In The Frame: Theatre Interviews from West End Frame

Joaquin Pedro Valdes is currently playing John Manjiro in Pacific Overtures at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's musical hasn't been seen in London since 2014. Matthew White directs this revival which is a co-production with the Umeda Arts Theater in Japan, where it has already been a huge success in Tokyo and Osaka.

Joaquin began his career in The Philippines, originally working in theatre as a child before becoming a member of the boyband 17:28. Some of his credits in Manila include: Jamie in The Last Five Years, standby Charlie Price in Kinky Boots and Mr Wormwood in Matilda.

Joaquin moved to the UK in 2017 when he was cast in Miss Saigon (UK & International Tour), covering the Engineer and Thuy. His credits also include: understudy Lun Tha & Kralahome in The King and I (UK / International Tour), John Safford Fiske in Fanny & Stella (Garden Theatre), Ram Sweeney in Heathers (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Rooh inVanara The Musical (Hackney Empire) and understudy Simba in The Lion King (UK & Ireland Tour).

Joaquin has had a whirlwind year; he appeared in two brand new musicals Killing The Cat (Riverside Studios) and Then Now & Next (Southwark Playhouse). He then starred as Light Yagami in the English-language premiere of Death Note which had a limited semi-staged run at the London Palladium and Lyric Theatre.

Recorded at the Menier, in this episode Joaquin discusses all-things Pacific Overtures as well as his busy year and the incredible response to Death Note, plus lots more.

Pacific Overtures runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory until 24th February 2024. Visit www.menierchocolatefactory.com for info and tickets.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

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Jessica Lee has had a whirlwind year, starring in Miss Saigon and Death Note.

Jessica was cast as Kim in Robert Hastie and Anthony Lau's highly anticipated reimagined revival of Miss Saigon by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil and Richard Maltby Jnr at the Sheffield Crucible. Jessica received huge acclaim for her performance and won Best Performer in a Musical at The Stage Debut Awards.

Fresh from Miss Saigon, Jessica was cast as Misa Amane in the English-language premiere of Frank Wildhorn's musical adaptation of Death Note, based on the bestselling Japanese manga series of the same name. Jessica played Misa during the musical's limited run at the Lyric Theatre, following its two sold-out shows at The London Palladium.

Some of Jessica's other credits include: understudy Éponine in Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre), understudy Mistress in Jamie Lloyd's Evita (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre), High Fidelity (Turbine Theatre) and The Prince of Egypt (Dominion Theatre).

Follow Jessica on Instagram: @itsjessicaleeee

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

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

Dom Simpson recently took over as Christian in the West End production of Moulin Rouge at the Piccadilly Theatre.

After training at ArtsEd, Dom made his professional debut as the standby for Elder Price in The Book of Mormon on Broadway. He later transferred to the West End production of The Book of Mormon, taking over as Elder Price and becoming the first British actor to play the role in London.

Dom recently completed his seven-year run with The Book of Mormon and jumped straight into Moulin Rouge.

In this episode, Dom discusses how an accident led to him making his Broadway debut, his approach to performance psychology and dealing with a performance not going well, as well as settling into life as London's new Christian.

Follow Dom on Instagram: @_domsimpson_

Moulin Rouge is booking at the Piccadilly Theatre until 20th April 2024. Visit www.moulinrougemusical.co.uk for info and tickets.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

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

Alex Young is currently appearing in Cold War at the Almeida Theatre.

Based on Paweł Pawlikowski’s film, Cold War is described as an epic love story spanning the decades and breadth of Europe at its most divided. The show features traditional Polish songs alongside music from Elvis Costello and is adapted by Conor McPherson with direction from Rupert Goold.

Most recently Alex was part of the original cast of Standing at the Sky’s Edge (Sheffield Theatres / National Theatre), receiving huge acclaim for her performance.

Some of Alex's other theatre credits include Into the Woods (Theatre Royal Bath), Anyone Can Whistle and Promises Promises (Southwark Playhouse), South Pacific and Me & My Girl (Chichester Festival Theatre), Follies (National Theatre), Show Boat and I Can't Sing (West End), Coriolanus, She Loves Me, Guys & Dolls and Anything Goes (Sheffield Theatres) and Carousel (ENO).

