MusicalTalk - The UK's Independent Musical Theatre Podcast

MusicalTalk Mini 48: Collaborations Interview with Elliot Davis

17 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

David Herzog has a quick chat with composer and writer Elliot Davis about his upcoming evening of music entitled "Collaborations," featuring songs co...

Episode 358: Edinburgh Fringe 2013 - A View of the Past

11 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

History has all the best stories and this week Thos helps prove it as he dissects and delights in two marvellous musicals bringing the stories and cha...

Episode 357: Edinburgh Fringe 2013 - You've Been Framed

03 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Thos talks to the people behind four brilliant but very different musical shows - each of which is framed and presented in an unusual way: None of you...

MusicalTalk Mini 47: Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens Interview

28 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

David Herzog sits down with the director and star of Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens, now playing at the Leicester Square Theatre in London.

Episode 356: Edinburgh Fringe 2013 - Relationships Under Stress

27 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Thos talks to the people behind three wonderful shows about relationships and the stresses and strains that they can come under.  Hear about suicide,...

MusicalTalk Mini 46: Punchdrunk Presents The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable

26 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Whilst giving very little away, Nick Hutson talks to Dominic Lindesay-Bethune about Punchdrunk's new production The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable; P...

MusicalTalk Mini 46: Punchdrunk Presents The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable

26 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Whilst giving very little away, Nick Hutson talks to Dominic Lindesay-Bethune about Punchdrunk's new production The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable; P...

MusicalTalk Mini 45: Fame at the Gordon Craig Theatre

25 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

David Herzog talks to fellow company members Hollie Cassar, Ricardo Castro, andKimberley Ensor, as well as director and producer Catherine Lomax about...

MusicalTalk Mini 44: Interview with Singer/Songwriter Nadim Naaman

20 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Join Caroline and Jen as they talk to singer-songwriter Nadim Naaman's new album: "We Want All The Same", due for release on 23rd August! For more in...

Episode 355: Edinburgh Fringe 2013 - Catch 'Em Whilst You Can!

20 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

As the Edinburgh Festival Fringe heads into its last week, there's still time to see musicals to suit all tastes - and so to help you with your select...

MusicalTalk Mini 43: Giggin' 4 Good Interview

19 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Emma Howe, Shaun McCourt, and Hayley Guild talk with David Herzog about the upcoming Giggin 4 Good concert at the Actors' Church in Covent Garden, a ...

MusicalTalk Mini 42: Drinks After the Show with Thom Sutherland (Director of Titanic)

17 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Join Jen Green and Caroline Wigmore as they sit down with Thom Sutherland at the Southwark Playhouse to discuss the musical of Titanic - currently pl...

MusicalTalk Mini 41: Rosemary Ashe on reprising Felicia in The Witches of Eastwick

13 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 354: The Other School

12 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Thos has the pleasure of talking to the hugely talented Dougal Irvine about his fantastic new musical, "The Other  School" and how Sondheim's famous ...

Episode 353: Take it, [Title of Purple]!

06 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

It's all Edinburgh and London in this absolutely capital episode.  Join Thos for all the fun of [Title of Show] and Take It, Interns - both currently...

Episode 352: Albion Forlorn - An Edinburgh Preview

30 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

The world's largest arts festival starts this week and to mark the fact, Thos talks to the delightful Sue Casson, about her latest show which premiere...

MusicalTalk Mini 40: Battles Within and Without

28 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

David Herzog investigates the world of choral music as he talks to Re:Sound Music Theatre, the company putting on the intriguingly beautiful Battles ...

Episode 351: All-New York New Musical Festival News!

22 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

It's here – Britain's first dedicated musical theatre festival arrives in the fine city of York this week and Thos gets talking to the people behind...

MusicalTalk Mini 39: York New York New!

20 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Britain's first dedicated musical theatre festival has arrived - it's in York and it is new but it's not New York! Join Thos as he finds out more!

Episode 350: The Olympian West End Celebration

15 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

To honour all the volunteers who kindly offered their services for free during last year's London Olympics, there is a concert in The Queen Elizabeth ...

