Hello! Welcome to another episode of Stalls to Stage, a home for all things theatre!
I am so excited to introduce our guest for this episode, because whilst we are blessed with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to talent on our UK theatre stages, I believe you’d be hard pressed to find a more captivating storyteller and vocalist than this person. He made his West End Debut almost 10 years ago now in the Original West End Production of Motown as Berry Gordy, and since then his star has only continued to rise. He appeared as Balaga in the UK Premiere Cast of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 at the end of last year, was also Olivier nominated in 2024 for his time as Nicely Nicely Johnson, and right now he’s giving a performance not to be missed as Hermes in Hadestown. And this Saturday for 2 performances, he takes to the Southbank Centre stage as Lloyd Price in the musical Personality.
There are discussions of substance abuse, recovery, and mental health struggles in this episode, just to let you all know!
But please, join me for chat with the inimitable Cedric Neal.
After ep notes - Like we say, there are tickets still available for tomorrow’s show’s if you aren’t yet booked - head to the Southbank Centre website to secure yours.
Also! As you heard, Cedric is nominated in the second year of the Stalls to Stage Awards - you can vote for him, and see a full list of nominees at stallstostage.co.uk/vote
If you enjoyed this episode, please do give us a 5 star rating and go check out our earlier episodes you might have missed.
Hello! Welcome to another episode of Stalls to Stage, a home for all things theatre!
This weeks guest is Shalisha James Davis, who is currently making her West End debut in Punch, the newest offering from powerhouse writer James Graham. It tells the true story of Jacob Dunne - who as a teenager threw one punch which had fatal consequences for James Hodgkinson.
I’d like to take the chance to offer some trigger warnings for this episode as there are discussions of cancer, depression, and mental health struggles during topic of choice, and of course the discussion around the play itself does involve discussion of death.
But if you’re able to, I hope you give this episode a listen - I do think it’s one of our most important chats yet!
To add to what Shalisha was saying about the wrap around work - the producers of Punch have also committed their royalties and any producer profits
from the West End run into sharing the play with young people around the UK in the future. And on top of this, writer James Graham will be channelling all his earnings from the West End run of Punch into supporting access initiatives in the West End – particularly in paying for tickets and travel for community groups and young people from his home county of Nottinghamshire – and into the educational and social missions beyond the London run. So big up to all involved for understanding some things are more important than profit, and standing on business - love to see it. Punch is running at the Apollo Theatre until November 29th, and details of the post show talks can be found at punchtheplay.com
Also! Votes are now open for the 2026 Stalls to Stage Awards - in which Shalisha is a nominee. To see a full list of nominees and cast your votes, head to stallstostage.co.uk/vote
Until next time!
We’re back! Did you miss us? Because we missed you!
That’s right baby, after a little bit of a break, I am back to chit chat all things theatre with the lovers and makers again! This week I am joined by Grace Mouat, absolute sweetheart of the UK Theatre scene. All the fan faves of the last 5 years, she’s been in them - Six, &Juliet, Bake Off, Mean Girls - and now she’s taking on the role of Lucy in the world premiere of 13 Going On 30 at Manchester’s Opera House.
Settle in and hear about two roles that have shaped her, her first last favourite shows, her topic of choice, and of course all about the new show!
Welcome to Stalls to Stage where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it. And huge news, it’s our first girly of the year. My guest this week has played some major roles on UK stages, originating the role of Fatimah in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, took on the crown of Anne Boleyn in Six, and Elle Woods at the Regent’s park production of Legally Blonde. Right now she’s touring the country as Lauren in the Leicester Curve production of Kinky Boots. Join me for chat with Courtney Bowman.
Welcome to this weeks episode of Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it. This week I am joined by an actor you may know better from TV than from stage, starring in Channel 4’s Humans as Max, A Discovery of Witches as Christopher Roberts, and Lockwood and Co as Inspector Barnes. But right now he is gracing the West End with what is one of the finest performances I’ve seen in a long time as Sidney Poitier in Retrograde. It’s a role he reprises after its original run at Kiln Theatre in 2023, and it’s showing now at the Apollo Theatre until June 14th. Join me for chat with Ivanno Jeremiah.
Welcome to Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it. My guest this week has established quite a name for himself on our West End stages despite only having graduated from Guildford School of acting in 2021. His appearance as JD in the UK tour and @sohoplace run of Heathers saw him nominated for best professional debut at our inaugural awards earlier this year. Now you can see him taking on the role Paul Rudd made famous on screen - Josh in Clueless The Musical, at the Trafalgar Theatre. Join me for chat with Keelan McCauley.
My guest this week is an Irish actor whose career really does just keep climbing to new heights. Quite literally in the case of 42 Balloons. Something like 16,000ft in a lawn chair. You may know him from the Original London and West End casts of Bonnie & Clyde where he was cover for both Buck and Clyde Barrow, or perhaps you saw him last year as alternate Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, or of course as the leading role of Larry Walters in 42 Balloons. Join me for chat with Charlie McCullagh.
Welcome to Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it.
My guest this week is an actor who has been making people laugh on London stages for coming on 20 years. He was part of the original casts of Avenue Q and Rock of Ages, has gotten festive on more than one occasion in Elf and Nativity, he’s also a card carrying member of the magic circle. Maybe. I don’t know if they carry cards but he’s in it, and right now he can be found at the Gielgud Theatre playing Fagin in the newest revival of Oliver! Join me for chat with Simon Lipkin.
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Welcome to stalls to stage where i sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it.
