Susan Wokoma interview, Backstairs Billy review, and animals on stage! - The Standard Theatre Podcast

The Taskmaster favourite talked to us ahead of hosting the 67th Evening Standard Theatre Awards
Dave Benett

Actor, writer, director – and contestant on the current series of Taskmaster – Susan Wokoma, joins us on the pod this week.

Susan is hosting the 67th Evening Standard Theatre Awards and we got the inside scoop on how she was feeling ahead of London theatre’s big night, which took place at Claridges this Sunday.

Nancy and the Nicks discuss news that Ian McKellen will play Falstaff in Robert Icke’s new adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry IV parts I and II. This exciting show, called Player Kings, will arrive next year. Also in 2024, Charlie Josephine’s Cowbois will transfer from the Royal Shakespeare Company to the Royal Court, which the hosts are all very excited by.

Dave Benett

We review Marcelo Dos Santos’ new royal comedy, Backstairs Billy, at the Duke of York’s Theatre in the West End. It stars Dame Penelope Wilton as the Queen Mother as well as Fast and Furious 6 actor Luke Evans as her loyal servant William “Billy” Tallon.

The play features a real Corgi, so in honour of that – and Elaine Paige and Bernadette Peters’ West End Woofs dog and cat adoption event this weekend – we remembered some of our favourite animals on stage from a herd of goats at the Royal Court to a noisy budgie at the National.

In addition to our main episode this week, we’ve got a special bonus show on Monday 20 November – a behind-the-scenes special from the Evening Standard’s 67th Theatre Awards. You won’t want to miss it.

Listen above, find us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you stream your podcasts.

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