Episode 856: Rodgers and Hart's The Boys From Syracuse - Part 2: The Musical Director's Tale

In this insightful episode of MusicalTalk, Nick and Hannah gaze into the crystal ball of musical theatre to explore where the industry is heading. From emerging trends in storytelling and musical styles to the impact of rising ticket prices, they dissect the forces shaping the future of the stage. Will immersive experiences take centre stage? How might digital technology reshape audience engagement? And what do changes in pricing mean for accessibility? Join Nick and Hannah as they analyze these shifts and more, giving listeners a thought-provoking look at the next chapter for musical theatre lovers everywhere.

Stop the World! It's time for another edition of MusicalTalk!  And as Come From Away continues its successful national tour of both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, Josh and Thos sit down to discuss the recent London production, which clocked up over a thousand joyous performances and sent scores of people home with a smile on their faces.  What makes this show so successful - and are they the things that also make it so unusual?  Find out in this delightful and detailed episode.

With everyone's favourite, uplifting and joyous Canadian musical, Come From Away, on national tour, Thos chats to David Kingsmill about what makes this show so successful - and international - whilst retaining a distinctively Newfoundland flavour (and we don't mean when you kiss a fish). 

In this special episode, host Nick Hutson revisits an exclusive interview from the archives with the late Gavin Creel, recorded during his time starring as Bert in the West End production of Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre. With Gavin’s recent and unexpected passing at the age of 48—an event that stunned the theatre industry—this interview offers a poignant look back at his incredible career. Gavin shares insights into playing Bert, his experiences in London, and his passion for musical theatre. Join Nick as we celebrate the life and legacy of this beloved Broadway and West End star.  

Josh and Thos are back with another look at two more shows that were part of the amazing 2024 summer of musicals in London: this time, both shows are linked by railway connections but with completely different styles and tone - Hadestown and Starlight Express.  How far do these shows rework their original source material of Orpheus and Eurydice and.....Cinderella? And how excited is Josh in seeing both these wonderful shows?  Time to let off steam!

It's been a summer of blockbuster musical theatre shows in London, and this week Josh and Thos take a close look at just two of the amazing productions on offer.  In this episode, it's time to concentrate on two shows named after significant female characters - with Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate and Jerry Herman's Hello Dolly under the microscope.  Can the emancipated Lilly Vanessi escape comparisons with the ultimately subjugated Kate, and what is Dolly Levi's actual journey (apart from a trolleybus to Yonkers)?  And is that the ghost of Mary Poppins we can see floating overhead? It's Wunderbar! 

In this bumper episode of MusicalTalk, Nick and Hannah dive into the magic of Matilda the Musical, reflecting on its ongoing success at the Cambridge Theatre and exploring why it continues to captivate audiences of all ages. They also discuss Why Am I So Single – the brand-new musical from the creators of Six, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. Meanwhile, Nick and Robert discuss Barnum, the timeless circus-inspired musical, which recently had a run at the Watermill Theatre. Tune in for lively debates, musical insights, and a celebration of theatre old and new!

The Boys Are Back In Town!  With Rodgers and Hart's effervescent 1938 musical, The Boys from Syracuse packing 'em in at the Upstairs at the Gatehouse Theatre in Highgate, Thos and Benjamin Levy continue their wonderful conversation about the role of the Musical Director and how to orchestrate a classic-era show. But with Benjamin's view that "Lorenz Hart is an utter genius", this episode is filled to the brim with an in-depth look at the score and full analysis of what makes the Hart lyrics and the musicality of Rodgers work so beautifully together to make a show where every song is a polished diamond!

With Rodgers and Hart's sparkling 1938 Golden Age musical, The Boys From Syracuse, returning to London at the Upstairs at the Gatehouse Theatre in Highgate, Thos sits down for a wonderful conversation with the production's Musical Director and Orchestrator, the very talented Benjamin Levy.  Learn why it's important for the MD to "push hope through it" when musically directing a song, and why it's better to reorchestrate rather than reduce existing arrangements. And with in-depth analysis of the score throughout, you won't want to miss this delightful and insightful episode!  It's no cold potato!

Hoorah! Harooh!  The golden era of musical theatre returns to London with a revival of 1938's Rodgers and Hart's classic musical comedy, The Boys From Syracuse, opening at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, in Highgate in September 2024.  In a three part in-depth look at the show and its solid gold score by one of the greatest songwriting teams of the twentieth century, Thos sits down with the director and the musical director to enjoy insights into how to stage a classic musical in the 21st Century, and to talk about the sparkling songs.  This week Thos talks to the lovely Mark Giesser, the director of this production, about the attraction and challenges of the piece and why the songs are so perfect.  All it takes is a whole lotta Hart!