With the Hollywood blockbuster movie Wicked, starring Ariana Grande set to hit our screens in November 2024, the Wicked Tour is getting a fantastic boost at theatres it visits all over the UK. I caught up with Fife actor, Megan Gardiner, who plays Nessarose in the show. #theatre #musical #wicked #wickedwitchofthewest #wizzardofoz #mayflowertheatre #wickedmovie

Straight out of drama school and onto the stage in an Olivier Award-winning show, Adwitha Arumugam stars in the lead role of Pi alongside a cast of beautiful puppets and stunning imagery.  Grant Francis catches up with with Adwitha on zoom to find out more about her and the show.

Bob Barrett, is best known for his role as Sacha Levy in the BBC One medical drama Holby City. is coming to the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton in an adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel "And Then There Were None". Ten strangers are lured to a solitary mansion off the coast of Devon. When a storm cuts them off from the mainland, the true reason for their presence on the island becomes horribly clear. In this episode, we find out a bit more about Bob, his career and what he has learned from a lifetime on-screen and on stage.

Greatest Days is the official Take That music, featuring over 30 years of iconic pop music. It follows the story of a group of super fans who, after 25 years, finally get to see "The Band" in concert. In this episode, we meet Rachel Marwood, who plays Heather, and she tells me all about the show and how it is a story about friendship.

In this episode, Grant Francis meets Dalton Harris, who rose to fame on X-Favtor in 2018 from humble beginnings by a river in Jamaica. Find out about Dalton and is Starring role in the UK tour of "The Drifters Girl" a brand new stage show which tells the remarkable story of the Drifters and the truth about the woman who made them. From the highs of hit records to the lows of legal battles and personal tragedy, Faye Treadwell is the legendary manager of The Drifters who refused to give up on the group she loved.

In this episode of Grant Francis Does A Podcast, we meet Marisha Morgan who plays Violet Beauregarde from the musical adaptation of Roal Dahl's Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.  Fresh out of stage school, Marisha perfectly embodies Violet, from the character's sassy cheek to her Influencer confidence.  Find out about Marishas favorite parts of the show, her home comforts while away on tour and discover what her favourite sweet treat is.

In this episode of Grant Francis Does a podcast, we meet an actor and performer with an incredible CV, having starred in many TV shows including Casualty, Waterloo Road, Cutting It, and Happy Valley, Jason Merrels is back on stage, in the gritty crime drama "The Verdict".  The verdict comes to the stage of The Mayflower Theatre in Southampton from the 18th July 2023

The National Theatre present a five star, edge of your seat, brand new stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman's "The Ocean At The End Of The Lane". Of the show, the Daily Telegraph say "The National Theatre at its ver best" and it really is quite brilliant.  In this episode of Grant Francis does a podcast, we meet Joe Rawlinson-Hunt from the production and find out about his late blooming acting career and of course, the brilliantly intricate show, which in Joe's words is "A movie plonked on the stage".

Grant Francis meets the director, choreographer and performer Darren Lee, who's Broadway CV is extensive with shows including Chicago and Guys & Dolls. Darren, who is currently touring the UK in Rodgers And Hammerstein's "The King And I" talked to Grant about where the spark for performance began, how the pandemic affected theatre and how the themes running through his most recent musical reflect on modern day news.  Like follow and subscribe for more content and search your feeds for @grantfrancisuk

In this episode, Grant speaks to Pete Staples, former bass guitarist from The Troggs (Wild Thing, Love Is In The Air). Pete has a new book, available from www.petestaples.co.uk which uncovers the musical history of the home town of The Troggs, Andover.

Grant Francis enters the world of Hundred Acre Wood is joined Alex Cardall from the brand new stage adaptation of Disney's Winnie The Pooh. Created by acclaimed American/Australian producer, director Jonathan Rockefeller. Discover where Alex began his career and find out more about this wonderful re-imagination of the classic tales, using music and puppetry.  Later in the podcast, join Grant and superstar co-host 7 year old Lily as their afternoon at the theatre unfolds. Thank you to the Mayflower Theatre and the show's production team for their hospitality and treats... honey and cucumber is Lily's new favourite snack! https://winniethepoohshow.com/

In this series, we meet some of the hidden and often unknown army of Young Carers and listen to their stories. The episodes were recorded in 2020 during lockdown.  Young carers are amazing, inspirational young people. You can support young carers by contacting "The Children's Society" in the UK, or by searching for "Young Carer" in your locality.  Narrated by young people and written by Grant Francis with funding from "The Audio Content Fund".

In this series, we meet some of the hidden and often unknown army of Young Carers and listen to their stories. The episodes were recorded in 2020 during lockdown.  Young carers are amazing, inspirational young people. You can support young carers by contacting "The Childrens Society" in the UK, or by searching for "Young Carer" in your locality.  Narrated by young people and written by Grant Francis with funding from "The Audio Content Fund".

In this series, we meet some of the hidden and often unknown army of Young Carers and listen to their stories. The episodes were recorded in 2020 during lockdown.  Young carers are amazing, inspirational young people. You can support young carers by contacting "The Childrens Society" in the UK, or by searching for "Young Carer" in your locality.  Narrated by young people and written by Grant Francis with funding from "The Audio Content Fund".

In this series, we meet some of the hidden and often unknown army of Young Carers and listen to their stories. The episodes were recorded in 2020 during lockdown.  Young carers are amazing, inspirational young people. You can support young carers by contacting "The Childrens Society" in the UK, or by searching for "Young Carer" in your locality.  Narrated by young people and written by Grant Francis with funding from "The Audio Content Fund".

In this series, we meet some of the hidden and often unknown army of Young Carers and listen to their stories. The episodes were recorded in 2020 during lockdown.  Young carers are amazing, inspirational young people. You can support young carers by contacting "The Childrens Society" in the UK, or by searching for "Young Carer" in your locality.  Narrated by young people and written by Grant Francis with funding from "The Audio Content Fund".

In this series, we meet some of the hidden and often unknown army of Young Carers and listen to their stories. The episodes were recorded in 2020 during lockdown.  Young carers are amazing, inspirational young people. You can support young carers by contacting "The Childrens Society" in the UK, or by searching for "Young Carer" in your locality.  Narrated by young people and written by Grant Francis with funding from "The Audio Content Fund".

As a treat for Christmas, Grant Francis reads Clement C. Moore’s quintessential Christmas Eve poem, “The Night Before Christmas” set to a beautifully orchestrated festive soundtrack. Why not download the podcast and add it to a Yoto Player?

Grant Francis is joined by international opera superstar, Julia Stikovetsky to talk about her performance as "Queen Of The Night" in the 2023 Welsh National Opera production of The Magic Flute. Learn about her passions and how she manages performances during pregnancy.