Call To Stage with Amber Davies
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 Strictly Come Dancing finalist and WhatsOnStage Award winning actress 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.
144 - Sam Ryder on Jesus Christ Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Webber & Vocal Health
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber is joined by one of the most thrilling new voices to have graced the West End stage: the extraordinary Sam Ryder!
Sam broke through when he representation the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022, becoming the highest scoring UK entrant ever and reaching second place. Since then, he was nominated for Best New Artist at the BRIT Awards, an Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music, as well as nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards, TikTok Awards and a Hollywood Music In Media Award.
Sam's...
143 - Summer Strallen on Beetlejuice, The Sound of Music & Panic Attacks
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber is joined by the utterly magnetic and brilliantly funny Summer Strallen - a performer who has been building one of the most extraordinary careers in British musical theatre since she was fifteen years old.
As one of the Strallen sisters, Summer launched into the industry straight out of school, joining the final West End cast of Cats in 2001. Since then, she has played iconic roles in the likes of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Guys and Dolls (alongside Ewan McGregor and Jane Krakowski) and The Boy Friend (which earned her...
142 - Legally Blonde Cast Compilation: George Crawford, Hannah Lowther, Annabelle Terry & More!
On this very special episode of Call To Stage, we're revisiting some of our favourite moments from Amber's interviews with the cast of Legally Blonde The Musical from this year!
Re-live conversations with Jamie Chatterton (Warner), Karen Mavundukure (Paulette), Annabelle Terry (Vivienne), Jocasta Almgill (Brooke), Adam Cooper (Callahan), Rosanna Harris (Serena / Elle cover), Hannah Lawther (Elle cover) and George Crawford (Emmett) for the ultimate behind-the-scenes company conversation!
From pre-show rituals to the audition stories that got them into the room... and even relive the big reveal that George Crawford had been cast as Emmett opposite...
141 - Debbie Kurup on The Bodyguard, Playing Iconic Characters & The Devil Wears Prada
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber is joined by the effortlessly sharp Debbie Kurup - a performer whose career CV reads like a greatest hits of British musical theatre.
An Olivier Award-nominated actor (for her performance as Nicki in the World Premiere of The Bodyguard in the West End), Debbie has taken on some of theatre's most iconic roles, including in the West End productions of Chicago, Rent, West Side Story and Sister Act. On tour, she has also starred in Fame and as Cher in The Cher Show, and she appears on the Original...
140 - Meg Hateley on Mamma Mia, Growing Up In Theatre & Puppets
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber is joined by the warm and funny Meg Hateley.
Growing up backstage while her mum Lindsay Hateley performed in shows such as Mary Poppins and Mamma Mia!, Meg Hateley has become a force in theatre in her own right. She currently stars in the West End revival of Avenue Q, having previously starred as Sophie in Mamma Mia! as well as roles in Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World at the Other Palace and Coven at the Kiln Theatre.
On this episode of Call To Stage...
139 - Noah Harrison on Puppetry, Pretty Woman & Manifesting Jobs
This week on Call To Stage we are joined by the talented Noah Harrison!
You may recognise Noah from stealing the show as Giulio in Pretty Woman: The Musical where he also shared the stage with Amber!
Noah has also played the role of Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd at Opéra national du Rhin, Strasbourg and La Filature and Roger in Grease at the Dominion Theatre. Currently, Noah is on stage at Avenue Q playing the wonderful Rod. Check out Rod's exclusive interview with Amber on our YouTube channel now!
On this e...
138 - Maria Friedman on Merrily We Roll Along, Audition Advice & Kimberly Akimbo
We are joined by one of the most extraordinary figures in British musical theatre on this episode of Call To Stage - the legendary Maria Friedman.
A three-time Olivier Award winning, Tony and Grammy Award nominated actor and director, Maria's mark on musical theatre is indelible.
As an actor, she won the Olivier for Best Actress in a Musical for her turns in Passion, By Special Arrangement and Ragtime; she is also known as a beloved narrator in the 1999 film of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, as well as starring as Roxie in Chicago...
137 - Beverley Knight on The Bodyguard, Vocal Health, Rejection & Sylvia
We're joined by an absolute icon of British music and theatre - the one, the only, the incomparable Beverley Knight MBE is on this episode of Call To Stage!
Beverley's career spans four decades and multiple industries. A self-described "born singer" who was performing by the age of four, she spent two decades as one of the UK's most celebrated soul and R&B artists before making a seamless - and Olivier Award-winning - transition into musical theatre as an adult.
