Season 2, Episode 8: A ramble about Mischief Movie Night and other things
After a small break, this week's episode originates as a discussion about Mischief Movie Night, and devolves from there!
If you'd like to listen to the songs mentioned in both this and previous episodes, you can find our 'Act One Beginners Call Playlist' on Spotify!
5 Jun 2021
Season 2, Episode 7: Annie (2014)
In this weeks episode, Gigi and Olivia endure the movie that is Annie (2014) and share their (rather negative) opinions on the reimagining of a classic movie musical. Unimpressed, they talk about problems and issues they found whilst watching the film together, finishing with a discussion about a live streamed piece of theatre they watched as well.
In this weeks episode, Olivia was without her usual microphone so apologies for the sound discrepancies!
If you'd like to hear the songs mentioned in this and previous episodes, you can find our Spotify playlist: Act One Beginners Call Playlist
You can also follow our Instagram: @Act1BeginnersCall
22 May 2021
Season 2, Episode 6: Just a Casual Chat
In this weeks episode, Gigi and Olivia decide to take things easy and just have a casual chat with minimal planning. This sparks conversations about favourite movie musicals, what they expect theatre to look like post-Covid, and how to play Gigi like a Hurdy Gurdy.
If you'd like to keep up-to-date with the podcast, you can follow us on our Instagram: @Act1BeginnersCall
Don't forget to follow our Spotify playlist where all songs mentioned in our podcast are added to: Act One Beginners Call Playlist
9 May 2021
Season 2, Episode 5: Drama Schools and University
In this weeks episode, Gigi and Olivia decide to have a discussion about what their experiences at Uni and Drama School have been like, ranging from the application/audition processes to what experiences and societies they've been apart of. As well as this, there is also the usual bout of tangents and theatre discussions.
If you would like to keep up to date with the show, follow our Instagram: @Act1BeginnersCall
You can also listen to our playlist on Spotify: Act One Beginners Call Playlist
1 May 2021
Season 2, Episode 4: LGBTQ Representation in Theatre
In a first for the podcast, Gigi and Olivia welcome their first guest - Hannah! The trio discuss LGBTQ focused theatre as well as representation in theatre. In an episode that spans from plays focused on AIDs to whether or not Olivia has seen Bare the musical, listen to debates over casting and the depictions of religion as part of LGBTQ identity on stage.
If you want to hear all the songs mentioned, plus any other songs featured previously, you can follow our Spotify playlist at: Act One Beginners Call Playlist (spotify:playlist:6wyWYxFw3vKOtiHKRmjBoW)
As usual you can also find the podcast on Instagram at: @Act1BeginnersCall
24 Apr 2021
Season 2, Episode 3: The Prom Film
In this episode Gigi and Olivia discuss their thoughts after watching the recent movie adaptation of The Prom Musical on Netflix. Discussing opinions on the story, directing, music and even the casting of Golden Globe nominee James Cordon.
If you want to listen to the musicals mentioned on this podcast, you can listen to our Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6wyWYxFw3vKOtiHKRmjBoW?si=aTGnFhbkT7S8HmBt7alwYw
Make sure you are following our Instagram for updates on the podcast: @Act1BeginnersCall
3 Apr 2021
Season 2, Episode 2: Shows in Lockdown
This week, Gigi and Olivia discuss the various shows they've seen during the various lockdowns - both in person and streamed online!
If you would like to hear the songs mentioned in this podcast, you can find them in our Spotify playlist: Act One Beginners Call
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram as well: @Act1BeginnersCall
27 Mar 2021
Season 2, Episode 1: The Hamilfilm
In their hotly anticipated return, Gigi and Olivia discuss their thoughts on the Hamilton Pro Shot released in 2020.
Available on Disney+, the Hamilton film is the a recording of the Original Broadway Cast of the musical Hamilton, filmed largely in front of a live audience. Recorded last summer when travel restrictions had been lifted in the UK, Gigi and Olivia talk about their feelings toward the film, comparing it to the live productions they have seen as well as thoughts on various elements such as the ensemble and lighting.
If you want to listen to our playlist of songs previously mentioned on our podcast, you can find our Spotify playlist by searching 'Act One Beginners Call' or by following the links in our Instagram description: @Act1beginnerscall
11 Jul 2020
Episode 7: The Bechdel Test
In this week's episode, Gigi and Olivia discuss which musicals would pass the Bechdel Test - often with surprising results.
The Bechdel test has become a benchmark of positive female respresentation in various forms of art over the years. The test has only three tenets to it, but despite this many items of work fail it. It requires:
- At least two women to talk to each other
- They talk to each other about any other topic apart from a man/romantic interest
- The women are named characters.
Often applied to Films and TV, Gigi and Olivia discuss the various popular musicals such as Hamilton, Les Mis, and Phantom, to see which pass. As well as this, we have our usual recorder segment, Shuffle of the Day and our reccomendations. These can be found on our Spotify playlist 'Act One Beginners Call Playlist' or through the link in our Instagram description: @Act1beginnerscall
9 Jul 2020
Episode 6.5: A Stagey Q&A
In this bonus Episode, Gigi and Olivia decide to do a (not so) quick stagey Q&A. Covering topics from how they met to what shows they want to see once theatre resumes, with a bit of hysteria along the way.
