In The Frame: Theatre Interviews from West End Frame

Tosh Wanogho-Maud recently received huge acclaim for his performance as David Ruffin in the West End production of Ain't Too Proud (Prince Edward Theatre).

His theatre credits include: Ben E. King, Rudy Lewis & others in The Drifters Girl (Garrick Theatre), Pharaoh in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Toronto), Joe in Show Boat (New London) and Jimmy in Dreamgirls (Savoy).

Tosh began his theatre career as a child, playing Winston in Whistle Down The Wind (Aldwych) before starring as Young Simba in The Lion King (Lyceum).

His additional theatre credits include Four Eyed Moe in Five Guys Named Moe (Newtown Abbey), Respect La Diva (Garrick), Rufus/cover Curtis in Save The Last Dance For Me (UK Tour), Sweet Smell of Success (Arcola Theatre), understudy Mufala/General in the original West End cast of The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales) and The Producers (UK Tour).

On screen, Tosh worked on Bridgeton and Jingle Jangle for Netflix, as well as BBC’s Roadkill. Tosh is currently writing his debut musical Visiting Hours with his partner Nick Gardner.

Tosh made his solo show debut with Songs + Stories for four sold out shows at Piano Smithfield. He's about to play four more performances on 28th, 29th, 30th March and 1st April. Visit www.linktr.ee/toshwm for tickets.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

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

Jenna Lee-James recently completed her run as Elsa in the West End production of Disney's Frozen at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Jenna made her West End debut in the original cast of We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre. Jenna went on to play the roles of Meat and Scaramouche in the West End before playing Killer Queen in We Will Rock You's 10th anniversary world arena tour, making her the only person to have played all three roles in the musical's history.

Some of Jenna's other theatre credits include: Narrator in Joseph (Adelphi Theatre), Grizabella in Cats (European Tour), alternate Donna in Mamma Mia! (Original UK Tour), Mary in Rod Stewart’s Tonight's the Night (UK Tour), Becky McDonald in Street of Dreams (MEN Arena Manchester), June Child in 20th Century Boy (UK Premiere) and Lorraine in Boogie Nights (UK Tour).

Alongside her theatre work, Jenna is an acclaimed concert artist and regularly performs internationally. She released her debut album On The Edge in 2019.

In this episode, Jenna discusses carving her own path into theatre, her whirlwind run in Frozen and which role she would want to return to in We Will Rock You... plus lots more!

Follow Jenna on Instagram: @jennaleejames

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

Thanks for listening!

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

Tarinn Callender is starring as the title role in Bronco Billy at the Charing Cross Theatre.

Bronco Billy has book by Dennis Hackin, music & lyrics by Chip Rosenbloom & John Torres, with additional lyrics by Michele Brourman. Bronco Billy is based on the Warner Bros motion picture written by Dennis Hackin.

Tarinn made his professional debut as Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in the original West End cast of Hamilton (Victoria Palace Theatre). His other West End credits include playing Bob & others in Come From Away (Phoenix Theatre) and Johnny Moore, Gerhart Thrasher & others in The Drifters Girl (Garrick Theatre).

Tarinn recently made his National Theatre debut in The Odyssey (Olivier). Some of his additional theatre credits include The Secret Life of Bees (Almedia Theatre), Kiss Me, Kate (Kilworth House) and Dick Whittington (Hackney Empire).

Recorded pre-show at the Charing Cross Theatre, in this episode Tarinn discusses entering his cowboy era with Bronco Billy,the impact of making his theatre debut in such a big way with Hamilton and why he's passionate about making theatre accessible.

Bronco Billy runs at the Charing Cross Theatre until 7th April 2024. Visit www.broncobillymusical.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.

Luke Baker is starring as Zack Mayo in the UK tour of An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical.

Based on the 80s movie, An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical has a book by Douglas Day Stewart and Sharleen Cooper Cohen. The production is directed by Nikolai Foster who is Artistic Director of Leicester Curve.

Luke originated the role of Dean in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Apollo Theatre/Sheffield Crucible) and most recently played Tony in Billy Elliot (The Curve Theatre, Leicester).

