The Show People Podcast With Andrew Keates

062: Kerry Ellis (Part One)

Join host Andrew Keates for The Show People Podcast, recorded live from The Two Brewers in Clapham. This is part one of an-depth conversation with West End and Broadway star Kerry Ellis. Widely recognised as one of the great leading ladies of British musical theatre, Kerry Ellis has played some of the most iconic roles in the West End, on Broadway and beyond. Best known for becoming the first British Elphaba in Wicked, Kerry’s extraordinary career includes originating Meat in the original London cast of We Will Rock You, playing Fantine in Les Misérables, Ellen in Miss Saigon, Nancy in Oliver!, Grizabella in Cats, and appearing in My Fair Lady, Anything Goes, Chess, The War of the Worlds and many more. In this conversation, Kerry discusses her journey from training at Laine Theatre Arts to becoming one of the most recognisable voices in musical theatre, her life-changing collaboration with Queen legend Brian May, the demands of leading major West End and Broadway shows, and what it takes to sustain a career at the very top of the industry, as well as a touching conversation between Andrew and Kerry about their shared ADHD diagnosis. Episode Highlights Include: • How Kerry’s childhood and training shaped the performer she became • Her early days at Laine Theatre Arts and breaking into the West End • Being discovered by Brian May while understudying Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady at the National Theatre. • Her early experiences of being thrown on-stage with little to no rehearsal. • Originating Meat in the original London cast of We Will Rock You • Playing Fantine in Les Misérables and other major musical theatre roles • Playing Grizabella in Cats and the pressure of singing Memory night after night. • Her long-running creative partnership with Brian May • The discipline required to lead major shows • How ADHD affects both the lives of Andrew Keates and Kerry Ellis. • And many stories from both Andrew and Kerry about life, theatre, resilience and working in the performing arts. Like and Subscribe Make sure you like and subscribe to be notified the moment our next episode is released! Support Us If you enjoy the podcast, please consider making a donation to help us nurture LGBTQIA+ theatre-makers and proudly tell Queer stories, by visiting www.queertheatre.co.uk/support-us [https://www.queertheatre.co.uk/support-us] Sponsors & Supporters: Theataccounts: The entertainment industry's trusted accountants, looking after thousands of clients across theatre and performance. Connect at www.theataccounts.co.uk or Instagram: @theataccounts. Videography by Ned Wakeley of The Showreel Company theshowreelcompany.com | Instagram: @theshowreelcompany_ Photography by Sean Lindsell @skl.photog on Instagram Audio and Stage Management by Liam Chaplin @djliamchaplin on Instagram Special Thanks Adam Deamer, Oliver Blatherwick, Rhys Godfrey and the staff of the Two Brewers. Queer Theatre This podcast is proudly produced by Queer Theatre, committed to LGBTQ+ storytelling and nurturing Queer talent. Discover more about their acting classes, Queer Play Reading Club, showcases and events. Connect at www.queertheatre.co.uk, Instagram: @QueerTheatreUK, TikTok: @QueerTheatreUK, @Threads @QueerTheatreUK. Follow The Show People Podcast Instagram: @theshowpeoplepodcast, X: @ShowPeopleUK www.queertheatre.co.uk Follow Andrew Keates Instagram: @MrAndrewKeates, TikTok: @andrewkeates, X: @andrewkeates www.andrewkeates.co.uk Follow Kerry Ellis Instagram: @kerryellis79 www.kerryellis.com Thank you for your support. Until next time - love always, Ax

061: Jack Holden (Part Two)

