Theatre Audience Podcast

This week, we dive into JEEZUS!, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare's Globe, and FLYBY at Southwark Playhouse Borough - three productions fuelled by desire, transformation, and emotional chaos. From queer rebellion in 1990s Peru, to Shakespearean lovers lost in a moonlit forest, to a fractured romance drifting through deep space, these shows explore identity, connection, fantasy, and the dangerous thrill of feeling truly alive.JEEZUS!Created by award-winning migrant-led company Alpaqa, this explosive musical blends live music, dark comedy, Latin heat, and unapologetic queerness into one gloriously chaotic theatrical experience. Set against the backdrop of 1990s Peru during Alberto Fujimori’s dictatorship, the show follows altar boy Jesús as Catholic guilt collides headfirst with forbidden desire. Winner of the 2025 Untapped Award and The Stage Fringe Five, JEEZUS! returns to London louder, sweatier, and even more unhinged after its Edinburgh Fringe success. Think Bad Bunny meets Bo Burnham by way of Bertolt Brecht.A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Shakespeare's GlobeShakespeare’s beloved comedy is transformed into a vibrant communal celebration in this joyful new production directed by Emily Lim. As lovers chase desire through a moonlit forest and mischievous spirits wreak havoc, the Globe becomes a playground of chaos, wonder, and transformation beneath the summer sky. Filled with music, magic, and theatrical playfulness, this immersive take on the classic reminds us why A Midsummer Night’s Dream remains one of Shakespeare’s most enchanting works.FLYBY – Southwark Playhouse BoroughOriginally developed by the National Theatre, this emotionally charged new musical blends intimate relationship drama with the vast loneliness of space. Written by Theo Jamieson and directed by Adam Lenson, FLYBY follows astronaut Daniel after he steals a spacecraft and disappears, leaving filmmaker Emily behind to piece together the truth. Starring Poppy Gilbert, Stuart Thompson, Gina Beck, Rupert Young and Simbi Akande, the musical explores ambition, obsession, mental health, and the dangerous pull between two people who cannot let each other go.

This episode, we dive into two bold, politically charged productions - A Doll’s House at the Almeida Theatre and Between the River and the Sea at the Royal Court - each interrogating relationships under pressure. From the fractures within a marriage to the complexities of identity across borders, these shows ask what happens when the systems we rely on - love, family, nation - begin to crack.A Doll’s House – Almeida TheatreHenrik Ibsen’s groundbreaking domestic drama gets a sharp, contemporary reimagining in this new version by Anya Reiss, directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins. When scandal threatens Nora and Torvald’s seemingly perfect marriage, the rules of their relationship are thrown into question - money, sex, and power all up for negotiation. Romola Garai returns to the Almeida as Nora, bringing intensity and nuance to a role that continues to challenge audiences over a century on. Provocative, unsettling, and darkly modern, this is a revival that leans into the mess of intimacy and control.Between the River and the Sea – Royal Court TheatreWritten by Yousef Sweid and Isabella Sedlak, this internationally acclaimed piece arrives in London following its success at Berlin’s Maxim Gorki Theater. Part personal story, part political reflection, it follows Yousef - a Palestinian-Israeli man navigating identity, fatherhood, and a complex custody battle across borders. Moving between Haifa and Berlin, the play explores family, fear, and the possibility of imagining a future beyond division. Urgent, intimate, and deeply human storytelling at its core.