Our musical recommendations and Shuffle of the Day picks are live on our Spotify Playlist ' Act One Beginners Call' or also through the link in our Instagram bio: @act1beginnerscall
27 Jun 2020
Episode 6: Our Favourite Musicals - Part 2
The second part of a two-episode dive into Olivia and Gigi's favourite musicals. This week, Gigi discusses her favourite musical: Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.
Whilst in no means comprehensive, the show's plot, music, history and more are discussed. If you would like to hear more about our other favourite musicals and thoughts on theatre, make sure you are following the Podcast wherever you listen from, and follow the show on Instagram: @Act1BeginnersCall.
There is also an accomaponying playlist on Spotify called 'Act One Beginners Call Playlist' which has all the songs mentioned each week, availble for you to listen to!
All episodes and our playlist will be linked in our Instagram bio!
20 Jun 2020
Episode 5: Our Favourite Musicals - Part 1
The first part of a two-episode dive into Olivia and Gigi's favourite musicals. This week, Olivia discusses her favourite musical: Come From Away. Whilst in no means comprehensive, the show's plot, music, history and more are discussed. If you would like to hear about Gigi's favourite musical next week, make sure you are following the Podcast wherever you listen from, and follow the show on Instagram: @Act1BeginnersCall.
There is also an accomaponying playlist on Spotify called 'Act One Beginners Call Playlist' which has all the songs mentioned each week, availble for you to listen to!
3 Jun 2020
Episode 4.5: Link has a narcolepsy kink
In this bonus episode, Gigi and Olivia discuss the recent screening of NBC's Hairspray Live! covering everything from the set to the acting to the book itself, they share their thoughts on the latest of the recent live recordings to be shown on ALW's 'The Shows Must Go On' channel.
If you would like to access all the songs mentioned in this podcast episode, all previous and future episodes as well, then follow the 'Act One Beginners call Playlist' on Spotify. We are also on Instagram @act1beginnerscall where you can keep up-to-date with the podcast.
We hope you enjoy this episode, Welcome to the 60s!
30 May 2020
Episode 4: A show written by someone who hates women
This week Gigi and Olivia discuss various mishaps that have occured during their time doing theatre, sharing various experiences ranging from tech issues to injuries on stage. As well as various mishaps, they discuss the idea of miscasts - discussing what male roles they would want to play if possible. As well as this, they both miscast two Starkid shows with current actors that they think would suit the roles.
Moreover, this week has seen the introduction of the 'Act One Beginners Call Playlist' on Spotify, which contains all the songs/musicals mentioned in the Podcast thus far, and will be updated each week. To keep up-to-date with the podcast, don't forget to follow us on Spotify and on our Instagram: Act1beginnerscall
23 May 2020
Episode 3: A recorder having a nervous breakdown
This week Gigi and Olivia discuss the topic of Musicals based on movies and movie musicals themselves. Discussing their thoughts on everything from Heathers and Legally Blonde to The Greatest Showman and the recently announced musical adaptation of the movie: 'The Danish Girl'.
To keep up-to-date with the podcast make sure you're following us on Instagram @Act1beginnerscall, and make sure to save the podcast on Spotify so you will get each new episode when it drops!
21 May 2020
Episode 2.5: It's either about furies or cults
In this special boozy bonus episode, Gigi and Olivia discuss the experience that was the 1998 filmed version of Cats the Musical by Andrew LLyod Webber. Fresh after viewing it, they discuss their thoughts on the show and discuss potential future shows ALW could stream.
This episode was recorded and edited under the influence of alcohol, so contains a small amount of explicit language. This episode may also make less sense than normal episodes (if that is possible).
It also contains discussion about topics some may find challenging, including the topic of humanoid cats.
We hope you enjoy this bonus episode and will tune back in on Saturday for Episode 3. To keep updated with the podcast, please subscribe to us on your podcast platform of choice, and follow our Instagram: @act1beginnerscall
16 May 2020
Episode 2: You don't clap at show-musicals
In an attempt to keep self-isolation at bay, Gigi and Olivia bring you another episode of their podcast. In this episode, they discuss the shows that Andrew Lloyd-Webber has streamed on Youtube so far. As well as touching on controversial opinions about hits like Phantom of the Opera and Gethsemane, they also compare and discuss the works of both ALW and Sondheim.
Episode two brings you mildly better audio and editing and a brand new section called 'what on earth is Gigi playing badly on the recorder today' in which Gigi tortures Olivia by playing recorder versions of hit musical theatre songs despite Olivia definitely not wanting this to be a thing.
We hope you enjoy this episode and please follow us on Instagram: @act1beginnerscall, to stay up to date with the podcast.
25 Apr 2020
Episode 1: Act One Beginners Call
The Musical Theatre ramblings of two friends stuck in self-isolation in different houses - who normally spend their time together seeing shows in the West End. Instead, they have decided to beat the cabin-fever by attempting a podcast where they talk about the only subject they could talk for hours about - theatre!
In this first attempt at the thing called podcasting, Gigi and Olivia discuss several topics from their first and last musical theatre memories and their thoughts on the West End cast recording of Heathers.
We hope you enjoy this taste of more to come! In the mean time, please bear with us in regards to any technical issues/sound mishaps! We hope that over time, things will start sounding smoother!
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