In The Frame: Theatre Interviews from West End Frame

Chelsea Halfpenny is starring as Tracy in the brand new musical Maiden Voyage at Southwark Playhouse Elephant. Written by Mindi Dickstein and Carmel Dean, the show brings to life the true story of the first all-female sailing crew in the Whitbread Round the World Race.Chelsea started out her career in the world of television, playing roles in Casualty and Emmerdale. She made her West End debut as Judy in 9to5 at the Savoy Theatre and went on to star as Jenna in the UK & Ireland tour of Waitress. On screen, Chelsea has also played roles in Grantchester, The Good Ship Murder, Vera and Inventing The Ripper. Recorded as rehearsals for Maiden Voyage were coming to an end, in this episode Chelsea discusses why she was drawn to the show, what it's like to be part of an original cast and why she fell in love with the score. She also talks about her path into theatre and how she conquered singing 'Get Out And Stay Out' and 'She Used To Be Mine' in 9to5 and Waitress. Maiden Voyage runs at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant 19th July - 23rd August. Visit www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk for info and tickets. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

Shanay Holmes is starring as Nancy in the West End revival of Oliver!. The new production has been reconceived by Cameron Mackintosh, with direction and choreography by Matthew Bourne and co-direction by Jean-Pierre van der Spuy. Shanay opened with the show last summer at Chichester Festival Theatre before transferring to the Gielgud Theatre in London where Oliver! continues to play.Shanay recently played Ellen in Miss Saigon (Sheffield Theatres) and created the role of Cindy Breakspeare in Get Up Stand Up! (Lyric Theatre).After making her professional debut in Thriller Live (Lyric Theatre), Shanay went on to become the youngest person to ever play Rachael Maron in The Bodyguard (Adelphi Theatre). Her theatre credits also include: Close To You (Criterion Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (Open Air Theatre), Joanne in the 20th anniversary production of Rent (UK Tour/The Other Palace), Glinda in The Wizard of Oz (Birmingham Rep), Narrator in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Kilworth House), Marian in The Bridges of Madison County (Menier Chocolate Factory) and Laura in High Fidelity (Turbine Theatre).Alongside her performing career, Shanay is a producer and the co-founder of West End Musical Productions. Shanay and her husband Chris Steward are the masterminds, creators and producers of Musical Con, the world's biggest musical theatre fan convention. Musical Con returns for a fourth time this October at the ExCeL Centre. They also produce West End Musical Brunch, a plethora of West End Musical concerts and a variety of other projects. Shaney originally did the third episode of this podcast and has co-hosted The West End Frame Show a couple of times, but this is her first time back In The Frame for six years!In this episode, Shanay takes a deep dive into her journey with Oliver!; she reflects on how she has tackled such an iconic role and made it her own. She also discusses what plans are bubbling away for Musical Con and reflects on the path of her career over the past few years (and lots more pops up along the way!). Olivier! runs at the Gielgud Theatre. Visit www.oliverthemusical.com for info and tickets. Musical Con returns to the ExCeL Centre 18th-19th October 2025. Visit www.musicalcon.co.uk for info and tickets. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

Maria Omakinwa is playing Mrs Neilsen in Girl from the North Country.Written and directed by Conor McPherson with music and lyrics by Bob Dylan, the Olivier Award winning show has returned to the Old Vic for another run. Maria is no stranger to Girl from the North Country, having previously performed in the West End production and UK tour. Maria has worked at the Old Vic previously, appearing in A Christmas Carol and Sylvia. Her theatre credits include Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (West End/Theatre Royal Sydney), Show Boat, The Bodyguard and Avenue Q (West End), A Monster Calls and Soul Sister (UK Tour), One Love: The Bob Marley Musical (Birmingham Rep), Grimm Tales for Young and Old (Bargehouse) and Little Shop of Horrors (Kilworth House Theatre). Maria also appeared in the film adaptation of Matilda The Musical (Netflix). In this episode Maria discusses her history with Girl from the North Country and what makes it such a special piece to perform. She also talks about her journey into theatre and some of the shows she has been in along the way.Girl from the North Country runs at the Old Vic until 23rd August. Visit www.oldvictheatre.com for info and tickets. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

