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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
Art Criticism
Human Connection

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 weeklyEpisodes215Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsPerforming ArtsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The WhatsOnStage Podcast

Latest Episodes

In part three of the series Sarah and Alex discuss new work from Alan Bennett and David Hare while announcing the arrival of a new generation - Laura Wade, Simon Stephens, David Harrower among them

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf... more

John Proctor is the Villain made a huge impact when it ran on Broadway, and it is finally making its UK premiere in a (now sold out) run at the Royal Court. Two of the show's stars, Sadie Soverall and Dónal Finn, discuss what the experience has been ... more

On this week’s episode Sarah and Alex discuss the triumphant WhatsOnStage awards show at the London Palladium, Timothée Chalamet’s recent comments on the arts, some unexpected showings in the Olivier nominations and whether Sinners will enjoy a late ... more

Sunday was WhatsOnStage Awards evening! Hear from all the winners as they collect their trophies, backstage at the iconic London Palladium in the heart of the West End. The evening also featured some stellar performances from the likes of Paddington,... more

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Recent Guests

Sadie Soverall
UK premiere cast member playing Shelby
Royal Court/UK production
Episode: 149. Bonus episode: John Proctor is the Villain stars Sadie Soverall and Dónal Finn talk the eagerly anticipated UK premiere
Dónal Finn
UK premiere cast member playing Mr. Smith
Royal Court/UK production
Episode: 149. Bonus episode: John Proctor is the Villain stars Sadie Soverall and Dónal Finn talk the eagerly anticipated UK premiere
Stephen Fry
Winner Best Supporting Performer in a Play for The Importance of Being Ernest
Theatre (West End)
Episode: 147. Bonus episode: Backstage at the WhatsOnStage Awards with Stephen Fry, James Graham and the Paddington team
Jordan Fein
Director
Open Air Theatre/Open Air Theatre Fiddler on the Roof; Young Vic for Broken Glass
Episode: 146. Into the Woods, Fiddler on the Roof and Broken Glass with director Jordan Fein
Maimuna Memon
Performer and creator of Manic Street Creature
Self / Theatre Artist
Episode: 145. Bonus episode: Musical theatre powerhouse Maimuna Memon on Manic Street Creature, career pressure and not being a lawyer
Lucian Msamati
Actor and author of 'The Godot Diaries'
Episode: 138. Godot, Slow Horses and why all TV actors should work on the stage
Robert Aramayo
Prominent actor known for his role in 'I, Swear' and 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power'.
Episode: 129. Bonus episode: Robert Aramayo and Rosie Sheehy on building a marriage at the Royal Court
Rosie Sheehy
Olivier Award nominated performer acclaimed for her role in 'Machinal'.
Episode: 129. Bonus episode: Robert Aramayo and Rosie Sheehy on building a marriage at the Royal Court
Jamie Rose Monk
Playing Bevan in the tour of Operation Mincemeat.
Episode: 121. Bonus episode exclusive: Meet agents from the Operation Mincemeat tour!

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 108 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
    Germany18 days 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 Kingdom18 days 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.

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.
130. Why are we so obsessed with Shakespeare?
Q: Why do you think we fixate quite often on the death of Hamnet as one of the key points of Shakespeare's life?
It stems from Shakespearean scholar Stephen Greenblatt's theories, linking Hamlet to the grief surrounding Hamnet, popularized by Wheeler's bestseller that humanizes Shakespeare.
125. 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.

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. This Cultural Life
3. The Rest Is Entertainment
4. Sideways
5. Strong Message Here

How many episodes of The WhatsOnStage Podcast are there?

The WhatsOnStage Podcast launched 4 years ago and published 215 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 Soverall
2. Dónal Finn
3. Stephen Fry
4. Jordan Fein
5. Maimuna Memon
6. Lucian Msamati
7. Robert Aramayo
8. Rosie Sheehy

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