When Sam Tutty became one of the youngest Olivier Award recipients when he won Best Actor In A Leading Role In A Musical for Dear Evan Hansen, it confirmed what everyone already knew: He is undoubtedly one of the brightest rising stars in the West End. Now with multiple Stage Awards - as well as a WhatsOnStage Award and Critics Circle Theatre Award - and his celebrated role in the hit musical "Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)", Sam is on his way to becoming a bankable West End leading men. On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Sam talk about his break-out role as Evan Hansen, navigating performance anxiety, his work on Two Strangers and the benefit of having creative freedom on stage. Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Thank you to our sponsor OneSkin: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code CALLTOSTAGE at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We have two legends of the game on the podcast this week! Ramin Karimloo has ticked off more dream roles than most people could ever hope to: The Phantom and Raoul de Chagny in The Phamtom of the Opera, Jean Valjean, Enjolras and Marius in Les Misérables, Gleb Vaganov in Anastasia, Nick Arnstein in Funny Girl and more. He has also starred in both the 25th Anniversary performance of both Phantom and Les Mis. Hadley Fraser made his West End debut as Marius in Les Misérables alongside leading roles in Young Frankenstein, Chess, The Secret Garden and also starred - alongside Ramin - in the 25th Anniversary performances of the West End's longest running shows. To celebrate their leading roles in the West End concert of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels this Winter, Ramin and Hadley join Amber on this episode of Call To Stage to talk about chemistry, dealing with rejection, their most memorable performances and working with legends, including Barbra Streisand. Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
She has the voice of a hundred people.. literally, this week's guests is one of the world's greatest impressionists! Christina Bianco first broke through with her viral impressions of the likes of Ariana Grande, Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, which led to millions of YouTube views and appearances on Ellen, The Today Show, This Morning and even RuPaul's Drag Race. Now, many Drama Desk Award nominations later, Christina has starred in the West End productions of Forbidden Broadway and OKLAHOMA! In Concert, the 2023 revival of The Wizard of Oz and even Funny Girl in Paris. On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Christina talk about training in New York, the differences between American and British audiences, her passion for impressions and going from open calls to Broadway success. Plus Christina reveals her next exciting project... Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
You might recognise him as Jamie New (or even from The X Factor), this week's guest is Luke Bayer! Luke was in the Original West End Cast of Everybody's Talking About Jamie, and has also appeared in Hair at the London Palladium, and the 20th Anniversary Concert of Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre. On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Luke talk about the importance of vocal health, the highlight of his Everybody's Talking About Jamie experience and his one-man musical Diva: Live From Hell. They also talk skincare journeys and the importance of having a good attitude! Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Having become one of the most-talked about performers in the West End over the past few years, Rob Madge is proving that they're here to stay. Having written and starred in the WhatsOnStage Award winning and Olivier Award nominated autobiographical show My Son's A Queer (But What Can You Do?), they have gone on to star in the UK Tour of Bedknobs and Broomsticks, the Off West End production of Buyer & Cellar and gain further critical acclaim for their self-penned show Rob Madge's Regards to Broadway. On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Rob talk about the creation story behind My Son's A Queer (But What Can You Do?), Rob's start as a child actor in the West End productions of Mary Poppins, Macbeth and Oliver! as well as the significant importance of family support... especially when your dreams of Broadway hit a (very public) problem. Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Thank you to our sponsor OneSkin: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code CALLTOSTAGE at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nathania Ong's journey to the West End is, much like the actress herself, unique and outstanding. Having been born and raised in Singapore, she made her West End debut in 2021 in the transfer of Be More Chill, before joining the UK Tour of Les Misérables as Éponine that same year. That kicked off a journey that has led to her joining the cast as Elizabeth Schuyler in Hamilton. On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Nathania talk about the journey from Singapore to the UK, Nathania's transformative training at Mountview, the perseverance that led her to iconic roles on the West End and her surprising dream role... Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