Aaron Lee Lambert is playing Agustín Magaldi in Jamie Lloyd’s West End revival of Evita.Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, Evita is running at the London Palladium starring Rachel Zegler as Eva Peron.Aaron worked with Jamie Lloyd ten years ago when he was in the UK premiere of Urinetown at the Other Palace and Apollo Theatre. He was part of the original West End cast of Hamilton in 2017 as a standby for several of the Principal roles, and stayed with the show until earlier this year marking a seven-and-a-half year run.Some of Aaron's other theatre credits include: Unicorn (Other Palace), Sister Act (Curve Leicester/UK Tour), Sunset Boulevard (London Coliseum), Miss Saigon (Prince Edward), Sweeney Todd (London Coliseum), Sister Act (Aberystwyth Arts), Next Thing You Know (Landor), Shrek (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Sister Act (London Palladium), Show Boat (Carnegie Hall), Meet John Doe (Goodspeed Opera House) and But the Giraffe/Brundibar (Yale Rep/New Victory, Off-Broadway).Recorded as Evita previews came to an end ahead of press night, in this episode Aaron reflects on returning to work with Jamie Lloyd, the rehearsal process and what it’s been like to share the stage with Rachel Zegler. He also discusses his seven year journey in Hamilton and the path of his career in musical theatre.Evita runs at the London Palladium until 6th September 2025. Visit www.evitathemusical.com for info and tickets.This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

Ricardo Afonso is playing Gomez in The Addams Family.With a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, The Addams Family launches a new national tour in July for a limited summer season. Ricardo is starring opposite Alexandra Burke as Morticia in the production which is directed by Matthew White and choreographed by by Alistair David.Ricardo is celebrated for his iconic performances as Galileo in We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre) and Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar (Barbican Theatre, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre & Royal Arena Denmark).Some of his other credits include: Cardinal Dalla Costa in Glory Ride (The Other Palace), Zorro/Don Diego de La Vega in Zorro (Cadogan Hall), Lead Vocalist in The Classic Rock Show (UK & Europe Tour), Frankie Belize in Carmen (London Workshop), Taxi Driver in Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown (Playhouse Theatre), Lead Vocalist in The Don Black Songbook (UK Tour), Alberto Beddini in Top Hat (Aldwych Theatre & UK Tour), Lead Vocalist in Thriller Live (Lyric Theatre), Lead Vocalist in The Wonderful World of Captain Beaky and His Band (Royal Albert Hall), Lead Vocalist in Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals (UK Tour), Willie Lopez in Ghost (London Workshop) and Lead Vocalist in The Night of 1000 Voices (Royal Albert Hall).Alongside his theatre work, Ricardo is a guest entertainer onboard the luxury cruise line Seabourn, having produced his own shows A Life Through Song and Icons. Ricardo is the lead vocalist of The Deccan Traps band and has extensive concert and recording credits. He also runs a performing arts academy and previously appeared on The Voice UK.In this episode, Ricardo discusses why he's excited to be playing Gomez as well as how he fell into musical theatre and his key memories and learnings from We Will Rock You and Jesus Christ Superstar. The Addams Family tour opens at the Birmingham Hippodrome on 10th July before visiting Curve Leicester, Lowry Salford, Marlowe Canterbury and Blackpool Opera House. Visit www.theaddamsfamily.co.uk for info, tour dates and tickets.This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

