There’s Nothing Left to Prove: Inside Already Perfect

This week Darren and Natalie explore three powerful productions that wrestle with truth, legacy and the cost of standing by your convictions - from the Wild West with High Noon to the White House with Mrs. President and the glittering wreckage of the Jazz Age with Beautiful Little Fool.High NoonA searing stage adaptation of the legendary Western that once served as an allegory for Hollywood’s blacklist, High Noon feels chillingly relevant today. Set in real time and running without an interval, the story follows Marshal Will Kane (Billy Crudup) as he faces an impossible choice: protect his town from a returning outlaw or protect his new wife, Amy Fowler (Denise Gough). With songs by Bruce Springsteen, The Chicks and Ry Cooder, this tense, 100-minute thriller is part love story, part political warning - and entirely gripping.Mrs President Keala Settle takes on the role of Mary Lincoln in this newly reimagined version of John Ransom Phillips’ gripping drama. Haunted by grief, vilified by society and desperate to reclaim her narrative, Mary turns to photographer Mathew Brady (Hal Fowler) to help restore her image - only for their collaboration to spiral into a fierce battle over truth, authorship and control. Directed by Bronagh Lagan, this bold reinvention reveals Mary Lincoln as a woman fighting to define herself in a world determined to define her.Beautiful Little FoolTold through the eyes of their daughter Scottie, this new musical charts the turbulent, brilliant and tragic relationship between Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Directed by Tony Award nominee Michael Greif, with music and lyrics by Hannah Corneau and a book by Mona Mansour, the UK premiere stars Lauren Ward as Scottie, David Hunter as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Hannah Corneau as Zelda. A sweeping, lyrical exploration of art, fame and family long after the Roaring Twenties have faded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Darren and Natalie take on a powerful and wide-ranging episode, exploring Safe Haven, Mother.Dad, A Grain of Sand, and The Olive Boy - four very different plays that confront survival, morality, parenthood and resilience, from global humanitarian crises to deeply personal stories of growing up and finding your way.Safe HavenSet in the aftermath of the First Gulf War, Safe Haven charts the brutal suppression of the Kurdish uprising in northern Iraq and the desperate flight of two million people into the mountains. As the world watches in horror, two British diplomats - aided by a Kurdish refugee - battle bureaucracy in Whitehall to force intervention before it’s too late. Written by Chris Bowers, former British diplomat in Iraqi Kurdistan, this sweeping and urgent play brings to life the moral conviction and political courage that led to Operation Safe Haven, an unprecedented humanitarian mission that prevented genocide.Mother.DadA woman checks IDs in a pub doorway. A man sits at his kitchen table with his children. Both are waiting for the same call. From hit company Chronic Insanity, Mother.Dad is a raw, raucous and deeply human new play about love, class, parenthood and the sheer madness of raising a family in the 21st century. Written by rising star Doug Deans, this world premiere was selected from over 800 scripts for Lyric Hammersmith’s open submission and shortlisted by the Bush Theatre, Royal Court and Graeae.A Grain of SandThis intimate and devastating one-woman show follows Renad, a young Gazan girl searching for her family while carrying her grandmother’s stories and the myth of the ‘Anqaa’ - the Palestinian Phoenix. Blending folklore with real testimonies from children in Gaza, A Grain of Sand explores war through a child’s eyes, centring resilience, imagination and the right of children to be children. The production is accompanied by Each Child a Light, a powerful collaborative quilt exhibition commemorating children killed in Gaza.The Olive BoyBased on Ollie Maddigan’s real-life story, The Olive Boy is a hilarious and heartfelt coming-of-age comedy about being uprooted, trying to fit in, and pursuing love against the odds. After sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, a national tour and early acclaim at Camden Fringe, this deeply personal and unexpectedly moving show lands at Southwark Playhouse in its latest chapter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Darren and Natalie dive into the UK premiere of Already Perfect, the new folk-rock musical now playing at King’s Head Theatre.Written by Tony Award-winner Levi Kreis, Already Perfect is an intimate, soul-infused piece that unfolds in a Broadway dressing room on the brink of collapse - where past and present collide in a raw, often funny reckoning with identity, addiction, faith and self-worth.Natalie sits down with the show’s creator and star Levi Kreis, alongside producer Larry Lelli and director Dave Solomon, to talk