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The WhatsOnStage Podcast

Sarah Crompton & Alex Wood
Theatre
Shakespeare
One Day
Romantic Comedy
Dear Octopus
Theatre Arts
Bronte Sisters
Food
Creative Arts
Netflix
Kenneth Tynan
Faith Healer
Education Funding Cuts
Machinal
Love's Labour's Lost
Journalism
Theatre Industry
Human Connection
Art Criticism
Amateur Theatre

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 weeklyEpisodes223Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsSociety & CulturePerforming Arts

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Latest Episodes

It was a huge night at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday as the Olivier Awards took place – with seven awards going to the much-loved Paddington The Musical. Elsewhere there were wins for Rachel Zegler, Into the Woods, Rosamund Pike, Jack Holden, James... more

Sarah and Alex are inspired by Rosamund Pike’s starry performance in Susie Miller’s Inter Alia to think of other great dramas about the law. And ahead of the Manchester United versus Leeds Premier League clash they chose the best teams from actors bo... more

On this bonus episode, we talk to Calam Lynch and Noah Ritter, two of the stars of Please Please Me, Tom Wright's play about Brian Epstein, often known as the "fifth Beatle." Lynch plays Epstein, with Ritter as the iconic John Lennon, with the play h... more

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 Tu... more

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Recent Guests

Sadie Sink
Actor, best known for Stranger Things; star of the production
Robert Icke's Romeo and Juliet
Episode: 154. Bonus episode: Sadie Sink, Noah Jupe, Clare Perkins and Clark Gregg talk time-hopping Romeo and Juliet
Noah Jupe
Actor, noted for Hamnet and leading West End production
Robert Icke's Romeo and Juliet
Episode: 154. Bonus episode: Sadie Sink, Noah Jupe, Clare Perkins and Clark Gregg talk time-hopping Romeo and Juliet
Clare Perkins
Actor, plays the nurse in the production
Robert Icke's Romeo and Juliet
Episode: 154. Bonus episode: Sadie Sink, Noah Jupe, Clare Perkins and Clark Gregg talk time-hopping Romeo and Juliet
Clark Gregg
Actor, known for Agent Coulson in Marvel Universe
Robert Icke's Romeo and Juliet
Episode: 154. Bonus episode: Sadie Sink, Noah Jupe, Clare Perkins and Clark Gregg talk time-hopping Romeo and Juliet
Hayley Atwell
Actor, winner of Best Shakespearean Performance for Much Ado About Nothing
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Episode: 153. Bonus episode: Bumper interview bonanza with Hayley Atwell, Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Rebecca Lucy Taylor
Bryan Cranston
Actor, star of All My Sons
Ivo van Hover production
Episode: 153. Bonus episode: Bumper interview bonanza with Hayley Atwell, Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Rebecca Lucy Taylor
Marianne Jean-Baptiste
Actor, star of All My Sons
Ivo van Hover production
Episode: 153. Bonus episode: Bumper interview bonanza with Hayley Atwell, Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Rebecca Lucy Taylor
Rebecca Lucy Taylor
Singer/artist, West End debut in Teeth and Smiles
David Hare's Teeth and Smiles, Duke of York Theatre
Episode: 153. Bonus episode: Bumper interview bonanza with Hayley Atwell, Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Rebecca Lucy Taylor
Tom Millward
Deputy editor
WhatsOnStage
Episode: 153. Bonus episode: Bumper interview bonanza with Hayley Atwell, Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Rebecca Lucy Taylor

Hosts

Alex Wood
Host of the podcast; managing editor at WhatsOnStage; frequent interviewer and co-presenter, with a focus on theatre criticism and storytelling.
Sarah Crompton
Chief theatre critic and co-host; contributes critical insights and interview-driven content.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 111 ratings
  • 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
    Germanya month 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 Kingdoma month 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 Kingdom8 months ago
  • Great podcast but weird editing!

    I really enjoy this podcast (special mention for the brilliant James Graham interview a few months ago). However, the edits for commercial breaks usually arrive halfway through a sentence. It is bizarre! If anything, I am more inclined to forward through the ads than let them play.

