Best Michael Mackintosh Podcasts (2025)

1
Has the New York Times sent shockwaves through the theatre world? 37:52

2h ago37:52

37:52

Sarah and Alex pick up the debate about the role of criticism triggered by the New York Times decision to take three critics off their customary beat. And apply the lessons to the extraordinary range of reactions to Burlesque. And Alex reports back from Jesus Christ Superstar at the Watermill and Top Hat at Chichester. Hosted on Acast. See acast.co…

1
Bonus episode: How do we build theatre audiences of the future? 29:44

2d ago29:44

29:44

We checked in with Emma De Souza, executive director of audience and commercial at Society of London Theatre and the mastermind behind the long-running audience development initiative, Kids Week. The scheme provides free theatre tickets for youngsters accompanying paying adult punters – a huge move in order to encourage the audiences of the future …

1
80 - Joel Montague on Hamilton, Tom Holland & Fatherhood 37:19

2d ago37:19

37:19

Call To Stage Live 2025 is now on-sale! Final Tickets Now Available: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/call-to-stage-live/fortune-theatre/ We're back with another episode of Call To Stage: Gatsby Edition, old sports! This week we're joined by Joel Montague aka George Wilson in The Great Gatsby on the West End. You may know Joel Montague for his two …

1
Ep 713 - Bonjour Tristesse, by Françoise Sagan 53:42

3d ago53:42

53:42

You know how sometimes you just want to bro out with your cool hot dad? How sometimes you just need to concoct a scheme where you encourage your casual boyfriend and your dad's casual ex-girlfriend to pretend to be in a relationship together, so that your dad gets jealous, so that he leaves his current more-serious girlfriend, who is really harshin…

1
Generational Healing: Break the Cycle 37:03

5d ago37:03

37:03

The pain didn’t start with you… but the healing can. ➡️ In this video, we explore how trauma, beliefs, and emotional wounds are passed down through generations — and how you can be the one to break the cycle. Whether it's emotional pain, addiction, silence, or shame, healing begins when we become aware and choose differently. Learn how to: Recogniz…

1
Burlesque's turbulent arrival in the West End – and directors arguing with their reviewers 48:05

8d ago48:05

48:05

Sarah is still swanning it up in bella Italia (the country, not the restaurant), so Alex has brought in TheaterMania's editor-in-chief David Gordon to comb through two big stories in theatre this week. First of all, the turbulent Burlesque the Musical has had its opening night at the Savoy Theatre, with Alex giving his verdict on the production – a…

1
Bonus episode: Three Elphabas talk the new world of Wicked – and what the show’s legacy means 32:13

10d ago32:13

32:13

In a special midweek episode, three former Elphabas – Louise Dearman, Kerry Ellis and Rachel Tucker – come together to discuss the legacy of Wicked and the new surge in love for the franchise after the release of the hit film. The trio will be appearing together for a special concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane at the end of August, and have used t…

1
79 - John Owen-Jones on Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera & Self-Reliance 35:35

10d ago35:35

35:35

Welcome back, old sports! We’re back with another episode of Call To Stage: Gatsby Edition and this episode was recorded before the cast announcement of The Great Gatsby on the West End – with a very funny moment… John Owen-Jones is one of the West End’s most accomplished actors, having played both The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera and Jean V…

1
Ep 712 - The Trial, by Franz Kafka 1:16:09

10d ago1:16:09

1:16:09

He is Franz Kafka! Franz Kafka! He wrote The Trial. It’s a book about byzantine bureaucracy bearing down on lil old Josef K. Less of it takes place in a courtroom than you’d think. This episode is sponsored by Squarespace. Go to squarespace.com/overdue for 10% of your first purchase of a website or domain. Our theme music was composed by Nick Leran…

1
Reclaiming Your Soul's Natural Joy 42:23

13d ago42:23

42:23

Reclaiming Your Soul's Natural Joy | Return to Inner Peace & Lightness In this powerful video, we explore the deep spiritual journey of reconnecting with your soul’s original state—pure joy, peace, and lightness. Over time, layers of stress, trauma, and worldly pressure can dim your inner radiance. But your natural joy was never lost—only forgotten…

