MusicalTalk - The UK's Independent Musical Theatre Podcast

0111: Imagine This: A Madness Musical in Our House

02 Dec 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Keating went to see IMAGINE THIS - now playing at London's New London Theatre. Hear what he had to say about this new musical, whilst Andrew Co...

0110: The Nanny, The Fool and the Battered Old Bus

25 Nov 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Join Thos and Josh as they explore musicals past, present and future. Hear about the all new Anthony Newley musical, The Fool Who Dared To Dream, enjo...

0109: Novello's The Fellow for Fellowes

18 Nov 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Join Thos as he investigates the original British Theatre Renaissance Man, Ivor Novello, with world Novello expert, Dr Michael Williams, and chats to ...

0108: TV Musicals/Sanjeev Bhaskar Interview

11 Nov 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Nick sat down with Sanjeev Bhaskar who is playing King Arthur in London's Spamalot, and also joins Lisa and Thos for discussions on various TV shows t...

0107: Could You Please Inform Us? (Sarah Travis and Stuart Matthew Price Interviews)

04 Nov 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Taking a song from the musical version of Privates on Parade to heart, Tony Award winning arranger, Sarah Travis, talks to Keith about working with ...

0106: Andrew Lloyd Webber: Memory or Susperstar?

28 Oct 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Nick, Tim, Jenny, Lisa and MusicalTalk listener Will Segal discuss what makes Andrew Lloyd Webber so loved, and yet so hated.

0105: Edinburgh Fringe Benefits (Part Two)

21 Oct 2008

Contributed by Lukas

More from the participants of the Fringe 08 including Departure Lounge, Happyland, George M Cohan, and find out what to do when your cast does not tur...

0104: Edinburgh Fringe Benefits (Part One)

14 Oct 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Interviews and insights into this years Edinburgh Fringe Festival: Hear about Jet Set Go, A Noel Coward Double Whammy, rapped Shakespeare and the phen...

0103: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang's Big Final Bash

07 Oct 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded on August 28th 2008 at the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang end of tour party in Cardiff Bay, Andrew Corcoran speaks to fellow colleagues about comi...

0102: Singing Springer

30 Sep 2008

Contributed by Lukas

IN THE LATE NINETIES, the UK was gripped by the "reality TV" sensation of the Jerry Springer show. A musical was bound to follow, but few predicted th...

0101: MusicalTalk Room 101

23 Sep 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Here in the UK, we have a TV show called Room 101. They say imitation is the most sincerest form of flattery, so we've taken that format and used it f...

V003: Centenary Celebration Video

16 Sep 2008

Contributed by Lukas

A vidcast featuring footage from The House of Cohen celebrating, and preparing for, the big party!

0100: MusicalTalk's Cenetenary Celebration

16 Sep 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Join us at the House of Cohen for a joyous MusicalTalk quiz and discussion with the largest group of Musical theatre nerds ever gathered under one roo...

0099: Eloquence Outpouring (Nichola McAuliffe Interview/The Mikado)

09 Sep 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Thos chats to the delightful Nichola McAuliffe about revitalising the Mikado, introducing a new song by the Sherman Brothers and her interesting views...

0098: Oliver Tompsett Interview/Lisa on Broadway

02 Sep 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa was lucky enough to meet with Oliver Tompsett, who is playing Fiyero at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in Wicked. She also talks, with Nick, about h...

0097: Anthony Rapp Interview

26 Aug 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa chats to star of RENT: Anthony Rapp.

0096: Talking Musically: A Slew of Reviews.

19 Aug 2008

Contributed by Lukas

A Slew of Reviews: Hear practically everyone talking about practically everything: with the family Corcoran on Jersey Boys and Spamalot, Josh on Zorro...

0095: The Book of Joshua

12 Aug 2008

Contributed by Lukas

From the undiscovered world of Elaine Paige, through white wellingtons at the English National Opera to playing Freddie Eynsford-Hill and his own pote...

0094: The Departure Lounge for Happyland: The Edinburgh Fringe Festival Preview Episode

05 Aug 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Nick, Tim and Thos talk to various writers and performers bringing their shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Shows include Head, Big Bruvva, Depar...

0093: West End Live 2008

29 Jul 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Join Thos, Nick, Andrew K and Jenny as they discuss their views from West End Live. Plus hear a parody song with lyrics by Nick, sung by Jennifer Reis...

V002: West End Live 2008 Footage

29 Jul 2008

Contributed by Lukas

A Vidcast featuring footage from various shows and events from West End Live 2008.

0092: A Tale of Two Scotts: Lisa chats with Composer/Lyricist Scott Alan.

