Stage Appropriate (A Musical Theatre Podcast)

Hadestown is back in London! But don’t worry because you don’t have to take a railroad line on the road to hell to get there; you can just get a normal train. In this episode, you’ll hear an annoying number of handclaps, as well as references as random as Tenacious D, Frozen and Google Maps.

If you've ever listened to this podcast and thought "these two go on about Yorkshire all the time but do not sound as if they're from within 200 miles of it" then be excited for some quality accent work in this episode, including a guest appearance from South Yorkshire legend, Mick McCarthy. If 'Standing at the Sky's Edge' is a love letter to Sheffield, then this is a love letter to 'Standing at the Sky's Edge:' in amongst the general discussion of it's magnificence, you'll hear some nonsense about grilled cheese and flashbacks to Juno's earliest childhood influences.

A classic of the ‘not technically appropriate but we’ll overlook that because it’s so good’ genre of musical theatre is discussed here (yes, that’s a genre, okay?), as we bang on relentlessly about how funny Police Cops is; you could count how many times we literally say this if you like to multitask. Other topics up for discussion in this episode include: public transport, religious texts and the burden of living with the world’s loudest laugh.

We're back to the miners' strikes again in this episode, for another Sheffield-set story, inevitably leading to Katy demanding musicals set in Leeds (but without coming up with any ideas for what these might be about). We speculate on whether Morrissey listens to silly musical theatre podcasts and Juno learns about the existence of Chumbawamba: now, her life is complete.

While this show wasn’t necessarily appropriate for an 11 year old, it’s definitely suitable for a podcast whose whole premise is discussing whether things are appropriate. Some big questions are raised in this episode: are we cursed? Who exactly is Joe? And why does Katy tell her legendary Kieron Dyer story so often?

A fun, feminist show is the subject of this episode, as we discuss the 2024 touring production of Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World, adapted from Kate Pankhurst’s book. Listen to find out which random words Juno apparently can’t pronounce as well as the reason Katy probably won’t be invited to help with any more school trips.

A weird amount of this episode is about hairbands, but this will make sense when you hear more about the show: a lovely two-hander at Southwark Playhouse starring Jacob Fowler and Grace Mouat. We extol the virtues of tiny theatres and even give travel information; you’re welcome. 

Surprise guest appearances by citizens of Arendelle, disturbing poetic performances and wild accusations about people’s knowledge of cowboys all feature in our discussion of this very fun show at Charing Cross Theatre. 

On a trip to one of our favourite theatres, we  saw the brand new, shiny musical Just for One Day, which tells the story of Live Aid through ‘80s bangers, some swearing and vague school assembly vibes. This episode also features Juno’s views on whether having a beard is rocket science, and new (possibly one time only) feature: doughnut reviews. 

Listen to our episode on The Time Traveller’s Wife to hear the word “lovely” about 87 times, more bizarre snail references and an impromptu history lesson from Juno on state intervention regarding milk distribution. The show was a tearjerker but hopefully the podcast won’t be. 

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to know a musical too well when you’ve never actually seen it (yet) then this episode will probably answer that question for you. People on the internet got all annoying about this film but ignore them! It’s flawed, but fun, just like all the best things. Put on something pink and listen to Katy and Juno do a lot of singing (sorry), misidentify pets and, for the millionth time, bemoan a cancelled holiday from 4 years ago.

It’s that rarest of theatrical trips where Katy feels like a very responsible parent: welcome to our episode on the very silly and very funny Stranger Things parody musical, Stranger Sings! Featuring ballet-dancing demagorgons, Muppet crossovers and wig reviews.

Another episode on a show we saw months ago: this time, it’s the Take That jukebox musical, Greatest Days. And if you enjoy Juno being an absolute lunatic, then this really is your greatest day; you can look forward to giant African land snails, Gary Barlow’s eyebrows, and what Mr Poppy did after leaving St Bernadette’s.

In this mini-episode we talk about an absolute treat of a show and our first of 2024: the soon-to-be-transferring-to-the West-End hit starring Sam Tutty and Dujonna Gift. You can expect to hear Katy proving that at least one of the songs is a total earworm as well as some groundbreaking pancake innovations from a very sleepy Juno.

