Rephonic
Artwork for The WhatsOnStage Podcast

The WhatsOnStage Podcast

Sarah Crompton & Alex Wood
Theatre
West End
Broadway
Operation Mincemeat
Musical Theatre
Evita
Wicked
National Theatre
Olivier Awards
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 weeklyEpisodes282Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsArtsSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The WhatsOnStage Podcast

Latest Episodes

We put out our main episode on Friday, but had to have something special for the weekend! Nica Burns, the Citizens Theatre, Claybody Theatre and many more winners were crowned at the Central Hall in London for the inaugural Great British Theatres Awa... more

Back in the same room, Sarah and Alex chat all things Lives of Others as the glitzy West End show begins performances at the Adelphi Theatre. But does Robert Icke's adaptation with Keira Knightley, Luke Thompson and Stephen Dillane stick the landing?... more

Nancy Carroll and Charles Edwards are starring alongside Christine Baranski and Richard E Grant in Noel Coward’s Hay Fever at Wyndham’s Theatre. Sarah went along to talk to them about the pleasures of plays that simply entertain, the qualities of Noe... more

Michael Sheen might currently be on screens running amok in a Scottish castle, but in a matter of days he'll be back on stage in an epic new Welsh play having its world premiere – Owain & Henry. Reframing the legendary tale of the last true Prince of... 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.

MickeyJoTheatre
MickeyJoTheatreMickeyJoTheatre
Call To Stage with Amber Davies
Call To Stage with Amber DaviesAmber Davies/W!ZARD Studios
Front Row
Front RowBBC Radio 4

Recent Guests

Nancy Carroll
Actor starring as Myra in Hay Fever
Episode: 215. Comedy in the West End: Hay Fever special
Charles Edwards
Actor starring as Richard in Hay Fever
Episode: 215. Comedy in the West End: Hay Fever special
Michael Sheen
Stage and screen actor appearing in Owain & Henry
Welsh National Theatre
Episode: 214. Bonus episode: Michael Sheen, Rakie Ayola and Sophie Melville discuss Owain & Henry
Rakie Ayola
Stage and screen actor appearing in Owain & Henry
Episode: 214. Bonus episode: Michael Sheen, Rakie Ayola and Sophie Melville discuss Owain & Henry
Sophie Melville
Stage and screen actor appearing in Owain & Henry
Episode: 214. Bonus episode: Michael Sheen, Rakie Ayola and Sophie Melville discuss Owain & Henry
Selina Cartmell
Artistic director of the Royal Exchange Theatre
Royal Exchange Theatre
Episode: 212. Bonus episode: Manchester's 2027 theatre scene just got more exciting
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Composer of The Phantom of the Opera.
Episode: 210. Bonus episode: Phantom at 40 with Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more
Cameron Mackintosh
Producer of The Phantom of the Opera.
Episode: 210. Bonus episode: Phantom at 40 with Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more
Michael Crawford
Original Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera.
Episode: 210. Bonus episode: Phantom at 40 with Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more

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 124 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 Kingdom5 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 Kingdom6 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
    Germany8 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 Kingdom8 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.

214. Bonus episode: Michael Sheen, Rakie Ayola and Sophie Melville discuss Owain & Henry
Q: Tell me about the play itself and when it came across your desks?
Ayola and Melville say Owain Glyndŵr's story was largely absent from their schooling, and describe the play as a chance to bring Welsh history, language and identity to a large stage.
214. Bonus episode: Michael Sheen, Rakie Ayola and Sophie Melville discuss Owain & Henry
Q: How does Owain & Henry speak to the Shakespeare of it all?
Sheen says the play turns the familiar history around to show Owain Glyndŵr's perspective, while using some of the same characters and a similarly imaginative theatrical approach.
215. Comedy in the West End: Hay Fever special
Q: What was that like?
Asked about working with Angela Lansbury in Blithe Spirit, Edwards recalls that she was extraordinary and that audiences were in awe of her; he describes the experience as joyful.
215. Comedy in the West End: Hay Fever special
Q: What's it been like, Nancy? What's it feeling like doing Hay Fever in the West End at the moment?
Carroll says audiences have been enthusiastic and are generally won over by the end of the second act, as the play reaches maximum chaos.
210. Bonus episode: Phantom at 40 with Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more
Q: How did it feel taking to that stage this evening, a stage that you must know so well, but amongst so many people that have adored your work for four decades?
Sarah Brightman says the occasion was lovely and meaningful, and that seeing Andrew Lloyd Webber happy and seeing the work endure felt like a relief and a lasting legacy.

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?

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

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 four 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. MickeyJoTheatre
2. Call To Stage with Amber Davies
3. The Rest Is Entertainment
4. The Louis Theroux Podcast
5. Front Row

How many episodes of The WhatsOnStage Podcast are there?

The WhatsOnStage Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 282 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. Nancy Carroll
2. Charles Edwards
3. Michael Sheen
4. Rakie Ayola
5. Sophie Melville
6. Selina Cartmell
7. Andrew Lloyd Webber
8. Cameron Mackintosh

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