This episode, we're travelling from the Royal Court Theatre's exciting launch of The Afronauts to the bruising world of Golden Boy, before turning up the volume with Million Dollar Quartet.
It's an episode packed with theatrical ambition, extraordinary performances, musical legends and stories about people determined to follow their dreams - whatever the cost.
The Afronauts - Royal Court Theatre Launch Party & Cast Reveal
We're at the Royal Court Theatre for a special launch party and cast reveal for The Afronauts, an intriguing new production that promises to take audiences on a journey beyond the ordinary. Natalie catches a moment with the writer and co-directors Ryan Calais Cameron and Monique Touko and actor Lucian Msamati.
We bring you a flavour of the celebrations, the excitement surrounding the announcement and a first look at the company bringing this ambitious new work to the stage.
Golden Boy
Josh O'Connor steps into the ring in Golden Boy, Clifford Odets' powerful drama about a gifted young violinist who abandons his musical ambitions for the potentially lucrative but brutal world of professional boxing.
It's a story about ambition, identity, family expectations and the sacrifices we make in pursuit of success.
O'Connor delivers an intensely physical performance, while Hayley Squires is a particular standout in a production that finds ingenious theatrical ways to bring the violence of boxing to life - without needing to stage a conventional fight.
We discuss the clever use of a suspended punchbag, the extraordinary contribution of lighting and sound, and whether the production lands its emotional punches as convincingly as its physical ones.
Million Dollar Quartet
And finally, we're heading back to the birth of rock ’n’ roll!
Million Dollar Quartet celebrates the legendary 1956 recording session at Sun Records in Memphis that brought together four extraordinary musicians: Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.
Packed with iconic hits, infectious energy and a fascinating glimpse into music history, this jukebox musical recreates the night four future legends found themselves together in one recording studio.
We discuss the performances, the musicianship and the irresistible appeal of hearing some of rock ’n’ roll's greatest songs performed live on stage.
From the promise of new theatre at the Royal Court to Josh O'Connor's bruising battle between art and ambition, and four musical legends making history in Memphis, it's another wonderfully varied week at Theatre Audience Podcast.
Three productions. Big ambitions. And plenty of star power.
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