You might recognise todays guest from TikTok where, as part of the duo Brookie and Jessie, she has over 4M followers! Jess Qualter has become known for her dance choreography - her choreo for Meghan Trainor's "Made You Look" became internationally renowned (with over 59M views) - and her dance videos have gained a combined over 235M Likes on TikTok. Now starring as Daphne in the World Premiere of Burlesque The Musical, Jess formally trained at Lane Theatre Arts. On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Jess talk about rising to fame on TikTok, collaborating with everyone from Shania Twain to JoJo Siwa, manifesting career opportunities and making her professional debut in Burlesque. Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Some could say it was written in the stars... but when Rebekah Bryant and Amber Davies just missed each other in 9 To 5 The Musical (with Rebekah joining the cast as Amber left), who could have guessed that they would not just work together on Pretty Woman The Musical but become close friends?! As well as her credits as 1st Cover Vivian Ward and Swing in Pretty Woman, Rebekah also played the lead in the UK Tour of Saturday Night Fever, has danced her way through The BRITs and The FA Cup Final and is going on to be in the European Tour of Grease next! On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Rebekah are live backstage on tour in South End to share audition anecdotes, the reality of life as a swing, advice for their younger selves and they give a final farewell to their time at Pretty Woman. Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Glinda in Wicked? Tick. Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz? Double tick. Wales Online's 5th Sexiest Woman In Wales of 2010... Triple Tick! The world discovered Sophie Jenkins (Evans) when she rose to fame on Andrew Lloyd Webber's BBC show Over The Rainbow, and then again in her two stints in Wicked on the West End... but her story starts long before then, in Tonypandy in Wales. On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Sophie discuss Sophie's crazy wedding drama, stepping into Glinda's shoes and her rise to fame on national TV. Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fresh off the back of standout reviews for her portrayal of Lois in Kiss Me, Kate at London's Barbican Theatre, the theatre world is finally giving Georgina Onuorah her flowers. Alongside her latest critically acclaimed performance, she also played Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton and Ado Annie in the Olivier-award winning retelling of Oklahoma! in the West End. On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Georgina talk about discovering theatre as a career path, winning the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Scholarship, the importance of resilience and her work in Bad Cinderella, Oklahoma! and The Wizard of Oz. Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We are joined by a true legend of the theatre! Having grown up in Manila, Joanna Ampil auditioned at an open call for the original production of Miss Saigon - and, despite having no experience - landed the lead role of Kim and was flown to London to open the show at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Since then, Joanna has played the most desired roles in the West End including both Éponine and Fantine in Les Miserables, Mimi in Rent, Grizabella in Cats and played Mary Magdalene in the revival of Jesus Christ Superstar. She currently stars as Carlotta in The Phantom of The Opera at His Majesty's Theatre. On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Joanna talk about the difference between theatre audiences worldwide, navigating different singing styles, being the first person of colour to play Fantine in Les Mis and the incredible story behind her breakthrough. Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With over a decades experience in the West End, Frances Mayli McCann has just about done in all. Having been nominated for an Olivier Award and a WhatsOnStage Award (including one for Best Performer in a Musical), Frances made her West End debut in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre and has gone on to play the titular roles in Bonnie & Clyde and Heathers in the West End, as well as roles in Les Misérables and Here Lies Love at the National Theatre. On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Frances cover everything from breaking out in Bonnie and Clyde to her early TV work in River City and Britannia High. Frances also shares her experience training at Glasgow Academy of Musical Theatre Arts and the differences between working on stage and screen. Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
