The West End Frame Show: Theatre News, Reviews & Chat

Jessica Daley (Evita / I Should Be So Lucky) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!Andrew and Jessica discuss the latest news about Jessie J turning down the role of Sally Bowles, Remember Monday, casting for Here and Now, Rob Houchen and Anna Jane Casey doing Sweeney Todd and lots more.They also talk about the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre's report with analysis on the current state of theatre in the UK.Fifteen years ago, Jessica was a finalist on Over The Rainbow, BBC1's search for Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Her theatre credits include: Ali in Mamma Mia! (West End), Maria in The Sound of Music (UK Tour), cover Fantine in Les Miserables (International Tour), Frenchy in Grease (Dubai), Lynette in An Officer and a Gentleman (Curve Leicester), Eva Person in Evita (International Tour), Billy’s Mum in Billy Elliot (Leicester Curve) and Betty Haynes in White Christmas (UK Tour)More recently Jessica was in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium covering the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda, she toured as Britney in I Should Be So Lucky and played Daisy in Lady Be Good in Sicily. She's also a podcaster in her won right, having hosted Park & Bark which is available wherever you get your podcasts.Follow Jessica on Instagram: @jessicacaca7This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening!Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Nelson Bettencourt (Disney’s Aladdin / Friendsical) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!Andrew and Nelson discuss Here We Are (National Theatre) and The Mad Ones (Other Palace Studio) as well as the latest news about Tina: The Tina Turner Musical closing, Cynthia Erivo's West End return, Legally Blonde's new tour, casting for The Sound of Music at Leicester Curve and lots more.Nelson recently played Babkak in the UK & Ireland tour of Disney’s Aladdin having previously played Ross in the UK tour of Friendsical. Nelson is from Canada, with his Canadian theatre credits including Candide, Fun Home, Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Sister Act, A Chorus Line, All Shook Up, Beauty and the Beast and Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.Follow Nelson on Instagram: @nfmbettencourt This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening!Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Jacob Fowler (The Addams Family / Heathers) returns to co-host The West End Frame Show!Andrew and Jacob discuss Parlour Song (Greenwich Theatre) as well as the latest news about speedy boarding at theatres, Heathers off-Broadway, Ragtime, Adam Lambert, I'm Every Woman and lots more. Jacob is the winner of BBC1's Little Mix: The Search and went on to support Little Mix on their Confetti Arena Tour with his band Since September.Jacob played JD in the London and touring productions of Heathers. His other theatre credits include: Prince Topher in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Hope Mill Theatre), Bobby in Dreamboats and Petticoats (UK Tour), Ben in Before After (Southwark Playhouse), Hunter in Title Of Show (Southwark Playhouse), Mohr in Vanara: The Legend (Hackmey Empire), Hunter in In Pieces (Turbine Theatre) and Kings Of Broadway (Palace Theatre). Next up, Jacob is playing Lucas in the UK tour of The Addams Family from July.Follow Jacob on Instagram: @thejacobfowlerThis podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening!Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

This week West End Frame Editor Andrew Tomlins hosts a solo episode of The West End Frame Show. Andrew discusses A Knight's Tale (Manchester Opera House) and Mary Poppins (Manchester Palace, UK & Ireland Tour) as well as the latest news about Tony nominations, Redwood starring Idina Menzel closing, new Titanique casting, Operation Mincemeat and lots more. Andrew also talks about return trips to MJ, Starlight Express, The Book of Mormon and talks about Wicked's media night and Drew Gasparini's We Aren't Kids Anymore.This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening!Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Theatre producer Chuchu Nwagu returns to co-host The West End Frame Show!Andrew and Chuchu discuss The Great Gatsby (ENO London Coliseum) as well as the latest news about My Son's A Queer, Six Japan, Paddington The Musical, the 2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards, King of Pangea and more. Andrew and Chuchu also have a discussion about trans allyship in theatre and how our industry can do more to support our trans friends and colleagues.As a producer, Chuchu's West End credits include Red Pitch (Soho Place), Shifters (Duke of York's) and Amelie (Criterion) whilst on Broadway his credits include Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman and The Roommate (Broadway). Some of Chuchu's other production's have included Sleeping Beauty (Catford), Burlesque The Musical (Manchester/Glasgow), The Big Life! A Ska Musical (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Lenny Henry’s August in England (Bush Theatre), Choir Boy (Bristol Old Vic), Dreamgirls (UK & Ireland Tour) and The Wiz (Hope Mill Theatre).Chuchu is currently back in the West End, co-producing Retrograde by Ryan Calais Cameron which has transferred to the Apollo Theatre following its run at the Kiln.Follow Chuchu on Instagram: @cnwaguRetrodgrade runs at the Apollo Theatre until Saturday 14th June. Visit www.nimaxtheatres.com for info and tickets.This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening!Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Lilianna Hendy (Starlight Express) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!In this special Q&A episode, Andrew and Lilianna answer your questions. Topics include drama school advice, favourite Six songs, coolest dressing rooms, movie to musical adaptations, Death Becomes Her and more. Andrew also talks about his recent return visit to Mean Girls and Lilianna discusses all-things Starlight Express. Lilianna trained at Urdang and is currently making her professional debut in the London revival of Starlight Express at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. Lilianna plays Wrench and understudies Dinah and Pearl.Follow Lilianna on Instagram: @liliannahendyThis podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening!Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.