Overstudies
by Overstudies
Chaos-filled, London-based duo Bekki and Charley overanalyse theatre, musicals and everything in between. Overstudies is a space to appreciate theatre purely for the joy of appreciating theatre, where we celebrate the unsung understudies, covers and swings and discuss lesser-covered topics affecting the industry today.
Episodes
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Charley Goes To Broadway
This week we've got a very special guest on the podcast: our very own Charley! We're getting the run down on her recent trip to Broadway, finding out about all of the eight(!) shows she crammed in in seven days, as well comparing the West End and Broadway theatre scenes. Get your tissues ready…
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Why Am I So Single?
Heartbroken? Chronically single? Not a huge fan of all that romance stuff? Well do we have a musical for you! Or at least we did... Following it's recent departure from the West End's Garrick Theatre and the announcement of a highly anticipated cast recording dropping in March 2025, we reflect…
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LGBTQ+ Representation in Theatre
Here in the UK, February is LGBTQ+ History Month and as two passionate members of the community we wanted to dedicate this week's episode to talking about some of our favourite queer representation on the stage. We talk about the importance of positive representation of gender diversity, the need...
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Mean Girls: A Cautionary Tale
Get in loser, we're going to see Mean Girls! We finally give the London production the Overstudies treatment, taking a look at the latest incarnation of the classic 2004 film. We discuss how the stage show differs from both the 2024 and 2004 movies, and the original Broadway run, as well as our...
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Wicked: Part One
What do you get when you put a Wicked fan and a certified "Wicked is Ok" theatre fan in a recording studio together and ask them to talk about Wicked: Part One? The Overstudies podcast, that's what! That's right, your favourite theatre loving duo are back for another podcast episode talking about...
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Overstudies: 2024 Wrapped
The Overstudies are briefly back for 2024 to chat about some of our favourite things that happened in theatre this year. Whether it's taking a trip to Shiz University or racing across New York on a Subway train, there's been some exicting musical theatre events both new and old that we've been...
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Something as Crazy as This - 42 Balloons
What makes a man want to fly in a lawn chair? What makes two podcasters fall in love with a musical? On this week's episode of Overstudies we have our first repeat musical review as we talk about the brand new musical 42 Balloons running at The Lowry in Salford until 19th May. After falling in…
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Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Attend the tale of the Overstudies this week as we dive into the dark but hilariously camp Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. In November 2023 we took a trip over to New York and managed to catch the Broadway production running at the Lunt-Fontanne theatre for our first Broadway...
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Our Jukebox Musical Wishlist
We take a slightly different approach on the podcast this week with our first topic of the season: our Jukebox Musical Wishlist. We strip down some of our favourite albums and delve into how they could translate to the stage, as well as get a rather intriguing look into each other's psyches......
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Zachary James - Hadestown
This week on the podcast we talk to the King of the Underworld Zachary James, who is currently starring in the West End production of beloved musical Hadestown. We chat about his exciting Broadway career, his diversion into opera, and what makes the role of Hades such an exciting role to bring to...
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Wait for Me - Hadestown
Come with us the long way round as we go down to Hadestown. Spring has come again which means it's time to finally delve into the folk musical that everyone can't stop talking about. We can't even pretend we didn't love it, but tune in to find out just why this show tickled our senses, and why we...
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Heaven On Their Minds - Jesus Christ Superstar
The Overstudies have risen again for an in-depth exploration into one of the most iconic musicals of all time: Jesus Christ Superstar. Despite our Lloyd-Webber aversions, Superstar is firmly the exception to the rule, and we discuss our recent experience of the show at the Churchill Theatre in...
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Stand Up - Made In Dagenham
We get out onto the picket line this week as we join the women of Ford Dagenham in their fight for equal pay. It's 10 years since Made In Dagenham first came to the London stage, and following an anniversary concert at the Palladium it's time to give this show the Overstudies treatment. We also...
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Heroes - Just For One Day
Saturday 13 July 1985. Wembley Stadium. One of the biggest and most ambitious cultural music moments of the 20th Century. We are of course talking about Live Aid, the latest historical event to be turned into a musical masterpiece. Just For One Day focuses on the cause, planning and execution of...
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One Short Day - Wicked
This week on Overstudies we’re Defying Gravity and spending One Short Day in the Emerald City talking about long running classic musical Wicked. We talk about the musical’s lengthy history, the upcoming feature film release, and our thoughts on the show from the perspective of a lifelong fan and...
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Work of Art - Everybody's Talking About Jamie
We go Over The Top this week as we step into the world of Jamie New, no ordinary sixteen year old who's dream is to step out to their high school prom as a drag queen. We talk about the history of Everybody's Talking About Jamie, our own past experiences of the show, and our thoughts on the 2024…
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Bronco Billy
What do you get when you combine a travelling cowboy show with a candy heiress running for her life? The chaotic tale of Bronco Billy! We were recently invited along to the Wild West to review the new musical based on the 1980s comedy of the same name. With some of the most spectacular special...
