The West End Frame Show: Theatre News, Reviews & Chat

Claire-Marie Hall (Operation Mincemeat) returns to co-host The West End Frame Show!Andrew and Claire discuss Now That's What I Call A Musical (Milton Keynes Theatre, UK Tour) as well as the latest news about the Mattel Wicked dolls mishap, 13 Going On 30, Hadestown, Scissorhandz and more. Claire is currently starring as Jean Leslie & others in the West End production of Operation Mincemeat. She was part of the musical's original cast, originally performing it at the Southwark Playhouse and Riverside Studios before transferring to the West End's Fortune Theatre.Next year Claire will reunite with the original cast of Operation Mincemeat for the musical's Broadway transfer. Performances will begin in New York at the Golden Theatre on 15th February 2025, ahead of an official opening night on 20th March.Claire's theatre credits also include: The Innkeeper’s Wife in The Wicker Husband (Watermill Theatre), The Grinning Man (Trafalgar Studios), Tuptim in The King and I (Leicester Curve & National Tour), Gabriella High School Musical (Hammersmith Apollo & National Tour) and Cosette in Les Miserables (Queen’s Theatre).At the age of 11, Claire made her professional debut as Ngana in the National Theatre’s touring production of South Pacific. In this episode, Claire discusses her journey with Operation Mincemeat and how it feels to be taking the musical to Broadway!Follow Claire on Instagram: @claire_m_hall Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Lewis Brown (Closer To Heaven / TikTok creator) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Lewis discuss Moulin Rouge starring Natalie Kassanga and Dom Simpson (Piccadilly Theatre) and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Ambassadors Theatre) as well as the latest news about Hercules starring Luke Brady, The Great Gatsby, Miss Saigon, The Black British Theatre Awards and  more. Since training at Urdang, Lewis has done cruises, tours and pantomimes. Earlier this year he played Flynn in the London revival of Closer To Heaven: The Pet Shop Boys Musical at the Turbine Theatre. Lewis is also one of the leading theatre content creators in the UK; on TikTok he has over half a million followers and over fifty million likes. Lewis has collaborated with brands such as Amazon, Google, Samsung, Mastercard and Costa Coffee. Follow Lewis on TikTok/Instagram: @lewbearbrown Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

On this week’s solo episode, Andrew discusses Barcelona starring Lily Collins (Duke Of York’s Theatre) and The History Boys (Richmond Theatre, UK Tour) as well as the latest news about Scissorhandz, Les Misérables casting, Operation Mincemeat on Broadway, Hugh Jackman and more. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Georgina James (Beetlejuice / Jerry Springer The Opera) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Georgina discuss Becoming Nancy (Birmingham Rep) and The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre) as well as the latest news about Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical, Why Am I So Single, Smash, Bonnie Langford and lots more. Georgina has toured the world as a lead vocalist on various cruise ships. Her theatre credits include Andrea/Archangel Michael in Jerry Springer The Opera (Hope Mill Theatre) and Miss Lynch in Grease (Royal Caribbean). Most recently Georgina starred as Barbara in Beetlejuice The Musical (Norwegian Cruise Line). She is also a highly acclaimed and sought after jazz and vintage vocalist, performing at events and busking on the streets of London. Follow Georgina on Instagram: @georginajamesssHosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Toby Shellard (Pretty Woman / Hairspray) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Toby discuss Musical Con (ExCel Centre), Come Alive: The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular (Empress Museum) and The Devil Wears Prada press launch as well as the latest news about Dirty Dancing, casting for Joseph starring Christina Bianco and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, the UK Theatre Awards and lots more.Toby graduated from Arts Ed last year and went on to make his professional debut as Brad and understudy Corny Collins in Hairspray at the Kilworth House Theatre. He played Jacob in the workshop of Babies and has just finished touring the UK & Ireland in Pretty Woman The Musical as understudy Gulio. Follow Toby on Instagram: @tobyshellard Toby stars as Jack in Jack & The Beanstalk at the Buxton Opera House 6th December 2024 - 1st January 2025. Visit www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk for info and tickets.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.   Tiny Bar ChatsChats with influential, inspiring, prolific and community oriented folks.