    Advertisers please note!!

    Even plays do not break for interval mid-sentence!! I would have rated 5 stars but for this annoyance..

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Coolerthanapopsicle
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Pinkwashing, whilst supporting hate

    Have now unsubscribed from your podcast - after your absolute Pinkwashing this Pride Month, You can't use a Progress Pride flag as your avatar, whilst promoting the work of a billionaire who has set up a fund to strip away the legal rights of LGBTQ+ people. You, Alex and Sarah, are complicit in the hate, hurt and murder of LGBTQ+ people - and are profiting from that too. #Shameonyou

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Lazarusheart
    United Kingdom10 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Pinkwashing, whilst supporting hate: strong negative feedback on Pride Month messaging.
Love: positive reception and requests for more episodes.
Great women Talking About theatre & Life: praise for female-led discussions.
What a treat!: appreciation for behind-the-scenes perspectives.
More please: eagerness for more episodes.
Needs to be better: listeners want more straightforward theatre reviews.
Great podcast but weird editing!: audience notes on ad breaks interrupting sentences.
Interesting & informative podcast: endorsements from actors/actresses.
Love: sound quality and diction improvements needed.
Fascinating: accessible to non-theatre audiences while informative.
Learn something new every episode!: listeners feel educated and inspired by industry insights.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

151. Bonus episode: Into the Woods has a new Witch and we meet her
Q: What was your first impression of the witch as a character?
The character offers a blend of humor and terror, with a past that drives her trauma and a longing for love, which I'm eager to explore.
154. Bonus episode: Sadie Sink, Noah Jupe, Clare Perkins and Clark Gregg talk time-hopping Romeo and Juliet
Q: First question is, did you have any prior experience with Shakespeare, either at school or anything like that that you can talk to me about?
Sadie Sink describes her school Shakespeare exposure, how meeting Rob Icke and his approach reframed her view of Shakespeare, and how the process felt like a pivotal personal and artistic turning point that she felt she needed to pursue the project.
137. Bonus episode: Newly announced Jonathan Larson Project cast talk the legacy of the RENT composer
Q: Can you talk a bit about the role you played in Rent and what it meant to you?
Max describes playing Mark and Roger in different productions, reflecting on how formative those experiences were in discovering his voice and identity as a performer.
131. Bonus episode: The cast of American Psycho let us into the rehearsal room
Q: Why do you think it suits musical form so much?
The campy and heightened nature of the original story allows it to be translated into a musical format effectively.
131. Bonus episode: The cast of American Psycho let us into the rehearsal room
Q: Can you talk about the music in this show?
The music is a combination of EDM and recognizable 80s jukebox songs, creating an atmosphere that immerses the audience in the world of the show.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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?

A weekly, conversation-driven show hosted by two senior theatre voices who discuss current events, industry trends, and thematic debates across theatre, film, and television. Episodes mix news and viewpoints with long-form interviews and behind-the-scenes conversations that illuminate how productions are staged, marketed, and received. Listeners get sharp, insider takes on the theatre ecosystem, from West End and fringe to screen adaptations, plus first-hand accounts from actors and writers about creating and staging work. A standout trait is the duo's balance of critical analysis with industry insider access, often pairing candid discussions about criticism with interviews that reveal the human stories behind productions.

Overall it stand... more

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How many listeners does The WhatsOnStage Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The WhatsOnStage Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The WhatsOnStage Podcast:

1. Front Row
2. The Rest Is Entertainment
3. Call To Stage with Amber Davies
4. The Moment with Miles Jupp
5. Kermode & Mayo’s Take

How many episodes of The WhatsOnStage Podcast are there?

The WhatsOnStage Podcast launched 4 years ago and published 223 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. Sadie Sink
2. Noah Jupe
3. Clare Perkins
4. Clark Gregg
5. Hayley Atwell
6. Bryan Cranston
7. Marianne Jean-Baptiste
8. Rebecca Lucy Taylor

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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