MusicalTalk - The UK's Independent Musical Theatre Podcast

As MusicalTalk enters its tenth year, what better way to kick off 2016 with a show about brand new works?  So join Thos as he talks to Henry Carpenter, the co-curator of a new musical theatre writing showcase, about six intriguing and exciting new pieces of musical theatre writing that can be seen at The Lowdown 2016 in Shoreditch in early January, and introduces a brand new exclusive song from th...

It's the annual festive MusicalTalk quiz that slightly fewer than everyone is talking about!  Relax yourself into the new year with some musical questions and a whole host of songs -  including some brand new exclusives!  So get your feet up, your ears open and your expectations down - and have a fantastic new year from everyone at MusicalTalk!

As the world gears up for the latest instalment, Thos and Tim sit down with fan expert Darren to experience the world of "in-universe musicals" within the Star Wars canon.  Find out what they have to say about Robot Chicken, The Muppet Show and the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special from 1978. To quote Bill Murray – it's Star Wars, nothing but Star Wars…

Thos continues his fascinating conversation with James Robert Ball and together they dissect and discuss Rent, Wonderful Town, High School Musical, and a lot of Sondheim!  This episode is simply….good times, company

Thos joins noted musician, writer and Sondheim scholar, James Robert Ball, in this intelligent and in-depth discussion about his approach to song-writing and his show, Bang Out of Order, a contemporary musical reworking of Othello. And learn how accents help character and hinder lyricists!

Ever wondered what the avid musical theatre fan did a hundred years ago?  Join Thos and Tim as they look into the world before MusicalTalk to a time when the musical theatre magazine was king and, in particular, The Play Pictorial ruled the roost for insights into the latest musicals.  Learn how shows like No No Nanette, Funny Face, Words and Music and 1909's Nellie Neil were covered - and how the...

David Herzog chats with old friends Justin Brett, Andrew Pugsley, and Christopher Ash about the West End premiere of this London favourite.

Sadly, it's the last episode of MusicalTalk's coverage of this year's splendid Edinburgh Festival Fringe – and as usual Thos picks his Picks of the Fringe and investigates how two very different, very excellent shows explore that most British of traits - leaving things unsaid.

David Herzog sits down with the charming Christine Pedi to discuss her current run of cabaret treats at the famous Piccadilly Circus venue.

Join Thos as he talks to Henry Carpenter, the man behind – and in front of – the Quentin Dentin Show, an intriguing musical from at this year's Fringe that falls into the category of "weird and wonderful".  With a number of catchy songs, and an insightful conversation into the influences that inspired the eponymous character and his world(s), enjoy this analysis of a satirical, layered and ultimat...

Thos and fellow reviewer, Josh Clarke, sit down to look at some more of the offerings from this year's Edinburgh Fringe – and touch on the role of authenticity in musical theatre.   Hear about Persuasion, a Jane Austen musical two hundred years in the making, and Poppies, a wartime tale from a century ago, as well as several utterly contemporary pieces.

There are five five-star shows from the Edinburgh Fringe for you in this episode as Thos talks to a number of intrepid performers who were responsible for some wonderful one-person shows tackling everything from Disney Princesses to James Bond villains, and from medieval celebrities to Albert Einstein – all with songs!

Sometimes love and romance is overused in musical – so to misquote Sondheim, we're finishing the old hat and looking at three very varied and successful musical shows from this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe that concern themselves with friends and friendship – and as the old man says: Old friends! Who's like them?  Damn few!

Thos talks to the people behind a trio of very different shows that originated off Broadway but which were all to be found at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer – Urinetown, Closer than Ever and Zanna, Don't!  Squee for three!

Ushers is the hilarious and touching new British musical that has been a recent success in both London and Edinburgh.  As the show returns for a limited run at the Arts Theatre in London's West End, Thos catches up with director, Max Reynolds, to talk about this latest production which premiered at this year's Edinburgh Fringe.

David Herzog sits down with director James Hume to discuss "Bye Bye Birdie" currently going on at the Rose and Crown in Walthamstow.

Yes, the world's largest arts festival is on again and, as usual, Thos has been sampling all the musical theatre delights on offer and preparing, especially for you, his condensed medley of songs, insights, interviews, ratings and sounds of the fringe for 2015.  And remember all these shows are still available for you to see – so listen up and get going!

Thos gets talking to David Herzog about appearing in that perennial musical, She Loves Me, and the interesting flavours that come from its creative marriage between America and Europe.  On top of that, there's thoughts on the Clockmaker's Daughter, Bend it Like Beckham and Jim Dale's wonderful one man show - you'll de desperate to carry on!

Nick meets up with US chum Steve Bell to share their thoughts on Miss Saigon, Gypsy and - the newest big musical in London - Bend it Like Beckham.

Join Nick Hutson and Dominic McChesney at the Murder Mystery Musicals Dinner at McChesney Manor for a discussion on many murder mystery musicals! Mmmm!

Nick chats to composer, translator, director, book-writer and lyricist about his career and, most importantly his outing of the French musical "Amour" - with English lyrics by Jeremy and music by French composing legend Michel LeGrand - that lasted only two weeks on broadway and has recently played for one week at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London. Nick also chats to Robert about th...

Join Thos for part two of his light hearted but fascinating conversation with John Gieves-Watson discussing his time with the Temperance Seven, Bob Kerr's Whoopee Band and Bill Posters Will Be Band. Laugh and learn about snakes and umbrellas, mannequins and banks, Bluebell Girls and lighthouses – and a whole lot more.

There's a long and enduring tradition of comedy in British music so join Thos as he chats to John Gieves-Watson about his half century of both playing music and playing with music in the Temperance Seven, Bob Kerr's Whoopee Band and Bill Posters Will Be Band – comic jazz band cabaret acts with laughs and professional performance going hand in hand.

I love you, you're perfect... but whose line is it anyway?: David Herzog talks to Gina Beck and Simon Lipkin about starring in I love You, You're Perfect - Now Change - now playing at the Above The Arts Theatre in Leicester Square, and Nick joins David to share their enthusiasm for the very first ever West End outing of the classic British improv TV show - Whose Line is it Anyway?. Why you ask? Be...

Join Thos as he samples the charming and wonderful French-flavoured Stephen Schwartz and Joseph Stein show, The Baker's Wife, with four of the cast of the new London production.  Find out about the other meaning of bread, the possibilities of gender swapping in musical theatre, the harmonies of nieces and learn how it took thirty years for this Baker to really get cooking...