Cold War runs at the Almeida Theatre until Saturday 27th January 2024.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

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

Olivier nominee Tyrone Huntley is currently playing Che in Nikolai Foster’s revival of Evita at Leicester Curve.

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical premiered in the West End in 1978, before transferring to Broadway the following year. Tyrone is performing opposite Martha Kirby as Eva Perón.

Next year Tyrone will star alongside Imelda Staunton as Barnaby Tucker in Hello Dolly! at the London Palladium.

This is the first time Tyrone has returned to Curve since playing Seaweed in Hairspray in 2014. Tyrone’s theatre credits include TJ in Sister Act (UK & Ireland Tour), The Doctor in The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre), understudy Sporting Life in Porgy and Bess (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Gator in Memphis (Shaftesbury Theatre) and CC in Dreamgirls (Savoy Theatre).

Tyrone received an Olivier Award nomination for his performance as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, a role he later reprised for the musical's US tour.

Some of his recent theatre work includes Living Newspaper: Beyond Touch (Of A) Screen (Royal Court), The View Upstairs (Soho Theatre), Leave To Remain (Lyric Hammersmith), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Watermill Theatre), Angry (Southwark Playhouse) and Homos, Or Everyone In America (Finborough Theatre).

Tyrone also works on screen, with credits including The Flatshare (Paramount+), A Small Light (Disney+) and Tomorrow Morning (Visualize Films).

Alongside acting, Tyrone made his directorial debut with Ain't Misbehavin' which ran at the Mercury Colchester and Southwark Playhouse. More recently he was acociate director for The Drifters Girl (Garrick Theatre).

Speaking from his dressing room before a day of tech, in this episode Tyrone discusses Nikolai Foster’s vision for Evita and what rehearsals have been like. He also delves into his career and lots more along the way.

Evita runs at Leicester Curve until 13th January 2024. Visit www.curveonline.co.uk for info and tickets.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

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

Olivier winner David Thaxton is playing Max von Mayerling in Jamie Lloyd's revival of Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre.

Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton's musical stars Nicole Scherzinger as Norma Desmond, with Rachel Tucker guest starring as Norma on Mondays. Tom Francis plays Joe Gillis and Grace Hodgett Young plays Betty Schaefer. Set and costume design is by Soutra Gilmour and choreography is by Fabian Aloise.

On stage David has played Enjolras and Javert in Les Misérables, Raoul in Love Never Dies, The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera and Kevin T in Come From Away. Some of his other credits include Candide, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, She Loves Me, Only The Brave and many more.

David first worked with Jamie Lloyd when he played Giorgio in Passion at the Donmar Warehouse, winning the 2011 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

In this episode, David gives an amazing insight into the process of creating this production of Sunset Boulevard, he reveals the advice he gave his colleague Tom Francis and delves into the parallels between Sunset and Passion.

Sunset Boulevard runs at the Savoy Theatre until 6th January 2024. Visit www.sunsetboulevardwestend.com for info and tickets.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

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

Sarah Goggin recently took over as Lorraine in the London production of Back To The Future which has entered its third year at the Adelphi Theatre.

Based on the 1985 film, Back To The Future has a book by Bob Gale and new music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, with additional songs from the film including The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode.

Some of Sarah’s theatre credits include: Helen Walsingham in Half A Sixpence (Kilworth House), Monica in Friendsical (UK Tour), Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act (UK Tour & Kilworth House), Rachel in Bad Girls (The Union) and Woman 1 in I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change (Battersea Barge).

She played Janey and understudied Kim in the 2013 production of Taboo at Brixton Clubhouse and returned to the show to play Tart/Freak for the musical’s 20th anniversary concert at the London Palladium.

Back To The Future is booking at the Adelphi Theatre until 21st July 2024. Visit www.backtothefuturemusical.com for info and ticket

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]
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Kim Ismay is currently playing Debs in Elf The Musical at the Dominion Theatre.

