Every year, The Stage publishes the Stage 100, the list of the hundred most influential people currently working in British theatre.

Scott Matthewman discusses this year’s list with Alistair Smith, The Stage’s news and opinion editor who oversees the compilation of the list each year. They discuss who is eligible for inclusion, some of the key movers in the top 20, and a selection of the interesting names from lower down in the list.

The full list can be found in the December 30 issue of The Stage, and will be available online later this week.

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. If you subscribe to the podcast series in iTunes, then not only will you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released. The iTunes edition of the podcast also has additional photography and chapter marks for easier navigation.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

A lower quality MP3 version can be played below:

In this week’s Stage Podcast, theatre critics Mark Shenton (The Stage, Sunday Express) and Charles Spencer (Daily Telegraph) discuss the nature of theatre journalism in front of an audience of students.

The seminar was recorded two weeks ago at TheatreCraft, a careers fair sponsored by The Stage.

Read Mark Shenton’s daily blog at thestage.co.uk/shenton.

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. If you subscribe to the podcast series in iTunes, then not only will you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released. The iTunes edition of the podcast also has additional photography and chapter marks for easier navigation.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

A lower quality MP3 version can be played below:

Next week, the three couples competing in the Strictly Come Dancing semi-final will each perform an Argentine Tango in their quest to compete in the following week’s final.

Argentine Tango experts Kele Baker and Ralf Schiller teach the dance style to the celebrities and professional dancers who have reached this stage in the competition. They have also written a book, Strictly Come Dancing: Step-by-Step Dance Class, which illustrates each of the classic ballroom and Latin dances used in the series.

I went to Kensington Dance Studio and met Kele Baker to talk about the book, the Argentine Tango — and to sneak a few minutes of tango practice.

Strictly Come Dancing: Step-by-Step Dance Class is published by BBC Books, ISBN 9781-1-846-07765-4, RRP £9.99

• Buy Strictly Come Dancing: Step-by-Step Dance Class from Amazon.co.uk - price at time of publishing this blog post is £6.50 (35% off)
• Last week’s Strictly Come Dancing Results Show, which featured demonstrations of the Argentine Tango by Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace, is still available on iPlayer until 7.09pm on Friday, January 1, 2010. The studio dance is also available on YouTube.

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. If you subscribe to the podcast series in iTunes, then not only will you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released. The iTunes edition of the podcast also has additional photography and chapter marks for easier navigation.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

A lower quality MP3 version can be played below:

In this week’s Stage Podcast, Nick Smurthwaite meets Peter Davison. The television and theatre actor plays Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde: the Musical, which starts previews at the Savoy Theatre on December 5.

• Legally Blonde The Musical - Original Broadway Cast Recording [CD]
• Legally Blonde - Original Broadway Cast Recording [MP3]
• Buy tickets for Legally Blonde the Musical, Savoy Theatre

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. If you subscribe to the podcast series in iTunes, then not only will you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released. The iTunes edition of the podcast also has additional photography and chapter marks for easier navigation.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

A lower quality MP3 version can be played below:

With Christmas just round the corner, theatreland’s annual celebratory concert, Christmas in New York, descends upon the Prince of Wales Theatre on Sunday, December 6.

This year, the Notes from New York team behind the concerts have also released a CD featuring performances by Julie Atherton, Daniel Boys, Leanne Jones, Hannah Waddingham, Louise Dearman, Ashleigh Gray, Paul Spicer, Oliver Tompsett, Samuel Barnett and Anna-Jane Casey.

Scott Matthewman met performers Julie Atherton and Paul Spicer - who is also producer and creative director of Christmas in New York - to talk about the CD and concert, as well as some of the other issues facing West End performers today.

• Buy tickets for Christmas in New York from http://www.christmasinnewyork.co.uk

• The CD is available online from Amaaon.co.uk or from Dress Circle

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. If you subscribe to the podcast series in iTunes, then not only will you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released. The iTunes edition of the podcast also has additional photography and chapter marks for easier navigation.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

A lower quality MP3 version can be played below:

While Doctor Who may currently be one of the BBC’s most popular dramas, that wasn’t always the case. In the mid to late 1980s it was always skirting with cancellation. When BBC1 controller Michael Grade needed to find the money in his drama budget to launch EastEnders, Doctor Who was one of the places where he made his cuts.

Though the series would return in 1986, the previous year’s season was cancelled, with several scripts either fully written or at the commissioning and/or planning stages.

Now, indie drama company Big Finish, which has been producing licensed Doctor Who audio dramas for over a decade, has adapted the episodes from the lost season into a series of audio dramas. The first, The NIghtmare Fair, is released later this month. Originally written by Graham Williams, it would have seen the Doctor (Colin Baker) and his companion Peri (Nicola Bryant) holidaying in Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Scott Matthewman visited the West London recording studios to talk to Baker, Bryant and director John Ainsworth, who also adapted Williams’s teleplay for audio.