Join host Andrew Keates for The Show People Podcast, recorded live from The Two Brewers in Clapham. This is the second part of an in-depth conversation with Olivier Award winning actor and writer Jack Holden. Recorded just before Jack travelled to America for the Off-Broadway transfer of Kenrex, and before he went on to win the Olivier Award for Best Actor, this conversation captures him at a thrilling turning point in his career. Best known for writing and performing Cruise, his acclaimed one-man play about Soho and the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, Jack discusses the creation of Kenrex, the true-crime thriller he co-wrote with Ed Stambollouian, in which he delivers a virtuosic solo performance playing multiple characters. Episode Highlights Include: • Creating his West End smash hit, Cruise and the challenges writing an AIDS play. • The physical and vocal techniques he uses for both Kenrex and Cruise • How he feels after Kenrex received six Olivier Award nominations • His experiences adapting Alan Hollinghurst’s The Line of Beauty. • Playing a real person in James Graham’s Ink • Working with Sean Bean in Marriage • What went wrong with the TV show Ten Percent • How he feels about working in America as a gay actor. • And many stories from both Andrew and Jack about working in the performing arts. Like and Subscribe Make sure you like and subscribe to be notified the moment our next episode is released! Support Us If you enjoy the podcast, please consider making a donation to help us nurture LGBTQIA+ theatre-makers and proudly tell Queer stories, by visiting www.queertheatre.co.uk/support-us [https://www.queertheatre.co.uk/support-us] Sponsors & Supporters: Theataccounts: The entertainment industry's trusted accountants, looking after thousands of clients across theatre and performance. Connect at www.theataccounts.co.uk or Instagram: @theataccounts. Videography by Ned Wakeley of The Showreel Company theshowreelcompany.com | Instagram: @theshowreelcompany_ Photography by Paul Madeley paulmadeleystudio.com | @paulmadeleystudio Special Thanks to Liam Chaplin, Adam Deamer, Oliver Blatherwick, Rhys Godfrey and the staff of the Two Brewers. Queer Theatre This podcast is proudly produced by Queer Theatre, committed to LGBTQ+ storytelling and nurturing Queer talent. Discover more about their acting classes, Queer Play Reading Club, showcases and events. Connect at www.queertheatre.co.uk, Instagram: @QueerTheatreUK, TikTok: @QueerTheatreUK, @Threads @QueerTheatreUK. Follow The Show People Podcast Instagram: @theshowpeoplepodcast, X: @ShowPeopleUK www.queertheatre.co.uk Follow Andrew Keates Instagram: @MrAndrewKeates, TikTok: @andrewkeates, X: @andrewkeates www.andrewkeates.co.uk Follow Jack Holden & Kenrex Instagram: @1jackholden, @kenrextheplay Thank you for your support. Until next time - love always, Ax

060: Jack Holden (Part One)

