Best Bad Films in Good Company Podcasts (2025)

1
Meeting John Le Carré, writing about death and some advice for young writers 42:08

Play Pause

37m ago42:08

42:08

Sarah goes to @sohoplace to talk to writer David Eldridge about his two plays running in London at the moment: End at the National Theatre, the completion of his relationships trilogy, and The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, the first adaptation of a John Le Carré novel for the stage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Paul Hilton on finding his own Scrooge, saving the Oldham Coliseum and why it’s good to cry at the theatre 32:28

1h ago32:28

32:28

As he approaches press night, we check in with award-winning actor Paul Hilton, who is getting his Scrooge on this Christmas at the Old Vic. He reflects on finding his own way into the iconic miser, and what drew him to Jack Thorne’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic after initially turning the role down. More broadly, he reflects on his caree…

1
Is Wicked: For Good good or bad? 42:35

3d ago42:35

42:35

Alex has been to see Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo to bring the Wicked story to its conclusion. And Sarah has been scouring the theatre listings to find alternatives to Christmas jollity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Bonus episode: The Wicked movie's casting directors explain the secrets to their success 33:38

10d ago33:38

33:38

With Wicked: For Good soaring into cinemas this week, editor-in-chief Alex Wood sat down with the two-part big-screen adaptation's casting directors – Bernie Telsey and Tiffany Little Canfield – to discuss how they assembled such a rich and varied ensemble for the blockbuster franchise. The duo, with a long history of casting on stage and screen, s…

1
Alan Cumming on his Pitlochry season, being a voluntary artistic director and experiences on the all-male Company 30:57

2d ago30:57

30:57

Trailed last week in our main episode, editor-in-chief Alex Wood sits down with Alan Cumming, who has just announced a jam-packed, star-studded first season at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. He may not be taking a salary, but he isn't taking his time either – delivering a huge bill of shows with strong international names. He also discusses his time w…

1
The Hunger Games - and Ian McKellen, Helen Mirren and some hopes for the future of arts in education 37:04

1h ago37:04

37:04

What a week Sarah Crompton and Alex Wood have had! Not only did they have a trip to Panem to sample the stage adaptation of The Hunger Games (the results left a lot to chew on), but Sarah's been down to Middle Temple Hall to celebrate a brand new initiative to help make Shakespeare more accessible in schools, courtesy of the Foyle Foundation and th…

1
Bonus episode: Caissie Levy and Jack Wolfe have a perfect loving family reunion 34:07

2h ago34:07

34:07

In this WhatsOnStage Podcast special, two of the stars of the Donmar Warehouse production of Next to Normal – Caissie Levy and Jack Wolfe – reunite as they both take on Broadway at the same time. The pair are currently starring in separate shows – Levy as Mother in the critically lauded revival of Ragtime, Wolfe in the role Orpheus in the much-love…

1
The pick of the best Christmas shows - and a celebration of Richard Burton 38:20

18d ago38:20

38:20

Sarah and Alex have been watching Mr Burton, the film about Richard Burton’s early life starring Toby Jones that gets its TV on BBC on the centenary of his birth. And also Wild Genius, a documentary about this fascinating man who changed the course of acting and of celebrity. They’ve also begun to choose the most promising Christmas shows including…

1
Bonus episode: We meet the team behind Paddington Bear! 20:14

22d ago20:14

20:14

In this bonus episode, editor-in-chief Alex Wood chats to James Hameed and Arti Shah - the two performers who sent social media into meltdown on Saturday night when the musical version of Paddington had its first preview. Alongside the creatives, Shah and Hameed details the long process required to make Paddington work - and how it has been rehears…

1
Bonus episode: West End producer Colin Ingram reflects on 20 years of his company, the star casting debate and how the West End ecosystem is changing 39:18

25d ago39:18

39:18

On this bonus episode, we’re joined by one of the most prolific producers in the business – Colin Ingram. He’s the award-winning mind behind Back to the Future: The Musical, Ghost, and Grease The Musical, and this year marks the 20th anniversary of his company, Colin Ingram Limited. In our podcast he weighs in on the star casting debate, the future…