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Revenge Party - Mean Girls: The Movie
Our name is the Overstudies podcast, and we are a massive deal... This week on the show we're taking a deep dive into Mean Girls (2024) and unpack the latest addition to the Mean Girls Universe. We chat about the costuming choices, the cinematography, our favourite musical numbers and of course…
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Overstudies: Our Second Birthday
We’re back for season four of the Overstudies podcast celebrating two years of theatre chat and general chaos. Over the years we’ve had the chance to interview some really fun and exciting guests, with this episode’s stars being no exception … we’re interviewing each other! Join us this week to...
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Broadway - Bonus Episode
We couldn't jet off to Broadway and not bring you a bonus episode to truly see out Season 3, could we?! In an episode that can only be described as 'just vibes, just chaos', the Overstudies compare and contrast Broadway and the West End, and take a peek at the shows we saw 'across the pond':...
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Evelyn Hoskins - 42 Balloons, Waitress and Gypsy
It's our season 3 finale and how else could we celebrate but to invite on the phenomenal Evelyn Hoskins to have a chat about her career spanning stage and screen! From iconic shows such as Gypsy and Waitress and British television institutions like Casualty, through to brand new musical - you...
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Who Are They? - Kin - A New Musical
Kin - A New Musical follows the story of a controversial cult who move into a small town in North America and threaten to disrupt the status quo. The show been taking social media by storm over the last couple of years. From a lengthy development process to a recently released concept album, this...
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The Great Teen Musical Debate
Heathers, Mean Girls, Legally Blonde... what do all of these shows have in common? They all could be classed as 'teen' or 'young adult' musicals and their popularity has shaped an entire generation of theatre goers. On this week's episode we unpack this phenomenon, chatting about the legitimacy…
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Science Fiction/Double Feature - The Rocky Horror Show
Time is fleeting this week as we delve into one of the biggest cult musicals of all time: The Rocky Horror Show. Celebrating 50 years in 2023, we take a look over some of the show's remarkable history, as well as our recent experience seeing it at London's Peacock Theatre. From dancing maids to...
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Theatre and Community
Content warning: grief, depression, trauma, and other mental illnesses. This week on Overstudies we're taking a step back from in-depth show analysis and looking at theatre and it's relationship with the concept of 'community'. We chat about shows that demonstrate the concept of community, shows...
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Land of Lola - Kinky Boots
Come take our hand as we welcome you to the Land of Lola this week to chat all things Kinky Boots! We dissect one of our favourite shows, looking at how the show has impacted musical theatre but also how it has left a lasting impact on us as people. To find out more and check out all the latest...
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Joaquin Pedro Valdes - Death Note and Heathers
This week we’re joined by the “Prince of new musicals” Joaquin Pedro Valdes, most recently seen leading the concert runs of Death Note: The Musical. We chat about his exciting career, his move to the UK and his work on shows like Heathers, Vanara and Miss Saigon. To find out more and check out…
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Stranger Sings
We wanna welcome you to Hawkins with this week's episode, talking about all things Stranger Sings. This parody musical takes the good, the bad and the ugly from the hit Netflix series and turns them into a hilarious 90 minutes of theatre. We look at the show through multiple lenses, dissecting if...
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Death Note The Musical In Concert
The much-anticipated concert run of Death Note is our featured topic this episode. Exploring themes of morality and revenge, this adaptation of the famous Japanese manga of the same name took the West End by storm with a sell out run at both the Palladium and Lyric Theatres. To find out more and...
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One Day - Groundhog Day
What would it be like to live the same day over and over again? That's the big question we explore this time, as we delve into Tim Minchin's Groundhog Day musical which played recently at London's Old Vic. We explore the themes and motifs of the show and its outlook on life and morality, as well…
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Neil Bastian - The Rise and Fall of Vinnie & Paul
This time we chat to songwriter and librettist Neil Bastian - who is also our first Welsh guest! Neil is the author of work-in-progress musical The Rise and Fall of Vinnie & Paul, a show following the life of famous painter Vincent van Gogh and his friend, housemate and fellow-painter Paul…
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West End Live
We're throwing it back to the start of the summer this week and chatting all things West End Live! This free festival of musical theatre comes to London's Trafalgar Square every June, and we look back at some of our highlights of 2023's event as well as stand out moments from years past. Will we...
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Brooklyn's Here - Newsies
Manhattan's here! Flushing's here! Brooklyn's here! The Overstudies are here! For this week's podcast we're heading across the pond and dreaming of Santa Fe for a look at Disney's Newsies, recently closed at the Troubadour theatre at Wembley Park. From the incredible choreography to the…
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Tarantino Live
Calling all film fans – this week is for you. What do you get when you mix the films of Quentin Tarantino with cabaret theatre? Tarantino Live: Fox Force Five and the Tyranny of Evil Men to be precise. This week on Overstudies we discuss a recent unique show that we were invited to see at…
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Overstudies: Act Three
It's time to raise the curtain on Act Three of the Overstudies podcast! This season we reflect on what we've been up to over the last few months, including shows such as Rocky Horror, Newsies and the UK tour of Six, West End Live and an exciting workshop of a brand new musical! We're also looking...