This week, we explore three productions - Dear Jack, Dear Louise, Invisible Me and An Evening Without Kate Bush- each capturing connection in very different ways: through letters, through late-life reinvention, and through music that brings people together. Natalie talks about the up-coming season at the Young Vic with a sneak peep from Artistic Director Nadia Fall. From wartime romance to modern-day intimacy and a joyous celebration of fandom, these shows remind us that it’s never too late to feel, to rediscover, and to belong.Dear Jack, Dear LouiseWritten by Ken Ludwig, this charming and deeply moving play tells the true story of two strangers who fall in love through letters during World War II. Jack, a military doctor stationed in Oregon, and Louise, an aspiring actress in New York, build a relationship across distance and time - proving that even in the darkest moments, connection can flourish. Warm, witty and full of heart, it’s a love story built on words, imagination and longing.Invisible MeA warm, witty and refreshingly honest exploration of life, love and sex later in life, starring Tessa Peake-Jones. Following three Londoners navigating grief, dating, and rediscovery, the play shines a light on stories we rarely see on stage. With humour and tenderness, it asks what happens when life doesn’t slow down at sixty - and whether there’s still room for connection, intimacy, and reinvention.An Evening Without Kate BushCreated and performed by Sarah-Louise Young, this joyful and wildly original show invites audiences to release their inner Kate Bush. Blending cabaret, storytelling and audience participation, it celebrates the fans, the music, and the myth of one of the most iconic artists of all time. Expect to howl with The Hounds of Love, dance through Wuthering Heights, and lose yourself in a night that’s as communal as it is electric.

This week, we explore three productions that each, in their own way, interrogate identity -through family, through art, and through community. From intimate domestic tensions to bold visual storytelling and vibrant, lived-in spaces, these shows remind us how deeply personal and political our stories can be.The Holy RosenbergsWritten by Ryan Craig and directed by Lindsay Posner, this gripping family drama dives into faith, legacy, and generational divide. With a powerhouse cast including Tracy-Ann Oberman, the play examines belief, belonging, and the emotional cost of holding a family - and its traditions - together in a rapidly shifting world.A Mirrored MonetCreated by Carmel Owen and directed by Christian Durham, this visually striking piece draws inspiration from the world of impressionist art to explore perception and self-image. Blending multimedia with performance, it reflects on how identity is shaped - and sometimes fractured - through memory, observation, and the gaze of others. Cast includes Jeff Shankley and Dean John-Wilson.Jaja’s African Hair BraidingWritten by Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Monique Touko, this vibrant and deeply human story is set in a bustling Harlem hair salon. Featuring a dynamic ensemble cast, the play celebrates community, culture, and resilience - capturing the humour, struggle, and beauty found in everyday connection.

In this episode, Darren and Natalie bring together Paco Peña: Solera, John Proctor Is the Villain, and a look at The Off West End Awards (Offies) - celebrating bold performance, urgent storytelling and the brilliance of Off-West End theatre.The Off West End Awards (The Offies)We take a moment to celebrate the Offies - the awards that champion the very best of Off-West End theatre. Recognising innovation, risk-taking and outstanding talent across London’s fringe venues, the Offies shine a spotlight on the artists and productions pushing boundaries and shaping the future of theatre.Smalltown Boy – Development Workshop Presentation A new jukebox musical in development, showcased in an invite-only industry workshop in London. Set in New York’s East Village in 1983, it follows a teenage runaway immersed in the underground New Wave scene as the AIDS crisis begins to unfold. Featuring iconic 80s hits like Tainted Love and True Colors, the show explores identity, belonging and chosen family through a distinctly LGBTQ+ lens, with a rising West End cast and a creative team led by writer Jeffrey Fischer-Smith and director Jonathan O’Boyle.Paco Peña: Solera – Sadler’s WellsFlamenco legend Paco Peña returns with Solera, a rich and soulful celebration of Andalusian music and dance. Joined by an exceptional company of dancers and musicians, this electrifying production blends intricate guitar work, powerful vocals and breathtaking choreography. Rooted in tradition yet alive with contemporary energy, Solera is a masterclass in rhythm, storytelling and the enduring power of flamenco.John Proctor Is the Villain – Royal Court TheatreA blistering, five-star production that couldn’t feel more timely. Written by Kimberly Belflower and directed by Danya Taymor, this bold re-examination of The Crucible through a modern, feminist lens places teenage girls at the centre of the narrative. Set in a Georgia high school, the play interrogates power, patriarchy and whose stories are believed - or rewritten. Featuring an outstanding ensemble cast delivering electric, emotionally raw performances, this is theatre that feels urgent, necessary and deeply resonant.

