The West End Frame Show: Theatre News, Reviews & Chat

Nate Simpson (Get Up Stand Up / Motown) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Nate discuss The Little Big Things (@SohoPlace), Police Cops (Southwark Playhouse Borough) and Back To The Future (Adelphi Theatre) as well as the latest news about The Devil Wears Prada, The Watermill Newbury, Love Birds by Robert J Sherman, Babies The Musical and lots more. In the world of theatre, Nate played Intermediate Bob Marley in the original West End cast of Get Up Stand Up (Lyric Theatre). His other credits include understudying Berry Gordy, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder in the West End production of Motown (Shaftesbury Theatre), playing Simba in The Lion King (Disneyland Paris) and playing Nat King Cole in The Crooners (UK Tour). Nate has also worked extensively in the world of music; he has performed with lots of artists including Jessie J, Boy George and Beverley Knight. He has released EPs and performed all over the world on various cruise ships. Nate made it to the final six boys on The X Factor (ITV) in 2016 and appeared on Eurovision You Decide (BBC) in 2017. Nate is currently on tour across the UK, headlining his own show The Songbook of Marvin Gaye which kicked off in August and continues through to 2024. In this episode Nate reveals big plans for his show; he also delves into balancing his theatre career with music and speaks openly about the aftermath of a major accident and how it made him reevaluate his career decisions. You can see Nate next in The Songbook of Marvin Gaye at the Millfield Theatre in Edmonton on 20th October. Follow @natesimpsonlive to stay up-to-date with tour dates and info. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Myles Hart (The Doctor in The Book of Mormon) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Myles discuss Why Am I So Single? (Lilian Baylis Studio), Death Note (Lyric Theatre), A Strange Loop (Barbican Centre) and Everybody's Talking About Jamie (The Lowry, UK & Ireland Tour) as well as the latest news about Moulin Rouge, Wicked, Six, Disney's Aladdin and lots more. Myles is about to complete his six-year run in the West End production of The Book of Mormon at the Prince Of Wales Theatre. He originally joined the cast in 2017 as a swing before taking over as The Doctor. Having trained at Urdang, Myles has performed at sea with P&O as a lead vocalist, danced at the Brit Awards and appeared in Duncton Wood at the Union Theatre. Myles is the host of Get The Belt podcast which is all about pop culture, society and black excellence. It's described as “a weekly dose of unapologetically raw, black, unfiltered and relatable entertainment”. Myles can regularly be heard on various radio shows participating in panel discussions. Follow Myles on Instagram: @myleshart Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

We're back for a brand new season of The West End Frame Show with Simon Bailey (Moulin Rouge / The Third Man) in the co-host seat. Andrew and Simon discuss Guys & Dolls (Bridge Theatre), The Odyssey: Episode 5 - The Underworld (National Theatre), Ain't Too Proud (Prince Edward Theatre) and Chase - The Table Read (The Other Palace Studio) as well as the latest news about Once Upon A One More Time, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), A Very Very Bad Cinderella, Declan Bennett's Boy Out The City and lots more. Simon is currently playing Crabbit and Harry Lime in the world premiere of The Third Man (Menier Chocolate Factory) having recently played The Duke in the original West End cast of Moulin Rouge (Piccadilly Theatre). Later this month Simon is presenting an interactive concert called Dukebox at The Other Palace Studio which will give the audience control over the setlist. Some of Simon's theatre credits include: Ram's Dad / Big Bud Dean / Coach Ripper in Heathers (Theatre Royal Haymarket & London Workshop), Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys (Piccadilly Theatre & UK Tour), Liam O’Deary in I Can’t Sing! (London Palladium), Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (Gillian Lynne), Tom Watson/Officer Starnes in Parade (Southwark Playhouse), understudy Galileo in We Will Rock You (Dominion), Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s), Enjolras in Les Misérables (Queens), Passion (Donmar Warehouse) and Romeo & Juliet The Musical (Piccadilly). You can see Simon in Dukebox at The Other Palace Studio on Sunday 17th September 2023. Visit www.theotherpalace.co.uk for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

We're back with part two of our summer catchup episode! Andrew and theatre journalist Lisa Martland discuss The SpongeBob Musical (Southbank Centre), Dear England(National Theatre), A Strange Loop (Barbican Centre), Cabaret (Kit Kat Club, Playhouse Theatre), A Little Life (Savoy Theatre) and Jersey Boys (Trafalgar Theatre). Having spent many years at The Stage – including five years as Deputy Editor – Lisa is the Founding Editor of one of the UK’s top theatre websites, Musical Theatre Review which is currently celebrating its tenth anniversary. Lisa is also Sub-Editor for Musicals Magazine. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

