Rephonic
Artwork for The WhatsOnStage Podcast

The WhatsOnStage Podcast

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

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 weeklyEpisodes193Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsSociety & CultureArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The WhatsOnStage Podcast

Latest Episodes

As the new year arrives, Alex and Sarah look forward to some of the exhilarating theatrical treats in store which range from Aidan Turner’s return to the stage opposite Lesley Manvill in Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the National Theatre to Mischief Th... more

Jack Holden had a runaway hit with Cruise back in 2021, one of the first new shows to rock the West End after the final lockdown. He's been pretty much non-stop since then – with new five-star show Kenrex opening to dazzling notices and audience accl... more

With 2026 fast approaching, Sarah and Alex thought they’d run through some of the names expected to make a splash over the coming 12 months – from directors, to writers, to stage stars – there are some very exciting people making very exciting theatr... more

If you haven't heard of Kenny Wax, we are fairly certain you know some of his shows – a mastermind behind building brands from the ground up, he has steered productions like The Play That Goes Wrong and SIX to international acclaim. This Christmas, h... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Jamie Rose Monk
Playing Bevan in the tour of Operation Mincemeat.
Episode: Bonus episode exclusive: Meet agents from the Operation Mincemeat tour!
Alan Cumming
Artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre and acclaimed actor
Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Episode: Alan Cumming on his Pitlochry season, being a voluntary artistic director and experiences on the all-male Company
James Hameed
Performer who voices Paddington off stage and remote puppeteers.
Episode: Bonus episode: We meet the team behind Paddington Bear!
Arti Shah
Performer who plays Paddington on stage.
Episode: Bonus episode: We meet the team behind Paddington Bear!
Luke Shepard
Director of Paddington the Musical.
Episode: Bonus episode: We meet the team behind Paddington Bear!
Jessica Swale
Writer responsible for creating the script for Paddington.
Episode: Bonus episode: We meet the team behind Paddington Bear!
Tara Zafar
Designer who created the Paddington character for the stage.
Episode: Bonus episode: We meet the team behind Paddington Bear!
Colin Ingram
Award-winning producer behind major theatre productions
Colin Ingram Limited
Episode: Bonus episode: West End producer Colin Ingram reflects on 20 years of his company, the star casting debate and how the West End ecosystem is changing
Tilda Swinton
Acclaimed actress making her return to the stage
Episode: Exclusive interview: John Proctor is the Villain, Tilda Swinton and a huge 70th birthday party – David Byrne on his new Royal Court season

Hosts

Sarah Crompton
Co-host, Chief Theatre Critic at WhatsOnStage, bringing extensive knowledge about theatre criticism and industry insights.
Alex Wood
Co-host, Managing Editor at WhatsOnStage, responsible for engaging discussions about current theatrical events and productions.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 108 ratings
  • 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 Kingdom5 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 Kingdom5 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 Kingdom7 months ago
  • Love

    Love this new WOS podcast, just wish there were more episodes!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chasisgreat
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Learn something new every episode!

    I’ve been listening since the beginning of summer and I look forward to the new episode every week - I thought I knew a lot about theatre but I learn something new each week and find the insights into the theatre industry so fascinating, alongside all the different takes, opinions and knowledge about regional and west end shows both that I’ve heard of and found about through the podcast. In particular, the coverage about the Edinburgh fringe proved so helpful before I made my first trip in Augus... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    strictly ella !!
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

The hosts are recognized for their passionate delivery and ability to break down complex theatrical themes for broader audiences.
There are mixed feelings about the balance between personal anecdotes and formal critiques within episodes.
Listeners appreciate the rich insights and expert discussions relevant to the theatre community.
Some reviews highlight a desire for improved editing and clarity in production quality.
Feedback indicates that the content sparks curiosity and motivates listeners to explore more about theatre.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bonus episode: Producer Kenny Wax on Top Hat dancing back into London, the meteoric rise of Six and the merry success of Mischief
Q: Is London always the plan for Top Hat having a festive season?
Originally, London wasn't on the cards for Top Hat, but they found a suitable venue and saw it as a fitting place for the show.
Bonus episode: Producer Kenny Wax on Top Hat dancing back into London, the meteoric rise of Six and the merry success of Mischief
Q: Can you talk a little bit about that relationship with Chichester?
Wax explains that they have worked with Chichester on multiple occasions and emphasizes the importance of co-productions with regional theaters.
Paul Hilton on finding his own Scrooge, saving the Oldham Coliseum and why it’s good to cry at the theatre
Q: How have you guys been rehearsing for that charity plea at the end of the piece?
Rehearsing it is tricky without an audience, but they are practicing the mechanics to create a chaotic yet safe environment.
Bonus episode: How to adapt a classic musical into a film
Q: What was the hardest thing from the original stage property for you?
The hardest aspect was including the song 'dressing her up' due to its complex integration.
Bonus episode: How to adapt a classic musical into a film
Q: What does it mean to you to portray a character authentically across the gender spectrum?
It's just fun as an artist to embody many different characters, challenging and rewarding.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The WhatsOnStage Podcast

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

A weekly exploration of the theatrical world, featuring insightful discussions that cover a wide array of topics, including the latest news in theatre, in-depth reviews of both contemporary and classic productions, and interviews with prominent figures in the performing arts. The conversation often reflects on the emotional and cultural significance of various shows, with a strong emphasis on community and the transformative power of theatre. This podcast is known for its engaging blend of professional criticism and personal anecdotes, making complex theatrical concepts accessible to a broad audience. Additionally, its strong focus on the arts, combined with the hosts' expertise, offers listeners a unique perspective on the evolving landsc... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The WhatsOnStage Podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The WhatsOnStage Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The WhatsOnStage Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The WhatsOnStage Podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The WhatsOnStage Podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The WhatsOnStage Podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The WhatsOnStage Podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The WhatsOnStage Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The WhatsOnStage Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The WhatsOnStage Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The WhatsOnStage Podcast:

1. The Rest Is Entertainment
2. Like Minded Friends with Tom Allen & Suzi Ruffell
3. The Louis Theroux Podcast
4. Sidetracked with Annie and Nick
5. Wanging On with Graham Norton and Maria McErlane

How many episodes of The WhatsOnStage Podcast are there?

The WhatsOnStage Podcast launched 4 years ago and published 193 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The WhatsOnStage Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The WhatsOnStage Podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The WhatsOnStage Podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The WhatsOnStage Podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The WhatsOnStage Podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The WhatsOnStage Podcast?

Recent guests on The WhatsOnStage Podcast include:

1. Jamie Rose Monk
2. Alan Cumming
3. James Hameed
4. Arti Shah
5. Luke Shepard
6. Jessica Swale
7. Tara Zafar
8. Colin Ingram

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days