Showtime with Andrew G | Theatre Podcast Australia

Vidya Makan joined the Showtime podcast to share her journey from soccer hopeful to one of Australia’s most exciting musical theatre voices. Growing up in Brisbane she dreamed of playing for the Matildas and even trained at Manchester United’s summer school. A trip to London changed everything when she saw Wicked on the West End and realised theatre could be a space where she belonged.

Since then Vidya has played major roles includ...

Ash Murdica’s rise in Australian musical theatre is the kind of story that grabs your attention from the very first note. From a small town in regional Victoria to performing in blockbuster shows like Rent, Six and Dear Evan Hansen, Ash has turned a teenage spark of curiosity into a professional career many dream of but few achieve. Their journey is a mix of raw talent, relentless dedication and the ability to adapt across styles f...

In the latest episode of Showtime, host Andrew G  chats with Justine Garnes and Danny Gibbons from Little Lamington Productions about their upcoming comedy series Amateurs. The mockumentary celebrates the unpredictable, heartfelt and hilarious world of community theatre, capturing the chaos, camaraderie and quirks that define this cultural space.

The idea for the series grew out of Justine and Danny’s own experiences in amateur the...

Darren Gilshenan has built one of the most versatile careers in Australian performance, moving between theatre and television with equal success. A graduate of NIDA in 1988, he credits his training with giving him the discipline and adaptability to take on a wide range of roles. He spent a decade with Bell Shakespeare, describing Shakespeare as the ultimate training ground where stamina, clarity and emotional truth were constantly ...

What do you get when a marine biology student accidentally walks into a musical theatre audition? In Leighton Garwin’s case, you get nearly fifty shows, a voice that can jump from pop to opera, and now a starring role in the powerhouse musical Chess.

On the latest episode of Showtime, Leighton reveals how a twist of fate turned into a lifelong passion for performing. He opens up about struggling to communicate as a kid and how musi...

In this episode of Showtime I sit down with the incredible Carissa Lee, an actor, writer and cultural researcher whose work bridges theatre, television and academia.

Carissa takes us back to her early days growing up in a small South Australian town where a passionate drama teacher first introduced her to Shakespeare and professional training. That encouragement lit a spark that has never gone out. She shares the thrill and nerves ...

In this episode of Showtime, Andrew G speaks with Annie Blood, someone whose connection to Australian theatre spans more than six decades. Annie’s love for the stage began backstage at the Alfred Hospital revue in the 1960s, sparking a lifelong passion for live performance. Over the years she has worked as a director, stage manager, production manager and actor, embracing the collaborative spirit of theatre. Annie refl...

Dawn Riddale, once a musical theatre performer, is the founder of Melbourne Theatre News and Just Auditions, two platforms that have transformed how Melbourne’s community theatre scene connects. Before they existed, show and audition details were scattered and hard to find. Dawn and her fiancé Craig created centralised hubs where performers, theatre companies and audiences could easily share and access information.

Just Auditions V...

The Forgotten Song Book is a bold new Australian musical that brings the lost legacy of Broadway composer Wilbur Weissman back to life. Created by 23-year-old talents Dylan McBurnie and Emerson Hurley, the show is part concert, part biography and all heart. Set to live piano and performed by two captivating singers, it resurrects Weissman’s long-forgotten songs from the 1930s and 40s while exploring timeless themes of artistic lega...

Emily McDougall is lighting up the stage as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at the National Theatre, but her journey started far from the bright lights of Melbourne. Born and raised in Hobart, Emily’s love for musical theatre began at just 10 years old in a school production. That early spark turned into a fierce passion, eventually taking her to Federation University, where she trained, performed and even co-wrote a musical inspired ...

What do you get when you mix fairy tale pigs, big vocals and stand-up comedy timing? A children’s musical that’s as clever as it is hilarious. In this episode of the Showtime podcast, Andrew sits down with Zack, Isabelle and Ben, the trio behind The Three Little Pigs, to chat about turning a well-worn story into a high-energy stage hit. With fresh characters, catchy tunes and a whole lot of heart, this production proves that kids’ ...

Jackson Cross shares his creative journey from Geelong’s vibrant arts community to the main stage at Melbourne’s National Theatre. Now starring as Emmett in Legally Blonde, Jackson reflects on how a high school music teacher helped him rediscover his love for performing and embrace his identity as a queer artist. After years playing in an indie rock band, he returned to theatre with fresh purpose, combining musical skill with emoti...

Lloyd Jones, a powerhouse in the Australian live entertainment scene, shares his passion for iconic venues like Melbourne’s Palais Theatre in this unforgettable episode of Showtime with Andrew G. From childhood memories of John Farnham to leading major restorations, Lloyd reveals how venues are more than stages. They are cultural landmarks filled with shared history. He champions the Palais Theatre Community Fund, which reinvests 5...

Get ready to bend and snap your expectations because this is not your average sorority story. In Legally Blonde the Musical, Georgina Scott, Vanessa Yeo and Taya Patterson-Fay light up the stage as the Delta Nu trio, but behind the sequins and sass is a celebration of sisterhood, resilience and self belief. Their offstage bond fuels performances that are as heartfelt as they are hilarious, proving that when women support each other...

A bold new voice has arrived on Melbourne’s cabaret scene with a show that throws out the rulebook on love, identity and what it means to be seen. Asexual Fantasies and Hopeless A-Romantics is a solo journey that blends heartfelt honesty with sharp humour and awkward charm, exploring misunderstood labels, teenage confusion and the joy of self-discovery. Rather than chasing traditional narratives of romance, the show centres on visi...

Step behind the curtain with Hannah Simos Garner and Jason Sainsbury King as they bring a fresh spark to the beloved roles of Mary Poppins and Bert in MDMS’s magical new production. From tap shoes to flying umbrellas, they reveal the energy, emotion and teamwork it takes to reimagine a classic for today’s audiences. With heartfelt reflections, playful chemistry and a touch of theatrical magic, this episode of Showtime is a joyful r...

Laila Thaker’s journey is one of identity, resilience and powerful storytelling. A proud Torres Strait Islander (Meriam/Wagadagam) and Indian (Ratlamwali) performer, Laila opens up about reconnecting with her heritage and carving out space in the Australian arts scene. In this heartfelt episode of Showtime with Andrew G, she reflects on growing up between cultures, finding her voice through theatre and using her platform to represe...

From reluctant choir kid in Tasmania to leading man in Melbourne, Josh Direen’s journey to the stage is anything but typical. In this episode of Showtime, Josh opens up about playing Roger in Rent, the role that’s pushed him emotionally, vocally and artistically. He shares how his classical training shaped his performance style, why he nearly walked away from theatre altogether, and what ultimately pulled him back in — community. J...

Pete Murphy opens up about his role as Pontius Pilate in the Australian tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Having previously played Jesus in a Scandinavian production, Pete brings a rare dual perspective to the show, allowing him to explore the story’s emotional depth from two vastly different vantage points. In this production, Pilate is portrayed not as a straightforward villain, but as a conflicted, deeply human figure torn between...