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The WhatsOnStage Podcast

Sarah Crompton & Alex Wood
Theatre
Shakespeare
One Day
Romantic Comedy
Dear Octopus
Theatre Arts
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Food
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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 weeklyEpisodes163Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsPerforming ArtsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The WhatsOnStage Podcast

Latest Episodes

How do you bring a play into the present day? That’s the question facing playwright Rob Madge and director Sophie Drake, as they bring Brandon Thomas' 19th century gender-hopping farce into the present day. The show opens at the rustic, beautiful Wat... more

Nima Taleghani is best known as Mr Farouk in Netflix’s Heartstopper. Now his first play - an adaptation of Euripides’ Bacchae - has become the first debut play in the Olivier theatre. And it opens his director Indhu Rubasingham’s first season as arti... more

In a WhatsOnStage Podcast first, we exclusively reveal that Kate Fleetwood will be playing the Witch in Jordan Fein’s upcoming Into the Woods revival, playing at the Bridge Theatre from early December. We want to hear about how it feels for the perfo... more

Sarah and Alex make their top picks for shows towards the end of the year from plays such as End, The Line of Beauty and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo to the great raft of musicals coming our way. Plus, how will Paddington tackle the bear question?... more

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Recent Guests

Nima Taleghani
Playwright and actor
Episode: Exclusive: Indhu Rubasingham and Nima Taleghani on why they’ve put the god of theatre on stage at the National Theatre
Indhu Rubasingham
Artistic director of the National Theatre
National Theatre
Episode: Exclusive: Indhu Rubasingham and Nima Taleghani on why they’ve put the god of theatre on stage at the National Theatre
Kate Fleetwood
Actress known for her work in theater, including roles in 'King Lear' and 'Medea'
Episode: Children will listen: Kate Fleetwood talks playing the Witch in Into the Woods
Lucie Jones
Star of the forthcoming 13 Going On 30 Musical, known for her roles in Waitress and other musical theatre shows.
Episode: Bonus episode: Podcast chaos with Lucie Jones, David Hunter and the writers of 13 Going On 30
David Hunter
Actor and singer, known for starring alongside Lucie Jones in various musical productions including Waitress.
Episode: Bonus episode: Podcast chaos with Lucie Jones, David Hunter and the writers of 13 Going On 30
Josh Goldsmith
Co-writer of both the original film and the stage adaptation of 13 Going On 30.
Episode: Bonus episode: Podcast chaos with Lucie Jones, David Hunter and the writers of 13 Going On 30
Cathy Yuspa
Co-writer of the original film and the stage adaptation of 13 Going On 30.
Episode: Bonus episode: Podcast chaos with Lucie Jones, David Hunter and the writers of 13 Going On 30
Emma Rice
Legendary award-winning director
Emma Rice Company
Episode: Emma Rice starts a new chapter – and wants to solve the touring problem
Emma De Souza
Executive Director of Audiences and Commercial at Salt and UK Theatre and founder of Kids Week.
Salt and UK Theatre
Episode: Bonus episode: How do we build theatre audiences of the future?

Hosts

Alex Wood
Managing editor at WhatsOnStage and host focusing on theatre news and discussions.
Sarah Crompton
Chief theatre critic at WhatsOnStage and co-host, offering insights into theatre critique and production.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 102 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 Kingdom2 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 Kingdom2 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 Kingdom4 months ago
  • Love

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chasisgreat
    United Kingdom5 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.

Listeners appreciate the depth and perspective offered by the hosts on industry trends and personal experiences.
There are occasional criticisms regarding the focus on the hosts' personal experiences over broader reviews of theatre productions.
The podcast provides insightful commentary on theatre, appealing to both seasoned professionals and newcomers.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#22
United Kingdom/Arts/Performing Arts
Apple Podcasts
#170
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#5
Italy/Arts/Performing Arts
Apple Podcasts
#87
Germany/Arts/Performing Arts
Apple Podcasts
#147
Italy/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#233
Australia/Arts/Performing Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Children will listen: Kate Fleetwood talks playing the Witch in Into the Woods
Q: What do you want people to know before they go into this version of Into the Woods?
Kate Fleetwood encourages audiences to come with open minds and get immersed in the rich material, promising surprises and emotional depth.
Children will listen: Kate Fleetwood talks playing the Witch in Into the Woods
Q: What are the sorts of thoughts knowing that you're doing some of the most quintessentially famous Sondheim numbers?
Kate Fleetwood expresses that she feels incredibly lucky to be involved and emphasizes the importance of hard work and collaboration in her preparation.
What's the point of an interval? And why are we spraying vodka backstage?
Q: How often do theatre costumes get washed?
Costumes typically get washed daily, especially for productions with multiple shows, but specific care is taken based on the material and design.
What's the point of an interval? And why are we spraying vodka backstage?
Q: Why do some shows have intervals and some don't?
There are various reasons including audience comfort, maintaining tension in the story, and allowing for social interactions among audience members.
Bonus episode: Natasha Hodgson and Alex Young go head-to-head in an Operation Mincemeat special
Q: When did you know that he needed to be played by, well, not a man?
It was pretty baked in from the top that we wanted to have a woman play Montagu because it adds a unique humor and perspective to the character.

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 hosts engage in lively discussions about the latest trends and productions in theatre, covering a diverse range of topics from musicals to plays and immersive shows. Regular interviews with well-known figures in the industry provide listeners with insider perspectives, making it a valuable resource for theatre enthusiasts seeking insights into current and upcoming productions. The engaging nature of the dialogue, coupled with frank exchanges about both the art and business of theatre, contributes to the podcast's appeal, drawing listeners who appreciate a nuanced understanding of the theatrical landscape.

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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. MickeyJoTheatre
3. Call To Stage with Amber Davies
4. This Cultural Life
5. The Rest Is Entertainment

How many episodes of The WhatsOnStage Podcast are there?

The WhatsOnStage Podcast launched 3 years ago and published 163 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. Nima Taleghani
2. Indhu Rubasingham
3. Kate Fleetwood
4. Lucie Jones
5. David Hunter
6. Josh Goldsmith
7. Cathy Yuspa
8. Emma Rice

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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