Elf has returned to London for its third festive run, with Kim reprising her performance for a second year.

Kim is beloved for her iconic run as Tanya in the West End production of Mamma Mia! and for playing Madame Morrible in Wicked in the West End and on tour. She has had huge success with her one-person show About Bill.

Some of Kim's other theatre credits include: Frances in Kidnapped (National Theatre of Scotland), Barbara in Come Dine With Me (MT Fest), Lysette in The Silver Gym, Dotty Otley in Noises Off, Katisha in The Hot Mikado and Fiona in How The Other Half Loves (all Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch), Maxine in Stepping Out (Derby Playhouse), Baroness Bomburst in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK tour), Miss Dinsmore/Dora Bailey in Singin’ In The Rain (West Yorkshire Playhouse/UK Tour), Flo Manero in Saturday Night Fever (UK Tour), Miss Bonnie in Acorn Antiques (UK tour), May Belfort in Lautrec (Shaftesbury Theatre), Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show (Frankfurt English Theatre) and Kiss Me Kate, The Wizard of Oz and Comedy of Errors (all RSC).

Elf The Musical runs at the Dominion Theatre until 6th January 2024. Visit www.elflondon.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.

Danny Bailey recently starred as Thought 5 in the London production of A Strange Loop at the Barbican Centre.

Some of Danny’s theatre credits include Hair, South Pacific, The Lion King, Motown, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Jesus Christ Superstar and Girl from the North Country. He played multiple roles to huge acclaim in the original West End cast of Get Up Stand Up.

Danny is also a writer, artist, journalist, speaker, activist, digital content producer, filmmaker and more. He founded The Palace Of The Dogs which started out as an online magazine and has evolved into a full out multi-disciplinary arts collective.

Danny's documentary Black Exodus was screened at the V&A, his play Pressure just had an unrehearsed reading at the Bush Theatre and he has many other projects underway.

In this episode Danny discusses his path into theatre, being an activist before it was 'cool', what fuels his creativity and lots more.

Follow Danny on Instagram: @itsdannybwoi and visit The Palace of The Dogs www.thepalaceofthedogs.co.uk

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

Thanks for listening!

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

To celebrate 200 episodes of In The Frame, we're joined by The Schuyler Sisters!

Shan Ako, Simbi Akande and Ava Brennan are starring as Eliza, Peggy and Angelica in the West End production of Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre.

Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and directed by Thomas Kail with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, Hamilton opened on Broadway in 2015 before transferring to the West End two years later. The London production picked up seven Olivier Awards, including Best new Musical.

Shan Ako is in her second year with Hamilton, starring as Eliza Hamilton. She previously played Éponine in Les Misérables (West End production & all-star staged concert) with her other theatre credits including the workshops of Rock Follies and Mandela as well as Children of Eden in Concert (West End), Whitney: Queen of the Night (UK & Europe Tour) and The Magic of Motown (UK Tour).

Simbi Akande joined Hamilton this year as Peggy Schuyler & Maria Reynolds. Her theatre credits include: Mother Goose (Duke of York & UK Tour), The Prince of Egypt (Dominion Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Dominion Theatre), The Light in the Piazza (Royal Festival Hall & LA Opera), Violet (Charing Cross Theatre), Putting It Together (Hope Mill Theatre), Company (Aberdeen Arts Centre), Fiddler on the Roof (Chichester Festival Theatre), Ghost (UK Tour) and Show Boat (Gillian Lynne Theatre).

Ava Brennan recently returned to Hamilton as Angelica Schuyler, having previously played the role. Ava's recently played June in The Secret Life of Bees (Almeida Theatre) and Fatine in Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre), with her other credits including Alline Bullock/cover Tina in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (West End), Mrs. Cratchit in A Christmas Carol (Old Vic), Nala in Disney’s The Lion King (UK tour, Hamburg & West End), Dynamite in Hairspray (Theater St. Gallen) and Nehebka/cover Aida in Aida (German Tour).

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

Thanks for listening!

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