Curtain Call Theatre Podcast

Latest Episodes:

107 - The Gift of the Magi Dec 23, 2018

Show notes

This week, to celebrate the holidays, I thought I would bring you one of my favourite Christmas stories. I have had the pleasure of reading an adaptation this story on BBC radio a few years back and, in my opinion, this sums up everything that we should all be, not only at this time of year but all year round. Selfless, giving, loving and grateful.

So sit back and please enjoy the timeless tale, "The Gift of the Magi" written in 1905 by American author, O. Henry

Curtain Call Website

105 - Fiddler on the Roof's Andy Nyman (and Paul Bogaev) Dec 19, 2018

Show notes

Currently running at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Sir Trevor Nunn's production of Fiddler left its audience in both stitches and tears. We absolutely loved it. It was so refreshing to see a grounded, measured, sober and thoughtful production of this fantastic show.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Andy before a show to talk about his journey to Anatevka, the setting of Fiddler, the importance of the story (and not just to the Jewish population) and his personal emotional investment into this production. We were also joined by Paul Bogaev, the Emmy and Grammy winning musical director of Fiddler, who just happened to be walking through the foyer. We think you'll agree he had some fascinating insights into this production.

Just a warning...there is some swearing in this episode.

Get tickets here

Fiddler on the Roof Curtain Call Page

104 - Showstoppers - The Improvised Musical Dec 05, 2018

Show notes

Way back when Curtain Call was in its infancy, we got to see Showstoppers when they were in the West End at the Apollo Theatre and I was floored by their improvisational skills and their absolute genius at making a musical out of a few suggestions from the audience. We were in stitches in the auditorium. Even the ushers were weeping with laughter… It was something to behold.

So I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to bring you a little chat with the co-founders of Showstoppers Dylan Emery and Adam Meggido, as well as the musical director, Duncan Walsh Atkins...who's job is to keep up with the lightning fast improv taking place on stage and to somehow come up with any number of musical styles from across the ages at the drop of a hat…

Showstoppers - The Improvised Musical runs from the 22nd of January to 16th March 2019

Showstoppers Website

Curtain Call Website

103 - Polly Bennett, Movement Director, Pt 2 Nov 20, 2018

Show notes

Last week we brought you the first part of a two-part episode with Polly Bennett, the movement director behind Rami Malek's breathtaking transformation into Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury for the hit film Bohemian Rhapsody.

And although Polly chats just a little bit more about how anyone can use techniques employed on the film, we really wanted to delve deep into her passion project and full time job as creator of The Monobox. The Monobox is one of the best resources around for "emerged" actors, a word that Polly is owning...and to be honest, I love!

Curtain Call Website

The Monobox Website

102 - Polly Bennett, Movement Director (Part 1) Nov 13, 2018

Show notes

In the first part of a two-part discussion, we speak to Polly Bennett - a woman who has taken the idea and profession of Movement Director to new heights.

You may have heard Polly a few times in our podcasts before when we brought you podcasts from the company she co-founded, Monobox. In addition to being a superwoman running a business that supports artists, she worked with the RSC before going on to work at multiple Olympics ceremonies and top notch cross-over directors like Sam Mendes, who she worked with directly after Bohemian Rhapsody on the absolutely thrilling "Lehman Trilogy" at the National Theatre.

Curtain Call's Theo Bosanquet and Curtain Call co-founder Matt Humphrey sat down (in a sometimes noisy Above the Arts Club) to talk to Polly about how she found herself as the go to movement director. Now, as this chat was nearly an hour, we are going to make this one a two-parter. In this episode, Polly brings us the story of her journey from the National Youth Theatre to being on set every day with the spitting image of Freddie Mercury.

101 - Lunar Theatre, "Omish" Nov 06, 2018

Show notes

This week, we sit down with the writer of the world premiere of "Omish" - written and co-devised by former Curtain Call employee Sophie Soanes and directed by Ewa Dina, as well of two of its cast members Joyce Omotola and Naomi Emanuelle at Above the Arts Club last week. We were super impressed by the enthusiasm at which this group of women was attacking the problems of not only putting on a play in London, but also starting a production company. All the while keeping their day jobs...and their sanity…

But Tickets for Omish

Lunar Theatre Facebook Page

Curtain Call Website

100 - Lear's Last Week Oct 30, 2018

Show notes

To commemorate the final week of what has been a tremendous run, I thought I would bring you the rest of the company of King Lear that we didn't get to hear from in episode 97. Their run has been a sold out success and it has truly been one of the highlights of my theatre outings this year.