It's almost time for a new season of The West End Frame Show, so we're bringing you up to speed with this summer's hottest shows! In part one of this catchup episode, Andrew is joined by theatre journalist Lisa Martland to discuss Next To Normal (Donmar Warehouse), La Cage aux Folles (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre), Miss Saigon (Sheffield Crucible) and In Dreams (Leeds Playhouse). Having spent many years at The Stage – including five years as Deputy Editor – Lisa is the Founding Editor of one of the UK’s top theatre websites, Musical Theatre Review which is currently celebrating its tenth anniversary. Lisa is also Sub-Editor for Musicals Magazine. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

We're back for a special episode about Searchlight Pictures’ brand new feature film Theatre Camp which is released in UK cinemas this Friday 25th August. Created by Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman and Ben Platt, Theatre Camp started life as a short film. The movie follows what happens when the owner of an upstate New York Theatre Camp falls into a coma, leaving her non-stagey son to run the camp which is going through financial difficulties. Theatre Camp won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble at Sundance Film Festival where it premiered earlier this year. In this episode, join West End Frame Editor Andrew Tomlins for a debrief about all-things Theatre Camp ahead of a special interview with Nick Lieberman who co-directed the movie with Molly Gordon. Theatre Camp can be seen in UK cinemas from Friday 25th August 2023. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

In this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival round-up, West End Frame Editor Andrew Tomlins discusses Boy Out The City, Public, Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder, Annabel Marlow: Is This Okay, Four Felons & A Funeral and Chriskirkpatrickmas. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

For the final episode of the season, Billy Nevers (& Juliet / Groundhog Day) returns to co-host The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Billy discuss a mystery EdFringe show as well as the latest theatre news about Bat Boy, Kin, Great Gatsby and lots more. Billy is currently playing Fred in the London revival of Groundhog Day (Old Vic). His theatre credits include: Jesus Christ Superstar (Barbican/Regent’s Park Open Air), Wonderful Town (Opera Holland Park), Turn Up, The Color Purple in Concert, Overture (Cadogan Hall) and Wonderful Town (Opera Holland Park). Billy was nominated for Outstanding Performance in a Musical at the 2022 Black British Theatre Awards for his performance as Store Manager and Dewey in the London revival of Legally Blonde (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre). Billy was part of the original cast of & Juliet in Manchester and in the West End; last year he returned to the show as Francois. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

In today's bonus episode we're joined by Jon Brittain and James Howard. First up we're joined by Jon Brittain who has written the book, co-written the lyrics and co-directed Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder! which is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it was a huge hit last year. The new expanded version will also tour to Bristol and Manchester. Jon Brittain is a playwright, comedy writer and director. His critically acclaimed play Rotterdam won an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre in 2017, he went on to direct Richard Gadd's debut play Baby Reindeer, which won the same award in 2020. Jon's other work includes the cult hit shows Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho and Margaret Thatcher Queen of Game Shows, the Fringe First Award-winning A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad), and the UK Theatre Award-winning Billionaire Boy: The Musical. He directed both of John Kearns’s Fosters Award winning shows Sight Gags for Perverts and Shtick as well as shows for Tom Allen, Mat Ewins, Tom Rosenthal and others. He co-wrote a dozen episodes of Cartoon Network's The Amazing World of Gumball and was a staff writer on seasons 3 and 4 of The Crown and he is currently writing a new sitcom for Apple. Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder! runs Underbelly at the Edinburgh Fringe 2nd – 27th August before touring to Bristol Old Vic 13th – 30th September and Home Manchester 5th - 21st October. Visit www.kathyandstella.com for info and tickets. Later we speak to James Howard who plays Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre. The production is celebrating its seventh birthday in the West End, and James has been in the show since it opened. James' theatre credits include Brave New World (Northampton Theatre Royal/Touring Consortium); Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, Mojo, The Drunks, King Lear, Morte D’Arthur (RSC); Twelfth Night, Ivanov (Donmar Warehouse in the West End); Not About Heroes (Blackeyed Theatre Company); Antony and Cleopatra (Royal Exchange);The Duchess of Malfi (NT). His film credits includes: Survivor, The Theory of Everything, Shoot on Sight, The Oxford Murders and Penelope whilst his television work includes Black Mirror, Dark Matters, Doctors, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, Skins, Midsomer Murders, The Bill, Broken News, Spooks, Inspector Lynley Mysteries and Dream Team. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is booking at the Palace Theatre until 19th May 2024. Visit www.uk.harrypottertheplay.com for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

