89 - Idriss Kargbo on Burlesque, Wicked, Child Acting & Sylvia Young
If you're looking for the most exciting names in musical theatre... we've got you sorted on Call To Stage! And that's especially true for this week's guest.
Idriss Karbo has emerged as one of the most exciting actors gracing the West End at the moment.
Most recently starring in Burlesque in the West End, as well as the West End transfers of Austenland and I Wish You Well - The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski-Trial Musical, Idriss is known for his infectious smile and ability to inhabit larger-than-life characters, from Boq in the West End transfer of Wicked to Donkey in the UK Tour of Shrek The Musical at just 18 years old.
Idriss also featured in the 2025 remake of Disney’s Snow White as Bingley.
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Idriss talk about performing as a child (in productions of The Lion King, Oliver! and more), transferring a show from the Fringe, “the best year of his life” in Wicked and his current experience in Burlesque.
Idriss also shares his experience of overcoming his parents skepticism around acting, touring the UK with Shrek and his experiences across film and TV.
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88 - Taila Halford on The Devil Wears Prada, Shucked & The Power of Delusion
We're back with an exciting episode of Call To Stage - as Amber is joined by your next Emily in The Devil Wears Prada... Taila Halford!
Taila makes both her Principle and West End debut with the role from this Autumn - having already performed in School of Rock on a tour of Asia, Cats on Royal Caribbean cruises and Shucked at Regents Park Open Air Theatre.
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Taila talk about life between contracts, keeping the faith through rejection and behind the scenes stories from performing on cruise ships!
Taila also takes us inside performing in Shucked alongside Ben Joyce and they chat about building resilience and why “being a little bit delusional” might actually be a performer’s superpower.
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87 - Amber Davies on Strictly, Legally Blonde & The Great Gatsby
We’re back with a very special episode of Call To Stage — this time it’s just Amber and her mic, reflecting on a life changing few months!
Fresh from wrapping The Great Gatsby at the London Coliseum, Amber reflects on why the show was her favourite contract to date, how playing Jordan pushed her as a performer and the lessons she learned from sharing the stage with West End icons like Rachel Tucker, Jamie Muscato and Corbin Bleu.
Amber also shares exclusive insight into her experience landing her dream role of Elle Woods in the new UK Tour of Legally Blonde and the process from audition to the announcement.
Plus, she takes us inside the whirlwind 24 hours from the announcement of Elle Woods to taking a surprise meeting about joining Strictly Come Dancing... and we all know what happened next!
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86 - David Thaxton on Sunset Boulevard, Olivier Awards & Broadway
We're joined by one of Wales' finest on this episode of Call To Stage as Amber sits with the Olivier Award-winning David Thaxton!
David’s career spans two decades of West End highlights - from his breakthrough in Les Misérables (playing Enjolras and Javert), to originating Giorgio in Passion at the Donmar Warehouse (winning him the Olivier for Best Actor in a Musical) and starring as the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera.
He’s also been seen in Love Never Dies, Candide, Come From Away, Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park, and most recently as Max von Mayerling in Jamie Lloyd’s record-breaking Sunset Boulevard alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Tom Francis — both in the West End and on Broadway.
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and David talk about his path from Wales to the West End, the unexpected audition that led him to Les Mis and and the challenges of balancing family life with an international career.
David also shares a masterclass in Jamie Lloyd’s unique “grid” directing style and shares what it’s really like transferring a production to Broadway.
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85 - Zachary James on Finding Your Voice, The Hunchback & Jesus Christ Superstar
We're joined by a Broadway-turned-West End star named as Broadway World's Vocalist of the Decade (and one of the tallest men we've ever met) on this episode of Call To Stage!
Zachary James has forged a hugely impressive and dynamic career in theatre - most recently as Hades in the West End production of Hadestown, as well as Dom Claude Frollo in the sold out West End concert of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. All amongst that, he starred as Caiaphas in the star-studded Hollywood Bowl production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
On Broadway, Zachary originated the role of Lurch in The Addams Family, starred in the 2008 revival of South Pacific and has performed in the Encores! productions of The Most Happy Fella and The Pirates of Penzance.
On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Zachary talk about discovering your voice later in life, Zachary's performance with Stephen Schwartz and sharing the stage with Cynthia Erivo.
Zachary also reflects on being part of original productions, the challenges of sustaining long runs, the realities of living between the UK and the US and why saying yes to unexpected opportunities has defined his career.
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This is Call To Stage, the podcast from Amber Davies, where musical theatre takes centre stage. From unforgettable backstage stories to exclusive news and insights, each week musical theatre and Dancing On Ice star Amber is joined by stars of the stage (and sometimes just fans of it!) to chat, laugh… and maybe even sing. If one thing’s for sure, Amber and her guests will be leaving it all on the mic. New episodes every Wednesday.
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