Stalls to Stage

Stalls to Stage

Welcome to the Stalls to Stage Podcast with me, B! Join me as I chat with friends from the stalls and creatives from the stage about all things theatre, the latest rumours and news, the hot topics, the takes you haven't heard elsewhere.

  1. 10.10.2025

    Stalls to Stage with…Cedric Neal

    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.

    40 Min.
  2. 09.10.2025

    Stalls to Stage with…Shalisha James-Davis

    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!

    48 Min.

Info

Welcome to the Stalls to Stage Podcast with me, B! Join me as I chat with friends from the stalls and creatives from the stage about all things theatre, the latest rumours and news, the hot topics, the takes you haven't heard elsewhere.