22 Jul 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa chats to Broadway musical theatre songwriter Scott Alan. They discuss everything from song influences, song meanings and flying. We also get to h...

0091: Music Hall Talk

15 Jul 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Join Thos and Tim as they discover the hidden influence of British music hall on today's musical scene and see if they find gold amongst the any old i...

0090: Thank You For The Music: Canadian Musicals and Mamma Mia Movie.

08 Jul 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Saward talks to Mel Atkey about musical theatre in Canada and Nick and Dom discuss the movie version of Mamma Mia that Dom recently saw.

0089: Chitty on Tour Continues with a Bang Bang

01 Jul 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Join Thos, Andrew C and Blue Peter Presenter Matt Baker for more discussions on the famous flying car: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

0078: The Hip Hop Musical (2)

28 Jun 2008

Contributed by Lukas

IN JUST A FEW WEEKS, A LOT has changed in the world of the hip hop musical, not least a slew of awards for In The Heights on Broadway. Tim and Will Se...

0088: Chess, Wedding Singers, Buccaneers and Marguerite

24 Jun 2008

Contributed by Lukas

JENNIFER REISCHEL DISCUSSES her experience performing with Idina Menzel, Kerry Ellis and Josh Groban in Chess in Concert; performing in buccaneer and,...

0087: Exotic, Erotic and 100 Years Old

17 Jun 2008

Contributed by Lukas

THOS, TIM AND ANDREW KEATING deliver 201 years of frolics and fun as they investigate two centenaries: The Zeigfeld Follies and the Queen of the Fogho...

0086: Dickens' Musicals

10 Jun 2008

Contributed by Lukas

NICK AND THOS take you on a journey exploring just a few musicals based on the novels of Charles Dickens - and discuss everything from Muppets to Menk...

0085: St Louis Blues

04 Jun 2008

Contributed by Lukas

TIM AND THOS sit down and watch the classic musical Meet Me In St Louis from beginning to end, recording their thoughts as they go. Is this Judy Garla...

0084: The MusicalTalk of the Night - Vegas Style

26 May 2008

Contributed by Lukas

NICK, JENNY AND JONATHAN discuss Phantom Of The Opera in Vegas as well as other shows, and Thos and Andrew give us a detailed disucssion on Chess.

0083: Nick and Lisa: Shoutin' All Over The World!

20 May 2008

Contributed by Lukas

NICK AND LISA discuss a huge amount of shows and related news items such as Phantom of the Opera, Shout, Bee Gees and Barry Mannilow's new jukebox mus...

0082: Making A Name For Themselves - Stuart Ellis and Turkish Delight The Opera

13 May 2008

Contributed by Lukas

JOIN THOS as he discusses Turkish Delight The Opera with its creators, Giles Howe and Katy Lipson, and then talks to the very talented rising musical ...

0081: A Brief Encounter with Jerry Herman and Noel Coward's Blithe Sprit

06 May 2008

Contributed by Lukas

ATTEND THE MUSICALTALK SEANCE as Thos and Nick discuss Brief Encounter, currenty playing in the West End, and compare it to the original material upon...

0080: Jersey Boys and Gone With The Wind

29 Apr 2008

Contributed by Lukas

JOIN JONATHAN AND NICK on the Jersey Boys journey as they review the new London show, get opinions from the lively audience and Nick meets up with Rya...

0079: Jeff Marx Interview

23 Apr 2008

Contributed by Lukas

NICK INTERVIEWS the co-writer of Avenue Q, Jeff Marx. Jeff and Nick discuss the creation of the musical, what inspires them, the muppets, Scrubs and w...

0077: The Hip Hop Musical (1)

17 Apr 2008

Contributed by Lukas

WITH IN THE HEIGHTS playing Broadway to some success, and Into the Hoods also doing good business in the West End, Tim joins guest presenter Will Sega...

0076: The Sound of Summer (Nights): Summer Strallen Interview, Shout and Grease

08 Apr 2008

Contributed by Lukas

WE WELCOME NEW PRESENTER JENNY ANTILL to the studio. Nick, however, meets up with Summer Strallen at the Star Dressing Room at the world famous London...

0075: A Century of Scandal

01 Apr 2008

Contributed by Lukas

THOS RIBBITS REVEALS the success and scandals of one of Britain's most overlooked songwriters, whose centenary is today. Join him as he explains the f...

0074: Chitty on Tour

26 Mar 2008

Contributed by Lukas

ANDREW CORCORAN reports from behind the scenes of the touring Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, starting with rehearsals in London and leading up to the exciti...