Join host Andrew Keates for The Show People Podcast, recorded live from The Two Brewers in Clapham. This episode features an in-depth conversation with now, Olivier Award winning actor and writer Jack Holden. Recorded just before Jack travelled to America for the Off-Broadway transfer of Kenrex, and before he went on to win the Olivier Award for Best Actor, this conversation captures him at a thrilling turning point in his career. Best known for writing and performing Cruise, his acclaimed one-man play about Soho and the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, Jack discusses the creation of Kenrex, the true-crime thriller he co-wrote with Ed Stambollouian, in which he delivers a virtuosic solo performance playing multiple characters. Just some of the credits dicscussed include Marriage for BBC One, Ten Percent for Amazon, the RSC’s Oppenheimer, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, James Graham’s Ink at the Almeida and in the West End, War Horse for National Theatre and much, much more. Episode Highlights Include: • How Jack’s childhood shaped his career today • Discovering his sexuality at a young age • His experience of Bristol Old Vic theatre school • How he came to meet and collaborate with Kenrex director, Ed Stambollouian. • Starring in War Horse in the West End and working with Handspring’s puppets • How he has survived between jobs as an actor • Working with the RSC on Oppenheimer and A Midsummer Night’s Dream • The lesson’s he’s learned to be a great writer. • And many stories from both Andrew and Jack about working in the performing arts. Like and Subscribe Make sure you like and subscribe to be notified the moment our next episode is released! Support Us If you enjoy the podcast, please consider making a donation to help us nurture LGBTQIA+ theatre-makers and proudly tell Queer stories, by visiting www.queertheatre.co.uk/support-us [https://www.queertheatre.co.uk/support-us] Sponsors & Supporters: Theataccounts: The entertainment industry's trusted accountants, looking after thousands of clients across theatre and performance. Connect at www.theataccounts.co.uk or Instagram: @theataccounts. Videography by Ned Wakeley of The Showreel Company theshowreelcompany.com | Instagram: @theshowreelcompany_ Photography by Paul Madeley paulmadeleystudio.com | @paulmadeleystudio Special Thanks to Liam Chaplin, Adam Deamer, Oliver Blatherwick, Rhys Godfrey and the staff of the Two Brewers. Queer Theatre This podcast is proudly produced by Queer Theatre, committed to LGBTQ+ storytelling and nurturing Queer talent. Discover more about their acting classes, Queer Play Reading Club, showcases, and event. Connect at www.queertheatre.co.uk, Instagram: @QueerTheatreUK, TikTok: @QueerTheatreUK, @Threads @QueerTheatreUK. Follow The Show People Podcast Instagram: @theshowpeoplepodcast, X: @ShowPeopleUK www.queertheatre.co.uk Follow Andrew Keates Instagram: @MrAndrewKeates, TikTok: @andrewkeates, X: @andrewkeates www.andrewkeates.co.uk Follow Jack Holden & Kenrex Instagram: @1jackholden, @kenrextheplay Thank you for your support. Until next time - love always, Ax

059: Martin Sherman (Part Two)

Join host Andrew Keates for The Show People Podcast, recorded live from The Two Brewers in Clapham. This is the second part of an in-depth conversation with legendary gay playwright, screen-writer and author - Martin Sherman. Perhaps best known for writing landmark gay play, Bent, As well as other stunning plays such as When She Danced, Messiah, Cracks, Gently Down The Stream and many, many others. On screen, his credits include Mrs Henderson Presents (BAFTA-nominated), The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone, Callas Forever, Alive and Kicking, and The Clothes in the Wardrobe. Across theatre and film, Martin has been nominated for two Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and two BAFTA Awards, and he has crafted queer stories thoughtout the decades. Episode Highlights Include: • Opening night of Bent at the Royal Court. • Memories of working with legendary actors such as Sir Ian McKellen and Vanessa Redgrave DBE. • Taking Bent to Broadway and the trials and tribulations that came with it. • His experiences adapting Bent into a feature film and working with director Sean Mathias. • What it was like writing his masterpiece, Rose. • How he felt after his play Onassis was panned by critics in the West End. • Taking Bent to Broadway and the trials and tribulations that came with it. • How queer stories have changed over the decades and how age influenced his play, Gently Down The Stream. • And many other insights into playwriting and being one of the greatest gay playwrights to have written for stage and screen. Like and Subscribe Make sure you like and subscribe to be notified the moment our next episode is released! Support Us If you enjoy the podcast, please consider making a donation to help us nurture LGBTQIA+ theatre-makers and proudly tell Queer stories, by visiting www.queertheatre.co.uk/support-us [https://www.queertheatre.co.uk/support-us] Sponsors & Supporters: Theataccounts: The entertainment industry's trusted accountants, looking after thousands of clients across theatre and performance. Connect at www.theataccounts.co.uk or Instagram: @theataccounts. Videography by Ned Wakeley of The Showreel Company theshowreelcompany.com | Instagram: @theshowreelcompany_ Photography by Paul Madeley paulmadeleystudio.com | @paulmadeleystudio Special Thanks to Liam Chaplin, Adam Deamer, Oliver Blatherwick, Rhys Godfrey and the staff of the Two Brewers. Queer Theatre This podcast is proudly produced by Queer Theatre, committed to LGBTQ+ storytelling and nurturing Queer talent. Discover more about their acting classes, Queer Play Reading Club, showcases, and event. Connect at www.queertheatre.co.uk, Instagram: @QueerTheatreUK, TikTok: @QueerTheatreUK, @Threads @QueerTheatreUK. Follow The Show People Podcast Instagram: @theshowpeoplepodcast, X: @ShowPeopleUK www.queertheatre.co.uk Follow Andrew Keates Instagram: @MrAndrewKeates, TikTok: @andrewkeates, X: @andrewkeates www.andrewkeates.co.uk On The Boardwalk by Martin Sherman, published by Inkandescent incandescent.co.uk | @inkandescent Thank you for your support. Until next time - love always, Ax