• Doctor Who: The Lost Stories on bigfinish.com
• Buy The Nightmare Fair
• Pre-order Doctor Who: The Complete Specials Box Set, which includes last week’s episode The Waters of Mars, due for release in January 2010

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. If you subscribe to the podcast series in iTunes, then not only will you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released. The iTunes edition of the podcast also has additional photography and chapter marks for easier navigation.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

A lower quality MP3 version can be played below:

From Just So to Honk! and the additional songs for the stage adaptation of Mary Poppins, George Stiles and Anthony Drewe have over the last 25 years established themselves at the forefront of new musical theatre writing.

Their recent version of Peter Pan the Musical, with book by the late Willis Hall, as produced by Birmingham Repertory Theatre and West Yorkshire Playhouse, has now been released on CD. They talk to Scott Matthewman about how the musical developed from its early days as a BBC radio concert, to the Royal Festival Hall and beyond.

Also under discussion come the recent changes made to the Broadway version of Mary Poppins (with the song Temper, Temper being replaced by Playing The Game), their new projects (adaptations of the movies A Private Function and Soapdish) and how events have overtaken the development of original musical Soho Cinders.

The podcast includes extracts from both the original cast recording of Peter Pan and the CD of 2008’s gala concert, A Spoonful of Stiles and Drewe. Both are available to buy from Dress Circle using the links below:

• Buy Peter Pan for £14.99
• Buy A Spoonful of Stiles and Drewe for £12.99

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. If you subscribe to the podcast series in iTunes, then not only will you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released. The iTunes edition of the podcast also has additional photography and chapter marks for easier navigation.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

A lower quality MP3 version can be played below:

After a series of well-received roles in films including Shooting Dogs and Children of Men, actress Clare-Hope Ashitey is now making her stage debut in Bryony Lavery’s Origin of the Species at the Arcola, London, opposite Marjorie Yates.

She talks to Maria Hodson about the route she took to get to this point in her career, and the importance of theatre work for young actors.

• The Stage’s review: Origin of the Species

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. If you subscribe to the podcast series in iTunes, then not only will you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released. The iTunes edition of the podcast also has additional photography and chapter marks for easier navigation.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

A lower quality MP3 version can be played below:

For five decades, Ray Brooks has been a recognisable face - and voice - of British television and film. From 1965’s “The Knack and How to Get It”, to “Cathy Come Home”, the big screen adaptation of “Doctor Who” opposite Peter Cushing. and, to generations of youngsters, the voice of “Mister Benn”. In 2005, he joined the cast of EastEnders as Joe Macer. He has now penned an autobiography, Learning My Lines.

He joins Mark Wright to discuss his long and varied career.

Learning My Lines: An Actor’s Life is published by the Book Guild, at £14.99 RRP. If ordering from Amazon.co.uk, the current price is£9.74, a saving of 35%.

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. If you subscribe to the podcast series in iTunes, then not only will you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released. The iTunes edition of the podcast also has additional photography and chapter marks for easier navigation.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

A lower quality MP3 version can be played below:

Comedian Richard Herring talks to Scott Matthewman about his latest venture - a live stand-up/sketch show which you can either pay to see recorded or wait and download for free as a podcast.

NB: Please be aware that the recorded quality of the phone interview with Richard is of a very low quality, although we’ve done our best to tidy it up. Our apologies.

As the Lyric Hammersmith revives Trevor Griffiths’ 1975 play Comedians, director Sean Holmes and actor Reece Shearsmith talk to Nick Smurthwaite about the play, why the time is right to revive it, and the differences between comic acting and stand-up comedy.

Comedians is running at the Lyric, Hammersmith until November 14.

As the autumn television season starts in earnest, Scott Matthewman meets David Boreanaz, star of Sky1’s hit detective drama Bones and formerly Angel in Buffy: The Vampire Slayer.

Boreanaz talks about the complexities of working both behind and in front of the camera, as he prepares to direct two more episodes of the forthcoming season; working with the series’ guest stars, including British actor Stephen Fry; making a will they/won’t they storyline work for both the production and the audience; and the effects that the recession is having on US TV drama.

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. If you subscribe to the podcast series in iTunes, then not only will you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released. The iTunes edition of the podcast also has additional photography and chapter marks for easier navigation.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

A lower quality MP3 version can be played below:

Finally, you can download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar).

Emerging New York-based composer Scott Alan is becoming known in the musical theatre community for his intensely emotional and personal songs. As he prepares to come to the UK for two concerts showcasing music from his two albums, Dreaming Wide Awake and Keys, he talks to Scott Matthewman about becoming inspired to write, his Monday Nights, New Voices showcase project, and writing from the heart.

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. If you subscribe to the podcast series in iTunes, then not only will you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released. The iTunes edition of the podcast also has additional photography and chapter marks for easier navigation.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

A lower quality MP3 version can be played below:

Finally, you can download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar).