Episode 349: Dial M for Merrily, Mormon and Moby

08 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

It's marvellous!  It's magnificent!  It's mighty! It's slightly contrived around the letter "M"!  Join Tim and Thos as they mine the meaning of mus...

Episode 348: My School Musicals

02 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Thos and Nick sit down to discuss the musicals in which their school days involved.  The end result is a discussion covering all corners of the music...

MusicalTalk Mini 38: Derren Brown "Infamous" Review

01 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick shares his thoughts of Derren Brown's production - Infamous - now playing at the Palace Theatre in London.

MusicalTalk Mini 37: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Review

30 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Now this huge musical is out of previews, Nick, Robert and Olaf review Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - playing at The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Episode 347: Mark Shenton and the Amazing Payback Chocolate Factory

24 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Join Nick and Thos as they provide an interview with Mark Shenton to discuss whether Matilda was snubbed at this year's Tony Awards; we introduce a ne...

Episode 346: Utopia Limited - Unlimited!: Press regulation! Scandalous newspapers! Tax Avoidance! Corruption!

18 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Join Thos and Jerry and they explore the penultimate Savoy Opera, Utopia Limited – and find that after 120 years, it's still the most topical show a...

MusicalTalk Mini 36: West End Men Review

05 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Join Nick and his friend Rosie as they discuss the West End Men in Concert, that they saw at the Vaudeville Theatre. This concert features Lee Mead, ...

Episode 345: Backbiting the Backbeat

04 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Did rock'n'roll'n'rampant rhythm send musical theatre packing?  When did Hammerstein give way to Hammer time? And when did pop stop light op? Join Ti...

Episode 344: Mini Musical Maestro

30 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Thos talks to Michael Gordon Shapiro about his mini musical: The Charmed Life. 

MusicalTalk Mini 35: Kerry Ellis Interview.

27 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick talks to Kerry Ellis about The West End Men concert that she's currently in - now playing at the Vaudeville Theatre in London.

Episode 343: Travel From Here to Eternity with Tim Rice

23 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick and Robert sit down with Tim Rice to discuss his new musical - from Here to Eternity, which opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre in October. 

Episode 342: Rent a Ghost on a Tour of Shaiman and Whitman's Chocolate Factory.

14 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick sits down with Andy Edwards and shares his thoughts on the UK tour of Ghost, as well as discussing Rent, with Carys Gray (who was in one of the L...

Episode 341: Flutes of Fancy - Part 2

07 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Join Thos and Jonathan as they continue their review of the not-quite-an-opera, not-quite-a-musical, not-quite-an-operetta-or-is-it production of the ...

MusicalTalk Mini 34: Glona Llor Ew Ylirrem.

04 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick and Jonathan review Sondheim's backwards musical - Merrily we Roll Along, now playing at the Harold Pinter Theatre, after a successful run at Th...

Episode 340: Flutes of Fancy - Part 1

30 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Join Thos and Jonathan as they review the Merry Opera production of the Magic Flute, currently on a national tour, and then discuss at how some pieces...

Episode 339: Olivier Awards 2013 Preview

26 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick and Sandra discuss the nominations for the musical theatre side of the Olivier Awards.  Musicals include Loserville, The Bodyguard, Top Hat, Kis...

Episode 338: A Programme Discussion Program

17 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Join Nick and his friend Reuben Kaye as they choose three programmes from Nick's archive and wax lyrical upon them. 

MusicalTalk Mini 33: Once Review

12 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick shares his thoughts on London's newest musical - ONCE, now playing at the beautiful Phoenix Theatre. For more information visit www.oncemusical....

Episode 337: The Universal Machine

09 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Thos talks to the man behind a new musical about the life of Alan Turing, wartime code breaker and father of the computer, and hears how the life of t...

Episode 336: God, I love Musicals!

02 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Thos and Tim pontificate their love of musicals! 

