{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Variety Show","title":"Andrew Robley - the pantomime dame with unlimited sass","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2553,"description":"To stay updated on future episodes, follow us on:TikTokInstagramYouTubeIf you have any comments about the podcast or are a performer who wants advice please do email info@thevarietyshowpodcast.co.ukArtist bio Andrew Robley is a British musical-theatre performer and singer from Carlisle who began his career as a cathedral chorister, later winning a BBC “Search for a Star” competition and going on to play leading-man roles in shows like Grease (Danny Zuko) and classic musicals including Carousel and Oklahoma!. He’s now a regular performer at London’s Brick Lane Music Hall, where he’s become best known for his work as a pantomime dame—an unexpectedly demanding, fast-paced role he grew into after years as a principal boy/leading man.For more on Andrew Robley visit:👉https://www.instagram.com/andrew.robleyEpisode summary In this Christmas special of Variety, host Adam Sternberg chats with Andrew about his unusual route into panto: from choirboy beginnings and a brief detour as a chef, to musical theatre leading roles, and finally being thrust into dame duties at the last minute when another performer was injured. Andrew breaks down what makes pantomime unique—ad-libbing, timing, audience interaction, and relentless quick-changes—plus the character work, voice choices, slapstick, and how panto traditions are evolving (and enduring). The episode also features a playful spoken “duet” of Sonny Boy and wraps with details of Andrew’s upcoming run at Brick Lane Music Hall in Jack and His Giant Stalk (over-16s), followed by a family version later.Don’t miss out on how we plan to bring this podcast to life with Variety Live shows.🎵 Original title music written by Peter O'Donnell and produced by Chris Burgess.Join Adam Sternberg next time for another captivating glimpse into the world of live entertainment.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/JHRDqil-H1p__PcBxkFKeWgvmzANKXqZzhsKiqUP0gc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mODc5/NmZkY2I4Nzk5OWNi/MjFiNDFhNzY5MTNi/NzI1Ni5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}