If you’re working from home and looking for some background noise or an alternative weekend activity to add to your movie and book list, why not get your theatre-fix through a podcast?
Whether you’re an occasional theatre-goer, an aspiring playwright or a die-hard musical fan, we’ve rounded up some of the top theatre podcasts you should listen to right now. Trust us, they’ll make you feel like you have the best seat in the house.
The Musicals & Theatre Podcast
Catch Ruthie Henshall as a guest on Magic at the Musicals.
If you want to learn more about your fave theatre stars, tune into Magic Radio’s podcast with Alice Arnold. From Sara Bareilles and Gavin Creel to Gary Barlow, the cast of Come From Away and our very own CEO, Julian Bird, The Musicals & Theatre Podcast includes fun, fresh and insightful chats with theatre and industry professionals. You can also tune into Magic at the Musicals, a radio station dedicated entirely to celebrating the best of musicals from both stage and screen, as well as an exciting line-up of guests.
Royal Court Playwright’s Podcast
Jez Butterworth spills the tea on life as a playwright.
Calling all aspiring playwrights! Join the Olivier Award-winning writer Simon Stephens as he sits down with some of the world’s leading playwrights to learn all about their lives, their work, their relationships with London’s Royal Court and plenty more! With Enda Walsh, Jez Butterworth and Christopher Hampton featured in the programme, you won’t want to miss out!
The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast
Delve into all things Hamilton with The Hamilcast podcast.
If you’re a fan of the world-famous musical or simply want to know about this cultural phenomenon, this podcast is just the thing for you! Hosted by Gillian Pensavalle and Bianca Soto, it explores every aspect of the show, from it’s legendary music and everyday life Ham references to production design and the shows powerful cultural impact. Guests include everyone from cast and crew members to teachers who use the music to teach their students and everything in between. And if that’s not enough to convince you, there’s even an extensive interview with the playwright and composer, Lin-Manuel Miranda herself! We promise, this podcast will leave no stone left unturned.
Backstage with Disney Theatrical
Find out what goes on backstage at your fave Disney shows
If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of your favourite Disney shows, this podcast reveals all! Hosted by actress Chiara Lari, the exciting line-up of guests includes everyone from the Deputy Stage Manager of Disney’s Aladdin to Gary Jordan, who plays Zazu in the London production of The Lion King, and his colleagues, Andy and Kat who look after the stage, scenery, props and crew! Who knows, perhaps it’ll inspire your next career move?
Holding Up The Queue
This podcast comes straight to you from Benjamin Pollocks Toyshop in Covent Garden.
If you’ve ever been to Benjamin Pollocks Toyshop in Covent Garden, you’ll love this one! Coming straight to you from the shop floor, the podcast delves into the adventures in art, theatre, storytelling and pantomime. Hosted by Pollock’s very own Simon Seddon, the podcast features several exciting guests including Olivier Award-winning theatre set and costume designer Christopher Oram (Disney’s Frozen The Musical, Power, Red), artist, doll photographer and instagram sensation, Eileen Lam and artist and puppeteer Clive Hicks-Jenkins. From childhood memories and dreams to artistic journeys, these incredibly interesting podcasts cover everything you’d want to know.
Mischief Makers
Find out what makes the world of Mischief so mischievous!
If you’re a fan of The Play That Goes Wrong and Magic Goes Wrong, join Dave Hearn as he delves into the world of Mischief Theatre to find out what makes it so mischievous. Guests include Mischief members Henry Shields and Henry Lewis, both of whom promise to give you a good giggle! Each episode is recorded in one take – with no edits – so anything could go wrong!
Off Book – a podcast by the Young Vic
Sharon D. Clarke chats about her first job and winning the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical Award.
Coinciding with their latest shows, the Young Vic‘s podcast features exciting interviews with a number of artists who have visited or performed at the venue. From internationally renowned directors and performers to writers and emerging artists, the series offers an insight into how each of them was introduced to the arts and theatre, how their background has cultured their work and how they’ve progressed in their career. They’ve got Sharon D. Clarke on her first job and winning an Olivier Award, Wendell Pierce explores activism and even a complete low-down from David Lan, Young Vic’s Artists Director, on his 18-year tenure. Whether you’re an aspiring cast or crew member looking for a career insight or if you’d love to learn more about the Young Vic’s shows, check out this cool podcast!
David Tennant Does A Podcast With…
David Tennant sits down with all the hottest names in TV, movies, comedy and more!. Photo by Georgia Tennant.
What do you get when you bring together David Tennant and the biggest names from TV, movies, comedy and everything in between? A brilliant podcast packed with humour, surprises and plenty of entertainment! From Whoopi Goldberg and Sir Ian McKellen to Gordon Brown and Jodie Whittaker, this honest, witty podcast will have you while away the hours.
NT Talks
Want to know more about Roger Allam? Tune into NT Talks. Photo by Nigel Barklie.
National Theatre’s NT Talks offers a curated collection of conversations, all of which are recorded live from the National Theatre stages. If you have a favourite actor, director or playwright that you want to know more about or a specific show, this is a great place for it! They’ve got a conversation with actor Roger Allam (Les Miserables, The Thick Of It), British author and art critic Michael Billington reflects on his career spanning over 50 years, writer Inua Ellams and Director Nadia Fall on their production of Three Sisters and so much more! Check. It. Out
Backstage With…
Miriam-Teak Lee gets candid on Backstage With…
Backstage With… takes fans behind the scenes with the biggest names in musical theatre. The latest includes Rachel Tucker on heading to New York to join the cast of Come From Away on Broadway, a conversation with multi-award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz (The Prince Of Egypt, Wicked) recorded a few days before The Prince Of Egypt’s opening night and candid chats with Miriam-Teak Lee (& Juliet, Hamilton) in her dressing room at the Shaftesbury Theatre.
Welcome To The Rock
Get your Come From Away fix with the Welcome To The Rock podcast. Credit: Craig Sugden.
Fans of the multi-award-winning hit Come From Away will be pleased to learn that there is an eight-part podcast series which dives into the story behind the musical. Each episode features an in-depth interview from cast and creative members as well as real residents of Gander and others who inspired the heartwarming and life-affirming story. If you need a dose of joy during these challenging times, this one’s for you!
#SuchStuff from Shakespeare’s Globe
A magnificent shot of the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe.
Hosts Michelle Terry, Dr Farah Karim-Cooper and Imogen Greenberg take you behind the scenes, into rehearsal rooms and onto Shakespeare’s Globe’s stages, sharing the incredible stories and experiences that come through their doors every day.
They look at Shakespeare’s transformative impact on the world around us, asking questions about programming, gender, race, social justice and their relationship to Shakespeare.