In this episode, we’re joined by Olivier Award-winning performer, writer and cabaret artist Sarah-Louise Young, as she brings her wildly successful cult hit An Evening Without Kate Bush to Underbelly Boulevard in London.This isn’t your typical tribute show. Kate Bush isn’t in it… and yet she’s everywhere. Blending iconic music, audience participation, and a deep love for fandom, the show has become a global phenomenon - out internationally, playing Glastonbury, and building a fiercely devoted following.In this conversation, we talk about the magic of cabaret, the unpredictability of live audiences, and what it means to create a show that changes night to night and why cabaret remains one of the most exciting and dangerous forms of live performance.Plus… what would actually happen if Kate Bush walked into the audience?

This week Darren and Natalie take on four strikingly different productions. From dark historical drama – Savage, and modern dating satire You Matched With, to world-class dance Turn it Out with Tiler Peck and Friends and a raw, music-fuelled classic - Teeth 'n' Smiles.Savage – White Bear TheatreA chilling and provocative play rooted in real history, Savage explores the horrifying “conversion” experiments carried out under Nazi rule by Danish doctor Carl Peter Værnet, who claimed to have found a “cure” for homosexuality. Set against this brutal backdrop, the play examines identity, power and survival, brought to life through a strong ensemble. Unflinching and deeply affecting, it confronts a dark chapter of history that still resonates today.You Matched With… – Etcetera TheatreSwipe right into chaos with this sharp, witty exploration of modern dating. You Matched With… dives into the absurdities, expectations and emotional rollercoaster of app-based romance, blending humour with uncomfortable truths about connection in the digital age. Fast-paced and relatable, it captures the awkwardness, hope and heartbreak of searching for love through a screen.Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & FriendsA dazzling evening of dance led by New York City Ballet principal Tiler Peck, bringing together an extraordinary ensemble of performers across ballet, tap and contemporary styles. Packed with visually stunning choreography and standout moments - including a thrilling duo with her husband Roman Mejia - this vibrant programme showcases the sheer versatility and brilliance of world-class dancers pushing boundaries and celebrating movement in all its forms.Teeth 'n' Smiles David Hare’s cult classic returns in this raw, electrifying production set in the world of a struggling rock band. Following a chaotic university May Ball performance, Teeth 'n' Smiles captures the tensions, ambitions and disillusionment of youth through music, rebellion and sharp dialogue in this rebel play starring Self Esteem's Rebecca Lucy Taylor. Gritty, funny and biting, it remains a powerful portrait of artistic frustration and the cost of chasing success.

This week Darren and Natalie take on two epic stories reimagined for the stage - from dystopian spectacle with The Hunger Games: On Stage to one of Shakespearean’s most famous tragedy Romeo & Juliet.The Hunger Games: On StageCitizens of Panem, the arena has arrived in London. This bold new stage adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ global phenomenon transforms The Hunger Games into a live theatrical experience in a purpose-built venue at Canary Wharf. Adapted by Conor McPherson and directed by Matthew Dunster, this ambitious production follows Katniss Everdeen’s fight for survival in a world where power, control and spectacle collide. With cutting-edge staging and a clear sense of scale, the show brings the iconic story to life in a way that asks: what happens when entertainment and violence become one and the same?Romeo & Juliet @ Shakespeare’s GlobeBack at the Globe for its 20th anniversary year of Playing Shakespeare with Deutsche Bank, this fast-paced, 90-minute revival of Romeo & Juliet offers a thrilling, accessible take on Shakespeare’s most famous love story. Directed by Lucy Cuthbertson, this “stunt-riding thriller” strips the play back to its raw emotional core, placing young love against a backdrop of escalating violence. Designed as an entry point for new audiences, this production proves just how urgent and relevant the story of Romeo and Juliet still feels today.

Best known to millions as Raquel in the iconic BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, Tessa  Peake-Jones joins Darren to discuss her latest stage role in the heartfelt new comedy-drama Invisible Me, opening at Southwark Playhouse.Written by Bren Gosling and directed by Scott Le Crass, the play explores dating, loneliness and the search for connection later in life. Following three very different characters navigating singledom in their sixties, Invisible Me offers a funny, honest and touching look at love, identity and the courage it takes to start again.Tessa talks about bringing the character of Lynn to life, the realities of representation for older performers on stage, and why stories about later-life romance feel more relevant than ever.