Showtime with Andrew G | Arts & Entertainment

Andrew sits down with Jonathan Biggins, co-creator of the Wharf Revue and writer and star of The Gospel According to Paul: The Second Coming, the hit one-man show about Paul Keating. Jonathan reveals how Keating first reacted to being impersonated (including his verdict on the suit), what he saw in two hours in Keating’s office, and the secret behind 25 years of political satire: cut, cut, cut. Th...

Andrew sits down with Melbourne actor, director and playwright Tim Byron, the writer behind Jimmie the Beatle, the true story of the session drummer who stepped in for Ringo Starr on The Beatles’ 1964 Australian tour. Tim admits he was never a Beatles fan, and explains how one photo of a drummer sitting alone at Essendon Airport sparked a play, survived a rejected film script, and went on to fill...

Andrew sits down with award-winning comedian, actor and writer Tegan Higginbotham ahead of the world premiere of her most personal solo show yet, Follow That Turtle! at Melbourne Fringe. Tegan talks candidly about the night she realised she’d fallen out of love with stand-up, why saying yes has always come easier than saying no, and the opportunity she accepted even though her gut told her it was...

Andrew sits down with comedian and writer Simon Taylor, who became a writer for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 24 and later became the first Australian comedian to perform stand-up on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon — earning a rare invitation to join Fallon on the couch. Simon opens up about still battling imposter syndrome despite the résumé, the supportive rejection that pushed him to...

Andrew sits down with actor Claudia Greenstone, whose extensive career spans Neighbours, Wentworth and Offspring, ahead of her new role in The Sonny Disposition, a satirical comedy about the world of podcasting. Claudia talks candidly about growing up in a household full of performers, the biggest misconception people have about being a working actor in Australia, and the real weight of preparing...

Andrew sits down with George Kapiniaris, the comedy legend behind Wogs Out of Work and Acropolis Now, now touring the country with Nonna and Yiayia alongside James Liotta. George talks candidly about growing up the shy son of a frustrated entertainer, the teacher who redirected his entire career, and what it felt like to become an accidental pioneer of ethnic comedy in Australia decades before tha...

Andrew sits down with Isabelle Davis, a WAAPA graduate and singer-songwriter behind the debut album An Inconvenient Youth, ahead of the premiere of The Eternally Hopeful, her first show as writer, director and producer. Isabelle talks candidly about the quarter-life crisis that finally pushed her to write her own work, why she believes hope is innate to being human, and the pleasant surprise of fi...

Andrew sits down with comedian Nick White, the Brisbane-born, TikTok-famous impressionist with over 800,000 followers and more than 50 million views, ahead of his musical theatre debut as the Man of Many Characters in Monty Python's Spamalot. Nick talks candidly about leaving a stable career in architecture to chase comedy full-time, and about inventing entire families and backstories for imag...

Andrew sits down with award-winning director and producer Sonya Suares, founder of Australia's only Sondheim repertory company Watch This, ahead of her bold new production of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra for Melbourne Shakespeare Company, one that puts Cleopatra, not Antony, at the centre of the story. Sonya talks candidly about optimism's strange relationship with disappointment...

Andrew sits down with Gareth Isaac, who originated the lead role of Buddy in the Australian premiere of Elf the Musical, ahead of the show's Melbourne season at the brand-new Crown Live theatre. Gareth speaks candidly about performing through depression and anxiety, why he's stopped reading his own reviews, and why he views imposter syndrome as an ongoing balancing act rather than somethin...

Andrew sits down with Josh Helman — known for Mad Max: Fury Road and Furiosa, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and The Pacific — ahead of his return to the stage as Biff Loman in Death of a Salesman, opposite Anthony LaPaglia. Josh talks candidly about what draws him to playing morally complex characters, the surreal moment Tom Hanks addressed his cast deep in the jungle during boot camp for The Pacifi...

Kate Ceberano has spent more than four decades refusing to stay in one lane. From breaking through with I’m Talking in the 1980s, to chart success as a solo recording artist, jazz, television and her acclaimed performance as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, Kate has built one of the most enduring and diverse careers in Australian entertainment. In this episode of SHOWTIME, Andrew G traces...