0073: George Gershwin (2)

22 Mar 2008

Contributed by Lukas

THE SECOND PART OF OUR EASTER SPECIAL in which Thos, Jonathan, Tim and Nick get together around Jonathan's piano to hear and pay tribute to the work o...

0072: George Gershwin (1)

19 Mar 2008

Contributed by Lukas

THE FIRST PART OF OUR EASTER SPECIAL in which Thos, Jonathan, Tim and Nick get together around Jonathan's piano to hear and pay tribute to the work of...

0071: William Finn Interview and Paul Sirett

12 Mar 2008

Contributed by Lukas

TIM AND JENNIFER met up in a Soho eatery to talk about the career and songs of Tim's favourite musical writer, William Finn, currently featured in the...

0070: William David Brohn Interview

03 Mar 2008

Contributed by Lukas

NICK AND JONATHAN talk one of the most prolific and respected orchestrators working in the business today to discuss his works which include Crazy For...

0069: Young Actor's Blues

29 Feb 2008

Contributed by Lukas

NICK AND JENNIFER discuss Jennifer's book: "So You Want to Tread the Boards" in detail, discuss the What's On Stage Theatregoers' Awards for 2008 and ...

0068: The Art of Panto

22 Feb 2008

Contributed by Lukas

TIM, THOS and new presenter Becky Applin explore the world of pantomime, in particular focusing on the Barbican's production of Stiles and Drewe's Jac...

0067: The Pits!

12 Feb 2008

Contributed by Lukas

THOS JOINS new presenter Andrew Corcoran to talk about growing up backstage and the art of the stage musician. We also mark the passing of Barry Morse...

0066: Sweeney Todd Movie Review

05 Feb 2008

Contributed by Lukas

WE'VE DISCUSSED the trailer and interviewed the cast and crew. Now it's time to hear our review of the long-awaited movie version of Sweeney Todd - Th...

0065: Panto in Particular

29 Jan 2008

Contributed by Lukas

EARLIER in January, Thos made a visit to the Richmond Theatre to check out their pantomime, Cinderella. He talks to the cast about the creation of the...

0064: 2007 In Review

22 Jan 2008

Contributed by Lukas

WE WELCOME A NEW PRESENTER to the studio: Jennifer Reischel. She and Nick will discuss the new musicals that appeared in London's West End in 2007 and...

0063: Alan Menken Interview

15 Jan 2008

Contributed by Lukas

EIGHT-TIME OSCAR WINNER and musical theatre and Disney legend Alan Menken joins Nick for an interview and discusses his influences, education, future ...

0062: The best West End Deals/Legally Blonde Review

08 Jan 2008

Contributed by Lukas

WE'RE BACK from our week off, and Nick tells all about the latest New Year deals happening in the West End at the moment, plays a review from listener...

0061: Marc Shaiman Interview

25 Dec 2007

Contributed by Lukas

TIME OFF for Xmas? Not us! We bring you an indepth interview with Marc Shaiman, the Tony and Grammy award winning composer and co-lyricist of Hairspra...

0060: Bad Girls, Lorna Luft and Barbara Windsor

18 Dec 2007

Contributed by Lukas

TIM AND THOS talk about the successful run of Bad Girls - The Musical, based on a UK TV show, which ran recently at the Garrick Theatre. We also talk ...

0059: Rent Remixed, Salad Days and Desperately Seeking Susan

13 Dec 2007

Contributed by Lukas

TIM, THOS AND ANDREW discuss the controversial West End revival of Jonathan Larson's Rent. We also note the closure of Desperately Seeking Susan and c...

0058: Gavin Creel Chat

06 Dec 2007

Contributed by Lukas

NICK SITS DOWN with Gavin Creel - the American playing the Brit Bert in Mary Poppins in London

0057: Sweeney Todd - the movie

27 Nov 2007

Contributed by Lukas

NICK WENT to the official launch of the movie version of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd and spoke with the film's stars and creative team. Hear Johnny Depp, ...

0056: Frankensteins, Russell Churney, Drowsy Chaperone, Lady Be Good

20 Nov 2007

Contributed by Lukas

TIM AND THOS get to grips with the two different Frankenstein musicals that have recently opened in New York - one by a certain Mel Brooks. We are joi...

0054: Blood Brothers, Billy Elliot and Robert Goulet

13 Nov 2007

Contributed by Lukas

LONDON IS HOME to many great British and American musicals, but there are two stand out British productions that are actually set in Britain. We delve...

0055: Paul Kieve's Magical Mystery Tour

13 Nov 2007

Contributed by Lukas

MusicalTalk's first ever Vidcast with illusionist Paul Kieve and Nick Hutson.

