In The Frame: Theatre Interviews from West End Frame

Olivier nominee Rachel Tucker is preparing to release her new studio album 'You’re Already Home' on Friday 3rd November with Westway Music.

To celebrate the release of the album, Rachel is teaming up with Fourth Wall Live to perform a solo show at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 5th November, featuring Jamie Muscato as a special guest.

Rachel is currently guest starring as Norma Desmond in Jamie Lloyd’s revival of Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre, playing the role each Monday.

After doing various theatre work, including multiple touring productions, Rachel appeared on BBC1's I’d Do Anything in 2008. She finished fourth and hasn't stopped working since.

Rachel made her West End debut as Meat and understudy Scaramouche in We Will Rock You and later made her Broadway debut as Meg in Sting’s musical The Last Ship. She received an Olivier nomination for her performance as Beverley Bass & others in the West End premiere of Come From Away and later reprised her performance on Broadway.

Rachel is beloved for her iconic portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked. She originally played the role for three years in the West End at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, before reprising her performance on Broadway. She returned to the London production for the 10th anniversary.

Some of Rachel's other theatre credits include: Grace O’Malley in The Pirate Queen (ENO), Woman 2 in Songs For A New World (London Palladium), Jen in John & Jen (Southwark Playhouse) and Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun (London Palladium). She performs in concerts all over the world.

Rachel came into the podcast booth earlier this week ahead of her second Norma show. She discussed her new album, being reckless onstage, learning to say no, all things Sunset and lots more.

You can see Rachel in concert at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 5th November. Visit www.cadoganhall.com for info and tickets.

Rachel's new studio album You’re Already Home is released on Friday 3rd November and you can see her play Norma Desmond every Monday in Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

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Carl Man is about to star as Fiyero in the upcoming tour of Wicked. He previously understudied the role in the West End production at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.

Carl also understudied Romeo in & Juliet (Shaftesbury Theatre) and, most recently, was alternate L in Death Note (Apollo Theatre).

Carl's early theatre credits include: title role in Disney’s Aladdin (USA), understudy Galileo in We Will Rock You (RCCL) and The Who’s Tommy (USA). Since returning to the UK, some of Carl's credits include Proud (Turbine), Tiger Bay The Musical (Wales Millennium Centre) and the workshops of If/Then, Starlight Express, The Great British Bake Off Musical and Tinker Bell The Musical.

Carl has also delved into the world of music and recently released a single called "Celebrities".

You can follow Carl on Instagram @carlmanofficial and you can see him as Fiyero on tour in Wicked.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

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Email: [email protected]
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Tony and Olivier winner Lea Salonga is back In The Frame and back in the West End, starring in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre.

Devised and produced by Cameron Mackintosh, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends has direction and musical staging by Matthew Bourne, side by side with Julia McKenzie, with choreography by Stephen Mear.

Lea come to London direct from Broadway where she was starring in Here Lies Love for which she is also a producer.

Lea left the Philippines as a teenager when she was cast as Kim in Miss Saigon. She originated the role in the West End and on Broadway to tremendous acclaim, winning Olivier and Tony Awards for her performance.

Lea also has a long association with Les Misérables, having played both Eponine and Fantine in London and New York, including for the musical’s 10th and 25th anniversary concerts.

Just a few of Lea’s other theatre credits include: Eliza in My Fair Lady (Manila), The Witch in Into The Woods (Singapore), Grizabella in Cats (Manila), Kei Kimura in Allegiance (Broadway), Helen in Fun Home (Manila), Erzulie in Once On This Island (Broadway), Grace Farrell in Annie (Hollywood Bowl) and Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd (Manila/Singapore).

Lea has worked extensively in film and television and famously provided vocals for the title role in Disney’s Mulan I (1998) and Mulan II (2004) as well as for Princess Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin (1994), earning her the official title of a Disney Legend!

Away from the stage, Lea is a judge on the Philippines’ version of The Voice and has sold 19 million albums worldwide, making her one of the best-selling Filipina artists of all time.

Lea recorded her first episode of In The Frame last year whilst preparing for the UK leg of her Dream Again concert tour which included a special performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Recorded backstage at the Gielgud Theatre, in this episode Lea discusses all-things Stephen Sondheim and delves into some of the material she sings in Old Friends. Lea also speaks about her whirlwind year, her relationship with her voice and towards the end of the interview she discusses the incident which took social media by storm when some fans found their way to Lea’s dressing room on Broadway earlier this year.

Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends runs at the Gielgud Theatre until 6th January 2024. Visit www.sondheimoldfriends.com for info and tickets.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

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Email: [email protected]
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Oscar Conlon-Morrey is playing Robert Cecil in the fully staged world premiere of Treason The Musical.

Treason is touring to Edinburgh and Sheffield ahead of a London run at the Alexandra Palace Theatre. It has just been revealed that Treason will finish its tour at the London Palladium for two performances!

Since the release of the original EP back in 2020, Treason’s songs have been streamed over 1 million times across 96 countries. Treason was previously produced as a streamed concert in 2021 ahead of a sold out live concert at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane last year.

Oscar most recently played Jack in Mother Goose alongside Sir Ian McKellen in the West End and on tour. His other theatre credits include: Only Fools and Horses (Theatre Royal Haymarket), The Toxic Avenger (The Arts Theatre), Nativity! The Musical (Hammersmith Apollo & UK Tour), Cinderella: A Socially Distanced Ball (Turbine Theatre), The Fall, Anthony Munday (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Downfall of Robert Earl of Huntington (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse) and Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (Kilworth House).

Oscar's screen credits include: Spirit Rangers (Netflix), My Friend Oscar (Rhode Trip Pictures), A Killer Party (Blue Mahoe Productions) and First Date (Lambert Jackson Productions). In the pandemic, Oscar become renowned for producing online sketch videos which took theatreland by storm.

In this episode, Oscar discusses all-things Treason and why it's such an important story as well as his journey with Only Fools and Horses, working with Sir Ian McKellen and how his childhood led him towards excelling at multi-roling.

Treason The Musical begins its tour at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre on 25th October before visiting the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre. It plays the Alexandra Palace Theatre 8th - 18th November and the London Palladium 21st - 22nd November. Visit www.treasonthemusical.com for tickets.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

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Email: [email protected]
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Gregory Haney is playing Noxeema Jackson in the world premiere of To Wong Foo The Musical.

Based on the 1995 film, To Wong Foo opens later this month at the Hope Mill Theatre. The musical is written and directed by original film screenplay writer Douglas Carter Beane, with music and lyrics by Lewis Flinn.

Gregory is originally from US and started out performing on Broadway. His Broadway credits include Tarzan, Memphis, La Cienga in Bring It On and Chistery in Wicked.

After performing in Grease Live for Fox, Gregory joined the Broadway production of Hamilton as a swing. Hamilton later brought Gregory to London, when he was cast in the original West End production.

After finishing in Hamilton, Gregory stayed in the UK. His most recent theatre credits include understudy Ike Turner in Tina (Aldwych Theatre), Speedy Valentine in Wonderful Town (Opera Holland Park) and Billy Flynn in Chicago (Ljubljana Festival).

Follow Gregory on Instagram: @ghaney22

To Wong Foo runs at the Hope Mill Theatre from 21st October until 17th December. Visit www.hopemilltheatre.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.

Tony winner Stephanie J Block is In The Frame ahead of her upcoming concerts, discussing her career and highly anticpated return to London!

Stephanie started out in the world of US regional theatre, playing roles such as Polly in Crazy For You, Nellie in South Pacific, Sarah in Guys & Dolls, Fanny in Funny Girl, Nancy in Oliver! and many more.

She went on to create the role of Elphaba in the original workshops of Wicked. Stephanie later understudied Elphaba during Wicked's pre-Broadway premiere in San Francisco and went on to open the show's first US tour as Elphaba before transferring to the Broadway production to universal acclaim.

Stephanie is celebrated for her many iconic performances on Broadway. Her Broadway credits include playing Liza Minnelli in The Boy From Oz, Grace O’Malley in The Pirate Queen, Judy Bernly in 9 to 5, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, Edwin /Alice in The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Trina in Falsettos.

Stephanie won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Star Cher in The Cher Show. She recently returned to Broadway as The Baker’s Wife in Into The Woods, which she also took on tour across the US.

Some of Stephanie's further theatre credits include playing Grizabella in Cats (Muny), Sheryl in Little Miss Sunshine (off-Broadway) and most recently she starred as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard to huge acclaim at the Kennedy Center.

Stephanie co-hosts and co-produces Stages Podcast with Marylee Fairbanks and is about to release her first Christmas album, Merry Christmas Darling.

On Sunday 29th October Stephanie is playing two highly anticipated solo shows at Cadogan Hall in London. Stephanie will be joined by music director Ben Cohn, who was recently worked on Once Upon a One More Time on Broadway.

