MusicalTalk - The UK's Independent Musical Theatre Podcast Podcast
We are a weekly podcast devoted to bringing you news, views, reviews, interviews and much more content devoted to musical theatre and film. We discuss composers, writers, actors, theatres and shows and encourage listeners to join in. Visit our site at musicaltalk.co.uk
Episode 949: Wholesome or Debauched?
The demure and delicate Thos and Colm nervously clutch their pearls and allow themselves a walk on the wild side today as they discuss four musicals you could have seen at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year - two positive and delightful musicals and two rather more explicit examples of the genre. But which are which? Well the titles might give you a clue! In this week's episode you'll hear about Apparently Ugly, On Some Far Shore, The Meeples XXX and the 1684 shocker, tastefully titled Sodom - the Quintessence of Debauchery, a historically important, Restoration morality play with songs. How rude! Note: This episode contains adult themes and is explicit in its language so be warned.
Episode 948: What Makes a High School Musical?
This week on MusicalTalk, Nick and Hannah head to the Troubadour Theatre in Wembley for press night of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL! Hannah is a huge fan of the Disney phenomenon, while Nick is a more recent convert to the Wildcats' charms. But will the stage production be a slam dunk for both of them? Then Nick is joined by Thos to explore the legacy of High School Musical, what exactly makes a "High School Musical" when it comes to the genre and why the show remains such a gloriously entertaining experience. Is it possible for a musical to be enormous fun… but not actually very good? We'll be checking our egos at the door and asking whether we're all in this together when it comes to judging this much-loved slice of Disney nostalgia! Get ready to bop to the top with another episode of MusicalTalk!
Episode 947: Remembering Hugh Wooldridge
In this special episode of MusicalTalk, we pay tribute to the late Hugh Wooldridge, celebrating the life and career of a distinctive voice in British theatre. We return to the MusicalTalk archives to revisit a conversation from 2013, when Nick Hutson sat down with Hugh to discuss his remarkable career, his experiences in the theatre world and his thoughts on the art of making theatre. It's an opportunity to hear Hugh speak in his own words, sharing his insights, reflections and perspectives on an industry to which he dedicated so much of his life. Join us as we remember Hugh Wooldridge through this conversation, revisiting his wisdom, passion and enduring contribution to the world of theatre.
Episode 946: Sense & Sensibility The Musical - Part 2
Jane Austen once wrote to her sister that "the pianoforte often talks of you - in various keys, tunes and expressions" so join Thos as he makes like a piano (as Austen is unlikely to have phrased it) and talks again to Thomas F. Arnold about the new musical adaptation of Sense and Sensibility he has written with his collaborator, Grace O'Keefe. In this episode, they have an in-depth discussion about the songs from the show and talk about the new EP of the score which has just been issued. So, to quote Austen again, why not seize the pleasure at once?
Episode 945: Sense & Sensibility The Musical - Part 1
The famous novelist, Jane Austen, once wrote "Without music, life would be a blank to me" so to rectify that problem join MusicalTalk as Thos chats to acclaimed composer, Thomas F. Arnold, about a brand new musical version of that global evergreeen, Sense and Sensibility. With songs from the show and an delightful - and possibly controversial - discussion on the applicability (or not) of Sondheim's tenet that content dictates form, this episode will surely make great sense and warm your sensibilities. Oh, how Jane will be pleased!
Episode 944: Glad to Meter: Hayley Canham's "Sappho: The Poetess"
Mike joins composer/lyricist/performer Hayley Canham to discuss her new show dramatizing and celebrating the life of ancient Greek poet Sappho — "the greatest songwriter we've never heard".
Episode 943: Two Shows, Two Worlds: Zog & RopeDrop
In this episode of MusicalTalk, we head into the world of family theatre and Disney Parks comedy! First up, we review ZOG, the stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's much-loved story, currently touring across the UK. We look at how the production brings the beloved dragon, Princess Pearl and Gadabout the Great to life on stage and ask whether it lives up to the magic of the original. Then we head to the theme parks for RopeDrop, a comedy show all about the wonderfully obsessive world of Disney Parks! From the rides and attractions to the fans and the peculiarities of a Disney holiday, we find out whether this show manages to capture the humour of the theme park experience. We also hear from the show's creators and performers - Jordan Li Smith and Ayesha Patel. Two very different shows, one episode and plenty to talk about!
Episode 942: EdFringe 2026 - Beautiful and Beastly
Time again to join Mike, Alison and Thos as they enjoy a bit of in-depth analysis of some of the wonderful new musicals you could have seen at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2026. In this week's Fringe round-up episode, they look at Girlhood in the Bathroom and Apparently Ugly: A Stepsister's Story. Do we live in a world of Cinderella-style happy endings and Prince Charmings, or is there more going on? Find out in this thoughtful conversation - and for good measure hear the world's most formal pick up line.
Episode 941: EdFringe 2026 - Earth, Wind and Fire!
Fancy some reviews of some of the best or most interesting shows at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe? Yes! You do? Well, you've come to the right place as MusicalTalk continues its celebrated coverage of the Fringe's musical theatre offerings. This week, Thos joins Mike and Alison to discuss three eye catching new musicals - A Perfect Match, Mother Earth and the Shocking Truth About Flat Earth. Add insights, laughter and a song as well and you'll find it's an elemental pleasure!
Episode 940: EdFringe 2026 - The Detective's Demise (and Company)
EdFringe 2026 is in full swing so why not join Thos as he sits down with the talented Tom Rolfe, the man responsible for returning Fringe Favourite, The Detective's Demise, as well as three other musicals at this year's festival - Milly's Musical Adventure, Charming! The Musical and Escape Room: The Musical. That's a lot of musicals packed into one episode!
