Stalls to Stage

Hello! Welcome to episode 4 of Stalls to Stage 2026, with the incredible Lauren Azania. Join us to chat Hadestown, The Harder They Come, the north London youth theatre that birthed half the current West End talent, and of course the joy of leopard print. And then, go on and treat yourself to a ticket to the Stalls to Stage Awards! Lauren will be joining us as a presenter and it promises to be a real fun night!

STALLS TO STAGE AWARDS TICKETS! Hello, hi, and welcome back to Stalls to Stage, and episode 3 of the 2026 season - lovely to have you here! On this episode I am joined by George Ross - who has spent the last 2 years saving the day essentially, as part of the covers and swings team at MJ the Musical! With the show due to finish on Saturday, we reflected on his time in the show, what it’s taught him, and what the future may look like.

Before I tell you about this weeks guest, I have a couple questions for you - first, do you love theatre? I hope so or this is not the podcast for you. Second - are you free and able to get to London on April 20th? And third, do you fancy spending £35 for a night of joy, celebration, music, and theatrical fun? If yes, tickets are on sale right now for the Stalls to Stage Awards 2026, happening at London’s Lyric Theatre. I would love to have you there, get your tickets here! My guest this week has taken the theatre world by storm on both sides of the Atlantic, and it’s not even been 2 years since he graduated. He made his Broadway debut in 2024 as Artie and understudy Joe in Sunset Boulevard, and then last year wowed audiences in London all summer as Che in Evita at The Palladium. He’s back in town this Sunday as part of an all star line up for the Love Life Charity Concert in support of One For The Boys, raising money and awareness for men’s cancer. Join me for chat with Diego Andres Rodriguez.

Hello and welcome to Stalls to Stage and the first episode of the 2026 season. Let it never be said that I don’t give the people what they want because we are starting big, we are starting with easily the most requested guest I’ve had - he’s currently walking to the underworld and back 8 times a week at the Lyric Theatre as Orpheus in Hadestown, join me for chat with Dylan Wood.There’s a big announcement coming soon about the 2026 Stalls to Stage Awards, so be sure to follow @stallstostage on instagram so you don’t miss it! And let me know who you want to hear me chatting with in 2026, and I’ll try my best to make it happen 🧡Thank you for listening!

Hello! Welcome to another episode of Stalls to Stage, a home for all things theatre! I am so excited to introduce our guest for this episode, because whilst we are blessed with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to talent on our UK theatre stages, I believe you’d be hard pressed to find a more captivating storyteller and vocalist than this person. He made his West End Debut almost 10 years ago now in the Original West End Production of Motown as Berry Gordy, and since then his star has only continued to rise. He appeared as Balaga in the UK Premiere Cast of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 at the end of last year, was also Olivier nominated in 2024 for his time as Nicely Nicely Johnson, and right now he’s giving a performance not to be missed as Hermes in Hadestown. And this Saturday for 2 performances, he takes to the Southbank Centre stage as Lloyd Price in the musical Personality. There are discussions of substance abuse, recovery, and mental health struggles in this episode, just to let you all know! But please, join me for chat with the inimitable Cedric Neal. After ep notes - Like we say, there are tickets still available for tomorrow’s show’s if you aren’t yet booked - head to the Southbank Centre website to secure yours. Also! As you heard, Cedric is nominated in the second year of the Stalls to Stage Awards - you can vote for him, and see a full list of nominees at stallstostage.co.uk/voteIf you enjoyed this episode, please do give us a 5 star rating and go check out our earlier episodes you might have missed.

