In this episode, Darren and Natalie unpack the latest West End revival of Woman in Mind, Alan Ayckbourn’s 1985 psychological comedy now marking its 40th anniversary. Starring Sheridan Smith and directed by Michael Longhurst, the production revisits a story of fractured reality, imagination and domestic dissatisfaction - but does it still resonate today? Natalie and Darren share their thoughts on the play’s dated themes, standout design elements, and whether star power alone is enough to justify its return to the London stage.

The conversation then shifts backstage as Darren Zooms with Rebecca Trehearn and Frances McNamee, stars of the new folk musical Ballad Lines. In this behind-the-scenes chat, they discuss bringing traditional ballads to life, performing new writing, and the joy - and challenge - of telling intimate stories through music.

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In our first episode of 2026, Darren and Natalie dive into one of the most innovative and nerve-shredding productions currently on the London stage - A Ghost in Your Ear at Hampstead Theatre.

Written and directed by Jamie Armitage (An Interrogation, SIX) and created in collaboration with acclaimed sound designers Ben and Max Ringham, this two-hander places the audience inside a haunting using binaural 3D sound technology. Wearing headphones, spectators are immersed in a chilling ghost story that unfolds both inside a recording studio and deep within the imagination. Darren reviews how the production uses sound, performance and atmosphere to deliver genuine jump-scares, skin-crawling tension and an emotional story about family, grief and buried secrets - all while pushing the boundaries of what theatre can do.

Natalie also brings us a backstage chat with Jonathan Livingstone, who plays Sid, the studio technician opposite George Blagden’s increasingly unravelling actor. Jonathan talks about performing in a show where every line triggers a sound cue, how comedy becomes a lifeline inside horror, and what it’s like to scare an audience who are wearing headphones and completely locked into the world of the play.

From comparisons to The Woman in Black to the current wave of theatrical horror sweeping the West End, this episode explores why A Ghost in Your Ear is fast becoming one of the most talked-about and fear-inducing shows in London - and why it proves that sometimes the scariest place of all is your own imagination.

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In the final episode of Season 5, Darren and Natalie look back on an extraordinary year in theatre, sharing the productions that moved them, thrilled them, and stayed with them long after the curtain fell. From bold new writing and immersive experiences to reimagined classics and unforgettable performances, this episode is a love letter to the shows that defined 2025.

They revisit standout moments from Retrograde, Quadrophenia: A Mod Ballet, Grease Immersive Movie Musical, KENREX, This Bitter Earth, Daniel’s Husband, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Till The Stars Come Down, Evita, and The Midnight Bell -celebrating the artists, stories, and risks that made this theatrical year unforgettable.

A fitting farewell to 2025 - and the perfect curtain call to Season 5. 🎭

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