MusicalTalk - The UK's Independent Musical Theatre Podcast

0435: Making a Noise for the Scottsboro Boys

28 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Thos and Tim share their views  on the wonderful musical, The Scottsboro Boys.  If content dictates form, how have Kander and Ebb succeeded so well ...

0434: Gypsy Revisited

22 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Nick sits with Jonathan Cohen to share his thoughts on Gypsy at the Savoy starring Imelda Staunton. STRONG LANGUAGE!

0433: David Kingsmill’s Stage Odyssey (Part One)

14 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

We said to David Kingsmill, “Go West, young man!” – and he did!  Time and time again! So in this first of an occasional series, join David as h...

0432: The Review of the Secret Diary of Adrian Mole

08 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Nick sits with Robert Gordon to discuss what they thought of the new musical by our friends Pippa Cleary and Jake Brunger's new musical of The Secret ...

0431: The Beautiful Sweeney Todd

31 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Nick sits with Robert Gordon to share their thoughts on Beautiful - the Carole King musical playing at the Aldwych Theatre, and the most unique (and a...

0430: Fifty Shades of Dorian Gray?

24 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Thos discusses the new immersive musical version of Oscar Wilde’s Dorian Gray with its adapter and director, Dave Spencer – and finds subtext, sed...

0429: Oh What A Lovely Legacy

17 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

This week MusicalTalk again at Oh What A Lovely War – exploring why it’s a household name in the UK but not in America, and why there’s no equiv...

0428: Oh What A Lovely Landmark

12 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Thos and Tim catch the legendary British musical, Oh What A Lovely War, at its original 1963 venue, the Theatre Royal, Stratford East, just as it is a...

0427: Bathhouse - The Musical! Interview

03 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

David Herzog returns to chat with Tim McArthur and other creatives involved in this cult American musical theatre piece, now playing at Above the Stag...

0426: Happy Ending

24 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

David Kingsmill talks to the wonderful Gillian Kirkpatrick about Happy Ending, a fearless and funny piece addressing the taboos of terminal illness. ...

0425: British Film Musicals

10 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Thos and Tim travel in time to 1930 and then 1935 to watch two early examples of British musical films, Elstree Calling and Radio Parade of 1935 -  a...

0424: Danielle Hope Interview

04 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Nick chats to the winner of OVER THE RAINBOW - Danielle Hope - about her hugely established career, her life after Dorothy and her new tour of The Sou...

Episode 423: A Trio with Brio

28 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Join Eitan and Luis as they discuss three shows that address the "American Dream" in a trio of different ways - Assassins, Urinetown and Made in Dagen...

Episode 422: Into The Woods with Rob Marshall and Marc Platt

21 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Nick sits down with Rob Marshall (Director), John DeLuca (Producer) and Marc Platt (Producer) of Into The Woods - the Stephen Sondheim classic musical...

Episode 421: Before After

15 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Thos chats to Stuart Matthew Price and Timothy Knapman about their enigmatic new musical "Before After" which sold out before it even opened.  Are mu...

Episode 420: Merry Quizmas and a Happy New Earful 2014

31 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In what is now a tradition, given that this is the second time we've done it, MusicalTalk invites you to relax yourself into the new year with a quiz ...

Episode 419: 2014 In a Nut Shell

23 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Nick and Thos sits down to discuss some of the highlights for 2014 for only two minutes per show! Join us for a final episode of the year and hear wha...

MusicalTalk Mini 71: I’m Dreaming Of…Peace and Freedom!

22 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

No, not Bing Crosby and the perennial festive favourite, but a delightful chat with Sue Casson about her five star show, Dreams of Peace and Freedom, ...

MusicalTalk Mini 70: Cats and Apartments

18 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Nick and Robert discuss CATS - now playing at The London Palladium and Robert shares his thoughts on Apartment 40C - playing at the London Theatre Wor...

Episode 417: Assassins at The Menier

09 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Robert and Nick share their thoughts on Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece - Assassins - that's now playing at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Episode 416: Six Degrees of Separation - Gilbert and Sullivan

03 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Thos and Tim help the hours creep on apace playing a musical theatre version of the Six Degrees of Separation.  Listen as they weave a path from seem...

