The WhatsOnStage Podcast

As the Young Vic's Kwame Kwei-Armah becomes the latest in a list of artistic directors to announce they are leaving the theatres they have run with great enthusiasm and distinction, Nancy and Sarah discuss whether standstill funding and the effects of Covid are bringing British theatres to their knees. There are a lot of reasons to fear that Kwei-Armah is right when he warns that without government intervention, there's a danger of losing a generation of talent. But why are we so bad at valuing something that is not only an economic boon, but that also adds value to life? It's time to speak out. Plus, much praise for Beth Steele's brilliant new play Till the Stars Come Down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode from the US, Nancy and Sarah talk to the legendary Jonathan Groff, currently starring on Broadway in Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along with Daniel Radcliffe and LIndsay Mendez. We talk about singing Sondheim, playing King George in Hamilton, the joys of a long Broadway run, and voicing Kristoff and Sven in Frozen. And yes we do talk about the spitting! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Oscar nominations are announced, Sarah and Nancy ask whether 13 nominations for Oppenheimer, the treatment of Barbie and the omission of Greta Gerwig from the best director list reveals a reversion to type in Hollywood's attitudes to women. And they talk about Nyad, a film which has brought Oscar nominations for both Annette Bening and Jodie Foster - who is also on TV in True Detective. She is brilliant in both, which prompts a conversation about growing up with child stars. We've been watching Foster since she was nominated as best supporting actress for Taxi Driver 1976 - how does that knowledge of her on screen affect how we view her? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nancy and Sarah talk to their special guest Kate Waters, aka Kombat Kate, one of a handful of female fight directors working in the UK today. She's worked on more than 300 productions on stage - and is the fight director for Coronation Street and Emmerdale. Her recent shows include Macbeth with Ralph Fiennes and Indira Varma and King Lear, which is about to open at the Almeida Theatre. In this fascinating interview she reveals the tricks of her trade, and how she began her career. And she explains how she staged one of the most famous fights on the London stage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, to mark the return of the television series Father Brown in which Nancy has featured since 2012, she and Sarah talk about the appeal of period detective shows including Father Brown and Poirot and why they are both comforting and reflective of real social change. Plus, Nancy explains what it's been like to be part of such a long-running series, how she views the character of Lady Felicia and how it feels to return to her TV family Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From radical musicals to fascinating revivals, from new plays to ongoing shows. As 2024 begins, Nancy and Sarah make their choices of the best theatre to see in the coming year - and discuss the way in which technology is beginning to transform experiences for audiences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nancy and Sarah each recommend three movies for Christmas viewing - and discuss what makes the perfect film to watch from the sofa. Their choices also include Paddington 2, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and Die Hard with honourable mentions for The Great Escape and other festive favourites. There are some brilliant stories from behind the scenes but what is it that makes these movies into seasonal classics. Why do we watch them again and again? This episode was filmed on Zoom and will also be available on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nancy and Sarah hail the appointment of Indhu Rubasingham as artistic director of the National Theatre. And talk about Rock N Roll, which Nancy is performing at Hampstead Theatre, and Cold War, which Sarah has just seen at the Almeida, and why love, music and the cold war are a potent mix. Plus some surprising heckling and how Nancy coped. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Nancy gets ready for the press night of Rock n Roll at Hampstead she explains what really happens at a technical rehearsal - while Sarah reports back on a week of theatre viewing that included Macbeth, The House of Bernarda Alba and Annie Baker's Infinite Life. Plus: how women are taking over the National Theatre and our excitement about being a podcast pick in Radio Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Swept on a wave of sugary excitement, Nancy and Sarah talk about Christmas shows - for many people their one theatre treat of the year. What qualities do they need to ensure that the outing goes with a swing? And why does it help critics to be allowed to take a guest? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.