In The Frame: Theatre Interviews from West End Frame

S10 Ep52: Allyson Ava-Brown, Nell/Elizabeth in Coven

Allyson Ava-Brown is starring as Nell/Elizabeth in Coven. Described as a "scorching" new musical, Coven is based on England’s most notorious witch trials. The show kicks off its run at the Kiln Theatre later this month for a limited two-month run. Coven is written by Rebecca Brewer and Daisy Chute, with the production directed by Miranda Cromwell. Allyson most recently has a lengthy run as Angelica Schuyler in the West End production of Hamilton (Victoria Palace Theatre). Her other theatre credits include Glinda/Evillene in The Wiz (Birmingham Rep/West Yorkshire Playhouse) and Fantine in Les Miserables (Queens Theatre) as well as A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Lyric Hammersmith), 23.5 Hours (Park Theatre), The Quiet House (Birmingham Rep/Park Theatre), Etienne Sisters, Dangerous Lady and Crowning Glory (Stratford East), Snakes and Ladders (UK tour) and Julius Caesar, The Tempest, Antony and Cleopatra (RSC/Tour/West End). Allyson has also worked at the National Theatre, Park Theatre, Watford Palace Theatre, Yorkshire Playhouse, Liverpool Playhouse, Theatre503, Riverside Studios and Hackney Empire. Recorded after a busy day of rehearsals, in this episode Allyson discusses all-things Coven. She also talks about her relationship with singing and musical theatre, why being in Les Miserables was a challenging time and the impact of her run in Hamilton. Coven runs at the Kiln Theatre 31st October - 20th December. Visit www.kilntheatre.com for info and tickets. Watch the video of Allyson performing Care from Coven here: https://youtu.be/VHIvS5KKmGA?si=AX1DafugwwxcRlt9This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S10 Ep51: Ore Oduba, Dr Frederick Frankenstein in Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein

Ore Oduba is starring as Dr Frederick Frankenstein in the UK revival of Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein.Directed and choreographed by Nick Winston, Young Frankenstein is running at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester to mark the venue's 10th anniversary year. Ore kicked off his career as a broadcaster, hosting a plethora of TV shows. In 2016 he was voted as the winner of the fourteenth series of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing.Ore has since ventured into the world of theatre and has built up an incredible CV of stage roles. He has played Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Happy Man/Mr Thompson in Pretty Woman and Brad Majors in the 50th anniversary production of The Rocky Horror Show. Ore has also played Teen Angel in Grease, and this summer starred as Stuart Piper in the world premiere of the Peter James thriller Picture You Dead. He made his West End debut as Aaron Fox in Curtains.Recorded in the rehearsal room for Young Frankenstein, in this episode Ore discusses why Dr Frederick Frankenstein is the hardest role he's played to date and why he's relishing every moment. Ore also takes a deep dive into his transition from TV presenting to working in musical theatre, including how and why he redefined his own definition of success. Young Frankenstein runs at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester 10th October - 30th November 2025. Visit www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk for info and tickets. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S10 Ep50: Melanie La Barrie, star of Mary Page Marlowe, The Book Thief, Hadestown, And Juliet & Matilda

Melanie La Barrie is In The Frame! Melanie is currently playing Nurse in the UK premiere of Mary Page Marlowe, marking her return to The Old Vic where she previously performed in The Lorax. Melanie is also reuniting with artistic director Matthew Warchus who directed her as Mrs Phelps in the original cast of Matilda. Mary Page Marlowe is written by Tracy Letts, with cast also including Susan Sarandon and Andrea Riseborough. Melanie is also preparing to star as Death in the concert production of The Book Thief at the Prince of Wales Theatre in October. Some of Melanie's other theatre credits include Madame Morrible in Wicked (Apollo Victoria), Madame Thénardier in Les Misérables (Queen's Theatre) and Bow Belles in Dick Whittington (National Theatre). Melanie was the original Mrs Corry in Mary Poppins, the original Angélique in And Juliet (in the West End and on Broadway) and most recently she starred as Hermes in the original West End cast of Hadestown, picking up the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Supporting Performer in a Musical. Recorded backstage at The Old Vic, in this episode Melanie discusses what makes Mary Page Marlowe a dreamy job and why she's delighted to be reuniting with two of her Matilda cast mates, Lauren Ward and Eleanor Worthington-Cox. Melanie also discusses her approach to this industry, her reflections on special times Hadestown, And Juliet and Matilda… and lots more.Mary Page Marlowe runs at The Old Vic until 1st November 2025. Visit www.oldvictheatre.com for info and tickets. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S10 Ep49: David Hunter, Matt Flamhaff in 13 Going On 30

David Hunter is In The Frame!David is starring as Matt Flamhaff in the premiere of 13 Going on 30 The Musical. The show is about to kick off its run at the Manchester Opera House, reuniting David with Lucie Jones who he starred alongside in the West End production of Waitress.13 Going on 30 is based on the 2004 movie starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo. The musical is written by the film writers Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa with songs by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner. Andy Fickman directs with choreography by Jennifer Weber.David burst onto our screens when he competed for the role of Jesus in ITV’s 2012 talent show Superstar. As well as playing Dr Pomatter in Waitress, he has starred as Charlie Price in Kinky Boots (Adelphi Theatre), Guy in Once (Phoenix Theatre) and, most recently, Henry in The Time Traveller’s Wife (Apollo Theatre).His other theatre credits include One Man Two Guvnors, Songs For A New World, If/Then and Seussical. David was in the band Reemer and has gone on to write, record and perform his own music. He’s also penned a couple of musicals, designed merchandise, hosted a podcast, and taken on all sorts of different projects. David has previously co-hosted The West End Frame Show, but this is his first time In The Frame!Recorded in the 13 Going On 30 rehearsal studio, David discusses all-things 13 Going On 30, including why the show has been a healing experience and what it’s like to be directed by Andy Fickman. David also reflects on some tricky times in The Time Traveller’s Wife and Kinky Boots, how things have changed career-wise since becoming a father, why he loves taking on different creative projects and lots more. It's a fun and honest conversation.13 Going on 30 runs at the Manchester Opera House 23rd September – 12th October 2025. Visit www.1330musical.com for info and tickets. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S10 Ep48: Solomon Davy, star of The Code, Grease & Hairspray

Solomon Davy is playing Chad Manford in the UK premiere of The Code by Michael McKeever.The play is running at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, with Solomon starring alongside Tracie Bennett and John Partridge. The Code unfolds over a fictional yet hauntingly plausible cocktail hour that quickly spirals into a tense psychological battleground — where fame, identity, and survival hang by a thread.After training at The Wilkes Academy, Solomon burst into the industry making his West End debut as Kenickie in Grease at the Dominion Theatre. He also played Christian in Clueless’ pre-West End showcase run in Bromley and toured the UK as Link in Hairspray. Solomon has performed pantomimes in Wimbledon, Bristol and Woking.Recorded during rehearsals, in this episode Solomon discusses all-things The Code as well as why Wilkes Academy was the right place for him to train, his relationship with singing and how things have changed for him quickly over the past couple of years.The Code runs at Southwark Playhouse Elephant until 11th October. Visit www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk for information and tickets.This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.