Andrew sits down with actor, writer and producer Maddy Tyers — known for Lego Masters Australia, Neighbours and her early role alongside Margot Robbie and Liam Hemsworth in The Elephant Princess — ahead of her new comedy series The Sonny Disposition. Maddy talks candidly about a low point early in her career that led her to the Starlight Children's Foundation, where she met her husband and cre...

Andrew sits down with Bobby Fox, the Irish-born Australian performer who originated the role of Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys and played it more than 850 times. A four-time World Irish Dance Champion who once toured the world with Riverdance, Bobby talks candidly about the reality behind a career built on rejection, why stage confidence is something he describes as "a trick," and the impo...

Andrew sits down with four-time Gold Logie winner Lisa McCune, star of Blue Heelers, The Sound of Music and Dancing with the Stars, now leading the national tour of Steel Magnolias. Lisa reflects on the teenage moment that first pulled her toward performing, what fame gave her (and what it didn't take away), and why she's spent her career chasing longevity over stardom. Together they explore rejec...

Episode Summary(Spotify) Andrew sits down with David Hunt , one of Melbourne's most passionate arts advocates, to explore a career dedicated to supporting creatives and telling their stories. From working with major record labels to hosting Sunday Arts Magazine on JOY 94.9, David shares how genuine curiosity, meaningful conversations, and a lifelong love of the arts have shaped his journey. Togeth...

Andrew sits down with Emily McDougall to explore the journey from growing up in Tasmania with big dreams to building a career on the musical theatre stage. Emily reflects on discovering her love of storytelling through dance, music, and school productions, the leap of leaving home to pursue professional training, and why chasing a creative career requires resilience, patience, and an unwavering be...

Andrew sits down with Abbey Duckworth to explore the journey from elite competitive cheerleading to making a musical theatre debut in Bring It On . Abbey reflects on discovering cheer as a young teenager, overcoming anxiety and self-doubt, and how the sport gave her confidence, lifelong friendships, and a sense of belonging that shaped who she is today. She shares what life as an elite cheerleader...

In this episode of Showtime, Andrew G sits down with actor Reuby Chip to explore the journey of finding authenticity through storytelling, theatre, and self-expression. Reuby reflects on growing up in Sydney, moving to Melbourne in search of a fresh start, and discovering a creative community that helped them embrace who they truly are. The conversation delves into the realities of life as a perfo...

In this episode of Showtime , Andrew G sits down with actor Tom Stokes , whose career has spanned theatre, film, and television, to explore the realities of pursuing a life in the arts. What begins as a conversation about performance quickly becomes an honest reflection on rejection, persistence, creativity, and the courage required to keep showing up when success is never guaranteed. Tom shares s...

In this episode of Showtime , Andrew G sits down with director, choreographer, and producer Madi Lee , the creative force behind a bold new production of Sweet Charity . What begins as a conversation about theatre evolves into a deeper discussion about storytelling, identity, resilience, and the importance of belonging. Madi reflects on her journey from child performer to acclaimed creative, shari...

In this episode of Showtime , Andrew G sits down with Australian performer Rob Mills to reflect on a career spanning Australian Idol , major musical theatre productions like Wicked , Grease , and Waitress , and the personal evolution that came with life in the spotlight. What begins as a chat about performance quickly becomes a deeper conversation about identity, resilience, and what it takes to k...

Andrew G sits down with Monique DiMattina to unpack the journey of building a creative life across music, theatre, and storytelling—shaped not by a traditional pathway, but by persistence, curiosity, and a deep need to create. A highly versatile Australian musician and writer, Monique reflects on how her career evolved from performing and releasing albums to ultimately stepping into musical theatr...

Andrew G sits down with Penny Ashton to unpack the reality of building a global performance career from the ground up—without a manager, agent, or traditional pathway. A one-woman powerhouse with over a thousand shows under her belt, Penny shares how her love for live audiences, comedy, and storytelling shaped a career defined by independence, resilience, and relentless creativity. From performing...

Andrew G sits down with James Liotta to explore what it really takes to build a long-lasting career in entertainment. With over 25 years across comedy, radio, theatre, and television, James reflects on how growing up in an Italian-Australian household shaped his humour, storytelling, and passion for live audiences. From community radio and early theatre roles to national tours and television appea...