Just Me… and Them: The Music of Scott Alan, produced by Simon Greiff for SimG Productions in association with Scott Alan is at the Leicester Square theatre, October 11, at 5pm and 8pm. Ticket booking and further information can be found at TicketWeb.co.uk.

• Dreaming Wide Awake [iTunes download]

• Dreaming Wide Awake [MP3 download from Amazon.co.uk]

• Keys [iTunes download]

• Keys [MP3 download from Amazon.co.uk]

Last seen zapping himself up into space at the end of Torchwood: Children of Earth, John Barrowman has rematerialised in the West End as Albin/Zaza in La Cage aux Folles at the Playhouse Theatre. He talks to The Stage’s Alistair Smith about high heels, reality casting shows, his future career options and a green car called Elphaba.

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. If you subscribe to the podcast series in iTunes, then not only will you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released. The iTunes edition of the podcast also has additional photography and chapter marks for easier navigation.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

A lower quality MP3 version can be played below:

Finally, you can download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar).

For the second of our musical theatre-themed podcasts, Nick Smurthwaite talks to Chlöe Hart, who took over the role of Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray earlier this year.

If you’re interested in musical theatre, make sure you don’t miss last week’s discussion with industry professionals about the state of this industry sector.

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. If you subscribe to the podcast series in iTunes, then not only will you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released. The iTunes edition of the podcast also has additional photography and chapter marks for easier navigation.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

A lower quality MP3 version can be played below:

Finally, you can download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar).

In the third of our The Stage@Adam Street round-table discussions, we examine the state of new musicals in the UK. Do all new musicals sound the same (and if so, why)? How can we encourage new composers, new producers and new audiences? How can the Arts Council best support the development of new work?

Joining The Stage’s news and opinion editor Alistair Smith are:

• Nick Williams, senior theatre officer, Arts Council England
• Paul Spicer, performer and producer of the Notes from New York series
• Kerry Michael, artistic director of Theatre Royal Stratford East
• Neil Marcus, executive director of Mercury Musical Developments
• Michael Bruce, composer and lyricist

Our hosts for the podcasts are The Adam Street Private Members’ Club, 9 Adam Street, London. For more information, visit www.adamstreet.co.uk.

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. If you subscribe to the podcast series in iTunes, then not only will you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released. The iTunes edition of the podcast also has additional photography and chapter marks for easier navigation.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

A lower quality MP3 version can be played below:

Finally, you can download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar).

Previous Adam Street podcasts

• The Stage @ Adam Street 1: The state of the West End
• The Stage @ Adam Street 2: The state of regional theatre

Tying in with The Stage’s special Edinburgh edition, we talk to our cover stars: eleven young people who are taking their shows to Edinburgh.

• Charlie Cameron, acting in Murder Mystery Musical
• Harry Arkwright, playing Charles Darwin in Pentabus Theatre’s Origins
• Inua Ellams, performing The 14th Tale
• Nancy Wallinger, part of improv troupe Lights, Camera, Improvise!
• Harry Lobek, acting in an adaptation of Chekhov’s short story Ward No. 6
• Chris Harrison, author of absurdist comedy Last Night Things Happened…
• Adam Buchanan, performer in the News Revue topical sketch series
• Nora Wardell, director of Ritter, Dene, Voss
• Claire Dargo, acting in the two-hander Crush, by Paul Charlton
• Laura Corcoran & Matthew Jones, aka cabaret duo Frisky and Mannish

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. If you subscribe to the podcast series in iTunes, then not only will you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released. The iTunes edition of the podcast also has additional photography and chapter marks for easier navigation.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

Finally, you can download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar).

Coming up: The Edinburgh Fringe podcast

Once again, The Stage will be providing full coverage of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, including our renowned daily podcast, hosted by Ewan Spence. For more details, the opportunity to subscribe to the 2009 series in advance and to hear some classic interviews from the Fringe Podcast archives, go to http://edinburghfringe.thepodcastnetwork.com.

In this week’s Stage Podcast, Nick Smurthwaite talks to Iranian comedian and actor Omid Djalili, who is set to replace Rowan Atkinson in Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from July 20.

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. If you subscribe to the podcast series in iTunes, then not only will you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

You can also listen to an audio stream using the player below:

Finally, you can download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar).

Coming up: The Edinburgh Fringe podcast

Once again, The Stage will be providing full coverage of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, including our renowned daily podcast, hosted by Ewan Spence. For more details, the opportunity to subscribe to the 2009 series in advance and to hear some classic interviews from the Fringe Podcast archives, go to http://edinburghfringe.thepodcastnetwork.com.

With screen roles including Stephen Poliakoff’s The Lost Prince and West End parts in Whistle Down the Wind and Fame, Matthew James Thomas’s highest profile role to date has been Jez Tyler on ITV1’s performing arts school-based musical drama Britannia High.

He now returns to the stage, playing the title role in Ruby in the Dust’s production of Dorian Gray, adapted and directed by Linnie Reedman, playing at the Leicester Square Theatre.