1
What are the hits and who are the stars of tomorrow? 45:24

15d ago45:24

45:24

As the Edinburgh Festival approaches Sarah and Alex cast their eye over the listings to see if they can pick the hottest shows and the most promising futures. Plus a WhatsOnPage bonus of their holiday reading lists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Sit Me Baby One More Time Ep 01 - Kristy's Great Idea (The Baby-Sitters Club #1) 58:28

13d ago58:28

58:28

We have convened a club whose charter is to learn about The Baby-Sitters Club. Join us as we met the Club's founding members and learn about Kristy's mortal enemy: her mom's new boyfriend. These episodes posted first for our Patreon supporters! If you want to hear the rest of them ahead of time (and a bunch of other stuff besides), visit Patreon.co…

1
Bonus episode: Natasha Hodgson and Alex Young go head-to-head in an Operation Mincemeat special 21:00

17d ago21:00

21:00

Alex and Sarah will be back on Friday, but in the meantime we’ve dedicated an episode to a British show that continues to conquer both sides of the Atlantic, having been crowned the 2024 Best New Musical at both the WhatsOnStage and Olivier Awards in London and receiving four Tony nominations (winning one) in New York – Operation Mincemeat. We pair…

1
78 - Rachel Tucker on The Great Gatsby, Wicked, Sunset Blvd & Broadway 49:44

16d ago49:44

49:44

Today's the day, old sports! We have officially entered Call To Stage: Gatsby Edition and for the next two months, Amber is going to be joined by her fellow cast mates from The Great Gatsby on the West End. And we're starting big... Rachel Tucker is a bonafide legend of the West End. With numerous Olivier Award and WhatsOnStage Award nominations, h…

1
Ep 711 - Upright Women Wanted, by Sarah Gailey 1:05:03

17d ago1:05:03

1:05:03

Gay anti-fascist librarians roam a speculative future version of the western United States in this week's novella. It's pretty close to as cool as it sounds, though the book will probably leave you wanting more in the end. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/overdue and get on your way to being your …

1
Your Soul Never Forgets: Awakening Ancient Spiritual Memories 42:29

20d ago42:29

42:29

Your Soul Never Forgets: Awakening Ancient Spiritual Memories Have you ever felt a strange familiarity with a place you’ve never been… A sudden inner knowing you couldn’t explain… Or a deep pull toward spiritual truths that feel like home? That’s not coincidence. It’s your soul remembering. In this transformative video, we dive deep into the myster…

1
What's the point of an interval? And why are we spraying vodka backstage? 35:18

22d ago35:18

35:18

On this week's episode of the WhatsOnStage Podcast, Sarah and Alex plunder the letter bag to tackle some tantalising listener questions – with subjects ranging from cleaning costumes (very topical in the ongoing heatwave!) to the importance of intervals. Finally, they take a trip down memory lane to think about productions they'd love to have seen …

1
The Sillymarillion Episode 0 - J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion, an Introduction 56:34

20d ago56:34

56:34

For this new show-within-a-show, Craig and Andrew will be learning about the world of Middle-Earth! We're going to read J.R.R. Tolkien's posthumously published legendarium THE SILMARILLION. In this episode, you'll hear us discuss the creation of this epic fantasy, including the work done Christopher Tolkien to wrestle his father's work into a form …

1
Bonus episode: What does an actor-musician musical even mean? 14:50

24d ago14:50

14:50

With Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar celebrating a lengthy summer run at the award-winning Watermill Theatre in Newbury, Alex Wood popped into the rehearsal room to find out how the show is being performed by a group of actor-musicians - transplanting the tunes and placing them slap bang in the heart of the action. Hosted …

1
77 - Emma Kingston on Elphaba, In The Heights & Mighty Hoopla 40:34

23d ago40:34

40:34

You may have seen this week's guest flying around on a broomstick recently. Please welcome, the wickedly talented, Emma Kingston! Having broken out originating the role of Vanessa in the London cast of In The Heights, and blowing people away with her performance as Eva Perón on the international tour of Evita, Emma is currently playing Elphaba oppo…