Beverley's theatre career includes the West End casts of The Bodyguard, Memphis, The Drifters...
136 - Chumisa Dornford-May on The Great Comet, Olivier Nominations & Into The Woods
We're joined by the warm and captivating Chumisa Dornford-May on this episode of Call To Stage!
Having grown up between Cape Town and England, Chumisa has rapidly established herself as one of the most exciting performers of her generation. Having made her mark originating the role of Natasha in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, for which she received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical, she has gone on to play Christine in Phantom of the Opera, Cinderella in Into the Woods (Bridge Theatre), the Mistress in Evita (Curve), as well as Wednesday...
135 - Christian Edwards on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Imposter Syndrome & West End Producer
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber is joined by the hilarious Christian Edwards... who arrives straight from the reinvented production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in Newbury to be with us!
Christian has built one of the most eclectic and entertaining careers in British theatre, spanning straight plays, musicals and regional tours. Having established himself with major West End roles in Les Mise´rables and Oliver!, he has gone on to perform in plays at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre (including A Midsummer Night's Dream and Macbeth) as well as UK Tours of Rasputin, Emma, C...
134 - Bradley Gibson on Hercules, The Lion King & Netflix's Partner Track
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber is joined by the effortlessly chic Bradley Gibson!
Bradley is one of Broadway's most exciting leading men. Having grown up in North Carolina and training at the Boston Conservatory, he made his Broadway debut as a swing in Rocky before going on to play Simba in The Lion King on Broadway, Tyrone in the Original Broadcast Cast of A Bronx Tale (alongside Ariana DuBose) as well as roles in TV on Partner Track (Netflix) and Mozart In The Jungle (Amazon Prime).
He is currently making his West...
133 - KayCee Stroh on High School Musical, BTS Stories & A West End Debut
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber is joined by an absolute childhood icon! The irrepressibly warm, joyful and genuinely life-affirming KayCee Stroh.
KayCee is best known and most beloved as Martha Cox in the High School Musical franchise - a role she booked straight from Salt Lake City having never been to LA before. The show became a worldwide cultural phenomenon and a safe place for a generation of fans, and Kaycee has spent the two decades since championing its message of being unapologetically yourself, both on screen and off.
She has also...
132 - Joy Woods on The Notebook, Little Shop of Horrors & Broadway
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber is joined by the magnetic and completely irresistible Joy Woods!
Joy Woods is one of the most exciting performers on Broadway and the West End right now. Having starred in the Broadway productions of Six The Musical, The Notebook and the most recent Gypsy revival (for which she was nominated for a Tony and GRAMMY Award), she recently made her West End debut as Sally Bowles in Cabaret. Joy has earned rave reviews and is undoubtedly one of theatre's brightest starts.
On this episode of Call To...
131 - Adam Cooper on Royal Ballet, Billy Elliot & Broadway
We're joined by a true legend of stage and screen and an undeniable multi-hyphenate - Adam Cooper!
Having started his career creating one of the most iconic moments in dance history - playing the Swam in Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, a role that earned him a Tony nomination, Adam has gone on to star in the film adaptation of Billy Elliot as well as the West End productions of Singin' In The Rain and Guys and Dolls. Adam has also starred in the UK tour of A Chorus Line as well as Grand Hotel at the Donmar...
130 - Jocasta Almgill on Legally Blonde, Dreamgirls & Being A Resident Director
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber is joined by her Legally Blonde tour co-star and resident director — the phenomenal Jocasta Almgill.
Jocasta has worked on some of the most exciting musicals in the UK - from being in the original London production of In The Heights to the ensemble in Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre. Jocasta also starred in the Original West End cast of & Juliet, the West End production of Grease and the UK tour of A Chorus Line.
She currently plays Brooke Wyndham, and serves as resident director, on the UK To...
129 - Dan Partridge on Waitress, Kinky Boots & Why Touring Is Broken
On this episode of Call To Stage, we're joined by the funny and candid Dan Partridge — a man who, as Amber quickly discovers, she has somehow never properly met despite sharing half the same friendship group, the same agent and very nearly the same production of Hairspray!
Dan has performed in many of the UK's most beloved musicals, including the West End productions of Mamma Mia and Grease, the UK Tours of Hairspray, Kinky Boots and - most recently - Waitress as well as the international tour of Cats as the Rum Tum Tugger.