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Favourite Musical Moments
It's the final episode of season two of the Overstudies, so we've decided to finally answer ourselves the question we ask our guests: what's a moment from a musical that fills your brain with serotonin? From Hamilton to LIFT and everything in between, some of these will be no surprise to our...
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Roles We'd Love to Play
This week's episode of Overstudies requires a bit of imagination, as we pretend that we both have musical theatre talent and talk about the roles that we'd love to have the opportunity to play on stage. From Blood Brothers to Legally Blonde, we talk about some of the roles that we find most...
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Big Fun - Heathers
Dear Diary... In this week's episode we're taking a trip to Westerberg High in Sherwood, Ohio and shining a light on one of our favourite shows: Heathers! It was only a matter of time before this show was in line for the Overstudies treatment, as we talk about our thoughts on the show and what it...
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Shows We'd Love to See
We've talked a lot about the shows that we've seen, but now it's time to talk about the show's we'd love to see in the UK! In this episode we both pick three shows that we would adore to bring to the West End, whether that be for the first time or as a revival, including some film to stage...
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Hungry Eyes - Dirty Dancing
We've had the time of our lives and we owe it all to Dirty Dancing. This week we're deep diving into the stage adaptation of the hit 1987 film talking fancy footwork and summer romance, as well as the divisive topic of the value of commercial theatre. To find out more and check out all the latest...
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Charlie McCullagh - 42 Balloons and Bonnie & Clyde
He's flown in a lawn chair, he's raised a little hell and now he's on the Overstudies podcast! Our guest this week is the sensational Charlie McCullagh, star of 'the next big thing' (Overstudies, 2022) 42 Balloons and the original London cast of Bonnie & Clyde! We dive into the details of...
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Raise a Little Hell - Bonnie & Clyde
London's most wanted couple have arrived at the Garrick Theatre. No, it's not Bekki & Charley, but another B&C duo - Bonnie & Clyde! We take a look at the history of this production, as well as sharing our thoughts on both the 2022 run at the Arts Theatre and the 2023 transfer to London's West…
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Larger Than Life - & Juliet
"What would happen if Juliet didn't die?" - a simple question answered by one of the most beautiful and groundbreaking productions of - in our opinion - all time. Getting the Overstudies treatment is this week is the sensational & Juliet, which sadly closed in the West End on 25 March 2023. We…
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Laura Dawn Pyatt - Ordinary Days, 42 Balloons and SIX
Our guest this week is the soon-to-be Queen Laura Dawn Pyatt! Shortly heading out with the Six the Musical Tour as Anne Boleyn, Laura has also starred in a revival of Ordinary Days and in 'the next big thing' 42 Balloons. We talk to Laura about her inspirations and development as a musical…
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Bat Out Of Hell
We're jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire this week, as we talk all things Bat Out of Hell! Jim Steinman and Meatloaf's rock opera has come to London, giving Bekki the chance to finally see (and fall in love with) the show, whilst Charley asks the very important question of 'Where has...
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Sunday - tick, tick... BOOM!
Stop the clocks and take time out for the latest episode of the Overstudies podcast. This week it's all about Jonathan Larson's tick, tick... BOOM!, his autobiographical musical looking at his life in the build up to RENT. Adapted into a Netflix movie in 2021, it's a staple favourite of the...
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No Limits
Content warning: Strong language, adult themes. Ad - press invitation. The brand new song cycle No Limits is the topic of this week's podcast. Playing at the Turbine Theatre during February, the Overstudies explore how this show describes the Millennial experience, with all the usual chaos and…
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Abi O'Neill - Tight Lads
This week we're joined by Tight Lad Abi O'Neill - completing our set of Tight Lads! We chat all things about the Tight Lads, including the incredible Tight Lads Live! shows, as well as finding out more about how the Tight Lads came to be and Abi's experiences whilst in training. Abi also tells us...
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Screech In - Come From Away
Content Warning: 9/11, Grief and Loss. Something's been missing from the West End since January and that is Come From Away. This week we're doing a deep dive into what is one of the best shows we've seen in the last twelve months, telling the story of the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and the 38...
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Overstudies: The Reprise
Lights up! Season two of the Overstudies podcast is here. We're back to talk all things theatre and beyond, kicking off with a little reprise. We take a look back on our 2022 theatre experiences whilst also discussing which shows we're most looking forward to in 2023. To find out more and check…
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About this show
Chaos-filled, London-based duo Bekki and Charley overanalyse theatre, musicals and everything in between. Overstudies is a space to appreciate theatre purely for the joy of appreciating theatre, where we celebrate the unsung understudies, covers and swings and discuss lesser-covered topics affecting the industry today.
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