There are high-profile guests and then there’s the guy we interviewed to end Season 3 of the Delfont Mackintosh Theatres Insider Podcast, Leslie Odom, Jr. With a social media following of millions and a stage door crowd every night that looked like something from a rock concert, he is true theatre royalty. And for our first filmed podcast he was a fitting subject.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with his name, he was the original Aaron Burr in Hamilton on Broadway and shot to fame during lockdown as Disney+ added the production to its streaming service. He’s also starred in long-running TV series, such as Smash and Person of Interest, and been in high-profile films such as Murder on the Orient Express and Knives Out.
With a Tony award, a Grammy award, an Emmy award, a Golden Globe nomination and two Oscar nominations, Odom Jr. is right at the top of his game and a perfect person to interview as we ended three eventful seasons of podcast recordings on behalf of Delfont Mackintosh Theatres (DMT).
What it takes to podcast with theatre royalty
After a recording no-show on day one (a scheduling conflict by his agent) we dragged our kit across town the next day and caught up with him in a secret hospitality room at the Victoria Palace Theatre, minutes before he was due on stage there. A true professional, he was warm, generous and chatty. The full interview can be found here.
Really though, he’s treading a well-worn path. As a result of our relationship with DMT, we have managed to secure access to the great and good of theatre, both cast and crew, since our first recording with Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga and Cameron Mackintosh himself back in 2023 (which was the result of a hastily arranged and brilliantly chaotic conversation in a NY apartment).
3 seasons of stage legends
Since then we’ve grabbed time with Sheridan Smith on her mobile phone in a BBC green room; had a very long chat with Succession and Braveheart star Brian Cox at his home in LA; had to navigate connectivity issues with an intransigent Gandalf; been slightly terrified to meet Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad fame; met an incredibly funny and self-effacing Fagin in the form of Simon Lipkin and, most recently, had the absolute pleasure to spend 30 minutes with Richard E. Grant and Christine Baranski before their Vogue interview.
There are many more names and all have been a pleasure to meet. And some of the most interesting have actually been the behind-the-scenes crew who make the magic happen – including a very interesting trip to the wigs room at DMT HQ and with Oliver! costume and set designer Lez Brotherston.
Sometimes, due to the nature of the industry, the recordings can be last minute, in a variety of uncontrolled locations and have people in different cities. Fortunately, we have a very experienced technical and editing team who can shape even the most sonically-challenged raw file into a thing of auditory beauty.
To listen to a highlights reel of the series, take a listen here, and for full episodes please have a listen here. And look out for who’s next – we’ve got some great guests lined up!
