our interviews podcast In The Frame last year whilst starring as August in the UK premiere of The Secret Life of Bees (Almedia Theatre). Earlier this year Rachel played Zulieka in the London revival of The Big Life (Theatre Royal Stratford East). Christmas By Candlelight is at the Adelphi Theatre on 17th December. Visit www.concertsbycandlelight.com for info and tickets. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Social media manager Ksenya Gray returns to co-host The West End Frame Show. Andrew and Ksenya discuss The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (The Other Palace) and The Producers (Menier Chocolate Factory) as well as the latest news about Cabaret casting, The Traitors: Live Experience, the Old Vic, Wicked, Boy George and lots more. Ksenya runs the social media company Storytellers. This year she did social media for several concerts at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, including Wild About You, Little Piece Of You, Your Lie In April and Pippin. She continued working with Your Lie In April when it transferred to the West End and worked on Blippi: A Wonderful World Tour in the West End. Additionally she did One Small Step and Tattooer at the Charing Cross Theatre. Also this year Ksenya has managed social media for Marisha Wallace, Sidney Christmas, Rachel Tucker, Antony Costa and West Way Music who have a season of concerts coming up at the Vaudeville Theatre next year. Follow Ksenya on Instagram: @ksenya.gray This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Join us for our second special episode about the Wicked movie! In this episode, West End Frame Editor Andrew Tomlins is joined by Lisa Martland for a discussion (featuring SPOILERS) about the Wicked movie. In this episode, Andrew and Lisa discuss favourite riffs, Defying Gravity, cameos, changes to the story, Popular, hopes for Part 2 and more. Having spent many years at The Stage – including five years as Deputy Editor – Lisa is the Founding Editor of one of the UK’s top theatre websites, www.musicaltheatrereview.com. Lisa is also Sub-Editor for Musicals Magazine. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Theater History and Mysteries I take a musical theater production and do a deep dive to find a richer... Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Tamara Tare (Shrek / Just For One Day) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Tamara discuss Here And Now: The Steps Musical (Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham) as well as the latest news about the Wicked movie's box office success, If/Then starring Kerry Ellis, Jeremy Jordan's new Broadway show, Tammy Faye closing and more. Having trained at the Royal Academy of Music, 2024 has been a big year for Tamara! She made her professional debut playing Alicia and understudying Amara in the premiere of Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical at the Old Vic. Tamara just spent her summer at the Eventim Apollo playing Gingy in Shrek The Musical. Follow Tamara on Instagram: @tamaratare This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Join us for our first special episode about the Wicked movie! In this episode, West End Frame Editor Andrew Tomlins is joined by Lisa Martland for a spoiler-free discussion about their first reactions to the Wicked movie. Andrew and Lisa discuss Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's performances, Jon M. Chu's direction, some of the musical numbers, highlights, emotions and more. Come back on Wednesday for the spoiler episode, featuring lots more Wicked movie chat and analysis! Having spent many years at The Stage – including five years as Deputy Editor – Lisa is the Founding Editor of one of the UK’s top theatre websites, www.musicaltheatrereview.com. Lisa is also Sub-Editor for Musicals Magazine. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Claire-Marie Hall (Operation Mincemeat) returns to co-host The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Claire discuss Now That's What I Call A Musical (Milton Keynes Theatre, UK Tour) as well as the latest news about the Mattel Wicked dolls mishap, 13 Going On 30, Hadestown, Scissorhandz and more. Claire is currently starring as Jean Leslie & others in the West End production of Operation Mincemeat. She was part of the musical's original cast, originally performing it at the Southwark Playhouse and Riverside Studios before transferring to the West End's Fortune Theatre. Next year Claire will reunite with the original cast of Operation Mincemeat for the musical's Broadway transfer. Performances will begin in New York at the Golden Theatre on 15th February 2025, ahead of an official opening night on 20th March. Claire's theatre credits also include: The Innkeeper’s Wife in The Wicker Husband (Watermill Theatre), The Grinning Man (Trafalgar Studios), Tuptim in The King and I (Leicester Curve & National Tour), Gabriella High School Musical (Hammersmith Apollo & National Tour) and Cosette in Les Miserables (Queen’s Theatre). At the age of 11, Claire made her professional debut as Ngana in the National Theatre’s touring production of South Pacific. In this episode, Claire discusses her journey with Operation Mincemeat and how it feels to be taking the musical to Broadway! Follow Claire on Instagram: @claire_m_hall Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.