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For the final episode of this special Into The Woods mini-series, Pauline Fallowell is joined by the man who led us there: director Jordan Fein. Jordan reflects on the teachers who shaped him, the productions that prepared him, and the extraordinary chain of events that brought him to the Bridge Theatre to direct one of his most cherished shows. From first encountering Into The Woods as a child, to bringing Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical to life on stage, he shares the personal connection, creative ambition and deep sense of collaboration behind this Olivier Award-nominated production. He discusses building the creative team, casting a company that could truly function as a community, and the challenge of shaping a show that is at once magical, funny, heartbreaking and profoundly human. Drawing the series to a close, Jordan offers a moving insight into what it means to let a production go, what he has learned from this company, and why Into The Woods continues to resonate so powerfully now. Hosted by Pauline Fallowell, Director of Marketing and Audiences at the Bridge Theatre. Follow the Bridge Theatre Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, watch and subscribe on YouTube, and discover more at bridgetheatre.co.uk. Please do leave us a review. It’s great to hear what you think and it also helps more people find us.  Bridge Theatre Podcast is produced, mixed and edited for the Bridge Theatre by Jonny Bunyan and the team at Pardon Our French Productions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the penultimate episode in the Into The Woods mini-series of the Bridge Theatre Podcast, Pauline Fallowell sits down with Jacob Fowler, standby, movement captain and one of the many vital moving parts behind the Bridge Theatre’s Olivier Award nominated production. Jacob reflects on the remarkable full-circle journey that brought him here, from performing Into The Woods at school ten years ago, to now working on one of the most celebrated revivals of the musical. Along the way, he shares what it means to cover multiple roles, the pressure and thrill of being ready to go on at a moment’s notice, and the joy of learning from an extraordinary company every single night. Funny, generous and full of genuine love for the craft, Jacob provides a fascinating insight into the teamwork, trust and talent that power live theatre behind the scenes. Hosted by Pauline Fallowell, Director of Marketing and Audiences at the Bridge Theatre. Follow the Bridge Theatre Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, watch and subscribe on YouTube, and discover more at bridgetheatre.co.uk.  Bridge Theatre Podcast is produced, mixed and edited for the Bridge Theatre by Jonny Bunyan and the team at Pardon Our French Productions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Bridge Theatre Podcast, Pauline Fallowell goes behind the scenes of Into The Woods with Associate Musical Director Alex Beetschen. From the joys of conducting while also playing keys, to uncovering the intricate motifs woven through Sondheim’s score, Alex shares how the musical world of Into The Woods is created, shaped and kept alive night after night. They discuss his early love of music, his journey into musical direction, and why Into The Woods is a piece that rewards curiosity, collaboration and trust in the material. Hosted by Pauline Fallowell, Director of Marketing and Audiences at the Bridge Theatre. Follow the Bridge Theatre Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, watch and subscribe on YouTube, and discover more at bridgetheatre.co.uk. Bridge Theatre Podcast is produced, mixed and edited for the Bridge Theatre by Jonny Bunyan and the team at Pardon Our French Productions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Pauline Fallowell is joined by Into The Woods’ Assistant Stage Manager, Coral Nelson. Coral shares what it really means to be part of the backstage team on a show of this scale. With over 20 people working behind the scenes, she reflects on the precision, communication and quick thinking required to keep Into The Woods running smoothly eight times a week. She discusses her journey into theatre, what drew her to stage management, and the unique challenges of working on a production where timing, coordination and being calm under pressure are everything. From rehearsals to live performance, Coral offers insight into the unseen work that keeps the magic alive. She also reflects on the collaborative spirit backstage at the Bridge Theatre, and what audiences might be surprised to learn about what happens beyond the curtain. Because every role has a story – and some of the most important ones happen out of sight. Hosted by Pauline Fallowell, Director of Marketing and Audiences at the Bridge Theatre. Follow the Bridge Theatre Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, watch and subscribe on YouTube, and discover more at bridgetheatre.co.uk. Bridge Theatre Podcast is produced, mixed and edited for the Bridge Theatre by Jonny Bunyan and the team at Pardon Our French Productions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it true you only notice good lighting on bad shows? Pauline Fallowell is joined by Lighting Designer Aideen Malone to explore how light shapes the emotional landscape of Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine’s dazzling musical. Aideen reflects on her creative journey in theatre and how light has become her storytelling language. For Into The Woods, the