Showtime with Andrew G | Arts & Entertainment

In this episode, Andrew G sits down with Belle Parkinson, Ali Long, and Eleanor Atanofsky as they prepare to step into the world of Mamma Mia ahead of its National Theatre season this February. The cast reflect on the excitement, nerves, and privilege of working on a musical that holds such a special place in popular culture, and on the responsibility of bringing honesty and authenticity to a show...

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Anderson, Shannon Foley, and Luke Stevens as they step into the world of Mamma Mia ahead of its National Theatre season in February 2026. The cast reflect on the excitement, pressure, and privilege of working on a show that continues to connect with audiences across generations, and on the responsibility of bringing truth and authenticity to such a beloved mus...

In this episode, we sit down with Stuart Maunder, Artistic Director of Victorian Opera, to explore the enduring magic of The Pirates of Penzance and the creative life that has grown alongside it. Stuart reflects on decades spent in rehearsal rooms and theatres, tracing how early encounters with pantomime and musical storytelling shaped his love of performance and his belief that theatre should be...

In this episode, we sit down with Ashley Rogers-Bredin and Madidi McKenzie to explore the making of & Juliet in Warrnambool and the journeys that have shaped them as young theatre-makers within regional communities. Ashley reflects on growing up in local theatre, stepping into his first full-scale directing role at just 23, and what it means to lead a company he once performed alongside. Madid...

In this episode, we sit down with Glenn Elston, Artistic Director of the Australian Shakespeare Company, to explore a life shaped by live performance and a lifelong relationship with Shakespeare. Glenn reflects on how returning to the plays again and again deepens his understanding of human nature, creativity, and why theatre remains a living art form. He speaks candidly about sustaining a large i...

In this episode, we sit down with Ayril Borce, a rising performer in Melbourne’s musical theatre scene, to explore the deeply human journey behind his life in performance. Ayril opens up about where it all began, from street dancing and community celebrations to navigating family expectations, self-belief, and the winding path that led him onto the professional stage. He speaks candidly about the...

In this episode, we sit down with Ella Caldwell, one of the driving creative forces at Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, to explore the deeply human journey behind her life in the arts. Ella opens up about her beginnings, the moments that shaped her, and the unexpected turns that led her to become a core part of one of Australia’s most respected independent theatre companies. She talks candidly about th...

In this episode, we chat with Chris Mitchell, a kid who grew up obsessed with movies and somehow ended up building a theatre that’s changing the creative scene in his city. Chris gets real about the messy, confusing, and unexpected moments that shaped him, the times he didn’t know which path to take, the pull of creativity that wouldn’t let go, and the experiences that pushed him toward something...

Talking with Belinda Jenkin on Showtime was a reminder of how much passion and imagination sit behind great musical theatre. Belinda is an actor, singer, writer and composer who has spent more than a decade creating, performing and teaching across Australia and New York. Her path began in primary school when she choreographed routines for her friends, and grew through community theatre, visual art...

Get ready to rediscover what happiness really means,  this is not your typical theatre talk. In The Good Life Episode, British actor Nicolas Ancelin shares his journey from the streets of Nottingham to the stages of Melbourne, and how a play about contentment, community, and laughter has reshaped the way he sees the world. What began as a backpacking adventure soon became a story about art, purpos...

Get ready to let the sunshine in because Hair the Musical is back and bolder than ever. At Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre, Alex Cooper and Maverick Newman lead a fearless new production of the groundbreaking rock musical that defined a generation. More than 50 years after it first shocked audiences, Hair continues to challenge, provoke, and inspire asking what freedom, identity, and rebellion reall...

Get ready to crank up the volume because School of Rock is more than just kids with guitars, it’s a celebration of passion, purpose, and the power of music to bring people together. Onstage, John Yanko and Anna Dinyés rock out as part of the electrifying cast, but behind the amps and anthems is a story of rediscovery, growth, and pure joy. Their shared love for performing fuels every riff and lyri...

Get ready to crank up the volume because this is not your average school story. In School of Rock the Musical, Dylan Crawley and Imogen Alexander prove that following your dreams never goes out of tune. What starts as a conversation about returning to the stage quickly turns into a reflection on passion, purpose, and the power of music to bring people together. 🎭 School of Rock the Musical 📍 Nat...