In this edition of the Stage Podcast, Thomas talks to Scott Matthewman about the play, his experience on Britannia High and what he thinks went wrong with a series that had so much potential.

• Dorian Gray details on The Stage Listings.
• The Stage review of Dorian Gray

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. If you subscribe to the podcast series in iTunes, then not only will you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

You can also listen to an audio stream using the player below:

Finally, you can download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar).

The YouTube trailer for Dorian Gray is below:

In this week’s Stage Podcast, former Coronation Street actress Sally Lindsay and writer-director Neil Bartlett talk to Nick Smurthwaite about Everybody Loves a Winner, which runs at the Manchester Royal Exchange from July 3-18 as part of the Manchester International Festival.

Following twenty friends on a night out, the production sees the Exchange theatre converted into a bingo hall for the night, and will include a live bingo game in the second act.

• Find out more about Everybody Loves a Winner

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. Subscribing in iTunes will ensure that not only do you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

You can also listen to an audio stream using the player below:

Finally, you can download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar).

See below for a short video:

In the second of our The Stage@Adam Street podcasts, we brought together some of the biggest names in British regional theatre:

• Derek Nicholls, president of the Theatrical Management Association and chief executive of the Churchill Theatre in Bromley

• Julius Green, producer for Bill Kenwright Limited

• John Stalker, chief executive of Festival City Theatres Trust in Edinburgh

• Rachel Tackley, director of English Touring Theatre

• Sarah Holmes, chief executive of the New Wolsey theatre, Ipswich, and

• Vikki Heywood, executive director of the Royal Shakespeare Company

Under the umbrella theme of The State of Regional Theatre, they discuss topics including how the recession is affecting them, the effectiveness (or otherwise) of the Arts Council England ticket scheme for under 26s, whether you need big name stars to sell a show in the regions, whether the traditional theatre brochure is dead and how important London is to regional theatre around the UK.

The Stage@Adam Street podcasts are produced in association with the Adam Street private members’ club, Adam Street, London.

If you have any opinion or comments on the topics raised — or on any other aspect of regional theatre — please use the comment box below, or send your email to podcasts@thestage.co.uk. We may print a selection in future print editions of The Stage.

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. Subscribing in iTunes will ensure that not only do you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

You can also listen to an audio stream using the player below:

Finally, you can download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar).

Best known to TV audiences around the world as Jin-Soo Kwon in US TV show Lost, Daniel Dae Kim takes to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall next month to play the King of Siam in The King And I opposite Maria Friedman’s Anna Leonowens.

As he prepared to start rehearsals, Daniel sat down with The Stage’s Nick Smurthwaite to talk about Rodgers and Hammerstein, colour-blind casting and the relationship he has with his Korean heritage.

• The King and I, Royal Albert Hall, London, June 12-28. For more information and to book tickets, click here

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. Subscribing in iTunes will ensure that not only do you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

Alternatively, you can download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar), or use the player below:

Mark Shenton concludes his conversation with choreographer and Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips, which took place at The Shaw Theatre last month. The first part of the conversation is still available.

In this final part of the discussion, Arlene continues talking about Strictly Come Dancing as well as taking questions from the floor and covering topics such as her favourite directors and choreographers and the challenges of choreographing actors who can’t dance and turning Cliff Richard into a rock star for Time.

The next Spotlight On… event will be a conversation with lyricist Tim Rice at The Shaw Theatre on May 20 at 3pm. Tickets are usually £10, but listen to the podcast for details on how to book tickets for £5.

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. Subscribing in iTunes will ensure that not only do you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

Alternatively, you can download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar), or use the player below:

Playwright David Hare is known for stage productions including Stuff Happens, The Vertical Hour and Gethsemane and this year was nominated for an Oscar for his adapted screenplay of The Reader.

Earlier this year, Hare acted as judge for the Yale Drama Series Prize for emerging playwrights. Won this year Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig for her play Lidless, the prize includes publication by Yale University Press, a $10,000 purse and a staged reading by Yale Rep.

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. Subscribing in iTunes will ensure that not only do you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

Alternatively, you can download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar), or use the player below:

Legendary choreographer Arlene Phillips talks to Mark Shenton about how she became interested in dance and choreography, forming controversial dance troupe Hot Gossip, and moving into full-scale musical theatre choreography.

She also discusses moving into directing with Saturday Night Fever, as well as discussing her appointment as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing.

The second part of this conversation will be published next week.

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. Subscribing in iTunes will ensure that not only do you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

Alternatively, you can download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar), or use the player below:

In his career, Arthur Smith has been a stand-up comic and compere, an Olivier-nominated playwright and, of course, has been a columnist for The Stage for nearly 15 years.

In the latest edition of The Stage Podcast, Arthur talks to Nick Smurthwaite about his new autobiography, My Name is Daphne Fairfax: A Memoir.

