MusicalTalk - The UK's Independent Musical Theatre Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 866: EdFringe 2024 in Review - Part Two Nov 12, 2024

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MusicalTalk continues its unrivalled analysis of some of the best of the 2024 EdFest musicals as Mike and Thos look at two very different shows linked by questions of status - A Jaffa Cake Musical and The Greatest Musical the World Has Ever Seen by Randy Thatcher. Hear songs and discussion and find out if writing a show within constraints can actually be creatively freeing.

Episode 865: EdFringe 2024 in Review - Part One Nov 05, 2024

Show notes

Hoorah! It's time for MusicalTalk's annual in-depth delve into the wonderful world of EdFringe musical theatre, and this week Thos and Mike look at three hilarious, touching and intriguing musicals that you could have seen at this summer's Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Under the microscope this week are: The Emu War, the Wellbrick Centre on Roswell Drive and the return of the 2023 MusicalTalk Pick of the Fringe, the ever brilliant Potty the Plant. With splendid songs from each of these cracking shows, this bumper episode will put a smile on your face and take you back the summer of 2024 at the world's largest arts festival.

Episode 864: Curtain Call to the Future: Trends, Tickets, and Tomorrow's Tunes in Musical Theatre Oct 29, 2024

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In this insightful episode of MusicalTalk, Nick and Hannah gaze into the crystal ball of musical theatre to explore where the industry is heading. From emerging trends in storytelling and musical styles to the impact of rising ticket prices, they dissect the forces shaping the future of the stage. Will immersive experiences take centre stage? How might digital technology reshape audience engagement? And what do changes in pricing mean for accessibility? Join Nick and Hannah as they analyze these shifts and more, giving listeners a thought-provoking look at the next chapter for musical theatre lovers everywhere.

Episode 863: There's More To Say On Come From Away! Oct 22, 2024

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Stop the World! It's time for another edition of MusicalTalk! And as Come From Away continues its successful national tour of both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, Josh and Thos sit down to discuss the recent London production, which clocked up over a thousand joyous performances and sent scores of people home with a smile on their faces. What makes this show so successful - and are they the things that also make it so unusual? Find out in this delightful and detailed episode.

Episode 862: Way Hey Hey! It's Come From Away! Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

With everyone's favourite, uplifting and joyous Canadian musical, Come From Away, on national tour, Thos chats to David Kingsmill about what makes this show so successful - and international - whilst retaining a distinctively Newfoundland flavour (and we don't mean when you kiss a fish).

Episode 861: Remembering Gavin Creel Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

In this special episode, host Nick Hutson revisits an exclusive interview from the archives with the late Gavin Creel, recorded during his time starring as Bert in the West End production of Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre. With Gavin's recent and unexpected passing at the age of 48—an event that stunned the theatre industry—this interview offers a poignant look back at his incredible career. Gavin shares insights into playing Bert, his experiences in London, and his passion for musical theatre. Join Nick as we celebrate the life and legacy of this beloved Broadway and West End star.

Episode 860: To Hadestown on the Starlight Express Sep 30, 2024

Show notes

Josh and Thos are back with another look at two more shows that were part of the amazing 2024 summer of musicals in London: this time, both shows are linked by railway connections but with completely different styles and tone - Hadestown and Starlight Express. How far do these shows rework their original source material of Orpheus and Eurydice and.....Cinderella? And how excited is Josh in seeing both these wonderful shows? Time to let off steam!

Episode 859: Kiss Me.....Dolly! Sep 24, 2024

Show notes

It's been a summer of blockbuster musical theatre shows in London, and this week Josh and Thos take a close look at just two of the amazing productions on offer. In this episode, it's time to concentrate on two shows named after significant female characters - with Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate and Jerry Herman's Hello Dolly under the microscope. Can the emancipated Lilly Vanessi escape comparisons with the ultimately subjugated Kate, and what is Dolly Levi's actual journey (apart from a trolleybus to Yonkers)? And is that the ghost of Mary Poppins we can see floating overhead? It's Wunderbar!

Episode 858: A Musical Balancing Act of Matilda, Barnum and Being Single! Sep 18, 2024

Show notes

In this bumper episode of MusicalTalk, Nick and Hannah dive into the magic of Matilda the Musical, reflecting on its ongoing success at the Cambridge Theatre and exploring why it continues to captivate audiences of all ages. They also discuss Why Am I So Single – the brand-new musical from the creators of Six, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. Meanwhile, Nick and Robert discuss Barnum, the timeless circus-inspired musical, which recently had a run at the Watermill Theatre. Tune in for lively debates, musical insights, and a celebration of theatre old and new!

Episode 857: Rodgers and Hart's The Boys From Syracuse - Part 3: The Songs Sep 10, 2024

Show notes

The Boys Are Back In Town! With Rodgers and Hart's effervescent 1938 musical, The Boys from Syracuse packing 'em in at the Upstairs at the Gatehouse Theatre in Highgate, Thos and Benjamin Levy continue their wonderful conversation about the role of the Musical Director and how to orchestrate a classic-era show. But with Benjamin's view that "Lorenz Hart is an utter genius", this episode is filled to the brim with an in-depth look at the score and full analysis of what makes the Hart lyrics and the musicality of Rodgers work so beautifully together to make a show where every song is a polished diamond!

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