Jamaal Fields-Green is starring as Michael Jackson in the West End production of MJ!Jamaal started out as the MJ and Middle Michael standby on Broadway. He then headed out on the US tour, first as the alternate MJ before taking over the role full-time. During this time Jamaal made a couple of trips to London to play MJ in the West End for some very special emergency performances and in January Jamaal took over the role in London where he continues to dazzle audience to huge acclaim at the Prince Edward Theatre.Jamaal’s other theatre credits include playing John Laurens/Philip Hamilton in the Chicago production of Hamilton and he was in Choir Boy for the Philadelphia Theatre Company. Jamaal has worked on screen and created his own work in the form of several short films. He recently released an EP under his artist name J Hasan.In this episode Jamaal discusses his journey with MJ and how he copes with playing such an iconic and incredibly demanding role. He also delves into his other creative projects, aspirations for the future and lots more.You can see Jamaal performing in MJ at the Prince Edward Theatre. Follow him on Instagram @j_hasan22 and visit his website www.jamaalfieldsgreen.com to stay up-to-date with everything he's up to.This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

Ryan Reid is In The Frame!Most recently Ryan completed a three-year run playing Fiyero in the West End production of Wicked (Apollo Victoria), making history as the first black actor to play the role in the UK. Ryan’s theatre credits also include Blues in the Night (Hackney Empire), cover Donkey in Shrek (UK & Ireland Tour), cover Benny in In The Heights (Kings Cross Theatre), Marvin in Sweet Charity (Donmar Warehouse) and Angel City 4 in City Of Angels (Garrick).Ryan was part of the original West End cast of Dreamgirls and went on to take over the role of Curtis full-time. He played Ricky in the feature film Land Of Dreams. In this episode Ryan discusses making impact in Wicked, his path into theatre and the things he has learnt along the way. Follow Ryan on Instagram: @ryanreidukThis podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

Olivier nominee Aimie Atkinson is In The Frame!Aimie is preparing for the release of her album Queen which will be launched with a special solo concert in the West End on 23rd June at the Vaudeville Theatre. Aimie originated the role of Katherine Howard in Six The Musical in the West End, on tour and on the studio album. After reuniting with the original cast in 2022 for some special performances at Hampton Court Palace and in the West End, this year Aimie's performance as Katherine Howard was seen on the big screen when Six The Musical LIVE hit UK cinemas and broke records. As well as starring as Vivian Ward in the original West End production of Pretty Woman (Piccadilly Theatre/Savoy Theatre), Aimie's theatre credits include Rem in Death Note in Concert (London Palladium/Lyric Theatre), Lucia in Figaro (London Palladium), Daniela in In the Heights (King’s Cross Theatre), Serena in Legally Blonde (Kilworth House Theatre), Elizabeth in Dirty Dancing (UK tour), Chloe in Never Forget, Penny in Carnaby Street (Hackney Empire & UK Tour), Luisa in Zorro (UK Tour), Shelby Stevens in Steel Pier (Union Theatre), Vusuvia in Eurobeat (Edinburgh) and Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (Brighton Theatre Royal). In this episode, Aimie talks about her upcoming album and concert… and why she’s terrified about it! She also discusses the path of her career including how she previously left the industry, why she almost didn’t go to her Six audition and the reality of why hustling doesn't get any easier… and lots more along the way.Aimie plays the Vaudeville Theatre on 23rd July. Visit www.nimaxtheatres.com for info and tickets. Aimie's album Queen is released on 20th June. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

Aidan MacColl is starring as Leonardo in Pop Off, Michelangelo! at Underbelly Boulevard Soho.Written by Dylan MarcAurele, Pop Off, Michelangelo! premiered at last year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival to huge acclaim and went on to play some concert performances at The Other Palace. The show follows childhood friends Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci as they navigate art, ambition and forbidden love in Renaissance Italy by becoming the greatest religious artists of all time.Aiden has performed in various pantomimes and at sea onboard multiple cruise ships. Pop Off, Michelangelo! marks their London musical debut. In this episode Aiden discusses the journey of Pop Off, Michelangelo!, what the show means to them and their journey in this industry so far - plus lots more along the way. Pop Off, Michelangelo! has extended its run at Underbelly Boulevard Soho to 13th July. Visit www.underbellyboulevard.com for info and tickets. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.