Episode 415: Made in Dagenham

25 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Hutson and Robert Gordon review and discuss the new British musical: Made in Dagenham, now playing at the Adelphi Theatre.

MusicalTalk Mini 69: Strictly Ballroom

18 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Dominic McChesney discusses, with Lynton Harris, the new musical of Baz Lurnham's Strictly Ballroom currently playing in Australia!

Episode 414: GYPSY!

02 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Nick, Robert and Olaf saw Imelda Staunton in the Chichester Theatre production of the musical masterpiece of GYPSY.   This is what we had to say...

Episode 413: The Visit to Find Memphis, Neverland and Broadway.

28 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Nick sits down with Robert Gordon to discuss MEMPHIS, now playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre.  Is this another doomed musical? We don't think so! Rob...

Episode 412: Creating and Composing The Cabaret Des Distractions

21 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Hutson talks with Reuben Kaye about their joint collaboration for London's biggest Cabaret show - The Cabaret Des Distraction, that's now playing...

Episode 411: The Forbidden Bianco Way

14 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Hutson talks to Robert Gordon about seeing Forbidden Broadway's new(er) show at the Vaudeville Theatre, fresh from the Menier Chocolate Factory, ...

MusicalTalk Mini 68: Keep The Home Fires Burning

10 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

As this evergreen anthem celebrates its centenary, join Thos as he gets to bottom of its enduring appeal and sheds light both on the song and its comp...

Episode 410: Edinburgh Fringe 2014: The Pick of the Fringe: Finn Anderson and Alba!

07 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Yes, it's time to reveal MusicalTalk's Pick of the Fringe 2014 and so join Thos as he investigates the winner -  Alba – A New Scottish Musical.  H...

Episode 409: Edinburgh Fringe 2014: The Dos and Don'ts (and Dids) of the Fringe

04 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

With just one week to go before MusicalTalk's Pick of the Fringe is revealed, David and Thos sit down to talk through some of the shows not yet discus...

Episode 408: Edinburgh Fringe 2014: Enigmatic Variations

01 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Thos and David dissect several shows linked by the idea of variation - whether that be variations in format, story or score - and hear in depth about ...

MusicalTalk Mini 67: Sasha Regan's Love Story

30 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

David Herzog chats to Sasha Regan, David Albury and Victoria Serra about their production of Love Story, now playing at the Union Theatre.

Episode 407: Edinburgh Fringe 2014: Eight Rated Great

24 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Thos continues his odyssey through this Summer's fringe and chats about more shows that caught his eye (and ears) including Funny Girl, Austen and the...

Episode 406: Edinburgh Fringe 2014: Revivals and Survivals

16 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Thos and David explore the world of the shows that always come back for more – whether they be Cole Porter classics from the 30s or Frank Loesser ge...

MusicalTalk Mini 66: David Baddiel and Erran Baron-Cohen talk INFIDEL

11 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Hutson and Prof. Robert Gordon, along with Mike Dixon, talk to David Baddiel and Erran Baron-Cohen: the creators of INFIDEL The Musical - opening...

Episode 405: Let's Kiss and Make It Up

09 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In this informative episode, Thos looks in depth at the ever-expanding world of improvised musicals as he talks to four very different groups with rem...

Episode 404: Edinburgh Fringe 2014 – 20th Century Knocks

02 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In this lively and interesting episode, Thos surveys the musical representation of the first fifty or so years of that most tumultuous of times, the t...

Episode 403: Edinburgh Fringe 2014 – Victorian Values

26 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Thos dons his Inverness cape and takes us back to the foggy days of the Victorian era to talk about five excellent-but-modern Edinburgh Fri...

Episode 402: Edinburgh Fringe 2014: The A-Z of Fringe Musicals You Can Still See!

19 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Join Thos to share in this fast paced lucky dip of bits and pieces all about the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe. Hear songs, extracts of interviews, question a...

MusicalTalk Mini 65: Alice in the Actors' Church

16 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

David takes a quick trip through the looking glass to speak to three of the performers of Iris Theatre's production of Alice Through The Looking Glass...

