Blog / Interviews

Check here for the latest musical news with links to all your #StageFaves performers, shows and theatres. Also look out for our regular #GetSocial features and contributions from our syndicate media partners including MyTheatreMates.com and the Musical Theatre Appreciation Society.

Last night (17 September 2017), our vlogger Perry O'Bree attended the first-ever The Stage Debut Awards. Watch his full event takeover, including red carpet arrivals and interviews with stars including your #StageFaves musical winners: Miriam Teak-Lee, Samuel Thomas, Christina Bennington (collecting for Andrew Polec) and Everybody's Talking About Jamie composer Dan Gillespie-Sells.

Very rarely does a show come along that receives unanimous praise and adulation, after all, appealing to the wide ranging tastes of both audience and critics is a tough ask. The National Theatre's production of FOLLIES however, is one of those shows! It's been ages since we've seen such glowing reviews pouring in from far and wide and it's great to see the Sondheim classic 1971 musical still feels as fresh as ever! You can't be a true musical theatre lover without a bit of Sondheim, and we reckon FOLLIES is the perfect way to clock in a few hours of one of the greatest American composers...We've rounded up the best reviews and features so you can get your FOLLIES fix all in one place!

21 Aug
2017

We saw them melt hearts at the London Theatre Workshop, but the cast of ORDINARY DAYS have brought the show up to the Edinburgh Fringe for a full run. Making a new home at C Venues, the show is now in a more intimate setting, on a thrust stage, with the barrier between audience and performers distinctly smaller. We chatted to the wonderful Nora Perone about their reasons for transfering the show to Edinburgh, their time at the fringe and, of course, her ultimate StageFave...

21 Aug
2017

Rehearsals are already under way for the new production of THE SWORD AND THE DOPE opening at the Waterloo East Theatre next month and it's already sounding fantastic! They sent us over a little clip from behind the scenes and it's made us even more excited to see it for ourselves...

20 Aug
2017

We're loving chatting to our StageFaves about their summer plans and this week is no exception! Our #SummerMusicalMoment interview series continues with the wonderful Olivier Award-winning Rebecca Trehearne who told us about working abroad, listening to some great musical theatre soundtracks and dreams of visiting Thailand...

17 Aug
2017

It's official - we've found your new favourite musical at the Fringe! PROM KWEEN is taking Edinburgh by storm this August, selling to packed out, party-ready crowds at Underbelly Cowgate and even winning The Stage award for Best Ensemble. This camp, funny and touching show about the true story of a non-binary teenager who ran for Prom Queen (and won!) is stealing hearts and changing minds every night at 8:35pm. We chatted to Rebecca Humphries wrote the show and is also in it, about why she wanted to tell this story, how she decided to tackle the issue of gender in a time where everyone seems to have an opinion on it, and how she made the show so FABULOUS Darling!

09 Aug
2017

Our #SummerMusicalMoment interview series is in full force and we're feeling the summer vibes! This week, we chatted to BEAUTIFUL's David O'Mahony about his post-West End plans, jetting off to foreign shores and taking his girlfriend with him...as long as she gets a window seat!

04 Aug
2017

Our #SummerMusicalMoment interview series continues with Joelle Dyson! We chatted to the DREAMGIRLS star about her summer work schedule (it's a busy one), her next big holiday (even though it's a while away!) and her dream summer escape...

02 Aug
2017

Our #SummerMusicalMoment interview series kicks off with ALADDIN star Ethan Le Phong. Having finished his West End contract, been offered a Broadway run of the show only to injure himself, it's been one hell of a year for Ethan, but he's on the mend and ready to enjoy the summer season! We asked him some summer-themed questions to get the lowdown on what makes him tick in the heat...

18 Jul
2017

It's hardly news that London's West End is the beating heart of the UK Musical Theatre scene. Fans from all over the world flock to see their favourite shows and soak up the atmosphere and history of the area. But how can you learn even more about your favourite theatres, shows and performers? Introducing Neil Maxfield - Musical Theatre aficionado and the brains (and face!) behind the Musical Theatre walking tour, an absolute MUST for any Musical Theatre geek! We got the chance to ask Neil a few questions about what to expect from the tour, his favourite theatre and of course who is his West End #StageFave?

#StageFaves Perry O'Bree and Terri Paddock attended the West End premiere of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, starring Broadway superstar Audra McDonald making her West End debut. After the show, Perry talked to the six-time Tony Award winner about playing Billie Holliday and what she has in common with chihuahua co-star Tilly...

26 Jun
2017

Who'd our vlogger Perry O'Bree catch up with at West End Live? Watch all his backstage video interviews from both days with West End stars including Ben Forster, Jade Ewen, Danny Mac, Cassidy Janson, Marisha Wallace, Kerry Ellis, Rachel Tucker, Tyrone Huntley, John Partridge (in drag!), Lucie Jones, Jason Manford and many others from Aladdin, An American in Paris, The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, Five Guys Named Moe, On the Town, The Lion King, Everybody Loves Jamie, Half a Sixpence and The Wind in the Willows - to name a few!

22 May
2017

Jonathan Larson is most famous for writing the groundbreaking 90's musical RENT, but diehard fans will know his autobiographical monologue TICK, TICK...BOOM! which was posthumously turned into a 3-hander and is playing at the Park Theatre this month. Bronagh Lagan, the show's director, shared some thoughts on the show and the company behind this production.

StageFaves founder Terri Paddock hosted a post-show Q&A this past weekend at the European premiere of Off-Broadway musical two-hander PETE 'N' KEELY, with #StageFaves stars David Bardsley and Katie Kerr as well as director Matthew Gould. Listen to the jolly, theme tune-filled podcast here...

StageFaves founder Terri Paddock recently hosted a post-show Q&A at original British musical MISS NIGHTINGALE, with the show's creator Matthew Bugg, creative consultant Joe Harmston and full #StageFaves cast including Conor O'Kane and Tamar Broadbent. Listen to the full podcast here...

13 Apr
2017
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Headlong's premiere production of new British musical JUNKYARD arrives at Rose Theatre Kingston next week. Musical Theatre Review’s Aura Simon caught up with its composer Stephen Warbeck to contemplate a varied and award-filled career...

03 Apr
2017
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He has been in the business for almost 70 years, but Michael Blakemore is back at the helm of THE LIFE, a Broadway show he first tackled more than 20 years ago and is now receiving its long-overdue UK premiere. Musical Theatre Review's Scott Matthewman caught up with Blakemore to see if the show was as daunting second time round...

22 Mar
2017
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Originally from New York, musical theatre star Chris Peluso made the trip across the pond to star in his West End debut as Chris in Miss Saigon. Now he's playing opposite a #StageFaves favourite in the UK tour of Funny Girl. Musical Theatre Review's Polly Sisley wondered what the draw of the UK was for him...

07 Mar
2017

How are preparations going for the long-awaited UK premiere of Cy Coleman's Tony Award-winning masterpiece THE LIFE? We sent fellow #StageFave and Backstage Jam creator Michael Watson along for a sneak-peek at rehearsals. Check out his mini video interviews including with stars Sharon D Clarke, Cornell John and the musical's legendary original director Michael Blakemore...

01 Mar
2017

In the first of a new "Backstage Jam Live" video series, Michael Watson pays a visit to The Other Palace for a mash-up dressing room session with fellow #StageFaves Victoria Hamilton-Barritt and Ako Mitchell, who play Kate and Eddie in the UK premiere production of THE WILD PARTY...