In The Frame: Theatre Interviews from West End Frame

West End Frame

Interviews with theatre's biggest stars! West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins, sits down with West End performers and creatives for candid, in-depth discussions about their careers and latest projects. read less
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S8 Ep63: Tyrone Huntley, Che in Evita & Barnaby Tucker in Hello Dolly
Nov 30 2023
S8 Ep63: Tyrone Huntley, Che in Evita & Barnaby Tucker in Hello Dolly
Olivier nominee Tyrone Huntley is currently playing Che in Nikolai Foster’s revival of Evita at Leicester Curve.Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical premiered in the West End in 1978, before transferring to Broadway the following year. Tyrone is performing opposite Martha Kirby as Eva Perón. Next year Tyrone will star alongside Imelda Staunton as Barnaby Tucker in Hello Dolly! at the London Palladium.This is the first time Tyrone has returned to Curve since playing Seaweed in Hairspray in 2014. Tyrone’s theatre credits include TJ in Sister Act (UK & Ireland Tour), The Doctor in The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre), understudy Sporting Life in Porgy and Bess (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Gator in Memphis (Shaftesbury Theatre) and CC in Dreamgirls (Savoy Theatre). Tyrone received an Olivier Award nomination for his performance as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, a role he later reprised for the musical's US tour. Some of his recent theatre work includes Living Newspaper: Beyond Touch (Of A) Screen (Royal Court), The View Upstairs (Soho Theatre), Leave To Remain (Lyric Hammersmith), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Watermill Theatre), Angry (Southwark Playhouse) and Homos, Or Everyone In America (Finborough Theatre). Tyrone also works on screen, with credits including The Flatshare (Paramount+), A Small Light (Disney+) and Tomorrow Morning (Visualize Films). Alongside acting, Tyrone made his directorial debut with Ain't Misbehavin' which ran at the Mercury Colchester and Southwark Playhouse. More recently he was acociate director for The Drifters Girl (Garrick Theatre).Speaking from his dressing room before a day of tech, in this episode Tyrone discusses Nikolai Foster’s vision for Evita and what rehearsals have been like. He also delves into his career and lots more along the way. Evita runs at Leicester Curve until 13th January 2024. Visit www.curveonline.co.uk for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins  @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.
200th Episode: Shan Ako, Simbi Akande & Ava Brennan, The Schuyler Sisters in Hamilton
Nov 3 2023
200th Episode: Shan Ako, Simbi Akande & Ava Brennan, The Schuyler Sisters in Hamilton
To celebrate 200 episodes of In The Frame, we're joined by The Schuyler Sisters!Shan Ako, Simbi Akande and Ava Brennan are starring as Eliza, Peggy and Angelica in the West End production of Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre. Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and directed by Thomas Kail with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, Hamilton opened on Broadway in 2015 before transferring to the West End two years later. The London production picked up seven Olivier Awards, including Best new Musical. Shan Ako is in her second year with Hamilton, starring as Eliza Hamilton. She previously played Éponine in Les Misérables (West End production & all-star staged concert) with her other theatre credits including the workshops of Rock Follies and Mandela as well as Children of Eden in Concert (West End), Whitney: Queen of the Night (UK & Europe Tour) and The Magic of Motown (UK Tour). Simbi Akande joined Hamilton this year as Peggy Schuyler & Maria Reynolds. Her theatre credits include: Mother Goose (Duke of York & UK Tour), The Prince of Egypt (Dominion Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Dominion Theatre), The Light in the Piazza (Royal Festival Hall & LA Opera), Violet (Charing Cross Theatre), Putting It Together (Hope Mill Theatre), Company (Aberdeen Arts Centre), Fiddler on the Roof (Chichester Festival Theatre), Ghost (UK Tour) and Show Boat (Gillian Lynne Theatre). Ava Brennan recently returned to Hamilton as Angelica Schuyler, having previously played the role. Ava's recently played June in The Secret Life of Bees (Almeida Theatre) and Fatine in Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre), with her other credits including Alline Bullock/cover Tina in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (West End), Mrs. Cratchit in A Christmas Carol (Old Vic), Nala in Disney’s The Lion King (UK tour, Hamburg & West End), Dynamite in Hairspray (Theater St. Gallen) and Nehebka/cover Aida in Aida (German Tour).Hosted by Andrew Tomlins  @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.
S8 Ep57: Rachel Tucker, Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard
Oct 26 2023
S8 Ep57: Rachel Tucker, Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard
Olivier nominee Rachel Tucker is preparing to release her new studio album 'You’re Already Home' on Friday 3rd November with Westway Music. To celebrate the release of the album, Rachel is teaming up with Fourth Wall Live to perform a solo show at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 5th November, featuring Jamie Muscato as a special guest. Rachel is currently guest starring as Norma Desmond in Jamie Lloyd’s revival of Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre, playing the role each Monday.After doing various theatre work, including multiple touring productions, Rachel appeared on BBC1's I’d Do Anything in 2008. She finished fourth and hasn't stopped working since.Rachel made her West End debut as Meat and understudy Scaramouche in We Will Rock You and later made her Broadway debut as Meg in Sting’s musical The Last Ship. She received an Olivier nomination for her performance as Beverley Bass & others in the West End premiere of Come From Away and later reprised her performance on Broadway.Rachel is beloved for her iconic portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked. She originally played the role for three years in the West End at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, before  reprising her performance on Broadway. She returned to the London production for the 10th anniversary.Some of Rachel's other theatre credits include: Grace O’Malley in The Pirate Queen (ENO), Woman 2 in Songs For A New World (London Palladium), Jen in John & Jen (Southwark Playhouse) and Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun (London Palladium). She performs in concerts all over the world.Rachel came into the podcast booth earlier this week ahead of her second Norma show. She discussed her new album, being reckless onstage, learning to say no, all things Sunset and lots more.  You can see Rachel in concert at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 5th November. Visit www.cadoganhall.com for info and tickets. Rachel's new studio album You’re Already Home is released on Friday 3rd November and you can see her play Norma Desmond every Monday in Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins  @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.
S8 Ep55: Lea Salonga, star of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends & Here Lies Love
Oct 20 2023
S8 Ep55: Lea Salonga, star of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends & Here Lies Love
Tony and Olivier winner Lea Salonga is back In The Frame and back in the West End, starring in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre. Devised and produced by Cameron Mackintosh, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends has direction and musical staging by Matthew Bourne, side by side with Julia McKenzie, with choreography by Stephen Mear. Lea come to London direct from Broadway where she was starring in Here Lies Love for which she is also a producer.  Lea left the Philippines as a teenager when she was cast as Kim in Miss Saigon. She originated the role in the West End and on Broadway to tremendous acclaim, winning Olivier and Tony Awards for her performance.  Lea also has a long association with Les Misérables, having played both Eponine and Fantine in London and New York, including for the musical’s 10th and 25th anniversary concerts.  Just a few of Lea’s other theatre credits include: Eliza in My Fair Lady (Manila), The Witch in Into The Woods (Singapore), Grizabella in Cats (Manila), Kei Kimura in Allegiance (Broadway), Helen in Fun Home (Manila), Erzulie in Once On This Island (Broadway), Grace Farrell in Annie (Hollywood Bowl) and Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd (Manila/Singapore).  Lea has worked extensively in film and television and famously provided vocals for the title role in Disney’s Mulan I (1998) and Mulan II (2004) as well as for Princess Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin (1994), earning her the official title of a Disney Legend! Away from the stage, Lea is a judge on the Philippines’ version of The Voice and has sold 19 million albums worldwide, making her one of the best-selling Filipina artists of all time.  Lea recorded her first episode of In The Frame last year whilst preparing for the UK leg of her Dream Again concert tour which included a special performance at the Royal Albert Hall.  Recorded backstage at the Gielgud Theatre, in this episode Lea discusses all-things Stephen Sondheim and delves into some of the material she sings in Old Friends. Lea also speaks about her whirlwind year, her relationship with her voice and towards the end of the interview she discusses the incident which took social media by storm when some fans found their way to Lea’s dressing room on Broadway earlier this year.  Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends runs at the Gielgud Theatre until 6th January 2024. Visit www.sondheimoldfriends.com for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins  @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.
S8 Ep54: Oscar Conlon-Morrey, Robert Cecil in Treason
Oct 15 2023
S8 Ep54: Oscar Conlon-Morrey, Robert Cecil in Treason
Oscar Conlon-Morrey is playing Robert Cecil in the fully staged world premiere of Treason The Musical.Treason is touring to Edinburgh and Sheffield ahead of a London run at the Alexandra Palace Theatre. It has just been revealed that Treason will finish its tour at the London Palladium for two performances!Since the release of the original EP back in 2020, Treason’s songs have been streamed over 1 million times across 96 countries. Treason was previously produced as a streamed concert in 2021 ahead of a sold out live concert at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane last year.Oscar most recently played Jack in Mother Goose alongside Sir Ian McKellen in the West End and on tour. His other theatre credits include: Only Fools and Horses (Theatre Royal Haymarket), The Toxic Avenger (The Arts Theatre), Nativity! The Musical (Hammersmith Apollo & UK Tour), Cinderella: A Socially Distanced Ball (Turbine Theatre), The Fall, Anthony Munday (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Downfall of Robert Earl of Huntington (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse) and Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (Kilworth House).  Oscar's screen credits include: Spirit Rangers (Netflix), My Friend Oscar (Rhode Trip Pictures), A Killer Party (Blue Mahoe Productions) and First Date (Lambert Jackson Productions). In the pandemic, Oscar become renowned for producing online sketch videos which took theatreland by storm. In this episode, Oscar discusses all-things Treason and why it's such an important story as well as his journey with Only Fools and Horses, working with Sir Ian McKellen and how his childhood led him towards excelling at multi-roling. Treason The Musical begins its tour at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre on 25th October before visiting the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre. It plays the Alexandra Palace Theatre 8th - 18th November and the London Palladium 21st - 22nd November. Visit www.treasonthemusical.com for tickets.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins  @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.
S8 Ep52: Stephanie J Block, Tony winning Broadway icon
Oct 10 2023
S8 Ep52: Stephanie J Block, Tony winning Broadway icon
Tony winner Stephanie J Block is In The Frame ahead of her upcoming concerts, discussing her career and highly anticpated return to London! Stephanie started out in the world of US regional theatre, playing roles such as Polly in Crazy For You, Nellie in South Pacific, Sarah in Guys & Dolls, Fanny in Funny Girl, Nancy in Oliver! and many more. She went on to create the role of Elphaba in the original workshops of Wicked. Stephanie later understudied Elphaba during Wicked's pre-Broadway premiere in San Francisco and went on to open the show's first US tour as Elphaba before transferring to the Broadway production to universal acclaim. Stephanie is celebrated for her many iconic performances on Broadway. Her Broadway credits include playing Liza Minnelli in The Boy From Oz, Grace O’Malley in The Pirate Queen, Judy Bernly in 9 to 5, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, Edwin /Alice in The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Trina in Falsettos.Stephanie won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Star Cher in The Cher Show. She recently returned to Broadway as The Baker’s Wife in Into The Woods, which she also took on tour across the US.Some of Stephanie's further theatre credits include playing Grizabella in Cats (Muny), Sheryl in Little Miss Sunshine (off-Broadway) and most recently she starred as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard to huge acclaim at the Kennedy Center. Stephanie  co-hosts and co-produces Stages Podcast with Marylee Fairbanks and is about to release her first Christmas album, Merry Christmas Darling. On Sunday 29th October Stephanie is playing two highly anticipated solo shows at Cadogan Hall in London. Stephanie will be joined by music director Ben Cohn, who was recently worked on Once Upon a One More Time on Broadway.In this episode, Stephanie discusses family life, her London shows and how she once almost played Elphaba in the West End. She also delves into her history with Wicked, reflects on The Cher Show and shares her thoughts Sunset Boulevard... plus lots more! You can see Stephanie J Block at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 29th October 2023. For info and tickets, visit www.cadoganhall.com.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins  @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.
S8 Ep50: Richard Carson, Maxim de Winter in Rebecca
Oct 4 2023
S8 Ep50: Richard Carson, Maxim de Winter in Rebecca
Richard Carson is starring as Maxim de Winter in the English language premiere of Rebecca at the Charing Cross Theatre.Rebecca is written by Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay, two of the most successful German musical theatre composers. The show premiered in Vienna in 2006 - where it is currently being revived - and has been staged multiple times internationally. Directed by Alejandro Bonatto, the London production of Rebecca has new translations by Christopher Hampton and an 18 piece orchestra.Richard most recently completed his run in the West End production of Les Miserables, playing Factory Foreman and Combeferre whilst understudying Javert. Some of his other theatre credits include: Sky Masterson in Guy and Dolls (The Mill at Sonning), Sky in Mamma Mia! (Novello), Reuben and covering Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (London Palladium), understudy Chris in Miss Saigon (Prince Edward), understudy Fiyero in Wicked (Original UK & Ireland Tour), Strephon in Sasha Regan’s All-Male Iolanthe (UK Tour), Jason in Myth (Other Palace), Farmer in Oklahoma! (Royal Albert Hall) and Man 1 in Closer Than Ever (Pheasantry).Richard has co-hosted our other podcast The West End Frame Show twice, but this is his first time In The Frame! In this episode Richard discusses all-things Rebecca and speaks candidly about why the past year has been a challenging for him. Richard also speaks about how he got into theatre and lots more!Rebecca runs at the Charing Cross Theatre until Saturday 18th November 2023. Visit www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins  @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.