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Ratbag with Mel & Sam
The Toxic Side Of Music Theatre Fandom ft. The Carrie Hope Fletcher Of It All
Ep. 47
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Hello ratties!
It wouldn’t be like us to not do SOME kind of music theatre deep dive once every now and again, so please enjoy today’s Ratfood where we unpack a video made by West End darling Carrie Hope Fletcher in which she talks about some of the more toxic sides of music theatre fandom.
We chat about how strongly it feels like those within the entertainment industry are expected to ‘take’ more when it comes to public criticism - or even bullying - and we talk about the really interesting line that exists between constructive feedback and nasty, personal comments, and why people who grew up as theatre kids specifically feel such a strong inclination to make them loudly known.
We also chat about the phenomenon of rage bait and the dangerous direction critique can lead to when everyone feels like they need to have a new and CRAYYYZY opinion from the last person.
We end the episode talking about casting notes scandal that went down at St Michael’s, a personal nightmare of Sam’s and a hypothetical about whether or not we would all choose to have access to everything that’s ever been written about us.
It’s a jam packed one, cuties! As always, all your thoughts are so welcome in the comments and let us know if there’s anything you want us to make an episode about.
Lots of love, and big fat cheese cubes to you all.
xx
Mel & Sam
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You can watch the full video form of this episode on YouTube HERE: https://youtube.com/@themelandsam?si=jzeN-E_-DcE-DGHS
LIVE POD (Cheerful Earful, Melb) TIX HERE: https://cheerfulearful.podlifeevents.com/festival/ratbag-with-mel--sam---live-from-cheerful-earful-podcast-festival-4-oct-2025-tickets
Follow Mel & Sam on Instagram (@themelandsam) to keep up with all things pod, live shows and other nonsense. And remember, our Bring Bring Bitch hotline is always open! You can also send submissions to ratbagpod@gmail.com!
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Mel & Sam would like to acknowledge that Ratbag is being recorded on Stolen Land.
The original custodians of this land have had a rich history of storytelling for over 65,000 years, and we pay our respects to the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation whose land we are recording Ratbag on.
Treaties were never signed. Sovereignty was never ceded. Always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
—
A Grouse House Podcast
Recorded at Haven't You Done Well Productions
Produced by Thomas Zahariou
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