Best Theatre Podcasts To Listen To In 2024

Photo by Chris Lynch on Unsplash

Written by Eliott.

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Whether you’re travelling across the country to catch the next big play or musical everyone’s talking about in your local area, or feeling FOMO as all your friends are out in the evenings. Maybe you're stuck at home with the urge to have a stagey night to feel a part of the community, one thing that is only a few scrolls away on your phone is a theatre podcast. From hosts talking about the latest shows they have seen, to actors chatting about their biggest hiccups on stage, the joy of listening in these conversations is the idea of kicking back and indulging in what those in our industry have to say, with no fear of cost or dressing up to attend a Q&A. 

Here at Theatre & Tonic, we have made a round up of the top podcasts you should be following if you’re a stagey person like us…

1. The West End Frame Show / In The Frame

To start the list, we have to mention ‘In The Frame’, the podcast series from The West End Frame Show, that only recently had our very own founder of T&T, Emmie-Hope Newitt, who discussed with Andrew Tomlins, the host of In The Frame, the movie adaptation of The Color Purple. What makes In The Frame so relevant in today’s society is how relevant the episodes are in responding to what is happening within our industry. Andrew’s charisma shines through with passion, and even when he co-hosts with stars from the stage on The West End Frame Show, he makes every guest feel comfortable and willing to share the very best of themselves.

2.Half Hour Call Podcast

A podcast now for teachers, theatre educators & industry experts, Hour Hour Call from Open Drama UK advises on how to advance, improve & benefit young people through Drama, for those who are at the forefront of inspiring the next generation. Now in its fourth season, conversations so far have led to interviews with Fourth Monkey, Get Into Theatre, Les Enfants Terribles, and The Globe Education Department.

3.The Stagey Place

From Writers to Director, Producers to Designers within the Theatre Industry, The Stagey Place is one of the few podcasts around that really dives deep into the creative world of the industry interviewing those who make the work that audiences see on stage. Sally Cookson (Jane Eyre, National Theatre), Darren Clark (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), and Rafaella Marcus (SAP, Soho Theatre) are just some of the guests who have been featured on the show, with so many more to listen to from the back catalogue.

4. Wise Children

As a touring theatre company, Wise Children, created and led by Emma Rice, is currently on the road with Blue Beard, a show which has been receiving rave reviews in the early stages of its tour. Emma Rice has once again put her voice to the microphone (Wuthering Heights, Malory Towers, and their inaugural show, Wise Children, were given the same treatment) to give us the purest insight into how a production is made, from rehearsals to previews, press night to touring on the road, with interviews with cast and creatives in some of the episodes too.

5. Making a Musical: The Future of British Musical Theatre

Curated and hosted by director Alex Jackson and The Other Palace Programme Manager, Kiki Stevenson, Making a Musical interviews creatives working on the freshest and upcoming productions in Musical Theatre, during all stages of development. Guests include Jethro Compton and Darren Clark (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Jack Godfrey and Martha Geelan (42 Balloons, Babies), plus Jack Miles and Rebecca Simmonds, the team behind In Clay, which is heading to Upstairs at The Gatehouse this March.

6. Your 5 Minute Call with Amber Davies

Amber Davies is no stranger to the spotlight, having performed in 9 to 5 The Musical, Back To The Future The Musical and more recently Pretty Woman The Musical. Now she’s using her passion in an all-new podcast; Your 5 Minute Call With Amber Davies. On her podcast, she is joined by stars of the stage (and fans too) to chat about unforgettable backstage stories to exclusive news and insights. With a new episode every Wednesday, this is a great new addition to your podcast playlist!

7. The Abandoned Theatre Podcast

Join actor and writer Alex Hill along with guests who have become the new artistic director of an abandoned theatre. It’s their job to programme a new season to get the theatre up and running using the plays and musicals that mean the most to them.  The Abandoned Theatre Podcast will explore the lives of brilliant people through their theatrical experiences.

8. MusicalTalk

If you don’t have time to sit and catch up on the latest news, views, reviews and interviews coming from the world of theatre - allow MusicalTalk to help you digest it all in their podcast. Hosted by Nick Huston, he loves getting his listeners to join in on his episodes too!

9. Breaking The Curtain

Two best friends interview their theatre idols and break down the history behind all of your favourite musicals on Breaking The Curtain. If you love finding out about what’s happening on Broadway as much as the West End, don’t worry because this podcast has exactly that! 

10. Musicals with Cheese

Join expert Jess as she helps Andrew, who knows nothing about musical theatre, as they provide listeners with a fresh eye analysis on musicals both old and new. This podcast has a new episode every week!

With a vast of great theatre podcasts available on all platforms - you can continue to engage with the brilliance of British theatre wherever you are in the world!