• Buy My Name is Daphne Fairfax: A Memoir from Amazon.co.uk and save 40% (£11.39, RRP £18.99)*
• My Name is Daphne Fairfax is also available as an audiobook

The book will also be serialised as Radio 4’s Book of the Week from Monday. For more details, visit the Radio 4 website.

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. Subscribing in iTunes will ensure that not only do you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

Alternatively, you can download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar), or use the player below:

• prices correct at time of publication but may change over time

Actress Francesca Annis shortly starts a run in the J B Priestley drama Time and the Conways at the National Theatre, directed by Rupert Goold.

She took a break from rehearsals to talk to Al Senter about that production, as well as some her more memorable projects throughout her theatre, film and TV career.

To listen to the podcast:

The preferred way to listen to the podcast is through iTunes. Subscribing in iTunes will ensure that not only do you get this edition of the podcast, but you will automatically receive further editions, for free, as they are released.

• Listen and subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)

Alternatively, you can download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar), or use the player below:

In this week’s Stage Podcast, Nick Smurthwaite talks to playwright Hugh Whitemore.

One of the UK’s most prolific playwrights, Whitemore’s work includes Breaking the Code, A Matter of Resignation and Pack of Lies. His most recent work is a collaboration with the late Simon Gray, turning Gray’s memoir The Smoking Diaries into The Last Cigarette, the play which sees Jasper Britton, Felicity Kendall and Nicholas Le Provost each play the author.

The Last Cigarette is currently playing at the Trafalgar Studios.

To listen to the podcast:

You can use the player below, or download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar).

Alternatively, subscribe in iTunes or your favourite podcast player. This will also ensure that you’ll automatically receive future podcasts when they become available. In addition, the iTunes version contains album art and chapter marks for easier navigation through the programme.

• Subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)
• RSS feed for other podcast players

In an event recorded at The Shaw Theatre, London, The Stage’s Mark Shenton talks to Sandy Wilson, composer of musicals including The Boy Friend, The Buccaneer and Valmouth.

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to include the first 15 minutes of the audio from the live event, but there is still plenty to listen to.

To listen to the podcast:

You can use the player below, or download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar).

Alternatively, subscribe in iTunes or your favourite podcast player. This will also ensure that you’ll automatically receive future podcasts when they become available. In addition, the iTunes version contains album art and chapter marks for easier navigation through the programme.

• Subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)
• RSS feed for other podcast players

This week, The Stage podcast visited Shakespeare’s Globe for the Sam Wanamaker Festival 2009.

The public portion of the festival were performances on Sunday afternoon of duologues written by Shakespeare and his contemporaries by student from each of the 22 drama schools that are members of the Conference of Drama Schools — the first year that every CDS school has taken part.

From the students’ point of view, the festival is much more, with workshops and rehearsals with some of the most experienced theatre practitioners in their field. Anna Lowman met Head of Events and Globe Education Deborah Callan, CDS chair Peter Barlow and the Globe’s Head of Text Giles Block to talk about the weekend’s events, and how the Globe is learning from the students as well as vice versa.

She also met two of the performers, Alice White and Thomasin Rand (pictured above) from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama to talk about their experience of the festival.

And, in advance of Sunday evening’s performance in front of a packed Globe audience, Alice and Thomasin treated us (and Stage Podcast listeners) to a rehearsal performance of their piece - Act I Scene 2 of The Merchant of Venice.

To listen to the podcast:

You can use the player below, or download the MP3 file (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar).

Alternatively, subscribe in iTunes or your favourite podcast player. This will also ensure that you’ll automatically receive future podcasts when they become available. In addition, the iTunes version contains album art and chapter marks for easier navigation through the programme.

• Subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)
• RSS feed for other podcast players

• Conference of Drama Schools
• Shakespeare’s Globe
• Globe Education
• The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama

Picture shows (l-r) Thomasin Rand as Nerissa and Alice White as Portia. Photo by Manuel Harlan.

In this week’s podcast, I talk to the creative team behind Jet Set Go!, the comedy musical which starts at the Jermyn Street Theatre next week after a successful run at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

In conversation are Pippa Cleary, composer & lyricist and finalist in The Stage’s Notes for The Stage musical theatre composition competition; Jake Brunger, book & lyrics and Luke Sheppard, director and choreographer.

A review of the musical will appear on The Stage website on Friday 3 April, at http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/, and in the following week’s paper.

To listen to the podcast:

You can use the player below, or download the MP3 file (10.9Mb) (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar).

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The stories in this week’s news segment:

• Primeval writer Hodges calls for product placement ban to be lifted
• James Bulger play to given UK premiere at Arcola
• Edinburgh International Festival unveils 63rd programme
• Latitude festival to feature Royal Opera and ETT musical
• Punchdrunk and Wainwright lead Manchester International Festival 2009
• Cultural Olympiad to get a new ‘ringmaster’
• Theatres better outside London, says actor Tompkinson

This week marks the launch of an exciting initiative by The Stage. In partnership with Adam Street Private Members’ Club, we will be hosting a series of informal roundtable discussions with leading figures from the theatre and entertainment industries.

