The West End Frame Show: Theatre News, Reviews & Chat

Emmanuel Akwafo (Lyric Hammersmith Panto / For Black Boys) joins West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins, to round up their Top Performances of 2024! Andrew reveals his top five stage performances of the year and reads submissions from West End Frame listeners whilst Emmanuel shares his top five shows of 2024. Thank you for listening to The West End Frame Show in 2024 and for sharing your top performances of the year - we included as many of your contributions as possible. We're back on Saturday to round up our top shows of the year. Emmanuel is currently playing Widow Twerkey in Aladdin at the Lyric Hammersmith, marking his third pantomime at the venue. Emmanuel originated the role of Pitch in For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy by Ryan Calais Cameron, performing the show at the New Diorama Theatre, Royal Court Theatre and Apollo Theatre. His other theatre credits include: Narrator in Sappho (Southwark Playhouse), Amiens in As You Like It (Globe Theatre), Mr Martin in The Bald Soprano (Leicester Square Theatre) and Jay in The Spalding Suite (Southbank Centre). This year Emmanuel directed the sold out premiere of his debut play Limp Wrist and The Iron Fist at the Brixton House Theatre. Follow Emmanuel on Instagram: @eman.akwafoAladdin runs at the Lyric Hammersmith until 5th January 2025. Visit www.lyric.co.uk for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins@AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: [email protected] Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Ross Harmon (Wicked / Heathers) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!Andrew and Ross discuss the latest updates about Wicked's Golden Globe nominations and Patrice Tipoki reprising her performance as Elphaba in the Australian production after leaving the show fourteen years ago. They also discuss the latest news about Jamie Lloyd's Evita, Freaky Friday, If/Then, Sondheim’s final musical Here We Are and lots more.Most recently Ross understudied Fiyero in the West End production of Wicked (Apollo Victoria). His theatre credits also include: Pierce in Half a Sixpence (Kilworth House), Taboo 20th Anniversary Concert (London Palladium), Sunset Boulevard (Royal Albert Hall), Kurt Kelly in Heathers (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Jared/Rock in the premiere of But I’m A Cheerleader (Turbine Theatre) and Sky in Mamma Mia! (Royal Caribbean).Ross is a singer/songwriter and has released multiple EPs which are available on streaming platforms, including his festive single 'What Christmas Means To Me'. He's also an established singing, acting and career coach.Follow Ross on Instagram: @rossharmon_ This is the last episode of the series, but stay tuned for our special end of year episodes for a round-up of our top performances and shows of 2024. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: [email protected] Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.   

Olivier nominee Rachel John (Hamilton / The Big Life) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!Andrew and Rachel discuss The Devil Wears Prada (Dominion Theatre) as well as the latest news about the Hamilton tour, Choir Of Man, Figaro, Fawlty Towers, And Juliet and more. They also pay tribute to Kyle Birch who passed away aged 26 on 2nd December. Kyle was a musical theatre performer and friend of the podcast, having co-hosted The West End Frame Show twice. Andrew and Rachel share memories and send their love to Kyle's family and loved ones.Rachel is preparing to star alongside Oliver Tompsett, Joel Harper-Jackson and Rachael Wooding in Christmas By Candlelight at the Adelphi Theatre on 17th December. Rachel made her professional debut in The Legend of the Lion King at Disnleyland Paris and went on to join the West End productions of The Lion King and Sister Act. After understudying Meat and Killer Queen on the first UK & Ireland tour of We Will Rock You, Rachel transferred to the West End production as Meat, becoming the first black actor to play the role. Rachel's theatre credits also include Mimi in Rent (UK Tour), Felicia in Memphis (Shaftesbury Theatre), Nicki and understudy Rachel in The Bodyguard (UK & Ireland Tour / West End / Toronto), Mrs Neilsen in Girl From The North Country (West End / Toronto), The Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol (Old Vic) and Songs for a New World (London Palladium). Rachel released her debut solo album From My Lips To Gods Ear to huge acclaim. In 2017, Rachel originated the role of Angelica Schuyler in the West End premiere of Hamilton, receiving an Olivier nomination for her performance. She did an episode of our interviews podcast In The Frame last year whilst starring as August in the UK premiere of The Secret Life of Bees (Almedia Theatre). Earlier this year Rachel played Zulieka in the London revival of The Big Life (Theatre Royal Stratford East). Christmas By Candlelight is at the Adelphi Theatre on 17th December. Visit www.concertsbycandlelight.com for info and tickets. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: [email protected] Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.   

Social media manager Ksenya Gray returns to co-host The West End Frame Show.Andrew and Ksenya discuss The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (The Other Palace) and The Producers (Menier Chocolate Factory) as well as the latest news about Cabaret casting, The Traitors: Live Experience, the Old Vic, Wicked, Boy George and lots more.Ksenya runs the social media company Storytellers. This year she did social media for several concerts at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, including Wild About You, Little Piece Of You, Your Lie In April and Pippin. She continued working with Your Lie In April when it transferred to the West End and worked on Blippi: A Wonderful World Tour in the West End. Additionally she did One Small Step and Tattooer at the Charing Cross Theatre. Also this year Ksenya has managed social media for Marisha Wallace, Sidney Christmas, Rachel Tucker, Antony Costa and West Way Music who have a season of concerts coming up at the Vaudeville Theatre next year. Follow Ksenya on Instagram: @ksenya.gray This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: [email protected] Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.