I managed to grab the guys and chat to most of them in the interval about what it was like having nearly 50% of the cast join them in the West End from Chichester Festival Theatre's transfer of Jonathan Munby's production of Lear. It's always an interesting topic to chat about, and I think that this cast and company gelled extremely quickly and sound like their have had a blast…

You will hear (in order of 'appearance') Michael Matus, James Corrigan, Richard Clews, Anthony Howell, John Hastings, John Vernon, Scott Sparrow, James Millard, Caleb Roberts, Jake Mann, Johanne Murdock and Jessica Murrain.

King Lear Curtain Call Page

Curtain Call Website

Michael Matus, James Corrigan, Richard Clews, Anthony Howell, John Hastings, John Vernon, Scott Sparrow, James Millard, Caleb Roberts, Jake Mann, Johanne Murdock and Jessica Murrain.

099 - CityLit's Carys William & The John Lyons Theatre Oct 09, 2018

Show notes

We are taking you on a slightly different journey this week. We had the pleasure of meeting Carys Williams at the Professional Lighting and Sound Association show in London last month. We started talking about the theatre where she works - The John Lyons Theatre. We were amazed that we had never heard of that theatre before, so we knew we just had to sit down to talk to Carys about it.

The John Lyons Theatre is located in Covent Garden within the CityLit building on Keeley Street between Holborn and Covent Garden tube stations. This is the ideal venue to host plays, theatre events, musical workshops...you name it.

I sat down with Carys and asked her speak about what's on offer there, both in continuing professional development opportunities for the theatre professional, but also about the history of the theatre, their recent productions and just how you can use this facility for a upcoming project yourself.

If anything you heard today has piqued your interest, and perhaps you would like to take a look at their course book and offerings, head over to https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses. They have loads of possibilities for theatre professionals to brush up on their skills like Stage management and technical theatre production or Prop Making for TV, Film and Theatre. There are plenty of acting, voice and directing courses too. And if you are thinking of looking at using the John Lyons theatre go to

https://www.citylit.ac.uk/venue-hire-john-lyons-theatre or get in touch with Carys at johnlyonstheatre@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2615. CityLit are celebrating their Centenary and would love to see you at their celebratory events - check out https://www.citylit.ac.uk/our-centenary for all information.

CityLit Website

John Lyons Theatre

CityLit Centenary Celebrations

Curtain Call Website

098 - Milly Thomas' Dust Oct 02, 2018

Show notes

Milly Thomas doesn't pull any punches in either her acting or her writing, and her latest play "Dust" tackles the issue of depression and suicide head on with no apologies.

The issue of mental health and the stigmas surrounding it have been brought to the fore by the news of the suicides of prominent musicians such as Dolores O'Riordan from The Cranberries, Chris Cornell of Soundgarden or Avicii and the highly public suicide of Robin Williams was just as shocking to those who knew him well as to all of us who were just fans of a man who we all remember as someone who made us do nothing but laugh.

And watching a play about suicide, where a young girl takes her own life (no spoiler alerts, it starts the play)...you wouldn't expect to laugh. But you do. Straight away. And that is the genius of Dust, currently running at The Trafalgar Studios.

This is a play that challenges you to keep watching, even though what you are watching is so painful that it brings you to tears. And why shouldn't you cry as well as laugh? Well, you should, in my opinion. And that's why you need to go see this show.

In one of our most honest chats to date, I sat down with Milly Thomas to talk to her about the genesis of her show, its journey to the West End, and all of the emotions contained therein.

Samaritans Website

Samaritans Phone Number: 116 123 (UK & ROI)

Curtain Call Website

Dust Show Page

Ticket for Dust

097 - King Lear's Women - NT Live Sep 25, 2018

Show notes

Jonathan Munby's production of King Lear, currently running at the Duke of York's Theatre having transferred from Chichester and starring Sir Ian McKellan, feels astonishingly apt for today's climate of geo-political posturing, with a map of Europe being ripped apart by Lear at one point.

We sat down and talked to some of the women in the cast about a number of unique aspects to this production, including the gender-swapping of the role of Kent played by Sinead Cusack.

Kirsty Bushell, Claire Price and Anita-Joy Uwajeh, who play Lear's daughters had more to offer including a number of cast changes. Nearly half of the company are new to the production which can be tricky. We also touched upon the political aspects of the play - something which Sinead Cusack also had a bit to say about.

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