In this, the first of our The Stage @ Adam Street podcasts, the subject is The State of the West End. Joining Alistair Smith, The Stage’s News Editor, are:

• Nica Burns, chief executive, Nimax Theatres
• Caro Newling, director, Neal Street Productions
• Andre Ptaszynski, chief executive, Really Useful Group
• Richard Pulford, chief executive, Society of London Theatre
• Malcolm Sinclair, actor and vice-president, Equity
• Mark Shenton, theatre critic for The Stage, the Sunday Express and other publications, and Stage blogger at Shenton’s View

Together, they discuss West End box office results, the state of London’s historic theatre buildings, ticket prices and the responsibilities of theatre critics.

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To listen to the podcast:

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This week in the podcast we talk to Jack Murphy, the man who taught Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend to waltz as Victoria and Albert in the new British film The Young Victoria. And, in our second of three visits to BBC Showcase 2009 in Brighton, Suranne Jones talks about her recent role in ITV1 drama series Unforgiven, her theatre work and the possibility of American TV jobs.

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Show notes, including links to the news stories in this week’s podcast, after the jump.

This week, in the first of a series of visits to BBC Showcase, we talk to Richard Armitage, star of Spooks and Robin Hood, and Robert Glenister, who plays Ash in Hustle and the Home Secretary in Spooks.

We also meet former Disney Club and Wheel of Fortune presenter Paul Hendy, who talks about his second novel, Who Killed Simon Peters?, a sequel to 2004’s Diary of a C-List Celeb.

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Who Killed Simon Peters? is published by Bantam Books, and is on sale now with an RRP of £7.99. However, Amazon.co.uk currently (as of 27 Feburary 2009) is selling it for £5.99, with free delivery.

• Order Who Killed Simon Peters? from Amazon.co.uk

Hendy’s previous book, Diary of a C-list Celeb, is currently available from Amazon.co.uk for £5.99 (RRP £6.99), but only with limited stocks.

Spooks, Series 7 starring Richard Armitage and featuring Robert Glenister will be released on October 12, 2009 with an RRP of £58.99. Amazon.co.uk is taking pre-orders at just £25.98 — that’s less than half price — and, with Amazon’s price guarantee, if you order now, you’ll pay whatever the lowest listed price is between now and the release date.

• Preorder Spooks - Series 7 from Amazon.co.uk

Hustle, Series 5 has not yet had a DVD release date set.

Robin Hood, Series 2 is available on DVD for an RRP of £39.99, and is currently available from Amazon.co.uk for £25.98.

In this week’s Stage Podcast, Scott Matthewman talks to the cast and crew of a revival of Stephen Sondheim’s rarely performed musical Saturday Night - Helena Blackman (Helen), Harry Waller (Ray) and musical director Tom Attwood.

• Saturday Night - The Stage Listings
• Saturday Night review

And Jon Cassar, executive producer of hit US drama series 24, talks about how America’s changing political landscape and the writers’ strike both changed the shape of the show, and whether there will be a future for 24 after Jack Bauer.

• 24 on Sky 1

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To listen:

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Peter Purves

Earlier this week, we went to the press launch of Peter Purves’ autobiography, Here’s One I Wrote Earlier, which also took place on his 70th birthday.

As a birthday present, we presented him with several of his reviews from his career, from his days in repertory theatre, through to his work as a TV actor, as well as his days in Doctor Who and Blue Peter. The article that really excited him was a review of The Girl in the Picture, broadcast in 1964.

• View The Stage’s review on The Girl in the Picture (free to view)

The Stage Archive houses a searchable repository of our pages from the first issue in 1880 up to 2007. Searching is free, but to view or print out pages from your search results you will need one of our affordable timed pass options. Prices start at £5 for 24 hours’ unlimited access.

• Visit the Stage Archive

The audiobook extract is from Mother Russia by Big Finish Productions, which is available on CD (price £8.99) or as an MP3 download (£7.99).

• Order either CD or MP3 from the Big Finish website

Patina Miller

This young US actress will shortly be taking to the stage at the London Palladium to play Deloris van Cartier, the lounge singer who has to hide out in a convent after witnessing a murder, when Sister Act opens later this year.

We caught up with Patina to talk about her previous acting roles, including a stint on US soap All My Children and her involvement with the earlier versions of Sister Act when it played in Pasadena and Atlanta.

We also discuss a YouTube performance of a song called Random Black Girl, composed by her drama school contemporaries Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond:

Happily, the other conversations in the current run, with Mark Shenton talking to Sandy Wilson, composer of The Boyfriend and opera and musical theatre star Lesley Garrett, will be going ahead.

For more details on those events, please visit The Shaw Theatre website.

In the final part of our three-part series, Ruthie Henshall answers questions from the audience at the recent Spotlight On… event. Part 1 and part 2 are both still available.

