

The WhatsOnStage Podcast
Sarah Crompton & Alex Wood
WhatsOnStage managing editor Alex Wood and chief theatre critic Sarah Crompton host a weekly podcast on all things theatrical. News, views, frank exchanges and lists offer an unmissable guide to what’s happening on stage (and in film and on television) now, in the past and in future. From musicals, to plays, to immersive shows, to interviews with the biggest stars, there's something for everyone! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 3, 2026 • 34min
155. It was a tragic week for love on stage
Sarah has been hither and thither this week reviewing very long plays (with some very late endings) – with Romeo and Juliet starring Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe clocking in at three hours, while Les Liaisons Dangereuses with Lesley Manville and Aidan Turner not far off the same duration. It brings up all sorts of questions about love stories on stage, the importance of dance for bringing out unspoken truths, and whether or not you should smile during a curtain call. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 1, 2026 • 14min
154. Bonus episode: Sadie Sink, Noah Jupe, Clare Perkins and Clark Gregg talk time-hopping Romeo and Juliet
Two rising stars in the acting world, Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe, are headlining a brand new production of Romeo and Juliet. We sit down to chat to the duo on their opening night, accompanied by co-stars Clare Perkins (Sweat, The Wife of Willesden) and Clark Gregg (the Marvel Cinematic Universe). As part of the conceit, the show involves a series of "what-if" moments, all exploring how the tragedy truly unfurls. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 30, 2026 • 30min
153. Bonus episode: Bumper interview bonanza with Hayley Atwell, Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Rebecca Lucy Taylor
Welcome to this bonus episode of the WhatsOnStage Podcast! Our brilliant deputy editor Tom Millward has been busy recently, interviewing the great and good across the UK theatre world! So here's our interviews featuring Hayley Atwell, James Graham, Paapa Essiedu, Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Rebecca Lucy Taylor... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 27, 2026 • 38min
152. What kind of plays win prizes?
Awards season is trundling along with the Standard Theatre Awards and the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards all happening in the same week. If that's not enough to keep Alex and Sarah busy, they've also been trekking to Stratford-upon-Avon and a soggy Manchester, but found enough time to mull over the implications of the decision not to let national critics into the world premiere of One Day the Musical at the Edinburgh Lyceum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 25, 2026 • 20min
151. Bonus episode: Into the Woods has a new Witch and we meet her
On this bonus episode of the WhatsOnStage Podcast, we meet the new Witch taking over from Kate Fleetwood in the Bridge Theatre's multi-award-nominated production of Into the Woods at the Bridge Theatre. A beloved WhatsOnStage Award-winning star, she's tackling Sondheim for the very first time! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 20, 2026 • 44min
150. The Best Plays of the Century Part Three: the years 2004/5
In part three of the series Sarah and Alex discuss new work from Alan Bennett and David Hare while announcing the arrival of a new generation - Laura Wade, Simon Stephens, David Harrower among them Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 18, 2026 • 34min
149. Bonus episode: John Proctor is the Villain stars Sadie Soverall and Dónal Finn talk the eagerly anticipated UK premiere
John Proctor is the Villain made a huge impact when it ran on Broadway, and it is finally making its UK premiere in a (now sold out) run at the Royal Court. Two of the show's stars, Sadie Soverall and Dónal Finn, discuss what the experience has been like and bringing this radical interrogation of Arthur Miller to the stage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 13, 2026 • 34min
148. Awards Season: Timothée Chalamet, the Oliviers and the Oscars
On this week’s episode Sarah and Alex discuss the triumphant WhatsOnStage awards show at the London Palladium, Timothée Chalamet’s recent comments on the arts, some unexpected showings in the Olivier nominations and whether Sinners will enjoy a late Oscars surge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 11, 2026 • 21min
147. Bonus episode: Backstage at the WhatsOnStage Awards with Stephen Fry, James Graham and the Paddington team
Sunday was WhatsOnStage Awards evening! Hear from all the winners as they collect their trophies, backstage at the iconic London Palladium in the heart of the West End. The evening also featured some stellar performances from the likes of Paddington, Hercules and The Phantom of the Opera. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 6, 2026 • 31min
146. Into the Woods, Fiddler on the Roof and Broken Glass with director Jordan Fein
Jordan Fein talks to Sarah about the importance of community, making audiences feel involved and the difference between making theatre here and in the US. Plus: why he loves Stephen Sondheim and which show he’d like to direct next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