forest is shaped not just by the glorious tree-filled set designed by Tom Scutt, but by shadow and illumination – creating a world that subtly shifts as the characters move from hope to consequence. She discusses how lighting guides the audience’s emotional focus, how colour and contrast influence mood, and how darkness itself becomes a powerful dramatic tool. From intricate technical precision to instinctive creative choices, Aideen reveals how light helps navigate the musical’s complexity. She also reflects on the distinctive spatial possibilities (and constraints) of working at the Bridge Theatre, and how lighting transforms the space as the fairy tale edges into something more unsettling. Because every role has a story – and sometimes, what you see depends entirely on how it’s lit. Hosted by Pauline Fallowell, Director of Marketing and Audiences at the Bridge Theatre. Follow the Bridge Theatre Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, watch and subscribe on YouTube, and discover more at bridgetheatre.co.uk. New episodes every Friday. Bridge Theatre Podcast is produced, mixed and edited for the Bridge Theatre by Jonny Bunyan and the team at Pardon Our French Productions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bridge Theatre Podcast is back and this time we’re stepping Into The Woods, exploring The Bridge’s latest production of Stephen Sondheim’s complex and deeply human musical. In our first episode, host Pauline Fallowell is joined by Tom Scutt, the Olivier award winning set and costume designer behind the production. Tom reflects on his journey through theatre, music and live events, and how those experiences have shaped his approach to visual storytelling. For Into The Woods at The Bridge, the forest becomes not a literal setting, but a shifting inner landscape – defined by uncertainty, consequence and choice. He also shares what drew him to the piece, how he tackled its fragmented scenes and overlapping narratives, uncovering a depth and urgency that feel strikingly contemporary. He also reflects on the unique creative possibilities of working at the Bridge Theatre, and what he hopes audiences take away once the fairy tales end. Because every role has a story – and sometimes, to find it, you need to step off the path. Hosted by Pauline Fallowell, Director of Marketing and Audiences at the Bridge Theatre.  Follow the Bridge Theatre Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, watch and subscribe on YouTube, and discover more at bridgetheatre.co.uk. New episodes every Friday. Bridge Theatre Podcast is produced, mixed and edited for the Bridge Theatre by Jonny Bunyan and the team at Pardon Our French Productions.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final episode of this series of the Bridge Theatre Podcast, host Pauline Fallowell sits down with legendary choreographer Dame Arlene Phillips – a woman whose life, as she says, has been “engaged as a choreographer” from the very start. Arlene looks back on the moment that changed everything: seeing the Russian Ballet at Manchester’s Free Trade Hall as a child, watching The Dying Swan and walking out knowing that dance was all she ever wanted to do. She shares the now-iconic story of the bright green ballet shoes she could afford instead of pink ones – and how that early feeling of standing out, rather than fitting in, shaped the determination that has driven her career. From creating the trailblazing dance group Hot Gossip and capturing the energy of the 1970s on television, to becoming one of the most in-demand choreographers across film, stage and TV, Arlene talks about style, risk, and why time is the most precious ingredient in any creative process. She reflects on her work at the Bridge on Hallelujah!, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Guys & Dolls – including how a single note from Nicholas Hytner led to the now-famous “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” chair sequence, and why the closing moments of Dream with David Moorst still give her goosebumps. Arlene also looks to the future: imagining a new life for Hot Gossip as an immersive experience, discussing her ongoing collaboration with choreographer James Cousins, and sharing what she might be doing if she hadn’t stayed in that first class with her green shoes –teaching small children rhythm, confidence and how to move through the world. It’s a joyful, candid and inspiring finale to the series – a celebration of a whirlwind life in dance, and of the magic that happens when choreographers, directors, dancers and audiences all step into the story together. Hosted by Pauline Fallowell, Director of Marketing and Audiences at the Bridge Theatre.   Follow the Bridge Theatre Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, watch on YouTube, and discover more at bridgetheatre.co.uk.  