91 - Victoria Hamilton-Barritt on Hadestown, ADHD & Cinderella
This week's episode is one you do not want to miss! It's one of our most highly requested guests who has taken over the musical theatre world... it's Victoria Hamilton-Barritt.
You may have recently seen Victoria’s unbelievable performance as Persephone in Hadestown or you're getting ready to see her take over the Westend stage as she is originating the role of Millicent Clyde in the upcoming Paddington: The Musical.
Victoria has been nominated for some incredible awards (multiple times) including a Grammy, Olivier and WhatsOnStage Award - she just doesn't stop! She also has worked with big names like Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens) where she accompanied him on tour where she performed songs from his musical Moonshadow.
On this episode, Victoria and Amber discuss how humbling the musical theatre industry can be, both training at Urdang and Victoria recalls the crazy story of how she got the role of Persephone in Hadestown.
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90 - Sharlene Hector on Going From Music To Musicals, Hercules & Perseverance
We’re back with another episode of Call To Stage — and this week Amber is joined by the powerhouse vocalist, storyteller and all-round goddess Sharlene Hector!
From Basement Jaxx to Hairspray, Dreamgirls, A Strange Loop, Standing at the Sky’s Edge and now Hercules at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Sharlene’s journey is one of fearless leaps and undeniable talent.
Having started out singing in church and touring the world as a session singer before ever stepping foot on a musical theatre stage, her story proves that trusting your gut can take you exactly where you’re meant to be.
In this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Sharlene talk about breaking into theatre without formal training, her life-changing leap from temp work to global tours with Basement Jaxx, and how lockdown unexpectedly opened the door to her first West End role.
They dive into the sisterhood of Hercules’ Muses, dealing with burnout on Dreamgirls, standing strong through racism during A Strange Loop and the emotional power of representation.
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89 - Idriss Kargbo on Burlesque, Wicked, Child Acting & Sylvia Young
If you're looking for the most exciting names in musical theatre... we've got you sorted on Call To Stage! And that's especially true for this week's guest.
Idriss Karbo has emerged as one of the most exciting actors gracing the West End at the moment.
Most recently starring in Burlesque in the West End, as well as the West End transfers of Austenland and I Wish You Well - The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski-Trial Musical, Idriss is known for his infectious smile and ability to inhabit larger-than-life characters, from Boq in the West End transfer of Wicked to Donkey in the UK Tour of Shrek The Musical at just 18 years old.
Idriss also featured in the 2025 remake of Disney’s Snow White as Bingley.
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Idriss talk about performing as a child (in productions of The Lion King, Oliver! and more), transferring a show from the Fringe, “the best year of his life” in Wicked and his current experience in Burlesque.
Idriss also shares his experience of overcoming his parents skepticism around acting, touring the UK with Shrek and his experiences across film and TV.
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88 - Taila Halford on The Devil Wears Prada, Shucked & The Power of Delusion
We're back with an exciting episode of Call To Stage - as Amber is joined by your next Emily in The Devil Wears Prada... Taila Halford!
Taila makes both her Principle and West End debut with the role from this Autumn - having already performed in School of Rock on a tour of Asia, Cats on Royal Caribbean cruises and Shucked at Regents Park Open Air Theatre.
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Taila talk about life between contracts, keeping the faith through rejection and behind the scenes stories from performing on cruise ships!
Taila also takes us inside performing in Shucked alongside Ben Joyce and they chat about building resilience and why “being a little bit delusional” might actually be a performer’s superpower.
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87 - Amber Davies on Strictly, Legally Blonde & The Great Gatsby
We’re back with a very special episode of Call To Stage — this time it’s just Amber and her mic, reflecting on a life changing few months!
Fresh from wrapping The Great Gatsby at the London Coliseum, Amber reflects on why the show was her favourite contract to date, how playing Jordan pushed her as a performer and the lessons she learned from sharing the stage with West End icons like Rachel Tucker, Jamie Muscato and Corbin Bleu.
Amber also shares exclusive insight into her experience landing her dream role of Elle Woods in the new UK Tour of Legally Blonde and the process from audition to the announcement.
Plus, she takes us inside the whirlwind 24 hours from the announcement of Elle Woods to taking a surprise meeting about joining Strictly Come Dancing... and we all know what happened next!
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This is Call To Stage, the podcast from Amber Davies, where musical theatre takes centre stage. From unforgettable backstage stories to exclusive news and insights, each week musical theatre and Dancing On Ice star Amber is joined by stars of the stage (and sometimes just fans of it!) to chat, laugh… and maybe even sing. If one thing’s for sure, Amber and her guests will be leaving it all on the mic. New episodes every Wednesday.
Ireland