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The official theatre podcast that brings the biggest stars and creatives together in one place to discuss life in the arts. Hosted by William J Connolly elevenpodcast.com @elevenPodcast

2 hr ago

Jinkx Monsoon

To celebrate her final performances as the brattiest girl in all of London town as she plays Mary Todd Lincoln in the West End production of Oh, Mary! - a role that she reprises following record-breaking box office runs in New York – Jinkx Monsoon is reflecting on a life-changing journey leading The Monsoon Administration. So how do you switch from bratty curls Stateside to an all-new English cast and audience that is waiting to learn a bit of American history with a twist? Direct from her home, we talk all things Mary Todd, including their love and respect for the writing of Cole Escloa, being given the honour of stepping into Sam Pinkleton’s production on now three separate occasions and why this material is anything but a joke to deliver eight times every week. Plus we celebrate her journey from niche cabaret artist to being a niche cabaret legend on stage every night, the power of patience and hard work in the entertainment industry and why great writing in the world of comedy is addictive. We also celebrate the power of stage door conversations, queer people creating spaces within the mainstream that they wanted but were never given – and the life-changing impact Hedwig and The Angry Inch had on her as a young queer theatre kid longing for connection. And why it was a full-circle moment for her when friends like RuPaul and Michelle Visage showed up for her at Oh, Mary!, reminding her of the remarkable journey from a tic tac lunch and a dream to certified leading lady. Finished? This gorgeous little hussy is only just getting started…. Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell ohmaryplay.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
31 Aug

Michael Shaeffer

He’s the remarkable stage actor currently leading as King II Targaryen in the world premiere of Game of Thrones: The Mad King at the RSC in Stratford. Based on the novels by George R. R. Martin and adapted for the stage by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke, the play marks a milestone moment for the globally-adored franchise – and celebrates a new chapter in the world of possibilities for major theatrical epics. But how do you bring this extraordinary tale to life each and every night on stage? Well lets find out as just moments before he takes to the stage at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in this world premiere production, we dive deep on the wondrous world of Game of Thrones: The Mad King, including making his RSC debut, building a beloved character up in a new chapter – and why his pursuit of truth in a world of madness has been one of his favourite theatrical endeavours so far. Plus, we celebrate the genius of George R. R. Martin, his visit to see the show on two separate occasions – and how this has turned out to be George’s favourite version of the infamous Iron Throne. We also acknowledge the global love of fans embracing new faces inside the world of Game of Thrones, what it’s really like seated up that famous Throne - and how he’s gone from being a newbie to certified fan in the GOT universe. An epic of all epics? Sounds about right for The Mad King… Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell www.rsc.org.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
28 Aug

Vanessa Williams

Enter centre stage… a legend. With an extraordinary 11 Grammy nominations, 3 Emmy nominations and a Tony nomination to her name, Vanessa Williams has broken boundaries and captivated audiences for decades. From chart-topping music to unforgettable roles across film, television and stage, she has become the definition of hard work, soaring talent and undeniable stage presence. Currently originating the ultimate boss from hell in the official stage adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada, it’s time to check in at Runway and celebrate her final chapter as Miranda Priestly — ahead of her major live solo show, which begins touring next February. Direct from her home, we reflect on her milestone journey at the Dominion Theatre, why performing in the West End is a dream come true, how London has embraced her — and why she is proud to dive deeper into and explore more of the most famous fashion boss of all time. Plus, we talk all things Sir Elton John and Jerry Mitchell, her soaring love for co-star Matt Henry, and why everything is iconic at Runway — from her entrance and those quotable lines to all that fashion. And with friends, industry peers and colleagues including Chita Rivera, Stephen Sondheim, Luther Vandross, Hal Prince and Barbara Cook (to name but a few!), we celebrate a life on stage that has allowed Vanessa to flourish and shine — and why she has never taken a moment of it for granted. And above all else, why you should NEVER measure yourself by the opinion of others. It’s time to enter the House of Vanessa — legends only edition. Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell devilwearspradamusical.com vanessawilliamslive.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
17 Aug

Mia Carragher

She’s the kick-ass London stage star that’s currently making her acting debut as Katniss Everdeen in the original production of The Hunger Games: On Stage – a show adapted by Conor McPherson and directed by Matthew Dunster. From the thrill of shocking fan reactions to misbehaving props and the “insane” live experience and theatricals, we dive into life inside the of the new Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre and why there’s no other theatrical world like it. Plus we talk about the books and what Jennifer Lawrence did so perfectly on the big screen, the thrill of meeting original author Suzanne Collins and how you build up a role that is equal parts script, and superhero with the level of extra physicality and stunt work required. And, you never truly lose the feeling of being a fan of this world - even when you become its newest soaring star. Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell thehungergamesonstage.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
27 Jul

