Curtain Call Theatre Podcast

Latest Episodes:

127 - "Yesterday"'s Himesh Patel Jun 25, 2019

Show notes

When we were covering People, Places & Things in New York for Curtain Call, and Matt was busy taking some beautiful photographs, I was backstage chatting to the company. That is where I met Himesh Patel. Now, you may not have heard of his name yet, but you most certainly will have seen him on your screens recently. He's the star of the film "Yesterday", written by Richard Curtis and directed by Danny Boyle. Before we started recording, and I am annoyed I didn't get this on tape… Himesh hinted to the fact that he hopefully going to work on this little Richard Curtis film, but didn't say much more than that. And that "little" film looks like it is going to be the next big hit, at least here in the UK.

People, Places & Things Curtain Call Page

Curtain Call Website

126 - Darren Raymond and Othello: Remixed Jun 11, 2019

Show notes

In 2008, actor Darren Raymond became Artistic Director of Intermission Youth Theatre. It couldn't have come at a better time for Darren who had recently finished a run of Othello.

He took charge with just four young people in that first season. Since that day, more than 100 16-25 year olds have past through St Savior's and been introduced to the genius of Shakespeare, discovering that he is just as accessible today as he was 400 years ago.

I sat down to talk with Darren about Intermission's latest production - Othello: Remixed, as well as their mission, vision and plans for the future.

Intermission Website

Curtain Call Website

125 - Janet Jones, Writer Jun 04, 2019

Show notes

Screenwriter and Playwright Janet Jones has had an astonishing career. She's worked for just about every studio out there and not just as a writer, but that's just the beginning.

She's written lyrics, poetry, worked as a tour guide for a major Hollywood Studio, writer's assistant, script editor, and she's even making her own podcast. She always has a ton of projects on the go.

She's a working writer, and you don't get to sit down and chat with many of those… At least, I don't. So sit back and listen to an extraordinary story of how somebody goes from Motown to the Tower of London in one lifetime!

Janet Jones Facebook

Curtain Call Website

124 - BalleyBoyz May 29, 2019

Show notes

BalletBoyz was founded in 2000 - the same in the same year that Billy Elliot was released - by ex Royal Ballet dancers Michael Nunn and William Trevitt. They became associate artists at Sadler's Wells in 2005. In 2013, they won the National Dance Award for Best Independent Company.

They are now in their 19th year and have gone from those two original dancers to nearly a dozen, and they have moved into a fantastic home in Kingston on the outskirts of London. In June, they are bringing their latest show "Them/Us" to the Vaudeville Theatre in London's West End, which will be the BalleyBoyz's first foray into the heart of Theatreland.

BalletBoyz Website

Curtain Call Website

123 - Witness for the Prosecution May 22, 2019

Show notes

Agatha Christie's "Witness for the Prosecution" has been an extremely popular story in pretty much all forms of entertainment you can possibly imagine. A best-selling novel, a Billy Wilder film, American and British television adaptations, radio adaptations... If you can think of it, it's probably been done. And, of course, that includes theatre.

Today, we come from a south London rehearsal room where we are talking to two members of the new company who are about to join the cast of the London production of the Agatha Christie classic which opened on October 6 2017 at County Hall on London's South Bank. Produced by Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Rebecca Stafford Productions and directed by Lucy Bailey, the show has been extremely well received and has already seen its run extended multiple times.

Lewis Cope and Carolin Stoltz play the lovers at the centre of this thriller and are extremely excited to be joining such a revered production in such an iconic location.

122 - Laurence Mark Wythe, Composer Apr 30, 2019

Show notes

This week, I catch up with another friend i haven't seen for quite some time, because when I heard that Laurence Mark Wythe had a new musical being performed with the National Youth Musical Theatre, I just had to get the inside scoop. Along with his writing partner Timothy Knapman, they take the story of The Big Bad Wolf and turn it on its head.

Laurence is an extremely prolific music writer and always seems to have something on the go, so I really appreciated him sitting down with me, talking about his early career, how and why he got into the composer game and just what it's like writing and recording music in a new digital age.

Laurence Mark Wythe Website

National Youth Musical Theatre Website

Growl Tickets

Theatre Street Performing Arts

Curtain Call Website

121 - Siubhan Harrison - Home, I'm Darling Apr 16, 2019

Show notes

On this episode, we bring you Siubhan Harrison. After graduating from Guildford School of Acting, she hasn't really stopped, ticking off some big bucket list musical jobs along the way including Les Mis, Grease and Guys and Dolls - all in London's West End.

Siubhan is the real deal. And she's showing off her comedy chops as well as her dramatic acting prowess in the winner of Best New Comedy at this year's Olivier Awards, Home, I'm Darling.

We sat down in Siubhan's dressing room for a quick pre-show chat to talk about her journey in getting to work with Tamara Harvey again, her director on "From Here to Eternity", as well as discussing how theatre is changing for parents, what we love about theatre and the proper pronunciation of Theatre Clwyd.

Home, I'm Darling Tickets

Curtain Call Website

120 - Ben Hewis and Emilia Apr 10, 2019

Show notes

Ben Hewis is the guy that goes behind the scenes to bring you behind the scenes of some of the biggest shows hitting london. If you have seen any promotional footage for shows such as Come From Away, Night of the Living Dead Live, Gloria Estefan's On Your Feet (which you will be seeing soon) as well as covering untold numbers of opening nights and awards ceremonies for WhatsOnStage, including working the red carpet and press room from this year's Olivier Awards.

But more than that Ben has been up to something good. After seeing a production of Emilia (currently running at the Vaudeville Theatre in London's West End) he's been using the Twittersphere to raise awareness about the production and to encourage and take as many disadvantaged young women to see the show as possible.

Emilia gofundme Page

Ben Hewis Twitter Page

Curtain Call

119 - All about Eve Apr 05, 2019

Show notes

We recently got to sit down with the company of "All About Eve", currently playing at the Noël Coward Theatre in London's West End, to talk about bringing this classic Hollywood film to the London Stage, and then back to the screen on an NT Live broadcast.

The company, led by Gillian Anderson and Lily James as Margo Channing and Eve Harrington respectively, were totally aware that this production of the beloved film, arguably the film that launched Marilyn Monroe's career, and where Bette Davis utters the immortal words "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night", was going to be highly scrutinised. But they didn't have to worry at all. Ivo van Hove's interpretation has seen a sold out run at the Noël Coward and the company revelled in this stage adaptation.

NT Live Website

"All About Eve" Curtain Call Page

118 - Summer Strallen, Park Theatre Apr 03, 2019

Show notes

Say the name Strallen and you can take your pick of a first name and you are pretty much guaranteed a quality turn. Scarlett, Zizi, Saskia and this week's guest, the wonderful Summer Strallen have all graced stages across London, the UK and indeed the globe - all the while picking up nominations and awards all over the place. These are some seriously talented sisters.

And I had the absolute pleasure to meet, sit down and have a good old chin wag with Summer last week to chat about all kinds of things, because, let's face it, she's got a CV that most actors would die for, working for some of the greatest directors of our time.

Summer is currently playing in Intra Muros at Park Theatre until the 4th of May.

Intra Muros Tickets

Curtain Call Website

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