1
Ep 710 - A Boy's Own Story, by Edmund White 1:11:05

25d ago1:11:05

1:11:05

The late Edmund White’s breakthrough 1982 novel is the first in a trilogy of autobiographical novels that depict key eras in his life as a gay man. A Boy’s Own Story is, as you might expect, about a boy - a boy whose longing for the men in his life leads to powerful (though perhaps not entirely positive) self-understanding. This episode is sponsore…

1
The World's Greatest Lie: That Suffering is Normal 37:13

27d ago37:13

37:13

The World’s Greatest Lie: That Suffering is Normal | Spiritual Sense From the moment we’re born, society teaches us that suffering is just a part of life — that emotional pain, anxiety, stress, and even depression are somehow "normal." We’re told to accept it, manage it, suppress it, or distract ourselves from it. But what if that belief — that suf…

1
The Message Matters More Than the Messenger 8:24

29d ago8:24

8:24

How often do we block our own growth by focusing on who delivers the wisdom instead of the wisdom itself? In this short but potent episode, we explore why clinging to—or rejecting—teachers because of their flaws can keep us stuck. You’ll discover how to stay open to truth, no matter where it comes from, and reclaim your power to grow beyond persona…

1
Rachel Zegler, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more discuss Evita's secrets 17:42

29d ago17:42

17:42

As we put out our main episode two days early (go back and give it a listen!) – here's something to take you through the weekend. In what is our last episode on Evita for a while (we promise), we sit down with star Rachel Zegler and team behind the new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Evita at The London Palladium. They spill the be…

1
Is Evita the show of the summer? And if not, what is? 36:56

1M ago36:56

36:56

In an excitable episode (fuelled by the heatwave), Sarah Crompton and Alex Wood unite to chew over Jamie Lloyd's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Evita, starring Golden Globe winner Rachel Zegler – now that the embargo has lifted. After that, the pair discuss other shows that have wowed them in recent weeks – including a surprise an…

1
76 - Stevie Webb on Shucked, Michael Jackson & Bucket List Theatres 42:23

1M ago42:23

42:23

If you were lucky enough to catch the recent London premiere of Shucked… then our guest on this episode of Call To Stage is for you! Stevie Webb made his West End debut in the lead role in Oliver! at the London Palladium. Since then, he’s done everything from performing with Michael Jackson at the BRIT Awards to starring in The History Boys in the …

1
Ep 709 - The Complete Peanuts, by Charles Schulz 1:24:10

1M ago1:24:10

1:24:10

Good grief! It's time to talk about Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy - the whole gang. To give ourselves a solid cross-section of Charles Schulz's work on Peanuts, we read Volume 1 (1950-52) and Volume 10 (1969-70) of the Complete Peanuts collection. So we're able to track the evolution of Charlie Brown's pumpkin noggin, as well as Snoopy's abili…

1
How to Generate Feelings of Gratitude Before Anything Changes 37:04

1M ago37:04

37:04

How to Generate Feelings of Gratitude Before Anything Changes You don't have to wait for your life to improve to feel grateful. In this video, you'll learn how to tap into real gratitude before anything around you changes. This mindset shift can help you feel better instantly, raise your vibration, and create the inner peace you’ve been looking for…

1
Why seeing a play from the cheap seats can change your life - with special guest playwright Beth Steel 33:26

1M ago33:26

33:26

As her brilliant play Till the Stars Come Down transfers to the West End, playwright Beth Steel talks to Sarah about her unexpected discovery of theatre and the mental blocks and financial obstacles that stop working class voices being heard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
[Meditation] 3 Minute Morning Gratitude Experience 2:59

1M ago2:59

2:59

Start your day with a full heart and a clear mind. This short but powerful meditation helps you tap into genuine gratitude, shifting your energy into positivity and presence. Perfect for busy mornings when you want to feel grounded, uplifted, and ready to receive the day’s blessings.By Michael Mackintosh & Shireen Chada

1
75 - Maddie Grace Jepson on Lorraine Baines, TikTok Virality & Nicola Coughlan 36:43