It’s a throwback episode; we saw this show ages ago so listening to it might make you feel like you’ve time travelled. Why else would anyone be talking about Strictly? Other random references in this episode include Polly Pockets, an unfortunate parachute incident and the big question of whether Katy is too vengeful for musical theatre.

It’s the show everyone’s talking about (or at least it was when it was still on) and it was announced that it’s transferring to Broadway the day after we went! Coincidence? Or destiny? You decide. In amongst some very intellectual debate about this crazy show, expect to hear pizza-related shout-outs, top University Challenge tips and the highly logical practice of choosing a favourite musical theatre performer based on the football team they support.

Let’s all pretend that we’ve strategically saved this episode about a show we saw in July until now because we always wanted to post it on actual Groundhog Day. Join us as we relive one of our favourite shows of 2023, with fangirling, philosophy and facts about groundhogs aplenty. Is it a squirrel? Is it a beaver? Kind of both, but not quite either.

CW: this episode includes brief discussion of representations of suicide.

In this episode you’ll hear the consequences of Juno being cajoled into recording while she’s half-asleep or possibly comatose from too much Christmas chocolate. Aside from discussion of this lovely show at the Cruc!ble in Sheff!eld, expect to hear debate about what constitutes Christmas food, giant snails and a bitter tirade against teddy pickers.

Even more love for our favourite theatre, Leeds Playhouse, on this episode, along with plenty of singing (not during the performance though, obviously). Join us as we talk toxic relationships, swooshy skirts and audience behaviour fails.

Here’s the second part of our 2023 awards, including the best shows in London and on tour, as well as well-deserved recognition for a bright young star; you’ll never guess who. And if you thought there was too much Rock, Paper, Scissors in Part 1, prepare to be even more frustrated with our method of making democratic decisions.

Join us for the inaugural Stagie awards as we celebrate our favourites from 2023. Expect many references to Groundhog Day and some very keenly fought rounds of Rock, Paper, Scissors: is that how they decide the Tonys? Probably.

In this episode, we discuss a new show at Soho Place, taking in all the important topics: chicken wings, the naming of storms and health and safety, as well as confessions of love for Linzi Hateley (in a totally normal way).

Featuring overuse of the word 'fuzzy' and wild accusations about the extent of someone's crying during the show, here's our episode about the lovely Calendar Girls, which we saw on its current UK tour at Leeds Grand Theatre. Warning: if you have not yet got as far as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Juno is very keen for you to know there's a spoiler at 6 mins 21 seconds into this episode!

In an episode that, at times sounds like an A-level history lesson, Katy desperately tries to avoid just saying this show isn’t good while Juno’s true savage nature is finally revealed. Also featuring what is possibly Stage Appropriate’s first use of the word ‘soliloquy’ as well as the podcast launch of the greatest in-car game ever invented by a bored parent on a long journey.

Tales of over-heating, tippety-tappety moves and, for some reason, Robbie Williams: listen to us talk nonsense about Crazy for You at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, starring the amazing Charlie Stemp.

Minor stalking, being upstaged during celebrity encounters and getting famous thanks to our embroidery skills; all this and more in our special episode on a fantastic event for musical theatre nerds. It’s the Musical Con episode, people!

How do we end up talking about Brexit, the women’s world cup and the French Revolution while discussing the forever divisive Queen jukebox musical? It’s a long story. Listen to hear all this and a shocking announcement from Juno that rocks her mum to her very core.

What’s your favourite jacket in musical theatre? Just one of the burning questions we ponder in this episode on a terrific show which, sadly, you can’t actually go and watch now. What a world.

Did we take a break from musical theatre nonsense because we were on holiday? No, of course we didn’t. That’s just silly. In this episode, you can hear what we thought of The Prom and As You Like It in Vancouver, and 1776 in Seattle. Yes, this is a very strange combination of shows. Yes, it does make it a pretty crazy episode.

Today’s episode takes us to New York and Havana, via a delightful trip to the Bridge Theatre for Guys and Dolls. It’s immersive, guys, but don’t worry; it’s not THAT immersive.