1
Exclusive interview: John Proctor is the Villain, Tilda Swinton and a huge 70th birthday party – David Byrne on his new Royal Court season 23:46

28d ago23:46

23:46

Luke Norris, Tilda Swinton, Gary Oldman, Ryan Calais Cameron, Robert Aramayo, John Proctor is the Villain and so much more – the Royal Court season is celebrating its 70th birthday in style. We hop into artistic director David Byrne's office to get the lowdown on his programming choices – how he's both honouring and winking at the history of this h…

1
Chris Pine, Keanu Reeves and the effects of star casting 38:27

1M ago38:27

38:27

Sarah and Alex meet up from opposite sides of the Atlantic to discuss the latest hot news in theatre including Chris Pine’s casting in Ivanov at the Bridge Theatre, how Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter are landing on Broadway in Jamie Lloyd’s Waiting for Godot and why the new stage production of The Hunger Games found itself in a lose-lose situation wi…

1
Bonus episode: Andy Nyman and Marc Antolin have a very special announcement... 32:12

1M ago32:12

32:12

On this special Monday bonus episode, we hopped over to the Garrick Theatre to check in with the stars of The Producers, Andy Nyman and Marc Antolin, who had a very special announcement for the five-star West End production... The duo have been playing the two lead roles in the show since it opened to acclaim at the Menier Chocolate Factory – it no…

1
The report the theatre world can't ignore: Women's health in the spotlight with special guest Emily Vaughan-Barratt 38:22

1M ago38:22

38:22

Following a high-profile launch for the Women's Health in Theatre report at the Harold Pinter Theatre last week, chief critic Sarah Crompton sat down with the report's pioneer, award-winning producer Emily Vaughan-Barratt, at her offices in London. The report's finding were an uncompromising reminder of the constant hurdles placed in front of women…

1
Bonus episode: How to adapt a classic musical into a film 16:39

1M ago16:39

16:39

In this episode, we head to the US where editor David Gordon sits down with director Bill Condon to discuss his new movie version of Kiss of the Spider Woman. Together they explore his approach to adapting the acclaimed story for the stage, the themes of identity and survival, and the creative process behind bringing such an iconic work to life. It…

1
What is the secret to Les Misérables' success? 40:48

2M ago40:48

40:48

To be or not to be - that is the question... Or is it "Do You Hear The People Sing?" As Les Misérables celebrates 40 years in the West End, Sarah and Alex reflect on the runaway success of the iconic musical that has enchanted audiences for decades. What does it say about the critics that they got it so wrong? Meanwhile, the National Theatre has op…

1
How one venue is bringing Hope to regional theatres 28:10

2M ago28:10

28:10

We’re heading to Manchester to celebrate a remarkable milestone. It’s been ten years since the Hope Mill Theatre first opened its doors, transforming a former textile mill into one of the country’s most respected independent producing houses. With just over 145 seats, it’s an intimate space that’s punched well above its weight — staging acclaimed r…

1
The magic of rain on stage, the greatness of Brendan Gleeson and the start of the National Theatre’s new regime 33:24

1M ago33:24

33:24

Sarah and Alex catch up on the latest in a hectic season of theatre and talk about why The Weir by Conor McPherson really is one of the great plays of the past 50 years. And - actors getting wet is always irresistible, but does it just make you think about drainage? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Bonus episode: Rachel Zegler, Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher join us for a red carpet special! 22:12

2M ago22:12

22:12

In a little midweek episode, we bring you red carpet interviews from London and New York. On Sunday, Rachel Zegler picked up the Best West End Debut Performer award at The Stage Debut Awards in London for her performance leading Evita in the West End, while over in New York, the stars of the forthcoming production of Chess came together to discuss …

1
Why Jane Austen finds herself at home in modern Essex 42:02

2M ago42:02

42:02

As Jane Austen celebrates her 250th birthday, Ava Pickett has adapted Emma for the stage. She’s taken a radical approach. She talks to Sarah about why Austen is still the best portrayer of complex women, how hard it is to write comedy, the freedom of writing period drama and why the craft of women writers still isn’t recognised. Hosted on Acast. Se…

