In The Frame: Theatre Interviews from West End Frame

Broadway star Nick Rashad Burroughs is in London playing Horace in Todrick Hall’s musical Midnight at Sadlers Wells East.

Nick made his Broadway debus as an Angel and Billy Porter’s understudy for Lola in Kinky Boots. He went on to do King Kong on Broadway, before being part of the original Broadway cast of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, initially in the show’s ensemble before taking over the role of Ike Turner.

Nick's other theatre credits include playing Lautrec in the US tour of Moulin Rouge, Minstrel and cover Shakespeare in the US tour of Something Rotten as well as lots of US regional theatre where he has played roles like Donkey in Shrek, Seaweed in Hairspray, Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar and he was also Jimmy Early in Dreamgirls at The Muny. Nick has worked on screen, he has recorded original music and performed on ships all over the world.

Nick has been best friends with Marisha Wallace for years, and last year performed with her at the Adelphi Theatre as part of her big solo show and live album.

In this episode Nick discusses joining the cast of Midnight and collaborating with Todrick Hall and Marisha Wallace once again. He also delves into the path of his career from his Broadway debut to the biggest and proudest moments of his career.

Midnight runs at Sadlers Wells East until 8th March. Visit www.sadlerswells.com for info and tickets.

Follow Nick on Instagram: @nickrburroughs

This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]

Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.
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Today’s guest is Jon Robyns who is starring as Miss Trunchbull in the West End production of Matilda.

Having premiered in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2010, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s musical has been seen by 11 million people across 100 cities worldwide. Written by Dennis Kelly, Matilda has music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and direction by Matthew Warchus.

Jon took over as Miss Trunchbull last year, immediately after his run as Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby at the London Coliseum.

Jon's West End credits include The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, Jean Valjean in Les Misérables (having previously played Enjolras and Marius), King George in Hamilton, alternate Huey in Memphis, Scrooge & others in Dickens Abridged, Galahad in Spamalot and Princeton & Rod in Avenue Q.

Jon’s other theatre credits include: Adam Nehemiah in Dessa Rose (Trafalgar Studios 2), Robbie in The Wedding Singer (UK & Ireland Tour), Emmet in Legally Blonde (Leicester Curve), Eddie in Sister Act (UK & Ireland Tour), Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Jamie in The Last Five Years (Greenwich Theatre), Hollis in Road Show (Menier Chocolate Factory), Mark in Rent (Frankfurt) and alternate Chris in Miss Saigon (UK & Ireland Tour).

Jon performs in concerts all around the world and, alongside his performing work, is also a writer. Jon and his writing partner Christopher J Orton’s musical Then, Now & Next premiered at the Southwark Playhouse in the summer of 2023, and they continue to collaborate on new writing projects.

In this episode Jon discusses his time in The Great Gatsby, the process of taking over as Miss Trunchbull and his next writing project, plus lots more.

Matilda runs at the Cambridge Theatre. Visit www.uk.matildathemusical.com for info and tickets.

This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]

Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ntombizodwa Ndlovu is starring as Marie Knight in Marie and Rosetta.

Written by George Brant and directed by Monique Touko, Marie and Rosetta premiered last year at the Rose Theatre in Kingston ahead of a short tour. The production is now transferring to the West End for a limited run at @SohoPlace. Ntombizodwa stars alongside Beverley Knight as Rosetta Tharpe.

Ntombizodwa has worked extensively in Manchester, with some of her theatre credits including Blithe Spirit at Hope Mill and Cat On A Hot Tin Roof at the Royal Exchange. For her performance as Marie, Ntombizodwa received a UK theatre award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and the show's upcoming run marks her West End debut.

In this episode Ntombizodwa explains why Marie and Rosetta is a huge moment and what it means to her. She also discusses why she fell in love with the play, how Beverley Knight has taken her under her wing and her journey in theatre so far.

Marie & Rosetta runs @SohoPlace 28th February – 11th April 2026. Visit www.sohoplace.org for info and tickets.

This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]

Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

KoKo Alexandra is starring as Katherine Jackson and Kate in the West End production of MJ The Musical.

KoKo is from Alabama and has been on an incredible journey so far in her career. After spending many years performing at sea on cruise ships and appearing on The Voice US, KoKo moved to London.

She received huge acclaim for her performance as Lady Liv in Play On on tour and at the Lyric Hammersmith and later played Spirit of the Ring in Aladdin at the Palace Theatre in Newark.

For the last year KoKo has been making her West End debut as Katherine Jackson and Kate in MJ and the show is now coming to the end of its London run. Since moving to the UK, KoKo has performed at The UK Theatre Awards, The Black British Theatre Awards, West End Live and Magic at the Musicals at the Royal Albert Hall.

In this episode KoKo discusses why she moved to the UK and how she established herself on the theatre scene over here. She talks about her performance in Play On, her first experience of British pantomime and delves into all-things MJ.

Follow KoKo on Instagram: @forever_kori

You can see KoKo as Katherine Jackson in MJ The Musical at the Prince Edward Theatre until 28th February 2026. Visit www.london.mjthemusical.com for info and tickets.

This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]

Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're celebrating 350 episodes with Billy Nevers!

Billy has just completed his run as Aaron Burr in the UK and Ireland tour of Hamilton. Billy was part of the tour's original cast as Lafayette and Jefferson whilst also understudying Aaron Burr. He went on to takeover as Aaron Burr full-time for the final year of the tour.

Billy's theatre credits include: Fred in Groundhog Day (Old Vic), Jesus Christ Superstar (Barbican/Regent’s Park Open Air), Wonderful Town (Opera Holland Park) and Turn Up, The Color Purple in Concert and Overture (Cadogan Hall).

Billy was nominated for Outstanding Performance in a Musical at the 2022 Black British Theatre Awards for his performance as Store Manager and Dewey in the London revival of Legally Blonde (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). He was a swing in the original cast of & Juliet in Manchester and in the West End, and later returned to the show as Francois.

Billy has co-hosted The West End Frame Show a couple of times, but this is his first time In The Frame! In this episode, Billy delves into his journey with Hamilton. He discusses his history with the show, what it was like to open the tour and how he came to take over as Burr and what the role meant to him... and lots more.

Follow Billy on Instagram: @billylukenevers

This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins
@AndrewTomlins32

Thanks for listening!

Email: [email protected]

Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.