Join us as we delve into the most unexpectedly sob-inducing musical we’ve talked about so far; when even the track listing gets you going, you know it’s a problem. At the other end of the scale, this episode also features lively discussions of swearing but NO ACTUAL SWEAR WORDS. Don’t worry.

A fun and hilarious time was had by all when we went to see two of the most dramatic musicals ever in the same day. Tune in to hear how sitting in the front row made Juno paranoid, as well as many recreations of songs about oranges.

We finally saw the show everyone's been talking about and they were right: it's amazing. Spoilers aplenty here so, if you're going to see the show, save this for your journey home!

A show so good we had to record this episode as soon as we got home; join us to rhapsodise about a fantastic local production. Please excuse the yawns: it was way past everyone’s bedtime.

You know that thing where someone spends hours describing to you in the minutest detail the plot of something you’ve never seen and didn’t, in fact, ask to have described to you? Welcome to the first 34 minutes of this episode! Katy demonstrates that, while she may have a great Duolingo streak, it’s definitely not in Spanish. Plus backstage dogs, ice cream reviews and general raving about this gorgeous, brand new show that blends the songs of Roy Orbison with a tragicomic storyline and great performances.

We made our first trip to the Southwark Playhouse for this delightfully silly show featuring symbolic ladders and highly relatable coffee-related hyperbole. Join us as we try to succeed in podcasting by actually trying quite hard.

We take in a kids’ classic on its UK tour; join us as we compare Annie with literally everything else we’ve ever seen, obsess over where the dog’s gone and demonstrate once again how difficult a New York accent is.

The big sturdy book/book wordy book of Legally Blonde comes under strict scrutiny in this episode as Katy objects to "proposalized" not actually being a word and the case is made for Elle Woods being the nicest person in musical theatre. Are the hosts literally auditioning for a revival of this show? We're afraid it sounds like it.

Like Zac Efron at the start of High School Musical 2, we're all about summer in this episode: It's the inaugral Stage Appropriate Summer Preview! Join us as we demonstrate woeful knowledge of a whole multitude of musical plots.

More & Juliet ravings this week, as we work through Act 2, featuring some beautiful reenactments, complex critique of Max Martin's back catalogue and tales of scandalised six year olds. If a tour doesn't get announced soon, we might have to put on our own.

Some flexing of English teacher muscles, tales of a mild stalking and the original bad audience behaviour anecdote. It's time to tackle Juno's number 1 favourite musical!

A newfound appreciation for local theatre groups leads us to Disney's darkest creation, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Join us for a masterclass in French pronunciation, religious job titles and gargoyle-love.

The hosts must offer their most sincere apologies for the error-strewn reference to Bambi in this episode; that little guy deserves better. Besides this, we cast wild aspersions on people's ability to turn their phones off, talk even more about Oklahoma for no obvious reason and learn the meaning of the word "lavish."

In the words of the show itself, it's "the moment you've been waiting for"...no, it's not George Washington coming back from the dead with his questionable teeth; it's time for Katy and Juno to talk all things Hamilton. And when we say "all things," obviously we mean fancy coats, year 3 long jump champions, Daveed Diggs and yet more holiday-related anecdotes. Let us know what you think of this absolute behemoth of modern musical theatre!

Nostalgia rules in this episode as Katy gets to talk about a childhood spent watching the film and having nightmares about the Childcatcher, while Juno spends her time on mash-up possibilities with boy wizards and sweet factory owners. Were the audience at this show under mind control? Why is Dick van Dyke such a cultural icon? Find out by listening to our Chitty Chitty Bang Bang episode.

Real-life magic powers, planking reindeer, nudist Scandinavians and flying gloves all feature in our discussion of a modern Disney classic. You might think this show is just for kids and grown-ups who are weird about admitting their age wouldn't enjoy it: you'd be very wrong.

Warning: Juno is literally out of control with spoilers in this discussion of The Great British Bake Off Musical, so beware. Also featuring numerous mix-ups of character names and one of the team learning what a spatula is.

Stephen King comparisons, overuse of the word 'genius' and what is an attic if not an upstairs basement? Also prepare for a lot of singing and a slightly embarrassing revelation of how one of the team spent her childhood staring at pens and waiting for them float. All this and more as we take on Matilda.