MusicalTalk - The UK's Independent Musical Theatre Podcast
We are a weekly podcast devoted to bringing you news, views, reviews, interviews and much more content devoted to musical theatre and film. We discuss composers, writers, actors, theatres and shows and encourage listeners to join in. Visit our site at musicaltalk.co.uk
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Episode 860: To Hadestown on the Starlight Express
09/30/2024
Episode 860: To Hadestown on the Starlight Express
Josh and Thos are back with another look at two more shows that were part of the amazing 2024 summer of musicals in London: this time, both shows are linked by railway connections but with completely different styles and tone - Hadestown and Starlight Express. How far do these shows rework their original source material of Orpheus and Eurydice and.....Cinderella? And how excited is Josh in seeing both these wonderful shows? Time to let off steam!
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Episode 859: Kiss Me.....Dolly!
09/24/2024
Episode 859: Kiss Me.....Dolly!
It's been a summer of blockbuster musical theatre shows in London, and this week Josh and Thos take a close look at just two of the amazing productions on offer. In this episode, it's time to concentrate on two shows named after significant female characters - with Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate and Jerry Herman's Hello Dolly under the microscope. Can the emancipated Lilly Vanessi escape comparisons with the ultimately subjugated Kate, and what is Dolly Levi's actual journey (apart from a trolleybus to Yonkers)? And is that the ghost of Mary Poppins we can see floating overhead? It's Wunderbar!
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Episode 858: A Musical Balancing Act of Matilda, Barnum and Being Single!
09/18/2024
Episode 858: A Musical Balancing Act of Matilda, Barnum and Being Single!
In this bumper episode of MusicalTalk, Nick and Hannah dive into the magic of Matilda the Musical, reflecting on its ongoing success at the Cambridge Theatre and exploring why it continues to captivate audiences of all ages. They also discuss Why Am I So Single – the brand-new musical from the creators of Six, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. Meanwhile, Nick and Robert discuss Barnum, the timeless circus-inspired musical, which recently had a run at the Watermill Theatre. Tune in for lively debates, musical insights, and a celebration of theatre old and new!
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Episode 857: Rodgers and Hart's The Boys From Syracuse - Part 3: The Songs
09/10/2024
Episode 857: Rodgers and Hart's The Boys From Syracuse - Part 3: The Songs
The Boys Are Back In Town! With Rodgers and Hart's effervescent 1938 musical, The Boys from Syracuse packing 'em in at the Upstairs at the Gatehouse Theatre in Highgate, Thos and Benjamin Levy continue their wonderful conversation about the role of the Musical Director and how to orchestrate a classic-era show. But with Benjamin's view that "Lorenz Hart is an utter genius", this episode is filled to the brim with an in-depth look at the score and full analysis of what makes the Hart lyrics and the musicality of Rodgers work so beautifully together to make a show where every song is a polished diamond!
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Episode 856: Rodgers and Hart's The Boys From Syracuse - Part 2: The Musical Director's Tale
09/04/2024
Episode 856: Rodgers and Hart's The Boys From Syracuse - Part 2: The Musical Director's Tale
With Rodgers and Hart's sparkling 1938 Golden Age musical, The Boys From Syracuse, returning to London at the Upstairs at the Gatehouse Theatre in Highgate, Thos sits down for a wonderful conversation with the production's Musical Director and Orchestrator, the very talented Benjamin Levy. Learn why it's important for the MD to "push hope through it" when musically directing a song, and why it's better to reorchestrate rather than reduce existing arrangements. And with in-depth analysis of the score throughout, you won't want to miss this delightful and insightful episode! It's no cold potato!
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Episode 855: Rodgers and Hart's The Boys From Syracuse - Part 1: The Director's Tale
08/27/2024
Episode 855: Rodgers and Hart's The Boys From Syracuse - Part 1: The Director's Tale
Hoorah! Harooh! The golden era of musical theatre returns to London with a revival of 1938's Rodgers and Hart's classic musical comedy, The Boys From Syracuse, opening at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, in Highgate in September 2024. In a three part in-depth look at the show and its solid gold score by one of the greatest songwriting teams of the twentieth century, Thos sits down with the director and the musical director to enjoy insights into how to stage a classic musical in the 21st Century, and to talk about the sparkling songs. This week Thos talks to the lovely Mark Giesser, the director of this production, about the attraction and challenges of the piece and why the songs are so perfect. All it takes is a whole lotta Hart!
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Episode 854: A Journey Through the National Youth Music Theatre: "Catastrophe Bay" Premiere
08/19/2024
Episode 854: A Journey Through the National Youth Music Theatre: "Catastrophe Bay" Premiere
In this special episode of MusicalTalk, host Nick Hutson takes you behind the scenes with the National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT), a prestigious organisation that has been nurturing the talents of young performers for over four decades. Founded in 1976, the NYMT has a storied history of launching the careers of some of the UK's brightest stars in musical theatre. Nick sits down with current cast members of the NYMT on the exciting day of their world premiere performance of "Catastrophe Bay" at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant. We dive into the creative process and what it means to be part of such an iconic institution. We also hear from NYMT alumnus Josh Barnett, who reflects on his time with the company and how it shaped his career.