Ruthie covers topics such as her vocal technique, whether she would ever share a role with an alternate, whether jukebox musicals mean the West End is dumbing down, the perils of recording musical theatre albums, what makes her blush on Dancing on Ice and her advice for people entering the industry.

If you want to be in the audience for future Spotlight On… events, book tickets from the Shaw Theare website at http://www.theshawtheatre.com

• February 15: Michel Legrand CANCELLED - apologies
• March 13: Sandy Wilson
• March 25: Lesley Garrett

To listen:

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In the second episode of a three-part series, musical theatre actress Ruthie Henshall talks to The Stage’s Mark Shenton. (Missed the first episode? Find it here)

In this segment, Ruthie talks about roles in Crazy For You, She Loves Me, Oliver!, Chicago, Putting It Together, Peggy Sue Got Married and Marguerite. She also talks about the loss of her sister Noel, and how she used that memory in her Marguerite performance.

In the third and final segment of this conversation with Ruthie, which will be online at the beginning of next week, she will be answering audience questions.

If you want to be in the audience for future Spotlight On… events, go to the Shaw Theare website at http://www.theshawtheatre.com.

To listen:

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In the first episode of a three-part series, musical theatre actress Ruthie Henshall talks to The Stage’s Mark Shenton.

As well as talking about her position as a judge on ITV show Dancing on Ice, she talks about her entry into the industry, her training and her early career.

In the second episode, she will talk about her more recent career developments, while the third will be devoted to audience questions.

The interview was recorded as part of the Spotlight On… series at The Shaw Theatre. Future interviews are scheduled with Michel Legrand, Sandy Wilson and Lesley Garrett. For more details and to book tickets, go to http://www.theshawtheatre.com/

To listen:

You can use the player below, or download the MP3 file (right-click and select ‘Save As…’/’Download file…’ or similar):

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The Stage’s News Editor, Alistair Smith, sat down with Culture Secretary Andy Burnham to discuss free theatre tickets for young people, the effects of the economic recession on arts subsidies, and the Government’s track record on the arts.

If you have any comments, you can leave them below, by email to podcast@thestage.co.uk, or on our page on Facebook.

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• The Stage Podcast: Culture Secretary Andy Burnham

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As the finalists who made it on to the live shows of the BBC’s I’d Do Anything plan the next stage of their careers, Matthew Hemley talks to six of them about their experiences of Saturday night entertainment television and their plans for the future.

Alongside winner Jodie Prenger are interviews with Amy Booth-Steel, Tara Bethan, Francesca Jackson, Samantha Barks and Jessie Buckley.

If you have iTunes

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We had planned to release a podcast version of the interviews today. However, I am afraid that technical problems mean that it won’t be ready until tomorrow. Apologies for the inconvenience.

The podcast will contain Matthew Hemley’s interviews with Amy Booth-Steel, Tara Bethan, Francesca Jackson, Samantha Barks, Jessie Buckley and winner Jodie Prenger.

As Andrew Lloyd Webber and his panel of judges ready themselves for Saturday’s final of I’d Do Anything, we talk to The Stage columnist Zoe Tyler, actress and former judging panel member, who has been reviewing the girls’ performances each week in our print edition.

And now that the three winning Olivers have been chosen, The Stage’s agony uncle John Byrne goes over the options for any young performers who have felt inspired to tread the boards themselves.

Useful links:

• The Stage’s I’d Do Anything coverage on TV Today
• BBC I’d Do Anything website
• Zoe Tyler’s website
• Zoe is currently touring in The Show Must Go On
• Archive of Dear John columns from the pages of The Stage
• The Stage Guide to Schools for Young Performers - download a PDF for £5.50, or order a print copy for £7.95 + p&p

If you have iTunes

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As you should know by now, Zoe Tyler, vocal coach and judge on How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and Any Dream Will Do, has been reviewing every episode of I’d Do Anything for our weekly print edition. I’ve been doing the same online, on our TV Today blog.

Next week, we’ll be recording a podcast discussing the final three would-be Nancies, looking back over the series and talking about whatever takes our fancy.

Which is where you come in.

If you have a question or conversation topic that you’d like Zoe or I to discuss, then either leave your question in the comments below, or email it to podcasts@thestage.co.uk. Naturally, we can’t guarantee that we’ll be able to use every submission, but we’ll do oour best to cover as much as we can.

Get you questions in by 10am Tuesday morning — and listen out to see if we use your question! The podcast previewing the I’d Do Anything final will be availble to listen to online and download from Thursday.

Note: You can sign in below with a number of different ID systems, including LiveJournal, TypeKey, or any system which supports OpenID (there are several). Alternatively, click “comment anonymously” and specify your name (or nickname) and your email address.

To complement the Royal Albert Hall’s current production of “Tosca”, the venue’s education department worked with Enfield Young Offenders to create a new, modern day interpretation of the story.

The Stage went to rehearsals for a special reading of “The Last Standing” by a cast of professional actors, directed by Phil Daniels. Hear interviews with the project leaders, two of the young writers involved and some of the cast.