He cu...
128 - Jenna Russell on Working With Sondheim, Les Miserables & Sinatra
On this episode of Call To Stage, we are joined by an icon of British musical theatre — the incomparable Jenna Russell.
Jenna's credits include many of the most iconic roles in theatre, including playing both Eponine and Fantine in Les Miserables (West End), Mary Flynn in the Olivier Award winning production of Merrily We Roll Along (West End) as well as roles in the West End productions of Follies and Hello, Dolly. She has also performed on Broadway in Urinetown and Songs For A New World.
Jenna won an Olivier Award for her performance in Su...
127 - Ryan Kopel on Dear Evan Hansen, Skincare Routines, Discipline & Newsies
On this episode of Call To Stage, we're joined by the effortlessly cool and funny Ryan Kopel.
Ryan has established himself as one of the most exciting young leading men working in British musical theatre today. Having broken through playing the titular role in the UK tour of Dear Evan Hansen in 2024, Ryan has also starred in the acclaimed and Olivier Award nominated London production of Newsies as well as the West End production of Book of Mormon and The Addams Family concert at the London Palladium.
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber...
126 - Natalie Kassanga on Moulin Rouge, Vocal Health, Child Acting & Dreamgirls
On this episode of Call To Stage, we're joined by the sparkling and joyously warm Natalie Kassanga.
Natalie made her West End debut at the age of nine playing young Nala in The Lion King, before going on to train at Sylvia Young. Since then she has become one of the most exciting performers of her generation, with credits including Satine in Moulin Rouge! (West End), Dina in Dreamgirls (UK Tour), Irene in Crazy For You (West End), and understudying both Zoe and Alana in Dear Evan Hansen (West End).
On this episode of Call...
125 - Annabelle Terry on Legally Blonde, Shakespeare & Training
On this episode of Call To Stage, we're joined by the brilliantly warm, sharp and versatile Annabelle Terry — Amber's Vivienne in Legally Blonde!
Annabelle has starred in the Original Cast of "Get Down Tonight: The KC & The Sunshine Band Musical" in both London and at the Edinburgh Fringe, the London production of Scissorhandz' as well as multiple Shakespeare productions in the US and across the UK (including the National Theatre).
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Annabelle talk about the leap of faith from straight acting into musical theatre later in your ca...
124 - Karen Mavundukure on Legally Blonde, Tour Digs & Dreamgirls
On this episode of Call To Stage, we're joined by the sensational Karen Mavundukure - Amber's Paulette, partner in on-stage comedy crime and self-described forever sister.
Karen's journey into musical theatre came almost by accident. After moving to the UK from Zimbabwe as a child and studying straight music at LIPA with no intention of going into theatre, she stumbled into the industry via The X Factor and a chance audition, going on to play alternate Effie in the original West End cast of Dreamgirls.
She has since starred in The Color Purple (UK Tour...
123 - It's A Q&A! Leading A Tour, Legally Blonde & Reality TV...
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber is flying solo — and this time it's a full Q&A, straight from her Instagram.
With a phone full of questions from her followers, Amber settles in for one of the most fun, frank and wide-ranging episodes she's ever recorded. This one covers everything!
Amber opens up about the realities of touring in a leading role for the second time — how it compares to Pretty Woman, what she's learned about looking after herself, and why playing Elle Woods still genuinely doesn't feel like work. She gets candid abou...
122 - Laura Baldwin on Waitress, Imposter Syndrome & Singin' In The Rain
On this episode of Call To Stage, we're joined by the wonderfully warm and completely charming Laura Baldwin.
Laura has built one of the most varied and impressive careers in British musical theatre. A natural comedienne with a voice to match, her credits include Lena Lamont in Singin' in the Rain (Royal Exchange Manchester), Dawn in the original West End cast of Waitress, Danielle in the London production of 101 Dalmatians and a stint in the original West End cast of Cinderella — where she found a lifelong soul sister in co-star Georgina Castle.
On this episode of...
121 - Jacob Fowler on Heathers, Standby's & Little Mix The Search
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber is joined by the effortlessly charming, brilliantly funny and refreshingly down-to-earth Jacob Fowler.
Jacob has had one of the most unconventional and exciting paths into musical theatre - after discovering a love of performing doing Into the Woods at school, he left drama school early to compete on Little Mix: The Search — the BBC talent show that changed the course of his life — before going on to win the competition and support Little Mix on their final arena tour at the O2.
