S9 Ep14: Laura Dawn Pyatt, ensemble in 42 Balloons & Anne Boleyn in Six

S9 Ep18: Fabian Aloise, choreographer/co-director of Kathy And Stella Solve A Murder & choreographer of Sunset Boulevard

Two time Olivier nominee Fabian Aloise is back In The Frame!

Fabian is the co-director and choreographer of Kathy And Stella Solve A Murder which is about to open in the West End at the Ambassadors Theatre following two sold out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and a tour.

He’s also preparing to make his Broadway debut as the choreographer of Sunset Boulevard starring Nicole Scherzinger and directed by Jamie Lloyd, having received an Olivier nomination for his work on the West End production which ran to huge acclaim at the Savoy Theatre.

Some of Fabian's recent work as a choreographer includes the first international non-replica production of Wicked in Hamberg, Germany, the London production of Bring It On, Cabaret in Paris, SpongeBob The Musical on tour and In Dreams in Leeds and Toronto.

Originally from Canada, Fabian trained as a ballet dancer in Melbourne, Australia but, after being told he wouldn’t make it as a ballet dancer, pursued a career in musical theatre.

As a performer, Fabian appeared in many shows including the West End productions of We Will Rock You and Legally Blonde. He went on to work as an assistant, associate and resident choreographer; he was the resident choreographer for the West End production of Matilda The Musical for five years.

Fabian then began working as a choreographer, with his early work including The View UpStairs at Soho Theatre, The Rink at Southwark Playhouse and Evita at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre directed by Jamie Lloyd, for which he received his first Olivier nomination.

Having done the fourth episode of In The Frame five years ago, Fabian is back to discuss all things Kathy & Stella and Sunset Boulevard, as well as how he feels about the evolution of musical theatre choreography, whether he wants to take on more directing work and the many different paths his career has taken him down so far.

Kathy And Stella Solve A Murder runs at the Ambassadors Theatre 25th May - 14th September. Visit www.kathyandstella.com for info and tickets. Sunset Boulevard begins previews on Broadway on 28th September.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]
Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

S9 Ep17: Sharlene Hector, Grace / Alice in Standing at the Sky's Edge

Sharlene Hector is playing Grace / Alice in Standing at the Sky's Edge at the Gillian Lyne Theatre.

Originally written as a love letter to Sheffield, Standing at the Sky's Edge has transferred to the West End following triumphant runs at the National Theatre and Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The show is directed by Robert Hastie, featuring songs by Richard Hawley and book by Chris Bush.

Sharlene previously worked in music before transitioning into theatre. She made her West End debut as Lorraine in Hairspray at the London Coliseum, also covering and playing Motormouth Maybelle before touring the UK and Ireland as the alternate Effie White in Dreamgirls.

Most recently Sharlene played Thought 1 in the UK premiere of A Strange Loop at the Barbican Centre.

In the music world, Sharlene was Lead Vocalist in Basement Jaxx and Blonde. She has sung backing for the likes of Alicia Keys, Muse, Emeli Sandé, Sam Sparro, Primal Scream, Rebecca Ferguson, Lalah Hathaway, Tinie Tempah, Josh Groban and Michael Bublé.

Sharlene has performed at Glastonbury, V Festival, Bestival and Wireless with her television appearances including Alan Carr’s Epic Game Show – Name That Tune (ITV), X Factor (ITV), Top of the Pops (BBC), Sounds Like Friday Night (BBC) and Later with Jools Holland (BBC).

Sharlene previously recorded an episode of In The Frame in 2022 during her run in Dreamgirls. In this episode, she discusses her reflections of playing Effie White, what A Strange Loop taught her and why she fell in love with Standing at the Sky's Edge... plus lots more!