1M ago36:43

36:43

It was only right to have the iconic Maddie Grace Jepson on Call To Stage to announce her West End debut as Lorraine Baines in Back To The Future! We can't wait to watch her thrive on that stage. Maddie is an actor and TikTok viral sensation who has over 2.1 million digital followers worldwide. Just four years after Maddie first appeared on TikTok,…

1
Ep 708 - American Psycho, by Bret Easton Ellis (w/ Too Scary, Didn't Watch!) 1:33:05

1M ago1:33:05

1:33:05

We’re joined by Sammy and Emily of the TOO SCARY, DIDN’T WATCH horror movie podcast this week to talk about Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho. None of us had an amazing time with this read, partly because the book seems to revel in its extreme violence and misogyny. But be sure to tune in to TSDW later this week to hear what we all thought about t…

1
Awakening from the Matrix 41:57

1M ago41:57

41:57

Are you really awake… or just dreaming within the Matrix? This video dives deep into the eye-opening book Spiritual Awakening from the Matrix — a powerful guide that helps you recognize the illusion of the world around you and awaken to your true nature. If you've ever felt like something isn’t quite right with reality, this book is your red pill. …

1
[Daily Freedom] The Invisible Force That Pulls You Off Track 15:00

1M ago15:00

15:00

Why is it so hard to do the things we know we’re meant to do? In this short reflection, we explore the invisible force that pulls us away from our purpose — and how to recognize it before it takes over. Known in ancient wisdom as Maya, this subtle energy distracts, delays, and deceives. But the moment we remember who we are, everything shifts. This…

1
Bonus episode: Special guest Katie Brayben on the magic of returning to a role 32:32

1M ago32:32

32:32

With this week's main episode coming out two days early, special guest Katie Brayben joins Alex Wood for a Friday chitchat. The two-time Olivier Award-winner will be returning to the role of Elizabeth in the hit Bob Dylan musical Girl from The North Country, now playing once more at the Old Vic in London. Other topics include Brayben's time in Tamm…

1
[Meditation] Drop Into Your Heart Space 3:22

1M ago3:22

3:22

Shift from thinking to feeling and reconnect with your inner wisdom. This meditation guides you out of the mind and into the calm, loving intelligence of your heart—bringing peace, clarity, and emotional alignment. Ideal for grounding yourself, making heart-led decisions, or simply returning to love.…

1
Will social media be the end of theatre critics? And are there too many standing ovations? 43:05

1M ago43:05

43:05

It's a two-part episode as Alex and Sarah reunite after a few weeks out in the wild! Social media is all abuzz with clips of Rachel Zegler's performance of "Don't Cry For Me Argentinia" in Evita at The London Palladium. The only ones not talking about it? Theatre critics – who have to wait until early July to give their verdicts on the show. With w…

1
74 - Ruthie Henshall on Chicago, Miss Saigon, Auditions & Broadway 40:12

1M ago40:12

40:12

We are joined by an absolute legend on this episode of Call To Stage! Ruthie Henshall is a five-time Olivier Award nominee who has played some of the West End’s biggest roles. She’s been Fantine in Les Misérables, Nancy in Oliver!, Roxie Hart (and Mama Morton) in Chicago in the West End and was in the Original West End casts of Miss Saigon, Childre…

1
Reprogram Your Mind in 10 Seconds 31:21

2M ago31:21

31:21

How to Reprogram Your Mind in 10 Seconds ✨ | Break Free from Negative Thoughts Fast Ever feel like your thoughts are spiraling out of control? Like in just 10 seconds, your mind jumps from "I'm stressed" to "everything is falling apart"? You're not alone — and this video will show you exactly how to interrupt that cycle. We're diving deep into the …

1
Ep 707 - Stone Butch Blues, by Leslie Feinberg 1:07:50

2M ago1:07:50

1:07:50

Leslie Feinberg’s debut novel is an intersectional bildungsroman about Jess Goldberg, a butch lesbian navigating the constellation of oppression that was the United States in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. It’s an overtly political novel, and it argues that a certain level of bleak hope may be necessary for survival. This cold comfort is balanced, however,…

