MusicalTalk - The UK's Independent Musical Theatre Podcast

Colm and Thos are back to discuss two more diverse musical theatre gems from Colm's recent visit to Broadway: Ragtime and Maybe Happy Ending - one musical looking back - and one looking forward. They also discuss changing attitudes to taste and tastelessness in musicals - including the Doctor Crippen musical, Belle, and, perhaps surprisingly to a modern eye, the Titanic story itself - as well as more modern musical parodies like Titanique.  And is what was right with Ragtime in the 1990s now its main weakness in the 2020s?  All this and more in a jam packed in-depth episode (Warning: contains spoilers for Maybe Happy Ending)

The Great White Way is still the centre of the musical theatre universe, and so it's no wonder that Colm's been filling his Broadway boots and is bursting to talk about it.  In this episode he sits down with Thos for an in-depth chat about just two of the shows he saw on a recent visit there - High Spirits, the 1964 musical adaptation of Noel Coward's comedy, Blithe Spirit, and that perennial favourite, The 25th Annual Putman Country Spelling Bee. With insights into the art of adaptation and an investigation into how the political and geographic context can change interpretation, you'll enjoy this fascinating episode. Warning - may contain guttersnipes!

On this episode of MusicalTalk, Nick Hutson experiences a cultural phenomenon for the very first time: High School Musical. Joining him is Hannah, a devoted fan who knows every beat, lyric, and basketball move.
As the film unfolds, Nick reacts in real time—questioning, analysing, and occasionally surrendering to the infectious charm—while Hannah offers insight, enthusiasm, and gentle (or not-so-gentle) persuasion. Expect sharp musical observations, affectionate debate, and plenty of laughter as newcomer meets superfan.

Nick revisits Avenue Q at the Shaftesbury Theatre for its 20th anniversary—and discovers a show that's traded shock value for something warmer, wiser, and unexpectedly nostalgic.
In this episode, he explores how Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx's irreverent musical holds up in 2026, from updated references (AI, Trump, and Spotify playlists) to subtle staging tweaks and musical refreshes. There's discussion of what still lands, what's softened with time, and whether the show's once-edgy humour can—or should—still provoke.
Along the way, Nick reflects on seeing the show through a different lens two decades on, highlights standout performances (including an impressive turn from Emily Benjamin), and considers why Avenue Q continues to resonate with both returning fans and a brand-new audience.

Nick, Chris and Nikki fire up the flux capacitor one last time as they attend the final performance of the London production of Back to the Future: The Musical. What makes this farewell especially poignant is their unique full-circle journey with the show — having been there at the very beginning during its early Manchester run in 2020, just before the world changed forever.
In this reflective and heartfelt episode, they explore how the themes of Back to the Future — time, change, and second chances — have mirrored real life in unexpected ways. They discuss the turbulent road (or lack thereof…) the production has travelled, from uncertainty and global shutdowns to becoming a vibrant, beloved destination for theatre fans.