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Episode 853: A Fantasmagorical Journey - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Then and Now
08/13/2024
Episode 853: A Fantasmagorical Journey - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Then and Now
In this delightful episode of MusicalTalk, Hannah takes us on a magical ride through her recent experience of the UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in Torquay... but how does it compare to the original production at The London Palladium? Nick, who saw the show in its West End heyday 22 years ago, joins the conversation with his nostalgic reflections. Together, they explore the differences and whether the modern take still has that "Truly Scrumptious" appeal.
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Episode 852: Hello Dolly... Why Am I So Single?
08/06/2024
Episode 852: Hello Dolly... Why Am I So Single?
Welcome listeners! It's so nice to hace you back where you belong! In this episode, Nick and Hannah dive into their first-ever experience of the classic musical, Hello Dolly, sharing their fresh and vibrant takes. But that's not all—Nick had the exclusive opportunity to attend an open rehearsal of the buzzworthy new musical, WHY AM I SO SINGLE?, brought to life by Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow, the brilliant minds behind the smash hit, Six. Get ready for an exciting journey as we bring you insightful interviews with the cast and writers, along with a sneak peek at some of the unforgettable songs from this promising new show.
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Episode 851: Take the Starlight Express to The Little Shop of Horrors
07/30/2024
Episode 851: Take the Starlight Express to The Little Shop of Horrors
Nick and Hannah dive into the world of musical theatre, each sharing their unique experiences with two iconic shows. Hannah recounts her thrilling first-time experience of seeing the cult classic "Little Shop of Horrors" on stage during its UK tour. Meanwhile, Nick takes a trip down memory lane as he revisits "Starlight Express" now playing at the Troubadour Theatre, experiencing the roller-skating extravaganza for the first time in over 30 years.
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Episode 850: Musical Theatre Melodrama Inverted
07/23/2024
Episode 850: Musical Theatre Melodrama Inverted
It's the last episode of our three part look at the role of melodrama in musical theatre, and today Josh joins Thos to talk about the show that explicitly takes the tropes and characters of melodrama and turns them topsy-turvy - Gilbert and Sullivan's Ruddigore, and specifically a recent production at London's home of Victorian musicals, Wilton's Music Hall. Your eyes will be fully open...
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Episode 849: Musical Theatre Melodrama in Practice
07/15/2024
Episode 849: Musical Theatre Melodrama in Practice
With the recent acclaimed revival of Sweeney Todd and the String of Pearls (subtitled "The Victorian Melodrama") in London's atmospheric Wilton's Music Hall, join Colm and Thos as they continue their exploration of the history of melodrama and how it informs modern musical theatre in a multitude of ways. In this episode they dissect the original Sweeney Todd stage sensation to see how it works and then identify the many musical cannibals who have feasted on its body over the years - from Gilbert and Sullivan to Sondheim. Todd, that's good!
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Episode 848: Musical Theatre Melodrama in Theory
07/08/2024
Episode 848: Musical Theatre Melodrama in Theory
Did melodrama die with Queen Victoria - or has it sneakily survived into 21st century culture? Join Thos and Colm as they look at the unexpectedly wide scope of melodrama in musical theatre both historically and today: concentrating on the recent revival of Sweeney Todd and the String of Pearls at the Wiltons Music Hall in London, we take you on a three part journey exploring the he fascinating world of this far-from-dead genre - and tell you the tale of the other 3Bs of music - Balfe, Benedict and Bishop.
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🎭Episode 847: Moulin Rouge! The Musical - Hits and Misses 🎭
06/25/2024
🎭Episode 847: Moulin Rouge! The Musical - Hits and Misses 🎭
Moulin Rouge! The Musical - Hits and Misses Join Nick and Hannah as they delve into the vibrant and glittering world of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. In this episode, our hosts discuss the highs and lows of this stage adaptation, starting with its lavish visual elements and captivating tangos that leave audiences spellbound. However, not everything that glitters is gold—Nick and Hannah critique the show's reliance on a plethora of pop songs, many of which feel outdated and detract from the overall experience. Hannah brings an intriguing comparison to the table, highlighting how the plot of Moulin Rouge!'s first act mirrors that of the film Burlesque, now also making waves on stage. Is this parallel a coincidence or a creative nod? Tune in to hear their thoughts and lively discussion. #MoulinRougeMusical #MusicalTheatre #Podcast #StageReview #MusicalTalk
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Episode 846: Colour Me Delighted
06/18/2024
Episode 846: Colour Me Delighted
Thos sits down to talk with award-winning bookwriter, lyricist, composer and playwright, Jenny Stafford, about her poignant one woman musical, Color Inside the Lines, which won Best Solo Show at the Denver Fringe and impressed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2021 and 2022. With songs from the score and in-depth conversation about the creative process and the role of sincerity in narratives, you'll be delighted by Jenny's insights about what may be the only musical ever based around the work of a Scantron multiple-choice marking machine.