Bridge Theatre Podcast is produced for the Bridge Theatre by Jonny Bunyan at Pardon Our French Productions, with Executive Producer Pauline Fallowell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the penultimate episode of this series of the Bridge Theatre Podcast, host Pauline Fallowell sits down with composer Grant Olding, whose music has been woven into The Bridge’s story since Young Marx first opened the building. Grant reflects on a lifetime spent in and around theatres – from dancing as a shy three-year-old, to appearing in Oliver! in the West End, The Dark Crystal with Jim Henson, and Hamlet at the National Theatre alongside Daniel Day-Lewis and Judi Dench. He talks about how growing up backstage shaped the composer he is today, why theatre remains his first love, and what it really means for music to “help tell the story.” Pauline and Grant dive into the power of a great score, the difference between composing for stage and screen, and the thrill (and terror) of opening a brand-new theatre with a “big rock music cue.” Grant also shares his fantasy production – an immersive Sweeney Todd at the Bridge with a dream creative team – and imagines an alternative life running a second-hand bookshop on the Welsh borders. It’s a heartfelt, funny and passionate conversation with one of The Bridge’s longest-standing collaborators – and a love letter to music, theatre, and the people who make both. Hosted by Pauline Fallowell, Director of Marketing and Audiences at the Bridge Theatre.  Follow the Bridge Theatre Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, watch on YouTube, and discover more at bridgetheatre.co.uk. New episodes every Friday. Bridge Theatre Podcast is produced for the Bridge Theatre by Jonny Bunyan at Pardon Our French Productions, with Executive Producer Pauline Fallowell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Bridge Theatre Podcast, host Pauline Fallowell sits down with Lily Mollgaard, legendary props supervisor and long-time friend of The Bridge. Lily has been working in theatre for over 35 years, joining The Bridge in 2018 for Julius Caesar and returning for production after production, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Guys & Dolls, alongside an extraordinary career across the West End, dance, musicals and plays. Lily talks about falling in love with theatre as a child on trips with her dad to see shows like Oliver! and Peter Pan, discovering the magic of backstage at the Savoy Theatre, and how working with designer Bob Crowley at the Almeida led her into prop supervision. She explains what a props supervisor actually does – from engineering a smashable mirror for Jonathan Bailey to creating 49 indestructible chairs for Guys & Dolls – and why detail, collaboration and audience safety are at the heart of it all. She also shares her fantasy production: a Harold Pinter play in a classic West End house, revisiting the short, razor-sharp Party Time with a dream cast drawn from some of the great actors she’s worked with over the years. Hosted by Pauline Fallowell, Director of Marketing and Audiences at the Bridge Theatre. Follow the Bridge Theatre Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, watch on YouTube, and discover more at bridgetheatre.co.uk. New episodes every Friday. Bridge Theatre Podcast is produced for the Bridge Theatre by Jonny Bunyan at Pardon Our French Productions, with Executive Producer Pauline Fallowell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Bridge Theatre Podcast, host Pauline Fallowell sits down with Terri Hammond, The Bridge's wonderful House Operations Manager. Terri has been with The Bridge since day one and is at the heart of everything that keeps the building running smoothly – from audience experience and customer service to stage door, security, and ensuring everyone is safe once the show begins. Terri shares how childhood trips to panto – and a memorable Fireman Sam live show – sparked her love of theatre, leading her through school drama, circus arts and fire performance before an MA and a part-time stage door job brought her to The Bridge. She reflects on what makes front of house at The Bridge so special, the collaborative culture that connects every department, and some favourite memories – including a lighting note from Miriam Margolyes and the magic of Ian McKellen’s fundraising performance. We also hear about Terri’s fantasy production: a bold, immersive, video-game-inspired experience set in a huge warehouse, with Danny Boyle directing and an adaptable design from Bunny Christie. Hosted by Pauline Fallowell, Director of Marketing and Audiences at the Bridge Theatre. Follow the Bridge Theatre Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, watch on YouTube, and discover more at bridgetheatre.co.uk. New episodes every Friday. Bridge Theatre Podcast is produced by Jonny Bunyan at Pardon Our French Productions, with Executive Producer Pauline Fallowell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Bridge Theatre Podcast, host Pauline Fallowell sits down with Anna Bliss Scully, the Bridge Theatre's brilliant Head of Costume. Anna is at the heart of so much that happens at The Bridge – from helping put together the productions on stage, to photoshoots, fittings, quick-changes, and leading a team that keeps the show running night after night. Anna shares how she first fell in love with theatre while growing up near Cardiff, the school trip that changed everything, and the unexpected work-experience placement that set her on a path into costume, design, and beyond. Anna talks about the joy of making things together, the thrill of tech, and the 'electric' moment that made her realise theatre could be her world. She also reveals her fantasy production: a new play with a dream creative team (including Björk and Hofesh Shechter), an extraordinary cast drawn from across her career, and an onstage choir to break your heart in the best possible way. Anna reflects on some of her favourite memories at The Bridge: the first run-through of Guys & Dolls, the full-circle joy of working with Jonathan Bailey again during Richard II, and the creative madness of pulling off an ambitious production photoshoot. Hosted by Pauline Fallowell, Director of Marketing and Audiences at the Bridge Theatre. Follow