0053: Enchanted?

30 Oct 2007

Contributed by Lukas

NICK REVIEWS the world premiere of Disney's latest - Enchanted while Thos and Tim pay tribute to the late Deborah Kerr and Ned Sherrin, recent losses ...

0052: Mattitude

23 Oct 2007

Contributed by Lukas

TIM TALKS with Mat Fraser, creator of Thalidomide!! - A Musical, about his work, his favourite musicals, his views on Wicked, Billy Elliot and some ta...

0051: Nicholas Parsons Chat and Sweeney Todd Trailer

16 Oct 2007

Contributed by Lukas

THOS INTERVIEWS Nicholas Parsons and Jon, Nick and Dom discuss the Sweeney Todd Trailer.

0050: Fiftieth Episode

12 Oct 2007

Contributed by Lukas

JOIN NICK, Andy and Jon for the final and fiftieth episode of season one to discuss the past year of MusicalTalk and Andy's new job in We Will Rock Yo...

0049: Something's Coming

18 Sep 2007

Contributed by Lukas

JONATHAN COHEN is back, and discusses with Nick the music of West Side Story on its fiftieth anniversary. Jon asks Nick about his musical production o...

0048: On a Fringe and a Prayer

11 Sep 2007

Contributed by Lukas

THE EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL is home to a massive array of productions, of all levels of quality, and including many musical theatre productions. Tho...

0047: Disney Galore!

04 Sep 2007

Contributed by Lukas

DISNEY, as well as producing H*gh Sch**l M*s*c*l, which we don't talk about, have created a series of stage shows that have played both Broadway and t...

0046: You're The Flop!

28 Aug 2007

Contributed by Lukas

WHAT DEFINES A FLOP? Nick, Rebecca and Thos work their way through examples from the nineteenth century to 2005 to consider what we mean by this term....

0045: Pet Peeves!

21 Aug 2007

Contributed by Lukas

THE MARVELLOUS Mr Andy Edwards returns to the MusicalTalk studio to spill the beans about his adventures on the national tour of The Producers. We als...

0044: Wicked: Wonderful or Popular?

13 Aug 2007

Contributed by Lukas

LET'S HAVE A HEATED DEBATE! Tim recently took friend Darren to see Wicked. Neither had ever seen it before and neither rated it high. Lisa, meanwhile,...

0043: Sondheim's Sweeney Todd at the Festival Hall

07 Aug 2007

Contributed by Lukas

EMMA recently appeared in the role of Johanna at the Royal Festival Hall's all-star concert staging of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd. Tim, Thos, Nick, Rebec...

0042: Kismet and Don't Let the Pigeon Drive The Bus

31 Jul 2007

Contributed by Lukas

BORODIN's music was never written for a musical, but he still managed to win a Tony in the fifties (66 years after he'd died) for Kismet, the musical ...

0041: Hairspray, A New Brain

24 Jul 2007

Contributed by Lukas

THE NEW MOVIE-MUSICAL version of John Waters' Hairspray is now out, a few months ahead of hitting the London stage. Nick and Rebecca review the movie,...

0040: The Art of Cabaret

18 Jul 2007

Contributed by Lukas

TIM AND THOS are joined by cabaret experts Paul L Martin and Sarah-Louise Young of Millionth Muse Productions to dissect the art of cabaret and where ...

0039: Avenue Cue!

10 Jul 2007

Contributed by Lukas

NICK, MARTIN AND REBECCA discuss the fuzzy musical Avenue Q, and we quiz Martin on the often under-appreciated role of Stage Manager.

0038: The Top 25 Musicals?

03 Jul 2007

Contributed by Lukas

IN THIS EPISODE, we countdown the top 25 AFI film musicals, with only two minutes for each musical. Join Nick, Thos and Rebecca for this fun episode -...

0037: Wicked's Martin Ball

26 Jun 2007

Contributed by Lukas

JOIN Nick, Emma and our 10th new presenter, Martin Ball, for this week's show. We discuss everything from Martin's role in the London production of Wi...

0036: Bonnie Langford, Sandi Toksvig and The Drowsy Chaperone

19 Jun 2007

Contributed by Lukas

WE'RE JOINED by guest interviewer Jenifer Toksvig who interviews guests Bonnie Langford and Sandi Toksvig. They discuss all things musical theatre and...

0035: The Wizard of Oz and Judy Garland

13 Jun 2007

Contributed by Lukas

IT'S JUDY'S BIRTHDAY. Thos, Tim and Nick delve into The Wizard of Oz - and the career of its star, Judy Garland. Also, Dom and Kate return to discuss ...

