The Show People Podcast With Andrew Keates

Rob Houchen joins the Show People Podcast just days before the launch of his brand new EP, ‘Within Reach’ an album of his own writing influenced by artists such as Luther Vandross & Stevie Wonder to Adele & Sam Smith.This episode features two of his songs including Safe and Sound and the studio version of Warning Signs. Rob is best known for playing the role of Marius in Les Miserables at the Palace Theatre for just under three years, as well as Tony in the BBC documentary about West Side Story. Rob discusses his passion for art, growing up in Norwich, goes into great detail about his time training in Musical Theatre at the Guildford School of Acting as well as his experiences of appearing in the world’s longest running musical.Episode features include: The Soapbox: Andrew and Rob discuss the trail and tribulations of Twitter. Do artists need to be on Twitter? Do we need to watch what we tweet? Dramatic News: Andrew shares the latest dramatic news, including the recent award nomination from the Community Theatre Awards for favourite radio show/podcast.The Platform: Today’s episode is a special episode that focuses on the original work of our special guest Rob Houchen and his new Album, ‘Within Reach’.

Kim Ismay joins The Show People Podcast almost immediately after stepping off a plane and getting back to the UK after appearing all over the world as Madam Morrible in the international tour of the musical Wicked. This episode is both hysterical and inspiring as Andrew probes Kim all about her many credits, including appearing in Mamma Mia as Tanya for many years, plus iconic productions such as Acorn Antiques, The Rocky Horror Show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Lautrec, About Bill and even an episode of Strange But True! She’ll also go into great detail about being a ‘character actress’, typecasting and even a story involving a #ghostcat…The Soapbox: Andrew and Kim discuss theatre etiquette, including their worst experiences of audience behaviour, the trials and tribulations of the stage door, the worst kinds of food to bring to the theatre and their views on how audiences should behave during a performance. Theatrical Tips: Andrew shares some theatrical tips of things to pop into your diary this October 2017. The Platform: We feature a song by composer Alexander Bermange (Radio 4, BBC World Service) from his new album Wit and Whimsy called, ‘I Wish That My Life Were Like a Musical’ performed by Gina Beck, who is currently appearing as Miss Honey in Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre.

Steve Furst joins director and host Andrew Keates. Steve Furst is an actor, comedian, voice-over artist and cabaret artist. Just some of his credits include the famous Orange cinema ads, Little Britain, Made in Dagenham, Matilda, The Lenny Beige Show, Toast, Friday Night Dinner and many more.Episode features include:The Soapbox: Andrew and Steve discuss West End ticket prices and how they impact audiences, fringe theatre and whether profits could reach performers in productions.Dramatic News: Stories include news from the Kings Head Theatre, details of the new Tina Turner Musical, a touring production of Art and an update about our Show People listeners.The Platform: We feature composer Matthew Strachan and his song Foolish from his musical About Bill, performed by West End leading lady Kim Ismay.

In this episode of the Show People Podcast we are joined by actress and national treasure Annette Badland. Annette trained at East 15 and is known for a lifetime of iconic roles in television, film, radio and theatre. Just some highlights from her career covered in today’s show include Bergerac, Doctor Who, The Demon Headmaster, The Queen’s Nose, Coronation Street, Bad Girls, Little Crackers and many others. Andrew pays particular attention to her time working in Jim Cartwright’s The Rise And Fall of Little Voice, EastEnders and exploring the timeline of her life and career from her early days as a girl taking her LAMDA exams to what she hopes many will remember her for, not to mention setting her some Show People challenges, including revisiting many some familiar characters for the first time in years.Episodes features include:The Soapbox: Andrew and Annette discuss the importance of children’s television and theatre and Annette’s recent lobbying of parliament.Dramatic News: We cover the sad loss of Sir Peter Hall and the new RSC season.The Platform: We feature composer Chris Passey and his song Worthy Lyrics, performed by Colleen Ballinger, who many will know as Miranda Sings.

This episode comes from a very hot dressing room at the Gielgud Theatre occupied by our host Andrew Keates and his special guest Mr. Fra Fee. Fra is currently appearing in The Ferryman and many will know him from both the West End and movie versions of Les Miserables as well as productions of Candide, A Winter's Tale, Follies, A Man of No Importance, Wind in the Willows and many others.Together they discuss Fra's life and career as well as getting on the Show People soapbox to discuss if Musical Theatre performers experience prejudice when they perform in projects other than musicals, Andrew get's his theatrical tips out for things to see and do this September 2017, there's music from undiscovered composer Gavin Brock with a track called 'In The Life Of a Nerd' performed by Bradley Riches from Terror in the Sweet Shop and Fra has the occasional breakdown due to some Show People challenges and background music.

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