Episode 401: Edinburgh Fringe 2014: Austen Power!

12 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The Fringe is well and truly underway but it's not all rumbustiousness and late nights for the intrepid Thos! Oh no!  Join him as he talks to directo...

Episode 400: Episode 400 Quiz

05 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Thos is, once again, the quiz master for our four hundredth episode.   Answering the questions are Davids Herzog and Kingsmill and Nick Hutson.  No...

Episode 399: Out of the Lens

30 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Thos chats to David Kingsmill about his new show for Edinburgh, Out of the Fringe - an intriguing two man piece about putting the "muse" into "musical...

Episode 398: Hat-Trick Thistle

22 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

It's songs galore in this episode as Thos talks to the talented Sue Casson about the three shows she's taking to Scotland this year for the Edinburgh ...

MusicalTalk Mini 64: A Guest Listener Review of Miss Saigon

21 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Join MusicalTalk listeners Eitan and Luis as they share their thoughts on Miss Saigon, now playing at the Prince Edward Theatre.

MusicalTalk Mini 63: A Catch up with Kerry Ellis

20 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Hutson gives Kerry a phone call to hear about the latest developments and projects in the Lady of the West End's extremely busy career!

MusicalTalk Mini 62: Forbidden Broadway at the Menier!

17 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Hutson and Jonathan Cohen went to see Forbidden Broadway at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Hear their thoughts on this always brilliant and inspir...

Episode 397: Snakes at the Edge of the World

15 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The Countdown to Edinburgh has started so join Thos as he discusses the return of last year's sell-out hit, Snakes the Musical, with Thom Sellwood and...

Episode 396: God! It's Sondheim

08 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Thos talks to David Ovenden of the Stephen Sondheim Society about the great man and the new celebration of his career seen through the eyes of parodis...

Episode 395: Millicent Martin Interview

02 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Dominic McChensey sits down in Hollywood to talk to the legend that is Millicent Martin!

MusicalTalk Mini 61: Carousel at the Arcola

24 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Caroline sits down with our own Andrew Corcoran and Luke Frederics to discuss Carousel playing at the Arcola Theatre

Episode 394: Zanna, Don't!

11 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

David Kingsmill takes a brief sojourn to the alternate reality of Heartsville High, where homosexuality is the norm, heterophobia is rampant, and glit...

MusicalTalk Mini 60: The Pajama Game

06 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Hutson and Jonathan Cohen review THE PAJAMA GAME, now playing at The Shaftesbury Theatre until September!

Episode 393: The Last 117 Years (Or So)

04 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

David Kingsmill explores time as he looks at a show that premiered in 2001 and one that premiered in 2014 that is based on a text written in 1897.  R...

Episode 392: All Aboard for Stephen Ward!

03 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Read all about it! Shock! Horror!  Thos and Tim find new Andrew Lloyd Webber piece, Stephen Ward, scandalously good!  The veteran writer has ripped ...

Episode 391: Miss Saigon's Sunny Afternoon

27 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Hutson and Andrew Edwards discuss their thoughts on the long awaited revival of Miss Saigon.  Also this week, Nick talks to Robert Gordon about ...

Episode 390: The Show That Went From Here to Eternity

20 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Thos and Tim get affected by G-Force as they explore the recent London musical From Here to Eternity, the new show from Tim Rice which looks at the th...

Episode 389: Fings Ain't Wot They Used To Be, eh Mickey?

17 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

David Herzog talks to Elliot Davis about Fings Aint Wot They Used To Be, playing at The Theatre Royal Stratford East and Professor Robert Gordon pays ...

MusicalTalk Mini 59: Charlotte Jaconelli's Solitaire

12 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Hutson sits down with Charlotte Jaconelli to discuss her new album - Solitaire, her love of musical theatre and her path from Britain's Got Talen...

Episode 388: Urinetown The Musical - Continued!

25 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

David finishes up his conversations with some of the creatives from "Urinetown the Musical," including Richard Fitch and Aaron Lee Lambert.