Peter Quilter

He’s the Tony and Olivier-recognised writer that’s penned some of the most impactful pieces of work of the last 20+years. From Glorious! to End of the Rainbow and now Allegra - alongside many, many others – his work has brought soaring female-led stories to the forefront of our industry, often with an added live music element, too. To mark the final performances of his new hit Allegra – led by Dame Maureen Lipman - we dive into life back in the West End and why there’s a power in writing for comedic joy, being reunited with Maureen after their legendary work on Glorious! and how personal loss in his life was the unexpected real-world inspiration for his new show. We also talk all things End of the Rainbow, having leading stars like Tracie Bennett and most recently Jinkx Monsoon play the leading role, and why the show is more of a comedy than people expect - even through the tears and struggles - and, he reveals how, in one rather peak period in his life, he actually wrote both Glorious! And End of the Rainbow within the same 6-months period. Plus, he lets us into his mind on everything from inspiration and ideas to story and construction on the page, how he continues to write two or three plays each and every year, and why sometimes not having a plan is “good” for the writing journey. Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell allegraplay.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
24 Jun

Tina Sinatra

Tina Sinatra isn’t sure if the pride will land first, or the tears. At the point of which we connect, it’s the latter. Sat in her hotel room just hours before the West End premiere of a musical that honours the life of her parents - promising to “sustain him and honour him” when talk turns to her rather famous father, Frank - there’s a cocktail of emotions and pressure starting to build. With a book by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro and directed and choreographed by Olivier Award-winner and three-time Tony Award-winner, Kathleen Marshall, the daughter of one of the most famous men in music history knows the story of her family and how much they mean to music lovers throughout the generations - and is ready to introduce them to a new offering; Sinatra: The Musical, a show about the music, the man and showing the world just how strong her mum really was. Having its premiere now in London, a city that she reveals was Frank’s second favourite to play of anywhere across the globe - we all know where the first is! – Tina explains why this is a chapter she wants fans to throw their arms around, saying that she is “so happy” with the results of the musical. Guaranteeing that it shows Frank’s life in both the good and the ugly, the emotion of seeing her parents lives play out on stage with real humans and the added punch of the songs evokes “cheers they (her parents) hear in heaven” from those lucky enough to sit in the audience and go on this wild ride together. And the task of becoming Frank? That’s the job of Joel Harper-Jackson, a leading man that she calls as “phenomenal” as her father - tears returning once again to her eyes. So what’s it like to have the life of your family brought to the stage in a BIG and roaring West End musical? Well… emotional pride might be the best way to describe it all, as Tina Sinatra does here in this rather special episode of eleven. Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell Photography by: Gareth Cattermole sinatramusical.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8 May

Calam Lynch

He’s the stage and screen actor that’s earned himself a wealth of fans from across both mediums thanks to his varied and detailed work, with projects like Bridgerton 2, Benediction, Black Beauty, Mrs Wilson, Derry Girls, What It Feels Like For A Girl, Ghosts, Lord of the Rings, Archie, Sweetpea and Wife, to name but a few. And now, he’s stepping into his first principal stage role to star in Tom Wright’s new play Please Please Me, which plays at the Kiln Theatre until 29th May. So here, in an exclusive conversation recorded just as the show began its life at the Kiln Theatre, we dive into the magic of bringing a story like Please Please Me to the stage, including exploring the “complicated” life of Brian Epstein - the unsung, gay legend and ‘Fifth Beatle’. We also explore the safety of not having an audience all the way to the thrill of a sold-out one, the power of literature and research in building an understanding of the past and how music helps bring people together. Plus, how he loves jumping between stage and screen to apply his craft to both, becoming a student to leading industry peers and why he wanted to push himself out of his safety zone and honour the legacy of this remarkable music pioneer.Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell kilntheatre.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5 May

Victoria Hamilton-Barritt

She’s the newly-crowed Olivier winner and certified West End leading star that’s currently delivering the performance of a lifetime as Millicent Clyde in the original London cast of Paddington: The Musical at the Savoy Theatre. From her time rising through the ranks to starring roles in Hadestown, Cinderella, Death of a Salesman, Murder Ballad and many, many others, she’s earned herself a career on the stage like no other. In this exclusive conversation direct from her home, we reflect on stepping into the darkness to spend her days hunting down the most famous bear of all of London as Millicent Clyde in Paddington: The Musical, and why there’s joy in those Pretty Little Dead Things. Plus, we celebrate the unmatched response to the show, how it’s “tough” to be mean to Paddington on stage when he’s looking directly into your eyes - somebody she describes as “the most perfect specimen” - and why there are cheers and tears every night when the little guy makes his first entrance. We also explore the joyful complexities of being a working mum in her 40s in the arts, the “wonder” of singing Anais Mitchell in Hadestown and why Paddington stands for “everything that’s right in the world”. Note: This episode was recorded before Victoria was crowned with her recent Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical. Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell paddingtonthemusical.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The official theatre podcast that brings the biggest stars and creatives together in one place to discuss life in the arts. Hosted by William J Connolly elevenpodcast.com @elevenPodcast