0034: Kids' Stuff?

05 Jun 2007

Contributed by Lukas

MUSICALS FOR CHILDREN - exactly what falls into this category and what doesn't? Nick, Emma and Dom talk about this issue as well as offering a bit of ...

0033: Honk! to Mary Poppins: Stiles and Drewe Interview

30 May 2007

Contributed by Lukas

GEORGE STILES AND ANTHONY DREWE are Britain's currently most successful musical writing team. Since winning the Vivian Ellis prize in 1985 for Just So...

0032: The Lord of the Rings

24 May 2007

Contributed by Lukas

THE EPIC MUSICAL version of J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece is about to open in London after weeks of techs, a rebuild of the Drury Lane Stage and a famo...

0031: Super Hero Musicals!

17 May 2007

Contributed by Lukas

OK, SO Kiss of the Spiderwoman isn't a superhero musical; it just sort of sounds like it could be. And OK, so the version currently playing at the Don...

0030: Emma Williams and I

08 May 2007

Contributed by Lukas

POPULAR MUSICALTALK guest turns presenter as we welcome Emma Williams to the MusicalTalk studio. Many topics are discussed in this entertaining episod...

0029: Myths and Hymns, Curtains and An American in Paris

01 May 2007

Contributed by Lukas

THOS TALKS about An American in Paris. Our listener, Steve, reviews the last Kander and Ebb, Curtains, now on Broadway. Tim reviews the Finborough The...

0028: Adam Guettel and Katonga

24 Apr 2007

Contributed by Lukas

CONTINUING ON with Nick's adventures in Orlando, he discusses a marvellous theme park stage production he saw - but not one from Disney or Universal. ...

0027: Spelling Bee and On The Town

17 Apr 2007

Contributed by Lukas

NICK'S BACK from his holidays in Orlando, where he saw The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin, one of several ...

0026: Philip Hedley (Urban Musicals) and Easter Parade

10 Apr 2007

Contributed by Lukas

SPANNING THE HISTORY of musical theatre, our Easter episode begins with a discussion of the Irving Berlin 'jukebox musical' Easter Parade; the updates...

0025: Classical Connections (Jonathan Cohen)

05 Apr 2007

Contributed by Lukas

WE'RE PLAYING AWAY! We join our Celebrity Guest Presenter, Jonathan Cohen, in his lovely front room and he takes to the ivories to help us talk about ...

0024: Little Shop, Jenifer Toksvig (2) and Follies in Concert

26 Mar 2007

Contributed by Lukas

EEK - NICK'S AWAY! Can Tim and Thos work all the levers in the MusicalTalk studio? We have the second half of the Jen Toksvig interview and Nick will ...

0023: Lea Salonga, The Harder They Come, Jenifer Toksvig (1)

20 Mar 2007

Contributed by Lukas

DOM AND NICK discuss Miss Saigon and its Fillipina star Lea Salonga. Tim talks about The Harder They Come (playing at the Theatre Royal Stratford East...

Episode 22: Phantom in Manhattan High School Musical

19 Feb 2007

Contributed by Lukas

The Phantom in Manhattan, a planned sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, is discussed, along with the effect of celebrity castings, Hairspray and High ...

Episode 21: Just Emma Williams in the American Musical

12 Feb 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Emma Williams, star of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the recent Model Girl at the Greenwich Theatre, is interviewed. plus whether the musical is an Amer...

Episode 20: Jerry Herman Interview

05 Feb 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Jerry Herman, the legendary composer of Hello Dolly!, La Cage aux Folles, Mame, Mack & Mabel and many more, talks to Thos and Nick about his life and ...

Episode 19: Jukebox Musicals and Dreamgirls

29 Jan 2007

Contributed by Lukas

All about jukebox musicals and the effects they're having on Broadway and the West End... plus Dreamgirls! 

Episode 18: Pantotime

22 Jan 2007

Contributed by Lukas

The great tradition of the British theatre is pantomime (which doesn't mean pretending to be stuck in a glass box, American friends!). Tim and Thos, p...

Episode 17: Education and Musical Theatre

15 Jan 2007

Contributed by Lukas

All about training in musical theatre, and its relationship with education.

Episode 16: Ghost Training

08 Jan 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Ghosts at Drury Lane, plus training, plus training and Nick singing!

Episode 15: CoasterBoy - The Musical.

01 Jan 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Nick shares his mini-podcast-musical, Coaster Boy

Episode 14: 2006 in Review

04 Dec 2006

Contributed by Lukas

At the end of 2006, Andy and Nick review the year just past in the London musical theatre scene.