about the deeply personal origins of the piece, translating lived experience into musical theatre, and why this story of self-acceptance feels more urgent than ever. They discuss the show’s gospel-tinged score, its emotional honesty, and the challenge of balancing intimacy with theatrical scale.Alongside the interview, Darren and Natalie share their critical response to the production, from the standout performances and striking design to the conversations the show is provoking with audiences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Darren and Natalie unpack the latest West End revival of Woman in Mind, Alan Ayckbourn’s 1985 psychological comedy now marking its 40th anniversary. Starring Sheridan Smith and directed by Michael Longhurst, the production revisits a story of fractured reality, imagination and domestic dissatisfaction - but does it still resonate today? Natalie and Darren share their thoughts on the play’s dated themes, standout design elements, and whether star power alone is enough to justify its return to the London stage.The conversation then shifts backstage as Darren Zooms with Rebecca Trehearn and Frances McNamee, stars of the new folk musical Ballad Lines. In this behind-the-scenes chat, they discuss bringing traditional ballads to life, performing new writing, and the joy - and challenge - of telling intimate stories through music.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our first episode of 2026, Darren and Natalie dive into one of the most innovative and nerve-shredding productions currently on the London stage - A Ghost in Your Ear at Hampstead Theatre.Written and directed by Jamie Armitage (An Interrogation, SIX) and created in collaboration with acclaimed sound designers Ben and Max Ringham, this two-hander places the audience inside a haunting using binaural 3D sound technology. Wearing headphones, spectators are immersed in a chilling ghost story that unfolds both inside a recording studio and deep within the imagination. Darren reviews how the production uses sound, performance and atmosphere to deliver genuine jump-scares, skin-crawling tension and an emotional story about family, grief and buried secrets - all while pushing the boundaries of what theatre can do.Natalie also brings us a backstage chat with Jonathan Livingstone, who plays Sid, the studio technician opposite George Blagden’s increasingly unravelling actor. Jonathan talks about performing in a show where every line triggers a sound cue, how comedy becomes a lifeline inside horror, and what it’s like to scare an audience who are wearing headphones and completely locked into the world of the play.From comparisons to The Woman in Black to the current wave of theatrical horror sweeping the West End, this episode explores why A Ghost in Your Ear is fast becoming one of the most talked-about and fear-inducing shows in London - and why it proves that sometimes the scariest place of all is your own imagination.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final episode of Season 5, Darren and Natalie look back on an extraordinary year in theatre, sharing the productions that moved them, thrilled them, and stayed with them long after the curtain fell. From bold new writing and immersive experiences to reimagined classics and unforgettable performances, this episode is a love letter to the shows that defined 2025.They revisit standout moments from Retrograde, Quadrophenia: A Mod Ballet, Grease Immersive Movie Musical, KENREX, This Bitter Earth, Daniel’s Husband, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Till The Stars Come Down, Evita, and The Midnight Bell -celebrating the artists, stories, and risks that made this theatrical year unforgettable.A fitting farewell to 2025 - and the perfect curtain call to Season 5. 🎭 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special stand-alone episode, Darren sits down with Damon Gould, currently starring as Noel in the cult musical Ride the Cyclone at Southwark Playhouse.Ride the Cyclone is a darkly comic, offbeat musical that has built a devoted global following. After six teenagers die in a freak roller-coaster accident, they find themselves in limbo, offered one final chance at life. Strange, hilarious, and unexpectedly moving, the show explores identity, longing, fantasy, and the versions of ourselves we wish the world could see.In this conversation, Damon talks about stepping into one of the show’s most iconic and complex roles, balancing comedy with vulnerability, audience reactions, and what draws him to bold, unconventional theatre. He also reflects on his career so far - from Cabaret in the West End to Newsies - and what continues to excite him about performing live.A thoughtful, funny, and insightful chat with one of theatre’s most exciting performers, diving deep into a truly singular musical. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode celebrates two completely different - but equally exhilarating - nights at the theatre. From sweeping, cinematic dance storytelling to full-throttle historical chaos, we explore why live performance continues to thrill, surprise, and transport. One is a five-star festive classic - The Red Shoes -  that dazzles the senses; the other - Oh Mary! - is a riotously funny West End sensation that gleefully tears up the rulebook.The Red Shoes - New Adventures / Matthew BourneInspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s dark fairy tale and the legendary 1948 Powell and Pressburger film, The Red Shoes is a five-star triumph and the perfect Christmas theatre treat. Matthew Bourne’s visually sumptuous, emotionally sweeping production explores obsession, ambition, and the intoxicating cost of artistic perfection. We delve into the fascinating history behind the story, the revolutionary impact of the original film, and the legacy of Bourne and his company New Adventures — whose bold, narrative-driven approach has transformed dance theatre and brought new audiences flocking to ballet for decades.Oh Mary! - West EndFrom festive spectacle to feral farce, Oh Mary! is riotously funny, gloriously unhinged, and gleefully inaccurate. A cult New York hit turned Tony-winning Broadway smash, this West End transfer delivers relentless laughs under Sam Pinkleton’s razor-sharp direction, with Cole Escola’s anarchic writing skewering power, ego, and historical mythmaking. We discuss the play’s journey to the West End, its awards success, and why this fearless, five-star comedy has become one of the most talked-about nights out in town — all completely spoiler-free. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the podcast, Darren is joined by trailblazing drag artist, actor and cabaret star Victoria Scone - a performer who made herstory on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and went on to wow audiences internationally on Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs the World. From redefining drag on screen to commanding stages across the UK, Victoria’s career is a joyful collision of theatre, comedy, music and fearless self-expression.Currently, Victoria is bringing full dame energy to the festive season as Dame Trott in Jack and the Beanstalk at the King’s Head Theatre, and in this chat she dives into the glorious tradition of panto, the art of playing a dame, audience chaos, and why drag and panto are such perfect bedfellows.The conversation also spans Victoria’s wider stage career. Along the way, Victoria talks cabaret, comedy, music, and creating new work - including sold-out solo shows Jam Packed.It’s a funny, generous and insightful conversation about performance, visibility, tradition, and carving out a career on your own terms - with plenty of laughs, warmth, and a little festive mischief along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Darren and Natalie explore three strikingly different productions - each asking big questions about love, belief, bravery and connection - from intimate relationship drama to festive comedy and razor-sharp contemporary writing. Daniel’s Husband, Gawain and the Green Knight and Most Favoured with backstage chat with actor Alexander Arnold.Daniel’s Husband – Marylebone TheatreDaniel and Mitchell appear to have it all: successful careers, a beautifully curated home, devoted friends, and a deep love for one another. But when an unexpected crisis threatens their future, their relationship is pushed to its limits. Tender, intelligent and quietly devastating, Daniel’s Husband is an unflinching exploration of love, morality and where our strongest convictions truly live - in our hearts, or in our minds.Gawain and the Green Knight – Park TheatreFrom the comedy writers behind The Nag’s Head and Sniff, this riotous reinvention of the classic legend swaps medieval castles for corporate Camelot. Meet Gawain: an office everyman hoping for a promotion and the courage to ask out his crush - until a mysterious green figure crashes the Christmas party and launches him into a quest of temptation, danger and destiny. Expect laugh-out-loud comedy, multi-rolling madness, festive chaos and heroic silliness in equal measure.Most Favoured – Soho TheatreFrom award-winning playwright David Ireland (The Fifth Step, Cyprus Avenue), this sharp, funny and unexpectedly profound two-hander stars Lauren Lyle and Alexander Arnold. After a one-night stand in a Travelodge, Mary and Mike reveal the truths they’ve been hiding - leading to a bold exploration of faith, loneliness and vulnerability, with a twist you won’t see coming. Directed by Max Elton, Most Favoured proves that a short play can still pack a huge emotional punch.Backstage InterviewDarren goes backstage with Alexander Arnold, currently appearing in Most Favoured, to talk about tackling David Ireland’s writing, holding a tight two-hander, navigating that unexpected twist, and why risk, faith and short plays can still leave a lasting impact. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.