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Meesha Turner (Six / Stranger Things) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!Andrew and Meesha discuss Reverberation (Bristol Old Vic) as well as the latest news about Titanique, Wicked merch, Max Harwood being cast in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical and lots more. Meesha is a 2020 graduate of The Royal Academy of Music. After touring in Soul Legends and The Magic of Motown, she made her West End debut as Catherine Parr in Six The Musical (Vaudeville Theatre). Meesha went on to play Mrs Cratchit in A Christmas Carol (Old Vic) and is currently coming to the end of her run in the original cast of Stranger Things: The First Shadow (Phoenix Theatre). Later this month Meesha is starring in the concert of Matthew Harvey’s new musical Unbound. Following its premiere at the Birmingham Hippodrome as part of BYMT’s 20th anniversary season, Unbound is being staged at Hoxton Hall under the creative direction of Ryan Carter. You can see Unbound at Hoxton Hall on 27th October. Visit www.unboundmusical.com for info and tickets. Follow Meesha on Instagram: @turnermeeshaHosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.   Tiny Bar ChatsChats with influential, inspiring, prolific and community oriented folks.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Katie Bernstein returns to co-host The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Katie talk about the sad loss of Dame Maggie Smith, Gavin Creel and Ken Page. They also discuss Buyer and Cellar (King's Head Theatre), Cake (The Other Palace) and A Chorus Line (Wycombe Swan Theatre, UK Tour) as well as the latest news about Operation Mincemeat, West End Musical Halloween, Hadestown, Choir Of Man and lots more. Katie was most recently in Power of Sail and Habeas Corpus, both at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Her West End credits include The Man in the White Suit, The Play That Goes Wrong, Mrs Henderson Presents and Urinetown. Katie was in Allegro at the Southwark Playhouse and the 2013 concert tour of Rent.  She also works extensively on screen. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiebernsteinukHosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.   Tiny Bar ChatsChats with influential, inspiring, prolific and community oriented folks.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Having premiered at the Tobacco Factory prior to a sold out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Tink is about to kick off a London run at The Other Palace Studio. The show is composed and performed by Kat Kleve and written and directed by Lizzy Connolly with movement direction from Rosanna Bates."Tink is an imperfect, messy ‘female gaze fairytale’ in all its ugly glory. A nostalgic and thoroughly modern coming of age musical monologue navigating the complex social struggles of tweens, teens and full on adulting. It’s a love letter to a young you – reminding you to SHINE – like little you would want you to!"After a day of rehearsals, Kat, Lizzy and Rosanna sat down with West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins over a glass of prosecco to discuss what this show means to them, how it feels to be revisiting the piece and navigating their careers as creatives whilst also being mums. Tink runs at The Other Palace Studio 8th - 20th October. Visit www.theotherpalace.co.uk for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.   Tiny Bar ChatsChats with influential, inspiring, prolific and community oriented folks.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Join us for the first ever Q&A episode of The West End Frame Show! Performer Shane Antony-Whitely joins West End Frame Editor Andrew Tomlins to answer your questions! Topics range from Dream Revivals, West End Concerts, Touring Shows, Dream Guests, Theatre Temperatures and lots more. After graduating from ArtsEd, Shane made his feature film debut in Wonka for Disney. His stage credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK tour / Canada), The Mikado (Wilton’s Music Hall / UK Tour) and The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe (Birmingham Rep). Follow Shane on Instagram:  @_.shaneawhitelyHosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.   Tiny Bar ChatsChats with influential, inspiring, prolific and community oriented folks.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Shane Antony-Whitely (Joseph / The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe) returns to co-host The West End Frame Show!In this episode Andrew and Shane discuss Reece Richards becoming the victim of unlawful arrest and police misconduct whilst travelling home after a performance of Hairspray. They also discuss the closure of Cake, nominations for the Black British Theatre Awards, plus lots more. After graduating from ArtsEd, Shane made his feature film debut in Wonka for Disney. His stage credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK tour / Canada), The Mikado (Wilton’s Music Hall / UK Tour) and The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe (Birmingham Rep). Follow Shane on Instagram:  @_.shaneawhitelyHosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.   Tiny Bar ChatsChats with influential, inspiring, prolific and community oriented folks.