In this episode, Stephanie discusses family life, her London shows and how she once almost played Elphaba in the West End. She also delves into her history with Wicked, reflects on The Cher Show and shares her thoughts Sunset Boulevard... plus lots more!

You can see Stephanie J Block at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 29th October 2023. For info and tickets, visit www.cadoganhall.com.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

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Email: [email protected]
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Jordan Benjamin is currently playing Dom Fraser in the world premiere of The Little Big Things at @SohoPlace.

The Little Big Things shows how one moment can change everything, telling the true story of Henry Fraser who had a lifechanging accident and ever since he has been paralysed from his shoulders down. Based on Henry's best-selling autobiography, The Little Big Things has a score by Nick Butcher and Tom Ling, with book by Joe White and direction from Luke Sheppard.

Jordan has been playing Dom, Henry’s brother, since The Little Big Things' first workshops. His theatre credits include understudying Seaweed in Hairspray (London Coliseum) and playing Rain in Rain and Zoe Save the World (Jermyn Street Theatre).

Most recently Jordan starred as Goldie Wilson in the West End production of Back To The Future (Adelphi Theatre).

Recorded backstage at @SohoPlace, in this episode Jordan discusses what it has been like to be part of The Little Big Things since the beginning and how it feels to be receiving such an incredible response, as well as why he was nervous joining Back To The Future, his unique path into theatre… and lots more!

The Little Big Things is booking at @SohoPlace until 25th November 2023. Visit www.sohoplace.org for info and tickets.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

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Richard Carson is starring as Maxim de Winter in the English language premiere of Rebecca at the Charing Cross Theatre.

Rebecca is written by Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay, two of the most successful German musical theatre composers. The show premiered in Vienna in 2006 - where it is currently being revived - and has been staged multiple times internationally. Directed by Alejandro Bonatto, the London production of Rebecca has new translations by Christopher Hampton and an 18 piece orchestra.

Richard most recently completed his run in the West End production of Les Miserables, playing Factory Foreman and Combeferre whilst understudying Javert.

Some of his other theatre credits include: Sky Masterson in Guy and Dolls (The Mill at Sonning), Sky in Mamma Mia! (Novello), Reuben and covering Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (London Palladium), understudy Chris in Miss Saigon (Prince Edward), understudy Fiyero in Wicked (Original UK & Ireland Tour), Strephon in Sasha Regan’s All-Male Iolanthe (UK Tour), Jason in Myth (Other Palace), Farmer in Oklahoma! (Royal Albert Hall) and Man 1 in Closer Than Ever (Pheasantry).

Richard has co-hosted our other podcast The West End Frame Show twice, but this is his first time In The Frame! In this episode Richard discusses all-things Rebecca and speaks candidly about why the past year has been a challenging for him. Richard also speaks about how he got into theatre and lots more!

Rebecca runs at the Charing Cross Theatre until Saturday 18th November 2023. Visit www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk for info and tickets.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

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Email: [email protected]
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Karis Anderson is starring as Tina Turner in the West End production of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre.

Karis originally joined the show as an Ikette and understudy for Tina. She took over as Tina earlier this year, sharing the role with Elesha Paul Moses.

Karis started out in music and was part of the Brit nominated girl group Stooshe. After Stooshe, Karis ventured into theatre with her credits including: Diana Ross in Motown (UK Tour), PP Arnold in All Or Nothing (Ambassadors) and Genie of the Lamp in Aladdin (Jordan Productions).

Recorded backstage at the Aldwych, in this episode Karis discusses how she went from thinking she would never sing again to conquering the role of Tina, how she went from music to theatre and the impact this role has had on her life... plus lots more!

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical is booking at the Aldwych Theatre until September 2024. Visit www.tinathemusical.com for info and tickets.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

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Email: [email protected]
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Dionne Ward-Anderson is starring as Anna Of Cleves in the West End production of Six The Musical at the Vaudeville Theatre.

Dionne is coming to the end of her reign and will wrap up her two year run next month. Six marks Dionne's West End debut.

Before the pandemic, Dionne was cast in the UK & Ireland tour of Footloose but never performed the show due to Covid-19 delays. Next up Dionne will join the West End production of The Book of Mormon as first cover Nabulungi.

This episode was recorded backstage at the Vaudeville Theatre in Dionne’s dressing room. She discusses her journey with Six as well as her path into theatre and lots more along the way!

Dionne appears in Six until Sunday 15th October. Six is booking at the Vaudeville Theatre until November 2024 whilst continuing to tour the UK & Ireland. 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.