Get ready to see motherhood in a new light — this is not your average “mum influencer” story. In The Mum and Bubba Episode, content creator Althea Cayton opens up about raising her daughter in a digital world, balancing authenticity with privacy, and how the magic of theatre and storytelling is shaping their everyday life. What began as a creative outlet soon grew into a heartfelt community for pa...

Vidya Makan is back on the Showtime podcast, this time in the Melbourne studio, to talk about the momentous success of her groundbreaking original Australian musical, The Lucky Country, following its ARIA nomination for Best Original Soundtrack or Musical Theater Album.   Vidya dives deep into the painstaking, nearly two-year-long process of creating the Original Cast Recording, detailing how she...

Louisa Mignone joined the Showtime podcast to share her journey from growing up in a lively household of five siblings to becoming one of Australia’s most versatile actors in theatre, film, and television. With a career spanning acclaimed theatre productions and standout screen roles, Louisa spoke about what it takes to sustain a creative career, navigating the challenges of the industry, and stay...

Ruth McGurk and Katie Loxston joined the Showtime podcast to share the irresistible joy of bringing the iconic musical Mamma Mia! to Geelong. Playing the mother-daughter duo Donna and Sophie, they dive into what makes this show a timeless, global phenomenon.   The infectious music of ABBA is the heart of the production, with the cast highlighting how the familiar songs instantly create a ripple of...

Vidya Makan joined the Showtime podcast to share her journey from soccer hopeful to one of Australia’s most exciting musical theatre voices. Growing up in Brisbane she dreamed of playing for the Matildas and even trained at Manchester United’s summer school. A trip to London changed everything when she saw Wicked on the West End and realised theatre could be a space where she belonged. Since then...

Ash Murdica’s rise in Australian musical theatre is the kind of story that grabs your attention from the very first note. From a small town in regional Victoria to performing in blockbuster shows like Rent , Six and Dear Evan Hansen , Ash has turned a teenage spark of curiosity into a professional career many dream of but few achieve. Their journey is a mix of raw talent, relentless dedication and...

In the latest episode of Showtime, host Andrew G  chats with Justine Garnes and Danny Gibbons from Little Lamington Productions about their upcoming comedy series Amateurs. The mockumentary celebrates the unpredictable, heartfelt and hilarious world of community theatre, capturing the chaos, camaraderie and quirks that define this cultural space. The idea for the series grew out of Justine and Dan...

Darren Gilshenan has built one of the most versatile careers in Australian performance, moving between theatre and television with equal success. A graduate of NIDA in 1988, he credits his training with giving him the discipline and adaptability to take on a wide range of roles. He spent a decade with Bell Shakespeare, describing Shakespeare as the ultimate training ground where stamina, clarity a...

What do you get when a marine biology student accidentally walks into a musical theatre audition? In Leighton Garwin’s case, you get nearly fifty shows, a voice that can jump from pop to opera, and now a starring role in the powerhouse musical Chess . On the latest episode of Showtime , Leighton reveals how a twist of fate turned into a lifelong passion for performing. He opens up about struggling...

In this episode of Showtime I sit down with the incredible Carissa Lee, an actor, writer and cultural researcher whose work bridges theatre, television and academia. Carissa takes us back to her early days growing up in a small South Australian town where a passionate drama teacher first introduced her to Shakespeare and professional training. That encouragement lit a spark that has never gone out...

In this episode of Showtime, Andrew G speaks with Annie Blood, someone whose connection to Australian theatre spans more than six decades. Annie’s love for the stage began backstage at the Alfred Hospital revue in the 1960s, sparking a lifelong passion for live performance. Over the years she has worked as a director, stage manager, production manager and actor, embracing the collaborative spirit...

Dawn Riddale, once a musical theatre performer, is the founder of Melbourne Theatre News and Just Auditions, two platforms that have transformed how Melbourne’s community theatre scene connects. Before they existed, show and audition details were scattered and hard to find. Dawn and her fiancé Craig created centralised hubs where performers, theatre companies and audiences could easily share and a...