MusicalTalk - The UK's Independent Musical Theatre Podcast

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Episode 886: Charles Strouse Remembered (Part 1) - By Strouse May 27, 2025

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MusicalTalk pays a special tribute to the late, great Charles Strouse, who has just died a month shy of his 97th birthday. Charles was one of the giants of the last sixty years of musical theatre and leaves an enormous legacy: with new shows produced across seven decades, collaborations with Alan Jay Lerner, Lee Adams, Mel Brooks, Stephen Schwartz, Arthur Laurents, Martin Charnin, Rupert Holmes, Betty Comden and Adolph Green to name but a few, and with amazing rosta of shows and films featuring his music, such as Annie, Bye Bye Birdie, Golden Boy, Nick and Nora, Applause and All Dogs Go To Heaven, Charles Strouse was, as Dick Van Dyke observed "one of the greats". In this special episode of MusicalTalk, Thos recalls his memories of this amazingly talented, yet always modest, musical theatre legend - and there's another chance to hear Charles in conversation from 2009 - so put on a happy face!

Episode 885: From Super troupers to Stormtroopers May 20, 2025

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This week on MusicalTalk, Nick and Hannah take a sunny trip down memory lane to explore the legacy of the global phenomenon Mamma Mia! With Nick revisiting the stage show for the first time in 25 years, they discuss how the production has evolved over the decades and why its irresistible blend of ABBA hits and heartwarming storytelling continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.

But the conversation doesn't stop in Greece! Nick and Hannah also dive into a galaxy far, far cheekier as they share their thoughts on The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody, now playing at Riverside Studios. Expect lightsabers, laughter, and a whole lot of sass in this unique theatrical experience.

Episode 884: Pop Off Michelangelo! May 13, 2025

Show notes

It's the best possible news - MusicalTalk's Pick of the Fringe 2024 hits London in 2025! Pop Off Michelangelo! took Edinburgh by storm last summer, and now comes to London from May until July - and it's a tasty treat. Thos talks to the show's writer, 21st century Renaissance Man, the talented Dylan MarcAurele, about how this multi-layered, clever, high-camp comedy came to be, whilst also analysing how the show also looks at darker and deeper contempory issues. With laughs, insights and song, you won't want to miss this delightful conversation with a truly creative man. It's time to pop on Pop Off Michelangelo!

Episode 883: From Fishnets to Flappers - Rocky Horror Vs The Great Gatsby May 06, 2025

Show notes

This week on MusicalTalk, Nick returns to The Rocky Horror Show for the first time in 25 years and shares his reflections on the cult classic's enduring appeal, high camp, and raucous audience participation. Then, it's off to the London Coliseum, where Nick and Hannah experience The Great Gatsby — but in a rare twist, it's Nick who walks in knowing nothing about the show, while Hannah holds all the insight! Join them for a lively discussion of this ambitious new production, the surprises it held, and how it reimagines F. Scott Fitzgerald's iconic world for the stage.

Episode 882: Top Marx for Animal Crackers - Part 2 Apr 29, 2025

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In this week's episode, Thos takes a close look at the 1930 Marx Brothers musical comedy film, Animal Crackers, and its place against the backdrop of a number of transitions - the move from stage to screen for the madcap quartet, the loss of popularity of Hollywood film musicals at the end of the 1920s, the move from prosperity to economic slump following the Wall Street Crash, and how the film industry was learning to adapt stage shows for the silver screen after only four years of talkies! And we take an additional look at Margaret Dumont, dubbed by Groucho himself as the "fifth Marx Brother", who began with opera and ended in rock 'n' roll and who worked with Laurel and Hardy, and WC Fields along the way. As Groucho said "Blessed are the crack(er)ed, for they shall let in the light!"

Episode 881: Top Marx for Animal Crackers - Part 1 Apr 22, 2025

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It's a century since Minnie's Boys, better known as the Marx Brothers, appeared on Broadway in their first fully fledged musical, and to mark the occasion, MusicalTalk is taking a close look at their 1930 musical comedy film, Animal Crackers. In this week's episode, Thos investigates what makes the Marx Brothers so remarkable and timeless, and takes a close look at the difference between the stage version of the story from 1928 and the post-Wall Street Crash film made in 1930. There's also a brief comparison with the now forgotten Ritz Brothers who were a different kind of crackers! So it's Hooray for Captain Spalding!

Episode 880: Shear Talent: Emma Williams Cuts to the Chase Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

In this insightful episode of MusicalTalk, Nick Hutson catches up with West End star and friend of the show, Emma Williams, for an honest chat about her remarkable 20-year journey in the theatre industry. From her breakout role in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to her recent work on the innovative production Scissorhandz at the Southwark Playhouse, Emma reflects on how the landscape of musical theatre has evolved—and how becoming a parent has shifted her perspective both on and off stage. Expect laughter, wisdom, and a touch of nostalgia in this illuminating conversation between two industry friends.

Tune in for a blend of behind-the-scenes anecdotes, industry insight, and a look at what it really means to balance artistry with real life.

Episode 879: Fairest of Them All? Snow White Remake Vs Alan Menken's Magic Concert Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of MusicalTalk, Nick and Hannah dive into the enchanted (and controversial) world of Disney's Snow White remake. With reimagined characters, missing dwarfs, and a whole lot of internet debate, they share their thoughts on whether this new take is a poisoned apple or a fresh perspective.

They also recount their experience at A Whole New World of Alan Menken at the London Palladium, celebrating the legendary composer's timeless contributions to musical theatre and film.

Is Disney rewriting history for better or worse? And just how dazzling was Menken's showcase of musical brilliance? Tune in for a lively discussion filled with insight, humor, and a dash of Disney magic!

Episode 878: Helen...of Savoy! Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

At last, a musical about one of the unsung female heroes of musical theatre - Helen D'Oyly Carte! Join Thos as he talkes to Susan Ellerby about her latest modern G&S show, Gilbert and Sullivan's Improbable New Musical....And Helen, about the accomplished, and even trailblazing, Victorian businesswoman, who was one of the four most important people in the Gilbert and Sullivan story, not least for her diplomatic skills in keeping the quarrelsome duo together creatively but also for forging their legacy into the twentieth century and beyond. With songs aplenty, Thos and Sue talk about this delightful new show and its central character - Helen D'Oyly Carte! Unsung, no longer...

Episode 877: I Got Rhythm - Crazy For You in London Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

Was the recent barnstorming London revival of the 1992 Gershwin Brothers show, Crazy For You, one of the best things to hit the West End in years? Thos certainly thinks so and in this week's episode you can hear him and Josh talking about what made it so delightful. Was it the phenomenal, vital writing of the George Gershwin? Was it the seamless dancing, singing and comic talents of Charlie Stemp? Was it the almost overwhelming sensory overload of music, dance and choreography in harmony? The simple answer is yes, and the more detailed answer is awaiting your eager ears in this swonderful episode! Listening to this converstation is nice work (and yes, you've got it!). You'd be k-ra-zy to miss it.

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