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Episode 845: Chordstruck Theatre and Jingle Street
06/11/2024
Episode 845: Chordstruck Theatre and Jingle Street
In this week's episode, you can enjoy songs from Jingle Street, the five star hit musical from the 2023 EdFringe, and hear insights and observations from its writer, lyricist, producer, director, choreographer, assistant director and one of the lead actors on what it takes to create and develop a show for the Fringe and beyond, particularly as a new theatrical company. And as a special bonus, there's a chance to hear an exclusive recording - a rather brilliant cut song from this wonderful musical show. You'll love it - we "pinky swear" it!
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Episode 844: Chordstruck Theatre and On Your Bike
06/04/2024
Episode 844: Chordstruck Theatre and On Your Bike
It's songs galore and laughs aplenty as Thos talks to the talented people behind Chordstruck Theatre about their hit shows, On Your Bike (Winner of the Best Musical at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2021) and Jingle Street (Five Stars from MusicalTalk, EdFringe 2023). It's a lovely, insightful and fun filled conversation about the collective creative process of making not just one, but two, musicals! As Felix, one of the characters in On Your Bike, might say "Winner Winner Chicken* Dinner" (*falafel also available)
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Episode 843: Lies All The Way Down - a New Chamber Musical
05/29/2024
Episode 843: Lies All The Way Down - a New Chamber Musical
Join Thos as he talks with Shaye Poulton Richards, the talent behind the EdFringe success, Lies All The Way Down - a New Chamber Musical, a show that uses polyphonic sounds beyond the usual soundscape provided by a quartet to create the intense atmosphere needed for a pyschological thriller exploring the friend we make and the lies we tell. And hear songs and music from the show that help illustrate Shaye's creative process and her favoured combination of modern folk and contemporary classical sounds.
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Episode 842: Hannah's First Time at Wicked
05/21/2024
Episode 842: Hannah's First Time at Wicked
Wicked has been playing in the West End for over 15 years so Nick thought it was about time that Hannah sees the show - so they did. With the film coming out next year it seems the right time to discuss the show, its legacy and - more importantly - what it's like seeing it nowadays with very little knowledge of it! Does it live up to the hype? Is it still wonderful or is it still just popular?
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Episode 841: 365 Days of Shows
05/14/2024
Episode 841: 365 Days of Shows
Nick and Hannah discuss a myriad of musicals that they've seen in the last year including The Witches, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, Book of Mormon, Aladdin and more!
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Episode 840: La Serva Padrona Gets Funky
05/07/2024
Episode 840: La Serva Padrona Gets Funky
In 2020 Coronavirus threatened to kill opera! By 2022, only one man could save it - using his one person production of La Serva Padrona - where baroque meets 1970s funk in a new English version of Pergolesi's 1733 comic masterpiece. Thos joins the extremely talented musical academic and performer, David William Hughes, to discuss the third of his historic music trilogy - a joyous and delightful version of La Serva Padrona - served up from "an emergency opera kit" saved over from the Cold War era! It's a funkadelic relic!
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Episode 839: A Past Programme Program
04/30/2024
Episode 839: A Past Programme Program
Nick has a large collection of theatre programmes which acts as a wonderful topic generator! Nick digs through it to discuss, with Hannah, many shows from the past. Shows discussed include Let it Be, Forbidden Planet, Riverdance, Derren Brown, Saturday Night Ever, Mary Poppins, Rock Hamlet, Grand Hotel, Sweeney Todd and others!
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Episode 838: The Wreck of the Queen Thomasina
04/23/2024
Episode 838: The Wreck of the Queen Thomasina
What is musical theatre? It's a big questions and Thos is asking it. Can a show be a musical without words? Can a show be a musical without music? Is there any point in actually trying to define what makes a musical anyway? And as an illustration of how wide musical theatre can really be, Thos talks to the talented people behind five-star EdFringe show, The Wreck of the Queen Thomasina, which is a verse play with songs and definately plays with the form in a delicious way. Vivat Regina!
