MusicalTalk - The UK's Independent Musical Theatre Podcast

MusicalTalk pays a special tribute to the late, great Charles Strouse, who has just died a month shy of his 97th birthday. Charles was one of the giants of the last sixty years of musical theatre and leaves an enormous legacy: with new shows produced across seven decades, collaborations with Alan Jay Lerner, Lee Adams, Mel Brooks, Stephen Schwartz, Arthur Laurents, Martin Charnin, Rupert Holmes, B...

This week on MusicalTalk , Nick and Hannah take a sunny trip down memory lane to explore the legacy of the global phenomenon Mamma Mia! With Nick revisiting the stage show for the first time in 25 years, they discuss how the production has evolved over the decades and why its irresistible blend of ABBA hits and heartwarming storytelling continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. But the conve...

It's the best possible news - MusicalTalk's Pick of the Fringe 2024 hits London in 2025! Pop Off Michelangelo! took Edinburgh by storm last summer, and now comes to London from May until July - and it's a tasty treat.  Thos talks to the show's writer, 21st century Renaissance Man, the talented Dylan MarcAurele, about how this multi-layered, clever, high-camp comedy came to be, whilst also analysin...

This week on MusicalTalk , Nick returns to The Rocky Horror Show for the first time in 25 years and shares his reflections on the cult classic's enduring appeal, high camp, and raucous audience participation. Then, it's off to the London Coliseum, where Nick and Hannah experience The Great Gatsby — but in a rare twist, it's Nick who walks in knowing nothing about the show, while Hannah holds all t...

In this week's episode, Thos takes a close look at the 1930 Marx Brothers musical comedy film, Animal Crackers, and its place against the backdrop of a number of transitions - the move from stage to screen for the madcap quartet, the loss of popularity of Hollywood film musicals at the end of the 1920s, the move from prosperity to economic slump following the Wall Street Crash, and how the film in...

It's a century since Minnie's Boys, better known as the Marx Brothers, appeared on Broadway in their first fully fledged musical, and to mark the occasion, MusicalTalk is taking a close look at their 1930 musical comedy film, Animal Crackers. In this week's episode, Thos investigates what makes the Marx Brothers so remarkable and timeless, and takes a close look at the difference between the stage...

In this insightful episode of  MusicalTalk , Nick Hutson catches up with West End star and friend of the show, Emma Williams , for an honest chat about her remarkable 20-year journey in the theatre industry. From her breakout role in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to her recent work on the innovative production Scissorhandz at the Southwark Playhouse, Emma reflects on how the landscape of musical theatre...

In this episode of MusicalTalk , Nick and Hannah dive into the enchanted (and controversial) world of Disney's Snow White remake. With reimagined characters, missing dwarfs, and a whole lot of internet debate, they share their thoughts on whether this new take is a poisoned apple or a fresh perspective. They also recount their experience at  A Whole New World of Alan Menken at the London Palladium...

At last, a musical about one of the unsung female heroes of musical theatre - Helen D'Oyly Carte!  Join Thos as he talkes to Susan Ellerby about her latest modern G&S show, Gilbert and Sullivan's Improbable New Musical....And Helen, about the accomplished, and even trailblazing, Victorian businesswoman, who was one of the four most important people in the Gilbert and Sullivan story, not least for...

Was the recent barnstorming London revival of the 1992 Gershwin Brothers show, Crazy For You, one of the best things to hit the West End in years?  Thos certainly thinks so and in this week's episode you can hear him and Josh talking about what made it so delightful.  Was it the phenomenal, vital writing of the George Gershwin? Was it the seamless dancing, singing and comic talents of Charlie Stem...

Following the amazing success of their earlier show, War of the Worlds (On a Budget), Thos sits down again with Becky Owen-Fisher and Tom Fox, the creative minds behind Lamphouse Theatre, to discuss their latest comedy musical show, the five star 2024 Edfringe hit, Frankenstein (On a Budget).  Tackling everything from Mont Blanc-Gate to how you compose songs for a devised improvised show, via a ye...

In this episode of MusicalTalk , Nick sits down with the hilarious musical comedy duo Flo and Joan to chat about their latest show, One Man Musical . A riotous send-up of the grandiose world of musical theatre, this sharp and witty show takes aim at the tropes, clichés, and bombastic melodies of the genre—through the lens of one of its biggest icons, Andrew Lloyd Webber . Flo and Joan discuss how...