1
Behind the scenes at Jamie Lloyd’s Evita 45:43

2M ago45:43

45:43

As Rachel Zegler prepares to take on the role of Eva Peron in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s ageless classic, Sarah sets out to find out more about the London Palladium production. Plus what was it like working with Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell and how did they cope with the crowds mobbing Sunset Boulevard in New York Hosted on Acast. See a…

1
[Meditation] Good Morning Wonder Meditation 4:07

2M ago4:07

4:07

Start your day with awe, joy, and a sense of possibility. This meditation awakens your heart to the beauty of life, helping you feel refreshed, inspired, and connected before the day begins. Perfect for creating a morning routine filled with gratitude, presence, and childlike wonder.By Michael Mackintosh & Shireen Chada

1
Bonus episode: What happens when you win a Tony Award? With Sarah Snook, Jak Malone, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more 15:41

2M ago15:41

15:41

Sunday night saw the winners crowned at the Tony Awards in New York. While new musical Maybe Happy Ending may have been the big winner, there were plenty of awards dished out to UK-originating shows, including Operation Mincemeat, Stranger Things: The First Shadow and more! We hear from all of them… while Andrew Lloyd Webber explains why a Sunset B…

1
73 - Reneé Lamb on Six, Dialect Coaching & Little Shop of Horrors 38:11

2M ago38:11

38:11

Best known for originating the role of Catherine of Aragon in the multi award-winning Six The Musical, Reneé Lamb is one of the UK theatre scene’s most exciting stars. From Six to CAKE (where she originated the leading role of Jeanne), Reneé has also starred in the Original Casts of Be More Chill, Malory Towers and Little Shop of Horrors at the Reg…

1
Ep 706 - James, by Percival Everett 1:27:51

2M ago1:27:51

1:27:51

James isn't so much a retelling or corrective of Huck Finn as it is an expansion, a conversation with, a delving -- or so says Pulitzer Prize winner Percival Everett. Tune in to find out what happens when an authors read Huck Finn 15 times and then starts putting pen to paper. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at be…

1
Five Minute Charging for a Powerful Mind 36:03

2M ago36:03

36:03

Feeling Mentally Drained? Try This 5-Minute Mind Recharge | Spiritual Sense Podcast Ever hit that afternoon crash where your brain just stops working? You're staring at your screen, struggling to focus, and feeling like your energy has completely vanished? You’re not alone — and today’s episode is here to help. In this powerful conversation, Michae…

1
Special guest Sonia Friedman talks career-firsts, the hardest shows she's worked on and why Broadway's model is broken 37:24

2M ago37:24

37:24

Description: With Tony Award-winning record breaker Stereophonic in previews in the West End, chief critic Sarah Crompton and managing editor Alex Wood hopped over to Sonia Friedman Productions offices to talk to Friedman in a wide-ranging interview. Topics included what makes new writing so enticing, why the Broadway model is so hard and why Broad…

1
[Meditation] HEAL Yourself After Making A Mis-take 29:26

2M ago29:26

29:26

Turn regret into renewal. This meditation helps you process mistakes with compassion, release self-blame, and realign with your higher self. You'll feel more grounded, forgiving, and empowered to grow from the experience instead of staying stuck in shame. Perfect for transforming setbacks into soulful breakthroughs.…

1
Bonus episode: A gigantic new London theatre made for musicals, with special guest Rosemary Squire 10:18

2M ago10:18

10:18

In a bonus midweek episode, WhatsOnStage’s editor-in-chief Alex Wood made the trip to the gigantic Olympia event space, home to the new Olympia Theatre. Currently in construction, the Olympia is due to open to the public in 2027. Alex had a word with Rosemary Squire, the co-founder of operator Trafalgar Entertainment, about what theatregoers can ex…

1
70 - Desmonda Cathabel on Hadestown, I Have A Dream & Indonesia 34:05

2M ago34:05

34:05

Desmonda Cathabel might now be recognised as one of the country’s most talented performers – but her career started thousands of miles away in Jakarta. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, she was awarded the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year 2022. In 2023, she was a finalist on ITV’s Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream where she sh…

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