It's the penultimate episode of the season and Andrew flies solo to discuss Crazy For You (Gillian Lynne Theatre), Halls (Turbine Theatre) and A Strange Loop (Barbican Centre) as well as the latest news about Ain't Too Proud, New York New York, I Should Be So Lucky, Rachelle Ann Go and lots more. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Jennifer Caldwell (Anne Boleyn in Six / I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Jennifer discuss The Wizard of Oz (London Palladium), Tina (Aldwych Theatre) and Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre) as well as the latest news about the Wicked movies, the Les Misérables world arena tour, Sinatra The Musical and lots more. Jennifer is currently in rehearsals for I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical by Alexander S. Bermange. The show is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer ahead of a London run at Wilton’s in an expanded production which includes new songs. Jennifer's theatre credits include: American Idiot (UK & Ireland tour), Knights of the Rose (Arts Theatre), Million Dollar Quartet (UK & Ireland and Indian tours), understudy Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical (UK & Ireland Tour) and understudy Sophie in Mamma Mia! (Prince of Wales / Novello Theatre). In 2019 Jennifer joined Six The Musical as the alternate Boleyn and Howard on tour across the UK and Ireland. She hit swingo – playing all Six Queens – and transferred to the West End production as an emergency cover for a limited run. In 2021 Jennifer took over as Anne Boleyn full-time on tour in Six and also took the show to South Korea. I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical runs at The Gilded Baloon at the Museum at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival 3rd – 27th August. The show then runs in London at Wilton’s 29th August – 9th September. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Bryony Duncan (understudy Éponine in Les Misérables) returns to co-host The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Bryony discuss We Will Rock You (London Coliseum) and Tarantino Live (Riverside Studios) as well as the latest news about Pretty Woman, Back To The Future, Maimuna Memon's Manic Street Creature and lots more. Having trained at Mechanic Performing Arts, Bryony went on to play Geraldine in Doctor TV & The Zombies at the Leeds Playhouse before setting sail as a lead vocalist for TUI Cruise Line. She then joined the original Bliss cast of Six The Musical for Norwegian Cruise Line. Bryony was originally a swing for Boleyn, Seymour and Howard but took over as Katherine Howard during the contract. After the lockdowns, Bryony returned to Six as a Universal Swing for the West End and UK touring productions. She stayed with the West End company as a Super Swing when Six transferred to the Vaudeville Theatre. Bryony is currently in the West End production of Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre as an ensemble member and the first cover for Éponine. Follow Bryony on Instagram: @bryonyduncan Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

We're back with a bonus episode featuring Rhashan Stone (All About Eve / Into The Woods) and Elexi Walker (I Think We Are Alone / She Ventures and He Wins ). Rhashan Stone is playing Tambo in the UK premiere of Tambo & Bones. Written by Dave Harris and directed by Matthew Xia, the show is running at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. Tambo & Bones laughs through our past, blows the roof off our present and imagines an explosive future for our world... and for theatre. Some of Rhashan's theatre credits include All About Eve and Cheek By Jowl’s As You Like It (Noel Coward Theatre), Simply Heavenly (Trafalgar Studios), Five Guys Named Moe (Lyric Theatre) and the recent revival of Into The Woods (Theatre Royal Bath). He has worked extensively on stage and screen. Tambo & Bones runs at the Theatre Royal Stratford East until 15th July 2023. Visit www.stratfordeast.com for info and tickets. Elexi Walker is playing Mary Tuck in Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-written by Carl Grose at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Directed by Melly Still, this new take on the classic tale of Robin Hood is set in a desperate, divided kingdom where only the truly cunning can outwit the sheriff’s terrifying wrath. Some of Elexi's theatre credits include A Christmas Carol (Rose Theatre), I Think We Are Alone (Frantic Assembly), She Ventures and He Wins (Young Vic) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Rose Theatre). Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-written runs at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre until 22nd July. Visit www.openairtheatre.com for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Chris Fung (Frozen / Evita) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Chris discuss Groundhog Day (Old Vic), A Strange Loop (Barbican Centre) and Then, Now & Next (Southwark Playhouse) as well as the latest news about Aspects of Love, Frozen, the Olivier Awards and lots more. Chris' stage credits include the West End productions of Frozen and Cyrano de Bergerac as well as Jamie Lloyd’s revival of Evita at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and the Australian tour of The King and I. Chris is currently producing and preparing to star in his debut play The Society for New Cuisine which will run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer. The Society for New Cuisine runs at Underbelly Cowgate 3rd – 27th August. Visit www.underbellyedinburgh.co.uk for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Milly Summer (Producer for British Youth Music Theatre) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Milly discuss Mrs Doubtfire (Shaftesbury Theatre), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (New Wimbledon Theatre, UK Tour), Robin Hood: The Legend. Rewritten (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre) and The Third Man (Menier Chocolate Factory) as well as the latest news about heat wave cancellations, Jesus Christ Superstar, the Wicked film and lots more. Milly started out as an Agent Assistant to Michael Garret at Global Artists. During her time at Global, Milly wrote a popular blog called #SummerSays for West End Frame. After five years at Global, Milly joined Bill Kenwright Limited as a Production Executive. She is now a Producer for British Youth Music Theatre (BYMT), a national performing arts education charity and the largest commissioner of new musicals in the UK. For more info about BYMT, visit www.britishyouthmusictheatre.org. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Chris Jenkins (Gus in Groundhog Day) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Chris discuss The Crucible (Guilgud Theatre), Lifeboats (King's Head Theatre, MT Pride Lab), Grease (Dominion Theatre) and Assassins (Chichester Festival Theatre) as well as the latest news about the Tony Awards, Diana The Musical, Lizzie, Cats and lots more. Chris is currently playing Gus in Groundhog Day which has returned to the Old Vic where it previously ran in 2016 ahead of its Broadway transfer. Directed by Matthew Warchus, Groundhog Day has music and lyrics by Tim Minchin with book by Danny Rubin. Some of Chris' credits include: Hex and Jack Absolute Flies Again (National Theatre), All That (King’s Head Theatre), The Arcadians (Wilton's Musical Hall), Cinderella (Hackney Empire), tick, tick...BOOM! and The Burnt Part Boys (Park Theatre) as well the West End productions of War Of The Worlds (Dominion), Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace), Spamalot (Playhouse) and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Gielgud). Follow Chris on Instagram: @chrisjenko Groundhog Day runs at the Old Vic until 19th August 2023. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

