Up Close with Carlos Tseng

• Tom Glynn-Carney: From Westeros to the West End Stage

  Send us a textTom Glynn-Carney is one of the most dynamic and versatile actors working across stage and screen today. After earning an Evening Standard Award and Drama Desk Award for his role in The Ferryman, he has gone on to become a major figure in Westeros as Aegon II Targaryen in the acclaimed HBO series House of the Dragon. However, Glynn-Carney maintains a powerful connection to the theatre, having more recently won praise for his role in The Glass Menagerie opposite Amy Adams, sharing the role of Tom Wingfield with Paul Hilton . His latest stage venture sees him return to the London stage, joining a world-class ensemble for a major revival of Arthur Miller's All My Sons.In this brand new interview with Tom Glynn-Carney, we discuss his pivotal and explosive role as George Deever in Ivo van Hove’s five-star rated production. Tom offers candid insights into collaborating with acting legends like Bryan Cranston and Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and the unique artistic challenge of bringing Miller’s devastating themes of war, morality, and the American Dream to life on the West End. Since the show opened, his performance has been hailed by critics as "stupendously well-acted" and vital to this "astonishing, deeply moving piece of theatre." All My Sons runs at Wyndham's Theatre until 7 March 2026 with tickets on sale NOW!

  --------  

  24:49

  --------

  24:49
• Katherine Moar: Redefining the History Play

  Send us a textFollowing her smash hit debut play Farm Hall, Katherine Moar is returning to Jermyn Street Theatre with her latest play: Ragdoll, based on the Patty Hearst trial. With just 4 actors, the play takes audiences to the centre of the celebrity, violence, and scandal of 1970s America. Focused on the power dynamics between "the heiress" and her lawyer Robert, the play also takes audiences to 2017 where Robert faces a trial of his own in the court of public opinion. We see stark parallels between events of today and that of the 1970s and Katherine Moar carefully crafts characters provide audiences with food for thought.In this new interview, Katherine Moar talks to us about her experience of bringing her plays to the stage whilst also pursuing a PhD in History. We reflect on the success of Farm Hall  which transferred from Jermyn Street to a UK wide tour before playing in the West End. During our conversation, Katherine shares with us the challenges of being a new writer and shares her hopes that the theatre ecosystem would evolve to champion new writers into becoming established writers. It will be interesting to see if Ragdoll follows the same success as Farm Hall and we look forward to seeing more of Katherine's works being staged in the future.Ragdoll runs at Jermyn Street Theatre until 15 November 2025.Support the show

  --------  

  20:28

  --------

  20:28
• James McArdle: A National Theatre Homecoming

  Send us a textAfter graduating from RADA, James McArdle became a darling of the National Theatre appearing in landmark productions of Platonov, James I and Angels in America, all in a relatively short span of time. Since then, James McArdle has established himself as one of the most compelling actors on stage and screen. Now, he returns to the Olivier stage for the first time since 2019 for newly appointed Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham's inaugural show: a new adaptation of Euripides' Bacchae by Nima Taleghani. In the show, James takes on the role of Pentheus in a show which has been radically revamped for modern audiences. Taleghani's version includes rap verses and a thumping beat which helps build the tension of the piece that leads viscerally into the ultimate tragedy of the piece.In this brand new interview, James McArdle reflects on his numerous successes at the National Theatre and why it feels so fitting returning to the Olivier stage after a few years away. Indeed his last National Theatre project saw him taking on the title role in Peter Gynt, a thrilling update on Ibsen's original text where audiences saw James lead a 4 hour show with immense energy. Throughout our conversation, he also pays homage to Jonathan Kent who he describes as mentor who has helped shape him into the actor he is today. In our interview, we also touched on his critically acclaimed performances in Angels in America, Platonov and The Tragedy of Macbeth at the Almeida where he shares insights into his working relationship with Saoirse Ronan and also fight director Kate Waters who he reunited with on Bacchae. It's a fascinating conversation with one of the most exciting actors on stage and screen working today and it seems there's still more that we can look forward to.Bacchae runs in the Olivier Theatre, National Theatre until Saturday 1st November 2025.Support the show

  --------  

  33:19

  --------

  33:19
• Alec Boaden: Journey to the West End

  Send us a textAfter a triumphant run at Nottingham Playhouse and at the Young Vic, Alec Boaden is returning to 'Punch' for it's West End run at the Apollo Theatre. In the show, Alec multi-roles several characters opposite a cast that includes Julie Hesmondhalgh, Tony Hirst and David Shields as Jacob Dunne. The show tells the extraordinary true story of Jacob Dunne, a regular lad from Nottingham whose impulsive punch led to fatal consequences. When he leaves prison, Jacob meets with Joan and David – the parents of his victim James – a meeting that would profoundly change both of them. Since the show premiered, Jacob's story has rippled worldwide with audiences deeply touched by his successful rehabilitation.In this brand new interview with Alec Boaden, he tells us about his journey from Television Workshop to training at one of the world's leading drama schools to making his professional stage debut in a five-star rated James Graham play. We hear him talk about his affection for his Nottingham roots and how that's shaped him into the actor he is today. During our conversation, he also reveals that he'll be understudying David Shields in the lead role. After concluding Punch's run at the Young Vic, Alec took on the role of Jude in Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's revival of Noughts & Crosses, an adaptation of Malorie Blackman's bestselling novel. Alec won praise from critics and audiences for his dark portrayal of one of the show's central characters and he tells us about the important responsibility of humanising these darker characters. It's an endearing conversation where he also shares his love for his class at Guildhall as he also tells us about his hopes for his career moving forwards.Punch runs at the Apollo Theatre, London from 22 October - 29 November with tickets on sale NOW!Support the show

  --------  

  30:15

  --------

  30:15
• Isis Hainsworth: The Making of a Superstar

  Send us a textAfter earning an Ian Charleson Award nomination for her Hermia in the Bridge Theatre's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Isis Hainsworth has continued to take on some of Shakespeare's best loved roles and is now preparing to take on the role of Isabella in Measure For Measure for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Here Isis will be making her RSC debut where she's set to star alongside a stellar cast that includes the likes of Tom Mothersdale, Oli Higginson and Emily Benjamin. The production will also see rising star director Emily Burns return to the RSC following her five-star rated Love's Labour's Lost last year also at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. As a lesser-performed Shakespeare play, this is set to be a must-see show of the season with the RSC continuing it's latest season of shows. In this new interview, Isis Hainsworth opens up about her humble beginnings as an actress to being named a Screen International Star of Tomorrow in 2022. As she continues rehearsals for Measure For Measure, we hear her talk about her love for acting and the joy of returning to the theatre following her recent widely acclaimed performances in Romeo and Juliet and The House of Bernada Alba, both directed by Rebecca Frecknall. Indeed, we hear Isis speak affectionately about the directors she's gotten to work with and she highlights her admiration for Emily Burns for taking a bold approach to Measure For Measure, stripping parts of the text back whilst remaining faithful to the story. It's an endearing conversation throughout and it seems Isis is unlikely stop anytime soon as she continues to charm audiences and peers alike.Measure For Measure runs at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 13 September - 25 October with tickets on sale now!Support the show

  --------  

  24:33

  --------

  24:33

More Arts podcasts

Trending Arts podcasts

About Up Close with Carlos Tseng