As the Actress said to the Critic

About As the Actress said to the Critic

WhatsOnStage managing editor Alex Wood and chief theatre critic Sarah Crompton host a weekly podcast on all things theatrical. News, views, frank exchanges and lists offer an unmissable guide to what’s happening on stage (and in film and on television) now, in the past and in future. From musicals, to plays, to immersive shows, to interviews with the biggest stars, there's something for everyone! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Sarah Crompton & Alex Wood

Category

arts · society & culture · tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 Apr 2022

Latest episode

1 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

272 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Oct 2026

   208. The Best Plays of the Century Part Nine: the years 2016/2017

   Sarah and Alex continue their journey through the finest new plays of the 21st century. This episode, Harry Potter hits the stage,climate change becomes a major theme and James Graham has an exceptionally busy year. Plus new plays by Lucy Kirkwood, Caryl Churchill, Mike Bartlett and a romance from David Eldridge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   27 Sept 2026

   206. Bonus episode: Wicked's Head of Wigs Heather-Jay Ross on hair that defies gravity

   Welcome to this bonus episode of the WhatsOnStage Podcast, brought to you by the West End production of Wicked. Last night, Wicked celebrated its 20th anniversary at the Apollo Victoria in the West End with a special celebration. While a certifiably joyous, hair-raising spectacle, the work being done on hair backstage is much, much more complicated – and pulled off with equal aplomb. We sit down with Wicked's head of wigs Heather-Jay Ross to reflect on the technical expertise happening behind the scenes, some of the incredible moments working on the show and some misconceptions about the world of wigs in theatre. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   24 Sept 2026

   205. Special interview: Jonathan Groff and Fisayo Akinade

   Ahead of the RSC’s all male As You Like It discuss the similarities between Shakespeare and musicals, their best theatre experiences, the importance of Ian Charleson and the fun of dressing up in very glamorous frocks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Who has been a guest on As the Actress said to the Critic

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Rachel Zegler
• Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Beth Steel
• Katie Brayben
• Sarah Snook

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

48,512,466

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

18 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

50 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 84 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

92

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

97

Contact As the Actress said to the Critic

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about As the Actress said to the Critic