1
Bonus episode: Rob Madge and Sophie Drake bring a classic into the 21st century 24:30

2M ago24:30

24:30

How do you bring a play into the present day? That’s the question facing playwright Rob Madge and director Sophie Drake, as they bring Brandon Thomas' 19th century gender-hopping farce into the present day. The show opens at the rustic, beautiful Watermill Theatre, and marks a first collaboration for the award-winning duo. Hosted on Acast. See acas…

1
Exclusive: Indhu Rubasingham and Nima Taleghani on why they’ve put the god of theatre on stage at the National Theatre 30:26

2M ago30:26

30:26

Nima Taleghani is best known as Mr Farouk in Netflix’s Heartstopper. Now his first play - an adaptation of Euripides’ Bacchae - has become the first debut play in the Olivier theatre. And it opens his director Indhu Rubasingham’s first season as artistic director of the National Theatre. They talk to Sarah about making classics contemporary, rhymin…

1
Children will listen: Kate Fleetwood talks playing the Witch in Into the Woods 30:11

2M ago30:11

30:11

In a WhatsOnStage Podcast first, we exclusively reveal that Kate Fleetwood will be playing the Witch in Jordan Fein’s upcoming Into the Woods revival, playing at the Bridge Theatre from early December. We want to hear about how it feels for the performer to appear in their first EVER Sondheim production, and what might be in store for audiences whe…

1
The best autumn theatre part two 32:38

2M ago32:38

32:38

Sarah and Alex make their top picks for shows towards the end of the year from plays such as End, The Line of Beauty and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo to the great raft of musicals coming our way. Plus, how will Paddington tackle the bear question? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Bonus episode: Podcast chaos with Lucie Jones, David Hunter and the writers of 13 Going On 30 32:34

3M ago32:34

32:34

Another mid-week bonus episode of the WhatsOnStage Podcast sees Alex talking to the team behind the world premiere production of 13 Going On 30 The Musical, which opens this September in Manchester. Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith, who penned the original Hollywood classic, are back at the helm of the new stage production, which reunites Lucie Jones…

1
Emma Rice starts a new chapter – and wants to solve the touring problem 30:17

3M ago30:17

30:17

This week, Emma Rice rechristened her company Wise Children with the new name Emma Rice Company, and we took the opportunity to sit down and reflect on her career so far – from touring new work, to enchanting families at Christmas and taking productions across continents. She explains her efforts to try and solve the problems around regional tours,…

1
Kyle Soller talks Romans, bringing Albee to Star Wars and what to do about modern-day men 31:06

3M ago31:06

31:06

In this episode, we sit down with Olivier Award-winning actor Kyle Soller to talk about his latest role in Romans, a novel, Alice Birch’s ambitious new play at the Almeida Theatre. Directed by Sam Pritchard, the piece is a sweeping exploration of masculinity from the nineteenth century to today. Kyle reflects on what drew him to the project, the ch…

1
The best autumn theatre part one: from Bacchae to Romans, from Joe Locke to Alicia Vikander 37:00

3M ago37:00

37:00

As the nights draw in, Sarah and Alex discuss some of their favourite shows about to hit the stage in the next couple of months including a stage version of The Hunger Games, the return of the Conor McPherson classic The Weir and appearances from Joe Alwyn, Nicola Walker, Letitia Wright, Susan Sarandon and many more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p…

1
Bonus episode: Tony Award winner Laura Benanti explains why nobody cares 24:59

2M ago24:59

24:59

As she wraps up a month at the Edinburgh Fringe, Laura Benanti travels south to present her solo comedy show Nobody Cares. She explains her inspiration for the show, why it isn't like anything else she's done on stage, and how she's found a month of performing at the iconic Scottish arts festival. Oh, and why it's such a scary time for comics in th…

1
Is stage door etiquette getting worse? 39:12

3M ago39:12

39:12

It's a packed agenda on this week's episode of the WhatsOnStage Podcast. First up, Sarah reflects on her latest trip north of the border to talk on a panel about all things criticism, alighting on the subject of critic Arifa Akbar's wonderful series on criticism available on BBC Sounds. From there, Alex and Sarah mull over Sarah's fantastic intervi…

