'Our Podcasts "An Afternoon with Artform"

'Into the Woods'  A new production for 2025 - Part two

For the second instalment of the series, Matthew talks with the Musical Director catches up with various members of the cast and throws in a story or two from the tales themselves. With one of the main themes of the show being ‘time’ Matthew asks the various company members what they would change about their past or indeed what they might repeat in order to relive an experience in their life and much more besides. Come join us as we go deeper into the woods.

'Into the Woods’ - A new production for 2025 - Part One
Join us as we embark on another of our special podcast series following the process of putting on a show from the auditions all the way to opening night. This time it is Stephen Sondheim’s musical masterpiece ‘Into the Woods’. Last produced by Artform in 2015 what could be a better excuse than our 40th anniversary year to revisit this classic with a newly imagined vision. This week Matthew is joined by one co director, one co choreographer and Jack’s Mum (from the show that is, not just a random mum of a boy called Jack). So bring your cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn and your cow as white milk and come with us into the woods.

Pantomime - A British theatrical tradition

Booing and hissing the villain, cheering and heckling the cast, throwing sweets and candy back at the audience and a theatre sing along. An awful trip to the theatre you ask? ‘Oh yes it is!’ Well actually… ‘Oh no it isn’t!’ Pantomime is as British as Fish and Chips, a love of queuing and a Sunday Roast but if you live in another part of the globe you may never have heard of, let alone seen, one. Keeping Matthew company this week are guests who will be able to tell you all about it. From how to write and direct the genre to choreography and choosing the best music to fit the show. All from their experiences of working with The Bob Hope theatre in South East London for a local family audience. So settle in and forget your theatrical troubles as "it's behind you"

Auditions 

 Both sides of the audition table bring their challenges. From preparation to execution, from the aftermath to the casting a lot more goes into this theatrical necessity than you might think. The panel discuss hints and tips along with anecdotes from the local and professional world. If you have ever auditioned or had to audition someone this podcast is a humorous tonic.

Adaptations

Every production of the same show can pose different challenges. But what if the director has decided to set Oliver! on a spaceship in the 1980s or Carousel in a shopping centre? How far do you adapt as cast member or production team and what makes for a successful adaptation.

Theatrical Frustrations

From arriving at the theatre to taking your seats, members of the audience to ordering those interval drinks and everything in-between the theatrical experience can sometimes be an interesting one.  Join us as we discuss the things that frustrate our panel about attending a theatrical production, amusing anecdotes, and how we think things can change for the better.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

Artform are thrilled to welcome another company to chat about their next production.  This time we delve into Tom Stoppard’s absurdist, existential tragicomedy which is being performed at the Edward Alderton Theatre.  We are joined by the director alongside cast members and Shakespeare fans who delve into the untold story of these minor characters from Hamlet.  With echoes of Waiting for Godot, intermixing of reality and illusion this incredibly funny and yet poignant piece is a must see for any theatrical fan

Angels in America 

Artform are proud to introduce, as our first podcast of welcoming other companies to discuss their productions with us, the Geoffrey Whitworth Theatre production of Tony Kushner’s theatrical masterpiece.  We are thrilled to be joined by members of the company and a very special guest Dr Emily Garside,. Come and join us as we discuss the depths of the show, themes, how to stage a production and why this piece about AIDS, racism and the American experience is so relevant today.

Hunchback of Natre Dame Part 6

The sixth and final in our new series following Artform’s latest production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. In this podcast the Director and Joni Nelson who is cast as Esmeralda discuss her role and the production.

The fifth in our new series following Artform’s latest production that of Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Bob Hope Theatre in April 2024. Over these episodes we will be following the cast and creatives as they embark on rehearsals, set design, costume making, prop acquisition and everything else that is needed to put on this epic Disney classic.

Hunchback of Natre Dame Part 5

The fifth in our new series following Artform’s latest production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. In this podcast the Director and Joni Nelson who is cast as Esmeralda discuss her role and the production.

The fifth in our new series following Artform’s latest production that of Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Bob Hope Theatre in April 2024. Over these episodes we will be following the cast and creatives as they embark on rehearsals, set design, costume making, prop acquisition and everything else that is needed to put on this epic Disney classic.

A LIttle Night Music

Artform performed A Little Night Music at the Broadway Theatre in South East London  In 2013. In this podcast Some of those involved in the production have a conversation about their experience.

A Little Night Music is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler. Inspired by the 1955 Ingmar Bergman film Smiles of a Summer Night, it involves the romantic lives of several couples. Its title is a literal English translation of the German name for Mozart's Serenade No. 13, K.

Hunchback of Natre Dame Part 4

The fourth in our new series following Artform’s latest production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. In this podcast the Director and Joni Nelson who is cast as Esmeralda discuss her role and the production whilst the rehearsals are in full swing (as you can hear in the background)

The fourth in our new series following Artform’s latest production that of Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Bob Hope Theatre in April 2024. Over these episodes we will be following the cast and creatives as they embark on rehearsals, set design, costume making, prop acquisition and everything else that is needed to put on this epic Disney class 

The Hunchback of Notre Dame Part 3

The third in our new series following Artform’s latest production that of Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Bob Hope Theatre in April 2024. Over these episodes we will be following the cast and creatives as they embark on rehearsals, set design, costume making, prop acquisition and everything else that is needed to put on this epic Disney classic.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame Part 1

The first in our new series following Artform’s latest production that of Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Bob Hope Theatre in April 2024. Over these episodes we will be following the cast and creatives as they embark on rehearsals, set design, costume making, prop acquisition and everything else that is needed to put on this epic Disney classic.