the Bridge Theatre Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, watch via the Bridge Theatre YouTube channel and discover more at bridgetheatre.co.uk. New episodes are released every Friday. Bridge Theatre Podcast is produced for the Bridge Theatre by Jonny Bunyan at Pardon Our French Productions, with Executive Producer Pauline Fallowell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, Joe Burridge-Mitchell, Box Office Manager at the Bridge Theatre, explains the craft of guiding thousands of audience members through their journey, from the rush of tickets going on sale, right up until the moment they eagerly take their seats. He also delves into the running of a small, responsive team, maintaining crystal clear customer communication, and the strategy behind ticket pricing. Beyond the day-to-day, Joe shares his standout Bridge memories – from the whirlwind that was Guys & Dolls during awards-season, to the legendary presence of Dame Maggie Smith. And for his fantasy night out, Joe imagines comfort, care and a little chaos – a private box, a show-themed buffet and a big, joyous musical built to sweep you away from real life for a couple of hours. Hosted by Pauline Fallowell, Director of Marketing and Audiences at the Bridge Theatre. Follow the Bridge Theatre Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, watch via the Bridge Theatre YouTube channel and discover more at bridgetheatre.co.uk. New episodes are released every Friday. Bridge Theatre Podcast is produced for the Bridge Theatre by Jonny Bunyan at Pardon Our French Productions, with Executive Producer Pauline Fallowell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, associate director Lily Dyble talks about the art of supporting big shows – the sensitivity, timing and trust that let a creative team do its best work. She reflects on a pathway that spans lighting desks and rehearsal rooms, from early music-soaked beginnings in Manchester to recent projects at The Bridge and beyond, and why scale only works when the rooms are humane. Lily unpacks what it really means to be an associate director – protecting the director’s focus, translating between departments, and turning logistics into momentum – and shares a few favourite memories from Bridge productions where the building felt alive with possibility. For her fantasy production, Lily looks to music and movement — re-imagining a vast choral world in dance and light, built to surround an audience. Hosted by Pauline Fallowell, Director of Marketing and Audiences at the Bridge Theatre. Follow the Bridge Theatre Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, watch via the Bridge Theatre YouTube channel and discover more at bridgetheatre.co.uk. New episodes are released every Friday. Bridge Theatre Podcast is produced for the Bridge Theatre by Jonny Bunyan at Pardon Our French Productions, with Executive Producer Pauline Fallowell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our third episode of the series, Head of Stage James Edwards takes us behind the scenes of The Bridge – a theatre that transforms dramatically between productions thanks to the ingenuity of his team. James reveals what it takes to rebuild entire seating blocks, manage the unseen choreography of stagecraft, and keep complex productions running smoothly no matter how ambitious the vision. He reflects on a life spent backstage – from growing up in a theatre family to leading one of London’s most adaptable stages – and hints at a favourite moment when the line between crew and cast briefly disappeared. And for his fantasy production, James looks close to home – finding inspiration in London’s grit, rhythm and sense of community. Hosted by Pauline Fallowell, Director of Marketing and Audiences at the Bridge Theatre. Follow the Bridge Theatre Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, watch via the Bridge Theatre YouTube channel and discover more at bridgetheatre.co.uk. New episodes are released every Friday. Bridge Theatre Podcast is produced for the Bridge Theatre by Jonny Bunyan at Pardon Our French Productions.  The Executive Producer for the Bridge Theatre Podcast is Pauline Fallowell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our second episode of the series, fight director Kate Waters (Kombat Kate) reveals how an instinct for physical storytelling led her to choreograph the moments that make us gasp at The Bridge. She reflects on why the story must always lead the movement, the quiet, invisible work that builds confidence in the room, and the simple truth that the most important part of any day is the first minute – when trust is won. She takes us inside Julius Caesar’s street-level brutality and the electric brawl in Guys & Dolls – right down to the sound that sells a slap – and talks about crafting danger that feels real while keeping actors and audiences completely safe. And when it comes to imagining her fantasy production, Kate turns to the Lionesses and women’s sport – exploring strength, solidarity and ambition through a story that feels as dynamic and immediate as The Bridge itself. Hosted by Pauline Fallowell. Follow the Bridge Theatre Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, watch via the Bridge Theatre YouTube channel and discover more at bridgetheatre.co.uk. New episodes are released every Friday.  Bridge Theatre Podcast is produced for the Bridge Theatre by Jonny Bunyan at Pardon Our French Productions. The Executive Producer for the Bridge Theatre is Pauline Fallowell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.