Episode 335: Matilda Vs Broadway

25 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

We talk to our friend Natalie Walmsley about Matilda The Musical, that's currently previewing on Broadway.  Natalie is a Brit studying at NYU, so lis...

Episode 334: The Tailor Made Man

18 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

The immaculate Thos sits down with renowned film scholar, Dr Michael Williams, to explore the new musical, The Tailor Made Man, which recently premi...

Episode 333: 2012 - A Thos Odyssey

12 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Thos sits down with Nick to share his thoughts on many musicals he saw  in 2012, and with only two minutes per episode it promises to be a fast paced...

Episode 332: A Chorus Line at The Palladium

05 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick chats to John Partridge - currently performing as Zac in the classic Broadway musical - A Chorus Line at the London Palladium.  Nick then shares...

Episode 331: Anything Goes when Everything Goes Wrong

26 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how the evergreen Anything Goes grew out of a theatrical disaster to go on to become one of the most revived shows of the twentieth century; add...

Episode 330: Betty Buckley's Dear World

19 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick and Robert share their thoughts on the UK premiere of Jerry Herman's Dear World, currently playing at the Charing Cross Theatre until March 30th ...

MusicalTalk Mini 32: Lauren Samuels on the We Will Rock You Arena Tour

17 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick chats to Lauren Samuels about the arena production of We Will Rock You - where she will be starring as Scaramouche! Also hear briefly from our v...

Episode 329: The Hairy Boyfriend

12 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Thos and Tim rake over the tresses...er...traces of Hair and the Boy Friend in an unusual compare and contrast experiment: Is nostalgia one of those f...

Episode 328: The Magic Flute - Opera, Musical or Pantomime?

05 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Thos talks to the always amusing Kit Hesketh-Harvey about his new production of Mozart's the Magic Flute and learns about an opera within a play and e...

MusicalTalk Mini 31: Peggy: A New Musical (Creative Team Interview)

29 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick chats to Stephanie Smith and Jennifer Lucy Cook to discuss their new one woman musical called Peggy - about a 1950's British Showgirl playing at...

Episode 327: In Touch with Dougal Irvine

29 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Thos chats to one of Britain's best - and nicest - new musical theatre writers about his latest show, In Touch the Musical, and explores the fascinat...

Episode 326: 2013 Production Predictions

22 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick and Luisa discuss some of the new shows appearing on the West End and Broadway in 2013.  London's upcoming shows include A Chorus Line, Once, Th...

Episode 325: Les Mis in film, Britons in America and Merrily in the Menier

16 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Join Nick Hutson as he, with Andrew Corcoran, reviews the new film of Les Miserables direct from Waterloo Station! Oh, the glamour!  Nick also talks ...

Episode 324: How To Be More Likely To Succeed In Edinburgh With Quite A Lot Of Effort

08 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Following on from last time's investigations, David further examines the art of success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe by speaking to people mostly ...

Episode 323: Casting a Musical: Pippa Ailion Interview

02 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Nick talks to casting director - Pippa Ailion - about the art of casting a show.  Pippa has casted over 130 productions around the world, and her cur...

Episode 322: Roald Dahl Musicals: Past, Present and Future.

24 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Join Nick for a wonderful episode focusing on the many musical adaptation of Roald Dahl stories - including James and the Giant Peach, Willy Wonka and...

Episode 321: One Man, Two Guvnors, Grant Olding and some Assassins

18 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Nick joins Grant Olding to discuss his songs for the National Theatre's worldwide smash hit - One Man Two Guvnors - and Nick asks Andy Edwards all abo...

Episode 320: What's in a Name?

04 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

David goes back to Edinburgh, from almost 4,000 miles away, to speak to four performers about what makes a show work at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe,...

Episode 319: Sue Casson and the Happy Prince

27 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Join Thos as he talks to talented songwriter, Sue Casson, about her excellent family show, The Happy Prince, and finds her as enchanting as her witty ...