This podcast contains strong language.

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The Stage went down to Brighton to meet some of the people behind BBC Showcase, the annual screening event held by BBC Worldwide to promote the best of British television to international broadcasters.

We talk to BBC Worldwide’s Abigail Hughes about the event, and the importance of ‘talent’ (actors, directors, etc.) to the promotion of programmes.

One of the BBC’s highest profile new shows at the event is relationship drama Mistresses. In a fun round table interview with cast members Sarah Parish, Shelley Conn, Sharon Small, Adam Rayner, Max Brown and Patrick Baladi, we talk about the success of the show, and how actors’ workload involves an increasing amount of PR work.

Finally, Timothy Spall joins us to talk about his role as Fagin in Oliver Twist, one of the BBC’s other high profile shows here at Showcase.

If you have any comments, you can leave them below, by email to podcast@thestage.co.uk, or on our page on Facebook.

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For our first podcast of 2008, Nuala Calvi interviewed The Sound of Music’s Maria, Connie Fisher.

As well as talking about the audition process via TV show which has spawned so many imitators, Connie talks about life now that she’s the star of the London Palladium production, as well as her plans for the future when she leaves the nun’s habit behind.

 To access the podcast

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If you have any comments, you can leave them below, or email them to podcasts@thestage.co.uk.

It’s a TV light entertainment special this edition, as we catch up with one of the winning Dance X dancers, Marie McGonigle, and her mentor during the BBC1 talent show, Bruno Tonioli.

• Download Dancing in Repeat from the iTunes Store.

Bruno is also taking part as one of the commentators for next Saturday’s Eurovision Dance Contest. At the press launch for the event, we talked to hosts Graham Norton and Claudia Winkleman.

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If you have any comments, you can leave them below, or email them to podcasts@thestage.co.uk.

After Saturday’s final of Grease is the Word, The Stage’s Alistair Smith got the very first interviews with winners Danny Bayne and Susan McFadden, who are now to become the West End’s latest Danny and Sandy when Grease returns at the Piccadilly Theatre.

He also caught up with TV judge and the musical’s producer, David Ian, to talk about the winners and the series as a whole.

 To access the podcast

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If you have any comments, you can leave them below, or email them to podcasts@thestage.co.uk.

The third series of the revived BBC series Doctor Who starts on March 31. Prior to the press launch last night, I spoke to executive producer Julie Gardner about the new series, how her recent promotion to Controller of Drama Commissioning at the BBC affects her role on the show, and much more.

Just a couple of days after the new series starts, last year’s Christmas special, The Runaway Bride starring Catherine Tate, is released on DVD. We have a review.

A commentary track (as mentioned in the podcast) is available from the BBC Doctor who website.

And finally, some extracts from the press Q&A session with David Tennant and Freema Agyeman from the press launch, along with interviews with some of the actors in attendance: EastEnders actor and Doctor Who fan Adam Woodyatt; Noel Clarke, who played Mickey Smith in Series 1 and 2; and Linda Clark, who plays the prosthetic-heavy character ‘Bloodtide’ in the second episode of the new series.

Be warned — if you’re the type of person who wants to avoid any foreknowledge of future episodes, some of the interviews in this podcast contain mild spoilers.

 To access the podcast

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• (Read the transcript)

For the first of our Stage podcasts, I was lucky enough to join Lesley Garrett in her dressing room at the London Palladium for a chat about her new album, When I Fall In Love, and much more.

The new album, produced and orchestrated by Tolga Kashif, is a celebration of love “in all its forms”. Her first studio album for three years, it formed the basis for a discussion that talked about the challenges in choosing whether to sing operas in English or the composer’s original language, how she and Kashif arrived at the music choices and orchestrations, as well as musical TV talent shows, from Fame Academy and Soapstar Superstar to How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, used to select Connie Fisher as Garrett’s costar in The Sound of Music.

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When I Fall in Love is (P) and (C) 2007 Universal Music Classics & Jazz.

• Preview tracks and download via iTunes
• Buy the CD from Amazon.co.uk

Thanks to: Lesley Garrett, Adrian Read at Hyperlaunch, Clare Nash at UCJ, and the London Palladium

On Friday, we will be launching our new occasional series of podcasts with an interview with Lesley Garrett. Formerly a principal soprano with the English National Opera, Lesley is now a member of the ENO Board of Directors and a passionate supporter of the organisation. Her career has further diversified into CD recording, TV and radio presenting and now, playing the Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music, into musical theatre.

Returning to the studio for the first time in three years, her new album When I Fall In Love (her first with her new label, Universal Classics & Jazz) is a collection of classic tunes from the stage and screen.

We’ll provide you with ways to listen to the interview online, to download it to your PC or to subscribe to this, and all future, podcasts via iTunes and other podcast services, from Friday.

• Lesley Garrett official website
• When I Fall In Love - preview and buy the download via iTunes
• Order When I Fall in Love via Amazon.co.uk