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Ebby Sama (Come Alive: The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular) co-hosts The West End Frame Show. Andrew and Ebby discuss Why Am I So Single? (Garrick Theatre), The Rocky Horror Show (Dominion Theatre) and Silence (Turbine Theatre) as well as the latest news about Mrs Doubtfire, White Rabbit Red Rabbit, Ghost In Concert, Kinky Boots, Natalie Kassanga joining Moulin Rouge and lots more!Ebby is currently in rehearsals for Come Alive: The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular. Ebby is one of the dancers in the show, which brings together musical theatre and circus.Come Alive: The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular features a new story inspired by the 20th Century Fox Motion Picture and features all the hit songs by Pasek and Paul including ‘This Is Me’, ‘Rewrite the Stars’ and ‘A Million Dreams’. It's set to run at The Empress Museum in Earls Court.Having trained at Urdang, Ebby's theatre credits include: Vanara (Hackney Empire), Moulin Rouge (Piccadilly Theatre), The Lion King (UK & Ireland Tour) and Johannes Radebe’s House of Jojo (UK Tour). Come Alive: The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular opens at The Empress Museum in Earls Court on 16th October. Visit www.comealiveshow.com for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.   Tiny Bar ChatsChats with influential, inspiring, prolific and community oriented folks.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Join West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins for another Show Talk episode!In this episode, Andrew discusses Shifters (Duke of York's Theatre), Oliver! (Chichester Festival Theatre), The 39 Steps (Trafalgar Theatre) and A Night with Janis Joplin (Peacock Theatre). Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Before kicking off a new series join West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins for some Show Talk!In this episode, Andrew discusses Something Rotten (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Oklahoma! (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Fiddler on the Roof (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre) and Fangirls (Lyric Hammersmith). Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Join West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins for a round-up of some shows at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The show's discussed include T*t Swingers (Pleasance Courtyard), Jake Roche: Neporrhoids (Pleasance Courtyard), I Wish You Well (Underbelly George Square), Come Dine With Me (Underbelly Bristo Square), Who Do Ya Love (Assembly George Square Studios) and Pop Off, Michelangelo! (Gilded Balloon Patter House). Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Musical theatre writers Caitlyn Burt & Amir Shoenfeld (When We Strike) co-host The West End Frame Show!Andrew Caitlyn and Amir discuss A Chorus Line (Sadler's Wells) and I'm Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire (Southwark Playhouse) as well as the latest news about Lin-Manuel Miranda's new musical, Your Lie In April, Dear Evan Hansen in Australia, The History Boys and lots more. Caitlyn and Amir were the first writing team to be selected for the Cameron Mackintosh Composer Residency, hosted by Theatr Clwyd in 2022. They are the creators of new musical in development, Otto Weidt's Brush And Broom Workshop For The Blind and their very Australian audio musical Sheila The Tiny Turtle is featured on the podcast Bite-Sized Broadway.Their song 'Looking at the Moon' was selected by Tony winner Jason Robert Brown as the winner of the Song For Our Time initiative for Tarento Productions in 2020. Their new punk-rock musical When We Strike is premiering at the Southwark Playhouse later this month as part of BYMT's new season. The show tells the story of the Match Girls’ strike – the strike that sparked the British labour movement – with a company of all-female and non-binary performers and musicians.When We Strike runs at the Southwark Playhouse on 30th and 31st August. Visit www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.   Tiny Bar ChatsChats with influential, inspiring, prolific and community oriented folks.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Join West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins for some extra Show Talk!In this episode, Andrew discusses Hello Dolly! starring Imelda Staunton (London Palladium), Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World (The Other Palace) and Shrek The Musical (Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith). Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Kayleigh McKnight (Six / Hugh Jackman's Arena Tour) returns to co-host The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Kayleigh discuss Next To Normal (Wyndham's Theatre) as well as the latest theatre news about The Producers at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Ragtime at New York City Center, Ghost The Musical's tour casting and lots more. Some of Kayleigh's theatre credits include Bend It Like Beckam, Les Misérables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Tina, Heathers, Lift and Mandela. She most recently starred as Jane Seymour in the West End production of Six The Musical at the Vaudeville Theatre. In 2019, Kayleigh was a vocalist in Hugh Jackman's world arena tour The Man The Music The Show. Kayleigh is also an accomplished singer/songwriter and releases music as "KAELI". This is her third time co-hosting The West End Frame Show, having previously featured in January 2020 and July 2021. Follow Kayleigh on Instagram: @ohhkaeli Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.   Tiny Bar ChatsChats with influential, inspiring, prolific and community oriented folks.