Hello! Welcome to another episode of Stalls to Stage, a home for all things theatre! This weeks guest is Shalisha James Davis, who is currently making her West End debut in Punch, the newest offering from powerhouse writer James Graham. It tells the true story of Jacob Dunne - who as a teenager threw one punch which had fatal consequences for James Hodgkinson. I’d like to take the chance to offer some trigger warnings for this episode as there are discussions of cancer, depression, and mental health struggles during topic of choice, and of course the discussion around the play itself does involve discussion of death. But if you’re able to, I hope you give this episode a listen - I do think it’s one of our most important chats yet! To add to what Shalisha was saying about the wrap around work - the producers of Punch have also committed their royalties and any producer profitsfrom the West End run into sharing the play with young people around the UK in the future. And on top of this, writer James Graham will be channelling all his earnings from the West End run of Punch into supporting access initiatives in the West End – particularly in paying for tickets and travel for community groups and young people from his home county of Nottinghamshire – and into the educational and social missions beyond the London run. So big up to all involved for understanding some things are more important than profit, and standing on business - love to see it. Punch is running at the Apollo Theatre until November 29th, and details of the post show talks can be found at punchtheplay.com Also! Votes are now open for the 2026 Stalls to Stage Awards - in which Shalisha is a nominee. To see a full list of nominees and cast your votes, head to stallstostage.co.uk/voteUntil next time!

We’re back! Did you miss us? Because we missed you! That’s right baby, after a little bit of a break, I am back to chit chat all things theatre with the lovers and makers again! This week I am joined by Grace Mouat, absolute sweetheart of the UK Theatre scene. All the fan faves of the last 5 years, she’s been in them - Six, &Juliet, Bake Off, Mean Girls - and now she’s taking on the role of Lucy in the world premiere of 13 Going On 30 at Manchester’s Opera House. Settle in and hear about two roles that have shaped her, her first last favourite shows, her topic of choice, and of course all about the new show!

Welcome to Stalls to Stage where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it. And huge news, it’s our first girly of the year. My guest this week has played some major roles on UK stages, originating the role of Fatimah in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, took on the crown of Anne Boleyn in Six, and Elle Woods at the Regent’s park production of Legally Blonde. Right now she’s touring the country as Lauren in the Leicester Curve production of Kinky Boots. Join me for chat with Courtney Bowman.

Welcome to this weeks episode of Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it. This week I am joined by an actor you may know better from TV than from stage, starring in Channel 4’s Humans as Max, A Discovery of Witches as Christopher Roberts, and Lockwood and Co as Inspector Barnes. But right now he is gracing the West End with what is one of the finest performances I’ve seen in a long time as Sidney Poitier in Retrograde. It’s a role he reprises after its original run at Kiln Theatre in 2023, and it’s showing now at the Apollo Theatre until June 14th. Join me for chat with Ivanno Jeremiah.

Welcome to Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it. My guest this week has established quite a name for himself on our West End stages despite only having graduated from Guildford School of acting in 2021. His appearance as JD in the UK tour and @sohoplace run of Heathers saw him nominated for best professional debut at our inaugural awards earlier this year. Now you can see him taking on the role Paul Rudd made famous on screen - Josh in Clueless The Musical, at the Trafalgar Theatre. Join me for chat with Keelan McCauley.

My guest this week is an Irish actor whose career really does just keep climbing to new heights. Quite literally in the case of 42 Balloons. Something like 16,000ft in a lawn chair. You may know him from the Original London and West End casts of Bonnie & Clyde where he was cover for both Buck and Clyde Barrow, or perhaps you saw him last year as alternate Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, or of course as the leading role of Larry Walters in 42 Balloons. Join me for chat with Charlie McCullagh.

Welcome to Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it. My guest this week is an actor who has been making people laugh on London stages for coming on 20 years. He was part of the original casts of Avenue Q and Rock of Ages, has gotten festive on more than one occasion in Elf and Nativity, he’s also a card carrying member of the magic circle. Maybe. I don’t know if they carry cards but he’s in it, and right now he can be found at the Gielgud Theatre playing Fagin in the newest revival of Oliver! Join me for chat with Simon Lipkin. Want more? Follow Stalls to Stage on insta!

Welcome to stalls to stage where i sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it. My guest this week has been gracing stage and screen for the last 10 years after graduating from RADA in 2013. She has been seen on screen alongside Michaela Coel in the Netflix Musical Been So Long, in Amazon Primes adaptation of the Alex Rider books, and on stage in critically acclaimed hits such as Lava at Bush Theatre, Three Sisters and Blues for an Alabama Sky, both at the National, which is where you can find her right now in the Importance of Being Earnest. Join me for chat with Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́.

