95 - Ben Forster on Phantom Of The Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar & Surprise Opportunities

On this very special episode of Call To Stage, we're revisiting some of our favourite moments from Amber's interviews with the cast of Legally Blonde The Musical from this year! Re-live conversations with Jamie Chatterton (Warner), Karen Mavundukure (Paulette), Annabelle Terry (Vivienne), Jocasta Almgill (Brooke), Adam Cooper (Callahan), Rosanna Harris (Serena / Elle cover), Hannah Lawther (Elle cover) and George Crawford (Emmett) for the ultimate behind-the-scenes company conversation! From pre-show rituals to the audition stories that got them into the room... and even relive the big reveal that George Crawford had been cast as Emmett opposite Amber’s Elle! There are also brilliant behind-the-scenes moments from Gay or European, the What You Want dance break and the Bend and Snap, as well as a candid conversation about what makes Nikolai Foster’s production different from every Legally Blonde that has come before it and why this company, more than any other, feels like the cast were born to play these roles.

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber is joined by the effortlessly sharp Debbie Kurup - a performer whose career CV reads like a greatest hits of British musical theatre. An Olivier Award-nominated actor (for her performance as Nicki in the World Premiere of The Bodyguard in the West End), Debbie has taken on some of theatre's most iconic roles, including in the West End productions of Chicago, Rent, West Side Story and Sister Act. On tour, she has also starred in Fame and as Cher in The Cher Show, and she appears on the Original West End cast albums of The Prince of Egypt, Girl From The North Country, Tonight's The Night and Sister Act. Debbie currently covers the iconic role of Miranda Priestly in the West End production of The Devil Wears Prada. On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Debbie talk about the unspoken pressure of stepping into the shoes of a a character based on a real person, the remarkable experience of going straight back into Chicago as Velma just three months after giving birth and the importance of representation in the industry. Debbie also shares stories from the UK Tour and West End productions of Rent, her iconic turn in The Bodyguard and she shares her thoughts on why the material will always matter more than the money, and how she completed a university degree in a dressing room.

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber is joined by the warm and funny Meg Hateley. Growing up backstage while her mum Lindsay Hateley performed in shows such as Mary Poppins and Mamma Mia!, Meg Hateley has become a force in theatre in her own right. She currently stars in the West End revival of Avenue Q, having previously starred as Sophie in Mamma Mia! as well as roles in Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World at the Other Palace and Coven at the Kiln Theatre. On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Meg talk about the complete breakdown that puppetry rehearsals put the entire cast through, the full-circle moment of joining Mamma Mia! and being hugged by backstage crew who had known her as a little girl and the unexpected career path of someone who deliberately chose the acting course to avoid eight shows a week... and has ended up doing eight shows a week with a puppet on her arm! There are also stories from Avenue Q, Mamma Mia! and her first Southwark Playhouse production, as well as a joyful conversation about watching Maz Murray sing Winner Takes It All every single night.

This week on Call To Stage we are joined by the talented Noah Harrison! You may recognise Noah from stealing the show as Giulio in Pretty Woman: The Musical where he also shared the stage with Amber! Noah has also played the role of Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd at Opéra national du Rhin, Strasbourg and La Filature and Roger in Grease at the Dominion Theatre. Currently, Noah is on stage at Avenue Q playing the wonderful Rod. Check out Rod's exclusive interview with Amber on our YouTube channel now! On this episode of Call To Stage, Noah and Amber discuss the skill that goes into working a puppet, manifesting dream roles and how a vape nearly stopped Noah from performing.

We are joined by one of the most extraordinary figures in British musical theatre on this episode of Call To Stage - the legendary Maria Friedman. A three-time Olivier Award winning, Tony and Grammy Award nominated actor and director, Maria's mark on musical theatre is indelible. As an actor, she won the Olivier for Best Actress in a Musical for her turns in Passion, By Special Arrangement and Ragtime; she is also known as a beloved narrator in the 1999 film of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, as well as starring as Roxie in Chicago, Dot in Sunday In The Park With George and originated the role of Marian in The Woman In White on the West End and Broadway. As a director, Maria directed the acclaimed revival of Merrily We Roll Along in the West End and on Broadway - earning nominations at the Oliviers, Drama Desk Awards, Tony Awards and Grammy Awards. She also directed the revival of High Society at The Old Vic. On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Maria talk about the audition room wisdom she has learned that every performer needs to hear, the full-circle moment of opening Merrily We Roll Along on Broadway and her experience as the first Kimberly Levaco in the first ever London production of Kimberly Akimbo. There are also stories from Passion, Sweeney Todd and a legendary night at Carnegie Hall, as well as a conversation about hanging on to your corners and edges and why kindness really is the cheapest and most powerful thing in this industry.