Episode 939: EdFringe 2026 - Hole!
It's time to join MusicalTalk at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026 for another episode featuring some of the best and most interesting musical theatre offerings to be found at the world's largest and greatest arts festival. This week, Thos sits down with Jake Brasch and Nadja Leonhard-Hooper, the creative force behind the hilarious Hole!, a musical so large in scope it is literally (and we mean literally) out of this world! Let the Great Sucking commence!
Episode 938: EdFringe 2026 - War of the Worlds (On a Budget) Redux
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026 is here! Hoorah! It's the biggest arts festival in the world and MusicalTalk is there - as always - to see what's on offer for the lover of musical theatre (that's you!) and to provide extensive in-depth coverage of the best shows. This week, we look at the revival of War of the Worlds (On a Budget), the multi-star winning hit musical giving a unique, hilarious and brilliantly song-filled take on HG Wells' famous story. Cue the cute martians....!
Episode 937: From Smiles to Sandworms - Why Annie Works (and Beetlejuice Doesn't)
Nick and Hannah head to the theatre for two of the biggest musical revivals currently touring the UK—but come away with very different reactions. It's sunshine, optimism and red-headed charm as they celebrate the UK tour of Annie, asking why this classic musical continues to captivate audiences nearly fifty years after its Broadway debut. Then, things take a decidedly darker turn as they tackle the West End production of Beetlejuice. With a hit Broadway incarnation and a devoted fanbase setting sky-high expectations, why does this London production leave them feeling so underwhelmed? Is it the direction? The performances? The staging? Or does the transfer simply lose the anarchic magic that made the original such a phenomenon? Nick and Hannah discuss why a musical with so much potential can end up feeling surprisingly lifeless.
Episode 936: Savoy! Everybody's Doing It!
In this episode of MusicalTalk, it's time to join Thos as he stomps at the Savoy - and perhaps not just stomp! So take a sophisticated interwar sensibility, some reworked and reminaged songs from European operetta, spiced with an uber-modern take on the world of relationships, and you have the heady, intoxicating mix that makes the hit cabaret show, Savoy! Everybody's Doing It! so delicious. When it comes to love, relationships, and sex, it seems that everybody's doing it (and always has done). So, why not join them in this enticing episode?!
Episode 935: Breaking into Song with Edward Easton in Flo and Joan's One Man Musical
Edward Easton never imagined his next role would see him leading a musical. With no previous musical theatre experience, taking on One Man Musical was a genuine leap of faith - but one that quickly proved to be worth it. Nick and he chat about learning the music, finding confidence in a new genre, working with Flo & Joan and making an established role his own. You can see Edward in the role of portraying the superstar Lord (and we don't mean Jesus Christ) at the Edinburgh Fringe!
Episode 934: Going Wild! – Craig Crowton and The Animal Guyz
What do you get when you combine theatre, spectacular puppetry, conservation, comedy and a whole host of incredible animals? Nick Hutson finds out as he chats with Craig Crowton, the creative force behind The Animal Guyz. Craig discusses how the show evolved from a passion for wildlife into an exciting theatrical experience that has delighted family audiences across the UK. Discover how larger-than-life animal puppets, music, audience participation and an important environmental message come together to create an unforgettable live event. Nick and Craig also explore the challenges of touring, creating believable animal characters for the stage and why entertainment can be a powerful tool for inspiring the next generation of conservationists. Check them out at www.theanimalguyz.com
Episode 933: War & Musicals - Untold Wars
MusicalTalk continues its exploration of the many and varied ways that war and conflict can be portrayed in the world of musical theatre. This week, Thos revisits a remarkable piece of verbatim musical theatre (itself a rare and unusual form) created to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, which explored 100 years of the British involvement in battle through the musicalisation of real testimony from actual participants. And as the video of the show remains viewable on YouTube, it's a musical you can still watch as well as hear all about.
Episode 932: War & Musicals - Enigma
Join Thos as he continues his look at the amazingly varied way that musical theatre has approached war and its consequences. This week he revisits Enigma, a show about the American experience of wartime code-breaking and the real life (and death) consequences of doing it. With songs and music from the piece, hear composer, Hedda Rustad Carlsen and Thos discuss this all female written and acted show which throws a light on a long overlooked area of American wartime history. An enigma no more!
Episode 931: War & Musicals - Alfie
One of the many paradoxes of war is that it often generates a surprisingly rich cultural output and when musical theatre decides to tackle the subject, the results can be rewarding - and varied! Just look at Blitz, Oh What A Lovely War and Bedknobs and Broomsticks to see three utterly different ways of tackling conflict and death in a musical. And it doesn't stop there! So join Thos as he sits down with the three people behind the touching but raw story of Alfie, the boy who went to war - and find out why this grounded musical drama was as good as it was in an episode that answers the old question: What's it all about, Alfie?
Episode 930: The Bear, the Puppets and the Mockumentary
On this week's episode of MusicalTalk, Nick and Robert dive into a trio of very different theatrical experiences! Robert shares his thoughts on London's lagest mega-hit musical: Paddington. We revisit the gloriously irreverent Avenue Q, discussing its enduring appeal, razor-sharp humour and whether its once-shocking material lands differently with modern audiences. We also explore the hilarious and affectionate documentary spoof Original Cast Album: Co-Op — a loving parody inspired by the legendary recording sessions of Company.