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Episode 837: Catching up with Alan Menken
04/16/2024
Episode 837: Catching up with Alan Menken
Join Nick Hutson as he sits down with composer Alan Menken to discuss Hercule's current production in Hamburg, Germany. Learn about the new songs, direction and history of the show. You can also hear Alan talk about collaborating, processes and the legacy of the late Howard Ashman
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Episode 836: Mine - A Solo Ghost Story Musical with Asher Muldoon
04/09/2024
Episode 836: Mine - A Solo Ghost Story Musical with Asher Muldoon
In this episode, Thos talks to the multi-talented actor, writer and composer, Asher Muldoon, about his wonderful five star show, Mine - A Solo Ghost Story Musical - a multi-layered masterpiece of musical story telling. How do you make a ghost story also function as a comedy? How do you read an audience to amend your performance? And how do both Sondheim and Dear Evan Hanson repackage songs in different ways? All this and some delightful and evocative music will make Mine forever yours!
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Episode 835: His Name Is...Potty the Plant!
04/02/2024
Episode 835: His Name Is...Potty the Plant!
With the joyous news of the return of Potty the Plant to the EdFringe in 2024, join Thos as he talks to the three people behind this quirky, subversive and hiliarous musical to discuss all things Potty. Find out about its journey from short film to five-star theatre musical cult and what made it the MusicalTalk's Pick of the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023. With songs and laughter, and a special "sneak peak" of the creative team's latest musical this episode, this is the "potty-cast" for you.
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Episode 834: OPENING NIGHT of PRISCILLA THE PARTY!
03/27/2024
Episode 834: OPENING NIGHT of PRISCILLA THE PARTY!
Join hosts Nick Hutson and Hannah Budd on a captivating journey through London's theatrical landscape as they dive into the vibrant worlds of Opening Night at the Gielgud Theatre and Priscilla: The Party at the Outernet Venue. In this episode of MusicalTalk, Nick shares his first impressions of Priscilla, delving into the glitz, glamour, and unexpected surprises of this iconic musical. Opening Night, a new musical starring Sheridan Smith, featuring music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright with a book and direction by Ivan Van Hove, takes center stage in their discussion, as they examine its adaptation from the film by John Cassavetes. Should a musical about a play that makes no sense also make no sense? As they contrast the two productions, Nick and Hannah explore the polarities between the shows, from the classic elegance of Opening Night to the flamboyant extravagance of Priscilla. Nick's fresh perspective on Priscilla sparks an engaging discussion on the unique appeal of the production and its enduring popularity. Amidst the exploration of themes and performances, the hosts ponder the question: Does promenade theatre lend itself to musicals? Drawing from their experiences and observations, they analyze the immersive nature of Priscilla and its impact on audience engagement.
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Episode 833: Gospel's Harmonious Influence in Musicals: An Interview with Jaron M. LeGrair
03/19/2024
Episode 833: Gospel's Harmonious Influence in Musicals: An Interview with Jaron M. LeGrair
Join host Nick Hutson as he delves into the soul-stirring world of gospel music in musical theatre, in a captivating conversation with renowned YouTuber and gospel enthusiast Jaron M. LeGrair. In this episode of MusicalTalk, they explore the powerful impact of gospel music on various Broadway shows, from the unexpected twists in "Little Shop of Horrors" to the divine energy of "Hercules." Together, they traverse the rich tapestry of musicals like "Showboat," "Ragtime," and "Once on This Island," uncovering how gospel infuses these narratives with depth and resonance. From the high-octane rhythms of "Starlight Express" to the socially conscious themes of "Hairspray" they unravel the threads of gospel's presence, highlighting its role in storytelling and character development. Tune in to this episode of MusicalTalk for a harmonious journey through the spiritual and theatrical realms, as Nick Hutson and Jaron M. LeGrair celebrate the transformative power of gospel music in musicals.
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Episode 831: So, Here We Are...
02/20/2024
Episode 831: So, Here We Are...
So, here we are with our long awaited conversation about Sondheim's last new musical (probably), appropriately called "Here We Are" and the big question is - is it a success? Thos chats to MusicalTalk's resident Sondheim expert, Colm, who saw the show twice in New York at its off-Broadway venue, the Shed, and who certainly thinks so. But is absurdist theatre now so obscure that it seems pretentious instead of satirical? Is this show the equivalent of Schubert's Unfinished Symphony? And is Sondheim merely pastiching himself in his swansong? Well, it is what it is - but find out if the show really does make for a perfect day in this wonderful episode.
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Episode 830: A Fosse Day In London Town - Sweet Charity
02/13/2024
Episode 830: A Fosse Day In London Town - Sweet Charity
It's time to walk in the joint to see what those big spenders, Tom and Thos, have to say about the evergreen musical, Sweet Charity, and in particular the 1969 big screen version directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse - all part of their in-depth delve into his amazing career. Is the Rich Man's Frug the most Fosse-esque dance sequence ever committed to celluloid? What is the Rhythm of Life scene all about, really? And wasn't the late Chita Rivera an astoundingly good actor? And then Tom and Thos finally crack how to give the Sweet Charity story a suitable ending - so you can live optimistically ever after!
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