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The WhatsOnStage Podcast

Sarah Crompton & Alex Wood
Theatre
West End
Broadway
Operation Mincemeat
Musical Theatre
Evita
Wicked
National Theatre
Olivier Awards
Stephen Sondheim
Theater
Paddington the Musical
Shakespeare
Hamlet
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Les Misérables
Tony Awards
British Theatre
Much Ado About Nothing
Edinburgh Festival Fringe

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! ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes275Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsArtsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The WhatsOnStage Podcast

Latest Episodes

On Friday night, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera turned 40 – with the event seeing a special reunion between original stars Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. We chatted to the pair, Lloyd Webber, Cameron Mackintosh and current stars Jo... more

The great British actor is currently on stage as the great American showman Liberace. As he finished rehearsals he talked to Sarah about how to play characters with whom you have little sympathy, returning to the stage after serious illness, the Shak... more

Hello WhatsOnStage Podcast listeners! With Alex freshly back from a fortnight away, he lets intrepid video expert Tom Millward sample some of his finest, starry interviews from the last couple of weeks – featuring multi-award-winning stage star Gilli... more

Sarah and Alex continue their journey through the finest new plays of the 21st century. This episode, Harry Potter hits the stage,climate change becomes a major theme and James Graham has an exceptionally busy year. Plus new plays by Lucy Kirkwood, C... more

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Recent Guests

Heather-Jay Ross
Wicked's Head of Wigs
Wicked (West End)
Episode: 206. Bonus episode: Wicked's Head of Wigs Heather-Jay Ross on hair that defies gravity
Fisayo Akinade
Actor, RSC debut in this production of As You Like It
The WhatsOnStage Podcast interview guest
Episode: 205. Special interview: Jonathan Groff and Fisayo Akinade
Jonathan Groff
Actor, multi-faceted performer
The WhatsOnStage Podcast interview guest
Episode: 205. Special interview: Jonathan Groff and Fisayo Akinade
Tom Scutt
Award-winning designer overseeing three West End revivals
Freelance theatre designer
Episode: 204. Bonus episode: Designer Tom Scutt on having three musical revivals in the West End
Annabel Mutale Reed
Co-lyricist on the new Martin Guerre
The Writing Team for Martin Guerre
Episode: 202. Bonus episode: Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schönberg and Annabel Mutale Reed on the new Martin Guerre
Stephen Beresford
Writer of Pride
Pride (the musical)
Episode: 196. Bonus episode: Pride musical finds a new London home!
Matthew Warchus
Director of Pride
Pride (the musical)
Episode: 196. Bonus episode: Pride musical finds a new London home!
Oliver Tompsett
Actor, performer
The Greatest Showman cast
Episode: 194. Bonus episode: The Greatest Showman at Disneyland with Samantha Barks and Oliver Tompsett
Merrick Bear
Artistic Director
Secret Cinema
Episode: 194. Bonus episode: The Greatest Showman at Disneyland with Samantha Barks and Oliver Tompsett

Hosts

Alex Wood
Managing editor and host, frequently co-hosting discussions on theatre news, interviews, and industry trends.
Sarah Crompton
Chief theatre critic and host; brings critical perspective and industry context to conversations.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 121 ratings
  • Keep up the great work!

    Thank you for a brilliant stagey podcast. I’m loving the series on Best Plays of the 21st Century. I saw Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem at the time, but from very high up in the upper circle (at the Apollo?). I don’t think I appreciated it fully from up there so I’m going to try to find a copy of the text and read it. So thank you for inspiring me to do that. I’ve loved listening to your top picks of plays of the last years since 2000, and enjoyed hearing about the ones I saw and the (many!) I miss... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Theatrebeast
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Good

    Good podcast, but not enjoying this series on best plays of 21st century - it’s sadly boring. This podcast is at its best when it focuses on current theatre news - Sarah is amazing!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chasisgreat
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • The best British theatre podcast

    Each episode offers a rich discussion between two journalists who clearly love and are extremely knowledgeable about theatre. A must listen for all theatre fans