It's time for the second instalment of our Broadway round-up! In this week's episode, West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins, is back in the UK and reunited with theatre journalist Lisa Martland. Andrew and Lisa discuss Once Upon A One More Time, New York, New York and & Juliet as well as the news that Shucked is coming to London! Having spent many years at The Stage – including five years as Deputy Editor – Lisa Martland is the Founding Editor of one of the UK’s top theatre websites, Musical Theatre Review which is currently celebrating its tenth anniversary. Lisa is Sub-Editor for Musicals Magazine. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

It's time to find out what's happening on Broadway! West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins, is live in New York and joined by theatre journalist Lisa Martland. In part one, Andrew and Lisa discuss some of this season's hottest shows including Parade starring Ben Platt, Some Like It Hot, Shucked, Kimberly Akimbo and Sweeney Todd. They also discuss off-Broadway hit Titanique as well as Hadestown and Six. Having spent many years at The Stage – including five years as Deputy Editor – Lisa Martland is the Founding Editor of one of the UK’s top theatre websites, Musical Theatre Review which is currently celebrating its tenth anniversary. Lisa is Sub-Editor for Musicals Magazine. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Emily Benjamin (alternate Sally Bowles in Cabaret) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Emily discuss Aspects Of Love (Apollo Theatre), Greatest Days (UK Tour, Manchester Palace Theatre) and The Little Mermaid (Disney Live Action Film) as well as the latest news about Love Never Dies, The Color Purple, Bonnie & Clyde and lots more. Emily was in the premiere of Bat Out of Hell at the Manchester Opera House and stayed with the show for its Coliseum, Dominion and Toronto runs. Her other credits include The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe (Bridge Theatre) and Zog Live (UK Tour). Emily is currently a swing and the alternate Sally Bowles in the West End production of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club. She took over as Sally for a limited run earlier this year, in addition to performing as Sally at West End Live (Trafalgar Square) and Magic At The Musicals (Royal Albert Hall). Follow Emily on Instagram: @flemilyremily Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Shem Omari James (CC in Dreamgirls) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Shem discuss Once On This Island (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre) and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Southwark Playhouse) as well as the latest news about Nicole Scherzinger being cast in Sunset Boulevard, MJ West End casting, the Tony Awards and lots more. Having graduated from Arts Ed during the pandemic, Shem made his professional debut alongside Cedric Neal, Rachel Tucker, Rachel John and Ramin Karimloo in the digital production of Songs For A New World by Jason Robert Brown. He later reprised his performance when the musical was staged at the London Palladium for two performances. Shem's theatre credits also include The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Leicester Curve) and the world premiere of Vanara (Hackney Empire). Most recently, Shem played CC and understudied Jimmy in the first ever UK and Ireland tour of Dreamgirls. He’s currently producing an LGBTQ+ cabaret at the Broadway Theatre in Catford as part of Pride Month celebrations on Saturday 17th June. Fore information about the concert, follow the I Can Be Collective on Instagram: @icanbecollective Follow Shem on Instagram: @houseofomarijames Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.