Episode 387: I Can't Sing Review

24 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Hutson and Thos Ribbits sit down to discuss the "1920s" style musical comedy from Harry Hill and Steve Brown, the achingly funny and brilliant "I...

Episode 386: Orton and Those Damn Yankees

21 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Orton and Those Damn Yankees:  David Kingsmill talks to those involved with ORTON - a new musical exploring Joe Orton's life, reviews the show with N...

MusicalTalk Mini 58: Once We Lived Here Interview

18 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

David Herzog talks to two members of the cast of this new Australian musical playing at the King's Head Theatre in London

MusicalTalk Mini 57: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Review

17 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Gordon shares his thoughts on the new musical comedy currently playing at the Savoy Theatre.

Episode 385: Behold! It's Bedknobs and Broomsticks!

14 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Thos and Tim express their Shermania as they discuss the score and structure of this evergreen Disney film – but what role does an editor play in re...

Episode 384: Gettin' Loud with Lesli Margherita

08 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Nick sits down with Lesli Margherita to discuss her role as Mrs Wormwood in the Broadway production of MATILDA, as well as putting questions forward t...

Episode 383: Raiders of the Lost Archives

01 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

As MusicalTalk celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary (look it up!), Thos dons his plus fours to stroll down memory lane, and blows the cobwebs o...

MusicalTalk Mini 56: Ur in Town with Katie Bernstein

25 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

David Herzog talks to Katie Bernstein, currently performing in Urinetown at the St James Theatre.

MusicalTalk Mini 55: Mike Dixon's Don Black Concert Tour

25 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Join Nick Hutson as he sits down for a brief chat with Mike Dixon to discuss a UK Tour that Mike is conducting involving many songs by the legendary D...

Episode 382: Transatlantic Turmoils

12 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Thos, Nick and David explore shows that have performed well in their originating countries, but haven't done as well when they make the trip across th...

Episode 381: Wag the Musical and Newland Too

04 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder what happens to shows after they leave Edinburgh?  Ever wonder what happens to show-writers after they leave Edinburgh?  Well, wonder no...

Episode 380: Esta Charkham in Conversation

25 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Nick sits down with Esta Charkham, who is one of London's most experienced casting agents and has worked in many different aspects of musical theatre ...

Episode 379: Ron Husmann in Conversation

18 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Join new presenter Dom McChesney as he talks in-depth with Broadway veteran, and thoroughly interesting chap, Ron Husmann - star of Tenderloin, All-Am...

Episode 378: (Martin) Ball's to the Mega Musical - Via the Opera

11 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Our good friend Martin Ball is currently appearing in Phantom of the Opera, so Nick sits down with him to discuss the show, its links to opera (as Mar...

Episode 377: Kiss Me, Figaro!

04 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

It's musical RomCom time with a new show called Kiss Me, Figaro. Join Thos and he investigates the human rhythms and the fusion of opera and musical t...

Episode 376: The World Goes Round (At The Union Theatre)

30 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

David Herzog chats to Kirk Jameson, who's currently directing the Kander and Ebb review "The World Goes Round" at the Union Theatre. 

MusicalTalk Mini 72: Bat Boy!

29 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

David Herzog returns to chat with Luke Fredericks, the director of "Bat Boy the Musical" at Southwark Playhouse.

Episode 375: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Press Event (Feat Jerry Mitchell and Rufus Hound).

25 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Join Nick Hutson and Robert Gordon as they meet with various folk involved with the new musical comedy opening in London this spring - Dirty Rotten Sc...

Episode 374: Catching up with Stuart Matthew Price

19 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

David Herzog sits down with old friend of MusicalTalk, Stuart Matthew Price to discuss various projects and goings on!

Episode 373: How do you Solve a Problem like The Sound of Music?

08 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Nick sits down with the irrepressible Reuben Kaye to hear his somewhat muted thoughts on the recent US TV broadcast of The Sound of Music.  We also h...

Episode 372: Merry Quizmas and a Happy New Earful 2013.

01 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Thos rounds off the year with a light hearted musical theatre quiz and plays a selection of some of the songs featured in episodes of MusicalTalk in 2...

