Showtime with Andrew G | Theatre Podcast Australia

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...

Emily Toby lights up the latest episode of the Showtime podcast with heart, humour and honesty as she takes us behind the scenes of her starring role as Sophie in Mamma Mia with Windmill Theatre Company. A gifted triple threat, Emily shares how her passion for performing was sparked in community theatre and has since grown into a dynamic career that includes teaching at the Australian Girls Choir and studying at university. She ope...

Mahalia Barnes reflects on a life steeped in music, from her formative years growing up in a legendary Australian music family to her bold leap into musical theatre with Jesus Christ Superstar. With no formal training but an unshakable passion for soul and blues, she carved out a distinct artistic voice grounded in authenticity, collaboration and emotional connection. Mahalia speaks candidly about the pressures of legacy, the disci...

When Carol Shelbourne stepped into a rehearsal room for the very first time at 38, she had no idea she was about to begin a lifelong love affair with the stage. Nearly 100 shows later, she’s become a familiar face in Melbourne’s vibrant community theatre scene, known for her warmth, wit and magnetic presence. In this episode of Showtime, Carol joins Andrew G to share the unexpected twists that led her from the UK to a full and joyf...

Julia Grace, whose recent performance in Red Stitch’s The Comeuppance has drawn praise for its emotional depth and raw honesty. Our conversation unpacks her creative journey, one that began not from a grand childhood dream of stardom but from a simple desire to connect. As a kid, Julia admits she felt out of place during school lunchtimes and was often looking for somewhere she felt she belonged. That search led her to audition for...

In 2005, Greta Punch walked into a Holiday Actors audition just to support a friend—but ended up landing a role in The Music Man. That spontaneous moment sparked a lifelong love for theatre, shaping her identity through creativity, connection, and community. For Greta, the stage became more than a place to perform—it became home. Paul Venzo’s journey began with uncertainty, unsure if he’d fit in. But the welcoming spirit of Holiday...