His theatre credits also include: Ren in Footloose (UK Tour), American Idiot (Arts Theatre), standby Ray Davies in Sunny Afternoon (Harold Pinter Theatre), Link Larkin in Hairspray (Cork Opera House), The Wind & cover Max in I Can’t Sing! (London Palladium), Matt in Bare (Greenwich Theatre), standby Jamie, Ste & Tony in Beautiful Thing (Arts Theatre & UK Tour), standby Alan played by Gerard Kearns in Sign of The Times (Duchess Theatre) and Salad Days (Riverside Studios, Tete a Tete Opera Company).

An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical tours the UK until 9th November 2024. Visit www.officerandagentlemanthemusical.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.

Natalie Kassanga is back In The Frame!

Natalie most recently starred as Irene Roth in Susan Stroman's West End revival of Crazy For You (Gillian Lynne Theatre).

Natalie started working professionally as a child, appearing in Oliver! (Drury Lane) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour) in addition to starring as Young Nala in the West End production of The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre). She then ventured into music and was a member of girl group Alien Uncovered who appeared on the live finals of The X Factor in 2015.

Natalie returned to theatre to star as Diana Ross in the closing cast of Motown (Shaftesbury Theatre) before joining the original London cast of Dear Evans Hansen (Noel Coward Theatre) as the standby for Zoe and Alana.

After the pandemic, Natalie starred as Deena Jones in the first ever UK & Ireland tour of Dreamgirls and played Bella in the premiere of Berlusconi (Southwark Playhouse).

Natalie was last on the podcast in 2020; four years later she's back to discuss all things Dreamgirls and Crazy For You, as well as looking after her health and where she's at right now in her career.

Follow Natalie on Instagram: @natkassanga

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

Thanks for listening!

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

We're back for a brand new series of In The Frame!

George Crawford was most recently the alternate Jack Kelly in the original London cast of Newsies at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. He also played the role of Morris Delancey.

After training at ArtsEd, George made his professional debut understudying both Elder Cunningham and Elder Price in the original UK & Ireland tour of The Book of Mormon.

He went on to play Jinx in Forever Plaid at Upstairs at the Gatehouse before starring as Ogie in the original UK & Ireland tour of Waitress.

In this episode, George discusses getting emotional during Santa Fe, why Waitress was such a big moment, his path into theatre and lots more.

Follow George on Instagram: @georgeygriff

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

Thanks for listening!

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

It's the final episode of the series! Tanisha Spring is currently starring as Satine in the West End production of Moulin Rouge.

Tanisha was part of the original London cast of Moulin Rouge as the alternate Satine and completed her run in January 2023. She returned nine months later, taking over as Satine full time.

Earlier this year, Tanisha starred as Rita in the London revival of Groundhog Day at the Old Vic. Tanisha entered theatre via the music industry, making her West End debut in Thriller Live (Lyric Theatre).

Her theatre credits also include: The Prince of Egypt (Dominion Theatre), Shuck 'n' Jive (Soho Theatre), Making P***n (Above the Stag), Caroline or Change (Playhouse Theatre), Big Fish (The Other Palace), One Love (Birmingham Rep) and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aldwych Theatre).

Tanisha has also acted on screen, worked as a choreographer and when we last did a WEF podcast – an episode of The West End Frame Show – she was producing the digital production of A Killer Party.

Follow Tanisha on Instagram: @tanishalspring

Moulin Rouge is booking at the Piccadilly Theatre until 18th May 2024. Visit www.moulinrougemusical.co.uk for info and tickets.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

Thank you for listening to In The Frame in 2023 - it has been our biggest and best year yet! We'll be taking a break in January, but can't wait to bring you lots more episodes in 2024.

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

Tim Mahendran is playing Gomez in the original cast of The Time Traveler's Wife at the Apollo Theatre. Tim did multiple read-throughs and workshops for the show, as well as the premiere run at the Storyhouse Theatre in Chester.

Based on the 2003 novel and 2009 film, The Time Traveller’s Wife has a book by Lauren Gunderson, original music and lyrics by Joss Stone and Dave Stewart, additional music by Nick Finlow and additional lyrics by Kait Kerrigan. The production is directed by Bill Buckhurst and designed by Anna Fleischle, with choreography by Shelley Maxwell.