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lukey Likes Games
    Germany7 months ago
  • Great Podcast

    I have always enjoyed this podcast. Really interesting topics and discussions around the world of arts and theatre. Keep up the great work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    G4amer6
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Needs to be better

    Alex and Sarah spend most of their time talking about the art of criticism, the industry of being a critic and their jobs, rather than actually reviewing what’s on stage. More straightforward theatre reviews please, fewer internal discussions. It’s too self indulgent.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Gooner N7
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners feel the show leans more toward criticism than pure stage reviews, preferring more direct show reviews.
Many praise the hosts' expertise and passion for theatre, calling it a must-listen for fans.
Listeners enjoy the mix of current news and long-form interviews with industry figures.
Keep up the great work! audiences appreciate insider theatre insight and balanced discussion.
A few critique occasional editing and consistency issues during ad breaks.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

204. Bonus episode: Designer Tom Scutt on having three musical revivals in the West End
Q: Let's jump right in. With these sorts of shows and these titles, where do you start in terms of what is the first image that you build from, or is it multiple sources you work with to realise this on stage?
The approach is to treat visuals as a product of the process; the visuals emerge from how the music and the space interact, rather than imposing a fixed image from the start. It's about creating a shared vocabulary across departments so everyone works toward a common language of light, shadow, and movement, which then informs every design decision.
205. Special interview: Jonathan Groff and Fisayo Akinade
Q: How have you approached Rosalind in this all-male version, given Shakespeare's text and the gender-bending concept?
The approach started with learning the lines rigorously with Patsy Rodenburg, then working through scenes and gradually making the language precise; over time, we've focused on how to embody Rosalind's heart and intellect while navigating the unique dynamics of the production.
205. Special interview: Jonathan Groff and Fisayo Akinade
Q: Fisayo, amazingly, it's your RSC debut. So how are you feeling about going to Stratford?
I'm really excited, trying to calm down because it feels like going on a holiday; it's a party for eight weeks, but it's also work, and the experience with Daniel and Tamara feels truly inspiring and exciting.
196. Bonus episode: Pride musical finds a new London home!
Q: Is casting for the next run going to be difficult after the transfer excitement?
They acknowledge that the transfer builds strong expectations among cast and crew, but express confidence that the team's known chemistry and commitment will help maintain consistency, while welcoming new energy from new venues.
196. Bonus episode: Pride musical finds a new London home!
Q: What have you learned about your working relationship after many years collaborating?
They reflect on shared artistic values, a long-standing mutual understanding of what makes theatre valuable, and how their working dynamic has matured, with occasional humor about enforcing boundaries and maintaining creative balance.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The WhatsOnStage Podcast

What is The WhatsOnStage Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show offers weekly discourse on theatre with a blend of news, hot takes, and in-depth interviews. Episodes often feature industry insiders—actors, directors, critics, and writers—discussing current shows, festival highlights, and broader trends in theatre, film, and television. A standout quality is the duo's dual perspectives: a managing editor and a chief theatre critic who frequently challenge each other, offer behind-the-scenes context, and celebrate ambitious productions. The format also frequently includes season previews, industry analysis, and conversations with notable performers and creatives, making it a must-listen for theatre professionals, students, and devoted audiences who want insider access and thoughtful debate about ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The WhatsOnStage Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The WhatsOnStage Podcast:

1. MickeyJoTheatre
2. Front Row
3. This Cultural Life
4. The Waterstones Podcast
5. ill-advised by Bill Nighy

How many episodes of The WhatsOnStage Podcast are there?

The WhatsOnStage Podcast launched 4 years ago and published 275 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The WhatsOnStage Podcast?

Recent guests on The WhatsOnStage Podcast include:

1. Heather-Jay Ross
2. Fisayo Akinade
3. Jonathan Groff
4. Tom Scutt
5. Annabel Mutale Reed
6. Stephen Beresford
7. Matthew Warchus
8. Oliver Tompsett

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