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should controversial actors be fired? | thoughts on the backlash for Boy George and Geno Segers
The theatre industry has recently seen casting controversy on either side of the Atlantic, with Boy George departing from his planned stint in the West End revival of Jesus Christ Superstar days before he was scheduled to perform, and Geno Segers announced as Broadway's newest Hades in the Tony Award winning musical Hadestown.
While the reaction online to political statements from each actor has been decisive, there is a deeper conversation to be had about how he respond to these situations, what level of reprisal is proportionate, and what would be achieved by their dismissal?
Share your thoughts as Mickey-Jo's attempt to share his and find some nuance in this challenging topic.
sign up to Mickey-Jo's weekly substack newsletter:
www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com
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00:00 | introduction
04:25 | Boy George / Jesus Christ Superstar
09:50 | Geno Segers / Hadestown
16:05 | the problems
23:39 | further thoughts
28:43 | conclusion
About Mickey-Jo:
As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: MickeyJoTheatre is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 95,000 subscribers. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre
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Mickey-Jo stood onstage for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR | everything you need to know about the standing tickets
32:06|Mickey-Jo recently headed back to JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at the London Palladium, but this time he wasn't seated in the auditorium, but stood onstage.This production is offering dozens of audience members at each performance the chance to book onstage standing tickets and experience the show from an intimate, alternative vantage point.This experience came with many logistical requirements as well as a unique theatrical point of view, and today he’ll be sharing everything you may need to know about both...•00:00 | introduction02:58 | logistics17:35 | experience30:34 | conclusionwhy Ariana Grande has left Sunday in the Park with George | the reason for the star's musical exit
22:27|In a bombshell announcement, it has been confirmed this evening that Ariana Grande will not appear in next year's London revival of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE.The pop star, who was set to make her London musical theatre debut alongside Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey, will no longer star in the show as she concludes a concert tour and faces increased public commentary.Find out more about the potential reasons behind this decision, as well as its implications for the upcoming revival...sign up to Mickey-Jo's weekly substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction02:59 | the announcement07:23 | why has Ariana left?16:23 | the show's future21:23 | conclusionCleansed (Almeida Theatre, London) - ★★★★ REVIEW
25:41|Mickey-Jo headed to the Almeida Theatre, with some nervous anticipation, to see their new production of Sarah Kane's CLEANSED.This play, first seen at the Royal Court Theatre in the late 1990s, is preceded by its reputation for extreme cruelty and graphic violence, prompting audience members to faint, walk out and publicly decry it.Check out what Mickey-Jo thought of his first experience of the play in this new production from Rebecca Frecknall.sign up Mickey-Jo's weekly substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction02:48 | the context06:18 | this production14:48 | the meaning20:57 | final thoughtsthe ODYSSEY vs the ORESTEIA | reviews of the 2026 film and play at the Bridge Theatre
38:47|Last week Mickey-Jo saw two of this summer's buzziest cultural arrivals: the new film adaptation of THE ODYSSEY written and directed by Christopher Nolan and the stage adaptation of THE ORESTEIA at the Bridge Theatre written and directed by Simon Stone.Today, Mickey-Jo is sharing his thoughts about each of these creative projects alongside one another, talking through their adaptations, endings, aesthetics, material and performances.Find out how these two ancient stories from Homer and Aeschylus overlap and what Mickey-Jo thought of each of them...sign up to Mickey-Jo's weekly substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction02:38 | narrative / adaptation 08:33 | material / design18:38 | performances 29:09 | the endings37:24 | conclusionshould Broadway stars do 8 shows a week? | thoughts on the expectations on theatre actors in 2026
28:54|A conversation has been taking place recently on social media about the stamina and fortitude of Broadway performers in 2026 vs their golden age counterparts.Today, Mickey-Jo is asking what's changed about Broadway and the world surrounding it in the last century that has prompted this shift. Additionally, Mickey-Jo is sharing his thoughts on why theatre actors perhaps shouldn't be performing 8 shows each week, and how this could even be better for Broadway's box office in the long run...sign up to Mickey-Jo's weekly substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction03:02 | has Broadway changed?09:21 | the calling out problem16:03 | why do fewer shows?26:51 | conclusionwhy did critics hate TRAINSPOTTING the musical? | review roundup for the West End musical
41:40|A few days ago, TRAINSPOTTING the musical opened at Theatre Royal Haymarket in the West End.Among the reviews have been many of the most critical verdicts a new London opening has received in some time, prompting the question: why did the critics hate Trainspotting the Musical?sign up to Mickey-Jo's weekly substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction02:34 | my review05:22 | The Guardian08:33 | WhatsOnStage12:42 | The Standard16:34 | The Stage20:50 | The Telegraph24:33 | The Financial Times28:01 | The Times31:25 | The Sunday Times35:02 | The Upcoming39:39 | conclusionwhy has BURLESQUE been cancelled?! | the truth behind the show's postponement, cancellation & drama
28:50|There is yet more drama in the world of BURLESQUE the Musical as it was announced earlier this week that its two concurrently readying UK productions would each face some postponement.The show's London return, at the Arts Theatre at Marble Arch, has been delayed to 2027 and will no longer play at the same venue, while the UK tour has cancelled its first stop in Woking and will now begin performances in Sunderland.With considerable history of offstage drama, Mickey-Jo is taking a look back at prior productions of the show in order to highlight exactly why this keeps happening... sign up to Mickey-Jo's weekly substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction02:22 | the show's history09:23 | the cancellation details19:25 | the show's future27:42 | conclusionMidnight at the Never Get starring Ben Platt (Menier Chocolate Factory, London) - ★★★★ REVIEW
23:49|Earlier this week, MIDNIGHT AT THE NEVER GET opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London.The new musical, written by Mark Sonnenblick, stars Ben Platt and sees the off West End venue reconfigured as an intimate 1960s Cabaret space.Check out Mickey-Jo's spoiler-free and spoiler inclusive thoughts in tandem about this affecting new musical with a pastiche score...•00:00 | introduction02:49 | overview (spoiler free)13:47 | development (spoilers!)22:24 | conclusion