In this special backstage episode, Natalie sits down with Keala Settle and Hal Fowler, the stars of Mrs. President at the Charing Cross Theatre - a gripping reimagining of Mary Lincoln’s fight to reclaim her reputation after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Keala Settle delivers a powerhouse performance as a woman vilified by history, navigating grief, public scrutiny and the crushing weight of expectation. Opposite her, Hal Fowler plays photographer Mathew Brady, the man tasked with restoring her image - a collaboration that becomes as volatile as it is revealing.

In this candid conversation, Keala and Hal explore the emotional intensity of the piece, the fine line between truth and public narrative, and why Mary Lincoln’s story feels startlingly contemporary. They discuss power, identity, media manipulation and the cost of being misunderstood - themes that resonate far beyond the 19th century.

Raw, insightful and unexpectedly timely, this is a fascinating glimpse behind the curtain of one of London’s most thought-provoking productions.

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This week, Darren and Natalie bring you backstage moments, bold new musical theatre, immersive magic and political satire with a photo call for World’s Greatest Lover, Natalie took her school kids to see Into the woods and Darren attended the press night of I’m Sorry, Prime Minister.

World’s Greatest Lover – Photo Call & Cast Chats

We were at the photo call for the high-energy pop-rock musical World’s Greatest Lover, featuring music and book by Julien Salvia and lyrics and book by Ludovic-Alexandre Vidal - the award-winning writing duo behind The Prince & The Pauper and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Fresh from their Eurovision pop success with La Poupée Monte Le Son, the pair now bring their infectious theatrical style to London. Darren caught up with cast members Matt Terry, Joaquin Pedro Valdes, and Jaymi Hensley for quick-fire chats about the show’s bold sound, its romantic chaos and what audiences can expect.

Into the Woods

Back under the trees at the Bridge, this thrilling revival of Sondheim’s masterpiece invites audiences into an immersive fairytale world where wishes come at a cost. With seating wrapped around the action and on-foot tickets allowing you to follow the story, this is musical theatre at its most playful, poignant and theatrical.

I’m Sorry, Prime Minister

The iconic political duo return in this sharp, nostalgic and gently biting farewell to Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey. A final chapter to the beloved Yes, Minister universe, this stage outing blends classic satire with contemporary relevance as power, ego and public image once again collide.

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In this week’s episode, Darren is joined by Joseph O’Curneen - founding member of internationally acclaimed Spanish theatre company Yllana - to talk about the glorious chaos that is The Opera Locos.

Returning to London following standing ovations, The Opera Locos takes over Sadlers Well’s Theatre for a strictly limited run. This vibrant comic opera experience blends world-class singing with outrageous physical comedy, fusing the grandeur of Mozart, Verdi and Puccini with pop anthems from Whitney Houston, Mika, U2 and more.

At the heart of the show are five eccentric opera singers - a faded tenor, a macho baritone, a pop-loving counter-tenor, a dreamy soprano and a fiery mezzo - whose rivalries, egos and hidden desires spiral into operatic mayhem. It’s opera… but not as you know it.

Joseph shares how Yllana, founded in 1991 as a comedy and physical theatre company, has grown into a global powerhouse - producing 41 shows, performing over 16,000 times across 48 countries, and reaching almost six million audience members. We explore the art of non-verbal storytelling, the universal language of laughter, and why opera is the perfect playground for comic anarchy.

From Max Award-winning success in Spain to international touring and a triumphant London return, this is a joyful, insightful conversation about risk, reinvention and making classical music wildly accessible.

If you think opera isn’t for you - this might just change your mind.

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