Standing at the Sky's Edge runs at the Gillian Lyne Theatre until 3rd August 2024. Visit www.skysedgemusical.com for info and tickets.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]
Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

S9 Ep16: Cameron Bernard Jones, star of Rent, Ain't Too Proud & The Wiz

Fresh from starring in Ain't Too Proud, Cameron Bernard Jones is soon to be playing Collins in the new UK revival of Rent for Landmark Theatres.

Cameron is originally from New York and has performed internationally in Porgy & Bess, Hairspray and Showboat. In the West End, he has been in Motown The Musical and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical in which he covered Ike Turner.

Cameron was in South Pacific at the Chichester Festival Theatre, Punchdrunk’s acclaimed porudction of The Burnt City and received a Black British Theatre Award nomination for his performance as the title role in The Wiz at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester.

Cameron starred as Melvin Franklin in the original West End cast of Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations at the Prince Edward Theatre.

Cameron is also a podcaster; he hosts and produces Lick The Plate, a podcast about people and food.

In this episode, Cameron discusses his original journey into theatre, reestablishing himself in the UK and the highs and lows of his first contract as a West End leading man. He also reflects on navigating a career in theatre as a bass baritone and lots more.

Follow Cameron on Instagram: @cbjarts

Follow and subscribe to Lick The Plate wherever you get your podcasts. You can see Cameron in Rent at the Peterborough New Theatre and Queen’s Theatre Barnstaple in June and July.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]
Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

S9 Ep15: Ella Karuna Williams, Patty Newby in Stranger Things - The First Shadow

Ella Karuna Williams is playing Patty Newby in Stranger Things: The First Shadow.

Ella is from the US and previously played Patty in multiple workshops of Stranger Things. She moved to London to make her West End debut in the show which opened at the Phoenix Theatre in December 2023. Stranger Things just won two Olivier Awards for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play and Best Set Design.

On screen, Ella appeared in The Equalizer. She is also a singer/songwriter and recently released her debut EP, Silent Noise.

At 18 years old, Ella is our youngest ever In The Frame guest! In this episode she discusses moving to London, taking Stranger Things from workshop to full production, her path into theatre and lots more.

Follow Ella on Instagram @ellakarunawilliams and for info about Stranger Things: The First Shadow visit www.uk.strangerthingsonstage.com

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]
Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

S9 Ep14: Laura Dawn Pyatt, ensemble in 42 Balloons & Anne Boleyn in Six

Whilst taking a hiatus from her run as Anne Boleyn in Six, Laura Dawn Pyatt is currently part of the ensemble of 42 Balloons by Jack Godfrey.

Laura first joined the cast of 42 Balloons when the musical had a concert run in the West End at the Vaudeville Theatre. The show is now receiving its fully staged premiere at The Lowry in Salford and Laura is reprising her performance for this new iteration of its journey.

42 Balloons is inspired by the highly improbable true story of how Larry, and his partner Carol Van Deusen, convinced their friends and family to help Larry achieve his dream of flying. Featuring an 80s pop-inspired score, 42 Balloons questions how far you would go to make your dreams come true; is the sky actually the limit, and what happens if it doesn’t all go to plan?

Laura joined Six The Musical’s UK & International tour cast in April 2023, starring as Anne Boleyn. She has taken a break from the show to do 42 Balloons and is set to return to the company to finish off her run later in the year.

Some of Laura’s other theatre credits include performing with Bat Out Of Hell at the Big Night of Musicals (AO Arena Manchester), playing Claire in Ordinary Days directed by Julie Atherton (Cockpit Theatre), Dick Whittington and Jack & The Beanstalk (Royal & Derngate) and Eliza in Brass (Bernie Grant Arts Centre).

Laura has worked as a choreographer, performed in concerts, appeared on screen and been part of many other projects.

Recorded during a break from rehearsals, in this episode Laura discusses what it's like to be back in 42 Balloons, conquering her confidence with Six, navigating her career after leaving drama school without an agent and lots more.

42 Balloons runs at The Lowry in Salford 18th April - 19th May 2024. Visit www.42balloons.com for info and tickets.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]
Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify