The WhatsOnStage Podcast

Hopping onto a remote recording at the earliest opportunity, Sarah and Alex discuss the legacy of the late, great Tom Stoppard – following the news of his passing on Saturday night. In an episode of two halves, this is accompanied by a reflection on the glorious response to Paddington The Musical, which received a deluge of glowing reviews following its Sunday night world premiere.

Sarah goes to @sohoplace to talk to writer David Eldridge about his two plays running in London at the moment: End at the National Theatre, the completion of his relationships trilogy, and The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, the first adaptation of a John Le Carré novel for the stage.

As he approaches press night, we check in with award-winning actor Paul Hilton, who is getting his Scrooge on this Christmas at the Old Vic. He reflects on finding his own way into the iconic miser, and what drew him to Jack Thorne’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic after initially turning the role down. More broadly, he reflects on his career: bringing The Inheritance to New York after its landmark London moment, and the work he did helping to save Oldham Coliseum. He also expresses a great desire to work on Hamlet Hail To The Thief with Thom Yorke once again – if ever the moment arose. 

Alex has been to see Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo to bring the Wicked story to its conclusion. And Sarah has been scouring the theatre listings to find alternatives to Christmas jollity.

With Wicked: For Good soaring into cinemas this week, editor-in-chief Alex Wood sat down with the two-part big-screen adaptation's casting directors – Bernie Telsey and Tiffany Little Canfield – to discuss how they assembled such a rich and varied ensemble for the blockbuster franchise. The duo, with a long history of casting on stage and screen, shared their proudest moments during a very protracted casting process – and how they felt watching the now-famous Jonathan Bailey dressing room audition tape. They also wax lyrical about the importance of the screen-to-stage pipeline, and how stage stars can become the biggest movie stars of a generation.

Trailed last week in our main episode, editor-in-chief Alex Wood sits down with Alan Cumming, who has just announced a jam-packed, star-studded first season at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. He may not be taking a salary, but he isn't taking his time either – delivering a huge bill of shows with strong international names. He also discusses his time workshopping the all-male Company under the direction of John Tiffany, and what he hopes to achieve for the much-loved Scottish venue.