MusicalTalk Mini 30: Cat reviews Doomsday Cabaret: A rock musical of apocalyptic proportions

25 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Catherine, direct from Hollywood, shares her thoughts on Doomsday Cabaret - which is a rock musical of apocalyptic proportions!

Episode 318: Charles Bloom - In Here

20 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Join Thos for an extended conversation with noted American songwriter, Charles Bloom, about the art and craft of writing songs, his new album, and h...

MusicalTalk Mini 29: Our Dream West End

15 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Nick and Sandra discuss what their dream West End would involve...

Episode 317: The Snow Spider - The Second Leg

13 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Celebrated British musical theatre composer, James Lark, creator of Tony Blair the Musical and Miracles at Short Notice, tells Thos all about his n...

MusicalTalk Mini 28: Loserville News and Review

10 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

As Loserville has announced its closure for Jan 5th, and Nick has recovered from having no voice - he finally is able to share his thoughts on a show ...

Episode 316: Ruddigore Redux - Part Two

08 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, we say "Hi!" to the Ghosts' High Noon, and Thos quizzes Jerry on the many ways a director can approach Ruddigore, the only "mi...

Episode 315: Ruddigore Redux - Part One

03 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Thos and Jerry discuss that most unusual of all the Savoy operas, Ruddigore, and discuss its initial reception 125 years ago: death, curses, fallen wo...

MusicalTalk Mini 27: Charles Bloom - In Here

01 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Thos joins noted songwriter Charles Bloom to talk about his new album, In Here, a showcase of versatility in musical theatre.

Episode 314: Bloodless Hell-oween

30 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

David goes to his first Toronto musical - and it's an absolute cracker.  Join him as he explores the perfect Halloween musical, and find out about Th...

MusicalTalk Mini 26: The Hatpin (Blue Elephant Theatre)

29 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Anna talks to Ricky Dukes, director of The Hatpin which receives its UK premiere at the Blue Elephant Theatre this November. Based on a true Australia...

MusicalTalk Mini 25: The Snow Spider - The First Leg

27 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Thos talks to celebrated British musical theatre composer James Lark about his new musical kaleidoscope of a show for all the family based on the cel...

Episode 313: Touring Phantoms and Singing Plants with Alan Menken

23 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

We welcome the Halloween season with a discussion between Nick and Andrew Corcoran on the new 25th Anniversary production of The Phantom of the Opera ...

Episode 312: Rosemary Ashe Interview

16 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Nick sits down with Rosemary Ashe, who's one of the most respected west end stars of the last 30 years.  She created Carlotta in Phantom of the Opera...

MusicalTalk Mini 24: Taboo Review

14 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Keating and Nick Hutson review Taboo, currently playing at The Brixton Clubhouse.

Episode 311: Edinburgh Fringe 2012 - Everything Else!

09 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

With one last burst of nostalgia, David looks back - aided by Sandra - over some final musical offerings from the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe. Contains adul...

MusicalTalk Mini 23: Zombie Wedding

06 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Tim makes a brief return from the dead for an item featuring songs from Zombie Wedding, a musical about to run in Gorleston. Co-writer Daniel Sturman...

Episode 310: Edinburgh Fringe 2012 - David's Small Show Ed-stravaganza

02 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

David Kingsmill picks up the baton of the Edinburgh Fringe for the first of two weeks, and discusses the smaller shows that he saw, including two esta...

MusicalTalk Mini 22: Let it Be

28 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Nick shares his thoughts on the Beatles tribute show currently playing at The Prince of Wales Theatre.

Episode 309: Edinburgh Fringe 2012 - The Ones That Got Away

25 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Thos catches up with some of the shows he just didn't have time to see so join him in rueing each escapee, and hear some of the voices of musical thea...

MusicalTalk Mini 21: Matilda's Changes

19 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Nick and Sandra discuss the tiny changes made into Matilda - The Musical, playing at the Cambridge Theatre in London. What's changed? Find out!

Episode 308: Edinburgh Fringe 2012: Transformation

19 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Join Thos and David as they explore some musicals from Bat Boy to Company where change and transmutation are at their core - and this week, it's all w...