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Ian Oswald (Burlesque / Moulin Rouge) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Ian discuss The Baker's Wife (Menier Chocolate Factory), Six (Vaudeville Theatre) and Hadestown (Lyric Theatre) as well as the latest news about Here And Now, Becoming Nancy, Sunset Boulevard, House of Cleopatra, I Am Harvey Milk and lots more.Ian is currently in the original cast of Burlesque which recently premiered at the Manchester Opera House. The show is set to play further seasons in Manchester and Glasgow ahead of a planned West End run. Most recently Ian was the dance captain in the original West End cast of Moulin Rouge (Piccadilly Theatre). His other theatre credits include: Disney's Aladdin, (Prince Edward  Theatre), The Last Tango (Phoenix Theatre), Dance Till Dawn (Aldwych Theatre / UK Tour), understudy Tick in Priscilla Queen Of The Desert (Palace Theatre / UK Tour), Fred Casely and understudy Billy Flynn in Chicago (UK Tour), Purse and understudy Electra / Greaseball in Starlight Express (Bochum), Don and understudy Zach in A Chorus Line (Lowry), Micheal Flatleys Celtic Tiger (International Arena Tour), Simply Ballroom (UK Tour) and Boogie Nights (UK Tour).Ian's screen credits include body double for King Triton in The Little Mermaid (Disney), Captain Of The Spanish Guard in The Pirates Of The Caribbean (Disney), The Crown (Netflix), Too Much (Netflix ), How It Feels To Be A Girl (BBC), Saturday Night Takeaway (ITV), Night At The Musicals (Disney), Hollyoaks (Channel 4), The Voice (ITV), MTV Awards (MTV) and The Royal Variety Performance (ITV). Ian is set to appear as a dancer in the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked (Universal). Follow Ian on Instagram: @ianoswald80 Burlesque runs at the Theatre Royal Glasgow 11th – 28th September and Manchester Opera House 3rd October – 2nd November.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.   Tiny Bar ChatsChats with influential, inspiring, prolific and community oriented folks.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Julie Yammanee (I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical / Jerry's Girls) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Julie discuss And Juliet (Manchester Opera House, UK Tour) and the BYMT 20 Years on Stage Gala (The Other Palace) as well as the latest news about Six's new UK & International tour cast, the most streamed Broadway musicals, Equity taking legal action against Spotlight, Joe McElderry returning to Joseph, Alyssa Fox returning to Frozen and more. Julie is reprising her performance in I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical by Alexander S Bermange. The show is currently running in London at the King's Head Theatre before heading off on tour and returning to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Most recently, Julie starred in Jerry's Girls (Menier Chocolate Factory. Her theatre credits also include: Bonnie and Clyde (Garrick Theatre / Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (Hope Mill), Carousel (Kilworth House), Gatsby (Southwark Playhouse), Spamilton (Menier Chocolate Factory), Lazarus (King's Cross), And The Winner Is (Vaults), Aladdin (Hackney Empire), Priscilla Queen of the Desert (UK & international tour), Here Lies Love (National Theatre) and Avenue Q (UK tour). On screen Julie has appeared in Matilda (Netflix / Working Title) and A Christmas Story Christmas (Legendary / Warner Brothers HBO MAX). I Wish My Life were Like A Musical runs at the King's Head Theatre until Sunday 21st July. It runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 1st – 25th August and is touring to Cork, Newbury, Wolverhampton and Winchester. Visit www.likeamusical.com for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.

Kyle Birch (A Strange Loop / I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!Kyle and Andrew discuss Title Of Show (Phoenix Arts Club) as well as the latest news about The Society of London Theatre’s “Theatre for Every Child" campaign, casting for the Les Misérables arena tour, James Corden delaying a performance of The Constituent to watch England's penalties and lots more. Kyle is currently playing Brenda Dee Cankles & others in I'm Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire at the Southwark Playhouse (Borough, The Little). Written by Samantha Hurley, the show is described as a sharp new comedy that reminds us that with great obsession comes great heartache.Last year Kyle was in the UK premiere of A Strange Loop. Direct from Broadway, Kyle started out as the alternate for the central character, Usher, before taking over the role full-time to huge acclaim for the final months of its run at the Barbican Centre. Some of Kyle's other theatre credits include The Color Purple (UK Tour), Bat Boy (London Palladium), Children Of Eden (Cadogan Hall) and various iterations of In Pieces. He starred as Agwe in the British Theatre Academy's production of Once On This Island (Southwark Playhouse). I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire runs at the Southwark Playhouse (Borough, The Little) until 10th August. Visit www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk for info and tickets.Follow Kyle on Instagram: @kbirch27 Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.