My guest this week has been gracing stage and screen for the last 10 years after graduating from RADA in 2013. She has been seen on screen alongside Michaela Coel in the Netflix Musical Been So Long, in Amazon Primes adaptation of the Alex Rider books, and on stage in critically acclaimed hits such as Lava at Bush Theatre, Three Sisters and Blues for an Alabama Sky, both at the National, which is where you can find her right now in the Importance of Being Earnest. Join me for chat with Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́.
My guest this week is an incredibly talented performer who has lit up both stage and screen with his remarkable career. He’s captivated audiences with standout performances in hit productions like Sunny Afternoon, where he won an Olivier Award for his portrayal of Ray Davies, and The Winter’s Tale at the Garrick. On television, he’s starred in Lark Rise to Candleford and the critically acclaimed series The Third Day. Right now, he can be seen bringing his talents to the stage in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Join me for chat, with John Dagleish.
Welcome to Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it.
My guest this week is a friend from the stalls, an absolute shining star in the space of theatre reviewers - when I was finding my feet and didn’t know anyone, he was never a gatekeeper, and always happy to offer advice, despite being really at the top of this space. A truly community driven lover of theatre, and it has been a joy getting to know him. You may know him from The Pillowman marquee 2023, Join me for chat with Daz Gale, founder of All That Dazzles.
Hello! Welcome to the episode, delighted to have you here. This one is a little different, as this week is Discover Creative Careers Week, so I got to sit down with Simon Stephens who is Head of Skills Centre at National Theatre and two young people currently on their Young Tech’s course - Alliance and Vani - to find out more about the role National Theatre plays in this week, and more generally about the pathways they have open to help young people find routes into Theatre.
My guest this week is a powerhouse of British theatre, known for his versatility and magnetic stage presence. With standout performances as Scar in The Lion King and Nigerian icon Fela Kuti in Fela! he quickly made a name for himself, before earning an Olivier nomination for his unforgettable role in Memphis the Musical. From drama to comedy, he has shown impressive range, most recently bringing his talent for physical comedy to The Play That Goes Wrong. Now, he’s thrilling audiences with his portrayal of Ike Turner in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, delivering a performance that’s as intense as it is compelling. Join me for chat with Rolan Bell.
Welcome to Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it.
My guest this week is a celebrated actor whose career has spanned stage and screen, garnering acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. Born in the UK and raised in the United States, he has made a name for himself with his commanding presence and extraordinary depth in classical and contemporary roles alike. From playing the great Othello with a powerful, nuanced touch in past productions, to embodying Joe Mott in The Iceman Cometh and the iconic Louis Armstrong in Satchmo at the Waldorf, his work has earned him multiple awards and a place among the finest actors of our time. Right now, he’s making his Royal Shakespeare Company debut in Othello in Stratford-upon-Avon. Join me for a chat with the incredible John Douglas Thompson.
Welcome to Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it.
My guest this week is a performer who has been treading the boards since she was just 9 years old. She spent time with the Royal Ballet, trained at RADA and has starred in shows like Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Small Island, and can now be seen in Coriolanus at the National’s Olivier Theatre. Join me for chat with Chereen Buckley.
Welcome to Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it.
My guest this week is a performer who was part of the original broadway cast of The Addams Family, is a grammy award winner for his work in Akhnaten, and he has performed around the world in some of the most prestigious opera houses on the planet, being named the Most Innovative Opera Singer of 2019 by The Classical Post. He has also had success in the world of TV, appearing in shows like The Blacklist, 30 Rock, and Law & Order: Organised Crime. He has been dazzling audiences in London since February as the West End’s original Hades in Hadestown, a role which he wraps up this weekend! Join me for chat with Zachary James.
My guest this week is a performer who has been all over the world with his career, from his home in Australia, to the USA, to Germany, and of course the UK. He’s been in some of the best loved shows, playing some truly iconic characters in the world of musical theatre, including Frank n Furter in Rocky Horror, Elder Price in Book of Mormon, Bob Gaudio in one of my absolute favourite shows Jersey Boys, and right now he is touring the UK as Corny Collins in Hairspray. Join me for chat with Declan Egan.
Welcome to Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with the lovers and makers of theatre to talk all about it.
My guest this week has been gracing stages for well over a decade now, though you may know him better from his work in TV and Film. Eastenders, Hollyoaks, Doctor Who, he has been in some of our most iconic British shows, and most recently led the smash hit Netflix production everyone was talking about, Supacell. Right now you can see him at the Duke of York’s Theatre alongside Heather Agyepong in Shifters, running until October 12th. Join me for chat with Tosin Cole.
Welcome to Stalls to Stage, where I sit down with lovers and makers of theatre to chat all about it. This week I am joined by a writer who I first met a little over a year ago at Musical Bites at The Other Palace, where his musical Vinnie and Paul - that tells the tale of Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin - was getting a little showcase. I loved what I saw, it was unique, funny, devastating in moments, and crucially for a musical, the songs were really good! Join me for chat with Neil Bastian.
On this week’s episode, B is joined by one of the West Ends finest talents, who has been treading the boards since he was 4 years old, a seasoned pro and he’s not even 30 yet! If you saw The Lion King in 2005/2006 he may have been your Young Simba, but more recently you may have seen him as Eddie Kendricks in Ain’t Too Proud, alternate Evan in Dear Evan Hansen, or right now as Middle Michael in MJ The Musical at the Prince Edward Theatre.
Join me for chat with Mitchell Zhangazha.