He made his professional theatre debu...
120 - Killian Donnelly on the Oscars, Royal Variety, Kinky Boots & Les Miserables
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber is joined by the extraordinarily talented, endlessly wise and brilliantly warm Killian Donnelly.
Killian is one of the most decorated and versatile performers of his generation. A GRAMMY Award nominee and two-time Olivier Award nominee, his remarkable career began — with no formal training — as a swing in Les Misérables in the West End, a show he has returned to time and again, eventually playing Jean Valjean in the West End, World Arena Tour and the iconic 40th Anniversary Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall.
His o...
119 - Helen Woolf on Wicked, Emergency Covers & Performing As A New Mum
On this episode of Call To Stage, we're joined by the gloriously warm, funny and brilliantly candid Helen Woolf.
Helen has become one of the most beloved Glinda's in the history of Wicked, accumulating an extraordinary six contracts with the show across more than a decade — including the first UK Tour and multiple West End runs — before bringing her time with the show to a close alongside Lucy St. Louis, playing the role over 1,000 times in total.
Her career also includes performing in the West Side Story Arena Tour, as well as concerts at the Roya...
118 - Michael Ball on Les Miz, Sweeney Todd, Performing For Royalty & Battling Nerves
We're joined by a true legend of the British stage on this episode of Call To Stage - the endlessly charming, irrepressible, genre-defining Michael Ball.
With over four decades in the industry, two Olivier Awards for Best Actor in a Musical, two BRIT Awards and GRAMMY nomination - Michael is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars in the industry. Having made his West End debut originating the role of Marius in Les Mise´rables (a show he has returned to multiple times in his career), he has gone on to define such iconic roles as Edna Turnblad i...
117 - Kerry Ellis on Elphaba, We Will Rock You, Vocal Health & Gravity
We're joined by a true icon of British musical theatre on this episode of Call To Stage... the extraordinary Kerry Ellis is on the show!
Kerry Ellis is undoubtedly one of the most storied and gifted performers in British theatre. Having made her professional debut in the West End production of My Fair Lady, she has gone on to play among the most iconic roles in the West End - including Nancy in Oliver!, Grizabella in Cats, Fantine in Les Miserables, Meat in We Will Rock You... and, of course, Elphaba in Wicked, where she was the...
116 - Jamie Chatterton on Legally Blonde, Little Big Things & Training
We're joined by the effortlessly cool and funny Jamie Chatterton on this episode of Call To Stage!
This episode was recorded in between shows in Liverpool in Amber's dressing room!
Having trained at ArtsEd, Jamie has since gone on to star in The Sound of Music (Curve), as well as originating the roles of Tom Fraser in the critically acclaimed West End production of The Little Big Things and Alan Osmond in the world premiere National Tour of The Osmonds.
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Jamie talk about the jo...
115 - Rosanna Harris on Legally Blonde, Tour Life & Dream Roles
It's Legally Blonde tour bestie time on this episode of Call To Stage, as Amber is joined by the hugely talented and gloriously fun Rosanna Harris.
This episode was recorded in between shows in Glasgow in Amber's dressing room!
Rosanna is currently playing Serena and serving as second cover Elle on the UK Tour of Legally Blonde, having carved out an impressive career that includes the UK and International Tours of Grease and Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds arena tour.
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Rosanna talk...
114 - Ben Irish on Mamma Mia, Starting Late & Jersey Boys
On this episode of Call To Stage, we're joined by the wonderfully warm, funny and refreshingly grounded Ben Irish.
Ben has become one of the West End's most reliable and versatile leading men. A self-confessed late starter — discovered through a work experience placement at an amateur theatre group in Portsmouth at the age of 15 — he trained at ArtsEd and has since built an impressive career across some of musical theatre's most beloved shows.
His credits include Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys, Joe in 9 to 5 The Musical, Sky in Mamma Mia!, Sam in Ghost (which he also...
113 - Let's Talk About What Happened (Amber Solo)
We have a special solo episode of Call To Stage this week - as Amber opens up about her life recently.
Fresh off a difficult few weeks that have taken a real toll physically and emotionally, Amber sits down to share her side of the story in full: the illness, the press, the online trolling, and everything in between.
Amber also opens up about winning a WhatsOnStage Award for her performance as in The Great Gatsby — a role she describes as the most important contract of her career.
She also gets candid about th...
112 - Billy Nevers on Legally Blonde, First Jobs, Hamilton & Swings
We're joined by the exceptionally talented and charismatic Billy Nevers on this episode of Call To Stage!
Billy trained at the Italia Conti Junior School before leaving early — at just 17 — to make his West End debut in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Barbican (and, later, the Regents Park Open Air Theatre). He also starred in the original West End cast of & Juliet, and played Lafayette and Jefferson on the Hamilton UK & Ireland Tour, before going on to cover and then take over the role of Aaron Burr.
Billy earned a Black British Theatre Award nomination for...
111 - John McCrea on Cabaret, Dance Calls & Everybody's Talking About Jamie
We're joined by the candid, witty and magnetic John McCrea on this episode of Call To Stage!
John is one of the most distinctive actors working in British theatre today. Having stared his stage career in The Sound of Music at The Palladium, he went on to originate the role of Jamie New in Everybody's Talking About Jamie - earning an Olivier nomination and WhatsOnStage Award.
Most recently, John starred as the Emcee in Cabaret in the West End, and he currently stars in Slippery at the Omnibus Theatre.
On this episode of C...
110 - Katie Hall on Sally Bowles, Les Misérables & Coming Full Circle
We're joined by the outstanding talent that is Katie Hall on this episode of Call To Stage!
Katie has become one of the West End's most beloved leading ladies. From landing her first break - covering Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, straight out of school - she has played some of the most coveted roles in theatre, including Cosette and Fantine in Les Misérables (in the West End, UK Tour, European Tour, Arena World Tour and the iconic 25th Anniversary Concert), Maria in West Side Story (UK Tour) and Johanna in Sweeney Todd (London C...
109 - Marc Antolin on Little Shop of Horrors, Building Resilience & The Producers
On this episode of Call To Stage, we're joined by the endlessly thoughtful, funny and refreshingly honest Marc Antolin.
Marc has become one of the UK's most reliable leading men - and he's a triple threat! His career highlights include performing in the acclaimed Regents Park Open Air Theatre productions of Little Shop of Horrors (as Seymour) Hello, Dolly! and Into The Woods, as well as the West End production of Matilda The Musical.
Marc currently stars as Leo Bloom in the acclaimed West End revival of The Producers!
On this episode of Cal...
108 - Joel Harper-Jackson on Leading Roles, Financial Pressure & Frank Sinatra
On this episode of Call To Stage we're joined by powerhouse performing and leading man Joel Harper-Jackson!
Joel's story starts with him leaving college early to join the 20th Anniversary tour of Rent. From there, he has played Charlie Price in the UK tour of Kinky Boots, as well as roles in Standing At The Sky's Edge (National Theatre & in the West End), the UK tour of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical at The Aldwych Theatre, and Che in Evita...
107 - Come To Legally Blonde With Us! Tech Rehearsals, Opening & TikTok
We have a very special episode of Call To Stage for you... as we're taking you behind the scenes and into Amber's dressing for for a Call To Stage Vlog! This episode is only available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CilF3BUZzSE
Amber's taking you with her as she documents the lead-up to opening night - including tech rehearsals, the mysterious bug going around the Legally Blonde company and she's even joined by George Crawford (our Emmett!) for a catch-up.
Plus Amber shares her side to some of the discourse happening on...
106 - Emily Lane on Cadie Heron, Frozen & UK Tours
We're back with a brand new episode of Call To Stage, and this time Amber is joined with the lovely Emily Lane!
Emily first ever hit the stage at the young age of 7 when she made her West End debut as Brigitta Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, before proceeding to play Cosette in Les Misérables. Emily trained at ArtsEd where she graduated into the global pandemic. You may have also seen Emily star as Anna in the Disney production of Frozen where she learnt all sorts of tips and tricks from the one and o...
105 - Vivian Panka on Heathers, Mean Girls, Resilience & New Routes
Our guest on this episode of Call To Stage is, in many ways, just like us: Loves musical theatre, obsessed with High School Musical... but she gets to spend her life playing some of the fiercest women on stage. Vivian Panka is on the podcast!
Vivian Panka has starred as Heather Duke in Heathers: The Musical (at The Other Palace and in the pro-shot), Judy Bernly in the UK Tour of 9 To 5: The Musical (taking over the role from our very own Amber) as well as Alana in the tour of Dear Evan Hansen.
She...