1
Bonus episode: What happens when your press night goes wrong? 47:04

3M ago47:04

47:04

In this episode, we’re joined by two leading lights of musical theatre who are stepping into one of the most beloved shows in the canon. Phillip Attmore and Lucy St. Louis star as Jerry Travers and Dale Tremont in Top Hat at Chichester Festival Theatre this summer, taking on roles made famous by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. We also discuss how t…

1
Why Liam Gallagher is wrong about festivals 37:56

4M ago37:56

37:56

Sarah has been to the Edinburgh Festival at the same time as Oasis and Liam Gallagher chose to make a few choice remarks about there being another event up the road. She and Alex discuss why his comments - he said the festival consisted of people “juggling f---ing b------s… swallowing swords” and “s----y card tricks” - cut against the spirit of fes…

1
Bonus episode: Bridgerton star Luke Newton talks returning to the stage – and why it is his safe space 17:03

4M ago17:03

17:03

Luke Newton has won over millions of hearts as Colin Bridgerton, but will face a wholly different challenge when he stars in Darrah Cloud’s House of McQueen off-Broadway at The Mansion at Hudson Yards. Newton will take on the role of Lee Alexander McQueen, more commonly known simply as Alexander McQueen, in a show based on the iconic fashion design…

1
Who’s getting married in the morning? 32:57

4M ago32:57

32:57

It’s wedding season and Alex is away at one of the numerous celebrations he’s been invited to this summer. Which made him and Sarah think about the way that weddings are used on stage, screen and television. As Beth Steel’s Till the Stars Come Down packs them in in the West End, they look back at plays by writers such as Lorca, Shakespeare and more…

1
Bonus episode: Rosalie Craig talks Good Night, Oscar, working alongside Sean Hayes and an actor-musician Company with Jonathan Bailey 30:12

4M ago30:12

30:12

West End star Rosalie Craig will be returning to the stage this summer to appear alongside Sean Hayes in the London transfer of Good Night, Oscar, now playing at the Barbican Theatre. We sat down to have a virtual chat about the show, why it fits the Barbican so well and how for Craig, it's something of a homecoming. Beyond that, she also pined for…

1
Has the New York Times sent shockwaves through the theatre world? 37:52

4M ago37:52

37:52

Sarah and Alex pick up the debate about the role of criticism triggered by the New York Times decision to take three critics off their customary beat. And apply the lessons to the extraordinary range of reactions to Burlesque. And Alex reports back from Jesus Christ Superstar at the Watermill and Top Hat at Chichester. Hosted on Acast. See acast.co…

1
Bonus episode: How do we build theatre audiences of the future? 29:44

4M ago29:44

29:44

We checked in with Emma De Souza, executive director of audience and commercial at Society of London Theatre and the mastermind behind the long-running audience development initiative, Kids Week. The scheme provides free theatre tickets for youngsters accompanying paying adult punters – a huge move in order to encourage the audiences of the future …

1
Burlesque's turbulent arrival in the West End – and directors arguing with their reviewers 48:05

4M ago48:05

48:05

Sarah is still swanning it up in bella Italia (the country, not the restaurant), so Alex has brought in TheaterMania's editor-in-chief David Gordon to comb through two big stories in theatre this week. First of all, the turbulent Burlesque the Musical has had its opening night at the Savoy Theatre, with Alex giving his verdict on the production – a…

1
Bonus episode: Three Elphabas talk the new world of Wicked – and what the show’s legacy means 32:13

4M ago32:13

32:13

In a special midweek episode, three former Elphabas – Louise Dearman, Kerry Ellis and Rachel Tucker – come together to discuss the legacy of Wicked and the new surge in love for the franchise after the release of the hit film. The trio will be appearing together for a special concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane at the end of August, and have used t…

1
What are the hits and who are the stars of tomorrow? 45:24

4M ago45:24

45:24

As the Edinburgh Festival approaches Sarah and Alex cast their eye over the listings to see if they can pick the hottest shows and the most promising futures. Plus a WhatsOnPage bonus of their holiday reading lists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Bonus episode: Natasha Hodgson and Alex Young go head-to-head in an Operation Mincemeat special 21:00