WhatsOnStage Award winner? Tick! In the SIX family? Tick! An inspiring story from a dedicated performer? Triple Tick! From being in the Ensemble in Kinky Boots in the West End, to understudying for Evita at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, portraying Catherine of Aragon in the UK Tour of Six and even a stint on ITV's The Voice... Lauren Drew has done it all (including winning a WhatsOnStage Award for the Regents Park Open Air Theatre production of Legally Blonde). On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Lauren talk about training at Mountview, her stint on The Voice during COVID-19, performing Fantine in Les Misérables for Claude-Michel Schönberg and touring Six across the UK. Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From Wicked to Mamma Mia, Hello Dolly to Mary Poppins, Half A Sixpence, Crazy For You and Kiss Me Kate, Charlie Stemp is undoubtedly one of the West End's hottest stars. Having been discovered by Sir Cameron Mackintosh and selected to take leading man status in the West End production of Half A Sixpence, Charlie has performed everywhere from the London Palladium to Broadway. He has even been nominated for three Olivier Awards... and won a WhatsOnStage Award! On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Charlie talk about training at Laine Theatre Arts, the differences between West End and Broadway, starring opposite Zizi Strallen as Bert in Mary Poppins and gaining the support of Sir Cameron Mackintosh. Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
She is one of the West End's most loved actors (and Olivier Award and WhatsOnStage Award-nominated at that!)... this week we're joined by Zizi Strallen! From her acclaimed performance as Mary Poppins on tour and at the Prince Edward Theatre to the National Theatre's Follies and a stand-out run in Strictly Ballroom at the Piccadilly Theatre, over the past decade Zizi has become one of London's most celebrated leading ladies. On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Zizi talk about growing up in a theatre family, her experience at the Royal Variety Performance, playing Mary Poppins and Zizi's role in the star-studded Cats film. You can catch Zizi Strallen in Oklahoma In Concert! at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th August: https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/rodgers-hammersteins-oklahoma/ Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Are we seeing deja vu... or is this TWO Vivian Ward's? This week's guest didn't just originate the role in the West End production of Pretty Woman - she also originated the roles of Katherine Howard in the West End production of SIX The Musical and Daniela in the London production of In The Heights (at the King's Cross Theatre). That might sound like a lot of originating, but it's all in a days work for this Olivier Award-nominated triple-threat. On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Aimie Atkinson talk about going from dance lessons to centre stage, originating major West End roles and the importance of persistence, and supportive friendships, in theatre. Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From Hairspray to Hamilton, Jordan Benjamin is in the spotlight in some of the West End's most talked about shows. Currently appearing as John Laurens & Phillipp Hamilton in the West End production of Hamilton, he also starred in the acclaimed, Olivier Award winning production The Little Big Things as well as Back To The Future... where he met his friend, Amber Davies. In this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Jordan talk about meeting his girlfriend on-stage (and her Olivier Award win), landing a role in Hamilton, his audition process and, of course, his pre-show ritual. Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is not a drill... we got Alice Fearn on the podcast! Having occupied some of the West End's most iconic roles - from nearly three years as Elphaba in Wicked, to Rapunzel in the Regents Park Open Air Theatre production of Into The Woods as well as Beverley Bass in the critically acclaimed Come From Away - Alice Fearn has undoubtedly cemented herself in West End history. In this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Alice talk about playing characters based on real people (and meeting them!), the challenges of playing Elphaba, accepting older characters as she prepares to play Heidi Hansen in the UK Tour of Dear Evan Hansen and the events that led to Ariana Grande following her on Instagram! Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Her name is Georgina Castle, and she is a massive deal. Currently your Regina George in Mean Girls in the West End, Georgina is firmly one of the West End's most exciting rising stars. Over the past few years, she has played key roles in the West End productions of Dirty Dancing, Elf The Musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber's CINDERELLA and 9 To 5 The Musical, alongside our very own Amber Davies. In this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Georgina recount their six-year friendships and the highlights of Georgina's vibrant career. They also dig into audition processes as well as your listener-submitted questions. Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If you don't know, now you know! Welcome to Season 2 of what is now officially called: Call To Stage with Amber Davies! This season we have even more exciting guests, special announcements and we're getting closer and closer to being centre stage. On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber talks about this exciting news and then shares a never-before-heard story about getting ill whilst on-stage and talks about taking care of your skin whilst performing 8 shows a week. Follow Call To Stage Instagram: @calltostagepod TikTok: @calltostagepod YouTube: @calltostage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices