‘The Showman’ - Arts Reviewers and Ardent Audience Members; Simon Parris and Ian Phipps

As a teen I religiously tuned into a weekly program broadcast nationally on ABC radio. This program, was the ‘go to’ source for everyone to learn the latest theatre news. This treasure trove program was called ‘The Showman’ and was hosted by a celebrated announcer called John West. Demonstrating an enormous appreciation for the theatre and the arts, West was able to combine his profession and passion through ‘The Showman’.  Other than subscribing to monthly theatre magazines, and without the existence of the www, this much anticipated weekly radio broadcast was our window to what was happening on stages around Australia; and also carried news from New York and London. Correspondents such as Terry Hughes and Stan Pretty would enthusiastically provide details and description of what was ‘the latest’ from Broadway and West End theatres. Via the platform of radio, and through informed and passionate announcers, the show ignited imagination and informed intensely to those listening from afar. Two of STAGES favourite Arts workers have recently returned from pilgrimages to New York and London and delved into the latest in musicals and plays on the Broadway and West End stages. And they join us in this episode to provide first-hand insight and some degrees of envy in their descriptions of what we could expect, if finding ourselves in these theatre meccas over coming months. Simon Parris is a theatre reviewer based in Melbourne. His review blog ‘Man in Chair’ regularly reviews musicals, plays, opera and the arts. Access to these reviews can be found at simonparrismaninchair.com Ian Phipps is one of Australia’s leading publicists, promoting theatre and its stars around Australia. If you know that a show is happening, no doubt it’s because Ian has communicated this to you via a myriad of masterful means. This episode of STAGES is dedicated to ‘The Showman’ program, and John West, for inspiring, informing and igniting the imagination of theatre fans, around the country, from 1964 to 1990. While also being a terrific round-up of present production around the globe, and what we can expect on Australian stages in 2023. The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Recipient of Best New Podcast at 2019 Australian Podcast Awards. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages). www.stagespodcast.com.au