Company ABCs: Putting it Together Part 4.

Join host Matthew Westrip as he discusses the shows ABC's with the cast and production team of Artform's upcoming production of  Stephen Sondheim's 'Company' to be performed at the Bob Hope Theatre in South East London on the 8th-11th February 2023.

Featuring cast members: Daniel Lawrence, Nick Haley, Erin Clancey, Scott Slaytor, and Bethany Andrew.

Musical Director: David Bullen

Director: Shelia Arden

The Hunchback of Notre Dame Part 2

The second seconed in our new series following Artform’s latest production that of Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Bob Hope Theatre in April 2024. Over these episodes we will be following the cast and creatives as they embark on rehearsals, set design, costume making, prop acquisition and everything else that is needed to put on this epic Disney classic.

Company ABCs: Putting it Together Part 3.

Join host Matthew Westrip as he discusses the shows ABC's with the cast and production team of Artform's upcoming production of  Stephen Sondheim's 'Company' to be performed at the Bob Hope Theatre in South East London on the 8th-11th February 2023.

Featuring cast members: Daniel Lawrence, Nick Haley, Erin Clancey, Scott Slaytor, and Bethany Andrew.

Musical Director: David Bullen

Director: Shelia Arden

Company ABCs: Putting it Together Part 2.

Join host Matthew Westrip as he discusses the shows ABC's with the cast and production team of Artform's upcoming production of  Stephen Sondheim's 'Company' to be performed at the Bob Hope Theatre in South East London on the 8th-11th February 2023.

Featuring cast members: Daniel Lawrence, Nick Haley, Erin Clancey, Scott Slaytor, and Bethany Andrew.

Musical Director: David Bullen

Director: Shelia Arden

Company ABCs: Putting it Together Part 1.

Join host Matthew Westrip as he discusses the shows ABC's with the cast and production team of Artform's upcoming production of  Stephen Sondheim's 'Company' to be performed at the Bob Hope Theatre in South East London on the 8th-11th February 2023.

Featuring cast members: Daniel Lawrence, Nick Haley, Erin Clancey, Scott Slaytor, and Bethany Andrew.

Musical Director: David Bullen

Director: Shelia Arden

Merrily We Roll Along

In this episode we discuss Stephen Sondheims masterpiece Merrily We Roll Along

Join host Matthew Westrip as he speaks with members of the cast and production team of Artforms 2019 production.

Blood Brothers

In this episode we discuss Willie Russel's iconic play Blood Brothers.

Join host Ros Philp as he speaks with members of the cast and production team behind this emotional piece of theatre

Featuring cast members: Peter Fiorini & Louise Hawkins

Director: Pete Watts

Artistic Director: Sheila Arden

The Diary of Anne Frank

In this episode we discuss the harrowing tale of The Diary of Anne Frank, Artform's 2016 production.

Join host Matthew Westrip as he speaks with members of the cast and production team behind this emotional piece of theatre

Featuring cast members: Karen Brace & Robin Kelly

Director: Pete Watts

Artistic Director: Sheila Arden

 Production Design: Jon Arden & Paul Stone

The Elephant Man

In this episode be go behind the curtain of Artform's 2020 production of 'The Elephant Man', our last production before the Pandemic. 

Featuring cast members: Matthew Westrip, Paul Stone & Shane King

Director: Pete Watts

Artisitc Director: Sheila Arden

The Last Five Years

The story explores a five-year relationship between Jamie Wellerstein, a rising novelist, and Cathy Hiatt, a struggling actress. The show uses a form of storytelling in which Jamie's story is told in chronological order (starting just after the couple have first met) and Cathy's story is told in reverse chronological order (beginning the show at the end of the marriage). The characters do not directly interact except for a wedding song in the middle as their timelines intersect.

Assassins

This episode delves behind the curtain of our 2017 production of Stephen Sondheim's Assassins.

Featuring Director and Choreographer: Sheila Arden & Caroline Essenhigh.

Cast Members: Matthew Westrip, Paul Stone & Chris Arden

Production Manager: Jon Arden

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Join host Matthew Westrip as we delve back and discuss the 2016 production of Stephen Sondheim's A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum.

Featuring Director Sheila Arden & Choreographer Caroline Essenheigh, plus Christopher Arden, Paul Stone, and Jon Arden

Forbidden Broadway

In this episode, host Christopher Arden discusses the 2016 Artform production of Forbidden Broadway.

Featuring Director Matthew Westrip plus Sheila Arden, Paul Stone, Ros Philp & Daniel Lawrence

Oh What a Lovely War

Join host Sheila Arden as she discusses Artform's 2018 production of Oh what a lovely War.

Featuring Matthew Westrip, Paul Stone, Alex Wharram, Ros Philp, Daniel Lawrence & Chris Arden

Avenue Q

A discussion with the cast and crew of Avenue Q, performed in the Broadway Theatre Studio in 2014.

Host - Chris Arden

Amy Farlie, Matthew Westrip, Sheila Arden, Jo Begley

Into the Woods

A discussion with the cast and crew of Into the Woods, performed in the Broadway studio in 2015

Host - Matthew Westrip

Sheila Arden, Chris Arden, Paul Stone, Daniel Lawrence