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The WhatsOnStage Podcast

Sarah Crompton & Alex Wood
Theatre
West End
Broadway
Operation Mincemeat
Musical Theatre
Evita
Wicked
Olivier Awards
National Theatre
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 weeklyEpisodes265Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsArtsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The WhatsOnStage Podcast

Latest Episodes

It’s our 200th episode! Where has the time gone! Sarah and Alex reflect on the rollercoaster ride of podcasting their way through more than two years of theatre. But there’s important business at hand: as part of this second part of the autumn previe... more

September has rolled around, bringing with it overcast skies, school terms and, as you might expect, a whole lot of exciting theatre! Sarah and Alex team up for part one of our bumper autumn preview, spotlighting some of the brand new work ready to w... more

We're joined on this week's bonus episode by Tim Minchin, composer and lyricist of the treasured, international sensation, the RSC's Matilda the Musical. Minchin is celebrating 15 years of the multi-award-winning musical's success across the globe, w... more

Sarah and Alex hit the mid 2010s as they continue their foray into the finest theatre works of the 21st century. This time around, a wave of well-received American plays make a big splash on both sides of the Atlantic – with the likes of Annie Baker,... more

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Recent Guests

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
Ellen Robertson
Playwright and performer in Jitters, half of the Britney duo
Episode: 193. Bonus episode: Why comedy actors can do anything with Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Charly Clive
Performer in Jitters, half of the Britney duo
Episode: 193. Bonus episode: Why comedy actors can do anything with Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Elizabeth Ayodele
Actress playing Elia Martell
Royal Shakespeare Company
Episode: 190. Bonus episode: The cast of Game of Thrones: The Mad King join the WhatsOnStage Podcast for an exclusive chat
Tanisha Spring
Actress playing Ashara Dayne
Royal Shakespeare Company
Episode: 190. Bonus episode: The cast of Game of Thrones: The Mad King join the WhatsOnStage Podcast for an exclusive chat
Luke Brady
Actor portraying Brandon Stark
Royal Shakespeare Company
Episode: 190. Bonus episode: The cast of Game of Thrones: The Mad King join the WhatsOnStage Podcast for an exclusive chat

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 Kingdom3 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 Kingdom4 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
    Germany6 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 Kingdom6 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.

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.
196. Bonus episode: Pride musical finds a new London home!
Q: What has it been like seeing people find contemporary pertinence with this story and a sense of urgency and significance even decades on?
The guests describe a powerful ongoing relevance, noting how live performance creates an immediate communal experience that invites dialogue and connection, with audiences feeling part of the story and sharing emotional moments that renew the narrative's urgency.
188. Bonus episode: Shaking up the West End with Phelim McDermott
Q: Hi Phelim, lovely to chat. I guess the first question has to be, how does it feel coming to the West End with this show?
Phelim explains that Tao of Glass began pre-pandemic and is a deeply personal project involving his long relationship with Philip Glass. He discusses the balance of intimate storytelling with large-scale production, the space's acoustics, and the sense that this show sits at the intersection of Improbable's devised theatre and Glass's operatic roots. He reflects on how the piece has evolved to suit a bigger stage while retaining its core intimate essence.
186. Bonus episode: Tim Sheader on new Donmar season announcement + Hadestown stars on their film
Q: Why is this season so varied in tone and form?
Sheader explains that variety is intentional to reflect different audience appetites, from the ambitious new writing to a single yearly comedy to engage a broad spectrum of theatre-goers.

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. Call To Stage with Amber Davies
4. The Rest Is Entertainment
5. Dish

How many episodes of The WhatsOnStage Podcast are there?

The WhatsOnStage Podcast launched 4 years ago and published 265 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. Stephen Beresford
2. Matthew Warchus
3. Oliver Tompsett
4. Merrick Bear
5. Ellen Robertson
6. Charly Clive
7. Elizabeth Ayodele
8. Tanisha Spring

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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