058: Martin Sherman (Part One)

Join host Andrew Keates for The Show People Podcast, recorded live from The Two Brewers in Clapham. This episode features an in-depth conversation with legendary gay playwright, screen-writer and author - Martin Sherman. Perhaps best known for writing landmark gay play, Bent, As well as other stunning plays such as When She Danced, Messiah, Cracks, Gently Down The Stream and many, many others. On screen, his credits include Mrs Henderson Presents (BAFTA-nominated), The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone, Callas Forever, Alive and Kicking, and The Clothes in the Wardrobe. Across theatre and film, Martin has been nominated for two Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and two BAFTA Awards, and he has crafted queer stories thoughtout the decades. Episode Highlights Include: • Martin Sherman on writing his memoir and why prose felt possible where theatre did not. • Growing up in the shadow of Huntington’s disease and the fear of inheritance. • A haunting childhood memory of his mother on the Atlantic City boardwalk. • The silence, mystery and influence of a mother who gave him Shakespeare and theatre. • How illness, family history and survival shaped his understanding of life and art. • Theatre as escape: seeing major productions in Philadelphia as a child. • The performances and actors that formed his artistic eye. • Martin’s father, charisma, narcissism and the performance of power. • A striking comparison between his father and Donald Trump. • What Martin learned from the Actors Studio and Lee Strasberg. • Why craft matters as much as emotional truth. • Realising he was not meant to be an actor, but a writer. • Passing By and the challenge of casting unapologetically gay characters in the 1970s. • Finding artistic and political community in London through Gay Sweatshop. • The origins of Bent and the image that unlocked the play. Like and Subscribe Make sure you like and subscribe to be notified the moment our next episode is released! Support Us If you enjoy the podcast, please consider making a donation to help us nurture LGBTQIA+ theatre-makers and proudly tell Queer stories, by visiting www.queertheatre.co.uk/support-us [https://www.queertheatre.co.uk/support-us] Sponsors & Supporters: Theataccounts: The entertainment industry's trusted accountants, looking after thousands of clients across theatre and performance. Connect at www.theataccounts.co.uk or Instagram: @theataccounts. Videography by Ned Wakeley of The Showreel Company theshowreelcompany.com | Instagram: @theshowreelcompany_ Photography by Paul Madeley paulmadeleystudio.com | @paulmadeleystudio Special Thanks to Liam Chaplin, Adam Deamer, Oliver Blatherwick, Rhys Godfrey and the staff of the Two Brewers, and of course, Pearl Mackie. Queer Theatre This podcast is proudly produced by Queer Theatre, committed to LGBTQ+ storytelling and nurturing Queer talent. Discover more about their acting classes, Queer Play Reading Club, showcases, and event. Connect at www.queertheatre.co.uk, Instagram: @QueerTheatreUK, TikTok: @QueerTheatreUK, @Threads @QueerTheatreUK. Follow The Show People Podcast Instagram: @theshowpeoplepodcast, X: @ShowPeopleUK www.queertheatre.co.uk Follow Andrew Keates Instagram: @MrAndrewKeates, TikTok: @andrewkeates, X: @andrewkeates www.andrewkeates.co.uk On The Boardwalk by Martin Sherman, published by Inkandescent incandescent.co.uk | @inkandescent Thank you for your support. Until next time - love always, Ax