In this jam-packed episode of MusicalTalk , Hannah finally experiences Les Misérables live on stage—was it everything she dreamed of... or did she dream a dream in vain? Meanwhile, we dive into the world premiere of  Scissorhandz , the bold new musical adaptation of Tim Burton's beloved film! And finally we break down all the big winners at the WhatsOnStage Awards 2025 !

In this episode, Nick sits down with the brilliant Robert Gordon for an insightful and entertaining conversation. Together, they reflect on Robert's eventful 2024, delving into the highlights of the year, including his thoughts on the latest revival of Oliver! and the new musical of The Devil Wears Prada .  The conversation then takes a fascinating turn as Robert discusses the first-ever concept m...

In this captivating episode of MusicalTalk , Nick and Hannah reflect on the theatrical and cinematic delights of 2024, including the dazzling movie adaptation of Wicked and the Robin Hood pantomime at the London Palladium. Then, they turn their attention to 2025, diving into the most anticipated productions on the horizon. Get ready for a deep dive into the mysterious and magical Coraline , as wel...

It's the end of 2024 and to wave it a fond farewell, Thos has again insolently presumed you might fancy a celebratory bumper-sized quiz episode. If he's accidentally correct, then this is the one for you - a suitably festive mix of musicals trivia deliciously flavoured with songs galore. Go on, ignore the turkey for a few minutes and pit your wits against everyone's least favourite quizmaster!  

Colm and Thos conclude the MusicalTalk in-depth review of the 2024 EdFringe by looking at three of the most diverse and different shows that you could have seen in Scotland this summer - Mary Mary Quite Contrary, a spoof musical about 1960s and 70s moral campaigner, Mary Whitehouse; Behind the Curtain, a hugely charming youth musical giving us a contemporary take on a 42nd Street-style story; and...

Join Nick and Hannah as they dive into the movie adaptation of Wicked ! They share their thoughts on how it stacks up against the beloved stage production and debate the decision to release it in two parts. Then, they take a sharp turn into Neverland with a glittering review of Peter Pan by Tuckshop. This fabulous drag pantomime is playing every Monday night at London's Phoenix Theatre.  #WickedMo...

Four songs, three shows, two full EdFringe musicals on YouTube, one discussion but not quite yet a partridge in a pear tree.  Instead, Colm and Thos discuss a disturbing trend at the 2024 EdFringe relating to straw men and amoral behaviour, before turning their attention to three rather impressive new musicals - Crispr! The Gene Editing Musical, A Jaffa Cake the Musical and the Wellbrick Centre on...

Songs! Reviews! Insights! Exclamation Marks! All these things can be yours in this week's episode of MusicalTalk as we continue our in-depth look at some of the best musical theatre offerings from the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In this punctuation-filled episode, Thos chats to Colm about some of the shows that caught their eyes (and ears) this year - including Reject Me Already, A Show About...

MusicalTalk continues its unrivalled analysis of some of the best of the 2024 EdFest musicals as Mike and Thos look at two very different shows linked by questions of status - A Jaffa Cake Musical and The Greatest Musical the World Has Ever Seen by Randy Thatcher.  Hear songs and discussion and find out if writing a show within constraints can actually be creatively freeing.  

Hoorah! It's time for MusicalTalk's annual in-depth delve into the wonderful world of EdFringe musical theatre, and this week Thos and Mike look at three hilarious, touching and intriguing musicals that you could have seen at this summer's Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Under the microscope this week are: The Emu War, the Wellbrick Centre on Roswell Drive and the return of the 2023 MusicalTalk Pick of...

In this insightful episode of MusicalTalk , Nick and Hannah gaze into the crystal ball of musical theatre to explore where the industry is heading. From emerging trends in storytelling and musical styles to the impact of rising ticket prices, they dissect the forces shaping the future of the stage. Will immersive experiences take centre stage? How might digital technology reshape audience engageme...

Stop the World! It's time for another edition of MusicalTalk!  And as Come From Away continues its successful national tour of both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, Josh and Thos sit down to discuss the recent London production, which clocked up over a thousand joyous performances and sent scores of people home with a smile on their faces.  What makes this show so successful - and a...

With everyone's favourite, uplifting and joyous Canadian musical, Come From Away, on national tour, Thos chats to David Kingsmill about what makes this show so successful - and international - whilst retaining a distinctively Newfoundland flavour (and we don't mean when you kiss a fish).