In The Frame: Theatre Interviews from West End Frame

Olivier winner Liza Sadovy is In The Frame!

Liza is back on stage, starring in the UK premiere of Michael McKeever’s play Daniel’s Husband at the Marylebone Theatre. The show is directed by Alan Souza with the cast also including David Bedella, Luke Fetherston, Raiko Gohara and Joel Harper-Jackson.

Liza won her Olivier Award in 2022 for her performance as Fräulein Schneider in Rebecca Frecknall's West End revival of Cabaret (Playhouse Theatre). She was nominated the following year for her performance as Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! (Young Vic / Wyndham's Theatre).

On screen Liza recently wrapped filming The Rumour for Channel 5 and was in the Oscar-nominated film A Real Pain. She is a regular in Patience (Channel 4) and has a recurring role in Season 5 of Strike (BBC/HBO).

Some of Liza’s other theatre credits include: Hamnet (Garrick Theatre), Living Newspaper (2nd edition), A Separate Reality (Royal Court), Present Laughter (The Old Vic), I’m Not Running, Absolute Hell, Tales from the Vienna Woods, The Heiress (all at the National Theatre), Fiddler on the Roof (Chichester Festival Theatre), Pygmalion (Headlong), Wicked (Victoria Apollo), Oliver! (Sheffield Crucible), Sunday in the Park with George (Wyndham’s Theatre and Menier Chocolate Factory), Mrs Klein (Theatre Royal Northampton), Secret Rapture (Bristol Old Vic), Richard II (Berkoff Productions), The Dresser (Duke of York’s Theatre), the UK premiere of Into The Woods and Peg (Phoenix Theatre), Alice (RSC), The Slow Drag (Whitehall Theatre), two seasons working with Alan Ayckbourn in Scarborough, Company (Donmar Warehouse and West End), Sugar Hill Blues (Hampstead Theatre) and the first ever National Tour of Jesus Christ, Superstar.

In this episode, Liza discusses why she's delighted to be back on stage performing in Daniel’s Husband. She also discusses doing radical musical revivals with Cabaret and Oklahoma!, the impact of her Olivier win and how she has navigated such a diverse career.

Daniel’s Husband runs at the Marylebone Theatre until 10th January. 

This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins 

Ben Forster is In The Frame!

Ben has realised a big new album, Musicals: Greatest Hits. Released by WestWay music, the album has been a huge project as Ben recorded it with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

Ben is beloved for winning the 2012 ITV show Superstar, and went on to star as Jesus in the world arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Some of Ben’s other theatre credits include Thrilled Live (West End), he originated the role of Buddy in the UK production of Elf The Musical (West End), Magaldi in Evita (West End), Brad in The Rocky Horror Show (West End) and The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera (West End & World Tour).

In this episode Ben shares the process of making his new album and why he's so proud of it. He also discusses riffing in shows, touring the world and the whirlwind of winning Superstar.

Musicals Greatest Hits is out now wherever you get your music. You can see Ben on tour next year.

This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins 

Tanisha Spring is back In The Frame!

Tanisha is playing Belle in Matthew Warchus’ production of A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic.

The Old Vic’s production of A Christmas Carol has become an annual event and this year Paul Hilton is playing Scrooge. The show marks Tanisha’s return to The Old Vic and reunion with Matthew Warchus, after playing Rita in the 2023 production of Groundhog Day. 

Tanisha was last on this podcast two years ago whilst starring as Satine in Moulin Rouge, a role she played full-time after being in the original London cast as Alternate Satine.

Tanisha made her West End debut in Thriller Live (Lyric Theatre). Her theatre credits also include: The Prince of Egypt (Dominion Theatre), Shuck ‘n’ Jive (Soho Theatre), Making P***n (Above the Stag), Caroline or Change (Playhouse Theatre), Big Fish (The Other Palace), One Love (Birmingham Rep) and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aldwych Theatre). 

As well as discussing all-things A Christmas Carol, in this episode Tanisha discusses her run in Moulin Rouge and what it was like to return to the show last-minute earlier this year. She also talked about career goals, why she's taking a break from producing and lots more.

 Joel Montague is playing Buddy in Elf The Musical.

Elf has returned to the West End for a Christmas run at the Aldwych Theatre. Joel is playing Buddy opposite his wife, Carrie Hope Fletcher, who is playing Jovie.

Joel recently finished playing George Wilson in The Great Gatsby (London Coliseum) and earlier this year completed his reign as London’s longest-serving King George III in Hamilton (Victoria Palace Theatre).

His other theatre credits include: Harvey Goldsmith in Just For One Day (Old Vic), Amos Hart in Chicago (UK Tour), Ogie in Waitress (Adelphi Theatre), Mendel in Falsettos (The Other Palace), Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls (Théâtre Marigny, Paris), Kiss Me Kate (Sheffield Crucible), Kevin in Fat Friends (UK Tour), alternate Dewey Finn in School of Rock (New London Theatre), Eddie in Funny Girl (Savoy Theatre/Menier Chocolate Factory), The Producers (UK Tour), Urinetown (Apollo Theatre/St James Theatre), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (UK Tour), Sister Act (UK Tour) and Billy Elliot (West End).

In this episode, Joel discusses all-things Elf and how he's coping with the demands of playing Buddy. He also talks about the killer cast of Gatsby, what it was like to leave Hamilton after such a long run and he reflects on some of his earlier jobs like Urinetown and Funny Girl. Joel also discusses what it was like to work with Cynthia Erivo when she played Deloris in the Sister Act UK tour.

Baylie Carson is starring as Oceon in the UK premiere of Ride The Cyclone.

With book, music and lyrics by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, Ride The Cyclone has become a cult favourite with a huge online following. Lizzi Gee has directed and choreographed the show which begins performances tonight (14th November) at the Southwark Playhouse.

Baylie is from Australia, and has performed in many Australian productions including The Boy From Oz, Bring It On and Lazarus. They also competed in The Voice Australia.  

After performing in the Australian production of Jagged Little Pill, Baylie moved to the UK and made their West End debut as Anne Boleyn in Six The Musical (Vaudeville Theatre). They went on to be in the original West End cast of Mean Girls (Savoy Theatre) covering Janis. Most recently Baylie performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Midnight At The Palace.

Recorded during a break from rehearsals, in this episode Baylie talks about the excitement surrounding Ride The Cyclone and what it’s like to be opening such a hyped up show. Baylie also reflects on their time in Six and Mean Girls and talks about being non-binary and working in theatre… as well as their epic journey from Australia to London.