MusicalTalk Mini 20: Martin Ball's Top Hat

12 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Nick sits down with West End Musical Veteran Martin Ball to discuss his role in Top Hat - now playing at the Aldwych Theatre.

Episode 307: Edinburgh Fringe 2012: Mining the Past

11 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 306: Edinburgh Fringe 2012: Death

04 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Join Thos as he investigates those Fringe shows that have the Grim Reaper as Executive Producer, and finds a few gems in the winding cloth.  Also Ke...

MusicalTalk Mini 19: MGM Prom 2012

28 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Leigh tells us of the MGM prom that he attended - featuring classic MGM songs by classic MGM composers!

Episode 305: Edinburgh Fringe 2012: Best in Show

28 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Join Thos and David as they talk to the people behind some of the very best musical shows at this year's Edinburgh Fringe - and hear from the Musical...

Episode 304: Neil Patrick Harris Interview

21 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Join Nick and Catherine as they chat to one of the brightest stars in TV and theatre - Neil Patrick Harris.  He shares his thoughts on musical theatr...

MusicalTalk Mini 18: Blood Brothers Review

14 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Nick and Sandra conclude their musical week with a review of Blood Brothers - currently drawing to an end after 24 years at the Phoenix Theatre in Lo...

MusicalTalk Mini 17: Soho Cinders Review

11 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Nick, Sandra and Jen were at the world premiere production of Stiles and Drewe's new musical Soho Cinders, a tale loosely based on the Cinderella sto...

MusicalTalk Mini 16: Spamalot Returns

10 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The UK tour production of Spamalot has made its way back into London for the summer. Nick and Sandra share their thoughts on a very new version of a ...

MusicalTalk Mini 15: Sandra Reviews GHOST

09 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Ghost the Musical comes to an end on the 6th October (and even earlier on Broadway) so Nick dragged Sandra along, kicking and screaming, to the show ...

Episode 303: Welcome to the Edinburgh Fringe 2012

07 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Hear the songs and stories behind three of the brand new musicals at this year's Edinburgh Fringe as Thos talks to talented people bringing you Newlan...

Episode 302: Darren Brown - The Wizard of the Novello.

31 Jul 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Nick and Sandra discuss the theatricality of illusionist Derren Brown's show: Svengali - currently playing at the Novello Theatre - and Nick is also j...

Episode 301: The Go-Between

24 Jul 2012

Contributed by Lukas

David Kingsmill talks to those involved in new British musical - The In-Between!

Episode 300: 300th Episode Quiz

17 Jul 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Celebrate! Again! It's MusicalTalk's 300th episode - so we've wheeled in a couple of friends, kicking and screaming to an undisclosed location and for...

MusicalTalk Mini 14: Stiles and Drewe on Soho Cinders 2012

14 Jul 2012

Contributed by Lukas

In October last year, we previewed the concert production of Soho Cinders. Now, in July of 2012, we're previewing the staged production of Soho Cinde...

Episode 299: Cole Porter's Jubilee

10 Jul 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Celebrate! It's taken three quarters of a century, but this "lost" Porter musical has finally made it to the United Kingdom; Join Thos to find out if ...

MusicalTalk Mini 13: The Sunny Side of the Street

05 Jul 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Cohen shares his thoughts on the musical revue of Dorothy Fields' songs - currently playing at the Jermyn Street Theatre.

Episode 298: When is an Opera not an Opera? When it's a Musical!

02 Jul 2012

Contributed by Lukas

We present the first ever female driven episode of MusicalTalk.  Jen and Anna discuss a topic near and dear to our hearts: What makes a musical, and ...

Episode 297: Extraordinary Fields Forever

26 Jun 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Join David as he talks to Sarah Travis about the Jermyn Street Theatre's new show, The Sunny Side of the Street, a revue of the works of the amazing D...

Episode 296: A Road Less Traveled (Part Two)

19 Jun 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Thos and David continue their conversation about David's roaming through the world of the West End and Broadway and the huge breadth of shows he encou...