Tim made his West End debut as a child, in the original London cast of 13 The Musical which was directed by the musical's composer, Jason Robert Brown.

After training at Mountview, Tim appeared in Spring Awakening directed by Luke Shepherd at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester and The Midnight Children at the Chichester Festival Theatre.

Tim originated the role of Francois in & Juliet at the Manchester Opera House and Shaftesbury Theatre. Tim has also worked on screen with his credits including Avalon and Channel 4’s comedy The Horne Section and Stath Lets Flats for Roughcut and BBC. He is currently writing an exciting new project for screen.

The Time Traveler's Wife is booking at the Apollo Theatre until 30th March 2024. Visit www.timetravellerswife.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.

Simon Lipkin is currently starring in the West End production of Unbelievable.

Unbelievable is a brand new magic show written and directed by Derren Brown, Andrew O'Connor and Andy Nyman. The production opened at the Criterion Theatre in September and is set to complete its run next month.

Having starred as Buddy in Elf The Musical last Christmas, Simon's other West End credits include Ratty in The Wind In The Willows, Jason Robert Brown’s Honeymoon In Las Vegas, Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, Barlow in I Can’t Sing, Lonny in Rock Of Ages, Nicky and Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q, A Christmas Carol and Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

His further theatre credits include: Brian in Brian & Roger (Menier Chocolate Factory), Mr Poppy in Nativity! (Eventim Apollo), Whisper House (Other Palace), Bill Sykes in Oliver! (Grange Park Opera), Lou Lubowitz in Miss Atomic Bomb (St James Theatre), The Lorax in The Lorax (Old Vic), The Proprietor in Assassins (Menier Chocolate Factory), Martin in All In A Row (Southwark Playhouse), Touchstone in As You Like It (Southwark Playhouse), Galahad in Spamalot (Original UK Tour), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Upstairs at the Arts Theatre), The Wedding Singer (Original UK Cast), Willard in Footloose (UK Tour), Alice In Wonderland (Nuffield Theatre), Austentatious (Landor), News Revue (Canal Café) and Leopold in Never The Sinner (the Kenneth Moore Theatre).

On screen Simon has been seen in Casualty (BBC), The Beaker Girls (CBBC), Unforgotten (ITV), Christmas on Mistletoe Farm (Mirrorball Films), Silent Witness (BBC), Almost Never (CBBC), Nativity Rocks! (MirrorBall & Eone), Show Dogs (Eone), Muppets Most Wanted (Disney), The Harry Hill Movie; That Puppet Game Show (BBC); Nativity III (MirrorBall & Eone), Harry Hill’s Alien Fun Capsule (Channel 4), Doctor Who (BBC), Harry Hill’s Tea Time (Sky), The Bill; Casualty; The Royal Variety Performance and Children in Need.

Simon also voices characters on the Cartoon Network’s show The Amazing World Of Gumballand Ricky Zoom on Nick Jnr.

Unbelievable runs at the Criterion Theatre until 7th January 2024. Visit www.unbelievablelive.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.

Nikki Bentley is back In The Frame to discuss her new role as Catherine of Aragon in Six!

Nikki joined the West End production of Six back in October at the Vaudeville Theatre as part of the brand-new London cast.

Nikki's theatre credits include: understudy Molly in Ghost The Musical I (Asia Tour), Gingy/Sugar Plum Fairy & understudy Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical (UK Tour), understudy The Lady of the Lake in Spamalot (West End) and swing in Mamma Mia! (West End).

Nikki was Standby Elphaba in the 2017-18 UK & Ireland tour of Wicked. In 2019 she took over from Alice Fearn as Elphaba in the musical’s West End production at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.

Most recently Nikki played Pat in Kinky Boots (Theatre Royal Drury Lane) and has become renowned for her concert work.

Recorded backstage at the Vaudeville, in this episode Nikki discusses why she never thought she would be in Six, finding her version of 'No Way' and lots more.

Six is booking at the Vaudeville Theatre until 3rd November 2024. Visit www.sixthemusical.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.