My guest this week is an incredibly talented performer who has lit up both stage and screen with his remarkable career. He’s captivated audiences with standout performances in hit productions like Sunny Afternoon, where he won an Olivier Award for his portrayal of Ray Davies, and The Winter’s Tale at the Garrick. On television, he’s starred in Lark Rise to Candleford and the critically acclaimed series The Third Day. Right now, he can be seen bringing his talents to the stage in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Join me for chat, with John Dagleish.

Hello! Welcome to the episode, delighted to have you here. This one is a little different, as this week is Discover Creative Careers Week, so I got to sit down with Simon Stephens who is Head of Skills Centre at National Theatre and two young people currently on their Young Tech’s course - Alliance and Vani - to find out more about the role National Theatre plays in this week, and more generally about the pathways they have open to help young people find routes into Theatre.

My guest this week is a powerhouse of British theatre, known for his versatility and magnetic stage presence. With standout performances as Scar in The Lion King and Nigerian icon Fela Kuti in Fela! he quickly made a name for himself, before earning an Olivier nomination for his unforgettable role in Memphis the Musical. From drama to comedy, he has shown impressive range, most recently bringing his talent for physical comedy to The Play That Goes Wrong. Now, he’s thrilling audiences with his portrayal of Ike Turner in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, delivering a performance that’s as intense as it is compelling. Join me for chat with Rolan Bell.

Welcome to Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it.My guest this week is a celebrated actor whose career has spanned stage and screen, garnering acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. Born in the UK and raised in the United States, he has made a name for himself with his commanding presence and extraordinary depth in classical and contemporary roles alike. From playing the great Othello with a powerful, nuanced touch in past productions, to embodying Joe Mott in The Iceman Cometh and the iconic Louis Armstrong in Satchmo at the Waldorf, his work has earned him multiple awards and a place among the finest actors of our time. Right now, he’s making his Royal Shakespeare Company debut in Othello in Stratford-upon-Avon. Join me for a chat with the incredible John Douglas Thompson.

Welcome to Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it. My guest this week is a performer who has been treading the boards since she was just 9 years old. She spent time with the Royal Ballet, trained at RADA and has starred in shows like Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Small Island, and can now be seen in Coriolanus at the National’s Olivier Theatre. Join me for chat with Chereen Buckley.

Welcome to Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it. My guest this week is a performer who was part of the original broadway cast of The Addams Family, is a grammy award winner for his work in Akhnaten, and he has performed around the world in some of the most prestigious opera houses on the planet, being named the Most Innovative Opera Singer of 2019 by The Classical Post. He has also had success in the world of TV, appearing in shows like The Blacklist, 30 Rock, and Law & Order: Organised Crime. He has been dazzling audiences in London since February as the West End’s original Hades in Hadestown, a role which he wraps up this weekend! Join me for chat with Zachary James.

My guest this week is a performer who has been all over the world with his career, from his home in Australia, to the USA, to Germany, and of course the UK. He’s been in some of the best loved shows, playing some truly iconic characters in the world of musical theatre, including Frank n Furter in Rocky Horror, Elder Price in Book of Mormon, Bob Gaudio in one of my absolute favourite shows Jersey Boys, and right now he is touring the UK as Corny Collins in Hairspray. Join me for chat with Declan Egan.

Welcome to Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it. My guest this week has been gracing stages for well over a decade now, though you may know him better from his work in TV and Film. Eastenders, Hollyoaks, Doctor Who, he has been in some of our most iconic British shows, and most recently led the smash hit Netflix production everyone was talking about, Supacell. Right now you can see him at the Duke of York’s Theatre alongside Heather Agyepong in Shifters, running until October 12th. Join me for chat with Tosin Cole.