4M ago21:00

21:00

Alex and Sarah will be back on Friday, but in the meantime we’ve dedicated an episode to a British show that continues to conquer both sides of the Atlantic, having been crowned the 2024 Best New Musical at both the WhatsOnStage and Olivier Awards in London and receiving four Tony nominations (winning one) in New York – Operation Mincemeat. We pair…

1
What's the point of an interval? And why are we spraying vodka backstage? 35:18

5M ago35:18

35:18

On this week's episode of the WhatsOnStage Podcast, Sarah and Alex plunder the letter bag to tackle some tantalising listener questions – with subjects ranging from cleaning costumes (very topical in the ongoing heatwave!) to the importance of intervals. Finally, they take a trip down memory lane to think about productions they'd love to have seen …

1
Bonus episode: What does an actor-musician musical even mean? 14:50

5M ago14:50

14:50

With Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar celebrating a lengthy summer run at the award-winning Watermill Theatre in Newbury, Alex Wood popped into the rehearsal room to find out how the show is being performed by a group of actor-musicians - transplanting the tunes and placing them slap bang in the heart of the action. Hosted …

1
Rachel Zegler, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more discuss Evita's secrets 17:42

5M ago17:42

17:42

As we put out our main episode two days early (go back and give it a listen!) – here's something to take you through the weekend. In what is our last episode on Evita for a while (we promise), we sit down with star Rachel Zegler and team behind the new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Evita at The London Palladium. They spill the be…

1
Is Evita the show of the summer? And if not, what is? 36:56

5M ago36:56

36:56

In an excitable episode (fuelled by the heatwave), Sarah Crompton and Alex Wood unite to chew over Jamie Lloyd's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Evita, starring Golden Globe winner Rachel Zegler – now that the embargo has lifted. After that, the pair discuss other shows that have wowed them in recent weeks – including a surprise an…

1
Why seeing a play from the cheap seats can change your life - with special guest playwright Beth Steel 33:26

5M ago33:26

33:26

As her brilliant play Till the Stars Come Down transfers to the West End, playwright Beth Steel talks to Sarah about her unexpected discovery of theatre and the mental blocks and financial obstacles that stop working class voices being heard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Bonus episode: Special guest Katie Brayben on the magic of returning to a role 32:32

5M ago32:32

32:32

With this week's main episode coming out two days early, special guest Katie Brayben joins Alex Wood for a Friday chitchat. The two-time Olivier Award-winner will be returning to the role of Elizabeth in the hit Bob Dylan musical Girl from The North Country, now playing once more at the Old Vic in London. Other topics include Brayben's time in Tamm…

1
Will social media be the end of theatre critics? And are there too many standing ovations? 43:05

5M ago43:05

43:05

It's a two-part episode as Alex and Sarah reunite after a few weeks out in the wild! Social media is all abuzz with clips of Rachel Zegler's performance of "Don't Cry For Me Argentinia" in Evita at The London Palladium. The only ones not talking about it? Theatre critics – who have to wait until early July to give their verdicts on the show. With w…

1
Behind the scenes at Jamie Lloyd’s Evita 45:43

6M ago45:43

45:43

As Rachel Zegler prepares to take on the role of Eva Peron in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s ageless classic, Sarah sets out to find out more about the London Palladium production. Plus what was it like working with Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell and how did they cope with the crowds mobbing Sunset Boulevard in New York Hosted on Acast. See a…

1
Bonus episode: What happens when you win a Tony Award? With Sarah Snook, Jak Malone, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more 15:41

6M ago15:41

15:41

Sunday night saw the winners crowned at the Tony Awards in New York. While new musical Maybe Happy Ending may have been the big winner, there were plenty of awards dished out to UK-originating shows, including Operation Mincemeat, Stranger Things: The First Shadow and more! We hear from all of them… while Andrew Lloyd Webber explains why a Sunset B…

Bad Films In Good Company Podcasts