Bridge Theatre Podcast

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.