Welcome to Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with lovers and makers of theatre to chat all about it. This week I am joined by a writer who I first met a little over a year ago at Musical Bites at The Other Palace, where his musical Vinnie and Paul - that tells the tale of Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin - was getting a little showcase. I loved what I saw, it was unique, funny, devastating in moments, and crucially for a musical, the songs were really good! Join me for chat with Neil Bastian.

On this week’s episode, B is joined by one of the West Ends finest talents, who has been treading the boards since he was 4 years old, a seasoned pro and he’s not even 30 yet! If you saw The Lion King in 2005/2006 he may have been your Young Simba, but more recently you may have seen him as Eddie Kendricks in Ain’t Too Proud, alternate Evan in Dear Evan Hansen, or right now as Middle Michael in MJ The Musical at the Prince Edward Theatre. Join me for chat with Mitchell Zhangazha.

On this week’s episode, B is joined by one of the UK’s most shining talents from both stage and screen. You may know him as Kwame in the smash hit TV show I May Destroy You, or as George in Sky TV’s The Lazarus Project. Or perhaps on stage with the RSC in Hamlet or King Lear. In the last couple of years he’s been in A Number at The Old Vic, The Effect at National Theatre which also transferred to New York earlier this year. And right now you can see him @sohoplace as Delroy in Death of England: Delroy. Join me for chat with the incredible, Paapa Essiedu.

We did it Joe, we’re going to the White House* In which the White House is us living up to our name, and finally giving you a guest from the stage! I am joined by actor, writer, musician, generally rather wonderful Anoushka Lucas. In the last few years you may have seen her as Laurey Williams in Oklahoma at the Young Vic or Wyndham’s, Katherine/Gower in Henry V at Donmar Warehouse, Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible at The Crucible, or in her own one woman show Elephant at Bush Theatre. We had a lot of fun diving into the shows we’ve seen, theatre news, her topic of choice - transparency around the economics of Theatre, and what she’s got coming up. Settle in, and join us for some chat!

Welcome to episode 4! Thanks for returning, or joining us for the first time, it’s good to have you with us! For this episode l'm joined by the wonderful Rachel of Rachelreviewed. A super fun, exciting and insightful voice in the theatre space, and also a HUGE champion of Black theatre. In the episode, we cover Rachel’s first, last, and favourite shows, we touch on what we’ve seen recently and both get a little controversial, shared our thoughts on James Corden’s football delay, all before the big topic this week: the Black British Theatre Awards, and our predictions for who is going to do well. Give us a listen, I hope you enjoy!

Have you ever found yourself wondering "sorry but why is there like 50 theatre royals what is going on with that please?" Or have you ever lowkey (highkey) felt like UK society seems to take straight plays way more seriously as an art form than musical theatre and wondered why that is? How surprised would you be if I said the answer to both is the same, and it starts with civil war? Every day is a school day huns, so give me 5 minutes of your time and you'll know a little more about UK Theatre History! And if you listen closely you'll even hear a little nugget of news about what's going into Drury Lane when Frozen takes its final bow later this year.

Welcome back! Thanks for returning, or joining us for the first time. For episode two I'm joined by a friend from the stalls, Perry, who you may know from his work as a presenter, pop culture connoisseur, and theatre content online as Perry Presents. He's a total delight and on the episode, we cover Perry's first, last, and favourite shows, we wax poetic about great staging at Hills of California, officially launch the campaign for Billy Elliot back on the West End, delve into our thoughts on Jamie Lloyd's Romeo & Juliet, and so much more. All before we get to Perry's Topic: When oh when will we see Rocketman on stage? Give us a listen, I hope you enjoy!

Welcome to our very first episode! For episode one I'm joined by a friend from the stalls, Rebecca, who you may know from her theatre blog Stageyrebecca - the self proclaimed queen of jukebox musicals! In the episode we cover our first, last, and favourite shows, sing the praises of modern masterpiece Guys and Dolls, dive into some of the news of the week, and this weeks Hot Topic: Bonnie and Clyde Tour cancelled, effective immediately. Give us a listen, I hope you enjoy!