Episode 371: Ushers Vs Stephen Ward.

21 Dec 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Hutson and Robert Gordon share their thoughts on Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical of Stephen Ward and David Herzog talks to the folks involved w...

Episode 370: From Here to the Commitments and Spamalot via Eternity with The Scottsboro Boys.

11 Dec 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Hutson sits down with Robert Gordon to discuss The Commitments, Spamalot, From Here To Eternity and The Scottsboro Boys.

MusicalTalk Mini 54: H.M.S. Pinafore at the Union Theatre

07 Dec 2013

Contributed by Lukas

David heads to the Union Theatre in Southwark to chat with Ms. Sasha Regan about their all-male production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "H.M.S. Pinafore....

Episode 369: Doctor Who Musicals - Part Two: The Ultimate Adventure

04 Dec 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Join Thos as he explores The Ultimate Adventure, the 1989 stage production fondly remembered as the "Doctor Who Musical".  Hear from original compose...

Episode 368: Doctor Who Musicals - Part One: Hoorah!

27 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

The world's longest running (and best) science fiction television programme is fifty years old, so why not celebrate with Thos as he investigates the ...

Episode 367: Great Britten

19 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

On the centenary of the birth of one of Britain's greatest composers, Tim talks to Thos about the legacy of Benjamin Britten and explores how much inf...

Episode 366: The Pure Imagination of Leslie Bricusse

12 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

As Leslie Bricusse is soon to celebrate 60 years in the industry, join Nick Hutson as he sits with Leslie to talk about his new projects (including co...

MusicalTalk Mini 53: Scrooge Interview - Image Musical Theatre

05 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

David Herzog goes back to old stomping groups and chats with Ian McCracken of Image Musical Theatre and their family participation production of "Scr...

Episode 365: Russell Watson, Boublil and Schonberg Interviews

29 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Hutson sits down with Russell Watson as well as Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg to discuss Russell's new album: Only One Man - focusing...

Episode 364: The Amusing Musing Hugh Wooldridge

22 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Hutson talks to director, lighting designer, producer and all round orator - Hugh Wooldridge.  Hear the remarkable story of the development of J...

MusicalTalk Mini 52: The boys from"The Boys from Syracuse" Interview

19 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

David Herzog speaks with Ben De Wynter and Oliver Seymour-Marsh about the Rodgers and Hart musical based on Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors."

Episode 363: Forward To The Future (in our dense city)

15 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Back to the Future references aside, Nick Hutson and Dominic Linedesay-Bethune preview upcoming musicals coming to London including American Psycho, I...

MusicalTalk Mini 51:"If it only Even Runs a Minute" Interview feat Ollie Southgate and Christopher Bartlett.

12 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

David talks with Ollie Southgate and Christopher Bartlett about this evening of music given in tribute to the fallen shows of the yesteryear.

MusicalTalk Mini 50: Claire Petzal on Fiddler on the Roof's UK Tour.

11 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Hutson talks to actor-musician, Claire Petzal, about the actor-musician production of Fiddler on the Roof, that's currently making its way 'roun...

Episode 362: Lotte Wakeham Interview

08 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick sits down with the delightful Lotte Wakeham to discuss her career path from student to associate director of Matilda.

Episode 361: Edinburgh Fringe 2013 - The Pick of the Fringe and Beyond...

01 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Hear the songs from - and the stories behind - MusicalTalk's 2013 Pick of the Fringe, the brilliant Take It Interns.  And if that wasn't enough Thos ...

MusicalTalk Mini 49: Wizard Spells!

28 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

As the 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee goes on a nationwide tour, Thos talks to some of the cast of this wonderful show including a saucy cha...

Episode 360: Edinburgh Fringe 2013 - All The Fun of the Fringe

24 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Scoff a slice of the fun and funny side of this year's Fringe, as Thos giggles with gladness about the Jake Thackray tribute show, Lah di Dah, and the...

Episode 359: Edinburgh Fringe 2013 - The Female of the Species

19 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Join Thos as he investigates four shows with powerful, sometimes deadly, women at their heart as he explores some of the best named shows from this ye...